The Mountains were calling...

Tomorrow starts me back to routine as vacation comes to a close. So sad.  How will I ever be able to put in a full 5 days of work?  I mean really?!  So to share a bit with you a vacation for me takes me back to the mountains.

It will always find me heading up a gorgeous road to some mountain top. This time and most times it is Glacier Park in Montana.

The colors were beginning to turn making for a great colorful background.  However, the day we went it was cooler and rainy.  But that didn't make a whole lot of difference to me.  Such peacefulness resides in the mountains....always.
And with art supplies in hand I managed some time to sketch and on the flight home created this little gal.

Home is a good place also but could do without the heat and humidity hanging around.  And as always, my heart resides in the mountains!

A Little something new

Today I whipped up a small batch of bookmarks

These are fun and easy to make plus will make great little add ins with gifts.  Or maybe even make them into gift tags.  After all (dare I say), you know what will be here before we know it!
Then I played around with a different color scheme.  Of course I can't get away from pink but was fun to play around in black and white.

So another weekend is coming to a close.  Hope you enjoyed yours and got creative!

Paint, Projects & Play!

Hello weekend!  Fortunately, mine starts today.  After spending 2 hours pushing a lawn mower last night I've not exactly hit the floor running today.  Sleeping in was first order of the day and it felt good.  Not going to feel guilty.  I've got nothing but studio time and art on my plans this weekend.   I just finished up this collage in my art journal/sketch book which was really quite fun and refreshing to create.

A combination of magazine, paper, paint and doodles it was fun to not over think and play in my journal. Now laying on my studio table is a blank canvas.  I'm about to get underway on that plus I have a bit of a project I'd like to start.  That being my index card file.  Don't know if you have one but I use it to keep website info., account info., anything I may need to recall and have readily available.  Alphabetical to organize I believe it is calling out for some color, and clean up.  So a playful weekend is on my agenda.  Hope you are planning the same!

Linking to: Paint Party Friday

New Art, Ideas, and Chaos

New Art:
I've been putting finishing touches on art that has been waiting patiently for it's final attention.  I've got more to go, which is a good thing, but all in time.  Here is just a couple to share with you.

This little collage angel got her face today after laying for about a week waiting for her attention.
And then this started as a flower doddle on a scrap of canvas paper.
One thing led to another and it ended up much more than just a flower doodle! 
Ideas:
This is an area in general that I have to get under control.  Have you ever had so many things rattling around in your head that none of them get the attention they deserve?  Well that's what I've got going on.  Remember  all that "organization" I showed you in a few posts back?  Well the contents of all those journals and binders is going to go under some severe scrutiny.  Prioritize and execute!
Chaos:
Running right along side of the pending ideas is my thinking I can do it all!  Well newsbreak......I can not!  You know the saying, "run your own race"?  Well not only that but run it in your own time too!  Eliminate the chaos of trying to keep up with what?  The latest thing we have seen on Instagram, or someone's blog, or Facebook post?  The nifty newest look or thing published in our favorite magazine? 
I can look at half dozen websites or blogs and immediately think I should re-do mine because I liked the way another looked. Business cards the same way. AAhhh we have to love the internet and all things shared.....constantly....and unceasingly.  Does anybody work anymore?  I mean really?!

I'm soooo organized

So much so that I could possibly be unorganized.  Just look at this on the table. 

One binder and 3 journal notebooks. And not the kind you draw in either.  Yes, total that to be 4 note taking, idea jotting, plan making books.  Redundant? Why that might imply not being organized! So the weekend plan was to combine, clean up and well get my organization hmmm.....organized?
Well you can rest easy its 5:30 on Sunday and haven't even touched them.  But I'm still organized right?  This is a rabbit hole we shouldn't go down any farther.
But, before we do that take a look at this.

I'm thinking this would be a very nice replacement piece in my studio.  I took a picture of this back at Christmas time when at World Market.  I'm sure this would help studio organization as well!  Maybe my husband can make me one just as soon as he gets done with my Shasta studio camper.  (He's organized too by the way!)
So with the weekend slipping away ever too fast I salvaged this poor girl.

I had to repair her face after erasing a hole right through the paper. Gasp!  That was a first.  Obviously I couldn't get her face the way I wanted it. Here I am in the repair stage.

So generally not overly pleased still with her face after doing patchwork so this little gal may re-appear later down the road.  She will have had an absence imposed by the seclusion necessary to  recover from major face surgery again. Or she may just loose her head all together and start anew. 
I better jot this to-do in one of my journals......................

Happy Easter!

Hope you have a very Happy Easter!

Quick Journal/Planner

So all the rage seems to be making journals.  A noble and worthy cause IF you have the time.  It would be fun to start from total scratch but when time is of the essence one has to revert to Plan B.  Which is either buy one from someone who has all this crazy time or do what I'm doing.  So follow along......

