Interest in our oceans

Are you an angler, or just interested in the well-being of the world's oceans? Then check out the links on this posting for great opportunities in helping and learning about the marine world. 

First, check out the Large Pelagics Research Center headed by Dr. Molly Lutcavage out of University of Massachusetts Amherst's Gloucester station. There is a plethora of good information here as well as a link to Tag a Tiny, a program dedicating to learning about Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. If you're an angler (commercial or recreational), you can receive tags and help with the study!

All tunas are pretty important, especially those globally consumed. Yellowfin Tuna is also on that list. If you are a recreational angler interested in the possible collection of data on yellowfin to help national and international management of the species, call in THIS Friday, 27 April 2012, to be a part of a public conference call discussing the history and future of gathering data on this species.

Getting back to Bluefin tuna, and all highly migratory species, NMFS is hosting meeting down the Atlantic coast pertaining to whether the existing management of HMS is working or if amendments should take effect. The meetings are public and can be found on the official announcement.

If you're in the Boston area of Massachusetts, come check out the Aquarium Lecture Series! This week, Dr. Greg Stone will be speaking about the state of the oceans as well as the ocean health index. Each talk is free, and only ask that you register so the staff knows how many people will be there.

Another great talk is on 29 April at Boston's Museum of Science. The panel focuses on the sustainability of the seafood we eat during our generation and generations to come. This is also a free event, but are kindly asked to register!

So, go out and fish to help understand our target species! Come out and listen to professionals talk about their research in the field, and discuss the hot topics of the oceans!

New beginnings

What do the Andrea Gail, Wicked Tuna, and I have in common starting tomorrow? We share Gloucester, Massachusetts as our homebase for work. While one was a swordfish boat, the other is a popular series about fishing for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. I will not be in the commercial sector, but working towards sustainability for all species sought in the oceans.

Aside from that, a new ink will be posted on Etsy by the end of the week. Once I name it and take photos of the finished product, it will be posted!  For now, enjoy a photo of the beginning...

New to-be-named ink of a sea jelly.  To be posted on Etsy later this week!

Back on Track

Okay, so I have been horrible with these weekly posts! I have been mainly posting to Twitter because it's quick, easy, and done on my phone. Now that life is back on track, I'll be posting weekly again, I promise. To give you an update on life...

We are moved into our new place and the studio is fully functioning.  The weekend of the move, I had two orders for Truffula Trees and one for Unless from the Lorax. After that, I have been busy decorating the house and filling a custom order of Picasso Triggerfish, Mandarin Goby, customized Fathoms Below, Queen Triggerfish, Lionfish, and a custom piece called Turtles to the Surface.

Turtles to the Surface

Closeup of leatherback sea turtle for Turtles to the Surface.

Closeup of Kemps Ridley sea turtle for Turtles to the Surface.

Now with a custom narwhal completed, I am ready to continue. Monday starts my 'real' job, but I will continue with all art forms. As always, I have an idea for something new, but it will be awhile before it comes to full action. I promise when it does, it'll be grand!

There is also a cute new crochet octopus named Little Blue on Etsy as well as some more Dr Seuss inspired works.

For now, check (and follow me on!) Twitter for links to fun, interesting, and inspiring stories, and random updates on my work. Even check my flickr stream for quick photos on the randomness of life.

Teaching old dogs new tricks

Man, have these posted been spotty lately! They will continue to be, but for now, I do have a few updates. First, things will be slow on here and on Etsy.  I, along with my studio, will be moving locations to somewhere slightly more urban.

Second, here is the first of two paintings for the fundraising customer. It is entitled 'Rockport Harbor' and is done in oils. The painting is done on stretched canvas board and will be sold including the frame pictured.

I also re-ignited my fascination of Dr. Suess' The Lorax.  Yes, I cannot wait to see the movie, but I also am remembering how much I enjoyed and still enjoy the book. For that reason, I began working on a few watercolors from The Lorax. The first is a 8 x 10 watercolor and ink of the truffula trees which the Lorax protects. There will be two more watercolor and inks completed. When they are done, all three will be sold together on Etsy as well as individually.

Visit the Lorax and the rest of the Suess characters on Suessville for some fun! You'll even be able to make your very own you!  Let me introduce you to me, Lola Sala-Ma McFuzz! How fun!

