Be the Envy of All Your Friends with Desarae Lee Tshirts!

What better way to support art and artists than becoming a Kickstarter backer and getting a great Tshirt in return?  As many of you may know, I am running a Kickstarter campaign to fund a printmaking studio.  There are a plethora of cool rewards but some of my favorites are the Tshirts!  Check 'em out:

"Star Wars vs. Space Balls"

"Octopus"

"Godzilla Hat"

 These designs will be screen-printed on high-quality Vneck tees of varying colors.  The best part?  By becoming a backer and choosing a t-shirt as your reward you're not only getting a fantastic piece of wearable art, you are also supporting an artist who is ready to take the next step in her creative development.  It's a win-win!

So what are you waiting for?  Click here to to my Kickstarter page and become a backer now!

Kickstarter Reveal!

As many of you already know, I will be launching my Kickstarter campaign on October 19th!  For the next two weeks, I will be revealing some of the rewards that will be available for those of you who donate.  Today's reveal is one of two t-shirt designs that you can choose from when you donate at the $30 level.  This design brings together three of my favorite illustrations - "Darth vs. Helmet," "Yoda vs. Yogurt" and "Chewie vs. Barf" - together into one magical Star Wars vs. Space Balls tee.

The money you donate will go toward the tools and supplies I will need to start my own intaglio printmaking studio.  If you would like more information on printmaking, please follow this link to a random YouTube video explaining the process. If you would like more information on the crowd funding platform I will be using, feel free to follow this link to Kickstarter.

Italy Sketchbook Journaling

Sketchbook Journaling Accomadation: A Unesco World Heritage Site

Many of you have asked about my upcoming sketchbook journaling class in Italy.  For more information and to sign up, check out this website or feel free to contact me using the contact information below.  I am so excited for this opportunity and I hope you will join me!

Two Big Announcements!

Announcement One: Printmaking Studio Kickstarter!

For the last four years, I have made my living creating art using pen and ink.  About two or three years ago I got really brave and began experimenting with watercolor and other forms of pigment which helped me grow as an artist and increase my ability to communicate through art.

Finally, the time has come for me to take another step in my career.  Starting next month, I will ask for your help to start an intaglio printmaking studio.  I will be running a campaign on Kickstarter and I will need your support to back and spread the word about my project. Look for details about rewards and prizes coming soon!


I've spent the last month or so gathering a group of talented individuals to help me run my campaign. We spent the day yesterday filming and fine-tuning my Kickstarter video so stay tuned to my Facebook, Instagram, and blog pages for more information as the day gets closer!

Announcement Two: Teaching Art in Italy!

I have been invited by Lisa Statkis of Lisa's Gryphon to teach a pen and watercolor sketchbook journaling class in November of 2016.  I'll be looking for students to join me for an all-inclusive trip to a beautiful 16th-Century Italian villa in Tuscany, where we will be drawing and painting everything we can possibly lay our eyes on.  Again, stay tuned to Facebook, Instagram, and this blog for more information in the future.

Maypole

I recently discovered plague doctors, men who used to wear creepy bird-like masks and treat those who had contracted The Plague.  This is what came of the discovery:

Stag

A continuation of my "Metamorphosis" series.  I used tea to stain the illustration board.

Depression

I know many artists who suffer with some form of depression or anxiety disorder.  It seems to be a part of the creative personality to turn our stress inward.  During one particularly difficult bout recently, I turned to my art for help.  This is what happened:

Affordable Framing

People often ask me about cheap framing options for their reproductions.  This past show, I ran into two people who had a simple and beautiful solution to the "framing costs more than the piece" problem.  They were nice enough to send me photos and a description:

"We cut some plywood and plexiglass at Home Depot to frame the pieces and then put everything together using Swiss binder clips. "

Thanks Cara and Travis for this fantastic idea!

Sea Life

As many already know, I recently took a break from small work to finish the largest piece I've created to date, "Metamorphosis."

 The piece was a continuation on a theme of sea life that apparently needed exploring.