Adriana, side view

Adriana, side view, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

 Day 1 of posting artwork in May.  I am trying to overcome the procrastination bug.  Instead of thinking about creativity, I plan on creating everyday until the end of May.  Trying to draw or paint a picture a day. Today is a side view painting.  I have to admit that sometimes I look at the drawings and paintings of others and feel that mine look really juvenile, but considering that I have only been working on this for 6 weeks I am not doing so bad.  Plus, the original looks better than the photo (at least it looks that way to me.).

I got the idea to name my portraits from Dawn Devries-Sokol.  She has been practicing drawing faces and named each portrait.  I thought it was a really great idea. I also may post work I am doing for Lifebook 2013 as I need to catch up.

This idea will also allow me to do something else I have been very lax about - BLOGGING.  Writing is also art and by writing about the pictures I will be able to hone my writing skills and my drawing skills.  Oh boy, this should be so much fun and insightful.

Smiling lady

Smiling lady, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

This s my first attempt at drawing a smiling person showing teeth. It was an interesting process. It does brighten up the face.

Thinking of you

image, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

I have wanted to start drawing my cards and this is my first attempt. Background is painted with water color crayon. Will keep working at it.

Change in face shape

Change in face shape, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

This is a dramatic change in the shape of the face, shading a little more intense, drew in about 10 minutes. Could not over think it.

Enjoying the Creative Process

Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska

I have been having a blast.  I just have to say it again, I have been having a blast.  During the Month of April I took an online ecourse, Expressions, taught and presented by Regina Lord of Creative Kismet.  Regina is an excellent teacher and artist.  She takes care to present the process of drawing, shading and painting faces in a step by step manner.  Before this class I was pretty much a stick person artist.

Now, I have to be honest.  When I was much younger, I would spend hours in my room drawing.  I could look at a picture and copy the essence of that picture.  I illustrated all of my reports while in grade school and high school.  In fact I did a little bit of everything, drawing, coloring, writing poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction.  I taught myself to knit when I was 18 and made a layette set for my son when he was born.  It was quite stunning with one problem...he was born Aug. 30, 1968 so it was too hot for him to wear the sweater, hat and booties.  I was so disappointed.  My self education did not include using the right weight of yarn for the season.  Oh well, live and learn.

Somewhere in my twenties, while juggling a stressful marriage, work, motherhood and stops and starts with my college education, I lost a large part of myself.  The creative part.  No that is not true, the creative part did not go away, the confidence that I could do anything I put my mind to was lost.  Set backs and failures can do that sometimes.  We talk about the inner critic and how it works a lot.  My concern is where it came from in the first place.  I read one book that said give the inner critic a name.  Mine is Gertrude.  Another book says, tell her to go away....she seemed to like her home and was really reluctant to leave.  Nothing I read really put me on the road to finding where Gertrude came from in the first place.  Hmmm I thought, if I am going to have any peace, I have to do more digging.

Fast forward through 40 years or more (whew, I am getting more mature).  During that 40 year period I have been busy.  I have made greeting cards which I love, but not confident enough to market them (much to the chagrin of many friends).  I have attended Art Retreats and had a blast.  I have signed up for online classes and chickened out from completing them (Gertrude was really busy during this time). Oh I knitted some fabulous scarves, gave them away as presents; I made some fabulous cards; bought a boat load of art supplies, took fabulous pictures,  yada, yada, yada......

So why am I now having a blast in 2013?  Because  I have allowed myself to have fun.  Yep, good old fashioned fun.  Each new challenge I have tried.  Sometimes I have to talk myself into it, but I do it.  There are a couple of projects that I have to continue the you can do it discussion so I will try them, but for the most part, I have stretched myself.  No more stick figures for me.  I laugh a lot as I draw faces, try zentangling, make colorful paper (my favorite things to do) and actually wear a vest that I made 5 years ago (the badboy looked good on me).

Ah life, I am having a blast.  If you look at recent blog entries, they are pictures of practice drawings and I am proud of everyone of them.  In fact, I am just giddy with joy.  I am so glad I finally gave myself permission to let the creativity that has been laying dormant for so long to finally wake up.  It is bursting forth and I am just having plain ole fun.

