Sunday, December 28, 2014

The Pin Cushion Art Journal painting

I like pin cushions. Can't explain why. Since I was very young and my Mom taught me to sew, I've liked pin cushions. I could never understand how anyone could keep their pins in a box. Even a pretty box. The pins belong stuck in the cushion. Out in the open for all to see.



And not just any pins - I must have the pins with the colored balls. All the colors. Shiny. Happy faces.

I ponder my pin cushion painting. The red strawberry pin cushion.

I favor the checked support for the pin cushion to sit on. A woven background. Maybe. Or a quilted background. A nine patch would be lovely.

And pins. All the colors. With HAPPY FACES. For fun.



Friday, December 26, 2014

LEO art Journal painting



I have in my mind's eye a series of painting with the look and feel of a journal. I see painting, collage, lots of drawing and words. The drawing part is the easiest. The words are more difficult. Verbal sharing is one of my many weaknesses. But I feel the need, the tug to put it on paper or rather, put it on canvas.

LEO is the first painting. Leo is my zodiac sign so I want to start with the most allegorical painting first. I layer the canvas with paint, glazes, tissue paper, wall paper, painted paper and paper bags. The final layer are the words that describe a Leo - the words describing me. I paint the words with a thin brush and ponder each word as I lay it on the canvas. Devoted. Creative. Egotistical. Controlling. I mix the good with the bad, the Yin and the Yang. 

I draw the masks on Bristol Board paper with ball point pens, black, brown and orange. This is the part I love - the drawing. I take my time and loiter.

 The scrabble tiles are inspired by a gift from a dear friend. The Leo tiles add up to the number 3.  In numerology "3's" are imaginative, optimistic, artists, extravagant, vain, complainers, the list goes on.

Funny how the numerology descriptions are the same as the zodiac. I can't escape who I am.

I collage my own drawings with the rest of my collage painting. I blacken the eyes so the viewer can't see into my soul. I've already revealed more than I am comfortable with, What remains in there - is mine alone.


I put the painting on the shelf. I will come back to it. The need to distance myself will benefit my appraisal of it. 
I know it needs some changes as I do personally. But now is not the time.



Monday, December 15, 2014

Art Journal Painting - Leo

My First Art Journal painting ~ LEO. 
I've prepared the canvas with layers of colors and collage.


 Tissue paper with stars, wallpaper with jungle ferns, papers with handwritten words, and layers of acrylic glazes.

I researched the good attributes and the not so good attributes of a Leo and painted these words on the background.
 

Then I went to work on the Leo masks which I created with ball point pens and bristol board. These will be collaged on the painting.



Thought I would use Scrabble tiles to show the LEO in my painting. 
Who would have known that Leo Meme was only worth 3 points!!
.
T




Friday, December 12, 2014

Art Journal Paintings

Busy busy busy working in my Art/Visual Journal.
 I have discovered that many of my pages lend themselves to becoming paintings. So - my next project - my next body of work - my 2015 project -  will be Art Journal Paintings. The first one I've begun is a semi-self portrait in the broadest sense. My Zodiac sign is Leo and that is what I've based this painting on. Here are the Journal pages that inspire the painting.


I started with a mask. Anytime I think self-portrait, I think of using a mask. 
What a better mask than my own LEO.


Along with LEOish sketches, I've added some attributes of the LEO. Some I can be proud of, like Generous and Loyal. Others are embarrassing but oh so true, like Pretentious and Vain. It's the Yin and Yang making me a whole person!

This is a self portrait from 2008 ~ the beginning of the LEO mask.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Steampunk Paintings

Finished.  You can see these in person,
 this Saturday, Nov. 22nd
 at the Studio 234 Gallery, in York PA.





My little Steampunk paintings.
I don't know that I'll ever do an entire steampunk painting again ~ but I will incorporate this style in my future work.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Steampunk Painting

Getting out of my comfort zone gives me a sense of freedom.
This is something  I am not familiar with, so
the expectation for perfection is not there.
I am free to experiment and just have fun.


