Ellie Mae Squirrel

Happy Saturday, sweet luvs!
I just wanted to share some books I've been inspired by this week (I'd gotten these from the library but I'll definitely be getting my own copies soon!)
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What are you reading this weekend?
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Hugs,
Ellie Mae

A throw back from a couple years ago! Happy Valentine's day, luvs

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Hello luvs!
Thanks so so much for voting for what bird you'd like to see me illustrate and the winner (by a difference of only one point!) was the Crested Caracara! Since the Philippine Eagle came in a close second, I'll probably make him at some point, too!
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Once I've picked my subject I like to make very loose gestural sketches to find a dynamic composition that I like. I'm really excited to illustrate this beautiful animal!
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Thanks again!

New story posted!
I feel a little bit like this guy, feel the creative push to make something but I feel a little overwhelmed by all the choices. I have posted a poll on my stories if you'd like to vote for a bird you'd like to see me illustrate!

Thanks luvs :)

A little late but today's Day 8 for A Month in Paper: Favorite Paper Discipline
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I love love love collage style art! For me it reminds me of putting pieces together like the puzzles I'd spend hours putting together growing up. Even though I'm not as patient with intricate line work styles, I also have an appreciation for that too, it's a beautiful way of making art!
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Happy Sunday luvs, today's post is a bit of a toofer :)
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I'm combining Days 5+6 of A Month in Paper: Workspace and Where I Learned
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My workspace isn't the tidiest but I try to leave some open space in case I get the creative urge to make something. My workspace is surrounded by gifts I've been given or things I've made. As a cat owner I've made room for the demons so we're all happy. Having this spaced space is how I learned about 2 years ago to make the work I do now. I watched all sorts of YouTube videos and asking fellow artists who've been willing to share their techniques, but a large part of the learning was also teaching myself over and over ❤️
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Hope you have a good day sweet friends
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A Month in Paper Day 4: Creative Process
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Hello and happy Friday Eve my sweet luvs! A tiny piece of my creative process is surrounding myself with things or people that inspire me or bring me joy 😊 For me, to be inspired means to continually expose myself to these creative sources, from surrounding myself with art to being in nature or spending time with my friends and family. Can't create from an empty cup.

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See you tomorrow, luvs
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Hi sweet luvs, did you get to sleep in for New Years?
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I was inspired by revisiting an art challenge from a couple of years ago by . I've been really needing something to get back into the swing of things since I've been off Instagram for a couple months, answering messages whenever I got them.
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Prompt #1 is "Portrait," and I know this is a little abstract piece but I think it's fitting for where I am emotionally and mentally. To put it bluntly these past few months have been probably the most stressful period I've had in my adult life, and during that time experienced a lot of anger and hopelessness that basically choked whatever creative spark I did have.
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It wasn't until this past week I actually had the creative urge to make something for myself. These flowers were planted last spring but despite the harsh summer and the changing seasons, they're still blossoming. For me they represent a simple but tenacious drive to grow no matter what the conditions are, even when they haven't been ideal circumstances. These scrappy little flowers give me the hope that I too can grow in such a tumultuous time.
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Thank you all again for being so supportive and understanding during these difficult months, it really made a difference ❤️
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Hope these scrappy little wildflowers give you hope, too ❤️

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Hi sweet luvs ❤️
What I thought would take two weeks to work through a really difficult situation turned into essentially a three month hiatus from social media. I'm still not out of the woods yet but just wanted to share with you my Secret Santa's art he made me! is such a gifted artist and it really means a lot to me that he took the time to make something so extremely creative and catered to my eclectic tastes, ranging from frogs to Studio Ghibli ☺️ Thank you so much!

Wow luvs, what an amazing Saturday!
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I was very grateful for the to include my work in this year's Art Walk! Met so many creatives and art lovers. There were over 100+ artists featured in the exhibit and about 1500 folks showed up in a 4 hour time span. What an amazing time.
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Hi sweet honey bunches of luvs, have you gotten your favorite pumpkin spiced things yet?
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Yesterday I had an artist date with myself and hung out in my local library. An artist date is something I learned from "The Artist's way," always trying to make time for myself and room to decide what I'd like most to do. It really doesn't have to cost much, just whatever makes you happy or what you've wanted to try ❤️
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I took that time to also drop off some donations of my more recent artwork, trying to make room for the new art I'll be making for this year's Cutober challenge 😊. Hope my work finds some loving homes.

