Tough Mudder New England

Well I am writing just to inspire myself once again to get the Tough Mudder New England course under my belt. I had a dream of doing it this year however I found myself expecting a little bundle of joy who was due around the time this course even took place! I had trained really hard for the Tough Mudders I wanted to participate in and found myself in the best shape of my life, even better than when I was a Division 1 college athlete!

Tough Mudder New England takes place in Mount Snow Vermont and the course is designed by British Special Forces. I believe it is one of the most difficult Mudder courses on the circuit, hence the reason why I am wanting to do this event. I am more invested in training for the Mudders of 2012 than ever before as I have the dreaded baby fat to lose!
Check out the New England Tough Mudder video from this year...
http://youtu.be/ObcX5ZopSZE

It is hard to believe this was me just 11 months ago before baby:

Birthday Shots

My studio is nearing completion and I am hoping it will be fully done by August 1 so I can begin working. Time is ticking July, is a busy month of travelling for us so our time to work on the studio is running away from us. I will be leaving for Block Island and Connecticut for the week of July 4th then we will be leaving for the Jersey Shore the last 4 days of July and then I am off for a wedding shoot in Dayton Ohio.

I did manage to pick up my camera this weekend for myself, not a hired job, so I didn't bring my best equipment with me, but I did get some cute shots of my nephew and my own newborn son :)

Also played around in my lilly garden last week shooting some abstracted macro shots...

Kevin Connor 5.14.2011 8lbs 3 oz 21 inches

Hey All,

I want to introduce my son Kevin Connor! He was born at 6:23am 5.14.11 weighing in at 8lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long. He is my little angel and is currently the reason why I have been "quiet" with the blog and the studio site as well as my Facebook fanpage. Once I settle into the routine of being a mom I will get back into the studio to get more art done! August 1 marks the date I go back to work full time but as an artist out of my home studio :)

Rocky Mountain Horse

I saw a Rocky Mountain Horse last year who had the most amazing color. Deep liver chestnut with a nearly silver mane. Very striking, and so I was inspired to create a painting of him. I started it last year and just finished early early this morning (1am). Baby was restless last night and I wasn't able to sleep comfortably so I killed time by making art! What else can I do at that time in the morning while I wait for this stubborn little boy of mine to make his appearance into this world!

Shadow Horse Studios LLC's First Ever Digital Painting Video Tutorial Part II

I just wanted to give another brief update on some the things I am planning to have available for my customers, students, and clients in the upcoming future. I have been diligently learning the ropes of a new video program that will allow me to create online teaching workshops directly from my website. It is my plan at this time to offer Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, Prisma Colored Pencil, and watercolor/ink tutorials to start with.

Digital art is what I am mostly known for in the illustration world that I market myself for (equestrian and fantasy focus). My Prisma Colored Pencil and Watercolors/Inks works are what my collectors are really "digging" right now. I often get a lot of requests to teach my techniques and so I have decided that offering online workshops will be highly beneficial for me and potential students!

The first workshop I am working is an Adobe Photoshop Tutorial with a sketch of an Andalusian stallion that will be downloadable for all who sign up for the tutorial, which they will use to follow along with the tutorial step by step!

Sneak Peak of things to come

The Sketch We Will Start With

What the Finished Product will Look Like...

It is my hope to teach those of you interested in Digital Art all the tips and tricks of creating TRUE original digital painting WITHOUT cheating and using cloning and smudging on photographs!

New Older Works...

I am patiently waiting for my "overdue" baby to be born! I am anxious and full of anxiety so I have been going through my old scrap works and finishing them up. Also using a few of them to design a few online workshop tutorials for Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter! I am slowly learning a new video editing program that I am actually enjoying quite a bit :)

Shadow Horse Studios LLC's First Ever Digital Painting Video Tutorial

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am currently working on my first Digital Art Tutorial Video. I will also have this same video made into an easily readable PDF download file a well- complete with working PSD files for your practice. There will be a small lesson fee to download and do this tutorial on your own providing you have all the necessary programs and equipment. I also plan on hosting a critique gallery where students can upload their complete images to share with the option of asking for critiques!This tutorial will be taught on Adobe Photoshop. This tutorial will be designed for those artist who already have working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop as well as a basic to advanced understanding of color theory and painting techniques.

Stay Tuned!!!