The picture above was taken in 2010 on an Alaskan Cruise.  It is an awesome photo and I love it.  Someday I am going to paint it.

As I said, I am having a blast.

Shading

Shading, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

Today I am working on shading. I am revisiting week one of the class to feet ore practice. Really have to watch the videos several times to understand all of the nuances. Practice, practice practice.

The eyes have it

The eyes have it, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

It is amazing how a change in the eyes can soften the look.

Watercolor crayon painting

Watercolor crayon painting, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

I am trying to master color and shading. Using acrylic I have to find comfort with the paint and how much to use. Sooooo, I colored this with water color crayons. I have more control and I likey.

Have to work on my proportions.

I like drawing faces, but my passion is color, painting paper. Making beautiful and intricate backgrounds.

Painted background

Painted background , a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

I have been taking an online e course, Expressions, taught be Regina Lord of Creative Kismet, since April 1st. It was a 30 day class, but the site will be up until December to review video lessons.

This portrait was painted on a cardboard packaging insert. I gessoed both sides to make it strong, painted a background using oranges, greens and yellow, then I drew the portrait and painted with wash of white..

After I completed the portrait I looked at in disbelief.....this talent, this side of me has been buried for so long. Though it is a long story that I may someday tell I realize in burying pain, I buried who I really am and what I can do.

There.is so much about me I need to discover. Maybe through art I will find me again.

Face practiceimage

Face practiceimage, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

Practice removes fear. Two weeks into the expressions class, getting more comfortable. I still need a lighter touch with the pencil. I drew this portrait while sitting at the bus stop. I keep my journal with me at all times now.

American geisha

American geisha, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

Week 15 of Lifebook, portrait in black, white and rose. I am just learning how to draw faces. I have been also learning to paint then. Need a lot more practice as I find my own unique style.

Side view image 1

Side view image 1, a photo by momoo50 on Flickr.

Practice with side drawing

Creating Fun

I have been spending the first three months of this year participating in on-line courses.  I used to say taking courses, but it much more than that.  I am participating in the creative process and it is really fun. The part that has been missing is recording the experience here in my blog.

Participating in these courses is truly a Pilgrimmage.  I am learning so much about the process and myself.  My fears are slowly but surely eroding.  I have to say that I am most happy about that aspect of the journey.  The classes I have on my plate are 365 days of Journal Fodder (need to catch up), Lifebook 2013, Expressions E-Course, Getting Started with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Joy Journal (so far behind, but I am determined to get started) and 21 Secrets.  Is that enough?  I think so.  I really need to sit down and prioritize, but that is another project.

What have I done?  Well let's see,

 Heart Connections-Lifebook 2013

Stumpification project - Lifebook 2013

Colorful page from 365 days of Journal Fodder

There is a lesson here and it is to try.  Try to do the best you can with what you have.  Try to keep an open mind and be willing to be attempt things you though you never could do.  Be willing to laugh at yourself and believe me I have laughed a lot over these past few weeks, but I have enjoyed the process and that is what is most important.  So, over the next few months, I will be showing Works in Progress, completed works and commenting on the overall experience.

Take care and blessings.

A voice bursting forth

The pictures below are of work I painted at An Artful Journey.  I learned a lot about myself on this retreat, things I will be sorting out for quite a while.  Self doubt has been my constant companion for years.  As hard as I have tried to overcome it, the nagging feelings stayed just below the surface.  Now, now I know what was missing.  Intention.  When we set out to do anything, we must first clearly understand what the real intention is for the actions we are about to execute.

Last weekend I clearly understood what I wanted to accomplish.  I love making backgrounds to use in books and on cards.  Manipulating paper, discovering color really make me happy.  I am not a binder of complicated books, the more simple the better.  I am a designer of greeting cards and I love it.  So, that is what I looked for during class, how could the paper I painted become the basis for a card?  Below are two pictured so paper I painted and made into accordion books (told you simple).  

