How the Blue Unicorn Came to Be

I started on a new image and thought I would share another one my processes. This time a Drypoint. It's an "old school" printing method that I use with some modern touches. I started with my own snap shots and lucky for me, and you, my friend was with me the day I printed to document the printing process. So here goes...
Started with a sketch.


I attach the drawing to the back of a piece of plexi glass and tediously scratch away. Driving my husband crazy in the evening while we are watching tv. Oh, but sometimes, the sound is drowned out by the motor noise of the younger boy and his matchbox drag races.


When plate is ready, I prep the ink with my secret recipe. For my cousin, that is rum in the glass ;) I'm using a Daniel Smith etching ink for this one. Then start frosting the plate, squishing it into the lines. The plexi plate is on one of my high dollar/high tech pieces of equipment, a hot plate. It warms the ink and makes it easier to squish into the grooves and whipping off the ink you don't want.


A tarlatan ( basically a stiffened cheesecloth) is used to work the ink into the grooves more and then to wipe off the surface ink.


Before the ink was prepped, the paper was torn to sizes I needed and put in it's cold bath of water. Soaking while I was playing with ink it's ready to go for printing. I use another of my high-tech system for blotting the paper.


Crank it through the press and wallah ...

This one is embellished with iridescent watercolors

The Moon Dance

The finished Moon Dance.

On A Painting Marathon and the Bear's Story

I've been on a painting marathon. Some times Awen just hits me and keeps on coming. I was finishing up on the Moon Dance and dug out the most recent bear painting which I started for last years holiday card, and viola I have this years card ready for scanning!

Well I might as well share the Bear's story. It all started with Mama and Baby Bear coming out of their hibernation to celebrate the season.
They crafted a star of pine cones to decorate their tree.

Then they hung out to watch the Northern Lights.

A few years later I met my wonderful husband and we moved into a new house and the bear's tree was brought inside.

Baby Bear grew into Teen Bear and Father Bear made his appearance with the new furry ball of joy.

The Bear family did some trick or treating at the house one year.

Later they did some sledding for the holiday.

The next year they did some other kind of sledding.


That brings us to this year when the bears are reeking havoc at the hanger with the poodles barking away.

Further Progress

Unicorn, On Mushrooms, and Dancing Under The Moon


2 Finished ...

I'm finding Dancing Under the Moon a little more difficult to complete. The small figures are a challenge and conveying the light of the moon isn't coming though. When I took the snapshot of the latest one I got shadows across it and thought "aha, that's it" So we will see, till next time.

Faeries, Unicorns, and Dancing Under the Moon.

I've been commissioned for 3 Faerie paintings. It's been a while since I've done faeries and am excited for the opportunity! Of course we need a unicorn, the moon and stars, oh and some mushrooms to complete the magic.















An older etching of mine that has inspired the sketches


"On Mushrooms"

















"Dancing in the Moonlight"

Raven Fire continued

Raven Fire

My first story illustrations. Raven Fire, written by Cori Bailey. Click on the images to read through the story.



To be Continued...

Friends in Blogging.

I am thrilled to be featured on a friends blog. Pray to the Moon, Mama Fauna has been wowing me with her incites and amazing photos. Words escape me as usual. I have been blessed to find a group of people to share my Bardic pursuits with who I believe hear the underlying story of my work. In fact, I have danced the bonfire with them and hope to many more time! Thank You

Prepairing for Autumn Equinox

I have been designing the advertising poster for Arctic Circle of Anchorage's Autumn Equinox Celebration and thought I'd share my process:
Started with notes and sketch & then Finished sketch

Then contemplated which direction to go with it. For a poster I decided to go with what I call "Illustration style"
I transferred the image to a 2ply cotton paper and added watercolor. I think next time I will just start the sketch on the paper.

The finished Image

The first draft of the poster:

Crazy Busy

Wow it's been a while since I've posted here. I have a blog hosted @ www.4bearspress.com/blog that I haven't decided if I like it or not. All the comments on it have been spam! How annoying!

To update....got busy preparing for a gallery show that didn't hang, Horse & Raven's Conversation. Produced some images that I love and are hanging in my house.

See some of the paintings @ 4BearsPress Facebook Page

However, the Rabbit Creek Craft Bizarre was an encouraging success. I had an apprentice to assist along with other friends there that where wonderful and helpful! Was so busy, didn't get any photos. I hope to do more in the future.
The rest of November was a blur. The highlight was our almost perfect Thanks Giving. Calvin wasn't there which would have made it complete.

Lyle was assistant chef. He has taken to cooking lately.

Started new bear family painting. I don't think I'll have it for my holiday card this year but it will be out soon.

photo by Lyle Hausser.

Well that is a quick update of what's happening at 4 Bears Press.

Afternoon At the Horse Fair

Lyle and I spent the afternoon at the Rockn' B Riding Club. This is first time he has really been around horses but he introduced himself...
Of course, he had to check under the hood
and then he was off to ride.


After the ride it was time for demonstrations and snacks.


Of course Lyle makes friends where ever he goes.