Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Journal

Writing advice from Kathi Appelt, Poet, Author, Teacher

Keep a Journal . . . a place for catching all your thoughts and sometimes your dreams.

It's often the first place the idea for a new project occurs. There are no rules about what to write or draw in your journal, sometimes you will be surprised by what shows up.


Monday, March 28, 2011

Writing tips from Kathi Appelt

"Spring Into Action: A Day for Writers and Illustrators"
Saturday, March 12, 2011 - SCBWI MD/DE/WV regional conference

Find seeds of stories in your own life, because that's what we know best and feel the most strongly about.
"Write to the hole in your heart."
Kathi Appelt,
Poet, author, Teacher




Thursday, March 24, 2011

Painting Light Houses

Once I finally made the time -
These four tiny paintings were
 done pretty quickly!

3.24.2011

Monday, March 21, 2011

Back to the To-Do List

I still need a few more paintings for the Gallery. Again, I am painting in a series. No thinking involved, pick a subject, use it on more than one canvas. Another advantage, you can use the same paint on all the canvasses. I am painting small - very small - 4 x 4" and 5 x 5" - I can put all four canvases in from of me and use the paint on each one.

I am re-using canvases, ones from my stash of supplies. A New Years Resolution accomplished! The textured background was applied last year. First I will get rid of the white canvas - I prefer a colored background, makes me feel like I've already started and I'm half way done!
3.21.2011

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Painting in a Series

Finished, the series of Florida Canal paintings.

These (3) paintings are perfect for the gallery.
Small and Affordable.
By developing this cohesive group, for the
gallery, it gives them the opportunity to better
represent me by being able to show a
group of paintings with a recognizable
style and a collective visual impact.

But, I'm not done yet,
I need to paint
(3) more gallery paintings!
Then back to my To Do List.

3.17.2011




Tuesday, March 15, 2011

I just had to share the comment from Heather Powers (http://heatherpowersart.com/)


"Have fun using up your supply stash - that's a great idea. "


One of my 2011 resolutions/goals was to use up my existing supplies before I bought more.

Heather, I'm sorry to say, I have failed, and as we speak, Dick Blick is laughing all the way to the bank!


Monday, March 14, 2011

Painting in a Series

During the 1890's, Claude Monet worked on series of paintings; Landscape with Poplar Trees,
Haystacks on a Field, and the best known,
the Facade of the Rouen Cathedral.
During this time he painted the cathedral more than 30 times.

 

3.14.2011



Friday, March 11, 2011

A Day for Writers and Illustrators

"Spring Into Action:
A Day for Writers and Illustrators"
Saturday, March 12, 2011

Saturday I'm attending the SCBWI MD/DE/WV regional  conference "Spring Into Action" at The Bishop Claggett Retreat Center in Buckeystown, Maryland.

As always, I will return with reams of  notes, new ideas, suggestions, and gobs and gobs of inspiration and motivation.
By Monday, when I'm still reeling and ready to write or draw, I'll be heading down the road to my day-job, my bill paying day-job.
But, as always I will stop and buy that illusive winning lottery ticket and dream of the day when I can get up on a Monday and head to my studio, and do what I want to do.
Dreams are the stuff that keeps us going!




Thursday, March 10, 2011

Painting in a Series

Painting in a series sets limits by serving as a starting point for creativity. It is an effective way to keep my creative energy sustained and focused. Since I am experimenting, the need to create a masterpiece is put aside leaving me free to play - which could yeild extraordinary results.

These canvases will only be painted with acrylic, but as I paint these, my mind is thinking of other possibilities using the same subject. I'm visualizing a larger canvas, acrylic, tissue paper and fabric.
3.10.2011

Monday, March 7, 2011

Painting in a Series

I've started my series of Florida Canal paintings.
By focusing on the same thing on three different canvases, I am able to leave room for my mind to be creative. You would think this would be boring, but through that boredom, I become more observant and fluent in developing alternative ways to paint the subject.

I've decided to abstract it with fractures, changing the light and color in the dissecting areas.
3.3.2011

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Number 1 on the To Do List

Here are my three sketches for paintings. I checked out my stash of canvases. One of my 2011 goals is to utilize the supplies I have before I buy new stuff - so my only choices are 6 x 8 canvas board and 18 x 18 stretched canvas. I think I will start with the little canvas board, just to see if I like these designs rather than starting with the large canvas. However, today at the store I found some fabulous fabric, the perfect color of the water.
Already my mind is awhirl with mixed media ideas - and glue! 


3.3.2011

2022

   Merry Christmas