Feathers, Faces, and Frenchies, Oh My!

 Hello!  ¡Hola!  I have a 2-day business trip this week, so I'm keeping it short and posting earlier than usual.

         

First of all, I have an ATC I did inspired by the Card Concept #226 {Patriotic Blooms}, because I loved the color palette.  I am also submitting this to Tag-Along (and ATC's) April Birds, Love Those Pretty Papers April 2026 Challenge, Crafty Calendar April Challenge Dies/Punches, and Shop Our Stash 572 - Up, Up and Away.  For my design, I chose to draw a Cardinal couple from my how-to-book, Kawaii Birdies, by Jennifer Budrock, because he's a North American bird.  I used an EK Success Circle Ruler, a pencil, a Pentel Brush Sign Pen, Holz-Natur color pencils, & Mont Marte Real Brush Pens to draw them.  Then, I used a Kscraft ATC die set to cut my layered base using different prints from a K&Company Americana Specialty Papers pad.  I used a Sizzix Tim Holtz Alphanumeric set to die-cut the "USA" on the top layer.  I used an Ecohu hexagon punch to make my label, and wrote the sentiment with a Marvy Calligraphy marker and Frixion pen.  I glued all the elements together, and fussy-cut the birds to attach with foam tape.

Next, I have a postcard where I did a facial expressions study of happy, sad, and angry.  It's an original character that I did after reading Dynamic Character Design, by Fernanda Soares De Carvalho.  I think the happy face is OK, but I'm not crazy about the other two.  I used Artfinity, Arteza Everblend Art, and Faber-Castell Goldfaber alcohol markers, as well as a pencil, Holz-Natur colored pencils, & a stump.  The lettering was done with an Arteza calligraphy marker and a Copic Fine Nib pen.  The quote on happiness is from Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and philosopher who ruled from 161 to 180 AD; is one of the last Five Good Emperors; and is known for his Stoic philosophical work, which emphasizes virtue, reason, and self-control.  I'm submitting this to Sunday Postcard Art - Faces, What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 881/101, and Friday Face Off 4/24/2026.

In closing, I want to leave you with a picture I took of my grand-dog Leo, using my iPhone 14 Pro.  He belongs to my oldest daughter and her boyfriend.  This breed of companion/toy dog, appeared in Paris in the mid-nineteenth century.  It's apparently the result of cross-breeding Toy Bulldogs imported from England and local Parisian Ratters.  I wrote the haiku inspired by his sweet personality.  I'm submitting this Art For Fun Friday 3914, Saturday's Creatures #645, Mosaic Monday No.185, My Sunday Best #478.

Please leave a comment, so we can get to know each other, and I'll gladly reciprocate.  Thank you for your visit!  ¡Gracias por su visita!

Shalom,

Arnoldo+