I have changed......what worked nearly 20 years ago is not working today. My thoughts are in a different place and so am I. The journey continues, come along for the ride.
Friday, May 17, 2013
New thought for today - May 17, 2013
So I have to put in writing a reminder to myself that I am not posting for praise of others and that if I get just one comment, it is a good thing because I am sharing my talents with the universe. You know, all of this is really therapy since I have spent so much of my life trying to please others and neglecting me. I did not even know who I was. Through art I am discovering so many dimensions of myself through colors, images, faces, flowers, quirky birds, life. The joy of this discovery is phenomenal. But I cannot allow myself to get distracted by my own insecurities. I have go get out of my own way and not sabotage myself with false needs. This is an important lesson for all parts of my life...Amen.
Until next time....Pilgrim.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Week 20 something that moves my spirit.
Day 2 of posting art. This watercolor painting of flowers is for week 20 of the lifebook project. I have a strong desire to paint flowers and landscapes.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
15 day art challenge
Adriana, side view
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.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Smiling lady
This s my first attempt at drawing a smiling person showing teeth. It was an interesting process. It does brighten up the face.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Thinking of you
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.
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Change in face shape
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.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
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.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Shading
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.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Watercolor crayon painting
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
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.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Face practiceimage
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.
Friday, April 12, 2013
American geisha
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.
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Creating Fun
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,
Take care and blessings.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
A voice bursting forth
Monday, November 05, 2012
Allowing Myself To Play
Monday, October 15, 2012
Breast Pocket part 2
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.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Breast Pocket Project
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