Jumbled Musings: A look behind the artwork.

If you're an art nerd and you know it, clap your hands....

2010-08-03T18:48:00.001-07:00

I'll be the first to admit that I am a nerd. But make no mistake, I'm not one of those typical nerds you find in 80s movies....though I do know my way around Star Wars lingo.. but I digress. I have conniption fits over Prismacolor releasing new colors for the pencils, I wait in line in freezing weather to purchase my paper on sale during Black Friday blitzes, and today I actually did a "happy dance" in the middle of a Michaels Arts and Crafts store.

Over the years I've gotten to know my framing department at this particular Michaels, which is nice- they know what I'm looking for, call me if they've sales coming up, and even let me know when they are going to get new merchandise in.

Well the new merchandise is going to be in soon- brand new frame moulds for their custom frames and all I can say is WOW! I started hopping around like a kid jacked up on too much sugar when I saw their new choices. Drawings immediately starting popping into my head of what I could fill those frames with, which I suppose it a bit backwards to how my creative process normally goes, but needless to say I got a nice boost of inspiration today :-)

Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

2010-07-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

Hello hello hello everyone! Wow....just wow to the amount of neglect I have bestowed on my Blog. Apologizes are more of a formality now, let me just say that I've become a full blown Facebook addict, and most of my updates are through there now, but I do want to revamp and revitalize this blog.

I do vow to get this blog up and running again, really scout's honor. And I'll be sure to catch all of you up to speed on my overseas art exhibition I'm taking part in soon- I had to get almost 20 new artworks ready for that show and let me tell you all, my blood type was Starbucks Breakfast Blend.

Oh also feel free to contact me with my new email- alsayedkenna@yahoo.com

And feel free to stop by my website www.sorrelstudios.com to see new work and find my Facebook Fan Page for Sorrel Studios.

Games my Muse plays.

2009-09-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

Let’s play catch up shall we?

Wow, I got busy rather quickly and for a long time. Between dealing with a problem with my shoulder, which hampered my artwork, to being busy with commissions and deadlines; I found myself putting off updating this blog far longer than I should have.

Well first things first, my shoulder. The oddest thing started happening to me around four or so months ago, I’d sit down to draw and about a half hour into working (I used to draw for HOURS straight) my shoulder would lock up. I would get up and stretch it and my hand out, but it did little to help unlock it, and slowly it would lock my neck up as well; causing me a blinding migraine.

I figured a pinched nerve or perhaps a repetitive stress on my shoulder, so I took a break from drawing for a few days to see if resting my arm would help. It got worse. I could only draw for perhaps ten minutes a day, any longer and I was asking for a migraine. To any artists or people that love your job, I want you to imagine how heart breaking and frustrating this was. I dearly love drawing and creating artwork, and I was forced to only draw for ten minutes or be bedridden the next day with debilitating pain. This depressed me rather quickly so I went to my doctor telling her I needed this fixed and now.

Two months later of physical therapy and I’m slowly making a comeback at the drawing board, I can now get in a half hour of drawing a day without being sore the next morning. We don’t know what was causing this, all we can think is that I have very tight thick shoulder muscles and they basically decided they wanted to clamp down, but thanks to the therapy I’m back on the mend.

This brings me to another subject of the more artistic persuasion- the muse. I know everyone that has done anything creative has heard the muse whisper sweet suggestions and fill their heads with the possibility of what can be. Well unfortunately mine likes to take sudden vacations and never checks her voicemail. Such is the whimsy of the muse, but what I almost resent her for is when I’m laid up and not able to create as much as I’d like; that’s when she pounces on me. She grabs me by the head and starts a never ending stream of ideas, paintings materialize in front of me, and colors melt into one another forming the perfect backdrop for a galloping horse to be set on, clever inspirations gallop around me just out of reach. How utterly unfair. The one time I’m trying NOT to think about anything art related (lest I run to my drawing table and start working up a storm ergo effectively crippling myself), and that’s when ALL my new ideas pop into my head.

Hopefully my recovery will progress steadily and I’ll be able to start materializing these inspirations. Here’s a preview of one idea (very abstract because I’m in a mood to tease), I’m going through stacks and stacks of books and brainstorming on the classics in an effort to put together a cohesive series of paintings dealing with certain classic story characters. That’s all I’m saying because I don’t want to ruin the surprises I’ve got in store (or more I don’t want everyone waiting MONTHS for me to post a final painting hee hee).

Well that’s all for now, more updates should be trickling in soon.

I'm back at the keyboard (and drawing board).

2009-09-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

Wow time REALLY flies when life gets going doesn't it?

