Skip to content

handy bitches

art & handy work from ella nilsson

Menu
  • artwork
  • handy work
  • about
  • contact
  • shop

Author: ella

Posted onApril 4, 2019April 4, 2019Uncategorized

12th & Chicon Art Walk – 4.7.19

by ellaLeave a comment on 12th & Chicon Art Walk – 4.7.19

Thrilled to exhibit at the 12th & Chicon Art Walk, this Sunday April 7th. The festivities kick off at 2pm. I will be showing at…

Read More
Posted onDecember 2, 2018artwork

Latest work, Shadows Series (aka Shady Ladies)

by ellaLeave a comment on Latest work, Shadows Series (aka Shady Ladies)

The latest and current series I’ve been working on is my shadows series, affectionately nicknamed “shady ladies.”  There’s a new gallery page up, under the…

Read More
Posted onJune 27, 2017June 25, 2017artwork

She Ajar

by ellaLeave a comment on She Ajar

Up next in the 3×9 mini-series, “She Ajar.”  This woman is peering from behind a door, and her eyes are showing the viewer something.  Is…

Read More
Posted onJune 26, 2017June 25, 2017artwork

New series – the 3″ by 9″s

by ellaLeave a comment on New series – the 3″ by 9″s

I was looking to start a new series and was inspired by comic books.  The concept was to work with wood panels to represent a…

Read More
Posted onJune 25, 2017June 25, 2017a drawing a day

Day Thirty-One – The Grand Finale!

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Thirty-One – The Grand Finale!

Often, the toughest part of a mini-series is ending it.  I chose the wisdom of Obi-wan, who said, “In my experience, there’s no such thing…

Read More
Posted onJune 25, 2017June 25, 2017a drawing a day

Day Thirty – Red Bats

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Thirty – Red Bats

The red bat is considered lucky in China.  Often these animals are painted together in groups of five; this is to represent the five blessings…

Read More
Posted onJune 25, 2017June 25, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty-Nine – The Year of Me!

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty-Nine – The Year of Me!

Day twenty-nine corresponds with the Chinese New Year, ushering in the Year of the Rooster.  Additionally, roosters are often associated with good fortune and prosperity.…

Read More
Posted onJune 25, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty-Eight – Fingers Crossed

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty-Eight – Fingers Crossed

It couldn’t be lucky series without a little superstition.  “Fingers crossed,” is the expression I use most to wish someone good luck, especially via text.…

Read More
Posted onMay 10, 2017May 9, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty-Seven – Break a Leg!

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty-Seven – Break a Leg!

This is one of the weirder “good luck” expressions, as generally speaking, breaking any bone isn’t so lucky.  In my super limited research, this notion comes…

Read More
Posted onMay 10, 2017May 9, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty-Six – Laughing Buddha

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty-Six – Laughing Buddha

The Laughing Buddha is called Hotei in Chinese.  He is considered a symbol of good luck and was based on an actual Chinese monk, Ch’an,…

Read More
Posted onMay 9, 2017May 9, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty-Five – Lucky…bird poop

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty-Five – Lucky…bird poop

Have you ever heard that it is lucky if it rains on someone’s wedding day? I think this notion of lucky bird poop is similar;…

Read More
Posted onMay 9, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty-Four – Shooting Star!

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty-Four – Shooting Star!

The funny bit about shooting stars or falling stars is that they are not actually stars at all.  They are actually meteoroids falling into Earth’s…

Read More
Posted onApril 24, 2017May 9, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty-Three – The luck of the keys

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty-Three – The luck of the keys

And no, I’m not talking about Florida.  I learned a lot about different lucky charms while working on this mini-series.  Prior to this, I had…

Read More
Posted onApril 24, 2017May 9, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty-Two – Figa Charm

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty-Two – Figa Charm

The Figa Charm is a good luck symbol, and it originates from ancient Greece.  In present-day, it is still considered lucky in Portugal and Brazil.  However,…

Read More
Posted onApril 24, 2017April 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty-One – Lucky Lady Bug

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty-One – Lucky Lady Bug

This Day 21 – lucky lady bug seems to time perfectly with the events of January 21st.  On this day, I had the pleasure of…

Read More
Posted onApril 23, 2017April 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twenty – Owl in Leprechaun’s clothing

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twenty – Owl in Leprechaun’s clothing

My father is from Iran.  Owls are considered bad luck there, or the sign of a bad omen.  I think owls are pretty cool, so…

Read More
Posted onApril 23, 2017April 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day Nineteen – Hamsa Hand

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Nineteen – Hamsa Hand

Today’s drawing is of the Hamsa Hand, which is considered a good luck charm in both the Islamic and Jewish faiths.  It is a protective…

Read More
Posted onApril 22, 2017April 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day 18 – A Kiss for Luck!

by ellaLeave a comment on Day 18 – A Kiss for Luck!

