Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, My Paintings, Watercolors

National Pigs In A Blanket Day

Pig In A Blanket
Pigs In A Blanket – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

 

Today for April month celebrations is National Pigs in a Blanket Day!

This morning when I was looking at the National Days Calendar, finding my inspiration for my watercolor to do, I find out that the celebration was about pigs in a blanket, and my mind started to think about the cute and sweet pink little baby pigs, you know…the ones that you want to cuddle and hold in your arms. Also a lovely kids story came to my mind the famous “Charlotte’s Web” which I love!

But soon I realized that the celebration is about “Food” that pigs in a blanket are referred to different dishes that are celebrated Internationally.
Here in United States this dish is known from the 50s and is made with hot dogs or sausages wrapped with croissant or biscuit dough and baked in oven, they can be an anytime snack or eaten for breakfast or as appetizer and very often are served at kids parties because they are very easy to eat and tasty.

I felt that all my nice inspiration went away and I thought, I am not going to watercolor today! I will pass this day.

The image in my mind was totally different believe me, if you ever did see or had the opportunity to hold one of these cute baby pig, you will never want think to eat a pigs in a blanket and other products again also because the way that are produced. I personally don’t eat them, and please forgive me if you eat them I am not here to offend anyone!

After thinking about it, I changed my mind and decided that the beautiful part of being an artist is to let your creativity be “Free” and I decided to go on and watercolor my ideal of “Pig In A Blanket”

Pig In A Blanket - Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo
Pig In A Blanket – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

 

Details about my doodlewash:
 watercolor with black and blue ink finish. I used one of my favorite French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box  and Pigma Micron Black Ink pen #005 and #05 Pentel Blue ink pen over a Mixed Media  Sketchbook!

With this Celebration I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash!  You are welcome to join with your doodlewash!  Tag your image#doodlewashaday.

 

#doodlewashaday #NationalPigsInABlanket

Happy doodles and have a great day or evening!

©Carolina Russo
©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

 

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, National Days, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors

National Amaretto Day!

Amaretto
Amaretto – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo


Today for April month celebrations I celebrate National Amaretto Day!

I didn’t know until today that was existing an unofficial National holiday dedicated to the Amaretto liqueur and absolutely couldn’t miss this one since the Amaretto antique origins are from my beautiful native country Italy! Ciao mia Bella Italia!!!

AmarettoSketch
Amaretto Italy – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

The word Amaretto means “little bitter” is created infusing almonds or apricots seeds or both together in brandy or pure alcohol obtaining a delicious almond a little bitter natural flavored liqueur mostly served after dinner in a pretty old-fashioned glass it pair very well, served with holiday foods and desserts, that have nutty and warm spice undertones of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Amaretto it is also used as base to prepare a variety of cold and hot cocktails. Also well-known are the Amaretto cookies.

Amaretto is a very antique liqueur  there is an old Italian legend saying that was created from a woman living in the Italian city of Saronno in the 1525 she prepared the Amaretto in appreciation giving it as modest gift to a Church commissioned Artist one of Leonardo da Vinci’s pupils that had to paint the Sanctuary frescoes. The woman was the muse that inspired the Artist when he had to paint the Virgin Mary.

My watercolor shows the bottle of a well-known Italian Amaretto brand but for creativity I wanted to write “Amaretto Italy” I haven’t written the brands name I just left that out to the imagination! LOL
A nice old-fashioned glass and some good Amaretto cookies!
It was fun to doodle this I hope that you enjoy!

Details about my doodlewash:
 watercolor with black ink finish. I used one of my favorite French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box  and Pigma Micron black Ink pen #005 and #05 over a Mixed Media  Sketchbook!

With this Celebration of National Amaretto Day, I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash!  You are welcome to join with your doodlewash!  Tag your image#doodlewashaday.

 

#doodlewashaday, #NationalAmarettoDay

Happy doodles and have a great day or evening!

hand signature logo copy
©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Doodlewash, Emotions, Illustration, Indie, Life, Love, My Paintings, Nature, Sketch Book, Watercolors

Save The Elephant Day

Elephant
Elephant – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

 

Save The Elephant Day!

Today my April Celebration and doodlewash is dedicated to a wonderful, intelligent and very sensible animal that I love the Elephant!

They are beautiful wildlife creatures, and they need all of our support to keep them safe and secure in their habitat on this planet. It is very sad that beautiful and fascinating creatures like them are under life threats in some areas, I have seen online horrific photos.