 These are small paintings, 8 x 8", gallery wrapped. The design is conceptual, thinking in terms of gears and metal is a challenge for me ~ 

Monday, November 10, 2014

Steampunk

Steampunk ~  a new genre - at least it's new to me - that I am so very attracted to. The artwork just captures your imagination ~ the sculpture is so creative ~ and the jewelry is just to die for. So , not to be left out, I've decided to try my hand at a little bit of Steampunk - a very little compared to what's already out there!!





artwork by Vladimir Gvozdev


Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century. Steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Don't Live Somebody Else's Dream


Thought of the Day: 
DON'T LIVE SOMEBODY ELSE'S DREAM.

Dear Ones -
I found this picture today that my husband took of me in 2011, doing research for THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS. This photo captures exactly what I did for three straight years. I sat in a chair, reading books about botany, evolution, abolition, women's history, missionaries, Dutch 18th century commerce, and more...in order to fill my brains (and index cards) with enough information to write that novel.


There is no situation in which I could possibly be happier than this — submerged in the vocation that I love, vanishing for hours a day into my work.
Un-showered, greasy hair, eyes tired, totally falling down the rabbit hole of research...this is me, living my dream.
I was thinking today about all the other paths that I did not take in life, no matter how shiny and appealing they may have looked. I've had the possibility of living so many different kinds of life that could have been a dream for somebody else. I never choose those lives. I've never lived the dreams that other people wanted for themselves — nor have I lived the dreams that other people may have wanted for me.

I never had children...because that's somebody else's dream.
I never took the opportunities that were offered to me after the success of EAT PRAY LOVE to have a TV show of my own...because that's somebody else's dream.
I never took a good steady job teaching writing at a nice college...because that's somebody else's dream.
I didn't remain in Bali or Rome, gorgeous as those places are...because that's somebody else's dream.
I turn down 99% of the invitations I get to attend to fancy parties and stellar gatherings...because that's somebody else's dream.
I sold my big beautiful house with its fabulous gardens and lovely library...because one day I looked around at that gorgeous home and realized: "This is somebody else's dream." (Happily, I sold the house to the family whose dream it actually was. So we all win.)
I never hired a team of personal assistants and staff and consultants to help me "grow my brand"...because that's somebody else's dream.
I know what makes me come to life — working on my books — and this picture tells the whole story. Knowing what makes me come to life has helped me to distinguish between my dreams and the dreams of others.
WHAT MAKES YOU COME TO LIFE?
Ask yourself this question, whenever you are given any choice or opportunity. Ask: "Will saying YES to this path bring me closer to the source that brings me to life? Or will it take me further away?"
No matter how alluring, no matter how beautiful, no matter how sparkling and fancy and delicious — do not say YES to other people's dreams.
Do your own thing. Live in your own waking dream. Stubbornly.
Even if it means not washing your hair for a week. (ESPECIALLY if it means that!)
ONWARD,
LG


Thursday, October 30, 2014

Journal Entry - GET INSPIRED


Ways to Get Motivated When You’re in a Slump

But it’s not hopeless: with some small steps, 
baby ones in fact, you can get started down the road to positive change.
One Goal.
Find inspiration
Get excited.
Build anticipation
Post your goal
Commit publicly
Think about it daily.
Get support.
Realize that there’s an ebb and flow.
Stick with it.
Start small. Really small
Build on small successes.
Read about it daily.
Call for help when your motivation ebbs.
Think about the benefits, not the difficulties.
Squash negative thoughts; replace them with positive ones.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Learning a new Medium

I'm starting a new adventure - learning a new medium - OIL STICKS.
I saw some paintings earlier this year, created with Oil Sticks, and I really felt the tug to give them a try. I was weaned on oils, but I have not painted with them for over thirty years. How hard could these oil sticks be.



