A Year, New Art!

A new year, a new place to call home...

...and a new opportunity to share my art and adventures with you! :D 2021 is full of goals, wishes, hopes....and I hope to bring you some joy in sharing my art-journey here!

The snapshots below are my first of the year! Reflections on 2020, a goodbye to France, & a hello to my new home state: Florida! There's still so much I have yet to see, but each time I walk out the door I see something new; something art-inspiring! :) 

Keep an eye out for art soon! I am finally just about settled in, so I can get drawing! 

Sending my sincerest & best wishes for you & your family this year!

Bird's Beginning

It's the second week of quarantine for us, so to keep me from spinning my wheels too badly I decided to embark on a fun 3D project :)

This is a more involved project, as I will be doing a fair bit of experimentation! But I am happy to employ my 3D modeling skills to creating a cute little bird for a video game :) The goal is to create it in parts, keep it low-poly for minimal lag, and to script some simple movements to him. Bonus if I can eventually make him chirp too!

Below are a couple screenshots of my work in progress! You can also see them on my Instagram>>

The screenshot above was taken just after I unwrapped, and had a mess of UVs to size and organize :) Below, You can better see my model in different views, and my final arrangement for my UV map, as it is currently :) As I do a test paint soon, I will see if it needs any editing- hopefully not! :D



 I forgot to take screenshots as I was modeling, but you can see the wireframe in these anyway. I will be painting him up soon, so he will look more handsome than his current grey blob-like appearance :P

That's all for now folks!

As always I wish you well, but today I send an especially sincere wish for good health to you and your loved ones. Take care until next time, when I hope to bring you a little cheer in the form of a little painted bird :)

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 :)

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.

My Favorite Childhood Mermaid

In honor of #Mermay & my favorite mermaid of my childhood, here's my own little mermaid! This painting-doodle is inspired by the "Under the Sea" musical scene in Disney's "The Little Mermaid" (which I was addicted to as a kid!). Created in Photoshop.*

*This is fan-art! As such, I do not lay claim to "The Little Mermaid" as depicted in Disney's film. :)

Thanks as always for stopping by! See you again soon!

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: 

 

Along a Footpath in Falicon

While exploring Falicon, France, I found that this little entrance was one of my favorite scenes. The community behind this archway was equally as charming, with its winding paths, unique buildings jutting against their neighbors, and small squares filled with a multitude of potted plants :) I definitely want to go back for another visit & hike!

Below:  Small, ink & marker sketch on paper. Footpath & archway in Falicon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwCkOPmheXA/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

^Above:  Original ink thumbnail in sketchbook.

Learning on the Tram

Kiddos on the tram have been unknowingly helping me learn French, and to train my ears for correct pronunciation :) Yesterday a little one, staring out the window repeated “monsieur, madame, monsieur, madame....” until his mom told him to shhh! 😌

This is the first time in a good while that I have just let myself doodle with ink....oh how I didn't realize how much I've missed the feeling! We hope to be settled into our new home soon so I can really turn my focus back to my personal work (& this blog!)  :)   Take care & see you back here again soon!

Here's to 2018!

🎉What a year! 
I had so many new art-adventures, got married, and set up new plans for the new year! Here’s to 2018, and looking forward to 2019! 

Here's my 'best nine of 2018!' from Instagram:

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!

A Batty Idea: Oregon Wildlife Art

One reason I love Photoshop; it's easy to create a seamless pattern! So as Halloween was drawing near, a batty-bat pattern seemed like a must-have :) I have wanted to create more artwork featuring local wildlife, so why not start with Yuma myotis?



A cute little bat, Yuma myotis can be found near my home in Oregon. I have always enjoyed learning more about creatures and plants, especially those who share the same wilderness that I do. Energized by the thought that creating this art can bring me both joy, and the knowledge to identify this creature in real life, I decided to start a new art series!



I am excited to say that I will be focusing on Oregon wildlife artwork for the rest of this year! I endeavor to create art that inspires interest in learning about the natural world, especially for Oregonians young & old :) To do this, I will focus on local species, & include a bite-size bit of educational information with each art piece!

Currently I'm working on naturalistic wall-art, illustrated notebooks (with wildlife facts inside the cover), greeting cards, & even getting my pattern-designs on cloth (pictured left)!


New possibilities are open to my art-gifts now that I am printing my artwork on cotton cloth, and I am so excited!


I hope to bring a fair bit to my art-booths at events this holiday season as well, so keep an eye out! :D

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

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

Silly Animals in Ink: Art-Friday

Inktober fun! I had a great time getting back to my ink, marker & paper! The following sketches were started in pencil, followed in my brush pen, and then with Copic markers for color. I hope you enjoy these playful doodles.

Mini Art Cards: Art-Wednesday

I am happy to announce that I have hatched a new Etsy shop artwork idea! I am currently (albeit slowly) creating a collection of miniature art cards! Each card will come with a matching patterned envelope, and will be part of a themed set of three.

To start, I will have the following themes:  coast/ocean (pictured below), woodland animals, and flora. At 3" square, they can easily fit inside standard invitation envelopes for sending to friends, and will fit in pockets for surprise hand-delivery!

I look forward to releasing them on my Etsy shop soon! I will write here on my blog when they are as well.

        

Miss Bear Portrait: Project Process Art-Wednesday

Meet the sweet Miss Bear! A digital illustration completely done in photoshop, I thought it would be interesting to some of you to see a more in-depth look at my digital process! So below her portrait, you will find my three main stages that I use in my drawings. Thank you for looking!

1) To start, I do a number of warm up sketches in the size of thumbnails until I find one that match my vision. They are usually very rough and messy. Eventually I work up to a drawing I am happy with:

 

2) I refine my design on a separate layer above my sketch, getting clear edges and planning colors:

3) On another layer, sandwiched between the existing two, I start painting! On the right, you can see my color palette for the bear. I continue with this process until the whole canvas is painted. I add another layer on top for subtle warm and cool tones. The very last step before I am done is an extra pass to clean up edges!

Thank you for reading!