Art Vlog :: New Ventures + Being Grateful on the Kamanaiki Ridge Hike

Join me on the amazing Kamanaiki Ridge overlooking Kalihi Valley, HI while I talk a little about my ongoing projects and what I'm most thankful for (spoiler alerts :: a big one is you guys!!).

I've got some incredible views to share with you, and I've even added in a little bonus photo shoot I had with Jan Galvan not too long ago at the end.

Let me know what you think, should I share more of my artsy photo shoots at the ends of vlogs?

Watch my Happy Hawai''i cards come to life in this 1 min quickie:

https://youtu.be/bbKcHIMFi8o

And snag a set of cards here at the discounted pre-sale rate (with free US shipping!):

https://www.caleighbirdart.com/happy-hawaii-greeting-cards/

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originally published November 22, 2018

Happy Hawai'i Greeting Cards Teaser!

Wowowow!! So excited these cards are in the works! And even more excited that I get to share the whole process with you!!

Hopefully you saw my timelapse video last week of me painting the Happy Hawai’i scenes, of not, no worries because I created this little 1 minute teaser to help get the word out on my latest artistic venture. Yay!

Snag a set of cards here at the discounted pre-sale rate (with free US shipping!):

https://www.caleighbirdart.com/happy-hawaii-greeting-cards/

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originally published November 19, 2018

Happy Hawaii Paintings in Gouache

Aloha friends! I've got some really cute and happy gouache paintings featuring Hawaiian creatures and scenery that I'm so excited to share with you today:)

I'm developing a line of greeting cards so creating the perfect cohesive body of work is the most important first step. Today's video features timelapse demos of all my gouache artworks, and then in a few short weeks I'll have a video demonstrating how I turned my simple idea into a pack of actual greeting cards to sell in stores. Yay!

PRE-ORDER YOUR 8 CARD SET HERE:

https://www.caleighbirdart.com/happy-hawaii-greeting-cards

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originally published November 15, 2018

Custom Portrait Holiday Special

20% OFF Custom Holiday Portrait Drawing Commissions until Sunday Nov. 18

What can I say... I really love my Early Birds who like to plan out they're gifties well in advance so that some of the last minute-type folks (like me!) can still snag a custom portrait at the eleventh hour.

If you’d like more info on the commissioning process check out this lil write up here.

Holla at me for some portrait photo advice or go ahead and jump on my special website www.CustomFineArtPortraits.com and use the code HOLIDAY2018 for a fantastic price on these lovingly drawn portrait gifts 💜💚

PS Want to make sure you never miss a notice when my portraits are on special? Pop right over here!

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originally published November 13, 2018

How Much Oil Paint to Use on a Painting

Knowing how much oil paint to use for your artwork can vary greatly depending on how much surface you are covering, how many layers you like to paint in, and how thick you lay down the application. Because of this there really is no right answer, it mostly comes with practice to learn how to waste as least as possible.

However I do have some paint-saving tips I will share with you today while mixing oil paint for an 'adult hand-sized' subject so that you can see the proportions I use for my own artworks.

And PS: This video comes partly from a question I got here on YT so feel free to leave them for me in the comments and I just might make a video just for you! Yay!

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originally published November 9, 2018

Oil Painting Demo :: 'In the Beginning'

I've been enjoying oil painting these fun shadow stripes so much lately! Enjoy this chill video of the process:)

And stay tuned for a resin-pouring demo in the next few weeks. I can’t believe how simple it is!

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originally published November 1, 2018

Planning My Next Art Show

Oh boy, oh boy…. crunch time is nigh for my upcoming solo show at The Naughty Vegan Studio this Friday! Yikes!! (Get the info for my opening here!)

But no worry - I’ve got this ;)

If you’re curious about the 1001 things I’m doing to prepare, and especially of you think you might put on your own art show one of these days, check out the four part series I created earlier this year called….

Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Part One: Creating a Flyer

Part Two: How to Frame Your Paintings Inexpensively

Part Three: Preparing for Your Art Opening

Part Four: Opening Night!

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originally published October 30, 2018

Ergonomic Art-Making Habits

It's absolutely essential to ergonomically set up any workspace you use on a regular basis to be kind to your back, neck, wrists, and knees. Many office and studio habits, although mellow, are actually terrible for your body and can cause strains, overuse, and even tendinitis.

Now I am no medically trained professional, but I have done a fair amount of research to create a safe and physically stress-free environment for my art-making as well as office work. Today I am sharing some easy and inexpensive ways to work efficiently and with your body's health in mind.

Resources:

Advice

http://www.taylordergo.com/cushioned-wrist-rest-mouse-yay-nay/

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-ergonomically-optimize-your-workspace-30833302

Ergonomic Mouse

https://ebay.to/2O7VJYm

Ergonomic Chair

https://ebay.to/2PVXYQk

Hip Flexor/ Lower Back Stretches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg_66cTAVCc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie5SW9mqmuk

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originally published October 25, 2018

Waking Up at Dawn

So I’ve been starting something new in my life: waking up at dawn, which, if you’ve known me for any amount of time in real life, you’ll know this is kind of insane for me considering what a night owl I have been for most of my life.

I started getting up around 7 - 8 the last few years, which I’ve really enjoyed (especially being in sunny Hawaii), but lately I’ve become inspired to start waking with the sun with no alarm clock. This requires me to be in my bed by about 10:15, with a few minutes for reading and then lights out.

This is the first time since I was a preteen that I’ve had such an early bedtime, yet it’s been the best few weeks! I feel like I’m getting an entire extra day every day! I wake up and am instantly inspired and ready to be productive and creative. The feeling of looking at the clock at 7:30 AM and already having your workout, breakfast, and shower finished really puts you in the mindset that “there is no way today can’t be a success!”

Who else chooses to get up with the sun? Are there any especially delightful morning habits that you have? Leave me a note in the comments!

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originally published October 22, 2018

3 Ways to Improve a Drawing for Painting

Improving your drawing before applying paint is key to a successful work. Trust me, you do not want to wait until you've got wet paint on your linen or canvas before correcting any compositional or structural issues.

The good news is that I've got 3 super easy tips for you to implement before, during and after your preliminary drawing to insure the strongest and most beautiful final piece possible.

If you didn't catch my previous 'Rule of Thirds' + How to Make a Composition Grid tutorial you can find it here:

https://youtu.be/VvSAlq3ctkw

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originally published October 11, 2018