As an avid Star Wars fan, I had to make sure this image snuck in the Buena Suerte Series.  In this scene, Luke has just…

Read More
Posted onApril 22, 2017April 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day Seventeen – Dala Horse

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Seventeen – Dala Horse

The Dala horse has been considered lucky in Sweden since the 1700s and originated in the Dalarna province.  The style of each horse denoted what…

Read More
Posted onApril 22, 2017April 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day Sixteen – Lucky Cricket

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Sixteen – Lucky Cricket

Crickets have been considered good luck as far back as 500 BCE, being a symbol of prosperity, vitality and good fortune.  This punny cricket happens…

Read More
Posted onApril 21, 2017April 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day Fifteen – Eyelash Wishes

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Fifteen – Eyelash Wishes

Blowing a fallen eyelash off of your finger has been considered good luck since around the mid 19th century.  Much like birthday candles, you make…

Read More
Posted onApril 21, 2017April 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day Fourteen – Lucky Penny

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Fourteen – Lucky Penny

“Find a penny, pick it up.  All day long you’ll have good luck!” Not all good luck charms have their own little rhyme, so I suppose…

Read More
Posted onApril 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day Thirteen – Black Cat

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Thirteen – Black Cat

When I started this series, my Irish stepmother was quick to point out that black cats are considered lucky in Ireland.  When I was plotting…

Read More
Posted onApril 21, 2017a drawing a day

Day Twelve-Lucky Bamboo & Goldfish

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Twelve-Lucky Bamboo & Goldfish

Lucky Bamboo is kind of a misnomer; it doesn’t actually belong to the bamboo family. However, it is considered good luck and believed to bring…

Read More
Posted onMarch 15, 2017March 13, 2017a drawing a day

Day Eleven – Lucky Acorns

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Eleven – Lucky Acorns

In my continuing adult education about good luck charms, I learned the tale of the humble acorn.  Apparently during the Norman Conquest, the English carried…

Read More
Posted onMarch 15, 2017March 13, 2017a drawing a day

Day Ten – Senior Elefante

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Ten – Senior Elefante

For Day 10, I decided to continue with the animal theme of yesterday, as elephants are lucky in India.  In the interest of continuity, this…

Read More
Posted onMarch 15, 2017March 13, 2017a drawing a day

Day Nine – Lucky Piggies

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Nine – Lucky Piggies

Working on this series required a little bit of research.  I looked into all different kinds of good luck charms from all over the world,…

Read More
Posted onMarch 14, 2017March 13, 2017Uncategorized

Day Eight – Knock on Wood!

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Eight – Knock on Wood!

I’m totally guilty of this superstition…I even knock on my own head in the absence of wood.  This is exactly why I chose to use…

Read More
Posted onMarch 14, 2017March 13, 2017a drawing a day

Day Seven – Lucky Break

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Seven – Lucky Break

Today’s drawing for the Buena Suerte mini-series is of a wishbone. As the tradition goes, the wish gets granted to whomever gets the larger half…

Read More
Posted onMarch 14, 2017March 12, 2017Uncategorized

Day Six: Paper Crane

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Six: Paper Crane

It is said that folding 1,000 origami paper cranes will grant you a wish.  I wish for that patience to be able to make a…

Read More
Posted onMarch 13, 2017March 12, 2017a drawing a day

Day Five: Scarab Beetle

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Five: Scarab Beetle

Official genus and species of the sacred Egyptian beetle is Scarabaeus sacer, and it is the latest drawing in my Buena Suerte series.  The scarab…

Read More
Posted onMarch 13, 2017March 13, 2017a drawing a day

Day Four: Lucky Rabbit’s Foot

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Four: Lucky Rabbit’s Foot

Two things I’m quite fond of are the movie “In the Line of Fire” and animals.  When I was thinking of lucky charms,  of course…

Read More
Posted onMarch 13, 2017March 12, 2017a drawing a day

Day Three: Dream Catcher

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Three: Dream Catcher

The Dream Catcher originated with the Ojibwa people.  According to their legend, the dream catcher was made to  collect any harm that might be in…

