I have a new logo! My son, who is a graphic designer, took my idea and made it a reality! He did an outstanding job creating just what I wanted which was to take my initials and turn them into a unicorn. Then he added the colors I wanted.

​I am so pleased with the design. I used it on my new business cards and will add it to other business products. Here's what the card looks like:

Awesome job, Jay. Thank you for bringing my vision to life!

Jay's contact info: jaytherobot@gmail.com. 

Woohoo, I finished my 30 days of sketching! I was able to explore some new ideas for paintings and most of all, improve my sketching skills. And most of all? I had fun! I had a few moments of fear and doubt but I managed to push through and sketch anyway. Some even were good.

I am going to develop some of them further as paintings. Should be a fun process. 

I also did this pet portrait. What a pretty kitty she was! I hope her owner will love having it as a sweet reminder of her kitty.
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The weather has been pretty gloomy lately - we're getting lots of rain and cold. Makes for some good studio time although I'm ready for Spring. I'm ready to go on an adventure - I'm headed to North Carolina in about 1 1/2 weeks to an artists' conference. I can't wait to see my friends and get new ideas! Creative well filling time!

So how are your New Year's Resolutions going? January is already flying by. Goodness, Christmas and New Year's feel like they were just a week ago but here we are past the middle of the month!

To help me keep on track, I make a 3 month plan that lists out my goals which I then broke down into categories.I then created a journal with pages for my art, business, spiritual, personal goals, and so on. I have boxes to check off as I go. It really helps to have a visual reminder and I had fun creating it! I will make a new  journal for each quarter.
Below is the Goals Journal I made for January - March with the description page. It will be fun to go back at the end and see how I did.

In other news, I am happy to report I haven't missed a day of my 30 Day Drawing Challenge and best of all? I'm having fun! I didn't make a prompt list - I'm just drawing what seems like a fun thing to draw for that day. No pressure, no expectations of perfection, just a simple have fun drawing. 

I'm also currently working on a pet commission plus a new T-shirt design. When those are completed, I have another commission to work on from someone I did some art for a couple of years ago. It should be a fun one. 

Besides art, I am committing to a healthier lifestyle which includes eating better and getting consistent exercise. I'm enjoying exploring new recipes and have found some really good ones. All in all, January is shaping up to be a great month! 

I hope your New Year is off and going smoothly. How are you keeping up with your goals? 

I hate sketching with a pencil. I blame bad art teachers, being a perfectionist (I want it right the first time I do it), and being sensitive to what others think. But give me a paintbrush and oil paint and I jump right in there and sketch away. The thing with oil paint is you can move it around, get it right. Or if not, it's easy to cover up later.

So, back to drawing with a pencil. I'm getting pretty tired of that hang-up. I feel like it's holding me back. What's an artist to do then? I'm so glad you asked! :) I have decided to challenge myself to do 30 sketches in 30 days, starting today! If you're interested in following along, you can find me at: ceciliabramhallart on Instagram and Cecilia Bramhall Art on facebook. Here's the one I did for today. Let me know what you think!

"You can't do that". "It's not done that way". "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen, heard, (fill in the blank)". "It's not possible..."

We've all heard those words at one time or another in our lives - sometimes it was spoken in a demeaning way, other times it was well-intentioned nevertheless the words were wounding.

I've been asking for a bigger than me dream; a God-sized dream. That means something far beyond what I can even begin to imagine or have the know-how to do. I want my art to reflect those dreams, to push the boundaries of what I know - to dream impossible dreams - fantasy art is one way I express those dreams. I seek to make possible the impossible. To dream big. Go beyond limitations. To use my God-given imagination to push past the mundane.

​Will you dare to dream the impossible too?
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The time has come for us to finally move the farm full-time. I'm so very excited as this is where my studio is located - no more dark bedroom to paint in! I'm grateful for that bedroom as I've had smaller spaces or even had to pick everything up from the table so we could eat supper but it's going to be wonderful to have a light-filled, large space dedicated to my art.

So that means, I'm busy purging and packing. So much stuff - where did it all come from? LOL. I'm trying to still paint some each day but some days I feel the need to keep packing. Did I mention I'm excited? I am!! It's a dream come true for my husband and I. ​

Stay tuned - more on the move will be coming soon along with a studio tour!

Tin Roof Studio - Look at those big windows!

My latest painting in progress!

My newest painting is "Carried", depicting the tender scene of a shepherd carrying a black lamb. 
​Limited edition Giclee prints of this painting  are now available with only 100 made. Each is printed on archival paper for beautiful long lasting prints. Size is 8x10", numbered and signed. This would make a wonderful and special gift!

Recently I went to Asheville, NC to an artist workshop called Mastermind. It is part of the Matt Tommey Mentoring Group -Created to Thrive - I belong to. It was incredible. We got to discuss art, the business of doing art, heard some great speakers - Mark DeJesus  (author of  Exposing The Rejection Mindset) and Shae Bynes (author of Grace Over Grind). Just wow. And the connections made with other artists who want to thrive was priceless. 

One of the things I walked away with was a new direction for my art. I've been wondering for awhile what direction I should take. I feel Fantasy and Whimsical Art is where my passion lies. I've loved unicorns, dragons, and fairies for as long as I can remember. They are rich in symbolism and spark the imagination. Take the unicorn for instance: it symbolizes infinite possibilities, pursuit of dreams, gentleness yet power, purity, overcoming, and hope to name a few. 

So, I am changing direction. My paintings will be to capture the magical wonder of creation through the use of fantasy and realism and daring you to dream. 

Last weekend I was in Asheville, NC for Gathering of Artisans (GOA). It was incredible. To be with over 200 creatives was so inspiring. I discovered who my tribe is and let me tell you, knowing that is life filling!

I made new artist friends, learned different painting techniques, created a journal for fun, and heard great messages on who God created me to be - an artist. We are not some second rate class but instead vital to the world. We create and reflect beauty to the world. Can you imagine a world with no art? Pretty dull, if you ask me.

So this week, I've been pondering and absorbing all I've learned. I'm excited to press into my art business. My heart is singing with the joy of creating. I can't wait to go back next year!