AEDM Check In, November 20

Earlier this week I went to the bus stop to wait for my grandson's afternoon bus to arrive. In our part of the world, most of the trees have lost all of their leaves. Up the street from the bus stop, a neighbor has the most colorful trees out in front. When I went home, I sketched the trees so that I could paint it later.
This week has been a little busy, so I knew I would not get to the painting right away. I have just purchased some new "Inkintense Watercolor Pencils" from Michael's. So I decided to give them a try on this piece.

Last night was the Marketplace where I was participating. I brought my Angel cards for sale along with some paintings and prints. There really weren't a lot of customers. But I did get a lot of positive feedback from the other vendors and the owner/director of the Yoga Studio.
Now that the sale is over, I can go back to my art for a bit.

Thanksgiving will be here and all of the "busy-ness" that goes along with family gatherings.
I do plan to find some small stores who might be interested in selling my cards on consignment.

AEDM Check-in, November 15

Celebration!

I thought it would be fun and relaxing to do a quick little painting today. I'm going to a "girls only" birthday party for my hubby's Aunt Carol. She's just a couple of years older than he is and they went to high school together. I always thought that was remarkable.
I decided to do a watercolor sketch. I painted a cupcake tree, coffee pot and balloons. It all came out rather spontaneously. Even though we don't have an outdoor party planned, it will be fun to see all of the cousins (female of course) and Aunties in this huge Irish family.

AEDM Check-in, November 14

Well, I guess everyone has to have those days.
How about a week?
After a week of work on my latest painting, it's so sad to say that I will not use it.
At first I tried to make a textured background using watercolor. The colors were disappointing and grey looking. I added some salt to create texture but it did not have the effect I wanted.


Next, I decided to paint the illustration without the background and while the painting is progressing, it does not have the fun movement of the other works I had posted earlier in the month.
The illustration looks better online than the actual image. It just looks static

I know that if I were working digitally, I could correct a lot of it painlessly. But with this computer, I don't think that is a possibility.

I'm just going to put both aside for now and revisit them later. I might find another way to use the background and the figures.

Art Every Day Month Day 8

Here is an image of my almost completed picture. There are some finishing touches that I want to add, but most of the work on the figures is completed.
I found a really nice quote from Mother Theresa that I might use inside:
...It is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand
I think it's just perfect for this illustration.
Maybe tomorrow I'll head over to the print shop in Kingston to see what they can do with the whole card idea.
I might make some copies of my newest paintings to sell at the Marketplace at Feathers Wellness Studio.
It's so exciting to finally have something finished enough so that the project can be completed. I can't wait to figure out what's coming next in this series.

Art Every Day Month Day 7

It's been a couple of busy days since I last wrote about my work. Believe me, both days were filled with important stuff. I did get a chance to work on my art cards, although the latest one still isn't finished. I thought I would share a work-in-progress as I plug along.
In keeping with my holiday theme, I wanted these angels to have colorful outfits. Several issues came up as I was working.

~A friend asked: what will I write inside? I had not thought
about the inside yet. I want it to be spiritual and uplifting.

~The details are coming along slowly because I'm using
10X14 inch paper. Faces and fingers are tiny.

~I have to talk to a printing company about reproducing these
as cards(not really a big problem).

~How will I package them for sale?

~ Other computer/internet-related questions.

The process is fun - watching these angel spirits evolve.

Soon, I'll post a finished product! Woo - Hoo!!!

Art Every Day Month Day 4

It's so refreshing to start the day ahead of myself. Does that even make sense? Once again, my time is limited. I was visiting my grandson's classroom to volunteer on Thursday mornings. Now his teacher needs me on Wednesday, instead. I told her I could be flexible because I do have that freedom. Other volunteers are busy moms (been there) who are able to give an hour or two before heading off to work or some other commitment. I decided to do a new sketch for my dancing angels. This one came to me a few days ago. I worked on the idea for a couple of days refining the original and I can't wait to paint it.
I'm trying to use a variety of figures in the work. I'm sure I won't have time until tomorrow, but at least the sketch is done.

Art Every Day Month Day 3

Ocean Angel
I just finished a new painting of a dancing angel. I do have several other sketches started as well. When I spoke to my daughter about this project, she suggested that I try to make the angels ethnically diverse to represent every race. Now, that's a challenge.
I'm still researching this idea, but I did work on this angel. I love her motion. There are some things I struggle with, especially shading.