Hello everyone, so very sorry it's taken me forever to update on here, but life has been hectic to say the least. Most annoying and time consuming was an injury to my shoulder that put quite a damper on my art and well anything I tried to do. Some months later with physical therapy and and back at the drawing board (and computer) more than ever :-)

Some things that have been going on that I'll get to in another (very soon) post. I have limited edition prints available, new artwork, new inspirations, and a new idea for a series of drawings relating to literary characters (all featuring horses).

More updates and photos soon :-)

Oooooo pretty!

2009-07-04T22:38:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th of July everyone!!! Sorry I haven't been on here as much, loads to tell and should get all of it up on here soon :o)

I've come a long way with my drawings.

2009-05-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

It's time again to open the flat files and dig up another old drawing I did when I was younger and compare it to a 'newer version'. Enjoy :-)

P.S. this means that with enough effort anything is possible

Top: A drawing done around my Junior High years

Gifts with my Artwork on it for sale

2009-05-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Wow a whole bunch of stuff is happening all at once it seems, my new website is up and running (www.sorrelstudios.com) and I've just gotten up a shop on Cafepress.com, which means I now have a line of gifts featuring my artwork!

http://www.cafepress.com/SorrelStudios

I'd love it if you'd all take a look at it, not just to see the gifts available, but to let me know WHAT you all want to see. Think I need more magnets? Should I have different products for sale? Let me know, I want to hear what my customers/fans want so I can make it for them.

Thanks and have a great day everyone! (and a big WHOOOO HOOOO for Rachel Alexandra winning the Preakness, what a race!!).

Website is UP!!!

2009-05-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Just a quick note to let you all know that my website is now up and running ::insert HUGE grin here::

www.sorrelstudios.com

I'd love to hear what you think of it, as it is my first website ever. Also, my friend that made it is really talented, if anyone wants to get a website made by her, let me know I'll get you in touch with her.

Thanks and have a great day :-)

Artwork at Auction

2009-05-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

I am beyond pleased to announce that my drawing, "Around We Go" (lot number 18), has been accepted into the 2009 American Saddlebred Museum's Annual Art Auction! Below you'll find the link to the auction, and if you are at all interested in owning an original drawing of mine, this would be a GREAT opportunity. Contact the museum for more information on how to bid.

http://www.asbmuseum.org/news_and_features/auctions-2009.php?Page=1&Paging=Y

Have a great day!

Tribute

2009-05-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

As I’m sure most of you have either read or figured out from my postings, my studio is a homage to my current horse, Jambalaya, who is a very striking solid sorrel paint gelding; and my buddy. Jumby (his nickname) is in fact my second horse, my first horse was a very sweet Quarter Horse mare named Tessa and I’d like to take the time to introduce you all to her.

I don’t typically write too much about Tessa, because I lost her nine years ago, and it still gets me quite emotional to even think about her, but she played such an integral role in my development of riding and love of horses. It wouldn’t be fair to assume that Jumby get’s all the glory (okay okay he gets a TON of it, but I do spoil the goober) so let’s talk Tessa.

I grew up overseas and when I first moved back to the USA in 1995 I had a bit of difficulty adjusting to the new school systems and children in them. Friends were not plenty and I wasn’t all that chipper. I had always loved horses and had been riding at a stable near my house every summer I came to visit the states (when I lived overseas, I spent the school year there, and came back to visit family in the USA during the summer months). Since we were back permanently, my parents were more open to the idea of me owning my first horse. Enter Tessa, a ten year-old Quarter Horse mare with no papers who became my shadow. I was around her constantly, learning how to properly show Western Pleasure, how to doing flying lead changes, you name it, I was fearless on her. If you had asked me to jump the moon on her, I probably would have tried. She became my Trigger, Secretariat, Silver, Man O’War, my Black Stallion.

Actually, has anyone seen that movie, The Black Stallion? If so, remember the scene where Alec and the Black are marooned on the island and begin developing their bond and run around in the ocean? How The Black would follow him around like a dog? Tessa did that. No fooling. I could turn her out with just a halter on and start running around the arena; she would keep right behind me, stopping where I stopped, turning around where I turned and following me no matter where I went. People at the barn remarked about how amazing it was that she would just run around playing with me. This came into play later on as a very good thing indeed; as she literally saved my skin one day. I turned her out in the paddock one afternoon and the only other horse in there, a sometimes temperamental mare, decided to charge me. I was dead in the middle of the paddock as I tried to make a mad dash and dive between the boards of the fence, that mare was almost on me; that was until Tessa caught wind of this and came up from behind.

