Got back from a trip last night and I can't find my regular camera anywhere. So, it's the iPhone. Lots of glare, sorry about that, I'll take another photo later. 

Portrait painting 15 of 50, sent in by my sister, Sara. This is of our parents. And today is my mom's birthday so I thought it was really fitting to do. I haven't done one of my mom and dad. My dad's been gone for several years now but this is a photo of them on one of their trips.

Sometimes you just make a big deal of things mentally and never get to them. This 50th birthday celebration has made me just get over it and do them. No time to fuss. Just paint.

Happy Birthday Mom.

Started late again with the portrait today. But it's done, minus Trudy. Sorry Trudy, I really wanted to do a male face since I haven't done any, that's why he won out. Trudy posted her photo on my Shannon Christensen Fine Art Facebook page if you want to see it.

Some of you are being a bit shy about uploading an image on Shannon's Studio FB page. Don't be. The worse thing to happen is that I don't get to it. That's it. So, read this post about how-to.

Here's the 13th of 50 portraits. Alisha sent in this photo of her being cross-eyed. I just had to try it. And butterflies have a long history with her, but that's another story. 

Very tired tonight but I did finally start, and finish, 12 of 50 in our portrait a day 50th birthday celebration. Yeah. 

Upload an image on Shannon's Studio FB page and read this post to be considered.

Today's 50th Birthday Celebration portrait is a bit of an experiment. And I tried it with someone's photo that I knew would appreciate the effort even if it didn't turn out. Julie is just that way, where she would be happy I tried something different. I'm glad I did. It's very different than oils and it's a medium that I can do quickly using color.  Oils aren't that way, at least not for me, yet. Plus, this puts off a lot of unrestrained energy, which Julie has. Hope it comes across well. 

Here's a DIY project - personalized plastic notebooks and folders. It's quick and easy with all kinds of possibilities. It's also pretty easy for kids to do. I'm going to be doing a few more for school coming up. Here's how. 

I got my mini notebook from Office Depot but you can get them at any number of places. The same thing with the plastic folders. Just make sure your covers are clear enough to see through. Here's the folder.

I've included a download of the alphabet that I used as well as full words if you work with Young Women. You can move the alphabet printout under the cover to spell out the words that you want. Hope this is a fun addition to your DIY projects.

On the road most of the day today. Makes it hard to make art. That's when pencil saves the day. This week might see a lot of the basics of pencil drawing. And babies are always an easy draw for me so work especially well on days like. Here's today's 50th Birthday Celebration portrait - 10 of 50.

Gone all day long to youth conference. But, still made an attempt at the 50th Birthday Celebrate. Until I was falling a sleep. Seriously, pencil in hand. This drawing could be better. It could be worse. But it's up regardless.

My Sam sent this in. My portrait 8 of 50. The 50th birthday celebration goes on. Upload an image on Shannon's Studio FB page and read this post to be considered.

Design happens all the time around here. It's always something. Here's a sneak peak at the t-shirts I designed for youth conference. The kids get them tomorrow. Arise was our theme so I turned the word on its side to give it that feeling of moving upward, arising. I also designed the temple after the new Kansas City Temple and used negative space for it. 

Two different design colors. Light blue for the majority of youth and royal blue for the youth who are on the planning committee. "Youth Committee" on the sleeve for a little distinction.

Doan's Printing did the shirts, you can find them here.