I will be writing and posting more over the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

Allowing Myself To Play

This picture is a Impressionist rendering of a picture I took on Sunday Nov. 4th at the Mt. Charleston Resort.  I had neglected to take any pictures and rushed out Sunday during a 15 minute break to shoot some pictures will my cell phone.

 

After the break we saw a film by Dewitt Jones called For the Love of It.  The essence of this film was doing something for the love of it, not just in some mundane way.  I have to admit that I was in a hurry as I snapped some shots, but when I looked at the finished product I was pleased.  This photo was taken into the sun, but what I captured were the rays beaming down and I loved it.

 

Dewitt Jones indicated that he does not really stage his shots (he is a professional photographer) ; rather, he chases them and finds just the right angle as it calls to him.  Hmm, I thought, I guess that is what I was doing and did not kow it. 

 

I wanted to get the film so I looked him up and found out that the film ( a training film for business) was waaaaayyy more than I wanted to pay.  So I looked him up on Amazon to see if he had other films and I found an ebook on Iphoneography that he had written.  In the book that houses 50 of his photos, he worked with several inexpensive apps suited for iPhone and iPad.  Two were Iris Suites and ArtisticaOil.  I immediately downloaded them and began to play.  Pay special attention to the word Play because that is not something I often allow myself to do. 

 

I took a photo and altered it in Iris and was able to add my name as a copyright.  I had been trying to figure that one out for weeks and there it was on the first thing I looked at in Iris.  I went back and forth between my photos and his book and realized that he took a picture of his feet while he was walking, altered it in Iris saved it and then called it up in Artistica and turned it into an oil painting.  That was just too cool for me.

 

And so today we have the picture above and I love it for several reasons:

1.  it looks pretty good

2.  I was willing to try and use unfamiliar tools without a major freak out

3.  it opens another dimension to my artistic process

4. It looks really good and I am proud

 

So my dear pilgrims, please take some time to play, some time to try new things and what ever you do in life, do it for the love of it.

 

Peace on the journey.....

pilgrim

Breast Pocket part 2

I am getting ready to mail more breast pockets so I thought I would post them prior to mailing.  I did remember to take pictures of them all this time.

I have had scraps of fleece from the blankets and bears project at church for 2 years.  We did not want to throw them out, so I took them.  Last night it hit me that I could use them for breast pockets so here is my first attempt.

The top two are made from Japanese Kimono Fabric and the bottom one is made from vellum scrapbook page I received for participating in a breast cancer project.

Butter fly fabric, can't remember where I got it from but I just liked the fluidity of it.  The green is from a Japanese Kimono it can really double as a breast pocket OR a smart phone holder, how is that for versatility.

More Kimono fabric, purchased it from Katie Kendrick.  I love supporting other artists and after I got the fabric, knowing that I am not much of a fabric artist, I wondered what I would do with it all.  Problem solved in a grand fashion.

Repost of the knitted pocket.  I scanned it the first time (not a good idea).

Why am I doing this?  My great-grandmother Fannie Jane Cole, grandmother, Zelma Lee Young and mother, Glennie Mae Barber all had breast cancer twice.  They were courageous women and set an excellent example for me on how to deal with any type of adversity.  So each wobbly stitch that I sew is for them.  Plus, I have just had a darn good time.

Breast Pocket Project

This year has been a year of firsts for me and the one I am currently most proud of is making Breast Pockets.  As a breast cancer warrior (I kinda like this better than survivor).  I participate in anything project that will bring awareness to the need to be mindful of each person that has been impacted by this disease.

Melanie Testa is the originator of this project, which is intended to give courage and support to women who have had mastectomies and decided not to have reconstructive surgery.

I did not have a mastectomy, I opted for double lumpectomy since I had early stage cancer in both breasts.  I did however have to have 3 surgeries on my right breast inorder to get clear margins as a result I am a little lopsided but who cares, I am healthy and so far cancer free.

Anyhoo, I have pictures of a couple of the pockets I made.

One I have mailed (I forgot to photograph the other two in the envelope) and one I will be mailing within the next couple of days. 

