Random thoughts....Gotta clear my mind

 

There has been so much going on lately that my mind is filled with just a lot of thoughts.  

I have spent most of the last six (6) months at home and have enjoyed every minute.  I have created mostly everyday (although I need to get my behind in gear with the needle arts).  I have had a lot of time to think about the state of the world and especially our country.

I am learning to appreciate collage and embrace it as a part of my art family.  I also realize that while I like layers in art, I also love simplicity and minimalism in what I create.  It made me feel so good to make this realization.

I was going to write a lot of words and stepped away for a while.  The thought came to me it was not necessary.  As I remind myself on many occasions, simplicity is the key.  I prayed and prayed and asked God why......and he answered "Give us Barabbas".  If anyone want to know why this answer, read the biblical narrative of last day of Jesus' life.  

until next time....pilgrim

A to Z StencilGirl Art Journal Collaboration and Challenge: A to Z of Vegetables

Hello Dear Readers,

This blog post is dedicated to the A to Z StencilGirl Art Journal Collaboration and Challenge  coordinated by Tina Walter. You can find Tina's post about this wonderful project over on the StencilGirl website, here is the link https://www.stencilgirltalk.com/…/stencilgirl-to-z-collabor… 

This is my first time participating in such a project and I had a lot of fun.  The theme for my journal is the A to Z of Vegetables.  I love doing research and finding a vegetable for each letter of the alphabet was indeed a challenge.  The art  journal I used was a Canson Mixed Media Journal in the 7x10 size. 

Why did I pick Vegetables?  Well, because I do not especially like veggies, but I plan on spending the summer adding them to my diet so I thought this would be a great introduction to them.  There were some surprises along the way.

Stencils:  because this is a Stencilgirl challenge, we had to feature StencilGirl stencils on each page.  Since I have a boatload of stencils, that was pretty easy to do.  Although in full transparency, I had to be really careful to ensure that the stencils I picked from my stash met the StencilGirl criteria.  Also, I think I went a little overboard because I used bits and pieces of a lot of stencils.  So, the links in this blog are to the main one used.

Cover of Journal October 2013 - Yoga

Intro page  August 2013 - Inspired by Rex Ray
 

A is for Artichoke Timeless Stencil Seth Apter

Artichoke:  A perennial plant resembling thistles, artichokes are only hardy in the US. Not my favorite because of its bitter taste.

B is for Beets May 2016 - Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Beets take up little room and can be planted in early spring for a summer harvest.  I had to eat beets as a child because I was very anemic and the doctors said it would help.

C is for Cabbage River Rocks Stencil

Cabbage:  I love cabbage cooked with either smoked turkey wings or pork ham hock. 

D is for Diakon Radish October 2013 - Yoga

Daikon radish is a nutritious, low-calorie cruciferous vegetable that may promote your health in various ways. 

E is for Eggplant Houses Stencil Jamie Fingal

Eggplant is considered the royalty of the garden because of its deep purple color.  My favorite way of eating it is cut into sticks, breaded and fried. ( I know not too healthy, but really good)

F is for French Sorrell River Rocks Mini Stencil
 May 2016 - Mary Mary Quite Contrary 4 inch stencil

French Sorrell a perennial green that is easy to grow.  Great in salads and soups.  I am going to have to try this.

G is for Garlic March 2013 - Flowers 6 inch Leaves Stencil

Garlic plant in early spring.  Did you know there is a Garlic festival in Gilroy, California.  This place is the Bubba Gump of Garlic.

H is for Haricot Beans February 2014 - Seeds and Pods

Haricot Beans a white bean use a staple in ingredient bean dishes such as baked beans, also known as navy beans. 

I is for Iceberg Lettuce November 2014 - Mary Beth's Private Collection 14.4

Iceberg Lettuce common lettuce used in salads.  I do love me some iceberg lettuce.

J is for Jicama  February 2016 - Circle Tower 

Jicama is a Mexican Yam bean or Mexican Turnip and grown on a native Mexican Vine.

K is for Kale March 2013 - Flowers 

Kale is trending now as the green to eat.  I do not like it at all.