Fourth, it is sad news that Jan Berenstain of the Berenstain Bears books passed away at the age of 88. Jan and Stan wrote books about a family of bears and the trials they went through on a regular basis. Each story taught the readers that life is not perfect, but that anyone can overcome any obstacle that is put in front of them.  Read the books to your kids or for yourself and remember the goodness and kindness of Jan Berenstain.

Time keeps on slippin'

No, I did not post last week. Shame befalls me!  However, I am back this week with little to say and less time to say it in. I am near completion for one commissioned painting and am working on the other now.  I also have been commissioned to outfit a vacation home with artwork in Sarasota, Florida...needless to say, things will be busy! When items are completed, they will appear here! For now, check flickr and twitter for any photos and new ideas that might be sprouting!

Bragadocious

I really am not one to toot my own horn, really, I'm not. I am, however, excited about the few pieces I have posted on Etsy since the post last week. I don't have much, but what I do have posted, I adore! First off, a couple of photographs have made it into the OOD store.  First, we have 'Man at the Wheel', a close up of the statue of the same name located in Gloucester, Massachusetts. It is a beautiful statue, commemorating all those who have been lost at sea.

'Man at the Wheel' -8 x 10 photograph available at  OOD.

The second photograph is of another iconic subject in New England, the Motif No. 1 in Rockport, Massachusetts. Only a few miles away from Gloucester, Motif No. 1 is one of the most painted and photographed buildings in New England, if not the United States. It has a history almost as old as Rockport making it a strong representative of the area. Soon, you will be able to see more images of Motif No. 1 on flickr. 

The Wall of Motif No. 1 - 8 x 10 photograph available at OOD.

Aside from these photographs, I have finally finished the long-awaited crochet project I have been working on. It is one that I am quite proud of and I am excited to make more similar pieces. Behold, the Octopus Scarf! Nearly 8 feet long and crocheted with acrylic yarn, the scarf is supremely warm and can be wrapped around for added warmth. The suction cups on the arms add a little flare and make it seem as if an octopus might actually be holding on for a ride!

Aside from the joys of these three pieces, I have also been commissioned to create pieces for a fundraiser auction being held in April!  The two pieces will be 11 x 14 oils on canvas of New England maritime scenery. As they are completed, they will be posted on here and OOD on Etsy for anyone who may want a version of their very own!

Keep On, Keep On

No, nothing new to show this week...thus far.  I do have a work in progress, plus a few ideas on the way. Two of the few ideas revolve around commissions I have for a fundraising event. As soon as they are started, they will be posted, step by step! 

For now, check out a video from the American Museum of Natural History about how dolphins and whales might play with each other. Right, dolphins are whales (but not all whales are dolphins), as in they are all in the family Delphinidae, small whales within the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales). Yes, Orcas, or Killer Whales, are the largest of the dolphins. No, Belugas are not dolphins, but they still are toothed whales.  Getting back to the point...

Bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales have been seen interacting with each other in the most unusual of ways around the Hawaiian islands. Photos have been taken of bottlenose dolphins seemingly taking rides on humpback whales out of the water. Scientists are attempting to decipher what exactly is happening. So far, conclusions point to simple enjoyment.

Watch the Whales!

Oiled

I was taught to use watercolors at a young age, along with my crayons and colored pencils. Acrylics came to me quickly but lately I have been venturing to oils. With the adventure came two paintings. These are both 8 x 10 canvas boards. They are ready to frame in conventional store-bought frames. They are sold frameless so that the owner may be able to customize their artwork with a self-chosen frame.  Like all others, these pieces are being sold through OOD on Etsy.

Glowing Moons

Stormy Sunrise

Also, follow me on twitter where updates will appear not only on the Etsy shop, but also on marine science related topics!  There may even be a sale in there somewhere!

One Similar One Different

Here we are again, another Monday and more new items in OOD on Etsy! The first of the duo is a piece of art.  After a little while sketching, I let ink take to the paper for the rather detailed portrait of an Octopus. I am selling this 9 x 12 either with or without mat. With mat it is $44.00, without the price point is $37.00. As a matted piece, the entire frameable area is 11 x 14.

Octopus matted.

Close-up of detail on Octopus.

The second is another of the stuffed crochet animals, this time a tiny narwhal! The demo one is pink with brown eyes, but can be any color.  If the color you like is not listed, just ask and it will be found!  The narwhal is being sold for $14.00.

Narwhal!

Choice of yarn colors for Narwhal! Dolphin (gray) and Squid Ink (black) are also readily available!

