Humpback Whale in watercolor...

Here he is .. now swathed in his watery watercolor layers..

  I have felt such a connection to this piece that I had resisted getting to the watercolor as I had so enjoyed my humpback friend even in the early stages as seen here.. in a previous post.

but I am so happy with the result.. painting this was such a beautiful experience ' almost a spiritual journey' .. I feel like I had celestial company alongside my brush.

This is the first in my new series titled -'Sacred Ocean'

'Humpback'

8.5 x 11 inches

Watercolor 

 Hotpress 140 lb

I hope you can get a sense of the sacred connection I was feeling for this gentle giant as he appeared on my paper...

XX Helen

PS.. so happy to have prints available in my little store The Willows Nest.. 

Letting the mind unravel a little... collage art journal

I have long been a lover of journalling.. page after page filled with my gorgeous painstakingly delicate renderings, filled with inspiring words and colorful delightful artwork....... 

right?..

um... nope.

More like pages of ramblings, scribbles, shopping lists mixed in with 'dream lists', new art ideas jammed in between Christmas present lists, my 4 year old's scrawls covering my fabulous new 'gratitude list' and sketches interspersed between inspiring quotes I have found. Lets not forget favorite songs I would like to download nudging up against  multiple paragraphs of epiphanies I have discovered through lengthy chats with my awesome supernatural internal spiritual SWAT team. ( I am very partial to a great epiphany !)

You've all seen those mind blowing journals of artists , that are presented when interviewed and asked ..

" may we take a peek into your journal " ?..... 

  HA.. honey you do not want to peek into mine!!!

But I love the freedom of not trying to keep it all tidy.. my journals are an extension of me.. my current spot on my journey.. I can let it all hang out.. no holds barred..  NAKED MIND UNRAVELLINGS...exploring/pondering  all showcased in the glorious exciting color of..

black ballpoint...  yup.. even the drawings.

So anyhoo.. no gorgeous inside journal pics here..

 ( where the heck do these people find the time !!!...hmmm... maybe if I gave up showering.....)

 BUT 

I can make the outside pretty... for my latest two I collaged on old ephemera and some of my 'imperfect' prints ( little bit 'o' recycling points here people !), splurged on some paint , pastels and ink.

Care to take a peek at the outside of my journals?..

So I guess I will continue to leave the 'oh so gorgeous' art journalling to 'them that don't need to shower'..

:) Cheers , Helen

Illustration friday - Little Owl watercolor painting..

The topic this week that has been selected by my Illustration Friday group is ..'Mesmerizing'..

the first thing that sprang to my mind was an Owl.

This little owlet may be tiny but she had me mesmerized while I painted her.

There is something about owls with their magical eyes'.. I would love to find this wee one peeking out from my pumpkin this fall...

have a great , lazy Sunday afternoon :)..
Luv Helen

Unusual collections - texture and patina

I love little unusual collections with a vintage/ botanical / nature feel, showing interesting, contrasting textures.. here is a peek at one of my corners...

The Chanterelle 'shrooms are from Fog and Swell... amazing tiny little stitches.. dyed with onion skins a beautiful warm ochre color.

I picked up this old cabinet and the vintage apothecary bottles from an Austin antique fair.

 Mixed in with some old silver and a very old tiny bible which hangs from a chain ( designed to be worn around the neck.. a very long time ago..it was passed down to my husband from his parents).

Vintage scissors, old metal implements, a cicada, birds nest and copper colored pods found outside my studio...

Love H xxxxx

IF - ' Influence' - Storm Petrel watercolor bird painting..

Illustration Friday's topic this week is 'Influence'..

I decided I would like to influence the weather patterns'.. whisper softly in Mother Nature's ear..
here in Texas it has been 103 degrees every day for months with no rain.. I sure love the sun.. but the plants, trees and little creatures need some moisture.

I have brought a Storm Petrel to Texas.. to share his rain love.. the Storm Petrel bird is a very strong omen to fisherman.. when he is hovering around.. rain and storms will follow..

'Rain Maker'

Watercolor 

9 x 12 inches

Helen Wheeler Shaw

I'll let you know how it goes'.. xx H


yay we finally did get some rain!!!!!!!

Feather love..

I think feathers are quite magical,

as are little eggs and old leaves..

I was enjoying painting these feathers I had collected from my guinea fowl and hens yesterday..

                                                                
                                                                        
 I took a break and went out to check on our two beehives..

lying right next to one hive I found a gift..

A beautiful, perfect feather from a Blue Jay.. so precious.. with it's deep iridescent blues.
 Happy me :)  thank you gift giver.

IF - Swell - Ink and watercolor on vintage ephemera.. Puffer fish.

