Sunday, July 26, 2020

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
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 
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),

Thursday, April 30, 2020

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.


Tuesday, December 31, 2019

The last day of the Year and a Decade - Wow!!!!

My Favorite Painting of 2019

Today is the last day of 2019 and the last day of another decade.  These last 10 years have been really interesting.  From attending my first art retreat, to traveling to many wonderful spots in the world, to cancer treatment and remission, to actually selling art at auctions; there have been many experiences.

I envision 2020 as a year of transition and clearing.  Just like when a baby is born that zero ending year is a time of growth and exploration. I am really looking forward to this year to prepare for the decade of the 70's.

Above is my favorite painting of 2019.  It was an experiment and I really like how it came out.  I plan on doing more experimentation in 2020, breaking up my "status quo" and seeing where this portion of my life leads me.

Happy New Year dear friends.  Use this "zero" year to really plan for the next decade.

love always pilgrim......

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Not just the year...the decade is almost gone

2013 - First attempt at drawing person

2016 - Month of drawing faces

In 2012 I took my first LifeBook class.  That year I did not do many of the lessons or post anything because I was sorely intimidated by all of the beautiful work.  In 2013 I signed up again and this time I actually completed all of the lessons and posted my work.  The photo above is of the first lesson where we were supposed to draw our Art Fairy Queen.  I tell you the truth, that was a real stretch for me.  The second photo is of a sketch I drew in 2016 as part of a month of drawing faces that is held every February and September.

I can see the stark improvement in a three year time period.  It makes me laugh really and I have determined that I am not a fan of drawing or painting portraits because shading gives me a real problem, I am just not comfortable with the process.

I started my art journey at ArtFest in April 2010 and I think I have come a long way but I stall need more practice and more confidence.  Tam LaPorte posted this morning about her art journey over the past ten year and it is really interesting.

As I spend the last days of 2019 and the final days of this decade, I am musing over my art journey and how it parallel's my life's journey over the past 10 years.  One thing that I will leave you with today is a message I have been getting since my birthday..."the past is gone, the future is not here...live in the presence of today and make the most of it."  The 2013 artist is gone, I do not know what 2020 and beyond will bring in the way of art, but for today, I have to finish the Christmas Cards I am designing.  I am having a good time.

Until tomorrow....

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The year is almost gone....



I painted this painting on 12x12 board almost 4 years ago and this is one of those I cannot believe I did this paintings.  It was inspired by Mystele Kirkeeng during the last An Artful Journey class.

I was drinking some hot chocolate when I realized that there are only two weeks left to this year, where did it go?  I created quite a bit of art this year, but not enough really.  I would get a good start and then drop off or talk myself out of it.

2020 is going to be different.  I plan to art journal more and work on ideas that will translate to larger paintings. I used a journal this year to work out designs for my Christmas Cards and it was really enlightening.

I feel a strong urge to do things differently, live differently and find joy in the simple during 2020.  For the rest of 2019, I am going to try and post everyday.

Peace on earth good will to men and women my friends.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

ICAD Week 8 days 50-56


Week 8 of Index Card a Day is complete.  I had so much fun with these cards.
Note to Self

Escape

Shadow

Friendship

Off prompt more blobbiness and doodles


Number

Off prompt more bloodiness
Blobs and doodles took over toward the end of the week.  I love the fluidity and how loose they are.  Plus it is so much to be so free.  One more week of this challenge.  I have completed the cards because I will be on the train from Monday to early Wednesday.

I have spent three months doing art everyday.  I am committed to keep of this practice even if it is only for 5 minutes.  You can create some really cool blobs in 5 minutes.  What is next you might ask?  I plan to catchup on Life Book lessons and create more blobs and doodles.  October is Inktober month and I need to decide what I am going to do.

Until next week......pilgrim

Monday, July 22, 2019

ICAD Week 7 Days 43 - 49

Whoa, time is moving quickly.  Just as of this week, I have created 49 pieces of art.  It makes me smile.

Amethyst

Billboard base

Billboard on "stilts"

Direction

Wabi Sabi

Topography

Turnpike

Pool

Week 7, wow only a few more days left to this wonderful challenge that I look forward to every year.  Highlights of this week are Direction-the idea that popped into my mind was "Do you know the way to San Jose?", Wabi Sabi, turnpike and Billboard.  I love all of them actually.

Until next week.......pilgrim

ICAD Week 6 Days 36 - 42

Week 6 of ICAD

Thesaurus - the many words for Blob

Botanicals

CLUE

Color Chart

Card Catalog

A Quiet Blue Day

Charge

This was a week of deep thought as I worked on the cards.  It amazes me how things pop into my mind when I look at the prompt.  Some days the thought are really cool such as finding synonyms for the word Blob and drawing a blank on blueprint because I needed a good white pen (hence creating a quiet landscape with various shades of blue with purple mountains).  Creating a library card cataloging the information about a book I would write describing my first 70 years.  Making a charm bracelet by curling out charms from card stock and gluing to the card.

Week 6 in the tank.  Doing art everyday.

Until next week......pilgrim

iICAD 2019 Week 5: Days 29-35

Days 29-35 of Index card a day.

Lemon and Lemonade

Pine Tree

Constellation

Caramel

Ogee

Mismatched

Terra Cotta

The cards from week 5 were a lot of fun to do.  Each is a little work of art.  Some can be framed and some no, but they all have distinct meaning for me and a great form of practice.

Until next week.......pilgrim

Monday, July 01, 2019

Week 4 of Index Card a Day Challenge days 22-28


Week 4 is in the can.  I am learning somethings about myself.  Twice I had to talk myself into continuing and sharing.  Sometimes I just wonder what is the point or if I will create a dud.  Then I have to have a good internal conversation and move forward.  This week was fun actually.  My greatest internal babble related to following the prompts or going off prompt.  I actually did a mixture.  I decided to use one of my original poems (I had to remember it because my book of poems is in Nevada).  I think I did pretty good.  I wanted to use a rose stencil for the Rose prompt because I tell myself I cannot draw a rose; however, I wanted to create a background first.  The background is several layers of washes of red, magenta, orange and yellow.  Then I traced around the rose stencil and it was not what I wanted so I drew in some additional petals and added darker washes.

I really like the interpretation of music and art on the music box card, I think I am going to frame it when I get home.  Last I went back to my abstract art blob series with doodles.  I really need to commit to this series and see where it will take me.



Yellow and Gray abstract - watercolor

Square watercolor blobs with doodles

Music Vibes - abstract of Music Box

Origian Poem

Rose
Doodle Blobs
Architectural Blobs
This daily process is wonderful, however, my challenge is to continue this daily creativity  process once index card a day is over on July 31st.  When I am home with all of my supplies and can sit at my art table and draw and paint.  Give myself permission to do this and not feel guilty about the time I spend doing it.  That is the challenge folks, I am determined to do it, create everyday and have fun.

Until next week.....pilgrim

Friday, June 21, 2019

Index Card a Day days 15 - 21


Third week of Index Card a Day challenge.  Starting to get more comfortable with this process.  Learning so much from other artists participating in the challenge.  What am I learning you say?  I am learning to be free.  Free to try new things, free to make ugly art and free to have fun.



Watercolor Blobs with white and black doodles

Acrylic Wash abstract with doodles

Wood Collage

Spots of Yellow

Abstract with stencils

Modern Chandelier


Stormy Weather

This week was so much fun.  I went off prompt a couple of times, did collage, worked with stencils and tried a technique I saw demonstrated by artist Lindsay Olstrom of putting watercolor on plastic, dragging the card through the color to make a background.  I learned a lot.

Until next week....pilgrim