Today is Save The Elephant Day  let’s make this not just one day but every day, we can show our love and support spreading the words, visiting websites dedicated to animal protection, we can do anything that we feel, can help to raise awareness in protection of their days to come!  As  I am also a Jewelry Designer I made a choice long ago and it is to never ever use “Ivory” elements in any of my creations.

My watercolor shows an elephant that is worried about his future, but that is there ready to run free and happy any day of the year without worries.

Elephant Day
Elephant– Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo


Details about my
doodlewash:
 watercolor with black ink finish. I used one of my favorite French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box  and Pigma Micron black Ink pen #005 and #05 over a Mixed Media  Sketchbook!

With this Celebration of Save The Elephant Day, I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash!  You are welcome to join with your doodlewash!  Tag your image#doodlewashaday.

 

#doodlewashaday, #SaveTheElephantDay

Happy doodles and have a wonderful day!

hand signature logo copy
©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Challenge, Events, Life

Be Thankful Challenge

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Yesterday my great friend and soul sister Erika Kind surprised me with this amazing Challenge nomination!
I am so honored and happy that Erika considered me for this beautiful challenge “Be Thankful” it is something that we all have to do. Stop and take a moment of reflection, thinking about all we have in our life, and don’t give things or people for granted! Everything, good things, or no so good things, are part of our life experience in this world helping and shaping us to become the souls we are.

The challenge rules:

  • Share this image in your bog post
  • Write about 5 people in your life you are thankful for
  • Write about 5 things in 2015 that you are thankful for
  • Spread the love and challenge 5 other blogs to take part
    5 people I am thankful for:

My Daughter: my beautiful and loving teen daughter, I am grateful and thankful for her in my life, I love her more than anything. Because of her I am the woman I turned to be today. Because of her I found out I had a strength I never knew I had. Because of her I had overcome Mountains. Because of her I am here in US and Because of her, I learned to forgive who kept me away from my own home. I learned on my own skin to use LOVE and turn situations that weren’t easy, in positive  situations otherwise impossible,  friendship after years of harsh battle in the name of Love.

My Mom: I am so thankful for my Mom she has been always there for me during my years growing up and still. She is the one that thought me strength and truthfulness she suffered very much to be a part from me, when I decided 13 years ago to leave Italy in the name of love and come to US.  We were very close. I was her everything her first baby. She supported me saying if you are going to be happy, also if you would be so far away, I will be happy too. Life not always turn the way you expect or dream about it, but every event happen for unknown reasons, and as difficult it is life events are there to enlighten and enrich your inner soul. Today having my daughter, I know how much my mom felt during those years and I thank my mom for being there for me more than anything.

My Dad: my Dad is the Artist in my family his creativity, and Art are amazing. I grow up exposed to his creativity all the time. I was lucky to be able to observe his work in his room-studio and learn a lot from him in action just observing. He is primary an Oil painter winner of several awards in private exhibits. He can transform anything in a treasure. I always thought that his creativity goes way behond expectations and not only Paintings but anything he touches. Not even the Art School I attended gave me what I learned from him.

My Brother: My brother is so special to me, he is 5 years younger, we shared everything growing up, we have a wonderful relationship and we miss each other a lot. He is in Italy. We both are tennis players. My dad passion beside Art was sport and he and my mom were agree to have us learn “seriously” and be into a sport discipline. We attended Tennis school at very early age. I started at 8 my brother at 6 years old. My brother now is also a certified Tennis Coach. We spent our teen age training a lot and going around dealing with National tournaments and My dad was always there in support :-)

Myself: yes! Also if it could be strange, I am very thankful for myself! I am not perfect and I had my mistakes like everyone else. I just want to thank myself for being able to become the woman I am today!

5 things I am thankful in 2015

Life: I  love life this powerful and often underestimate gift we all have. I appreciate life and I am trying my best way to experience it in the most healthful and enlightened way I can.

Love: is the only thing that matter here, with love the impossible can be possible! We all have to start with love ourself first in order to love others. I am very happy that I am experiencing so much love here in this WP Community, I came across beautiful souls and their expression of love. Thank you!

Art: for me is everything I do, all my creations, my multiple ways to express myself visually and not. This year I was able to create and share my creations with the world in a different dimension ,starting this Blog and being able to be seen is something wonderful knowing that people love what I do.

My Blog: from last March my Blog is part of my daily life! Is my presence into an open window to the world, it is the beautiful place where I have my own space to share, learn and laugh. The special place where I have all my amazing friends always there to encourage, share and support. This Blog is were all my creations turn to life! This Blog also give me the opportunity to support, encourage and share my love for others.

Nature: I love Nature! It is my first place where I get inspired, the amazing feelings looking at the ocean, or gazing the sky at night, staring into the eyes of an animal, the colors of beautiful flowers, the magic snow, the rain and wind, the sound of the water… all this make me feel alive!