L is for Leeks November 2014 - Mary Beth's Private Collection 14.4

River Rocks Stencil

Leeks are mild flavored cousins to the Onion.  Be careful to wash thoroughly before eating.

M is for Mashua August 2015 - Round About

Mashua colorful tuber which grows in the Andes.  Softer than  potato when cooked it has the taste of mustard greens (interesting).

N is for Neeps May 2016 - Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Neeps grown in the North of England and Scotland,  relative of the rutabaga and the turnip depending on the size.

O is for Onions March 2013 - Flowers 4x4 flower

Onion definitely a staple in most kitchens, onions add so much flavor to a recipe.  I love onions.

P is for Parsnips February 2016 - Circle Tower

Parsnips while looking like white carrots, the have a texture closet to potatoes.  This veggie is good for baking with carrots and sweet potatoes mix.

Q is for Quinoa August 2013 - Inspired by Rex Ray

Quinoa, wait did I say quinoa??? Yep, it is considered a vegetable.  Who knew.  I was trying to find a veggie beginning with a Q and this came up.  It is not considered a typical grain, it is a close relative of leafy green vegetable like spinach and very easy to digest.  I love it in salads.

R is for Rhubarb May 2016 - Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Rhubarb is a vegetable that is eaten as a fruit.  When I was little I had a baby sitter who made rhubarb jam, delicious.

S is for Sweet Potato Web Stencil

Sweet potato, oh do I love sweet potatoes.  So yummy.  One of my weaknesses is sweet potato pie.

T is for Tomatillo River Rocks Stencil

Tomatillo used in Mexican Sauces

U is for Udo  Peacock Feather Stencil 

Udo a perennial Japanese plant

 

V is for Velvet Beans 

  Greek Key Stencil 

Velvet Beans native to Africa and Asia

W is for Winter Squash September 2015 - Lost Languages

Winter Squash included under this umbrella is acorn and butter nut squash.  Stores well and are high in vitamin content.

X is for Xigua August 2015 - Round About

Xigua chinese name for what we know as watermelon and is considered both a vegetable and a fruit.  commonly found in Africa.

Y is for Yams Web Stencil

Yams starchy and edible tuber.  Common in Latin America and Africa.

Z is for Zucchini Words to Live By Stencil

Zucchini is  a type of summer squash.  Love me some Zucchini bread.

Miscellaneous stencil notes:   Alphabet stencil Art Deco Alphabet

The End  October 2013 - Yoga

Well dear readers, thank you for joining me on a journey through vegetables.  Maybe you see a veggie you might want to they OR a stencil that you would like to have.  Please take a moment to reply your thoughts,

until next time.....pilgrim (also known as Glenda Hoagland),

Finding My Jam

Mixed Media Canvas

New set of cards

I was working on a set of 100 cards this week (it will probably take a couple of weeks to complete because I had to order more double sided tape).  As I looked at them I realized this is my Jam, what I am called to do.  I love designing the fronts but also finding the papers to use as the base so that the colors match.  It is just so much fun and so rewarding.  I am going to take a few months to build up stock and then try to sell some.

There are two types of art featured in this blog.  The top photo is a mixed media 12x12 canvas that was made using cloth scraps, gesso, cheese cloth, fiber paste, collage and acrylic paint.  I love painting canvases.  Many are hanging in my home.  Some I have given away as presents for birthday and Christmas.  Someday I may try to sell them not too sure or confident about that.

The second photo as I said before is a sneak peak into the lasted cards I am designing.  I have said this before, but I have been making cards since 1984 and they have evolved over time.  I have some ideas on more things to do, collage with napkins, watercolor painting, the skies the limit.

When I first started making cards, they included poems.  In fact that was the reason for cards in the first place.  I wrote poetry for years and after a dear friend suggested that I should make cards and put my words in them it was an eye opening experience.  For some reason I stopped writing as if I could not paint and write,  Where that thought came from I do not know.  I am thinking that I may make note cards and cards with poems/special words in them.

My cards with words were unique because I would interview the person giving the card to find out about the person getting the card and then write a poem specific to that person.  Not sure I have that in me now, who knows.

There are so many options, but I just know that I have finally my Jam.

until next time, pilgrim
Stay home and wash your hands.