Melanie is a great inspiration to me, we are email and facebook friends and I will always cherish her friendship and encouragement.

Handsown breast pocket

 

Knitted breast pocket.  I wanted to try and see if I could knit a pocket and I did.  Woohoo

 

This has been a fun time for me.  Melanie, thanks for the opportunity

 

 



 

 

 

A Preview of Things to Come - My Italian Adventure

It occured to me that I do not have to wait until I have everything just right inorder to begin to post about my trip to Italy.  Blog posts do not have to have 5 million words.  It is 2 am Pacific time and I am up, it will take a few days for my body to adjust.  I fell asleep at 5 pm and slept until 11:30 pm, now I am wide awake so here we are:

Snippets of my trip in Pictures:


Rustic Tower in Orvieto



Painted Cactus one of the pictures I used during class. I loved it.

Scrumptions dinner in Rome, hand made sausage and Pasta with
Meat Sauce - Yum

Teacher and Friend, Tracie Huskampf, such a kind spirit.

 

I will never be the same after this trip.  More on that later/

Suffice it to say, I had a lot of fun.







UFO'S--Unfinished Objects

Isn't this the cutest little sweater?  It took me 2 years to complete it.  Why?  For a few reasons really, I told myself I could not knit a sweater, I put it in a bag and forgot about it, I told myself I could not knit a sweater, I was busy with health issues and other pressing projects, did I mention that I told myself that I could not knit a sweater?

I am a scarf officianado.  I can knit the most beautiful scarves, I can crochet one heck of a granny square afghan and now I can actually knit a sweater.  Ok, it is a miniature sweater for a little bear, but it is still a sweater and I finished it on May 21, 2012.  I was going through my knitting basket looking for projects that I need to finish.  I am dedicating this summer to completing UFO's.  I finished a scarf that I will show in another blog. I finished a crocheted coin purse and then I picked up the bag.

"Hmmm, what is this?" I asked myself as I looked into the bag, "Oh my goodness, it is the sweater for the little bear.  Guess I will try to finish it."  All that was left was completing the front panel and sewing it together.  I read the directions incorrectly and had to rip out a part of it twice, but I got it done.  "How am I going to fit in the sleeves", I thought.  I googled in sewing in knitted sleeves, watched a video and proceeded to work, it was really easy after I got the hang of it.

INTRODUCING BEE BEE Wearing his new sweater

Sitting on his regal throne is BEE BEE.  Bee Bee is wearing the sweater I finished.  Isn't he dashing?  This gentlebear, dear reader, is the new mascot of the Blankets and Bears program sponsored by St. Thomas More Catholic Community Church.  For the past few years I have had the honor of working as co-chair for this ministry which provides Blankets and Bears to children and adults in need of love and care. Last year we prepared over 600 packages for two shelters who help families in need.

How did I meet Bee Bee?  He was the last bear on the table 2 years ago and tears were streaming down his little face.  You see, he had no clothes, someone had stripped him of his sweater and no one wanted him.  My friend Debbie, who created this wonderful volunteer opportunity with her family and shared it with my church, gave him to me and asked me to make him a sweater.  Did I mention that I did not think I could make a sweater?  So my poor boy was a fixture on my bed for the past two year waiting for his sweater.  And now he has one.

I am so excited, everytime I look at Bee Bee it is as though he is saying, "you are my hero, I knew you could do it."  I am proud that I finally shut off the negative chatter in my brain and got busy.  What is my next challenge on the knitting front?  I hear you asking, it is Cables because I have been telling myself "I can't make cables, they look to complicated."  We shall see how long it will take for me to conquer this fear, stay tuned.

No matter how small the steps or how long it takes......change every I Can't into a resounding I CAN.

Hoping we meet somewhere on the journey....Pilgrim



One Artist Journal

Hello friends and dear readers, I am part of a Blog Hop.  This is not any ordinary Blog Hop, no, no, no; this is my first Blog Hop and it is to tell you about a wonderful artist and friend Orly Avineri.  Orly's book, One Artist Journal, is being released today May 18th, 2012.