Art Every Day Month

Leah Piken Kolidas has begun her AEDM challenge for 2009 today. I decided to join the challenge this year and do something creative every day and post it on my blog. I hope this is the big nudge I'll need to post more often. I seem to put that off a bit.
Here are my first creative efforts for the month. I'm going to sell some of my work at a marketplace at Feather's Wellness Studio in Weymouth later in November. Of course, I want to have some new pieces to offer. After a lot of planning and thinking, I have decided to create some new designs to offer as prints and cards.These sketches (very faint, I know) were part of my planning. I want figures moving or dancing. (a lot of joy). Next, I made some of them into angels.The results were pretty good. So, I decided to add color to a couple of them.
I like to work in watercolor and colored pencil. The results are promising; although, I would love more detail. This is going to be a work in progress, so I'll let you know every day.

Magic Wishes

What would I wish for if I had magic powers? I would wish to be more productive in my art and writing. All of my ideas come crowding in at the same time and clamor for attention. I wish I could get them started/completed successfully before the next round of impulses begin to rush in. I'm so glad they come anytime, but they can be demanding.
I can't continue right now because my grandson's bus should be arriving any minute and he'll be looking for a bite to eat.

Connections

Yesterday, I spent the better part of an hour photographing images at my local CSA farm. Sauchuk Farm in Plympton, MA has been a weekly part of our summer this year. Every Friday or Saturday starting in May, we stopped at the farm stand to pick up our share of the harvest. Sometimes we received fruits, veggies and flowers grown locally or right on the farm along with items that had been traded with other farms in New England.
About a week ago, I realized that I had not taken pictures of the farm. (DUH!!) The stand would only be opened until November 1st. How could I let the whole summer pass without recording some of the beauty.

Everyone who works there was friendly and helpful. The customers were a pleasure to meet and share cooking tips with. It was one of the highlights of the week to spend a little time buying produce.

And now I have some beautiful pictures to reference and paint.
On the way home I stopped to photograph a cranberry bog. Even though it was drizzly and rainy, the bog looked lovely. I'll just have to go back later when the sun is shining to capture the fall color on the leaves.

Simplify.

I have done it again! I've updated my template/background. The pink was beginning to bother me, so I simplified the look.
Sometimes, a change is a good thing.

Last week in the TNC Joy Diet, we were inspired to notice joy and begin to do Nothing! Well, let me tell you, I notice joy whenever and wherever I can. When I look out while I'm driving, I try to take joy in the scenery. No matter where I am, I make the practice of looking at that place with my "artist' s eye." It's like a visual caress.
I think, "What does that feel like? What shapes am I seeing? How does that object attract me?
Maybe it's a form of meditation, but the artist in me appreciates
the exercise.

Because of this practice, I actually find beauty in some very unlikely places.
Imagine driving along in the city - the architecture is amazing - even in a battered,
run down neighborhood. I might spot a building with wonderful windows or an amazing doorway.
Somebody planned that beauty.

As a result of this "art trip,"
I am generally always uplifted.
If I feel lonely or down, that goes away
like MAGIC!
I also think that joy creates a sense of well-being and health.
I don't look in the mirror very often.
Why would I bring that up in connection with this subject?
Mainly because my mind's eye sees me differently than I appear.
That might sound delusional, but it works for me.

I have not had time to read the first chapter of the Joy Diet, however I'm sure that I will catch up soon. The subject of "Nothing" is not easy for me to approach. I like to be active. I do enjoy meditation, but I usually practice guided meditation in Yoga. It's refreshing and relaxing.
Otherwise, without direction, I can't stop making mental lists, drawing in my head, planning dinner or a trip to the store, etc, etc.

A lot of this buzzing and busyness comes from years of teaching and self-coaching "on the fly." As a teacher, especially with older children, I had to think on my feet. It probably has a lot to do with my teaching style. I would plan ahead for hours and when I got to the classroom, I would look at the kids and begin to make quick changes in my presentation. Why? just because I would get inspired, or decide that I didn't plan the right presentation. It was exhausting! But so rewarding.

Inspiration

I have so many inspiring thoughts. Many of them are so achievable, if I would just start acting on them.

Recently, at the end of August, a friend came to visit and brought me a lovely pocket charm.
The charm is a seashell crafted in silver metal. Inside the shell is word "Inspire".
Shortly after, Leah of Creative Every Day announced that the September theme is - INSPIRATION!

This was serendipitous.

I love these events. They give me a sense of wonder. How does this happen? Can it be an accident? Is some greater force at work? I know this is an opportune time to take advantage of this valuable situation.

I know one thing, putting these thoughts into words provides substance for my ideas. So I plug along between the everyday business of life to wiggle out ways to follow through. It gives me a sense of purpose.
More on this later, I hope.

