Challenges

I've just completed my second challenge proposed by a friend. The first was Computer Nails, kinda interesting.

I thought they all turned out cute, but my pictures were less than fantastic, so to subtitle: thumb says Windows: Press Any Key (the text on the Windows Blue Screen of Death). Then we have the Apple error screen, the Apple logo (hopefully everyone got that one), a circuit board, and the Windows logo.

This new one was 'sports'. I have very little interest in sports with the exception of the winter Olympics (No, not *only* ice skating, tyvm)

Soccer, Baseball, Nascar, Golf, and Basketball. Really like the golf nail - inspiration by Bob Ross, here. Note the 'Happy Little Trees' :)   I think I may do an entire Bob Ross manicure in memory of such a happy, slightly scary man.

So anyhow, I was proud of myself not only that all the designs I made turned out recognizable, but that I actually got around to doing them! I have a very long history of not doing things that bore me. Science homework was done before I left school for the day, but math was often put off until 5 minutes before class when it needed to be turned in.

Some original, but lots of influence

I started this with inspiration from a randomly stumbled across Youtube video - probably by julieg713, who has some really cute nail art tutorials, and a whole bunch of make-up vids. Unfortunately, I can't speak for the makeup or hair clips - I was just there for the nails, so I kind of ignored the rest of her stuff. Still, she was my first exposure to somewhat ornate nail art, and has some really cute fun stuff that got me started! Then, I started the wonderful world of searching YouTube for "nail art". That particular search has absolutely exploded in the recent past. Where I used to get a few dozen random hits, there are now pages and hundreds, Thousands of different nail art pictures. And reposts of people's interperetations of the designs. And new designs inspired by ones they'd seen.

And then, I found Robin Moses. And my fun jumped up a really, really big notch. She has awesome nail designs (just check her blog!) -- but not only that, I'm learning ART. Not just nails. The whole concept of what it means to layer, and how to outline by painting the shadow first, and... ok I'll stop now because I could ramble all day. But I have so much fun attempting her designs. I hope she can forgive me for mangling them, because so far, everyone I've painted them for have absolutely loved them ;)

The apple blossoms, dragonflies, and ladybugs are all influenced by Robin Moses. The blossoms & dragonflies I changed up a bit - the ladybugs are just a straight reproduction, and are one of my favorite designs so far. And the recipient loved them :)

Welcome to my new addiction

A few months ago I had no nails. (Though I did have a really cute niece)

Then, I got bored. I've been the artsy-craftsy type for quite some time, and stumbled across a youtube video of nail art. It was cute, and fun, and I was intrigued. Didn't work so well on super-short stubby nails, though...

  It did get all kinds of comments, though. And thus it began. Through water-marbling, to Konad stamping

to completely free-handed

Somehow, biting your art palatte just isn't as satisfying as if it's just a nail.

So now, I have nails...

And an obsession that's still going strong