The following quote from Orly:
"I am excited to let you know, that my book ONE ARTIST JOURNAL has been released. As you probably guess it's my 'online journal/blog turned book' and it's totally aligned with my imaginings of it, so excited about it (-: I'm happy about the way it came out. It contains my online journal spreads meshed with my writings in a format of a real visual journal, 196 pages, full color, full bleed, explosions of colors, textures, raw expressions, and visual celebrations. It is adorned by Teesha Moore's foreword and Seth Apter's sweet words on the back of the book."

As she stated above, Orly's book is a compilation of her wonderful blog by the same name.  I have subscribed to it for over two years and have enjoyed each thought provoking moment.  I eagerly await each entry.  Some entries are awashed in color with a single thought provoking sentence.  For example:

"Not at all times." (Spread 169:  Sweet and Gentle)

Or:

"Physiological or mental, it’s all the same. It’s carried out by or taking place in my mind." (Spread 164: Dire Conclusions)

Others are have more indepth content, and to see what they are, you have to go and visit her blog or better yet, buy the book.  Orly is not telling  you what to think, rather, she is communicating what was on her mind and in her spirit that day. 

I personally met Orly in April 2011 at ArtFest in Port Townsend, WA.  Our first encounter was at a pseudo Iron Chef Competition where I spontaneously offered a play by play of her creative process as she developed a work of art from the found objects she was provided.  The next day I had the most wonderful class making post cards.  In that class she brought out things from me that I truly did not know existed.  Deep rich colors blossomed on the page and I was mesmerized.

This year I again took another class with Orly, Postcards From the Edge,  and she gave us a challenge that is exhibited on her blog and now in her book; "Create, do not Produce."  Hmmm, sometimes easier said than done.  The challenge as Orly shows through word and deed is not to produce art, she gently encourages you to remove all outside expectations and let your spirit draw you into a zone of creativity.  By turning her Blog into a book, I believe two things have been accomplished,  1.  Orly will be able to reach a wider audience with her message; and 2.  the reader will be encouraged to remove any restriction hindering the true creativity that resides deep inside.

Now let's take care of some business....

Where to find the book:(listed in order of preference)

1. The best way to obtain the book is by ordering through Orly's eStore  https://www.createspace.com/3868179

2. At her workshops in Southern California ( you can sign up for email notification of these workshops on her blog)

3.  Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/One-Artist-Journal-Orly-Avineri/dp/1477401415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336760543&sr=8-1

Orly will be giving away a copy of her book as part of this blog hop.  To be considered for the drawing leave a comment to her post on her blog http://oneartistjournal.com. Winner will be announced next Friday, May 25th.

As I stated at the beginning of this post, I am a part of a Blog Hop to support Orly Avineri's book project.  Please be sure to visit the following blogs listed below:

Brian Kasstle: http://apaperbear.wordpress.com

Carla Sonheim: http://carlasonheim.wordpress.com

Cindy Woods O'Leary: http://artfuljourneyretreat.blogspot.com

Donna Cetorelli: http://solegarden.com

Dorit Elisha: http://lifeasafiveringcircus.blogspot.com

Erin Faith Allen: http://callofthewildsoul.com

Gina Rossi Armfield: http://sweetsistergina.typepad.com

Glenda Hoagland: http://pilgrimsthoughts.blogspot.com

Irene Rafael: http://irenerafael.blogspot.com

Jane LaFazio: janesville.blogspot.com

jill Berry: http://jillberrydesign.com/blog

Kelly Kilmer: http://KellyKilmer.blogspot.com

Liesel Lund: http://liesel.typepad.com

Monica Moran: http://thecreativebeast.blogspot.com

Pnina Gold: http://pearlandroses.wordpress.com

Rachel Urista: http://rachelurista.wordpress.com

Seth Apter: http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com

Teesha Moore: http://teeshascircus.blogspot.com

Well, there you have it friends.  In life we have to support our friends in anyway we can through encouragement, promotion and love.  So as I make my journey, know that I support all of you.

Be well...Pilgrim.