Do you pack travel art supplies?

Being able to pull up and open the hatch to paradise is one of the best reasons to take art supplies on the road (or thru the skies then over the road😆).

Since returning home from Hawai’i I’m working on a video for my YouTube channel about the minimal art supplies I pack to be able to create no matter where I end up. 🛖🏕️🌃🌋🏝️🏛️

🚞💺🎨 I would like to include a small segment on what other artists feel they cannot live without while traveling. Are there any art supplies you always pack with you?

👇👇let me know in the comments below and your answer may just be featured in my upcoming YouTube video!

Costa Rica Art + Travel

Oh my goodness, just as I’m taking off for another season in Hawai’i I finally have my splendoriffic Costa Rica travel vlog finished! It’s all I can do to keep up with adventures XD

My partner Alan and I spent 2 weeks traveling Costa Rica, mainly in the tiny town of Bahia Drake, where we saw soooo much wildlife we were literally blown away! When you read that Costa Rica has 5% of the world’s species, it’s an astounding figure considering just how small the country is. But when you are there that number is so tangible and awe-inspiring to be in the presence of wildlife constantly!

Here are the four tiny gouaches I created in my homemade zigzag sketchbook from some of our most favorite spots in Drake Bay. Our trip down the Sierpe River truly was an epic way to experience such a lovely, friendly, eco-minded nation!

The first painting at the top is from an amazing coastline hike we did a few times.. that view is not even an exaggeration - the jungle hike was RIGHT next to the tropical beach - I’ve never seen anything like it!

This second painting is of a bright toucan that visited the tree branch super close to the bungalow we stayed in at Bahia Drake. We saw another one on our fist hike as well, but that one was much more elusive.

This is the waterfall we hiked to on our first day. Alan’s first jungle hike was an absolute blast!

Ans finally, our fave happy hour spot with a treetop view and a pair of macaws flying by. We learned they mate for life so felt quite an affinity for them whenever we would hear or see them ;)

And this last gouache I made for Alan’s birthday of one of the beloved Scarlett Macaw couples we saw fly overhead so many times.

4.23.2023

Giant Trolls Spotted at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens!

I thought my recent visit to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens was special enough with the spectacular orchid show going on currently, but little did I know there was an entire world of whimsy to behold outside!

Sculpture artist, Thomas Dambo is becoming world renowned for his cheerful and thought-provoking large scale trolls made out of recycled wood. You can even see all the places his huge trolls are ‘living’ throughout the world in a fun interactive map, aptly named the Troll Map.

Right now there is an instillation of six trolls sprinkled throughout the walking paths of the botanical gardens, and my partner Alan and I had a truly fantastic time enjoying one of the first days of spring and happening upon them during our stroll. This one even had his hand out ready to make friends!

“Trolls: Save the Humans blends art, nature and messages of sustainability in a unique outdoor art installation. ”

— Atl Botanical Gardens Website

Dambo’s message is ultimately that trolls live for thousands of years and can see that the way many humans live cannot be sustained by the natural world long-term, so they have appeared bringing gentle reminders to treat the natural world a little more kindly… certainly a message we can all get behind! Read more about how he’s doing that here.

I really don’t know anything about Dambo’s building process other then the recycled material aspect. I assume he’s got a team helping out, and you can tell the faces and hands in particular are tightly and skillfully designed with so much dimension and personality!

Like this not-so-little fellow was supposed to be building a little garden maze out of a bucket of found pebbles (which are like hundred pound rocks to us). This pic was taken from an elevated walkway, and I just really adore the relaxed pose and the way he’s looking up with that casual smile as if we did just happen upon a sentient being doing an activity he loves. The attention to detail is really remarkable!

Now this next one hangin bird houses is not my photo. The light was hitting him in such a way that I couldn’t get a good one, but I wanted to share him anyway because I just LOVE the idea of them reaching up high to make sure the birds have a happy safe lil nest!

He was actually more in the trees than that pic shows and there were little bird houses hanging in a bunch of them surrounding him.

The last one may have been my favorite just because it plays with the Human Scale of Art that I teach my kiddos so well. The introduction of the Smart Car really just ties it into our ‘real’ world so nicely, and will never let me look at those cars the same way again!

I mean just look at how those bodies are crafted. The way the leg bends over and the positioning of the supportive arm - the proportions really check out!

Alan and I were actually lucky enough to make the acquaintence of another Dambo Troll at a super fun music fest, Hulaween 2022 (notice the costumes!), that we were even allowed to climb all over!

Hulaween is such a unique event full of dozens of interactive large scale sculptures, projections, sand castles, and lazer light shows - truly living art!

Ha! And last but not least.. I had almost forgotten about this adorable scene I fortunately captured at just the right moment.

3.26.2023

Turning Artwork into Stickers

Aloha artists! I’ve been making stickers out of my artwork for a few years now with great success so I figured with this latest batch it was time to share exactly how I do it.

