Hey Friend! 💜 I'm Melanie - the artist + illustrator of The Swimming Owl 🦉 I am a mixed media and digital artist who loves to illustrate adult coloring books and picture books for kids. You will see that my artwork is very colorful and whimsical with lots of cosmic cottagecore vibes sprinkled throughout!
🛍️ My Etsy shop: theswimmingowl.etsy.com 🖍️ My coloring books on Amazon: amzn.to/41s6fQ1 🎨 Skillshare Classes: www.skillshare.com/en/r/user/melaniebess?gr_tch_ref=on&gr_trp=on 💌 Get 20% off your first purchase in my shop and Free Coloring Pages here when you become a part of the Owl Post Club 🦉💌 : www.theswimmingowl.com/the-swimming-owl-newsletter-sign-up
@theswimmingowl *Some Links may be affiliate links and I will earn a small commission if you use my links but it will not cost you anything extra.
Happy Fall + Spooky Season my friend! 🎃 I hope you love the surprise coloring page download! If you color and share it, make sure you tag me @theswimmingowl so I can celebrate your beautiful work! 🎨 Let me know what you think of this idea where I work on a painting or artwork and I create a special coloring page to go along with my artwork so you can create with me during the video! Happy coloring and art-making!!!! 💜
💜 Hello coloring friends! 🥰 I am so glad you joined me for a cozy coloring session! If you color along with me and share your page on social media, tag me so I can come see it. @theswimmingowl If you were to color these potion bottles, what colors would you use?!?! I want to know 👇
I know! I was not expecting to find something so cute! I just painted another mug last weekend with a starry sky and mountainscape on it and I can't wait to see how it turned out! ☺️ Happy Coloring, Jeannie! 🥰 🖍️
So sharpen your colored pencils and get out your coziest supplies (tea, snacks, candles, blankets… you get the idea, right?!). 🛍️ You can get your copy 3 ways (the links are in my profile): 🧙🏼♀️ Signed copies in my Etsy Shop (I ship these directly to you from my home studio and ALWAYS include little extras and surprises - these will be limited in quantity at first so don’t wait long if you want this version) 🧙🏼♀️ Digital Download Copies in my Etsy Shop (perfect for downloading and printing your own copy or coloring digitally on your iPad as fast as TODAY) 🧙🏼♀️ Non-signed Copies on Amazon (this will be the fastest and most affordable printed option but will not be signed and will NOT ship from my studio or have any extra gifts) 📦 **Quick SHIPPING note:** If you purchase a physical copy - especially from my Etsy shop - please be patient with the current shipping and delivery times. Due to the recent hurricane in the US and the horrible devastation, mail delivery may run much slower over the next few weeks. I appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. 💜 After you get your copy, share it on social media and tag me so I can see it! I want to see what you create and what kind of magical color you bring to this book! This coloring book is a collaboration after all! I start the artwork and you finish it!
☁️🌙 The perfect cozy blanket for those that love the vibe of cottagecore but also love lots of color 🩷🩵💜 ✨ Imagine snuggling up under a blanket that's as soft as a cloud while you're surrounded by the warmth of a thousand twinkling stars and the soothing glow of a full moon while you read your favorite fantasy novel. That was my inspiration when creating this lap blanket that is based on one of my original watercolor paintings titled, Cosmic Cloud Surfing. I used lots of hot pinks, soft lavenders, and some periwinkle purples and sky blues to create this dreamy scene. 🩷 When my sample blanket arrived for me to test out and photograph it, my daughter immediately claimed it and it now lives in her bed. I was hoping it would be MY lap blanket for while I work at my desk… Guess I need to design a few more. 😜 🛍️ This blanket is available in my Etsy shop here: theswimmingowl.etsy.com/listing/1680274144 #cottagecore #colorfulcottagecore #whimsigothdecor
🎨 Here is what I’m packing for vacation 🎨: Sharpener, eraser, 4 posca pens, clips for my sketchbooks, washi tape, a tiny container for water, as set of metallic watercolors, 2 sketchbooks - one wet media, one dry, a small travel set of watercolors, 3 watercolor brushes, my favorite watercolor pencils, and last but not least - my coloring book: Cozy Cottagecore. I’m all set! Who needs clothes and other stuff, right? 😘 What would you be sure to pack in your travel art supply kit?!?!?! I want to know what you are grabbing. #travelartsupplies #artonvacation #artsupplies #artbag #whatsinmyartbag #artsupplyaddict #mixedmediaartist
Thank you for sharing your process. Videos like this are so helpful for me. I like the speed of this video. If I need to, I'm able to slow the speed for review of a technique I would like to try. Peace.
