Spring & a Fennec Fox

Happy Saturday all!

As we close out this month, I wanted to share an extra blogpost with you.

This weekend, I encourage you to take a few minutes just to appreciate those good things around you. February came and went like a blur, and I am sure I am not the only one to feel that way! So as we welcome March, I hope that we all can be a little more present, and fully enjoy those little things that make life brighter. :)



To start this endeavor, here are some pretty flowers, a cute fennec fox, and some lovely creations by the wonderful artists of Carnaval de Nice (Click to go to the video)!

I was very lucky to be able to attend a Carnival celebration; the "Flower Battle" parade, or properly:  "Bataille de Fleurs" :) Performing artists including musicians and dancers dawn beautiful (and fanciful) costumes to entertain and throw flowers at the audience! :D We came home with a nice bouquet! Click on a photo on the left to go to a short video :)

My Moon

Crisp, cool nights have allowed for a beautiful view of the moon over the hills nearby. I don't think I have properly appreciated its glow in a while, and was happy to gaze at it between a break in the clouds :)

Rhino, yo!

I find that if I'm in a drawing-funk that I can't get out of, sketching an animal I seldom do breaks me out of it :) Something about the novelty? Or paying closer attention to the anatomy? Not exactly sure why, but I have this rhino to thank for resetting my drawing-brain again :)

Heart Leaves

As the flowers are starting to bloom in the park behind our neighborhood, I took special care to appreciate them as I walked by. One took my special attention....one with heart-shaped leaves and a happy yellow flower! I couldn't help but paint a study, and it became my favorite drawing of this past week :)

A Happy Diversion

This post's title could not be more fitting!

Since this time last week, I have felt in a bit of an "artist's-block" (as you know how frustrating writer's block is....), which needed to be solved with a change of pace, and working through LOTS of unfruitful sketches.

So I allowed myself to doodle and sketch and do any random art-thing that could get me out of my rut. In doing so, I am glad to have made a couple cute sketches for Valentine's Day cards (pictured below), and I let myself have the time to explore a new resource for bringing my 3D art into games (will talk more about that later!).

Pictured below:  "Batty" About you! & Lovebirds

Thanks again for reading, and see you again next week! :)

Welcome 2020!

Happy New Year!

Lots to look forward to this year! Included in the bunches of hopes and goals I have going forward, I am committing to two exciting challenges; the 365art/daily posting challenge on my Instagram (@BriannaLeahyArt) & a weekly blog post here! I will hopefully be able to keep my blog posts on Wednesdays :)

I am excited to take time to draw for myself every day, exploring new topics, media, and generally improving myself and skillset! So, check back often, good luck on your new year goals, and happy 2020!

Pictured:  Some of my challenge posts so far!

Thanks for visiting, as always!

Sea-Dragon Mermaid

:) Here's my last mermaid of "MerMay" 2019! I wanted to create a seahorse mermaid, so this lady is inspired by the leafy sea-dragon. Created in Photoshop with a Cintiq tablet.

Stormy day on the Cape

On a very grey day, sitting on the rocks of Cap de Nice watching the stormy weather & waves roll by....

I managed to fight the wind and do this small sketch of one section of the coastline...

Sketchbook, ink & Copic Markers for color: 

 

Infographics for National Geographic!

I am so very happy to announce that my artwork for National Geographic has been published!

At the end of last year, I was invited to work alongside a team of artists and writers to create infographics for National Geographic's Educational Resource Library. This online database can be used by teachers and students alike for class, and covers a wide variety of topics!

To view the infographic artwork I created for the resource library, please hop on over to my portfolio website, www.briannaleahyart.com! You can also click the link in the artwork descriptions to jump to the artwork on NationalGeographic.org. Happy exploring (and learning!).

You may also notice that I gave my portfolio a new look! I am always looking to improve it, and still have much more to do! :)

Oregon Wildlife & Holiday Bazaar

This past weekend I shared my artwork at NACC's 4th Annual Christmas Bazaar! I have been so excited to embark on my Oregon Wildlife Artwork Series, and was excited to bring the first few pieces to this event!


A great horned owl and black-tailed deer are the first two creatures in my series!


They're digital sketches, but I have treated them as if it were paper & pencil. These prints (pictured left) are 5 x 7", and have the option of coming framed.


I am looking forward to drawing more of my favorite Oregon creatures! Next up, the brush rabbit!


I want to give a big "thank you!" to everyone who came to our booth! I cannot describe how thankful I am to have such support from great friends, family, and art-lovers!

This spring, I enjoyed seeing the Western Tiger Swallowtail around my studio and along nearby walking paths!

After taking photos and identifying the species, I created a small bunch of butterflies in ink & alcohol-based marker on velum.

These sketches inspired the creation of 3D cards (see left), with delicate wings and thread for antennae. I love how a little breeze flutters their wings!

I am also happy to include them as a part of my Oregon Wildlife Series!

I will be at the Town & Country Christmas Bazaar Nov. 30, Dec. 1 & 2....but that's a story for later! :) If you like, you can follow Brianna Leahy Art on Facebook for more upcoming event info :)


The artwork gifts you see on this post (and more!) will be available at my T&CCB booth!

