rocks

Petoskey Stones!

Posted on by Ellen Sherman

Last week I started working on a commission for a friend featuring the illusive state stone of Michigan — the Petoskey. It is both rock and fossil, created from an ancient coral reef from the Devonian period.

I can remember spending my free time during a few childhood trips to the Traverse area hunched over in the gravel looking for a stone of my own. Which, to my great frustration I never found.

Having no real-life example in my rock collection, I was thankfully able to purchase a few specimens on online :)

I made a few sketches before moving on to the large version (24 x 24), but found that I enjoyed the sketches so much, I might as well make a few additional paintings after I wrapped up the commissioned work.

Petoskey Watercolor Fin and Feather Art

 

 

petoskey stones Fin and Feather Art

 

I made a small run of prints from this particular painting as well — check them out here!

 

 

 

Balance

Posted on by Ellen Sherman

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about balance.

How to make sure that my energy is distributed as healthily as possible : Between my art practice, commissions, freelance and personal projects, as well as my seriously wonderful husband, our fantastic friends and family, and my own mental well being.

If I have time left over, maybe I’ll get to the dishes.

Making sure to budget time efficiently has always been a bit of stumbling block for me, as I can quickly find myself 6 hours into a painting when I would swear only 2 went by.  Alarms, are a utterly fantastic invention.

One of the aspects of my life that has helped to keep me organized, keep me balanced, is my yoga practice. Three times a week usually out at Bayfront park in Miami (or at a nearby studio) has been a source of incredible insight and a wealth of personal growth. Beyond the blocking-off of two hours and the schedule crunch that creates, the poses, the breathing, the reflection has developed an inner voice I did not know I possessed.

After a particularly refreshing class this Saturday, I came home and immediately started to paint. I had a slip of an idea as I walked back from the park in my post-yoga haze and wanted to make sure to get it onto paper before ate breakfast and showered.

 

balance

 

Three stones, each bleeding into each other, supporting each other.

I titled it ‘Balance’ and it now sits above my keyboard. It serves as a reminder to myself to honor what is truly important and let a natural balance pervade.

What about you? Do you have any tactics or tricks to keep your schedule/life in check? Leave them below, or send me a tweet!