The Vizir Who Was Punished, An Arab Fairy Tale

It was extra hard to choose what to use for an illustration for this story.  The goal is to entice the reader to read the story without giving away too much of the main focus or ending.  I didn't want to illustrate the prince but I could have.  I didn't want to illustrate the vizir because he would have been an older man and I wanted to appeal to children by depicting children.  So I chose the ogress in the form of a girl by the side of the road.  I hope it is intriguing enough to get you to listen to the story or read it for yourself when the book is published early in the new year.

Urashima Taro, A Japanese Fairy Tale Collage

This is a classic fairy tale from Japan where the fisherman has mercy on a sea turtle and is rewarded with a view of the undersea world.  It has a sad ending though.

Collage of Threatened Boy for Black Lives Matter

My series on Black Lives Matter focuses on children and why not?  They are the real losers when lives are threatened.

The Last of the Thunderbirds, An Eskimo Folk Tale Collage

This little warrior avenged his mother by killing the thunderbirds.

Painting Watercolor Botanicals, Goldfinch and Grapes

This is the third of the four botanicals I did.  I love the gold and purple/blue colors together.  It sparkles.

The Sacrafice of Sim Cheong, A Korean Fairy Tale Collage

Sometimes I think I should change the ending of very sad or disturbing stories for my children's book, but in this case the Korean story is very deeply engrained in the culture and the girl always sacrifices herself for the sake of her father.  How can I change that?  So I decided to leave it at is was and hope people understand.

Rabbit Throws Out His Sandal, A Mayan Folk Tale Collage

This is such a funny story about the tricky rabbits pulling pranks.  It's another speed collage.  Enjoy.

Qasim, The King of Crocodiles, An Indian Fairy Tale Collage

Qasim, King of Crocodiles, An Indian Fairy Tale is about a crocodile who takes a wife.  It is a magical story, if a little strange.

Painting Watercolor Botanicals, Blue Jay and Grapes

This is another botanical for the commission for a lady in Mississippi.  I'm really enjoying these birds and fruits.  Watercolor is so versatile a medium.

Painting Watercolor Botanicals, Red-headed Finch and Apples

Painting is so relaxing.  This is for a commission of four botanicals special ordered by a dear client who really appreciates my work.  

The Pooka, An Irish Fairy Tale Collage

This is such an unusual and interesting fairy tale from Ireland that I couldn't help but include it in my FairyTale Alphabet Book.  I hope you like it too.

Olufunke, The One Who Never Lies, An African Fairy Tale Collage

This one is one of my favorites this year.  What would you give for one who never lies?  Valuable beyond words in days like these.

Plastic Wrap Watercolor Technique

I like adding tutorials on watercolor technique from time to time.  It's a change from all the fairy tale collages.

Madschun, A Turkish Fairy Tale Collage

Who couldn't use a magical word to make things freeze?  I know I could certainly use it.  This sweet story is about a challenged boy with no hair.

The Nightingale, A Danish Fairy Tale Collage

You know, now that I am past the "M" half-way mark, I am on the downhill side of this alphabet book.  I feel the momentum building even though I have many other things vying for my time.  Still, wouldn't it be fabulous to have this ready by the beginning of the new year instead of next July like I had originally planned? I'm working on it.

The Lame Fox, A Serbian Fairy Tale Collage

It is almost laughable how much trouble the fox has to get this boy out of while he tries to help his father.  I enjoyed hiding things in this collage.

King Kojata, A Polish Fairy Tale Collage

A Polish Fairy Tale from my FairyTale Alphabet book.  I like this one.  Even though it is called King Kojata, it is really about the king's son who isn't named.

Jasper, Who Herded Hares, A Scandinavian Fairy Tale Collage

Jasper is a great story, I really loved collaging these hares and the boy.  Some of these collages are my favorites because of the pose and subject matter.  This is one.

The Ill-Fated Princess, A Greek Fairy Tale Collage

The Ill-Fated Princess is a very unusual story.  I loved it.

Hanasaka Jiisan, A Japanese Fairy Tale Collage

This is a charming story about a loved doggie who brings his master to good fortune.

Make Fans With Watercolor Paintings: Freda Kahlo

Time for a watercolor video.  This one I actually painted last year but decided to publish this year.  Painting Freda Kahlo was fun and making the fans was even more so.

Geirlug, The King’s Daughter Illustration Collage

I'm very excited that this series is coming along.  Today I published the collage for G in the Fairy Tale Alphabet Book.

Another Crazy Horse Rose in Watercolor

This week I had no trouble with the glitch I was having on YouTube lately.  Really good news for me.  Technology can get me down.  I enjoyed painting his rose and hope everyone enjoys seeing it.

My tribute to Black Lives Matter Collage

This is only one of my first tributes to the Black Lives Matter movement.  I think art should make a statement and try to influence society for the better and not take its cues from society.  We have a sacred trust with these talents and if we don't speak out with our gifting, who will?

The Elves and the Shoemaker Collage Illustration Reload

I didn't even realize that the audio voice-over didn't record properly the first time I uploaded this video to YouTube until one of my friends mentioned she liked the peaceful music.  I had to go listen to make sure it was low enough to hear my dialog only to find there was no dialog after I went to all the trouble of telling the story.  If you missed the story, here it is in this reload of the Elves and the Shoemaker.

