Press :: Miranda Southern Blog

Hi friends! I'm so fortunate when my art-making can coincide with a positive movement that can affect lives for the better. Last week I got to create a really meaningful portrait of a preemie and his mom, Miranda, who hadn't yet left the hospital.

Baby Hollis is a few months older now and happy and healthy, but I was so touched that this is the portrait his mama chose to memorialize. I feel like there is a tendency to photograph and share babies that need extra care a little less often, and I'm sure a lot has to do with moms who are scared and worried or who wish they "could have done more" during pregnancy.

To me this is a portrait of two lovely people who are lucky enough to have each other for the rest of their lives, and who will persevere to get through anything together. 

I'm so honored and humbled to be able to be a part of Miranda's meaningful message of love as she talks about November being Prematurity Awareness Month and her personal goal to bring more awareness and support of moms and babies going through this scary and trying time. 

Read up about Miranda and Hollis' early lives together in the the NICU as well as how much having such a special portrait created has meant in honoring their story:

Hand-sketched Portrait in Honor of Prematurity Awareness

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originally published November 11, 2017

Sunflower Field Adventure!

You guuuuys..... look where I got to spend my afternoon yesterday right up in Haleiwa on North Shore, O'ahu! In a HUUUUUGE sunflower field doing a fun photo shoot with my friend Reggie (keep an eye out for those incredible pics once he's done editing!!). 

Access to the fields are pretty limited, but Reggie found out he had an 'in' super last minute so around 11 pm Wednesday night I get a text from him saying, 'Hey you wanna be my model for a sunset sunflower field shoot tomorrow?' I'm like, 'Duh! Abso-freakin-lutely!' 

View fullsize

View fullsize

Look at the incredible mathematically precise intricacies mother nature has hidden all over these sunflowers! You can click to enlarge, and I urge you to do so - it's breathtaking. Also, don't be surprised if some sunflowers show up in an upcoming painting - hint, hint, wink wink:) 

Such a surreal place to be!

 These are a few I snapped on my iPhone - just wait til you see my shoot with the pro! Yowza!!

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originally published November 10, 2017

Poll :: Goddess Calendars?

Hi friends! I'm taking a poll and I'd love your opinion on a potential upcoming art project decision: Should I create a limited edition 2018 monthly calendar of my Bohemian Goddesses? 

I was just counting the squad and realized I am days away from finishing Goddesses 11 and 12.... and then it dawned on me.... what else comes in a set of 12 and requires artsy decoration? Why a monthly wall calendar of course! 

Luckily I found a pretty good website that can create 50 calendars for a decent price if I order in the next few days so I need to make a decision asap. And with this company I would be able to price them at $25 or less (including shipping!) which will make these a great way for folks to get a nice collection of my recent works!  

If you want to get all official with my poll, you can head over to my Instagram [here] today and cast your vote via my 'story.'

Or, if you're like me and don't wanna add any steps, just drop me a comment here. A simple 'yay' or 'nay' will suffice - short, sweet and to the point! Thanks for the input!

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originally published November 6, 2017

Press :: The Curious Hippy

Happy to share another feature with you, friends! My recent collab with Bre from The Curious Hippy has just come out on her blog. Yay!! 

Caleigh Bird Art

I'm always so glad to hear when a mom says the drawing is just right since mama knows her baby's personality as well as facial characteristics better than anyone, and I like to have both stand out in my portrait drawings.

I'm already starting to take Holiday portrait orders! 

Here's the link if you know who in your family would love a custom portrait:) 

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originally published November 5, 2017

Best Brushes for Oil Portrait Painting

Aloha friends! Today I'm bringing you my favorite oil painting brushes. I've done a lot of trial and error throughout the years and I would love to share with you the very best types I have found for painting in a realistic style, especially for portraits and figures.

Luckily for you, me, and all the other starving artists out there, I've found that when it comes to paintbrushes, it's less about the brand of brush, and more about the shape and style. You definitely do not have to break the bank in order to get great brushes. Yay! 