Read More
Posted onMarch 12, 2017a drawing a day

Day Two: Lucky Horseshoe (Crab)

by ellaLeave a comment on Day Two: Lucky Horseshoe (Crab)

I’ve heard you have to keep a horseshoe upright, otherwise if you turn it upside down all the luck will fall out.  Just in case,…

Read More
Posted onMarch 12, 2017a drawing a day

Buena Suerte! A drawing a day challenge for January 2017

by ellaLeave a comment on Buena Suerte! A drawing a day challenge for January 2017

There’s something auspicious about a new year, whether it be positive changes, breaking of bad habits, or just plain superstition.  I’ve chosen to explore the…

Read More
Posted onJanuary 15, 2017artwork

She Shattered

by ellaLeave a comment on She Shattered

For this piece, I liked the contrast of the woman really happy, with shards of glass in her mind.  When things deconstruct in life, it is…

Read More
Posted onJanuary 15, 2017artwork

She Timed

by ellaLeave a comment on She Timed

A girl so nice, I painted her twice.  Both my parents are artists and I’ve been encouraged to draw and create from a really young…

Read More
Posted onJanuary 15, 2017artwork

She Burned

by ellaLeave a comment on She Burned

Oh, she burned.  Expressions stick around because generally they offer some sound advice.  One of my favorites, and a reoccurring theme of late is “Don’t…

Read More
Posted onJanuary 15, 2017artwork

She Crazy

by ellaLeave a comment on She Crazy

This piece is dedicated to all the women out there who seem like they have it all together on the outside, but internally feel very,…

Read More
Posted onJanuary 15, 2017artwork

She Snapped

by ellaLeave a comment on She Snapped

Ever have a memory so vivid you could recall it in your mind, the same way you look at a photograph?  That’s what this piece is…

Read More
Posted onJanuary 15, 2017artwork

She Overhead

by ellaLeave a comment on She Overhead

I happen to be a big fan of antiquated things.  I like looking at things that used to be the latest and greatest, but are…

Read More
Posted onJanuary 15, 2017artwork

She Dig

by ellaLeave a comment on She Dig

Ever hear Peter Gabriel’s “Digging in the Dirt?”  That is the same concept I explored in this piece, and is a reoccurring theme in this…

Read More
Posted onSeptember 10, 2016January 15, 2017artwork

She sunk.

by ellaLeave a comment on She sunk.

When I started this painting, I said to my husband,”Is there something wrong with me?  Lots of people paint happy things, like landscapes or a…

Read More
Posted onSeptember 10, 2016January 15, 2017artwork

She twisted.

by ellaLeave a comment on She twisted.

The latest in my “Perspectives” Series, this little 6″x12″ painting is entitled “She twisted.”  Suffering from either an intentional or unintentional blindness, this little lady…

Read More
Posted onAugust 28, 2016January 15, 2017artwork

She upstairs.

by ellaLeave a comment on She upstairs.

Here is the latest painting from my “Perspectives” series.  This one is entitled “She upstairs.”  A solemn, poised girl shows the viewer that she is…

Read More
Posted onAugust 4, 2016January 15, 2017artwork

She sinks…

by ellaLeave a comment on She sinks…

  I finished up this painting about a month ago, but I forgot to post it.  Usually I finish a piece before moving on to…

Read More
Posted onJune 10, 2016February 3, 2017artwork

Hey thanks, Skyline!

by ellaLeave a comment on Hey thanks, Skyline!

Just wanted to give a huge thanks to the fine folks at SkylineArtEditions.com for featuring me as their “Artist of the Month” for June!  Pictures are…

Read More
Posted onJune 10, 2016January 15, 2017in other news...

I do!

by ellaLeave a comment on I do!

I have to admit I’m a terrible graphic designer.  I’m slow and I don’t know illustrator, so I have to do everything by hand and…

Read More
Posted onMay 26, 2016January 15, 2017artwork

She wish.

by ellaLeave a comment on She wish.

She certainly wish.  Stars in her eyes, crystal ball in hand, wishing of things to come.  It’s poetic to think that the stars’ position in…

Read More
Posted onMay 26, 2016January 15, 2017artwork

She wrecked.

by ellaLeave a comment on She wrecked.

I’ve completed a new painting for your viewing pleasure.  Here we have a seemingly sweet girl with a soft smile, with something far less innocuous…

Read More

Posts navigation

Page 1 Page 2 … Page 5 Next Page

Facebook

Facebook
Ella Nilsson Art 2022
Amphibious Theme by TemplatePocket ⋅ Powered by WordPress
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.