Creativity

I have just added a new badge to my blog for Jamie Riddler's Full Moon Dreamboards. For anyone who does not know her, Jamie is a creative coach and blogger who finds wonderful ways to motivate others. She helps others move things along in exciting, enriching ways. There are just not enough words to explain the positive energy that flows from her workshops, online activities and blog.

My painting is on it's way to Virginia. I finished it and delivered it at the end of last week.

Tomorrow night (Tuesday, 8/25/09) I am having a sale of some watercolor paintings. Christine at Feather's Wellness Studio decided to have a marketplace in the studio to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. This is the first time I will offer any of my paintings for sale. Hopefully, people will like them and buy them all.

Tide Pool

This is so exciting. I finished this collage painting, finally,

today.

It is to be a wedding gift for one of my former students

who was married a couple of weeks ago.

I really tried several different designs

before this one came to me.

It's a combination of several

ideas that I had.

It seemed to work the best for the shells

that I had painted.

Her Mom told me that they both love

anything to do with the ocean.

So I figured that a tide pool of shells

with a few additions

would work.

I'm going to try a dark colored mat for it

and a simple frame.

Ill take a picture of the completed

composition in a day or two.

Flying Away

I did this little painting the other day.

It took some time, but I enjoyed the effort.

Some time I'll do another one using negative space.

My husband and I are taking a short trip for a few days. I won't have access to my computer, but I'll check back in on Saturday. Take care and have a lovely week.

La Tour Eiffel

I just finished this canvas of the Eiffel Tower. This is the first completed collage canvas that I have ever created! It was fun and a little challenging. I wanted to use my own art and drawings in the composition and I can see that there are some adjustments I'll need to make the next time I try this.

I am amazed at how quickly some artists seem to accomplish this style.

This took many hours.

I think it's worth it, though.

Gifts From the Heart

On Saturday morning, Jamie Ridler announced a lovely surprise gift. She and a group of friends had designed a set of 36 affirmation cards to download and print! They were so lovely, that I printed mine immediately. In addition, Amanda and Jenn at Kind Over Matter offered a pattern for a scallop box sized for the cards to fit inside.

The other members of the group include: Rachelle Mee-Chapman or Magpie Girl, Brandi Reynolds at Joy Rebel, Jamie Ridler at Starshyne Productions, and Kind Over Matter.

This liitle act of kindness gave me a lift. I appreciate the generousity of these young women.

