A Peek Inside My Creative Mind

If you were to peek inside my mind...

You'd at first be amazed at the organization. 

Perfect lists, major priorities, fun kid friendly activities... 

but dig a little deeper; and it's like looking behind a closed door.

So much rubble is just waiting to tumble the moment it is disturbed. 

Seriously, I have a mind that runs nonstop and seems to collect every detail for later use.

I try my best to somehow let it all spill out onto paper. 

Drawing, journaling, coloring...overall just creating.

Using one memory at a time to fuel my inspiration. 

Some days my desk is a complicated mess of projects. As many as I can fit onto the small tabletop. 

Books, markers, pencils, photos, paint; and a dozen half finished works of art.

This is my current state of mind.

"Get it all down and polish it later."

Here's an inside view of the creative fun.

 An overhead view of my work desk. Contains: Journal, sketchbook, Midori travelers notebook as an art journal, colored digital stamp, and pen & pencil pouch.

Stacked and pretty. A side glace at my must have books and my favorite pencil and utility carrier.(It's actually a wristlet  purse, but works great for art supplies.)

Freedom to Create, colored in Copic markers.

Love this image!

A newly finished art journal page. I think this layout is beautiful. Most definitely my favorite mixed 

 media work yet. 

A nearly finished work in progress. I love this sketch. It's just soft & romantic. A little ink and a bit of color and this Cuddlebug will be ready to go.

A autumn remake. One of my original Cuddlebugs redrawn with bigger eyes, fluffier hair, and sitting pretty on a tree.

Love the pose, love the theme, still working on the bottom half. I'm just not sure of the legs. It's cute with the socks, but a fluffy skirt might be fun too? Still contemplating this Halloween witch Cuddlebug. 

Hope you enjoyed sharing my creative prospects. 

Check out my Instagram for nearly daily works in progress updates.

Hugs,

Anna

Courage in Art Journaling Spread

A brand new art journal.

Crisp, clean ...and blank pages.

Close your eyes. Breathe. Now jump into a new spread and just let yourself go.

Do not fear the empty pages.

This is freedom.

There's no right and no wrong.

No mistakes.

You are the artist. Fill the paper with what's in your heart.

Draw, doodle, scribble, write, stamp, color, and paint with your hearts truest desires.

 * * *

I have found that art journaling is one of the most relaxing and pleasurable forms of art. While I do strive for pretty; I create for me. The art doesn't have to be perfectly polished.  I experiment and create without fear. Unexpected outcomes can be quite pleasant. Taking chances and exploring opportunities is thrilling. 

I have started a brand new art journal illustrating, the courage needed to overcome fear; in my first spread.

Cuddlebug Cuties Art Journal Courage Spread

Cuddlebug Cuties Art Journal Courage Spread and Supplies

Supplies:

Midori blank pages notebook

Gesso

Handmade cloud stencil

Circle stencil

Graphite pencil

Copic multiliner pen

Fineliner pens

Watercolor pencils

Water brush pen

ink pads

Finishing Spray

Hugs,

Anna

A Little Artwork For The Midori

I'm having an insomnia night.

I laid in bed staring into the darkness for hours.

Watched art journaling you tube videos on mute; so not to wake anyone else.

Finally I gave in and retreated to the craft room with a cup of coffee.

I did a little journaling in my Midori and decorated a few pages with stickers, paper tape, and die cuts. I've been adding little bits and pieces of love to this book for quite some time now. I carry it with me everywhere. It is the best all purpose little book I've ever found. I absolutely love it.

I have a little plastic sleeve in the front that's been empty since day one. 

I knew that I wanted a little piece of artwork for the space.

Just a cute little rough sketch.

However, I didn't want to tear a page from my sketch book or art journal to do it; 

and these books usually take priority over doodling on scrap paper.

Tonight however, I am in full on decorating my little leather bound travelers notebook mode; and that space needed attention. 

Cuddlebug Cuties Jump Rope Sketch

I think the little jump rope cutie is adorable and perfect for summer.

