Hello 2022

 

Good bye to the Village.

2022, a new year, new dreams, new challenges.  The village was dismantled today.  Tomorrow, Sunday, will be the commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord and the official end of the Christmas season in the Catholic Church.  Next week we enter Ordinary times.  As I stored the Village I felt like I was entering my personal ordinary time.  How will I spend this Ordinary time?  Will I write?  Will I draw and paint?  I plan to develop a three year Plan to prepare for my 75th birthday.  I was sitting and thinking about the future and realized how fast the 3 years will go by and I want to be intentional to make that a very special year.

I also want to be more consistent with writing on this Blog as a part of my creative process.

So hello 2022, so nice to see you, let's get started.

Until next time.....pilgrim

Cooking With Tina Walker Stencil Girl Collaboration

This is the second time I have participated in a collaboration.  It was both fun and terrifying for me.  Fun because it is nice to stretch myself and terrifying because I had to do the one thing I resist most of the time----draw a face.  But, but, but, I did not give up. In a sense of true transparency, this is my second take on this project.  I completely messed up my first try.  How?  I was using colors that were not in my wheel house and I could not get it together.  Because we had a generous amount to time to work on this project I gave myself permission to start over and use some of my favorite colors.

The first photo is the "baked" painting after adding all of the ingredients.  I like it because I stuck with it and enjoyed the process.  Below is a chronology of the weeks and the addition of ingredients added by the week.  Enjoy....

Finished "meal" from Cooking With Tina

Stencils used in this project  are from Stencil Girl Products and can be found at www.stencilgirlproducts.com.  5823-walker  Gaelic Angel  and  May 2021 - Shaw Adams Mash-Up! - Mary Beth Shaw & Debi Adams  circles from the 9x12 stencil 

Week 1 Add two acrylic colors

Week 1 ingredient Add two acrylic colors.  I used Turquoise (who doesn't love turquoise) and light pink.  I used a baby wipe to paint the colors for a smooth effect.

Week 2 add collage material

Week 2 ingredient  Add collage material.  I added sheet music and a painted doily

Week 3 add a stencil repeat here I used 

 May 2021 - Shaw Adams Mash-Up! - Mary Beth Shaw & Debi Adams 

Week 3 ingredient add repeat pattern with stencil. How perfect that the stencil club offering was a set of repeat pattern mashup stencils.  These stencils are so cool and they can be cut apart for ease of use.

Week 4 add scribble/doodles

Week 4i ngredient add scribble/doodles.  Added lines to the circles of the stencil repeat and some tods and dashes in the upper left hand corner.

Week 5 opposites here I used black and white

Week 5 ingredient  Opposites.  Okay, I took the easy way out here black and white.

Week 6 draw a face.

Week 6 ingredient draw a face.  This one was hard for me. Why?  because I shy away from faces.  Probably if I practiced more I would improve, but instead just avoid them like a mosquito bite.

Week 7 add the color red

Week 7 ingredient Add the color red.  A red sweater for my girl hit the spot.

Week 8 Stencil with a Tina Walker Stencil

the stencil I used was Gaelic Angel

Week 8 ingredient stencil with a Tina Walker Stencil.  I used the stencil in a couple of places because there was so much on the page I wanted it to be seen.  The Angel did not come out as crisp as I would have liked, but, I still like the stencil effect.

Week 9 Add Ink, I added ink splots

Week 9 ingredient Add Ink.  I used Liquitex Acrylic ink in violet and dropped splots and let them run.

Week 10 Add Words I will explain why I added the words I used

Week 10 ingredient: add words.  I added the words Beautiful World because whenever I have an opportunity to create, the world becomes more beautiful.  

Week 11 Cover something up

Week 11 ingredient Cover something up,  I covered up the sheet music collage with floral collage.  I love flowers somewhere on a page that I create.

Week 12 Add finishing touches

Week 12 ingredient:  Add finishing touches.  I added a flower on the sweater, some color to her hair.  I should give her a name...Charlotte.  White splashes and some pink paint rubbed in the corners.

So 12 weeks of adding ingredients, not knowing how each one will mesh and adapting to the layer below.  I had fun and learned a lot.  

Thanks Tina for the challenge.

pilgrim

 

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.

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......

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....

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.