Belated Happy

Happy (though belated!) New Year!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and has been enjoying the start of 2012; I know I kept very busy throughout all the festivities and have had some time recently to relax! I haven't shared much on the blog here in a while (though I have updated the website and facebook--check 'em out!) I figured I should post something for you.  :) 

This year, as I have done for the past few years, I made our Christmas cards.  A while back I had posted a little preview:

Needless to say, the preview picture was taken at the start of the process and I am so excited to share with you the final card....a number of steps later....

 ....oh yes folks, I had fun with this one!!

I had seen a handmade pop-up card at some point last year and made a mental note of it, thinking it could be fun to try.  When it came time to brainstorm ideas for Christmas cards, I thought of the pop-up idea right away and that was that....I set out to put it together.  :) Starting with some sketches of little snowmen, those developed into one snowman and one snowwoman (my husband and I of course!;) )  Just having the two figures seemed not quite finished so I added the third....a snowdoggie! (very closely resembling our husky mix, Vedder!) They were all hand painted and the remaining parts of the cards were printed and assembled. (note: with a TON of help from the husband! Thank you Mark ♥)

So, anyone have any suggestions for how this design can be used for other holidays/events??  I'd LOVE to try them out again---Valentine's?  Birthday? 

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They're Back!

Customized Mini Pet Portraits

~ Decorative Ornaments ~

Back by popular demand!  I am taking orders now for these one-of-a-kind handmade gifts---this year handmade watercolor boxes included FREE with EVERY order!

Send me a photo of your furry friend and I will create an original hand painted decorative ornament! Piece features 3"x3" watercolor painting and wire-shaped lettering of your choice. Ribbon attached to top for easy hanging. Instructions on how to place an order below!

HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER
Send me... an email request or a convo through Etsy that includes the following:
1. At least one photo attachment (more than one photo is fine and gives me more options and a better look at your pet!) of the animal you wish to have painted.
2. Background color choice.
3. Word(s) you wish to have on the back. No more than two words. (examples: --your pet's name--best friend--meow--woof--love)
4. Symbol choice for the back (see example: dog bone, heart, mouse, paw print)

Once we have nailed down what you want, I will create a RESERVED listing for you on Etsy. After payment is recieved, I will begin creating! An email will be sent when your portrait is complete and sent out!

**Shipping charges applied on Etsy**
**NOTE: These are made to order. Because each piece is an original work of art please allow for 1-2 weeks after order is placed and payment is finalized for delivery.

Check BecArt on Etsy for pricing.

colors and symbols to choose from:
red
blue
green
yellow

heart
dog bone
paw print
mouse

**Due to variances from computer to computer, colors may not be exactly the same. Also, because these pieces are individually created, differences in color and symbol shapes will occur. These images are meant to give a general idea.

Something New...

Some of the cards I have painted recently for customers...hand painted and hand cut....blank space on front for personalization!

car·i·ca·ture

I received a request recently for a caricature drawing. I have never really attempted one before and decided to give it a try. I think it turned out well and was fun to do! Happy Birthday Shelly! ;)

caricature: [kar-i-kuh-cher] A representation, especially pictorial or literary, in which the subject's distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic effect.

They're here!

New on Etsy! Hand painted wedding invitations....

Deep vibrant colors perfect for an autumn wedding! Been busy creating these for a custom order and because I am so pleased with the outcome I have decided to offer them in my Etsy shop. What other way to introduce guests to your special day than with a one of a kind piece of art for an invitation? Each and every one is completely hand painted, making it a great gift for all of your guests as well!

Additional designs forthcoming. :)

Long time no post!

I hope everyone has been enjoying the summer!

Hopefully the work I'll be posting in the near future will be well worth the wait though....a peek at the Calla Invites I just finished up below!

Mother's Day 2011

Don't Forget Mom!
Mother's Day is in two weeks: May 8th!

Not much time left to order your one-of-a-kind Hand Painted, Hand Cut, 'Mom' cards, so place your order now! Cards are $15 and come with envelope and mat for framing! Gift and card in one. (price does not include shipping) Check out some examples below and visit my website and Etsy Shop for more. Contact RSorrentino [at] yahoo.com with questions and orders!

60 Hand Painted Calla Lilies...Check!

I have finally completed painting the calla lilies for the wedding invitation set! They did take a little longer than expected (hence the gap in time since my last post!) however, I am very pleased with the outcome. All 60 have also been cut out and are ready for mounting! Check back soon for the next step and more pictures! Also, I will be posting shortly about my hand painted/hand cut Mother's Day cards...if interested, place your orders ASAP! :)

Painting the Invitations!