Step 1-  I purchased at Michaels (on a crazy sale of buy one/get one so total 10 bucks for two!) a journal type of book or planner that allows for adding and replacing paper as you make the journal yours.

These have a nice thick twine style binding.  These particular journals are Recollections brand canvas journals.  The outsides are canvas material with brownish blank paper inside.
Again start with something you can make your own by adding and replacing paper on the inside either with refills you can purchase or your own.

Step 2-  Make some tabs to create separators.  i.e.  goals, reminders, websites, to-do lists

I took a piece of white card stock and put down some paint and dragged it across in a strip.  Cut out the tabs then glued them onto a second back piece of card-stock to give them extra strength.  These are now ready for me to label and attach onto paper edges throughout my journal/planner.  I'm simply stapling mine to attach.

Step 3- I intend to use this as a Planner and semi-organizer/note keeper so I went into Excel on my computer and created a calendar layout.  Generic in nature so I can number and complete each month rather than make 12 separate layouts.

I loosely laid one blank one in the journal to mark where I needed to punch my holes plus cut it down to size. Hand numbered in the dates with the Month on top.  These are now ready to go inside and be used.

Step 4- Inside the front cover I taped an envelope to create a pocket for putting loose things.  Using double stick tape I simply adhered it onto the inside and embellished with a rub-on.  I called my pocket "observations"  as I am forever writing down websites or little things I need to look up or re-look up on the internet on little bits of paper. This would make a great envelope for receipts as well.

With just these few steps you are rockin' with a new journal or planner!  Make it elaborate or simple and this is way less time obviously than creating the entire thing.  Here are a few more pics. 

 

Hello Spring

This is of course a favorite season of mine.  The fresh smells of Spring and all things blooming.  It really is a pretty time of year.  So far though there has been very little sunshine and a lot of rain and dreariness. 

Umbrella Girl

So the umbrella has been close at hand and well used.  The winter and now the wet start to spring has slowed progress down on the rolling studio project.

I had hoped to share some real progress pictures with you by this point. Today it's actually too muddy to get out to it!  But, the interior has been gutted and a serious plan of action has been made and marked out on the walls.  Yeah! 
Stay dry and stop to smell those spring flowers!!

Winter = Studio time

Winter continues and it has been quite a week here in Texas!
Monday no work.
Tuesday I have to be driven in a 4 x 4 to get to work.
Wednesday & Thursday all good but cold.
Friday a repeat of Monday.
Saturday just more of the same.
One thing about art is it keeps you from being completely stir crazy.  I have things to do!

 Instead of giving second life to a canvas I gave a second life to this wood block.  I painted over the previous art I had on it and then added the flowers.  The flowers are out of paper and nail polish.
Yes, you read that right.  I can't take credit for this method as I stumbled across this from Carla Sonheim  awhile back and finally gave it a go.  Here is a link to a little tutorial she shared. 

Then I've been working on several new pieces for prints and other things.  I've got several more posted on my website homepage.  And now I'm going to continue work on a canvas I started Monday, the first winter day at home.  If you want to see it check out my latest Instagram post.
So I have been busy!  Winter isn't so bad after all. :)
Hope you are keeping warm.

Valentines

Friday Post...better late than never

Happy PPF to all.  Yes, I'm waaaay late but I have a good excuse.  Since vacation time seems to be eluding me this summer it was time for a mini vacation.  Overnight somewhere....anywhere!  Away from tv, dogs and puppies, responsibilities in general.  So off to the casino it was.  Had a really good time and what a wonderful change of pace.  But home now and all those things I escaped from.  Well, not a one is gone upon my return.  All those delightful and not so delightful things that make up daily life are waiting with open arms.  Sigh.

So, I'm really not a liar.  I had promised to show my big project.  But, I don't have a picture to show you.  Correction.  Have one but I can't get off my phone anyway.  And quite frankly, too tired to get another device and get one taken now.  Yawn.....  Hopefully next post.  I know, I know, thats what I keep saying but really I will get it done!

In meantime, here is what is on my studio table at the moment.  Just finished her this afternoon, well evening now.

Thanks for stopping by and happy creating this weekend!

I've been up to....

Spring flowers and planting and dirt.  Glorious times!

Sadly I don't have a better picture than this. Given the technology you'd think I could at least show a good picture. Ha!
Anyway, again not that this picture shows or does justice but after a $200 trip to Lowe's yesterday the back patio has flowers, the front porch has flowers, and I've still got a table full that I don't have containers for.



 

I've also finished my first art journal book of 2014. Yeah!!
I think I did 3 last year.  Not sure, but this year I've now got number one in the bag.

So journal number 2 is ready to go!

 

 And lastly......found a great old book with thin and wonderful paper that made for a great surface for

this watercolor and marker picture.
I can't wait to do more with the pages from this book.

Have a great week!

