Trena's Creative Space

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

See My Latest Artwork on Instagram

New Children's Book Coming Soon!

Hello Beautiful!

I’m excited to share a sneak peek at my latest children’s book collaboration! It is with fabulous author Carol Jean Baxter. Oblee Olie Olee's Roly Poly Rally Race is alliterative rhyme within

a sleepy-time story, filled with imagination and fun bug facts. Wonderful for 2nd graders and parents.

Feel free to share with children's book enthusiasts that you know!

Thank you for your support!!

Take Care and Stay Positive!

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Book Published, Update on Procreate, and My Sketchbooks

Hello Beautiful!

Over the last few weeks, I took some time off. We all need that now and then. I did not attend live sessions or start new work. I spent time with my family, traveled, and engaged in non-work creative activities, including drawing, swatching, coloring, taking (and completing) a couple of online classes, as well as working on pages for the two authors I'm collaborating with. While I was out...

OH, My ODDyssey! was Published!

Hilda with posters showing the celebrities in the book 😁

Six boys on a trip found themselves on a ship! That’s where our story begins. Along the way, they befriended a lonely whale, savored a delicious Greek feast, danced to Zorba, and acquired some Greek vocabulary. But the best part? They realized that a trip across the sea can turn into a great adventure!

This book features a delicious Greek recipe that’s easy to make for little hands, a “find me” character on select pages for curious minds, and a glossary of new words to learn about the Greek culture.

Grab a copy from Amazon USA, AmazonAE, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, or Walmart.

In bookstores in the UAE and Lebanon, very soon. Hilda and I are so excited to share this fun story!

Procreate Announced Its Upcoming Release!

The most exciting part for me is the introduction of Brush Libraries! Here is a YouTube video I watched that provides a summary: Procreate 5.4 Beta First Look – Huge Brush Library Update! with Lisa Bardot. For ideas on organizing your Procreate brushes, I offer a class on Skillshare: 'Organize Your Procreate Brushes.' The class is valuable beyond the update. If you don't have a Skillshare account, the link provides free access for 1 month. You can take any class offered on Skillshare.

I Spent Lots of Time in my Sketchbooks

Sharing a few pages, highlighting the messy fun

During my time off, I found myself lost in the world of painting with gouache. What a fun medium!! I have now decided to leave my paints out on the table so I can jump in at any time and paint. I have found that this helps me maintain a consistent art practice just for myself. The neat part of my brain has accepted this practice, as the joy outweighs the need to clean up. hehehe.

#trenabrannonart #artistsoninstagram #sketchbooks #illustration #childrensbookillustrator

Wishing you a lovely week!!

Take Care and Stay Positive!

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Wishing You Happiness in 2016

My design today features an easy, fun background using Spectrum Noir Sparkle Markers.

To make the colorful backgrounds, I spritzed water liberally onto a piece of A2 size cardstock and dropped Spectrum Noir Sparkle Marker colors in. It was such rich, full color I used two more pieces cardstock to "kiss" over the first one and pick up some of the color. I still had a lot of color so I spritzed a full sheet with water and kissed all the A2 pieces against it to fill it will color. This gave me a stash of backgrounds!

Crafter Companion Supplies Used:

Kimono EZMount™ Stamp Set - Lotus Flower

Spectrum Noir Sparkle Markers Amethyst, Red Berry, Starry Sky
Crafter's Companion Watercolour Cardstock
Shimmering Cardstock black pearl, white pearl
Memento LUXE Ink Pads
Collall All Purpose Glue
Extra Strong Permanent Tape Runner

A full list of supplies is shown at the bottom.

Crafter's Companion has had several new releases. For more ideas, be sure to pop over to the Crafter's Companion Information Blog, as well as visit the Crafter's Companion Education and Inspiration Team members. You can see their latest designs by clicking on the names on the left side of my blog.

Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz.com

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Seasons Greetings

Today is Christmas Eve and we are celebrating the birth of Jesus - enjoying family and friends and feeling thankful for all the joys and challenges of the year.

The main image is heat embossed on Crafter's Companion Watercolour Cardstock and colored with Spectrum Aqua Markers and Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils. The background was 'painted' with Spectrum Noir Sparkle Markers. I used the palette technique for both - scribbled color on a palette and used a dampened brush to pick up and spread color. To make clouds in the sky, I used a balled up paper towel to pull out color. A stencil brush came in handy to brush away tiny pieces of paper.

Crafter Companion Supplies Used:

Sheena's A Little Bit Festive - Christmas Visitors Spectrum Aqua Markers Scarlet, Marigold, Wildflower, Charcoal, Chocolate, Black
Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils 024, 098
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Markers Moonstone, Aquamarine
Crafter's Companion Watercolour Cardstock
Shimmering Cards black pearl
Memento LUXE Ink Pads tuxedo black
3/4" Natural Handle Brush # 18
Double Sided Adhesive Foam Circles
Extra Strong Permanent Tape Runner
A full list of supplies is shown at the bottom.

Thank you for visiting!! Wishing you and your family a joyous and safe Holiday Season!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz.com

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Paper Moon

Spending time water-coloring with my Spectrum Noir Sparkle Markers.

I used a combination of direct and palette coloring - using the clear marker to spread the color. I used a water brush to soften edges. For the dark blue layer, I colored the edge of a book page and then dabbed with a paper towel so the letters would show through. I also die cut a butterfly out of the rich, lovely color.