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Hello sweet honey bunches of luvs, I hope you're enjoying your weekend so far!
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It's been a while but I finally finished my next addition to My Texas Threatened/Endangered species list : The Atwaters Prairie Chicken.
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The Atwaters Prarie Chicken, a sub species of the Greater Prarie chicken, is highly endangered. They've been found in coastal grasslands in Texas, Louisiana and even Mexico. Their habit has been dwindling over the decades, with suburbs growing, drilling, and planting of invasive species for commercial use to name a few reasons for habitat loss.
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Males are easily identified by their orange neck sacks that they inflate during mating season. They also have these cool neck feathers that stick up and look like little ears. I highly recommend looking up videos just to get an idea of how cool a sound these guys make.
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Moving forward in making more pieces for this series
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Have a great evening luvs ❤️
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Thank you for my cool mango leaf and chunky papers!
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Happy Hump day luvs! Who else needs a 8-9 hour nap? 😴
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I made this Secretary Bird for a couple reasons!
1) I wanted to enter three big birds in for an art call, so I made one more
2) Secretary Birds are basically dinosaurs and I love them 😊
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P.S. Almost had a whoopsie because I was cutting paper that overlapped my almost finished bird 🙃
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Have a great evening luvs
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Happy Sunday luvs! What's your favorite obscure animal?
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The Austin Blind Salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis) is my newest addition to my Endangered/Threatened Species Series!
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Austin Blind Salamanders are a very special species endemic to Texas, specifically in Austin's Barton Springs (the springs are the only place people have actually observed them, they live mostly in the subterranean cave system). They absolutely need clean water to thrive, pollution and industrial projects have threatened their habitat. I know that Austin Blind Salamanders are not the typical poster child of endangered species, they are a direct gauge for how healthy our river systems are.
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Moving onto my next Texas Species!
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Happy Hump day luvs! What's your favorite ocean animal?
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Today's prompt is "Fast" and I learned that the Common Dolphin is one of the fastest marine animals.
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I've hit a bit of a creative wall, luvs, this has been a fun challenge and might make some more pieces but I know that when art starts feeling like I have to do it instead of wanting to do it I need a change
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Nighty night luvs
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Hello sweet honey bunches of luvs, are you ready for Fall as much as I am?
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So I have combined two prompts from the 31 Animal August challenge, "Spikey" +"Cute"
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Did you know that sea urchins will put rocks, shells, leaves and other things to provide some cover? That will also include very stylish cowboy hats and viking helmets 😂
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My little urchin is having cake because why not?
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See you later, luvs
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Following up with Part 2 of today's art responses to the 31 Animal August challenge!
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This one is "Stripes," Okapis are one of my favorite stripey animals. I was initially making it normal colors but somehow it was happier being purple lol
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Sweet dreams sweet luvs!
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Happy Monday luvs! How's your day been?
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This is Part 1 of my responses to a couple prompts I'd missed! This is "Spots." It's so funny, a few days ago I stumbled on Luise Ehlert's "Lots of Spots!" and it gave me inspiration to make my little fawn.
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I've been feeling fatigued these past couple of days and have surprised myself with being able to make two illustrations in one day.
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Tune in soon for Part 2, "Stripes"
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Had such a fun time learning how to make wee accordion books with !
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Luvs, I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed meeting the creative folks in meetings! You get to learn all sorts of cool things, like making paper feathers, paper weaving, and of course lots of other cool things!
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I'm happy with my little book, can't wait to experiment more 😊
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Happy happy Friday my sweet luvs ❤️
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Today's prompt is "Black and White." I started off really late this afternoon so I wanted to make something that was quick but still full of colors and textures.
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What's your favorite black and white animal? 🖤🤍
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I hope that whenever you know you need a break, that you allow yourself to have one, luvs ❤️
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Went on an artist date today instead of making anything, and it really helped. I take my off days to gather inspiration and sharpen the saw. Whenever I feel a tug away from the artwork I have at hand, I let myself have those breaks. It's always really surprising to me how quickly I feel more balanced when I take that self care time 😊
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What do you do to fill your mental/emotional/creative well?
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Happy Hump day luvs, how we doing?
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Today's prompt is "Colorful" and I really wanted to make a Scarlet Maccaw 🦜
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I don't know what it is with birds, I have a hard time working small-scale ha. I think why I tend to work in very high in details with them is because they remind me of a prayer I came up with a long time ago. The meditation teacher said to think of something that represents freedom, and for me that's birds. When I see one I always think of my prayers, "May I be free.. , may we be free..., how can I....?"
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Hello lovely luvs! How's your Tuesday going? Terrific I hope, and if it's other wise I'm sending you a hug ❤️
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Today's 31 Animal August challenge prompt is "Fish" and I thought I'd give the Lionfish a try! Did you know there are 12 different species of lionfish?
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Whenever I make a piece I try to work as intuitively as possible. For example I made a completely random painted surface and then cut out what I thought would be a good fit shape wise. Kind of like drinking teas and reading the leaves, creating some new meaning.
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Have a Tear-ific Tuesday luvs


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Who's ready for a nap this afternoon/evening? (me too ha)
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Today's prompt is "Smaller Animal" and I thought I'd illustrate my cat and dog when they had a synchronized snooze. This was right years ago when TJ was just a baby and we'd had our dog Maggie for a year. They were two peas in a pod, enjoying taking naps with each other as much as giving each other a hard time. We lost good girl Maggie last year and it was easy to tell how much TJ missed her. Glad to still have photos of them together ❤️
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What sort of pet do you have?
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Hello luvs, how's your Sunday going? Did you get to see the Perseid meteor shower last night, if so what did you wish for?
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Today's prompt is "Large Animal" and I picked the Grizzly Bear. I've only made bears a couple times so I wanted to try making a new one. I'm very happy with how it turned out!
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I love working with paper because they all have their own unique properties, and so it's fun thinking about how to creatively use them.
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Have a good rest of your Sunday luvs
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