With all these new sticker companies out now you can create fabulous vinyl stickers out of your paintings, drawings, illustrations, or digital art relatively inexpensively. People looove stickers, so they are an especially easy sell to folks just getting acquainted with your artwork, with the bonus that they then see your work IRL constantly - keeping you in mind as one of their faves! Yay!

Choosing your best art to ‘stickerfy’ should take some thought. It is wise to choose the boldest, most eye catching and easily identifiable images to truly stand out and appeal to the most people. You may even want to run a poll of your artworks to see what your audience will love sticking on their gear the most!

Before getting started there are a few things to keep in mind..

1. It’s probably best to use a white substrate for drawings or illustrations if you will want custom cutout stickers (as in not a square or circle shape). It will make your life much easier when it comes to editing the proof.

2. Think about the scale of the original art in proportion to the sticker. If the artwork has a ton of tiny details in it they may not show up in a 2 or 3 inch sticker. It’s often best to choose bolder, more simplistic designs so they come out bold and clear.

3. Shop around and check the quality of different sticker companies before going all in on a manufacturer. Don’t place a big order with a new company before getting some samples so you make sure that not only the stickers are the quality you’re looking for, but that your designs are uploaded at a high enough resolution to print out nice and clear.

How to Turn Art into Stickers:

1. Choose a clear, eye catching piece of art.

2. Take a bright clear photo of your art (help with photo taking here and here)

3. Upload, edit, and clean up your image (here’s free Photoshop Express and the Adobe version)

4. A. (optional) remove the background; B. (necessary) add in your name or logo (here’s free Canva)

5. Upload artwork to your chosen printer (Such as… Sticker Mule, Sticker Giant, Stickybrand, etc)

6. Wait like a kid on Xmas Eve!!

Pick up a set of all 3 Mushroom stickers here:

..and use code MUSH2023 for a special limited time discount!

3.19.2023

Orchid Show at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Wowowowowow is all I have to say about this living exhibit! So many unexpected colors and textures represented in this world-class collection at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

There is a truly impressive permanent orchid house at the gardens, and my partner Alan and I were also lucky enough to make it down there for the annual full bloom and extended exhibit.

I didn’t even bother to record the names of all the different varieties, I was just too entranced soaking them all in.

I dubbed this kind the Ramen Noodle orchids, can you see why??

This kind may have been my favorite of them all (although it is hard to choose just one favie!). I just can’t get over that color combo.. I may have to attempt painting it!

And how big are they!? Seriously have never seen so many huge and healthy orchids in my life!

I was so enchanted by the ones with the extra long tendrils especially! Plants are basically aliens!

Oh my gosh! Don’t even get me started on all the pitcher plants!! Squeeee!!

The botanical garden also had lovely walking trails (which had a super special whimsical outdoor sculpture exhibit that I’ll share here soon - stay tuned!) and three different greenhouses; one featuring dense jungle plants…

one featuring high elevation tropical plants…

and one featuring an arid climate full of cacti. So epic!

And as a special treat to you, me fellow artists..

If you would like to use any of these images in your art go right ahead! Please tag me on Insta @caleighbirdart so I can see what your making (and share with my audience too!).

And one more thing… I want to give a lil shoutout to Alan for taking some of these great pics! I’m always so grateful for my perfect adventure buddy. Thanks for treating me to a lovely day of brunch and the gardens, Alan!

3.9.2023

Mushroom Paintings in Gouache

Do you ever have a project idea just marinating on the back burner for months and then finally have the chance/supplies/time to finally do it and it feels sooooo satisfying!?!

That’s totally me with these new supa dupa mushrooms!

…which will soon turn into big bright colorful stickers!

I want the stickers to be as colorful and eye-catching as possible as good little impulse buys when hosting my art booth (yay, I am so excited to get back into craft fair vending!), and since everyone loves mushrooms I figured these would be a great subject to appeal to the crowds.

I’ll also have these stickers available on my website in two weeks when my next video comes out showing how I made them (and how you can make stickers of your own art too!)

The supplies I use today:

Gouache (not an affiliate link) https://www.amazon.com/HIMI-Gouache-Supplies-Professionals-Student/dp/B09QRKQJZB?th=1

Any purchases through my special Blick link helps to support this channel at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Princeton Size 1 Round Brush: https://bit.ly/3gFb7cT

Princeton Size 0 Round Brush: https://bit.ly/3bb05v9

Da Vinci Size 2 Round Brush: https://bit.ly/3diLEEK

Watercolor Sketchbook: 10 X 7in https://bit.ly/3miKrXY

Make sure to tune into my next video too to see these transform into fabulous brilliant big stickers!

Which one is your favorite? Would you rock any of these as a sticker?

3.5.2023

Art Video Audience Survey - Tell Me Your Preferences!

Aloha fellow artists! I’m psyched to invite you to another opportunity to share your opinion on how best you like your artsy content delivered 📥📬📮

If you’ve been following me for a bit you’ve probably seen my art process and tutorial videos on YouTube, but even if you haven’t seen many your input on my lil survey will still be very valuable! Just tell me what features you have liked about any art videos so I can continue to improve my own.

