Transforming a Design And Having Fun With Lines

Sometimes I find drawing a picture that is meant for a tatoo or a simple design is harder than painting or drawing a picture that is meant to hang on a wall.  My friend Cory was looking for someone to design a tatoo for him.  He was having different people try it out and he would choose the one he liked the best.  He let everyone know what he was looking for, a picture of a snowy mountain scene like the mountains in Utah and the beach.  I wanted to try drawing this because I thought it would be a fun challenge!  I drew one picture and absolutely loved the way it came out, I am actually going to frame it and hang it up for myself.  But....I unfortunately put it some where and cannot find it!  But here is the second one that I drew:

The first one came out so much better and looked a little different, this one is tweaked but at least I can give you an idea.  I find pictures like this harder to draw for a few reasons.  First off, if it's meant to be a tatoo on a persons body, it is permanent so it has to look really good.  There can't be any mistake on what the picture looks like when the tatoo artist copies a pre-drawn design.  Secondly, whenever I think of tatoo designs I think of a simple floating design.  The pictures I draw and paint go into a frame for the most part, you can see an end to the picture on all 4 sides, you see it in a box.  But with a tatoo, there may not be a border enclosing the design, it doesn't go into a picture frame.  It has to be drawn to look good out of a box.  That is my opinion and some people may not agree with me, which is perfectly fine but, those are just a few reasons why I find them challenging.
Here is one design along the same idea of a tatoo, but this design I kept changing.

If you look carefully you are able to see that I erased a lot around the flower.  That hawaiian flower is the main focal point of the design and then I played around with the type of lines around it.  This design isn't as complex as the one with the mountain and the ocean but it gave me a lot of trouble.  I knew what I wanted but couldn't piece it together just right.  But these were the 4 that I think came out the best.
For me, these types of designs are more challenging but so much fun!
Which one do you like the best?
xoxoSavannah

It All Starts With a Sketch...At Any Age

Sketching is the foundation of a drawing or painting.  It is starting to draw out an idea and express what is pictured in the mind.  I absolutely love sketching, it is probably at times one of the most stressful but fun parts of beginning a new piece.  When I start sketching the sky is the limit.  If I start drawing a circle that I first thought was going to be a baseball, I could decide to turn it into a snowman or a sunflower or a teddy bear even.  Once I start going I just let my mind and the way I feel take control.  If I am in the mood to sketch I more than likely won't turn it into a painting.  Whenever I want to paint I paint, I tend to keep it very separate from drawing.  It's really interesting because it is usually one or the other, I don't normally combine the two.
When I first started drawing I was much younger and I would just sit and draw the characters I would see on the cartoon that I was currently watching.  Here are a few that I still have from between the ages 8 and 14:

"Rocket Power" group

Arnold from "Hey, Arnold"

 When I was in 7th grade my grandfather died.  He was the closest person to me that had passed away.  a few years later when I was a freshman in high school I tried drawing him.  To me, this doesn't look like him at all but I gave it a shot trying to draw a person.

 Alvin and the chipmunks from the cover of their Halloween movie.
After I started drawing while watching TV, I tried drawing covers and pictures from books and video covers.

 Junie B. Jones

 The Grinch

 From a birthday card.

A space shuttle.

I've moved on from drawing while looking at books or videos or TV.  I will sometimes set something up in front of me to try drawing, like these hats:

Here is the progression from my sketch of the hats to the finished product.  I tried taking pictures along the way but once I got into it I just kept going haha.

Some of these pictures may look the same if you look at them fast but there are a few of the finishing touches that I do before I finish.  It's basically just taking another look and fixing what I think may need to be fixed.  I love black and white photos and whenever I draw I use either just graphite or just charcoal.  I enjoy using my finger to show depth in my pictures.  I love drawing baseball hats because of all the creases and folds, they are fun to draw and work with.
This picture will be up on my etsy shop.
I wills till every once in a while set something up to look at and draw but I am also trying to teach myself not to look at anything and draw from what I picture in my mind.  I will always be learning and working on this.  Wish me luck!
Thanks for reading and will post agin soon!
xoxoSavannah

New Work Up On Etsy

I finally put up some of my work on Etsy!!  I am so excited.  I had some work up a long time ago but then got a little busy to continue, but I'm back and ready to stay consistent.  I have put up about 7 pieces, some are the holiday pieces that I have posted pictures of on here and there are a few non holiday pieces.  Let me know what you think and if there are pieces I have put up on my blog and aren't on etsy email me and I put them up!  Savviedesigns@gmail.com

Here is the link to my Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shops/savviedesigns

I hope everyone enjoys it!
xoxo Savannah

Jell Lynn Design Reveal Night

What a weekend!  This weekend was the Holiday Barn Sale at Mangiacotti.  It was so busy and at times I couldn't even move around to restock any product.  I wanted to grab pictures of my art work merchandised but it got too busy so fast.  The first day we had over 400 transactions!  I did however sell a decorated painted plate and one painting, it's so exciting to see people enjoying my work!  I am still exhausted but at least my feet and back don't hurt any more.  I am very thankful for that.  If you would like to see any pictures check out their Facebook page.
Even though I worked 14 hour days and couldn't seem to get enough sleep, last night I was able to end the weekend with an amazing showing that I am sure inspired everyone who went to Jell Lynn Designs' Reveal Night.  One of my best friends is extremely creative and started rejuvenating old pieces of furniture that she finds into beautiful pieces of work!  She also creates extremely creative and beautiful wall art.  Here are some pictures of her stuff from last night.

 This table she found on the side of the road and made it look gorgeous!  This one is on the top of my list of favorites :)

 This picture frame came out awesome!

 Cork board

 Jell the designer :)

 Her business cards.

Talking about her inspirations for the pieces.

This piece is my all time favorite!  I love the paint sprayed on top and all the bottle pieces that make this piece even more 3D than it always was.
Jell has her own blog about her work, I highly recommend everyone checking it out:  http://uniquelynew.blogspot.com/
Her other contact information is:  jellxlynndesigns@gmail.com, 401-573-3334(p), 401-334-0029(f)
She takes orders, suggestions, requests, just ask :)  Anything you see here you can ask for different colors, pieces, etc.  One woman last night ordered the drunken wall art but with martini glasses.
I hope you enjoy her work!
xoxo Savannah