I really enjoyed your tour! I have been trying to sketch more. I did some sketching on a winter hike this week and it was so fun! I really like your use of color! I totally agree, I have been adding in different colors to my paintings and it just seems to make them pop! I love how you make simple things into a piece of art (like your leaves look so good!) I really like your first day of snow! Your art is inspiring! I am a new subscriber!
Hello! 😊 I'm so happy to have you here. 💜 Sketching while out on a winter hike sounds really magical. I hope it wasn't too cold for you! What are your favorite things to sketch? Thank you so much for your sweet words about my artwork too. You made my day!
Yes! It was fun to sketch as the sunlight changed on the mountainside. I actually made a little video of it. I mostly draw/paint animals and mountain landscapes. But I would like to do some more simple things too. Like instead of sketching the landscape when I'm out I could sketch a leaf. 🍁🍂Sometimes the little things are the most beautiful. The way you paint little things like leaves just turns it into a beautiful piece of art!🍁:)
Yes! Exactly! So much better to obsess over what materials you like and HOW you like to apply them... versus worrying about having a solid style. 😊 Do you have a preferred process yet? 💜
@@theswimmingowl Yes. My process is to create joyfully. I enjoy focusing on the journey vs the destination with my art, so I focus on the experience. I enjoy letting myself explore, discover, and embrace imperfection. I call my process Art Zen. LOL! 💕
Such a delightful sketchbook tour!! 💖 It seems like I like the same colors as you! I love the way you see the world. All of the pages are gorgeous, but I think 19 and 25 might be my favorites!
That REALLY makes my day! 💜 I really enjoy making these sketchbook with me videos and wasn't sure how others would enjoy watching them. I'm so happy to have you here. What is your favorite type of art to create?
I do mixed media with different things! Watercolor, watercolor pencils, neocolors, paint pens… So I love watching your whole process! These are my favorite type of videos! Keep up the good work! 💕
@theswimmingowl it's the same for me, I just love colour. If I draw from reference, I always pick more vibrant colours 😄 I love videos like this, your art is so inspiring 🩷
I hope you enjoy this little peek into my process and thoughts on my first 25 days of mixed media paintings in my 100-days of painting journey! It's already been SO helpful to me as an artist and I look forward to painting even more this year. Which piece in my sketchbook was your favorite?!?! 💛 ps. I just launched a new line of cozy cottagecore-inspired goodies in my Etsy shop! Super adorable sweaters, mugs, tote bags, bookmarks and more! I would love for you to check it all out. 🍄 theswimmingowl.etsy.com
☺️ Shop the new cozy products here: theswimmingowl.etsy.com These are all my coloring book illustrations turned into amazingly cute products for people who don’t color or would like cozy goodies to go with their coloring books. 😄. Thank you for your love and support ❤
Hey artist! Yes, you 💜 Join me in the class here and get one free month of Skillshare: skl.sh/3SaL03I I can’t wait to see you in there and see your finished painting. If you have questions, comment in the discussion tab and I will always reply 💖
Hi there! It's so precious, isn't it?! It's vintage stoneware and it was passed down to me from a family member. However, I have seen similar ones on Etsy with other floral patterns on them. 💛
Hi! Maybe someday as my business grows! I would love to be able to create more of my own products as I am able to invest more into my business. Thanks for your support!
Hey, I made you something! 💝🌲✨ A holiday coloring page just for you (but in my cosmic cottagecore style… 😅) Life is hard, so let me make it just one tad happier if I may by sending some joy and creative time your way. 💜 I hope you will join me and post your finished coloring pages! Share them and tag me on Instagram (@theswimmingowl) and I will always share your work because I’m proud of you, duh! Happy Holidays creative friends! ps. Exciting new things are coming in the new year so please like this video and subscribe if you would like to see more from me. 💖
22/100 💖 Painting 22 is my favorite flower in my garden… my pink peonies! The color is enchanting, the shape and size is unreal… they are just so magical. Let me live inside one of these flowers would ya?!? I was nervous to paint one of these flowers in my new emerging style because I love them so much and the petals and color can be so tricky to really capture. Overall I’m really happy with my take on this and I LOVE the surprise pop of sky blue I threw in there. I’m not super stoked with the range of pinks I have though, so if you have any recommendations for a magical hot pink supply - holler at me please! Ps. I’m making my daily art in my softcover @strathmoreart art journal.