 I did my research - there is little out there on them. Very basic stuff. They claim you could draw with them, that tugged me. They claimed you didn't need a brush - that tugged me. They claimed you could blend right on the canvas, and that tugged me.

What was I thinking?


Not only had I forgot everything I ever knew about oils and had that to contend with - I added this new medium to the mess. My only saving grace is that I'm not doing this for anyone to see - no gallery - no exhibition - no class - just me and this glorious mess.  MUD - I made mud. I am so used to acrylics drying immediately. This stuff stays wet forever and longer. 



I can see where these sticks would be fabulous if I were doing an abstract. And I think I will try that next. But, these simple landscapes are another story. 

It's exciting to start at ground zero - with no expectations - and no where to go but up.


Thursday, October 16, 2014

Art Journal - wishing I could make beautiful art


There is one moment, in the first few seconds, when you look at a piece of art and know that you love it. It’s the moment when, if you’re an artist yourself, you look at it and feel a rush of uplifting inspiration… and total soul-crushing jealousy all at the same time. It’s when you walk away thinking, “Damn, I wish I thought of that."

 ~ The Jealous Curator, est. 2009

http://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/about/
Danielle Krysa


It's rather uplifting to hear those words from another artist. I have those feelings frequently.Those jealpus feelings just shut me down, making me feel inadequate and not worthy to pick up a brush.


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The Return of the Muse


This was my first Sabbatical from blogging and one of my longest absences from art. My Muse went on vacation. I lost interest in painting, drawing, even doodling in my art journals. I tried sewing for a while - and that became boring too. I almost packed up my supplies for the yard sale. But now the urge is returning, little by little. 

I think in my case, I get inspiration from networking - from being around other creative people. Listening to their ideas and dreams makes me feel part of a community not an island. Recently my involvement with my local art association nearly stopped and my summer was filled with taking care of family/parental issues. I think I need to be with creative people. Take a class. Sit in the gallery. They are my muse.


Now I have a few - quite a few - unfinished sewing projects. Along with a fortune in fabric and felt. I have discovered that when I am museless and without an art project, I tend to shop. Online. I really love the things people do with felt.
~ I think i will make a few Christmas ornaments and gifts.
~  Look for a new art project.
~ I did agree to a show in July 2015 - that should be inspiration enough along with the 2 galleries I should be providing for.
~ I should take a class
~ I should join the "Online Shoppers Addiction" group

Monday, August 18, 2014

Art Journal Entry 10 - BE AUTHENTIC


What is Authenticity

Put simply, being authentic is being the real you. It’s not that we ever lose who we really are, it’s just that through social conditioning and following cultural norms, we feel pressure to conform to the standards of others. Authenticity is when you are honest, genuine, and speak from your true self. It is not about compromising your values to be accepted by others and it is not about acting through a frame of fitting in with or impressing those around you.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Artful Life in the Garage

My Studio, located in the garage, is moving - I am moving it - to the downstairs garage. You're thinking - two garages? I know - crazy - huh. The upstairs garage is for the cars and the downstairs garage is more like a shed. The entrance is located around the back of the house and faces the back yard and the lake. So the view is great. And when the door is open, I won't have the passing cars looking in or the neighbors who wonder why our garage light is on at all hours of the night.



Anyway, I need to pack-up and clean-up and purge. Yuck. Good times. So the painting and drawing have been put on hold. But that's no excuse to not continue to lead the "Artful Life". I've moved my creative energies to the sewing basket, fully intending to make new bathroom curtains, when I was faced with my caboodle full of embroidery thread. Great colors - bright and primary. Felt flower petals already cut out. Vintage and fabulous fabrics. Just like my art  lots of texture and color and stuff going on. 



Thursday, August 7, 2014

Mini Lady bug collages


I had some Lady Bug drawings left over.
Not wanting to toss them - I found on home on two 
recycled 6x6 square canvasses.


