Creating a Series of Art Work

I have been trying to stretch myself in my art. Working with different colors, different kinds of substrate, and trying to find some theme that would interest me enough to create a series. I have often found that I am pulled to that wild pink color (opera pink) that so many people use but I stay totally away from. Well today was my day to try it, and I was enchanted with it.

Using my art journal as my experimental journal, I found that I love getting my feeling of the day down on paper and then painting over it, smearing it, concealing it, but the decorative nature of my handwriting was a great way of adding mark making. So this was the start of my Table Top Series.

I made some rules for myself, but also knew that I needed some freedom and flexibility. Subject matter: anything that sits on a table and may include that table. Colors: adding a little pink Design: All will have some kind of hand written letters to them, smeared into them or used as mark making. Substrate: interesting rectangles on wood.

So here is the beginning of my Series, please let me know what you think. If you have made a series before, how did it go and what were your rules?

My New Exhibits happening for Fall

Fall is a great time for getting out in the cooler weather. Just wanted to let you know about where you can find some of my art. I am involved again in the Art Walk but on by the Woodinville Art Alliance. This time I am in located at Locust Cider, If you haven’t tasted their cider it is a must do just for that. ( I highly recommend the peach ) I have about 15 pictures hanging in 2 different sizes. I will be represented thru November. Stay tuned another exhibit happening in Everett this week.

New Beginnings

I like to think that making resolutions for the new year is just what I need to start my year off right… but I have found that if I am not totally committed to the action my resolutions become half hearted. I read this quote from James Clear author of Atomic Habits “ You can usually accomplish more by giving something your full attention/effort for a few years rather than giving it a lukewarm effort for 50 years. Pick a priority for this season of your life and do it to the best of your ability” This has really gotten me to think about what have I been doing for the past 50+ years and how long has it taken me to get where I am going? Could I have found a simpler way by devoting my complete attention to it? I have taken pride in being able to multi task well but what have I given up by doing so many things at once. Well, this year. I am doing to devote myself to one thing I keep procrastinating about and see how long it takes me accomplish my goal. I would love to hear about your adventures for the year and how you are going to accomplish them.

Just Show UP

So…. I am committing right here in front of you all…” To just show up” and do my art practice DAILY… I am not picking how long, or how much , just “ I will do this daily” Todays picture started with a picture in a magazine… sometimes your imagination is on hold, so I am taking what i can from observation. I loved this picture and tried to add some of my creative touches from it… or maybe it is calling me to get busy and pick my own apple trees before they are on the ground. I had a great day yesterday with my Granddaughter Maeve in the apple trees, I saved all the apples on the low branches for her, she’s only 3 but got the “ twist and pull” method down.

Whatever your creative spirit inside of you says. Write it, make it, create it, garden it… Just do it … now I will have to post more just to show you that I am making this a DAILY PRACTICE

LOOK for the FREE in life.... there is so much out there

I am just finishing up on a 12 day class from Sketchbook Revival were Karen Abend got together quite a few unique artists to teach a 20 to 30 min art class on line. This was all FREE… Thank you Karen !! They started us out creating something out of a blob from Carla Sondheim . Carla said that “if you put a beak on anything it becomes a bird” … I was set out to test that theory… and guess what….. it does!!.

One of my favorite classes was on creating a wild garden, all I can say was Fun and MESSY… it was great!. Other classes included ones like “ How to Draw like an Architect” creating a “ Quirky Bird” , people made so many different ones. There were classes on expressing yourself with words, drawing words, incorporating words. We even had a class where we learned to draw cupcakes. I am still working on these classes they were so wonderful and really took my art in new directions. A great distraction while at home.

I always find creative people are so creative because they create. The more you do the more the ideas flow.

Below are just some of my attempts … I am sure you could do better

Sketchbook Revival

assorted free classes…what I came up with

Sketching Food

from Charlie O’Shields

Quirky Bird Class

by Tamara Laporte

Daily Marks

It’s a new year and what a better start that to resolve to add a few marks to some paper each day.