Next week will have some more surprises with at least one new medium...possibly two!  Lots of experimenting and imagination will be going into this week's work.  For now, if you see anything you enjoy either here or on Etsy, use the coupon code BLOG10 to receive a 10% discount!!

Into the New Year

After the holidays, now is time to get back into the swing of running this on-the-side studio. While I have conjured some New Year resolutions, I have one to add to the list. Once a week, every week, I will be posting an update, no matter how lame, on the OOD blog updating the world on happenings within the studio. Starting today, posts will appear sometime every Monday. With that said, here we go!

Directly after the holiday, my husband and I made a trip to Philadelphia to visit some friends and to attend a one of the last shows by The New Deal.  No, not FDR's series of programs for economic growth, the music group from Toronto.  Although they sound like high produced tracks, The New Deal plays everything live, like their first album, This is Live, tries to share. The New Deal is one of those groups which actually look like they love what they do. 

Since the guys took the stage, they had huge smiles on their faces and chatted with the crowd between sets. They played two sets during the night and their enthusiasm was contagious. The greatest part is that The New Deal plays music solely for playing music.  They encourage taping and photography at their shows. Here are some songs on my space.  Check out some of the photos streaming on Flickr. 

Aside from breaking back into the concert-going scene, many items have been added to OOD on Etsy in 2012 already. Below are some of the photographs that have been posted in this new year. These are all listed as 8 x 10 prints, but can be ordered either by messaging me on Etsy or emailing me at OneOceanDesigns@gmail.com.

Munching in the Marsh

Winter Wonderland

Schooling

Driveway to Snow

If you are interested in pricing details for different sized prints and matted prints:

Photo Size       Un-matted       Matted

     4 x 6                $7.00                $13.00 

     5 x 7                $11.00              $18.00 

      8 x 10              $25.00              $32.00 

    11 x 14              $30.00              $40.00 

    12 x 18              $35.00              $47.00 

    16 x 20              $40.00              $62.00 

     20 x 30              $55.00              $100.00 

There are also three paintings also set for sale on OOD on Etsy:

Solar System Horizontal    This is an 11 x 14 acrylic painting on stretched canvas with a clear varnish to protect against light and dust.

Solar System Vertical  This is an 11 x 14 acrylic painting on stretched canvas with a clear varnish to protect against light and dust.

Lionfish  This is a 9 x 12 ink and watercolor on watercolor paper. This image is not matted and sold as is.  If you would like this image matted, please message either via email or Etsy message.

Check back next Monday for what is new in OOD!

Tis the Season!

After the storms of epic destructive proportions, the holiday season is upon us. Thanksgiving has come and gone, our bellies are full, and while many people are in shopping mode I am in creative mode. There are a few new paintings on Etsy, including one of a Picasso Triggerfish, and another of Nemakaokahai.  There are many new photos, much of which can also be seen on Flickr (see the 'Ocean Not Ocean' tab to the right.  There are also a couple of jewelry pieces in the One Earth One Ocean line. The jewelry line will be expanded, as will the acrylics, and even an entirely new line of homemade goodness. Keep checking here or go directly to the One Ocean Designs Etsy shop!

New Item!

With the wake of a freak October storm and having no electricity for 8 full days, we are back and running! Man, New England is getting hit with the worst this year! Anyway, while there were no lights on in the studio, and in between cutting down trees and keeping our property safe, I dragged my sketch board to the nearest light source and kept on drawing! Now, with the lights back on, it's much easier to paint in the sketches.

The latest is something a little different from the normal art I create.  The creation is called Amphritrite and is in a mosaic-type format. I still used watercolor and ink on acid-free watercolor paper, but I decided to stray from what I usually do and try something a bit more imaginative...and here it is.

The completed work

Closeup of Amphritrite's face and the waves making up her body.

The piece is sealed in a protective case and is ready for shipping!

For the full advertisement, please see the Etsy listing, or read below!

Amphritrite is the Greek sea goddess and wife to Poseidon. In many epic poems and stories, Amphritrite and Nereids (sea nymphs) ruled the seas before Poseidon was deemed ruler of the seas. He saw Amphritrite dancing once and immediately fell in love, according to some ancient poets. Her importance seemed to wane, and in later poems, she was no more than another name for the oceans.

This watercolor and ink depicts a lively sea goddess, looking out over her waters. She has a hint of a smile playing on her lips as she gazes to the far reaches of the water...possibly looking for her husband, Poseidon to return, possibly watching the Nereids dancing and playing in the water, or possibly enjoying ruling the oceans before Poseidon is crowned their king.