Like most Puffer fish..Pedro did not take kindly to the old standing joke..
" Gee Pedro you sure are looking swell "..
He found it most offensive  and not in the least bit funny.

'Looking Swell'

watercolor, Indian ink, acrylic

On vintage ephemera from 1949 and 1907

Ephemera 8 x 6 set on watercolor paper 300 gm 9 x 12

This original piece is available here

Have a happy Tuesday visitors !

Cheers , Helen

Ink on stone - turtle paperweight

find the most perfect river stone..

add a little Indian Ink love..

   .. turtle friend.

xx Helen  

Imperfect. IF - Sea Turtle watercolor painting..

Joining in this weeks topic for the Illustration Friday' group..

               'Imperfect'  

This little sea turtle was inspired by Allison'.. a sea turtle at South Padre Turtle Rescue, Sea Turtle Inc; who after losing 3 of her flippers to a predator was able to swim again after being fitted with a special prosthesis.
I am sure being able to glide through the water again seemed 'most perfect 'to Allison, no matter how imperfect she may look.

'Perfect'

Indian ink and watercolor

9 x 12

Helen Wheeler Shaw

we have a winner. !......eye pillow give away

 Hi there.. thank you to everyone who joined in on the fun for the fishy' eye pillow give away..this is how it went down..

Lisa from Lil' Fish Studio's ...!!!!!!   yay!!!!!!      
( irony :  a fish for the fish studio haha! )
            
  ( no Random Generator here people.. my  12 year old  was way too excited to be the one to do the draw :)                                                                                                                                                                                           
  
Thanks again everyone who commented.. I am so excited with all the sea life suggestions.. my creative wheels are spinning in delight.

Lisa if you can email me your address , this little chap will be sent off to you toot sweet' ( a crazy Kiwi' saying..it means pronto'..um..fast )

Tomorrow I will be posting my illustration for Illustration Friday .. the theme was 'Imperfect'.. awww this one is about a true sweet story.. I better go and get her finished...

Ciao , Helen xx

Illustration Friday - Watercolor fish..

I'm joining in on this weeks theme - 'Obsession ' for Illustration Friday

It's all about fish for me at the moment... this little guy was inspired by yesterdays post 'Fish..paintings and metal sculptures'...    My little steampunk influenced version....

'Fish .1.'

Indian ink and watercolor

9 x 12

Helen Wheeler-Shaw

I feel he fitted in well with my fish obsession for this week..
 but wait there's more....
.. I stumbled upon a super fishy fibre artist.. more details tomorrow...
Love.. H xx

A little bird with a touch of Verdigris...

 Verdigris  :  the beautiful aged green patina that forms on copper after it has been exposed to the elements for a length of time..Its name comes from the Middle English vertegrez, from the Old French verte grez, an alteration of vert-de-Grice — verd (green), de (of), and Grice (Greece)— "green of Greece".

I decided to 'age' a gold frame that had an appealing design and shape. I painted it with a copper metallic paint and then used this 'verdigris' ageing solution.
Pleased with the results I painted this little chap in watercolor over the top of some old ephemera. To enhance the frame color I painted his feathers a similar green/blue verdigris shade. At a later date I will add a hand stamped copper plate inside the frame and then fill it with resin. This will give the work a clear glass protective coating which will make the frame an essential , connected part of the artwork .

I will post this again when it is finished.. Cheers , H xx

Illustration Friday - Number 2 in the series..

 I have finally finished my piece to submit for this weeks "Illustration Friday ' group.. the theme was... 'Stay'

Hoping he will...
 'Stay a while'
Watercolor on paper
9 x 12
Helen Wheeler-Shaw


Thanks for visiting  xxxx Helen

ps ( a 2nd shout out to my great hand model Luke ..my 12 year old son :)

Remedy- Illustration Friday

This week for Illo' Friday.. the theme was 'Remedy'

I decided to paint a natural remedy from my home country New Zealand.

Wild Tea tree  ( Manuka is the name given by the New Zealand Maori) is covered in rosy pink or white clusters of flowers in the summer, much to the bees delight.. ( they make the very popular tasty ,medicinal 'Manuka Honey', from the pollen.

'Manuka'
Watercolor on paper 8.5 x 11
Helen Wheeler-Shaw

Manuka has many health benefits, the essential oil from the leaves is a miracle in a bottle, full of antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. I always have a bottle in my bathroom cupboard.. and often have a few drops in my bath . The scent is a fresh, clean 'pine' type smell and combined with all the magical anti-bacterial powers', it also makes a fantastic natural cleaning spray.

Thanks for visiting.. sending you all  fun, happy 4th July wishes for all in the USA :)
Cheers , Helen xx