Welcome to the studio of Shelly Comiskey - Simply Shelly Designs

Enjoy yourself as you follow this Hi Resolution for a look into the creative spaces of twelve different artists, their studios, and their styles!

Hop over and visit my talented friends as they welcome in
the New Year with a Studio Tour-

Aaron
Christensen
Barbara
Johansen-Newman
Beth
Logan
Brenda Pinnick
J. Wecker-Frisch
Karen
Embry
Paula Joerling
Phyllis Dobbs
Samantha
Walker
Sharon
Himes
Shelly
Comiskey
Sue
Zipkin

My cozy studio..

One small room, filled from corner to corner with things I love. Not
everything in my studio is art related but just bits and pieces of me. Some of
my favorite books, the little nik naks from when my kids were small,
pictures, and wall to wall fur balls curled up napping on the many pillows and
dog beds I have spread out on the floor for them. My fuzzy co-workers, my
inspiration.. all in all, my company all day.
For many years back in our old house I had the tiny room in the basement
and the space heater at my feet to keep them warm. Now I feel so blessed to
have a beautiful room in my house.. my studio. With a great view looking out
to the trees and skylights bringing me the sunshine, I cannot think of a better
place to start my day and to end each night. In my old studio, I surrounded
myself with everything an artist needs at arms reach... paints, brushes of all
kinds, paper, glues, clay, ribbons, glitter, boxes of this and that.. oh I could
go on. But I realized when designing my studio 9 years ago that this time I
needed comfort. I wanted the feeling to be more relaxed and not so cluttered.
This definitely helps my creativity. And "comfy" it is!! From my cushy chair,
a warm wooden desk, to the colors and things that surround me..it's just perfect for
me. Don't get me wrong.. I still surround myself with my artsy things.. lots
and lots of them.. but keeping a bit more cohesive to the surroundings in lots
of wicker baskets and a great closet! And come deadline time.. which sometimes
seems to be daily.... there are truly the days when I cannot find my desk.. let
alone my cat or little Chihuahua Tequila...after all.. I am still the right brainer!

Sketchbooks and sketchbooks, some watercolor paints, markers, and colored
pencils, and books. That's what I now keep near.. but a couple of my favorites are the Cintiq
monitors. I have the 21" and now the lap size 12". These are digital monitors that I can work with my art
programs directly on the screen. Definitely ranking as favorites in the
studio.. well that and my coffee maker.

Loving my 12" Cintiq

I love the warm sunshine that comes through as well as the natural sunlight...

hmm...to pounce or not to pounce.....

Inside the closet doors is a treasure trove of goodies!!

Just a sample.. have a couple more closets in the basement :D

Tiki aka "Queeny"... we have to move the kitty bed to follow the sun spot across my desk through the day. So glad she lets me share her studio..

my studio buddies <3

Joey, Moose, Tequila, and of course Queeny

Oh... and one more thing to add - a special thanks to Aaron Christensen.. the task master, for hosting this blog hop.. which I may add.. was quite the task!

A Happy Happy New Year to all!

Thanks for visiting and be sure to click the forward and back buttons below to see some of my artist friends and their incredible talent and amazing studios!

Tis the season - Already??

I can't believe it is that time of year already for the shopping, decorating, Christmas music, and not to mention a new year already!! Wheeew!

This past year, I am grateful for the blessings large and small. From my incredible family, awesome friends, and a job I so love to mention a few. My wish to all is that everyone takes the time to appreciate everything! So the warmest holiday wishes to all!

Cheers Friends! xo

Gone to the Dogs!

I am happy to have FINALLY been able to make the time to work up a new design for the blog!! It has been quite busy around here the last couple months... but for an artist.. that is a good thing - no complaining here! With some of my biggest client deadlines, new hopeful opportunities, new collections, and of course the dreaded tax season.. it has been a full packed first quarter to 2010. Looking forward to getting back on track as I am getting closer to checking off the remianing items on my list... then... on to a new list!!

As for the theme, it is again another one of my favorite things.. DOGS! Seeing as I am surrounded by them daily..
they are my buddies, my co-workers lol, my companions, and lots of inspiration. They truly have the gift to bring comfort and to just make me happy and smile! Thanks to you my furry friends Moose, joey, and little tequila!

You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Resolutions

It is that time of year again when we start to plan our resolutions for the upcoming new Year. Honestly, I have never been so ready to say good bye to the past year as I am to 2009. Like so many families.. we struggle with the battered economy and job lay offs... but the heaviest to bear is the loss of my father..I miss him more than words can say.
So I say - Bring on the new year! I am ready. My new year resolutions are going to be a great focus for me. They are commitments that are completely in my control. When followed through..they will bring happiness, better health, and the sense of accomplishment.
Resolution #1 - Better health and exercise..(I make this one every year lol) When I work out and exercise I always feel better.. That truly makes me happy... So back to that!
Resolution #2 - Go out with friends more- Because I love my job .. it is very very easy for me to get quite wrapped up in projects and dead lines. Now some things will never change - lol, but I will definitely make more time for my friends and to laugh alot! This includes my best friend - my hubby Mike. He is awesome and we always have so much fun together.
Resolution #3 - Okay.. this is my least favorite.. but I vow I am going to clean my house on a much more regular basis. It makes me happy when all is clean, but I often face the challenge... hmmm... should I tackle the pile of laundry in the corner or paint some snowmen..hmmm.. Well we shall see how this one goes :)
I am looking forward to being back to a bit of my own routine now. These past few months have not been about me or my work. It was all about my dad..I was able to spend what is now some of the most treasured times of my life with him. He is with me in my heart and always.

I hope everyone enjoys this holiday season with friends and family. Hold them all tight!

Winters blessings

Here is the first of a new collection ..... I am working with my all time favorite theme...... yep its SNOWMEN!! I just love snowmen! They are just so fun to paint.. with their hats, sweaters, mittens, all the way down to their buttons! Its funny with snowmen.. even though they are made of the cold freezing snow... they can convey such warm hearted expressions. Winter will certainly be here soon enough if not already for some...and much more to do... I better get busy on creating some new friends for this guy and hmmm, I am thinking a nice cup of hot chocolate as well - now that is a winter blessing :)

Brand new to blogging!

Hello,
Well at the gentle "ahem" nudging of some wonderful friends.. I now have started a blog. My name is Shelly Comiskey and I am an artist and mom. I work from my home and feel blessed everyday that I do what I do. Whether I start with a blank piece of paper and pencil, paint and paintbrush, digital illustrating, or even starting with just a ball of clay - I just love the feeling of creating something from nothing. Through art, I have met some of my dearest and closest friends.
I look forward to this new venture and my hope for this blog is to keep in touch with friends and meet lots of new people as well! I will be posting new art, new happenings, fun thoughts, and who knows what else LOL.. Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly :)