Illustrated black and white pillows for cat, dog and doll lovers

Yesterday I had so much fun painting this sweet cute guys and turned them into decorative pillows. I think they are so adorable, they make me smile every time I pass through them :) 

These pieces are original, painted by hand and they match all most everything and give that special fun touch to you favorite place.

See more pictures below:

                  

                 

                     

                     

                     

You can have yours here, but there is a special condition, you have to hug them once in a while.... with love ;)

Another thing - this pillows are prepared to listen carefully all that you say and they never will share with anyone your secrets. Promise!

Sending loads of sweetness in your way,

Xox

Susana

What if you fly? - bird painting tutorial mixed media art

                                

The kids have started school today, so I am feeling free as a bird ;) I want to start this new season sharing bits of creativity, so you can try and explore in your journal.

You will need: a journal with thick pages, acrylic paints, pastel, bits of paper for collage, gel medium or some glue, paintbrush and spatula.

                  

step 1: start by applying some acrylic paints on your page with your fingers or paintbrush ( have fun this is the best part ;)

Step 2: for texture glue some bits of paper on your page and make some marks with oil pastel ( don't think just do it)

Step 3: with your spatula layer some white and pink paint 

Step 4: find the best position to start defining your painting, and draw your bird with a pencil and give some more details - like an horizontal line ( to give some depth) flowers, trees what you like or inspire you at the moment.

Step 5: paint the sky with a Prussian Blue or other color you love and with a bit of white blend the colors around the bird to define the landscape.

Step 6: grab your oil pastels and go around the bird and trees and draw some more natural elements.

Step 7: use some patterned paper to cut a triangle, draw a sweet house and glue the triangle to make the roof

Step 8: give some feature to your bird 

Step 9: if you like, choose some inspiring words and use a black pen to write them.

I hope you have fun and make some time during this week to be creative and you will see, it will feel really good :)

There is freedom waiting for you,

On the breezes of the sky,

And you ask "What if I fall?"

Oh but my darling,

What if you fly?

                                                                        

by Erin Hanson

Xox 

Susana

                    

P.s- I have changed the link of my blog now it´s http://susanatavaresart.blogspot.com , you can include in your bookmarks to easily find it.

To let go... and open a new page.

Have you ever felt you want to turn the page, start a new phase and let go what no longer serves you?

Well, that´s me right now!

I want to turn to a bright, white new page. To do this, my body, my mind and heart start moving together in the direction of release.

Releasing stuff from our lives can be so powerful and freeing, while you throw away things something is shifting inside at the same time. So I dig into my studio and start opening drawers and cabinets and I have taken almost everything out. Bags and bags where filled to go. It was such a strong feeling that i knew i have to do it. 3 days to let go, 3 days full of love, peace of mind and happiness to release....so good it felt like heaven. My shoulders are lighter, all the process felt so right.

Now I feel ready to start this new phase of my life!

So my studio look different, check out the pictures :)

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.”– Ann Lander

“In the process of letting go you will lose many things from the past, but you will find yourself.”– Deepak Chopra

In this process of let go, I have picked some original pieces and I will be offering them and you will know how, signing my newsletter on the top left of this blog- Subscribe my newsletter.

Sending you much love

Susana Tavares

Fairy world original drawings

              

Sometimes fairies surround me with their precious inspiration, especially when I go to a garden or I am in nature. 

I love the elemental world,  they are so mysterious and magical. I feel uplifted every time I think about them. Absolutely they are pure positive energy.

Now I ask you- do you believe in fairies? I hope you say - I do, I do, I do!!!!! ;)

                       

                     

                     

                    

                  

                   

These original drawings are available in my etsy shop

Wishing you a great summer

Xox

Susana

Be the light - painting process

                   

Are you ready to take your journal and paint for a while?

I hope so because I have this creative process to share with you ;)

                 

Step 1 - spread some watercolor in several tones in your journal 

If you don´t have watercolors you can use acrylic paint mixed with a bit of water

Step 2 - make a collage with some vintage and painted papers 

               

Step 3 - with a pallet knife spread some white paint or gesso on top of the watercolor to seal them.

Step 4 - grab a charcoal pencil and make some doodles and marks on your page, it's fun and gives texture

               

Step 5 - stamp - I have used several stamps, a butterfly , a plant and the striped pattern above. Use your intuition and follow ;)

Step 6 - one more layer, using the faber castell pitt pens. I have doodle with the pens , defining some areas and put some water on top to dissolve the ink. 

               

Step 7 - acrylic paint in flesh tone to start the face and a turquoise inside the round shape. You can even spread the same colors here and there on your backgroung, to give a sense of balance to the painting.

               

Step 8- time to paint the face, I used watercolors in tones of blue, green, orange and white acrylic paint to shade her and give her some hair (black watercolor)

Step 9 - define the eyes and her features with a black pitt pen

               

Step 10- I found that sweet bird flying on the background ;) painted with an orange acrylic paint and for the wings 2 different pinks with oil pastel.

Step 11- make a yellow aura around her with oil pastel

Step 12- finish with some geometric shapes and flowers (made with my black pencil) and choose some beautiful words to your painting

I hope you have fun with this process, and if you like to share what you have done with me, just tag my name so I can see it. If you have some friends intrested in play with art, please share it with them also :)

Facebook- Susana Tavares or Atelier Susana Tavares

Instagram - @ateliersusanatavares

"Travel light, live light, spread the light and BE the light" - Robin Nola

                                                         

Xox

Susana 

I have a gift for you :)

                             

                          

Tomorrow I will start my vacations so I want to leave you with a gift.

The poster above is for you to print and to share with your special friends.

Some ideas:

- print as a postcard an send it in the mail for special friends

- share it on your friends Facebook page

- Make a special dinner for old friends and give it as a gift

- surprise a friend with a special message or email and attach this image

How to keep and print this image?

- if you are on your iPad or iPhone just click for a while on the image and click on Save image. This way you saved the image to your gallery and you just have to print it on your printer or send it by email for a print house.

- if you are on your computer, right click on your mouse and "save image as". Save it to your images and just print it out on your preferred size.

A big hug for you full of love

Xox

Susana

Travel art journals to uplift you

Do you know why I love to make art?

I love to make art because art heals, art feels good and art is a way to be mindful, a way to achieve presence, actually art can be an uplifter...

...and I want to uplift you!

This hand made travel art journals + watercolor set are for you, to put on your bag and whenever it feels right, you are ready to create and have fun.
Create on the garden, on the beach, on the café , on the couch....
You need to have fun right? ( I know i do!!!)

Check them out

I am Bliss! Journal - cover

1 st pages

Last pages

back cover

"See the beauty around" - travel journal

1st pages

last pages

back cover

 "Sweet memories" travel journal + watercolor set

1 st pages

last pages

back cover

The journals are original pieces, full of sweetness and beautiful details.
All of them are one of a kind pieces.
Inside you will find watercolor paper and regular blank paper, ready to paint, draw and write ;)

Size :5 x 7" / 18x12,5 cm

This Watercolor set

is really easy to use. Start by wetting your brush on water and rub it on the color you want to use and then apply it on your watercolor paper.
If you like you can also join me on my Watercolor Fun class where I share with you my favorite ways to use watercolors ;) 

Get your travel art journal here

Wishing you a beautiful day!!!!

Xox

Susana