5 of the people I am thankful for and Challenge nominees:

Souldiergirl 
Allison Marie – glorybegin
Ewian
Krista Kemp
robertgoldstain

Art, Digital Art, Nature, One of a kind, Photography

Digital Art – When Nature Meets Humans – Portrait #3

When Nature Meet Humans - Portrait #3 Silver Wave
When Nature Meet Humans – Portrait #3 Silver Wave

 

“WHEN NATURE MEET HUMANS” Digital Portraits Collection
Portrait #3 – Silver Wave –

Today is time for another digital creation that I want to share with you, it’s another new Portrait added to this Collection. This is Portrait #3 Silver Wave.
This is a a black and white portrait created with black and white photos only. While editing I was able to archive a magical golden lighting creating beautiful shades  it is lovely how it turned out I am very happy with it. This was a great experiment to work on.
I like to continually evolve with my Art and creativity. From years I love to work in Digital finding new ways of visualize and learn while experimenting. I like to work with photos, manipulating images of any kind. I often post my Digital Art .  I made a new gallery for the “Nature Meet Humans Portraits Collection” you can see it here. When I am not working on my Jewelry Designs, and when I am not holding a pencil or a brush, I love to go Digital and Photoshop is my ally. I am using Photoshop from years, for me there are not other software to really compare with, I am so amazed all the time of what I am able to create with it.
I am very excited and inspired to work on this Collection of Artistic and one of a kind Digital Portraits, thanks to all of you for leaving me great feedback and comments. I really appreciate all the encouragement. This portrait it is the #3 of this Collection, I gave it the title “Silver Wave” and to create it I used 2  beautiful photos found over internet on Pinterest  the images used are not my own Photography (I apologize but haven’t found any names to give Credits).

I came with this idea to mix nature with humans and create a unique and very different kind of portraits…let’s say very unusual portraits with all my experience, Art and soul into it.

If you’re interested in purchase a custom and unique portrait like this one using your own personal photos, I can create your personal and unique custom Digital Art Portrait, for info and details please contact me.

As always I love to know your opinion!

-CR

 

Important Note: I respect all the Rights and Copyrights. Credits for the photos used to create this portrait goes to their owners. The finished portrait created as result of blending and layering the photos used it is my Digital Artwork and has my Copyright© Carolina Russo.
Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission.

Art, Digital Art

Digital Art – Abstract Dream

Abstract Dream
Abstract Dream

Digital Art –  Copyright 2015 Carolina Russo ©

Abstract Dream

Where am I?
Walking into the deep blue of this abstract dream
leaving traces of my being
where am I going?

-CR

Art, Events, Featured, Life, Photography

Today FEATURED for the week is….

Australia Sidney - VIVID Randomness 2015 - Photography Lignum Draco©
Australia Sidney – VIVID 2015 – Photography Lignum Draco©

Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera……

dragon06-right-sidebar-160
And today FEATURED is.
…. Lignum Draco
would be on my sidebar for the week #7!

Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera

… about nothing in particular, because
“Candid photography is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get”.
Photography by Lignum Draco, “The Wood Dragon” since 2013.

YA_Feature

Hello everyone today FEATURED on YesterdayAfter is Australian Photographer Lignum Draco and his Blog Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera I am very honoured this week to introduce his wonderful Photography here to all of you. When you visit his Blog  you feel to be travelling in Australia! :-)
My passion for photography lead me to discovered Draco few months ago I was amazed by his incredible monochrome street photography, and all his work. He describe himself as shy but he has a great personality, we have been connected since then. I am an “Amateur” in photography I am always very inspired to see the work of others that I admire and I like to share it.
Draco is not new to be Featured, he has been in other great places, also Featured on WordPress Freshly Pressed for his wonderful Street Photography. Every year he witness and photograph a great Artistic Event “VIVID” that takes place in Sydney, on his Blog you can see all that beauty!

Now I suggest you to enjoy the visit pretending to walk around Sydney through the eyes of Lignum Draco

Have a wonderful weekend you all…

-CR

YA_FeatureIf you have been Featured here…
Please grab this and post it somewhere on your Blog! Thanks ;-)

Art, Digital Art, Photography

Digital Portrait #2 – When Nature Meets Humans

Launching “WHEN NATURE MEET HUMANS” Digital Portraits #2 –

Portrait #2
Portrait #2 – Souls

Today I am showcasing my second Portrait, this creation is part of my new Digital Portraits Collection  “When Nature Meets Humans” and this is Portrait #2 – Souls

I also made a new gallery check the drop down menu Digital Portraits where I will post all the Portraits for this unique Collection.