Yay! It's time for my favorite part of the invitation process....PAINTING! I love the challenge of painting an image like this calla lily multiple times. It's amazing to me every time how it begins to take on a life of it's own and each painting ends up similar, yet different. I have created a time-lapse video featuring one sheet of five invites being painted. Check it out below!

As you can see I work in layers, building up the color with each one. I start with the lightest color and go darker each time. Watercolor is a great medium for wedding invitations--I like how they provide a delicate yet striking look and can be manipulated so easily to create a dreamy and soft feel. I do have to work primarily wet-on-dry (rather than wet-on-wet, wet paint on wet paper) due to the fact that I have chosen not to stretch this watercolor paper--I have to keep the paint as dry as possible to avoid buckling in the paper. Once this sheet is done I still have many more to go!

For a better quality version of the video, visit www.facebook.com/BeckySorrentinoStudio

Math and Art

So, after bombarding my brain with the numerous decisions that have been made up to this point, I then have to break out some math skills! I pull out my brand new ruler (thank you Santa!), my sharpest pencil and get started.

I know that I would like the final invite to be rectangular and read vertically. I know that a close-to-standard size for invites is 5.5" x 7.75". I also know that the sheets of watercolor paper that I plan on using are 12" x 18". (At this point, I have also double-checked that I can easily and affordably find appropriate sized envelopes for this size invite. :) ) Before I can go ahead and figure out how many invites I can fit on each watercolor sheet comfortably, I have to first consider that, though the invite's TOTAL size will be 5.5" x 7.75", that will not be the size of the watercolor portion...I have decided that it will be 5" x 7" because I have zero interest in tackling decimals right now! (and it will work aesthetically too) ;)

So then to the math (as if these numbers haven't already nearly maxed out my mathematical quota for the day).

With a 12"x 18" surface, I can fit three of the invites across (5" wide x 3 invites=15"...leaves me 3" to spare along the side) and I can then fit two invites sideways below those first three (7" wide laying sideways x 2=14") It will vaguely resemble this:



It works out perfect along the 12" side because 5" + 7" = 12" (duh!) Being able to fit five invites on one sheet is nice too because it makes the rest of the math easy! I plan on making 60 of these (enough for the bride and groom to have extras as well as myself!) so....how many sheets total will I have to make?? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

60 invites needed divided by 5 per sheet = 12! Phew!


Enough math for now; I have my numbers all set. Just need to start the measuring and marking!

I do apologize if I have completely bored you (or thoroughly confused you!). It really is simple math and just another part of the hand painted invitation process!

Thank you for reading and check back soon as I begin the transferring process! (finding a way to draw the same calla lily SIXTY times...)

New Shop!

In case you havn't noticed there have been some changes in appearance to my banners and profile pictures. I figured a new look for a new year! After some thought and re-evaluation I have decided to branch out and create a second Etsy shop entirely devoted to selling my cards and invitations. Bec Art Design is up and running. In the coming days and weeks more cards and invitations will be showing up so please continue to check back regularly! My original shop, Bec Art, will continue to feature my paintings and other projects for sale.

For oil and watercolor paintings and current projects like my mini pet portraits check out my original shop, Bec Art.

For hand painted cards and invitations visit my new etsy shop, Bec Art Design and enjoy free shipping on all cards.

Recent Sales

Recently, I sold two of my oil paintings! Both were inspired by vacations to Wisconsin as a kid. I have tons of ideas running through my head now for new paintings; so much inspiration I'm not sure where to start! My plan is to spend a great deal of time in the next couple of months working in oil, so be sure to check back occasionally for updated posts and pictures!

Thank you again to all my customers!! I hope you enjoy the artwork as much as I did creating it and if anyone would like to share pictures of their paintings or pet portraits, please send them along!! I would LOVE to see them in their new homes! :) Send to RSorrentino17@yahoo.com or you are now able to post images to my Facebook page!

SALE on Etsy!!

All Oil and Watercolor paintings now 20% off through Sunday, November 28th! (Price shown reflect discount) Visit my Etsy shop....

Busy Bee!

I am so excited to see how many orders have been placed for Pet Portrait Ornaments!! (Kudos to all you early holiday shoppers! ;) ) Just a reminder, receive a FREE handmade watercolor gift box with each ornament purchased by November 27th. Don't worry, you can still buy a gift box after that for just $5. Also, orders placed by December 4th are guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas. No guarantee for those placed after the 4th. To view some examples of the ornaments I've made previously or to place your order, visit my Etsy or BecArtStudio! Gift certificates available as well!!

Mat Day!

I had tons of fun matting today! :) It was so long overdue and many of my little watercolor paintings were in need of a nice lookin' mat. One series is now ready for Etsy and another is nearly finished too so check back soon.

Business Cards

Worked on business cards this week....which do you like best?