Father Frost Collage Illustration for Children’s Book

Kevin and I fought with YouTube for 3 days putting in some 5 hours trying to circumnavigate the system glitch yesterday, but finally today I got it to publish.  What a nightmare.  Glad to have it ready though.

A Crazy Horse Rose in Watercolor Speed Painting

These watercolor flowers never grow old for me.  I enjoy each one and I learn something new from each one too.  Painting watercolor is a joy.

Xavya and the Bird Gift, an African American Folktale for a Children’s Book

My dear friend Marie Flint wrote this story for my alphabet book using an old African American folktale to retell.  It's so charming you won't be wasting your time to watch this one.

The Elves and the Shoemaker Collage Illustration

Many thanks to my Patrons who made it possible to buy a new tripod arm for my camera to be stationary above my work.  It made filming so much easier.

Yellow and Pink Rose in Watercolor

So much is happening in the news and on social media, I felt it was time to take a break and just paint.  It feels good to paint.  I feel calmer somehow.

Keeping Busy During the Pandemic, Doll Shoes

It's been one of those weeks when you want to do something, anything to take your mind off of the horrible things in the news.  I've been working on these doll clothes for weeks but last week I finished the shoes.  Hope you like them.

New Hampshire House Paper House Model How-to

I'm working on more little houses to keep myself busy during this lockdown.  Today is my day 74 of sheltering in place.

Drakestail Collage, Illustration for a Children’s Book

I'm certainly enjoying these fairy tales.  This is just the latest for the new book.

The Celestial Sisters Collage for a Children’s Book

I'm always happy to have another page done for my FairyTale Alphabet Book.  This one is C for the Celestial Sisters, a Native American Folk Tale.  It was a fun one.

Indonesian Fairy Tale Collage for Children’s Book

B is for Bawang Merah and Bawang Putah, the next page for my FairyTale Alphabet book.

Almondseed Fairy Tale Collage for Children’s Book

Finally working on my new FairyTale Alphabet Book starting with A for Almondseed.  This one is a Greek Fairy Tale and I really enjoyed doing the research on it.

Rose Blush Painting and Covid 19 Insults

We got some bad news last week and it has been hard to take.  Saying goodbye is hard enough but not to have a funeral or wake in the light of this pandemic is really cruel.  So I paint.

Time for Vegan Oriental Salad

Okay.  So it is finally warm enough for my Vegan Oriental Salad.  I've waited a long time for this.  The ramen noodles and teriyaki sauce really make it.

A Collage of Echeveria Succulents and Quarantine

I have a few suggestions on what to do during the quarantine lockdown.  I work on collages and cooking.

Painting Watercolor Lilacs and Blessings

In the middle of the fear of pandemic and all the strange media posts, I decided it was time to post something positive and uplifting.  I encourage everyone to list their blessings or what they are thankful for instead of dwelling on what if going wrong in the world or what we don't have right now.  It's a good exercise and will uplift your day.

Searching for Wild Greens

Searching for weeds for my salad.  These grow wild and free for the picking.

Yellow Roses in Watercolor

What a busy week for me but I still finished these yellow roses.  Here is my story.

Simple Watercolor Wreath/Practicing with new brush

I'm practicing with my new travel watercolor brush that holds the water in the handle.  It's an interesting brush and paints well.  It makes nice fine lines and that's what I wanted.

Orange Dahlia in Watercolor

This flower was very difficult to work because of the change in my vision.  I started it right before I got my new contact lenses so I had a hard time focusing.  It made my eyes water and get tired to work them this way.  But I finally got used to them. That's the good news.

Pink Roses in Watercolor

I wasn't sure I could get this one done this week with the problems I've had with my new contact lenses.  One corrected for distance and one for close-up, it has taken some getting used to.  However, in the end, I think I like them.  You make it work if you want to badly enough.

Mushroom Fairy Photo Composite

This one could have been another Skillshare class but I got tired of working it and just shortened it for YouTube.

A Watercolor Demo by Sandy Kowallis

I always meant to do something with this footage I took back in 2012 but never quite knew how to do it back then.  Now when I came across the old footage and know how to put it together with Adobe Premiere Pro, I figured it was time to show it.

Emperor’s New Clothes Leg Collage for Children’s Book

Because I didn't film the collage of the little boy, I thought no one would be interested in the footage of the background legs but in the end, I decided to put the footage together and publish it on YouTube.  I got to share the process at the very least so that is worth something.

Hawaii Beach House Paper House Construction

This is another of the many house patterns but this one includes a paper palm.  The Hawaii Beach House is one of the more fun ones, and very simple.

Hawaii Beach House Paper House Construction

This is another of the many house patterns but this one includes a paper palm.  The Hawaii Beach House is one of the more fun ones, and very simple.

Pet Portrait Collage of Little Jipso

This collage took me 3 weeks to complete.  You can almost see time go by in the changing of my fingernail polish.  I love these collages.  It is challenging and fun for me.

Fantasy Fairy Photo Class in Skillshare

After 9 months of working on this Skillshare class I finally got it published.  This is the introduction on YouTube.