I hope that I will find a way to pay them back.

~~~perfect to start, end, or lift the day~~~~~

I hope others will enjoy this nice gift.

Happy Birthday, Leah at CED!

Happy Birthday to Leah Piken Kolidas at Creative Every Day!

She just posted an article suggesting ways to celebrate yourself.

How perfect!

Leah suggested that we write down some things (25-50 Good Grief!) that delight us.

Well, the first one is easy:

I find that the more I find ways to express my art,

the more I enjoy creating it.

It seems like it increases by multiples

with every new attempt.

Aside from this,

I would make a list

My Delights, in no particular order, include:

Babies, color, flowers, the ocean, beaches, seashells, coffee, caramel, Tuesday,

friends, children, quilts, fabric, drawing, sewing, music,

dance, bike riding, celebrations

Harry Potter, handsome people, comedy, romantic movies, rose scents, sharing,

learning, quiet reflecion, massage, Reiki, fresh air, discovering new places, and more.

I'm off, right now, to find some new delights. I hope everyone has luck enjoying the pleasure of

a beautiful summer day.

Sunshine Blessings

This painting is a gift that

I created for my niece.

She just had a new baby and I decided produce a painting for her.

I wanted a lullabye, but she said "You Are My Sunshine" is a favorite song of hers.

She described the baby as her Sunshine and joy.

So, I used the words from that song as the inspiration for the picture.

The piece is too large to scan at home, so I took a picture of it.

The result is that it looks angled and the quality is a bit off.

I wanted to post it before I bundle it off to her.

Funfetti Cake at the Beach

On Friday my daughter asked me to help her make a birthday cake for two of her friends. She really wanted moral support and a little advice. I was thrilled to give her the help she needed.

Since the party was going to have a luau theme, she wanted the cake to be decorated to look like a beach. We bought "funfetti" cake mix and baked two layers of sweetness. She then decided she wanted figures of the girls in bikinis with their faces glued on.

I think they came out rather cute. The decorated cake looked great with the figures added to the beach.



Who knows where this will lead. She always has such fun ideas!

Wishes

What do you wish to nurture?

It's Wishcasting Wednesday and I have been nurturing my hopes and dreams.

My wish is to nurture my art into something new and fruitful. As I cultivate this process of drawing and painting, I keep exploring new avenues to try. There are so many things to learn in creating a personal style. Even though I have reentered this effort after years of hard work in education, my dream is to become accomplished and successful. The challenge is to stay original, not reproducing ideas. There is so much already produced and I am compelled to remain true to my own style.

Line Drawings

It's so fascinating where art can take you when you try a new approach. I was reading about Zentangles on Maria Thomas' web page . She is an artist with amazing talent who created this concept. I thought I would try some zentangles on my own. Here are my results...

Pretty interesting, I think.

They may not seem so to the observer, but to me they are amazing.

When I tried at first, I started with the heart and added the star as I reached that point in the design. My second attempt is what I call a fish - rather imaginative isn't it? The flowing lines of each of these made me think of a dress.

Because I'm experimenting, I may add some more details.

I'm not really sure where this will take me, but it's fun to find out.

Dolci

Here is the final product of my painting efforts.

I love the colors

and I'm really not going to add anything else.

I may or may not use it for my header.

I think I'll play some more before I decide.

I'm really glad that I finished it

My Header

Well, I did a painting for my header, but...I don't think it's finished enough. Here's a preview:

The border needs some work, and I think the details can be better. I spent as much time on it last night as I could. I went to Yoga and had to go to Staples for my Hubby. Those breaks actually gave me some time to get a fresh look at everything.

It's ok, but not quite what I envisioned. If anyone reads this, please let me know what you think. I can redo it, or use parts of it in a new composition or even a collage.

Right now, I'm going to the store for some groceries. Later, I'll approach it again with fresh eyes.

For now, I have placed one of my favorite photos from last summer in the header.

I'll be back.

Wishes

Jamie at Starshyne Productions has prompted us to think of how we wish to play.

Here it is:

I wish that my day could be filled with the scent of spring as I

finish my new design.

I started a new header for my blog, Dolci.

It's time to finish.

I want it to be sweet, juicy, and delicious,

Almost good enough to eat :)!

So I'll paint and play,

doodle and draw.

I wish to finish it by tonight.

Adapt

Originally, I had created this picture for Illustration Friday last week. Even though I'm a little behind or late, I decided to post it. It was interesting to think of a way to show how someone might anticipate the need to adapt if their bubble burst.
Life could become interesting for a while. The two characters from two different worlds might become friends and form an alliance. On the other hand, they might resent one another until they found common ground.

There might be a story worth exploring here.

Cynthia's Cottage Design

I just visited this lovely web blog. Cynthia is a Home Decorator and she is celebrating her first year of blogging with a give-away drawing. I've added a link to her blog so you can travel there with ease.
I think you'll enjoy the visit.

Away Again

I'll be away for the next week. My daughter and I are taking my Mom to Florida to visit family there. Access to the computer will be limited for us, since I don't have a laptop. My daughter has one and I've asked her to bring it so that we can register for our flight home. She uses it for work and she really doen't want to think about work while we're away.
I'm not sure when I'll even check email. So, things will be simple for a week.
Take care, friends.

Fairie Queen

Today I have spent most of my spare time creating this image. (After cleaning 2 bathrooms and vaccuuming the floors in my house. It still needs work, but I just wanted to post this version. I have been studying the artwork of Trina Schart Hyman. She did some amazing art for children's picture books during her career. I love the amount of detail that she brings to each of her subjects.
This may need more color, I haven't decided yet. Her proportions may be off a bit too.

When we come back from our trip to New Mexico, I may try something different either using her or another image.

My latest efforts