The survey is comprised of only eight ‘A or B’ questions so it will take less than two minutes to complete. I made a handy dandy lil clickable survey right here on my website. Just follow the button below!

Thanks so much!!

2.25.2023

My Skull Reliquary Got Invited to an Art Show!

Huzzah huzzah! My ‘Skull Reliquary II’ 3D oil painting I created just this last October is currently at a special invite-only art show at the d’Art Center in Norfolk, VA. The same venue where I won the second place award last year.

Here’s a lil vid I made of packing and shipping it off. Cheers to getting my artwork in front of more eyes!!

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2.23.2023

3 Tools You Didn't Know You Needed for Oil Painting

Hi fellow Artists! Today I am sharing three totally essential oil painting tools that you may not have even realized you needed, but will never be able to live without once you have used them!

(And I even include a fourth one at the end that you could literally implement today for free!)

The Goods:

(Here are a few affiliate links to the items I'm sharing today. Any purchase here helps to support my channel at no extra cost to you - thank you!!)

Tube Wringers:

Metal:https://bit.ly/3lDCo7O

Plastic: https://bit.ly/3EkuDu8

Mahl Sticks:

Metal: https://bit.ly/3SbXPZW

Wood: https://bit.ly/3IkwyAa

Chamois so you can make your own: https://bit.ly/3KjpoOX

Neutral Lights:

Table Clamp: https://bit.ly/3kaNJMl

Standing: https://bit.ly/3EmoLQZ

(and there’s more through these links if you peek around!)

2.19.2023

The Worst Resin Catastrophe...

…yet? …ever? … that made me decide to change how I approach my 3D oil painting technique??

I wasn’t really sure how to finish that title because ‘yet’ would imply that I am expecting to do worse in the future, whereas ‘ever’ would imply that I am brazen enough to think that I will never have resin issues in the future.

The last line is probably more accurate, but not so catchy as a post title.

Anyhoo, as you can surmise, disaster did in fact befall the Nest in the form of completely ruining the most ambitious painting I have ever created. It’s something I should have known had the potential of happening, but since it never had I figured it was less of a gamble than it truly was. Woe is me for sure…

I completed this epic painting I am calling ‘The Secret Garden’ and gave it ample time to cure (as much or more than others in the past) but did not varnish it (as I never do, expecting the resin to protect it enough) and proceeded to begin pouring the resin as usual after affixing the base layer leaves and real earrings.

Checking on the first layer of resin poured, everything was positively hunky dory for hours. No color change or noticeable chemical heating or reaction with all the bubbles coming out nicely. I set it up with a protective cover and eventually went to bed for the night.

You know that feeling you get on Christmas morning as a little kid? Well imagine if you legitimately woke up to nothing but coal. That’s about how I felt when checking on this the following morning. Like allllllll of the wind had gotten taken out of my sails. Uggggghhhhh

Notice how it didn’t even happen everywhere - the tummy stayed the correct color!

Essentially what happened was the titanium white I used in the skintones somehow reacted with the chemical in the resin turning my lovely shadow-splashed figure into a Marge Simpson lookalike. I wanted to achieve a sun kissed look - not a goldenrod yellow disaster!

I say ‘somehow’ because I honestly don’t know why it happened since I have literally painted with this exact tube of white paint and then layered resin over it using not just this same brand, but these actual bottles of resin, with absolutely fantastic results and no hint of any issue to come. So frusterating and weird at the same time!

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As far as the resin lumps/striations noticeable in the first pic, those were caused by me because I couldn’t bear to look at her when I first discovered what happened 😭 I leaned the painting up against a Rubbermaid container facing the wall before the resin fully cured causing gravity to drag down the layer a bit.

So after 30+ hours spent painting this extremely complicated piece, it is officially and completely ruined. C’est la vie.

But you know what they say, it’s not about how hard you fall, it’s whether you get back on the horse.

Well I’ve got two words for that notion: saddle up.

The new base drawing and aerosol background next to the ruined resin piece.

After a few months of grieving (and just being ultra busy) I have started to repaint. And wouldn’t you know it, but it’s even better than before?!

The first one is not bad, just a lil more textured and the mouth is less believable. It’s almost like I got a practice round - or at least that’s what I’m telling myself to ease the pain.

Much softer blends and more detail to the lips - plus a shadow on the neck for hair to overlap (which I forgot to add in the first one).

As far as how I will be treating my mixed media paintings in the future, that’s for another blog post. I’ve been doing some research and will need to do a bit of experimenting as well. I know I want to keep the 3D element to my art, but I need to re-evaluate if resin (or perhaps incorporating varnish) is the best way for me to do so going forward.

I’m even adding in more shadow details (because I like driving myself slightly crazy 😜)

It’s been a soul-testing journey, but my outlook is optimistic! Wish me luck, I’ll post about my new artmaking decisions when the time is right!

2.16.2023