I have found that doing a journal page each day can be overwhelming and some days well just face it.. you don’t feel like even cracking your journal. I have found by just making some marks each day will spur you on to greater works. The next day you can add to it or not… its your choice , no pressure from me.

Great book to read: Mini Habits by Stephen Guise This book not only give you a insight to make your life a little better, maybe even replacing an old habit but makes it easy to do so. Wonderful read

Sometimes the Words Speak for Themself

I love to create something I don’t even know I have in me. Finding family pictures that are so unique but….everyone looks the same. What was their personality like? Would I have loved them? How old are they really?

Working with pictures and paint, adding touches and then the words.

My secret dear people is to look in horoscope books, they have the best sayings, and to take them out of context, really adds to the fun.

Enjoy these 3x3” mini pictures and try and make your own with your family.

Whats on the Easel Today

Working on some of my old flower pictures... I thought that this was headed in the right direction but i ended up adding more flowers and painting out the background to a nice grey black.

I tried using some chalk and inks to paint in some detail.... I don't know.

Its time to hang it up and think on it.

How many times have you painted over a painting or just started again because it wasn't going anywhere?

Do You Know Really How Loved You Are?

In the depth of winter, the dark endless days of rain when I live can, get me feeling down and about now I am really struggling for a light at the end of the tunnel.   I find the small bulbs poking their heads out of ground and Valentines day around the corner start taking me away from the dark and make me think about others and if they really know how much I love them and cherish their love and friendship,because I do.

Its good to pause and think that I am loved as well and do I appreciate the love they give to me.   humm....

Art and Holiday Shows

The season has started for those fun and festive Art shows.  You know the ones, they can be held in school gymnasiums', church social halls, residential homes as well as some of the larger venues. Many of you have your own special ones where you gather some friends and make a day of it,traveling to the different shows then going out for lunch to show off what you have bought

.   I have a tradition with my own group of friends where we go to the most creative of the shows and glean ideas to make our gifts.   Now that we are older and have done this many years, we enjoy peoples creativity but if we see something we like we buy it., who has the time any more to be that cleaver.

Next week I will have a booth at one of my favorite venues.  The Tacoma Dome Holiday Food and Gift show.   It starts on Wednesday and goes thru Sunday.  There is an admission charge but the amount of creative people you find there is well worth the money, especially if you don't have the time to go out each weekend to find your gifts.  

If you go be sure TO BRING:  your coupon  ( enclosed in the blog) ,  good walking shoes and YOUR LIST of people you need to shop for.   The great thing about this show is once you have paid the admission you are paid for the rest of the days as well.  

oh.... and stop by my booth   I will be in the Artist-in-Action area  # 0739  

Bring on the Flowers

It has been so hot here.... I am not complaining but that just isn't normal for the Seattle area.  We love our sun,  when it comes out we want to take advantage of it.   So when it gets hot here ( I am talking above 80- don't laugh)  and we have to find a cool shady space I have been hiding out in my studio with a great fan blowing away.   So my choice of painting flowers has been a no brainer,That and I am taking this awesome class from Lynn Whipple colager extrodinaire.  

Bowl of Flowers

A little distraction

Have you ever had an overwhelming desire to learn everything and all?  From the time I was very young I always remember not wanting to feel left out or not learning something.  I am sure that is why the TV was on even when I wasn't looking at it.   " There might be that one subject that comes on that amazes me or that event that is right next door that no one knows about, and there it is.

Well for the past few weeks I have been learning different art techniques and just LOVE it !  I can't get enough,  what happens with my business is that it gets put on the back burner and i ignore it for a while.   These techniques will be wonderful when I get them incorporated in my business but now I am just doing things for the fun of it with no intention of selling it or even hope that someone else likes it,  i forgot how fun and freeing that can be.

What would you do if you were not judged, if it only was your opinion that mattered ?   

I encourage you to experiment and find that feeling.