I am so ready to get outside and exercise.

I think this little sweetheart, being in the very front of my book, might just help keep me motivated to move a little more when the weather gets a bit nicer.

 

I'll post an polished up inked image this weekend.

Hugs,

Anna

Starting The Day With Creativie Inspiration

Do you do something every morning to start your day off right?

Something little that just makes you smile and gives you that extra little push to get you through all the must do activities, so that you can reach the can't wait to do ones.

I like to start my day with creativity. A little inspiration for motivation. 

Usually I flip through my sketchbook, read past journal entries in my modori, or flip through my art planner; while enjoying my morning coffee. I decide what goodies I want to create with for the day; pens, pencils, paper tape, journaling cards...an endless list of possibilities. 

This morning I started the day with my sketchbook. I have so many works-in-progress right now.

I want to polish them up, ink them, get them posted, and lets not forget color them.

I can't wait to color them.

Here's a peek at my morning of inspiring sketches.

Cuddlebug Cuties Art Girl Sketch

 

Cuddlebug Cuties Art Girl Sketch

Cuddlebug Cuties Art Girl Sketch

Cuddlebug Cuties Art Girl Sketch

My goal is to get these up within the next few days.

Starting with the bunny for the holiday.

I'd love to have that one up by tomorrow.

Have a wonderful and joyful day.

Hugs,

Anna

Paw Prints On My Heart

Loving adding cutie furbabies to my big eyed art girl collection of characters.

Paw Prints On My Heart, Cuddlebug Cuties

Copics:

Skin: BV20, E11, 13, 51, 50, 00

Hair: YR000, 02, E08, 19, 59

Clothes: E99, 97, 95, 93, R01

B52, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99

E11, 13, 15, 17, 18

Pup: E00, 53, 33, 17, 27

Paw Prints On My Heart, Cuddlebug Cuties

Paw Prints On My Heart Sketch, Cuddlebug Cuties

Enjoy coloring and crafting with Paw Prints On My Heart, but please give me; Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties, credit for drawing her.

Hugs,

Anna

A Week of Sketches

I gotta admit, I've had a really nice and relaxing past few days.

It makes me feel a little guilty, but only a little; hehe.

My husband has been on a work related trip to CA, and well this pretty much left me and my little guy with the house all to ourselves.

The first night, when I tucked my son in; I looked around and wondered what to do with myself.

This little bit of extra me time started a really entertaining late night habit;

Mommy Movie Night

...

Everynight :)

(but only after my little was asleep)

I love horror movies, but never really get to watch them at the current point in time because they're not toddler friendly. My hubby, sadly he doesn't really care for scary movies. They give him nightmares; me however, they don't bother me a bit. It kinda freaks my husband out. He says I'm the only person he's ever seen that never flinches. I always laugh and tell him I'm generally okay, I understand it's make believe and made just to get a reaction out of someone. Plus when the background music changes you can kinda predict that something is going to happen, so I'm ready for it. 

I don't know, maybe I'm unique...but I accept that. 

One week all to myself. A new movie everynight.

Me and a couch full of kitties and puppies.

It was awesome.

It was relaxing. Propped my feet up and drew the whole time.

I never really made it to my desk to get anything beyond the sketching finished, but I have so many new illustrations to work with now, which is a bit exciting too.

I'll get these inked and colored soon, so that I can share with everyone.

I'm also pouring my heart into this years Christmas Angel. I really want it to be the most special and beautiful one out of the past 3 years that I've drew them.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday time.

The biggest of Hugs,

Anna

Feel Like Coloring?

Hey there,

Anybody feel like coloring a new cutie tonight?

Me too :)

I inked up one of my sketches in my inspiration journal and thought I'd have a nice relaxing night of coloring fun.

Cuddlebug Cuties Sketch

Cuddlebug Cuties

Skin: YR00, 000, R00
E11, 21, 30, 50
Hair: E49, 47, 44, 43
Clothes: E40, 41, 43, 47, 49

Enjoy your weekend.

Hugs,

Anna