Tessa was lit up, and slammed full speed into the charging mare; knocking her over and away from me. The mare got up and galloped to the corner opposite of us and stayed there as Tessa ran to where I was standing and came to a dead stop mere inches away from me. She then sniffed me from foot to head and then just put her head on my chest. I know this sounds like a made-for-television movie, but I swear this all happened. I often think that she would have done the same thing Pilgrim did in The Horse Whisperer if a truck had been about to plow into me.

I suppose this is why I get so passionate about portraying horses in my artwork; I feel like all horses have that type of capacity in them, a noble spirit that needs proper tribute, never to be forgotten but to live on and remind us all that they really are capable of not only liking their ‘owners’ but of being protective of them. It’s the fundamental rules of horsemanship, mutual trust and respect. That day I had the lesson of being able to trust my horse cemented in my heart. Not to downplay Jambalaya any, but he’s never been ‘that committed to me’ but I know he’s my buddy. If I go up to the fence when he’s turned out, he’ll come trotting right over to see me. I am however more convinced this is because he thinks I have treats for him :o)

Tessa had to be put down in 2000 after losing her battle with colic, we kept her as comfortable as we could, but as soon as they said she was starting to suffer we told them to end it immediately. She had always been there for me, and no matter how much I loved her and would miss her, I couldn’t be selfish and make that horse suffer.

So that in a nutshell is Tessa, I probably have more stories about my five years with her, but for now I think this is all I can write about her without getting too upset.

"After the Class" 's real name......

2009-04-24T21:43:00.001-07:00

I teased about it, so here's the story:

“After the Class” was perhaps one of my favorite color pencil drawings that I had made to date, and was always a big crowd pleaser. It in fact had just won a Best in Show award at a juried art show. I’ve always had people compliment me on it, and had quite a few express interests in purchasing it, but they never did. I always wondered why everyone seemed to gravitate towards the drawing but never actually purchase it, but I didn’t let that cross my mind too much; as I was more than happy to keep it (remember it was one of my favorites).

I received an email about a month ago that made me pause, it was from a very nice girl named Jackie who wanted to know where I took the photo I used for “After the Class”, because she was quite certain it was a photo of her old horse, Doubletrees Confederate Gray. How’s that for an early morning email? We figured out that it was indeed a drawing of her horse! Both of us couldn’t believe how she happened across my Facebook group and was able to recognize her old horse from a headshot drawing I did of him (how amazing is that!?).

I am more than ecstatic that she was able to purchase the drawing, because I cannot think of anyone else that should own it but her. And that puts to rest my questions of why this popular drawing of mine never was bought by anyone else. I miss that drawing, but know that no one loves it as much as her :o)

So what's the story?

2009-04-17T06:57:00.000-07:00

So what is the story behind this drawing of a stunning grey Saddlebred? This was one of my favorite drawings that recently won a Best of Show award and perhaps gave me the most interesting story about an email that I've received lately. Stay tuned.

Wow does time fly! (And an artwork update).

2009-03-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

My goodness time does really fly!! I looked at my last post date on here and was shocked it's taken me so long to type a few random lines of what's been going on around here (my apologies). Well for those that know, my room/studio was damaged; but now I'm almost moved back in there and can resume working in the way I'm accustomed to (meaning no one looking over my shoulder and music blaring).

Any way, just wanted to say 'Hey' to all you on here (thank you for following my blog), and here's an update on a drawing I've been teasing you all with. It's the same graphite drawing of a Saddlebred horse I posted previously. I'm trying to get him done in the next couple of days and then off to the framers. If all goes well, this drawing will be in the American Saddlebred Museum's Annual Art Auction (crosses fingers and toes). Of course if that's happens, there will be loads of news about it later on.

Enjoy and thanks for taking an interest!

2009-01-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Yes I am a bit behind on saying that, but truth be told, things are quite hectic around here. I've had to set up a temporary art studio (as mine has been damaged slightly due to some construction being done to a bathroom in my house). Very long story there but soon I should be able to properly clean out my studio and get back to work. So I hope you all forgive my absence for a tiny bit longer, and to make up for it: here's a look at something I'm working on right now for the American Saddlebred Museum's Annual Art Auction (more info to follow later).

He's a 16"x20" graphite drawing that I'm thinking of calling "And Around We Go"

Have a great day everyone!

Happy Holidays

2008-12-25T06:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from Sorrel Studios!

May you all have a wee bit less snow than this....

Nobility Hath no Shape

2008-12-13T19:23:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, I hope you all are gearing up for the upcoming holidays and didn't have too hectic of a Black Friday shopping spree (I was almost run over by women fighting over discounted scrap booking supplies; ah the perils of being an artist). I thought I'd introduce one of the myriad of goals behind this blog of mine; to occasionally post a WIP (Work In Progress) so you can see how a drawing evolves.