Wow, this cozy woodland coloring book continues to be my best selling book by far! 💚 So I decided to update the listing video and photos on my etsy listing to start matching the vibe of my brand a little better… so what do we think?!? Do you feel cozy and comforted when you watch this? Does it inspire you to get creative and color a bit!?! Copies of Whimsical Woodland are available in my Etsy shop and the shipping deadline for Christmas is this Friday, so don’t wait toooo much longer! Orders on amazon still have a little more time though. Books from my Etsy shop will be signed, packed by me, and sent with a lot more love and care! 💛✨ (and surprises because I’m extra like that) theswimmingowl.etsy.com Happy Holidays you colorful cottagecore souls!
21/100 💜 Painting 21 is of a really interesting plant… Allium (garlic). My daughter and I found it planted near one of our favorite places in our town called the Paint River Boardwalk and it was growing nearly as tall as she was at the time. I was really intimidated by this flowering plant and didn’t know how the heck to approach it with my art materials but I finally developed a plan and dove in. I started with a layer of my favorite purple watercolor (moonglow by Daniel Smith) and then built up the layers on top of that beautiful base. I used a mixture of copic white and my favorite pastel purple watercolor to make a more opaque blend to paint in the tiny star shaped petals on top. I then added in some more precise details with my watercolor pencils. The bottoms of the plant is a mess. I ADORE that messy watercolor background look that so many watercolorists are masters of… but I cannot seem to pull that look off. I don’t know if it is just something I need to keep practicing or if my art personality isn’t suited to that style and that is just the way it is… but that is what sketchbooking is for right?! Finding those answers. ps. I am currently using my softcover mixed media art journal by Strathmore for my daily art making and other materials I used Daniel Smith Watercolor, Staedtler Watercolor pencils, and Copic Opaque White ink.
19/100 💚 Painting 19 is a place near my home called Fortune Pit. It’s beautiful and essentially it is just the remnant of a flooded open-***pit*** mining area. Doesn’t sound pretty but it is because the water is clear and blue… making it super interesting. And when the sun sets… this spot is magical. Also - note how I didn’t paint exactly what I saw in the reference photo. This is called artistic license and you are allowed to use it whenever the heck you want. You can make changes to your original reference and in fact, I think you should! Put your own spin on it. ps. I am currently using my softcover mixed media art journal by Strathmore for my daily art making and other materials I used include Neo Color II, Daniel Smith Watercolor, and Copic Opaque White ink. #landscapesketch #natureartist #sketchbookart #sketchbookartist #michiganartist
✨ My different art styles ✨ Do you see any common themes or styles overall though? What words come to mind when you see my work? Hi, I’m Melanie… I am an artist that doesn’t have just one “style”. 😅 I have multiple styles and processes for different types of art or products… and even though that can be hard to label and market… I prefer it this way. I need variety and I need to be able to explore different areas when my artist heart needs to. It’s just the way I am. Are you like that too? #artstylecheck #professionalartist #artstylechallenge #parttimeartist #michiganartist #womeninart #illustrationartists #cottagecoreartist
18/100 🌲 Painting 18 is another just because and stress reliever. We are officially into our snowy season in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so I painted this while the snowy flurried around my windows yesterday and I tried not to shiver too much in my studio. Any tips for warming up a room that isn’t insulated?!?! 😅 I’m currently hunting for plenty of rugs to cover the entire floor (and even layering them up) ps. I am currently using my softcover mixed media art journal by Strathmore for my daily art making.
I always loved art and drawing. I started back coloring before the pandemic started. I used to drive a motor coach bus and do long trips. I would take my coloring books and pens along to help me relax during my down time! I love it!
Oh my word... you drove buses like that?! I would need to color WHILE driving one of those to ease the crazy stress that would cause me! haha You are a superhero. I am so glad that coloring brings you joy and relaxation, Michelle. 💜 Thank you so much for being here!
@@theswimmingowl definitely...it was a challenge to drive but i retired from that job. I miss it but i love coloring too! If i could get paid to color.....hummm!!!