The joy of spring

It is coming right?!  Can't honestly tell right now but I'm sure we will be in full bloom soon.

I've been busy with new art to share soon.  My addiction to pens has not cured as I just picked up a couple new ones to try at the store yesterday.  Plus I've been doing more watercolor than ever before.  Having some serious enjoyment with those.

While I've always been drawn to canvas I've never been completely satisfied with the results. Whereas give me a pen, or marker, or generally a paper surface and I'm more pleased with my art.  So naturally I think that explains my gravitation to watercolors.  It's good to play!  Especially with art supplies.

Since my last post....

A lot has happened in an otherwise quiet life.  As I mentioned in earlier posts my stepfather was having health issues.  We laid him to rest a week ago.  My mother had an 80th Birthday this week. (Breath)
In between and during those two events, I still worked, a very busy workplace right now, have had a touch of sickness myself which has clung for about 2 weeks & equal number of visits to the doctor, a household to care for(somewhat neglected), and very little rest. Sigh--
  

All of this takes a toll on my precious and cherished day in and day out lifestyle.  And when you love creating art, it has suffered right along with me. I generally create, journal, something on a daily basis.  When that pattern gets halted it is sorely missed.  Finding that inspiration and creativity while pushing other things aside that need attention and time is hard to do.  But it is the creating art itself that brings me relaxation, peace and comfort.  Coupled with an already strong faith, (and a few days to sleep in, haha!), I'm back in the saddle so to speak and look forward to painting a new canvas piece this weekend.  Of course that is after I work on taxes......I digress!!
Happy PPF!!

Happy Valentines

 Its' Valentine's Day and I wish you all a Happy day!  Thank you to those whom have offered nice words and prayers lately.  Such nice friends and acquaintances one can find in art circles.  Have a lovely Friday and weekend.

A Rough start

Unfortunately this new year is getting off to a bit of a rough start.  Family members having some health issues and problems and that is just never a good thing.  While I started a painting last week I haven't had the chance to finish it yet so hope to post it next post.  I have however been in the art journal/sketch book so have a couple of things to share from there..

Both of these are sometimes easier said than done.  Which is why I probably needed reminding as I did them! :)   Until next time.....

2013 in the rear view

It's about gone. Finished. In the record books. What of my 2013 goals did I accomplish?  Well....most but not all when it comes to art.  A noticeable effort and some success was achieved with the 2013 list.
In review it had for me the following:
1) Create more....everyday I can. --  Did it!
2) Take time to submit to get published.-- Back onto the list for 2014 as I didn't even try.
3) Try new products and explore.--  Did it!  And of course back on the list for 2014 and thereafter!
4) Work on existing blog and create a website.-- Did it!  This too is ongoing.
5) Set up and sell on Etsy.--  Did set up my store but have not put effort into stocking or working it.
     I know Etsy is "the place" but not sure I agree to begin with.  I'll re-access the storefront thing into
     this new year.
So all in all not too bad given the time I actually have to devote to my art.  I am pleased with the journal dash sketchbook dash mixed media art I've done this year in these books.

I've done 3 complete books, tags, and a bit more this past year.  I LOVE the mixed media books.
For me they create finished pieces, along with ideas to build upon or take further another time.
LoVe, LoVe, LoVe!
And so as we all head into 2014 I'm excited about ART!  Who couldn't be?  So I leave you with my last two entries recently done in my third book.

Wishing you the best in 2014!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! 

                                                           Christmas here we come!!

Always Thankful

So Fall has quickly turned to Winter here.  Wet, cold and ice in the forecast for tonight. Yuck and more yuck!  I've been down with a very nasty cold for a week.  The kind that you soldier through all week, accomplishing nothing more than the have to do's.  My art has suffered as well.  Just last night felt like picking up the art journal for first time.
There seems to be much going on around me ...affecting me.  Family in the hospital, Thanksgiving could be an iffy proposition, not to mention a daunting task for what will be last minute execution if it is a go.  Work of course.  And this is beginning to sound like a lot of whining!  But not really.
In all things be Thankful and I am always thankful!  Things work out, get done (or don't), and the sun rises the next day.  So if you are a bit harried already with holiday happenings or just life itself keep this in mind.

Doodle Houses

My art time this week has been limited to "couch art" which means if I can't do it in the studio its done on the couch.  This sounds like a relaxing atmosphere where I can loose myself in creating, and to some degree it is obviously.  But, when you factor in the hoarder like collection of assorted pens and pencils strewn about my perch and a dog who instinctively knows when I've found that perfect comfort spot then knowingly decides it must be the perfect time to want something....treat, outside, rawhide, general attention, etc.  It can actually be a trying feat to produce worthwhile and pleasing couch art!
If you are a dog lover, as I am, you wouldn't have it any other way though.
So this week I doodled some artsy houses in my journal book.  Have you doodled lately?