Baseball Cards

Walking and...Bat and Ball Series

I started some ACEOs last weekend and planned to finish and post them earlier in the week, however, time has gotten away from me again. This week turned out to be pretty busy. I've started walking after work in an attempt to get into shape for my trip to France in June. My friend Becky, the French teacher, and I are trying to get into shape for all of the walking we will be doing when we are in France. She also had a meeting with those who will be traveling with us to talk about the things that they should do between now and our departure. So between now and June 2nd, when we leave, I will be pretty busy. My son graduates from high school in 2 weeks, and end of school year work gets pretty hectic. I will have pictures of some of my clay tiles that I've been working on at school. Hopefully I will be able to finish firing some this week.

Also little Radar, the Papillon, was a little under the weather this week so he needed a little extra pampering. I don't think the vet was ever very sure whether it was an internal infection or if he had just hurt his spine somehow. But he is doing better today, thank goodness! He was so pitiful when he would try to hide and lay his ears back. He is always so happy, you know when something is not right, by the position of his ears and his lack of tail wagging.

So here are the two ACEOs that I completed last night and posted on Ebay. They were drawn together, but I cut them apart to sell them either seperately or together. Just depends if the collector wants them both or just one.

"Bat and Ball"

(2 cards as they appear together)

Prismacolor colored pencils on white Stonehenge

Beth S. Macre © 2008

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Here is what they look like seperate:

"Bat and Ball 1"

"Bat and Ball 2"

These were done using a watercolor pencil underpainting with dry Prismacolor colored pencils on top. I used white paper which, to me, takes longer now that I've been using colored papers. I've also been using the sanded papers, which seem to speed things up somewhat. I keep switching back and forth between the colored sanded supports and the white paper and really can't decide which is best for my style. But I do prefer the sanded and colored papers for speed.

More Strawberries

“2 Strawberries”

ACEO ~ 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Colored pencil on Stonehenge
Beth S. Macre © 2008

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This is the companion piece that I worked on with "One Strawberry" a couple of weeks ago. I was more satisfied with the first strawberry. I'm not sure why, but this one was a struggle for me. I may decide to go back and rework it. Somehow these little ACEO 'studies' seem to challenge me a lot. I want each little one to be successful, when they should only help me with my technique and the 'style' that I find ever so elusive....

Strawberry ATC

"One Strawberry"

2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Prismacolor on Stonehenge

Beth S. Macre © 2008

This ATC (Artist Trading Card) will be traveling to England to its new home. The latest ATC exchange on ScribbleTalk was announced Sunday. As usual, there are some very nice little works of art on display.

Radar with Color

“Radar”
2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Colored pencil on Stonehenge
Beth S. Macre © 2008
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The more I looked at this one just in pen, the more I decided that it needed some color. He has a pretty brown fur around his face and a couple of spots on his body. It just looked like it needed some warm color. He has a really small head with really big ears. This Papillon is such a sweet and cute little guy. I may put this ACEO on ebay later this week.

New sketch!

“Radar”
2 1/2” x 3 1/2”
Beth S. Macre © 2008

Well I was able to get in one sketch this afternoon. It started out just as a quick pencil sketch that I planned to put colored pencil to, but then I decided to add black pen outline...and 30 minutes later I had this much ink. So I'm calling it finished. I may do another using colored pencil. This little fella is more than happy to pose for a picture any time. He is one happy little Papillon!

Pumpkin ATC

Beth S. Macre © 2007

Here is my latest ACEO for the trade on ScribbleTalk. This is prismacolor on white stonehenge.

September ATC

“Three Apples”
Colored pencil Stonehenge

Beth S. Macre © 2007

This month has been extremely busy because it was the first full month of school. The first couple of months are always very busy trying to get organized, learning new procedures, computer programs, meetings, etc. etc. Plus I decided to paint my kitchen and breakfast room this month. It is mostly done, but I still need to finish up the baseboards and the wall going down my hallway. So, I haven't had much time or energy for completing much artwork. I did manage to complete a small piece (ACEO size) for the ATC trade at ScribbleTalk. So here is my image that I will be trading. "Three Apples" is Prismacolor on White stonehenge.

I have 2 projects on the drawing board that I will post later. Hopefully this month will be more productive, artistically.