Thoughts Along The Way: musings of a pilgrim

Monday, June 17, 2013

The eyes tell the story

The eyes tell the story, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

Week 24 of Lifebook 2013 - As I write this entry, my eye is staring back at me. The eye that I drew and painted for the emotions theme for week 24 of Lifebook. We were instructed to take a picture of our eyes and then paint a portrait. It took me a while to get up the nerve to do this one. I had given encouragement to a fellow lifebooker who was having a problem getting started. Quietly, I was having a problem also. I took the photo(it really felt strange to take a photo of me) and realized that my eyes were quite a bit smaller than most of the eyes that had been painted by fellow classmates. Oh horror of horrors, small and almond in shape, what was I going to do. You see I first had to trace your eye on transparent paper and then collage paper that would be painted over. Could I have enlarged my eye? Probably, but then it would not have been the real me, it would have been a "photoshopped" version of me. So, after a rather interesting conversation with myself I traced the eye, iris and teeny weeny pupil and began to collage with small bits of paper. It was looking good. Whew I was on a roll.

My fave part was painting the background (learned another cool technique). Prepping the page; wet it with water and then lay on a light coating of gesso. Since the paper was curling, I turned it over and wet the back so that it would lay evenly (think I got this hint from one of my facebook buddies). Once the page was dry, following Kelly's (our instructor) instruction, I wet the page and then painted my flesh tone. Since I am a person of color, I used a deeper color flesh tone paint (can you tell I am too lazy to get up and look for the name), and dabbed it with paper towel to create texture. I love how it came out, I mean love it. Background textures just sing to me. Anyhoo, once the page was dry I glued my eye onto the page with Matte Medium and painted the eyeball, Iris and pupil. To add drama to the eye I used a stencil to add drama and texture in cobalt turquoise and cobalt teal. I also added shading to give more emphasis to my eye since it was so small. The shading around the eye lid gave it depth. The words "The eyes tell the story" are so true for me. I have been told that people can really tell what I am thinking by looking at my eyes.

I was a little heavy handed making my lines in the Iris, need to practice using a lighter touch, but over all I am really pleased with this painting.

I have learned so much in the past six months about painting and myself. My goal for the remainder of the year is to just paint for the heck of it. It has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks that I need to paint and draw outside of weekly assignments and just see what I can do. I am going to make a book to take to China, it should be fun to make. Will post a copy when I am done.

Take care dear reader. Pilgrim

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Letraset flexmarkers

Ltreaset flexmarkers , a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

I also won these markers by posting a comment. I really wanted to win these because they are markers in ethnic skintones. Since I am learning to draw faces, I thought they would be a really great addition to my markers. I really like them, Letraset us a great company with excellent products,

I will post a picture soon

Journal made by Jessica Sporn

Front cover of book, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

I am so blessed. I received this lovely art journal from the talented Jessica Sporn. I normally do not sign up for contests on blogs, but I watched the video of Jessica creating a similar journal and really liked it so I thought I would leave a comment. A fellow facebook artist had to tell me that I should check Jessica's blog because I had won, I was very excited, however the day that I found out was the day of the terrible tornado in Moore, Oklahoma so I did not write about it, The words on the cover "Bloom where you are planed." are a favorite of mine. I was the title of a luncheon hosted at my church in Detroit, Michigan many years ago. It has stayed with me and been a driving force in my life.

I may post pictures of this book at as I work in it, but for now, it is sitting where I can look at it and just enjoy.

Sketching

image, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

Today I decided to start practicing sketching. I want to do some sketching while in China, so I better get started practicing. I have to loosen up, but I like what was done here.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Stardust ATC's

Stardust ATC's, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

Week 22 of Lifebook 2013 project, Artist Trading Cards. So fun to make.

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Peace Cuddler - My Guardian friend

Peace Cuddler, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

There have been times when I have really doubted my ability to create. Today is not one of them to be sure. I think creative people often struggle with self doubt because we are really vulnerable when exhibiting our work. Today, however, I had so much fun creating the above portrait which is the week 23 assignment for Lifebook 2013.

Lifebook is really an online class about introspection and then using art to heal and grow. I signed up for Lifebook 2012 and did not complete one assignment, because I was afraid I could not create anything of substance. What is the difference between last year and this year? Me!!!! I am the difference. I am not taking myself too seriously. I am enjoying the process and I am opening myself up to learn. Isn't that is what life is really all about learning? When I open myself up to all that life has to offer, I have a really great time. When I close myself off, I find that negative self talk takes over and that is not good for me or anyone else for that matter.

The thought that came to me today is that it is simply amazing to see the things that have been coming out of me over the course of this year. I laugh, I cry, I feel happy all because I am willing to be open, to search my soul and then create pictures that pretty much reflect where I am at present. I have been blogging more, reading more, participating in more projects and just plain having fun.

I have given myself permission to enjoy my life and I am so glad.

Until next time, on a really pleasant journey......Pilgrim