Thursday, July 31, 2014

9 Patch Lady Bug Paper Quilt



Lady Bug Lady Bug
Fly away home . . .
 Lady Bugs crawling over my 9-Patch Paper Quilt,
twisted up in the Red thread
and helping to tie the four corners together.
All the drawings are original and drawn with ball point pens - 
red   yellow  and   black

Monday, July 28, 2014

Art Journal Entry 07 - Every One can Believe in Love



"Alfie"

What's it all about Alfie
Is it just for the moment we live

What's it all about
When you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?

And if, if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above
Alfie, I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in

I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed
You're nothing, Alfie

When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day Alfie, oh Alfie
What's it all about Alfie?

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Inspired by the Quilt


My "Nine Patch" collage is dry and ready for the finishing touches. You know I can never leave anything simple or plain - I have to add everything but the kitchen sink. I'm not going to fight what comes natural - so the collaging begins . . . 
.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Art Journal Entry 06 - Turn something Ordinary into Extraordinary


64 Ways To Turn An Ordinary Day Into An Extraordinary One


Fran Sorin

http://www.fransorin.com/64-ways-to-turn-an-ordinary-day-into-an-extraordinary-one/

  1. Give thanks for being alive before getting out of bed
  2. Smile at yourself in the mirror when brushing your teeth
  3. Wear an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself
  4. Read some passages from an inspirational or spiritual book
  5. Sit quietly and take some deep breaths
  6. Think of your day as an adventure
  7. Give your children hugs
  8. Eat a healthy breakfast
  9. Listen to music
  10. Go for a walk in nature
  11. Sing a song that you love
  12. Select a mantra to repeat throughout the day
  13. Break some rules                      
  14. Give flowers to strangers on the street
  15. Offer your seat to someone if taking public transportation
  16. Say ‘good morning ‘ to people you pass in the hall at work
  17. Think of everything that happens as a learning experience
  18.  Have patience
  19. Forgive yourself
  20.  Practice being non-judgmental
  21. Be agreeable rather than argumentative
  22. Stay calm under pressure
  23. Have faith that things will unfold perfectly
  24. Take time to ask someone how they’re doing…and mean it
  25. Listen rather than talk
  26. Practice compassion
  27. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables
  28. Learn something new
  29. Mix up your daily routine
  30. Check in with a friend to see how she’s doing
  31. Work at creating great relationships
  32. Don’t lash out at others
  33. Slow down when feeling rushed
  34. Take care of yourself
  35. Look at the bright side when things don’t go as planned
  36. Be playful
  37. Focus on the stuff that matters
  38. Put out positive energy so that you can attract it
  39. Do one thing at a time rather than multi-tasking
  40. Have fun
  41. Laugh
  42. Be silly
  43. Limit the amount of information you take in
  44. Take a time out from e-mails
  45. Do something you love
  46. Turn on music and dance
  47. Get out of your comfort zone
  48. Turn off your phone in public places (and while driving)
  49. Let drivers in a hurry pass you
  50. Give the pedestrian the right of way
  51. Buy fresh flowers
  52. Be inspired by someone
  53. Prepare a homemade snack for your kids
  54. Speak out when you see an injustice taking place
  55. Pick up litter
  56. Live your life as if it was your last day
  57. Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’
  58. Help a colleague who is overloaded with work
  59. Adopt the attitude of ‘it’s not what you do’ but ‘how you do it’
  60. Pause before saying something impulsive
  61. Trash your ‘to do’ list
  62. Volunteer for a cause you believe in
  63. Embrace chaos
  64. Practice humility

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Inspired by the Quilt


The Art Quilt that was so inspiring was mainly Yellow Ochre fabric on a field of black. The colors were striking. So, I've taken my 2" squares and given them a wash of Ochre.



The "Nine Patch" quilt squares are my favorite, so I've arranged my paper squares into "Nine Patch" squares

2022

   Merry Christmas