If you're curious about blending oil paints check out this recent post. 

To learn a bit about my very favorite paint, M Graham & Co look here. (And no, I'm not sponsored by them..... yet.... I hope to be soon though. I'm totally trying to work up the nerve to approach them about an affiliate program because I love their oil paints so flippin' much. Fingers crossed!)

Whatcha think? Is this advice nice 'n clear?

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originally published October 31, 2017

Press :: Charlie Takes Phoenix

Hi friends! As you may remember from my recent vlog update I am on a mission to get my custom pencil portraits in front of as many eyes as possible before the end of 2017. So let me tell you, I am beyond thrilled when I get to create a super adorable portrait for an awesome mama and I get a fabulous review blog feature in return! Yaaay!! 

Nikki of 'Charlie Takes Phoenix', who is a radiant and high-energy mommy blogger, came out with this incredible review just yesterday, and I am tickled pink to share it with you today!! See what Nikki has to say about what it was like to commission a custom portrait from me and find out how to enter our portrait giveaway this weekend! 

Charlie Takes Phoenix :: Caleigh's Custom Fine Art Portraits

..... keep reading here....

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originally published October 28, 2017

Artist Diary Update :: Wrist Injury, Portrait Collabs, and Painting Mini Surfboards!

Welcome to this week's Artist Vlog diary! Figured I'd take the opportunity to clue you in on my studio happenings over this last month:)

Recently I got a super sweet new part-time gig painting and selling mini surfboards right by Waikiki Beach. Plus, I'm also trying to get my pencil portraits in front of as many new eyes as possible so I'm doing lots of collaborations with different bloggers to host custom portrait giveaways! Woo Hoo! (Find me on Instagram here to stay updated on all that artsy goodness.)

I also hurt my wrist recently (Ugh!) so I've been ergonomically upgrading my work spaces too (more on that to come later as well). Sit on back and enjoy!

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originally published October 25, 2017

3 Ways to Blend Oil Paints Smoothly

Welcome back to the studio folks! I'm glad to have you here! I've got three great techniques to share with you so you can achieve some really nice, realistic blends throughout your works.

A Quick Summation:

1. Wet brush blending as you go
2. Using a dry brush to blend your wet paint
3. Scumbling with your dry brush on a dry painting 

Check out my snazzy new vid for details and step-by-step demos. These are really easy methods that you can incorporate today! 

Go ahead and leave me a comment on the video or here and let me know how useful you found this vid, as well as any questions or techniques you'd like me to address in the future. 

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originally published October 17, 2017

Pencil Portrait Giveaway Alert!!

Hi there friends! I've got some exciting things in store for you! How does a free custom portrait lovingly created by yours truly sound? Not too bad, huh!?

I've just got one question for you: Are you on Instagram?

Because I am on a mission to get my custom portrait drawings in front of as many folks as I can before the end of 2017. I am going all out and teaming up with different super awesome mommy bloggers and unique lifestyle influencers all over Instagram to spread some portrait love in the form of promotions and even portrait giveaways. Woo Hoo! 

Just wanted to make sure that my favorite folks (ie. you, dear blog reader) got the heads up so you can get in on some of the goodness that's about to spring forth! 

So if you think you're interested in snagging a portrait of your very own, go ahead and pop over to my Instagram @caleighbirdart and give it a follow, which will be one of the requirements to enter anyway (Yay! One step down!), and keep your eyes peeled for my pencil portrait posts - hint, hint: especially the children's portraiture;) 

Bre's girls (from The Curious Hippy)

To kick this party off you can even go ahead and check out @thecurioushippy for a Giveaway this weekend!! Yay!

Bearded Hottie :: Pencil Portrait Drawing Demo

Hey-o friends! You know how I've been steadily improving my YouTube vids while sharing my artsy processes? Well here's another new-and-improved quickie demo with my fancy shmancy animated intro and even more cool copyright free music! Yay! 

Hope you enjoy seeing this bearded Cool Cat come to life as much as I enjoyed creating him!

Prints and original available here 

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originally published October 10, 2017