Thank you again for reading!
-Brianna of Brianna Leahy Art & my booth buddy, Deborah of ChickadeeAndPeeps!

Love Birds

Oh how time has flown! And so it has especially fast for two love-birds! I created this set of goldfinch & junco cake toppers out of polymer clay & acrylic paint. I am happy to say, they sat atop my own wedding cake!

After much happiness and exploring Ireland (exciting!), I'm back in the studio! Thank you for your patience in the interum!  

I will be attending multiple arts bazaars before the year's end, so look forward to seeing much much more soon! I've already posted some information on my Facebook page, please take a look! See you soon!

-Brianna

Oh, Hi! : An Ink Sketch

Oh, hi!
Created this little card to send & surprise a friend :) A happy, waving grizzly bear.

Original:  Ink (via brush pen) on vellum with pencil underdrawing. Below:  Print on creme yardstick paper.


Bye for now!

A Handful of Owls

🦉A handful of teeny-tiny owls makes this rainy morning a lovely one :)

I just finished individually sculpting a new batch of owls! These guys are made of polymer clay, with a small metal eye screw for putting on a chain as a necklace, or a ribbon as an adorable ornament!

I have been so busy gaining and honing new art-skills, and prepping for my next holiday art & craft bazaar! I have also recently debuted a website for my small art-gifts shop, Under Sea & Stars at underseaandstars.com! Please check it out! :D

Well, blog soon! I must get to painting these little guys.

Original Instagram post:  https://www.instagram.com/p/BbhmZBInOED/?taken-by=underseaandstars

Digital Doodle: A Mr. Bear

This grizzly guy is a study disguised as a fun digital doodle! I wanted to brush up on my animal anatomy, and this guy turned out to be my favorite of countless sketches, referencing various nature photography online.

A Grizzly Guy Doodle 🐻 #briannaleahyart #art #artist #artwork #bear #ursa #bruin #grizzly #grizzlybear #bear #teddybear #creature #animal #green #gold #wildlife #draw #drawing #digitalart #paint #painting #quickdraw #doodle #sketch #guy #fuzzy #cuddly #hairybear #wildlife

A post shared by Brianna Elizabeth Leahy (@briannaleahyart) on Aug 2, 2017 at 8:57pm PDT

Nursery Artwork ♡

Today I would love to share with you a project I completed for a friend. I dearly loved the process, so I hope you enjoy seeing the work!

I was asked to create a piece of nursery artwork for my friend, who is expecting her first child! The criterium:  an adorable elephant, and a excerpt from Disney's Dumbo; "Rest your head close to my heart never to part, baby of mine".

This series of images show: (Left) an initial pencil sketch, (Right) a more complete sketch as I work in Photoshop, and then the finished piece, printed & framed!

 

*My apologies for the goofy smile, my photographer started cracking jokes :)

Thank you as always for visiting, and I hope to see you back here next Wednesday for more art!
-Brianna

Art Blogging Update!

Art-Wednesdays are back! :D I am glad to share with you all again!

I have been happily swamped with commissions and prepping for a handmade market, so stay tuned! Some of my work is awaiting publisher approval before I can share it... So until then, I will catch you up on what I have been creating!

Visit back soon & often! I will be posting my first new Art-Wednesday piece later today!
Cheers!
-Brianna

Rainy Day Doodle

Another rainy day in Oregon, and I am getting back into the swing of blogging! I have been very fortunate to be so busy with commission work, but I have missed this! :)

So here is a new rainy day doodle. Inspired by Oregon's humor, teasing us with a sunny day before making us pick up our rain coats again the following morning!

Back to jackets & rain! Oregon just wont let us have more than one sunny day yet... Day 68 of #365art #briannaleahyart #art #artist #artwork #sketch #sketchbook #ink #doodle #pen #marker #copicmarkers #draw #drawing #illustration #people #girl #woman #red #redjacket #rainyday #design #dailyart #artofinstagram #cartoon #oregon #spring #youngwoman #fashion #pnw

A post shared by Brianna Elizabeth Leahy (@briannaleahyart) on Mar 18, 2017 at 12:35am PDT

Frog Sculpt & Post-it Holder: Art-Thursday

Hello again! I created this sculpt and post-it note holder as a birthday present for my boyfriend. The little tree frog sculpt is modeled after the sketch I posted last week here. She is made from Sculpey polymer clay, and painted in acrylics. The leaf holder was inspired by a banana leaf, made of felt & embellished with embroidery thread. He loves tropical tree frogs, so this went perfectly in his office! I hope you enjoy!

Zootopia Fan Art: An Art-Thursday

Had some fun with fan art this week :) Say hi to Officer Clawhauser from Disney's Zootopia! If you have not yet seen it and are a fan of animated features, go see it! It pleasantly surprised me at how much I laughed while watching it.

My fan art digital painting was done on my Wacom Cintiq with Photoshop. Thank you for reading as always, and see you next week!

 

Here is what my initial sketch looks like!

*P.S.- I do not take any claim to Disney's character, Clawhauser! Of course.

Warrior Girl & New PS Brushes: Art- Wednesday

Trying out some new photoshop brushes my friend recommended to me! This was a random doodle as I was testing them out :) I hope you like her!