Here is my latest sketch of Marmalade. I finished this picture in my last art class on Tuesday. I cannot get over how different she is from my first efforts earlier this year. I'll just keep working at improving my art. It's such a great journey, full of surprises. I have another illustration (below) ready with more color.

Now I have to work on consistency so that she looks the same from one image to another.

IF Subtract

As the gentle breeze came along, the puffy seeds subtracted themselves from the flower head.

Otters

My Otter

This is a painting of my otter. I drew this from another source. I really wished I had used my dream image, but this is how I painted him/her.

As I mentioned, in my dream the otter was in a container. It was also much darker and very wet.

But I was excited to post an image of my dream to correspond with the last post. Maybe I'll be able to do another painting later after I get back from Boston today.

Dreams

Creative Every Day blog has provided a dream theme for March. In choosing to follow this blog, I really concentrated on remembering my dreams. Sometimes, all right most times, I forget my dreams. Suddenly, one morning, I had an unusual dream. I had found a container of water in a room. The room was cluttered with many objects. When I lifted the container, inside I saw what I thought was a large snake. It appeared to be dead. As I observed it for a few moments, it began to move. It was not a snake at all, but rather a furry creature. Itr lifted it's head and looked at me. Then it began to look around the room. A pet of mine in the room began to whimper. After a bit, the creature turned into a dark-haired boy. Later in the day, I mulled over the dream. I wanted to remember every detail in it. While I was looking at a picture book of mamals, I found a picture of a river otter. The head and body of the otter really reminded me of my dream creature.

A good friend of mine listened to my story. She explained that what I thought was dead, maybe a fear or hidden thought, was really sleeping and was now awakening. She found a reference in a book about animal totems, Animal Speaks, and sent me the info in an email.

The Otter: joy, playfulness, and sharing
Cycle of power: spring and summer

Otters awaken curiosity. They remind us that everything is interesting if we look at it from the right angle. They are playful and seem to have fun at what they are doing. Otters always have their homes close to the water. They usually have a large home territory around and in the water, and they usually mark their homes with a scent. Otters remind us to keep the inner child alive or to give birth to it. They remind us that life can be fun if we approach it with the right attitude. Otters are seldom seen alone. The adult otter has practically no natural enemies. They protect their young very well. They are agile and fast in the water, with the ability to out swim fish. Sometimes otters show up to help awaken the primal mothering energies and responsibilities. It can indicate a need to set up your boundaries within the home and define your feminine role.
If otter has surfaced in your life, it may be time to find some play time. Involve yourself in some creative activity. Do you need to awaken your inner child. Treat yourself to something special.

This has really intrigued and excited me. In many ways, the otter seems to reflect me and my thoughts, feelings and actions. I created a sketch and a watercolor painting of an otter.

Changes

They say, change is a good thing. Since I was in the mood and had finally uploaded some of my more recent pictures from my camera, I changed my profile picture. Then I had to revise my profile because my kindergarten picture is gone from view.

I wish I could get a better shot of myself. I'll work on it.

12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women

Secret # 6 Conquering Saboteurs


When I think of a saboteur, the word brings to mind several meanings. To sabotage work is to interrupt it or damage it in some way. A saboteur disrupts or harms work and efforts. At first I thought of all of the inner critics we all have as we create art, writing, music, dance, any attempt at expression. But, I have come to the conclusion that an even greater saboteur is time. Time is so valuable and yet, it can be absorbed so easily.


Today, instead of working on my illustrations for my picture book, I decided to create an image of how time pulls in many directions. When I tried to upload it to this post, blogger was unable to complete the task. Now, this is not a work of art. It is a cartoon of sorts but it is giving me grief! My time is so valuable to me and I resent the fact that I can't put my illustration on. I will try again, right now.

Here it is in all it's messiness. Trust me, it looked better before I scanned it
I think I'm better off photographing it. Next time I will. The scanner is not working as well as I expected.

An Award!

Alberta from Amusing Muses has given an award and I was a recipient! I am so honored and thrilled. Thank you , Alberta. You are a real phenominal woman.

12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women

MAGIC

I believe in magic. Not just the ordinary sleight of hand, but the kind of magic that emerges when my energy is moved. The first time I realized that I could create magic was a few years ago in my classroom. I found that the kids were wrapped up in our collective magic. They never wanted to leave (for the most part). This was powerful to me and I have reflected on it every chance I get.

This magic flows for me whenever I work. The flow grows and expands as I move my energy in creative persuits. Since I have been developing my art, my energy is expanding. When an element is added, magic grows. In many ways, it's like cultivating a garden. The magic of bright orange coupled with purple infuses energy into this photo.

Energy emerges permeating the composition with color. I can equate the art that I'm producing to this color composition. When I observe these combinations, I feel a sense of wonder and beauty. There is so much joy in these colors.
If this post is off topic, I am sorry. This is where my insight brought me.
I have been working on a picture book submission. I applied for a grant and now I'm researching publishers for my story and illustrations. These are some goals that I have for my art. With sheer effort and a little MAGIC, I'll move ahead.

My Photo Journal

I have just started a photo journal to store some of my photography. The URL is: http://janetsphotojournal7.shutterfly.com/ This is a lot of fun to use, and I hope to build it over the next few weeks to chronicle my adventures and dreams. I have been sitting at the computer for too long right now, so I'm going to get up and shovel some of the snow that fell overnight. It doesn't look like much, but it'll be nice to get outside for a bit.

I added a couple of pictures so this post wouldn't look so dull. These are from the cruise we took in November.