Fantasy Portraits

Do you like custom portraits? Do you sometimes wonder what you'd look like on a piece of paper? Well, over the past few years I have been taking commissions to do drawings of people's faces through my own little business, Fantasy Portraits and enjoying every bit of it. It's always fun to capture specific characters and draw them in their own fantasy... a lot like telling someone else' stories through my eyes. Some people have asked me if I had learned this skill in college, but unfortunately I didn't, just something I learned by doing. Although I wish I did...imagine how much skill I could have picked up! But hey, if you're interested to learn, you could always check out the art classes at available online universities. :)

 

Well anyway, these drawings were ordered by my special bloggy friend, Lia (whose blog I absolutely adore, by the way!). She asked me to draw her shy little girl and the big sister who loves dogs so much. I guess what I enjoyed most about these were the fact that I drew them in my illustrative style instead of the usual photographic finish that people mostly ask for. It's a different kind of challenge and I've decided to offer my services through my Etsy shop too.

How about you? Have you ever commissioned anyone to do your portrait? Or maybe drawn some yourself? Any special experiences? I'd love to hear them! :)

PS: Just a reminder that my giveaway is now officially closed. I will draw the winners and share them with you soon! Ooooh... I can't wait!!! :)

A Quiet Birthday and a Giveaway

Today, I turned 36. It's been quite a long journey to be where I am today, and I can't help but think that my life still, and probably will always remain as unpredictable as the weather. Plenty of blue skies and storm clouds are waiting on the horizon. Inevitable changes, options to choose from and decisions to make. All I have to do is surrender and run free. Hopefully another year adds a good amount of faith and wisdom to my pocket, so I wouldn't have to stumble down too many times from this day on.

Well, there won't be any celebration today. Just a nice quiet day for me to rethink about the past and try to visualize what the future may bring.  But most of all, to pause and remind myself of life's littlest wonders and magic to be thankful of...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My huge thanks to these photographers for their brilliant images:

1-Brooke Ryan, 2-Pat, 3-April, 4-elgarbo, 5-Alice W, 6-alicebgardens, 7-Lucy Snowe, 8-Jessica Caso

But hold on, I'm not done yet. What would a birthday be without gifts??? And this time, the gifts are from me, to you. Yes, you! All my darling friends and followers who have all been so kind and supportive throughout the years, no matter how tough times were. It's just a way for me to say how grateful I am for YOU. :)

And for this SURPRISE GIVEAWAY, I have a very special gift for the winner... 

...my very own original piece!

And THREE $10 shopping vouchers to use in my shop!

All you need to do is be a follower of my blog, like my facebook page, leave a comment here, and you're good to go! The giveaway will end on Saturday, 3rd of March and I will announce the winners after that.

Thank you, again and again for being the wonderful souls and friends that you are. I hope the sun keeps shining and the stars sparkle even brighter each night wherever you are!

Romance is in the Air

I'm a hopeless romantic. Some of you may already know. And although taking care of two bouncy kids and a babbling baby everyday is nowhere near a perfect picture of romance, I'm glad I still have plenty of romantic flair up in my head to play around with. Here is a new series of original hand drawn ACEOs in my shop, Be Still My Heart...

Jewelry by Winterwillow

I had so much fun making them! And of course, they're a great way to collect my original art in a very affordable way. How about you? Have you created any romance inspired art lately? Please feel free to leave your link here so I can pay a visit. :)

And a little heads up! I'm going to have a very special post published in a few days... For the first time, I will have a guest writer in my blog! I'm super excited! Well, I hope I'll see you then. Meanwhile, have a wonderful Valentine's Day, everyone!

The Messenger

The Messenger, mixed mediums

my dear sweet golden bird,

fly for me into the sky

and tell the world of my woes and wishes

spread your wings and soar

while the moon hides behind the shadows

and the stars shy away from your eyes

I love you, my sweet golden bird

you sing my tales 

and cast away my burdens

with you I will keep on singing

until dawn rises and shadows disappear

~A.K~

****************

Thank you all my wonderful friends for staying with me all through the year
and letting me share with you pieces of my mind and my heart.
I hope the next year will be another blessed one.

May all your nights be filled with stars above.

Amalia, oxx  

A Small Reunion

In case you're wondering... No, I haven't disappeared into thin air. Just got a little lost inside the woods and had some struggle coming back. I must admit that I felt like I was racing round and round in a circle for the last few weeks and all I wanted was to find a way out of the cycle just so I could take a long deep breath. Well I did. With the help of some very, very old and loyal  friends I have put aside inside the cupboard for too long... My colored pencils.

For those of you who have been following my blog since the beginning, you might remember that I started off as a pencil artist and in time I got weary of how time consuming working with pencils seemed to be. So regretfully, I ventured off to explore other mediums and my pencils were neglected. What really strikes me is that now I actually have found a way to slow down with these old friends. Somehow time seems to walk in slow motion when I draw, and each  layer of color proves to be therapeutic. It's wonderful how I can comeback to my drawing table in between the chaos and sneak in a few minutes each time while the drawing just waits there patiently. :)

So yes. I'm still exhausted, overwhelmed sometimes. But now I have a little time capsule that shuts out all the noise and craziness outside.

Five minutes at a time is good enough for me. For now. :)

**********************

After thinking through many sunsets and cups of coffee , I've finally decided that my blog needs a new name. So as you can see at the top, my header will tell you just that. Hopefully it will bring me many more happy moments with all of you. Thank you for being such great company and sticking around all this time.

Love you guys! 

OXOX

A New Prince

Meet my little miracle. Weighing only 2.6 kg the day he was born, this tiny prince battled long hours of a difficult delivery with me a few days ago and made me see that life is even more precious than I've ever seen it before. We named him Rayyan, after the gate of heaven, as a prayer that one day he would grow up spreading beauty and hope to those around him.

I cannot be more thankful than I am today.

Sunshine kisses to all of you,

Amalia, oxx

Latest Blog Entry at Art Memoirs

More than Just a Fanciful Twist

Featuring an artist with diverse talents and creativity...

Feast your eyes on her enchanting art over at Art Memoirs

Do you find this image breathtaking?

Or maybe this one as enchanting?

See more at Art memoirs and experience nature 
from the eyes of a free spirit.


________________________________________________________________________________