Donation

Honoured to see the picture I painted and donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton last year was hanging up, and heard great comments about it :)

sketches

nothing big this month, just sketching a lot, here are a few examples. One of my favourite things is to sit down down with my little artist and do sketches together.

sunrise

one of my favourite things is seeing the sun rise. This was taken this morning in Port Credit

joker

inspired playing some batman this weekend

trex chase

having some fun in sketchbook (digital)

vacation sketches

love time with the family. I love drawing with my favourite little artist, on vacation we would wake up early and draw together before having a day filled with swimming, camping, campfires, kayaking...

New Balance runner of the week

I always say life is about balance. Besides from art, work, life, a family and loads of appts/errands I find time for fitness. Running has become a big thing in my life. Washonoured to win new balance runner of the week at the end of june.

http://runningmagazine.ca/new-balance-canadian-runner-of-the-week-amanda-shotton/

don't be afraid of the blank page

been doing lots of sketching lately here and there, need to get back into drawing and painting more.

a fun video to watch about characters and design
http://www.cgsociety.org/news/article/677/don-t-be-afraid-of-the-blank-sheets

that horrible moment where you are painting like mad and realized your easel and canvas were too close to the computer since paint splatter is all over your desk and tablet :/
but it's always worth it, every piece of artwork makes or comes from a mess

turtle sun bathing wip

brushing up my on photoshop painting skills, a turtle catching some sun, work in progress

my ladybug

My ladybug
Acrylic painting

been working on this on and off for quite awhile

painting day

My studio is really my living room that I make incredibly messy while i go on a painting binge.  This is where i make a disaster, paint is on the floor, on me, music is playing from my computer (or I have a netflix marathon on tv). I absolutely love painting days. Took a lunch break to enjoy the first patio of the year :)

This mornings fog over Toronto

Wokeup super early to do a 30km bike ride into work (to Toronto), was hoping to see the sunrise over the city. However there was a beautifully eery fog over the sleepy city this morning, absolutely loved the silhouettes.

schoolism

I was lucky enough to be sent to a weekend of Schoolism seminars on march 28-29. Listened to inspiring speakers and their creative wisdom and approaches. I filled at least 15 pagse of notes and doodles, here's a little peak.

If you ever get to attend a Schoolism seminar I highly recommend it!

"A page a day keeps the competition away" 
"Only through drawing do you learn how to see"
Steven silver on daily sketching

painting my heart out

Today I finally had a day all to myself and was able to paint all day long, something I have wanted to do for awhile. All trees as I am in love with trees and desperately want winter to end.

Blossoms over toronto
Acrylic on canvas
16"x8"

Dreaming of trees
Acrylic on canvas
18"x20"

Fire Tree
Acrylic on canvas
20x24"

sketching

avoiding the cold weather and watching classics like monsters inc and tangled, love it!

cruella de ville

cruella de ville is coming to Once upon a time

Hey I'm blogging!

So over the past 2.5 years I've been diving into art more and more, either sketches, acrylic paints, and now trying out digital. It's so stress relieving for me and fun! I love colour, I lose hours just throwing myself into creating something.

This blog is just to push me to create more, to not be afraid, to experiment, and just for fun.

check out my website for other pieces of work

http://a-shotton.wix.com/artist

hayley williams

home listening to paramore, playing around with sketchbook pro