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

Monday, July 14, 2014

Art Journal Entry 05 - Missing my Dog


Animals have been inspiring artists since the first cave paintings of deer and bison — and pet cats, dogs, birds, and others have continued to aid creativity with their beauty, humor, companionship, and cuteness.



David Hockney is a painter, printmaker, set designer, and photographer who is based in London. He was an influential member of the “pop art” movement in the ’60s. Hockney is a synesthite — in his case, he sees colors when music is played. At age 75, Hockney is still an active artist, as he has been for almost 60 years.

His dachshunds, pictured above with him in front of their many portraits, are named Stanley and Boogie.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Inspired by a Quilt

While the canvas is drying I'll start the collage material. 
Of course I'll be drawing with my 
BALL POINT PENS - what else!


 I am drawing designs with a black pen and a red pen - Zentangle Designs
Then I'll cut them into 2" squares 
so I can build a paper collage quilt.

Ball Point Pens and Zentangles - what fun!

Monday, July 7, 2014

Art Journal Entry 04 - GRATITUDE


Be Grateful for the GOOD DAY
Be Grateful for EVERYDAY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ
Gratitude: Louie Schwartzberg at TEDxSF

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Blind Sided by the Muse

So - I'm plugging away - trying to finish a few paintings I started weeks ago. 
The Inspiration is not there and it feels more like a chore. 
But my mantra is 
WORK WORK WORK 
no matter what. arrrrrrrrgh!
Then without warning I am 
blind sided by my Muse.

 I'm looking at a book from 1997 about Art Quilts and there is one quilt that just captures my attention, 
I keep going back to it,
I love the design and the colors.
I can see a mixed media piece in my Minds Eye evolving from this inspiration.
The old paintings get tucked to the side and I start on this inspiration. 
Since I am not prepared as far as the supplies are concerned, 
I dig out a painting that needs to be recycled.
 It was originally a collage, so when I paint it with the black gesso, there is a lot of texture.
 I add more texture by collaging a few used
coffee filters and tissue paper.


 Then I add another layer of watered down brown and black paint. 
My base is done.

2022

   Merry Christmas