Thank you to all of you that commented to my last post. I really love to know your opinion which I value immensely, it means a lot to me. I am very happy that you like my Concept for this new idea I am launching.
At this moment I am really  inspired creating this Collection of Artistic and one of a kind Digital Portraits, this portrait it is the #2. In my last post I explained that while creating Portrait #1  I used photos found on internet on Pinterest some of them were photos from professional photographers like the model I used for the Portrait “Proud”. This time I used one of  “YOU” here from the WP community. I am quite sure that many of you will probably recognize her soon, especially if you are a follower of her beautiful Blog. She is SOULDIERGIRL I love her and her photography she is one of my dear friends here on the blogosphere. I used 3 of her own photos from her Blog and one of mine (the water stream). I loved very much to create this portrait and I really like how it turned out.
This time I didn’t wanted to use a Model or Professional Photos, but Souldiergirl has great photos and you can see what I have been able to create to make this portrait.

I came with this Concept to mix nature with humans and create a unique and very different kind of photo portraits…let’s say that I like the idea to create very unusual portraits filled with all my inspiration, experience, art and soul like in  all my unique creations.

If you’re interested eventually  in purchasing a custom and unique portrait like this one using your own personal photos or not, I can create your personal and unique portrait.  For info and details please contact me.

As always I love your comments!

-CR

 

 

Note: I respect all the Rights and Copyrights. Credits for the photos used to create this portrait goes to their owners. The finished portrait created as result of blending and layering the photos used it is my own Digital Artwork and has my Copyright© Carolina Russo.
Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission.

Art, Digital Art, Digital Unique Portraits, One of a kind, Photography

Digital Art – When Nature Meets Humans

Digital Portrait - When Nature Meet Humans -
Digital Portraits – When Nature Meet Humans – #1  Copyright© Carolina Russo

Launching 
A Digital Art Portraits Collection

“WHEN NATURE MEETS HUMANS”

Portrait #1  – Proud –

Today I want to share with you what I have been working on and launching something new.
I like to continually evolve with my Art and creativity. From years I love to work in Digital finding new ways of visualize and learn while experimenting. I like to work with photos, manipulating images of any kind, my followers already knows and if you look at this Blog, there are many images over my menu pages that I create to customize the look of the theme I use here on WordPress like the “Header” which is a collage of many images layered together. Often I post my work created in  Digital Art  and  I am going soon to make a new gallery. When I am not working on my Jewelry Collections, and when I am not holding a pencil or a brush, I love to go Digital and Photoshop is one of my ally. I am using Photoshop from years, for me there are not other software to really compare with.
At this moment I am very  inspired on creating an evolving Collection of Artistic one of a kind Digital Portraits with the title of  “When Nature Meets Humans” this portrait “Proud” it is the #1 of this Collection and to create it I used 6 photos found over internet on Pinterest so all the images used are not my own Photography (I haven’t found any photographer name to give Credits).

I came up with the idea to mix nature with humans and create a unique and very different kind of portraits…let’s say very unusual portraits with all my experience, Art and soul into it and I love it.

If you’re interested in purchase a custom and unique portrait like this one using your own personal photos, I can create your personal and unique portrait, for info and details please contact me.

As always I love your comments!

-CR

Note: I respect all the Rights and Copyrights. Credits for the photos used to create this portrait goes to their owners. The finished portrait created as result of blending and layering the photos used it is my Digital Artwork and has my Copyright© Carolina Russo.
Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission.

Art, Life, Seasons, Sketch Book, Watercolors

Drawing Summer in my Sketch Book…

SUMMER
SUMMER

One afternoon during this week, I was in the drawing mode!

So I decided that since we are in the middle of Summer, I should be drawing something in my Sketch Book in regard to this beautiful and loved Season…bringing up happy feelings, relaxing time and lovely days on the beach…
This Sketch show I think pretty much what Summer can give us…the beautiful ocean, colorful flowers, sands and palms trees especially here where I am in California there are lots of palm trees not really on the beach but all over around!

Summer Sketch July 2015
Summer Sketch July 2015

To go a bit into the details, I quickly sketched first with a pencil few very light lines just to give me an idea. I rarely sketch anything when I work on my watercolor paintings. In this sketch I used watercolor pencils and then blended with Aqua Flow water brushes, the result turned out pretty nice! I went over with a black ink Pigma Micron pen 0.3 to finish.

I hope that you enjoyed this and I wish you all a wonderful and magic SUMMER!

-CR

 

 

Copyright © Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com