Author: Michele B. Naquaiya

I'm an artist/illustrator living in Mexico. I'm exploring life through art and the art of the journal with pictures and a few words.
dogs, dogs, horses, cats, Tablet Drawing

Painting dogs

Michele B. Naquaiya

Some dogs of course just touch your heart. I’ve been tablet drawing and have an idea of what I want but still have a ways to go. To me the most important thing is to try to capture the personality of the dog. Digital sketching gets a little bizarre with animal fur brushes. Tablet drawing works great if you have a plan. A good plan is to keep it as simple as possible and everything to a minimum. I think I’m looking for something in between a traditional portrait with the flare of digital. Then if I could master lighting, that’s where I want to be.

I’m not at all happy with the below image. I will do it over but I just take a black and white shot to get an idea of the values. As you can see, there are more problems than values. It’s a mixed up mess with wrong brushes used for what I’m looking for. There are blacks in here that are way too dark and the piece has no continuity. His beautiful eyes are lost. The next version will begin with line art and then use selections for 4 values in grey scale to use as my flats. Onward and don’t give up.

abstract imagination, flora and fauna, Illustrations, watercolor, whimsy

Can you love your own work?

Michele B. Naquaiya
Colorful watercolor abstract

I don’t know why, but I gravitate to this watercolor. I love to see it super big but I think it looks good small also, like a little jewel. There is something about it that is mysterious. I give up on why I’m attracted to it. Maybe it’s whimsical and I think that says it all.

I am offering it in my Society 6 shop.

abstract imagination, collage, watercolor

portrait collage blues

Michele B. Naquaiya

Life is lately about trying to keep your sanity in a crazy world that’s going crazier by the minute. For me, painting watercolors is about keeping my skills together while the world tries to tear us apart in a negative atmosphere. Am I nuts? Nah. I’m pretty normal considering the curveballs I’ve dodged. So I’m taking pieces apart and put them back together hoping to stay on track. Sometimes this is sort of a thereapy. OMG I use a camera, scanner, paints and brushes, glues and tape and anything I fancy to piece together. It’s about ideas, expressions, words. Old school stuff. Well, I guess I’m old and that’s all there is to it. I still have fun with my art and there’s nothing old about that. This piece measures 9″x12″ without frame.

Illustrations, Tablet Drawing

Desayuno or Breakfast

Michele B. Naquaiya

breakfast or desayuno

I am getting back to blogging after another health issue. I’m getting tired of this happening to me so I’m not going to write about it, I’m just going to change the subject. I signed on to Instagram and am looking to meet new people and other artists I have things in common with. I’m not crazy about posting a lot on social media but in the art world, it is expected. Because of Covid and lockdown here as in many places all over the world, the restaurant and food business and food workers have been severely hit.
Being able to go to a little local cafe for a spot of breakfast is no longer a thing to take for granted. A few days ago I visited one such local cafe to find the people easy and nice as usual and the food wonderful too. Somehow they bring a little joy back in our lives. So I’ve decided to do a series drawn completely on my tablet. I’d like to pay homage to our stoic restaurant workers. This is a little different for me as I almost start all my art with a watercolor of some sort of pen and ink. I am challenging myself. Let me know if you like this or not. Here’s the link to view the artwork on my products.