The area of the painting is 8 x 10 while the white matting brings the entire frameable area to 11 x 14. There is full cardboard backing on the painting. Everything is acid free to ensure longevity of the art.

This item will be shipped in a protective plastic bag, sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard, and padded in its container.

If you enjoy this watercolored drawing, but would like it in a different size or with a different color mat (or matless!) please message me. As with all my work, everything is negotiable!

Where have you been?!

Yes, it's been awhile, but I am back!  First, a trip to the northern sections of the country (mainly Vermont and New York) for a little hiking and total autumn immersion. Then, a trip down illness-lane where my head was beyond the foggiest of fog. Finally, I am back with more energy than ever! Currently, I am working on two (yes, two) paintings for a customer. These are nearly done and I am also preparing sketches for pumpkin carving! What is that, you say? Pumpkins! Indeed! With Halloween right around the corner, it's time to get decorating with some fantastical pumpkin carvings! Last year was a tribute to Tim Burton's The Nightmare before Christmas with Sally and Jack Skellington. I'll see if I can round up some photos of those pumpkins.  This year will be a little more...old school Disney themed.  I can't wait!

So yes, there are two paintings just about ready for shipment, and ideas on more paintings on the way. Besides that, there are some photographs of not the ocean, but of the forest and farms from upstates Vermont and New York. These will also be available on Etsy once I put them up for sale!  As always, you may simply contact me if you would like to purchase a print! As for now, enjoy the sampling of photos! Please note that none of these photos are titled as of yet.

New Images! Fun Images!

Here are some new photos taken this past weekend. A customer asked for a painting of a particular beach that I know well.  To get some better insight to the beach, my husband and I decided to go for a ride and snap a few photos for reference. As a result, I have new photographs that will be put on Etsy in the next couple of days. Check them out here for a sneak peak, or if you'd rather purchase one directly from me, shoot me an email at OneOceanDesigns@gmail.com!

All images will be priced at $25.00 for 8 x 10 prints, unmatted. Of course, sizes, matting, and even pricing are negotiable!

Waiting for the Tide

Huddled

Rockland

Peek-a-boo

Algae to the Sea

Perched

Bouquet of Sunrise

News! News! News!

Some insight into what is going on here.  Short of starting a fan page on Facebook (because although I am on Facebook, I'm not the happiest fan of it), I began venturing into other avenues of getting the name of OOD out there...why not post photos publicly?  So, there you have it, I have photographs, now up on Flickr. I know, I know.  Not the hugest deal in the world, but the photos are there and they are saying hello.  And, if you just happen to notice some are not there, well, they will be.

One lovely happening is that a dear friend of mine, Jen, included some of my photos in her blog on tumblr.  No, I haven't gotten onto that system yet, but time does tell most things. Check out the photographs posted them from the Big E 2011. While you're at it, why not check out some other neat things Jen has been finding and posting about.  Go ahead, take a look!  Oh, and if you come back later but can't find this posting with her link in it, check out the snarkitecture by yennifoo under Elsewhere...yup!  You guessed it, that's her post!

Go ahead and take a look at that new icon/photo/profile image of me on Etsy. That one is courtesy of my husband.  Woohoo!

Customizable number Two

Since my first customer received his first painting (a custom Fathoms Below, see Work in Progress, August 2011), he has since come back for another to complete his duo of silhouette paintings. Over email, we worked on an idea together for something a little different, but still in the same context of Fathoms Below.  Away we came with Pod Migration! It is similar in size, media, color, and basic silhouette idea.  Instead of sharks, we see whales. Instead of looking up, we're looking horizontally. Instead of a circular sun shimmer, we have a star sun shimmer.  Enjoy the chronological photos below, introducing you to Pod Migration!

The sketch-out.  When you compare this photo to the last in the series, you'll see that things don't always work out as planned. The sketch is more-so guidelines anyway!

The beginning of the water. While painting this, many that walked by said the painting should stay as is.  Perhaps in a stark white room, this would be enough. However, we want to see some life!

A little more color and we added *gasp* the sun!

The sun streaming in had a little more work done to it and then we finally see...life! Yes, the whales are smaller than originally planned, but now there's more of them! Who doesn't like seeing so many whales in one area?

Here we have the nicely cropped and ever so eloquent Etsy image.

Woohoo!  After confirmation, the painting will be shipped off to its destination.  There it will be hung with care next to (or near?) it's sibling.  

Thank you, Marc!