Thank You, Sondie

I went to my first in person art class tonight at Flynn's Coffee Bar. Artist Amy Smith taught techniques for making collage papers using acrylic paint and other things. She makes many cool things, some of which can be found in her esty store here. We were a nice group of six and it was fun. The picture above is one of my papers. It is painted on a sheet of scapbooking paper which we drizzled paint on and then smeared it around with a pallette knife. After that dried we added various embellishments. Some were created with everyday objects like bubble wrap and drywall tape. Think this one kinda looks like a garden. I am looking forward to more of Amy's classes. I must remember to save my pennies.

I much appreciate my friend inviting me to this.

Simply Stated

I discovered The Simple Woman's Daybook over at my friend B's blog. I decided that I would participate. I thing I can handle a list. So here goes...

FOR TODAY January 11, 2010...

Outside my window...It's cold. The light if fading as this day is running out.

I am thinking...about times past. Carefree days of early childhood spent with my first friends, sitting on an old army blanket in their backyard playing with paperdolls. I was at home there. We lost touch so many years ago. I am going to visit my old friends this month. Anticipating with happiness.

I am thankful for...God's providence, for the grace and mercy that has been afforded me.

From the kitchen...beans, tahini, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and smoked paprika waiting for a spin in the Cuisinart to become yummy hummus.

I am wearing...comfy corduroy pants, a fleece top and my favorite felted wool clogs. Made 'em myself.

I am creating...experiments in mixed media as I try to find my own voice in my art.

I am going...to see my daughters on Wednesday.

I am reading...A Chance To Die, the inspiring biography of missionary Amy Carmichael.

I am hoping...that my headache will go away and stay away.

I am hearing...the fan on my portable heater and the TV in the next room.

Around the house...bathrooms are screaming to be cleaned and the clutter everywhere is really bothering me. I planned today for serious cleaning but, alas, it didn't happen. One bathroom will be cleaned before I go to bed. Mean it.

One of my favorite things...I love trees.

A few plans for the rest of the week: some art time with my friend B, a visit to my daughters, a Tea with my Bible study group, work, worship.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...my artwork. Inspiration for this came from Pam Carriker's youtube tutorial on mixed media portraits. I'm not finished with her yet.

OY!

The dog. She is a bull in my china shop. Charlie needs her forever family. Now. She would make a great farm dog. Farm dog, by day, that is. House dog by night. Yep.

Sign Me Up

I am joining B in the Photo Hunt Challenge for October. I will follow through. I will follow through. I will. There.

My first entry is up there. It is "Something Orange" In the physical world, it is terra cotta, but it sure looks orange to me here. I used Paint Shop Pro to crop all three.

I think this one will be my entry for "Contrast". Maybe. I do like dappled shadows but I might come up with something else.

Hey, I could've had "Something Spooky" and "Something Entertaining" in one shot today. I gave the dog (the big one that B is entering for "Critter") a bath. In the shower. With me. Hey, it is the easiest method I've tried that I can afford. You understand that there are no pictures though. And just let me say this critter smells much better! Can you tell that I trimmed her face a bit as well and her ears? Can you tell that she is completely worn out by it all? I love it when she is worn out. She is too cute. And she really does need a new and permanent home. Any takers? Just leave a comment and I am sure we can work something out.

Dragnet Wisdom

A frind sent me this in an email. I love it. Who knew the wisdom Joe Friday and Bill Gannon would apply so many years later? I am not very politically-minded so I hope I don't offend anyone. I just think its great.

Please, No Fainting

Geez, it has been six months since I have posted. Hey, my kitchen window is open again. A lot has happened around here, but that is for another post another day. This post is just an icebreaker for me, more pictures that words.

I decided, for my re-entry into bloglandia, to show you some of my artwork in progress.

First, my most recent creation. I am decorating these letters for my youngest. They were plain, white, wooden letters given to her last Christmas. She was going to paint them so I asked her to let me collage them. It has been great fun. My friend B has been coming over for art dates and these were accomplished while working with her. It is good to have someone there to give instant feedback (not to mention the motivation to actually create!). These are not quite finished. I think that I will add a beeswax finish and put some ribbon around the edges to finish them off. I like them and hope Miss H is pleased when she sees them.

Next are some unfinished (unfinished seems to be a recurring theme) projects that I am working on for a portrait class at Suzi Blu's online school, Les Petit Academy.

This is one of the first sketches done for the class. It was drawn in a sketchbook then pasted into the Moleskine journal and covered with clear gesso. (I love the Moleskine. Just sayin.) I don't know what is going to happen with her next. I have to watch some more videos to see where Miss Blu is taking me with this.



Next, another sketch drawn in a sketchbook but pasted onto wood. You can see how see started out on the left. I was liking her. I added some more shading and I still liked her. I pasted her onto the wood and then... I added the gesso. The graphite smeared. Really bad. I thought she was ruined. I was sad. But never fear. I scanned her and sent her to suziblu. Suzi said "she's not ruined. You can't ruin her. These portraits are shabby. She will be fine". I said "whew". I am anxious to see how she will be finished. I really like her. Her eyes are a bit wonky but I like her mouth and the overall feel of her.

Finally, the gypsies are drawn in the journal. They are fun and were copied from suzi's example pretty close. My details are different but the page layout and theme is all suzi. It's how I learn.


Well, enough unfinished art. I must now take care of business so I can work on my art today. I will post pics of each piece as I finsh it.

Now, let's all go create something!

The March of the Bluebirds

The March of the Bluebirds, originally uploaded by candyknits.

Ahhhh. I opened all my windows today. Spring is right around the corner and I am looking forward to it. However, I dread losing an hour of sleep tonight. I think I will go set my clocks ahead right now. Maybe it won't be such a shock to my system if I start now!