I've chosen one of my surprisingly enigmatic drawings for you all. This was a simple drawing I did of an adorable little donkey at my local Zoo, which surprisingly draws in people more than any other drawing I've done. I cannot figure out why, but people just love this little guy. The title, "Nobility Hath no Shape" came about because I always have had a soft spot for donkeys, even if they are not considered as sleek as horses.

For this project I am using Prismacolor Pencils on Canson Mi-Teintes board (you can find these pencils at almost any art and craft store and the Canson Mi-Teintes boards can be found at many art stores, I get mine from either http://www.dickblick.com/ or http://www.danielsmith.com/ )

Here's the rough draft I did of him before transferring him over to his final support of grey Canson Mi-Teinets board.

Here he is taped with drafting tape (on the back) to a drawing board, I've started laying in some of the underlying colors of his coat. And yes I couldn't resist starting off on his big bunny-like ears.

Now a lot of the complementary colors are being used (see the blue face he has right now?) I'm working a lot with Indigo Blue and Tuscan Red to create a nice dark color that I then go over with Black or Dark Umber colors. Also when I work with color pencils I make sure that I really get them ingrained into the tooth of the board. I really don't do the whole light layering technique, but more of a 'really push them in there and get those layers built up' approach. I think that is how I get a painterly effect with them (most people confuse my color pencils for either acrylic or oil paintings).

And here's the little guy all cleaned up.

Hope you all enjoyed this, I'll try to document more of my projects in various stages and post them for you all to see. Email me if you have any questions or want me to further explain anything in another blog.

~ Kenna

Oh yes....I forgot

2008-11-26T14:49:00.000-08:00

Wow I am forgetful, I completely spaced on how to let you guys get a hold of me (besides leaving comments on here). My email address is:

Nietzschegirl@aol.com (please put either Sorrel Studios or Art in the title of the email).

Please use it if you have any questions for me at all.

Hmmm this is a rather bland post isn't it? What kind of artist would I be if I put out a visually bland blog?

Here's a color pencil portrait I did of a Quarter Horse named Cody as a Christmas present. He was a lot of fun to work on, although I did have some trouble getting the correct shade of Buckskin on him (his color changed every time I'd go out to look at him).

Have a fun Thanksgiving!

Then and Now, what happens when you keep at it.

2008-11-21T19:21:00.000-08:00

I love my mother, I really do. There are times though that I just stare at her and think to myself, "What....what, what,what,what, what, did I ever do to you?". I am referring to all the times she's accompanied me to art exhibitions or auctions that my work has been in, and says the same thing to everyone she meets.

"Well she never was a great drawer, but she kept and it, and just think how good she'll finally be when she's much older!"

Ah yes, guess how much respect I get from my family ;oD Whatever happened to the parents that were proud of their over achieving kids? (yes sarcasm).

This did make me think of something fun to show you all, a look back at artwork from when I was in high school verses my artwork now. For an added dose of anal retentiveness, I've even found drawings of the same subject matter! (Wow, I really should be spending more time on drawing than doing this shouldn't I??) Let's see an old drawing of a Hackney horse stallion and a recent watercolor painting of the same thing.

Hmmmm my mother might be onto something.... let's see some Arabian horses.

Okay okay my mother might have a point after all... who knew? Hopefully though this illustrates

what can happen if you do keep at something.

Who Am I? Good question....

2008-11-21T18:45:00.000-08:00

Well hello everyone! I'm just going to throw a rather quick rambling of who I am until I get more time to properly work on this blog. My name is Kenna and I am an artist that specializes in equine themed artwork, or simply put; I paint purty horses. I also am a horse rider/owner and have the extreme pleasure of being the proud 'parent' of a 15 year-old solid sorrel paint gelding named Jambalaya. He is my buddy, and the inspiration to name my 'studio' Sorrel Studios. Here's a picture of Jumby being all full of himself.

So then, back to the primary focus of this blog; my artwork. I focus primarily on realistic equine art in multiple mediums (graphite, color pencil, scratchboard, and watercolor). I've yet to produce anything I'm satisfied with in oil or acrylic but I will get there one day. This blog is going to serve as a means to write about what goes on behind the scenes as it were. I'll be posting demonstrations, stories, inspirations, and whatever comes across my path as I create different pieces. I hope you all enjoy it, and please feel free to comment or get a hold of me with any questions you might have.

Have a great day, and I hope you all enjoy the stories to come.