Artistic Vision

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I love taking classes and have chatted with a few people on that, recently someone asked me was I going to take a specific class. I am still on the fence about it. I am hesitant because I want to make sure I am finding me. Not someone else 's style. My own voice and artistic vision. As artist's I think we all search for that, even get frustrated over it. I really think that it is important to try new techniques, practices, classes, draw, paint, make messes, have disappointments in things we have made but ultimately not give up! Have you ever fought with your artistic vision? What do you love about your art in the moment? Let your instincts take over paint and write down these thoughts in your art journal maybe they will help you see your vision. When you take classes make sure to remember to keep true to you~

"The artist need not know very much; best of all let him work instinctively and paint as naturally as he breathes or walks."

Hummingbirds

*Callistemon or Bottlebrush bush by Theresa Huse click to enlarge
I went to the San Luis Botanical Gardens and I heard birds by this vibrant *bottlebrush bush. I couldn't see them. I waited and stayed quite. I don't have a fancy camera but I do have a setting for action shots. While I waited I took photographs of the bush, the sun shining on me was warm. My husband and daughter went ahead they didn't seem to notice why I stayed behind. Patience is a virtue. The little hummingbirds swooped down as if to scare me off but I didn't move and held my camera ready to get that perfect shot! I was surprised at some of the ones I had gotten.
I walked on after this and took more photos of other plants and even caught some photos of quail. When I brought my daughter back we held still and they came right up and fed in front of us. By this time my camera battery died. I was upset in the moment but thankful my daughter got a chance to witness the beauty of nature right in front of us. She managed to take a few shots with her camera I can't wait to pull them off and see what a budding 7yr old captured! There were several hummingbirds with red, green and iridescent colored chests. It was a beautiful outing~
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Simply Sunday

I love blogging and the sense of community I feel from it. I also love the fact that I feel it is a extension of my creativity. What do you enjoy about blogging? What do you love about your blog? Journal about what you love about your blog and blogging.

"It is better to create than to be learned, creating is the true essence of life." Barthold Georg Niebuhr

I hope you are able to keep your day simple and enjoy Sunday for all it holds for you. Join me next week for another Simply Sunday posting.

Inspired by Claude Monet

© Copyright 2010 Photographer: Roy Tennant, FreeLargePhotos.com Claude Monet
Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son, 1875
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon

What I love about being an artist is being inspired by art history. Claude Monet captured a moment in time with this painting just as if it was a photograph being taken. Somehow with the onset of spring I am longing to feel the wind, sit under a parasol and have a paintbrush in my hand. Maybe I will have to try and create a painting with a parasol, as I am truly inspired ~

Thoughts come clearly while one walks. ~Thomas Mann

You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be a vague idea. ~Pablo Picasso

Art Journal Pages "The Crucifixion"

Crucifixion was done to provide a death that was particularly slow, painful (hence the term excruciating, literally "out of crucifying").

My grandmother was a very religious person and although I do not practice her faith, I decided to do this page to honor her memory and her belief's. I decided to look up information about the Crucifixion of Jesus. I remember her always attending mass for Ash Wednesday and giving up things for Lent and being so happy about Easter and the celebration of Christ's rising from the dead. More about Jesus' s crucifixion - Here
Whether we learn of history and religion from our relatives, books or Internet it is something we can continue to use for inspiration in our art work. For me it broadens my thoughts, appreciation and understanding for all people and places.
What events in history interest you? What spiritual or religious belief's or holidays have influenced you? Have you used it for inspiration in your art or journal work? Who influenced your childhood? How?
Let me know, then consider journaling the topics in your art journal pages.

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances. ~Robert Flatt

Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless. ~Charles M. Crowe

I've Been Tagged - Photo Tag ( First photo file 10th photo)

I was tagged by the lovely Faerwillow at Serendipity. The story behind this photo. I was with my new camera in New York City visiting my oldest daughter (2006). I was still an awe struck tourist, although I had been there as a teen.The sites, history and then our Statue of Liberty. I took images of her as I walked up and then close ups. This was the 10th image! I think I filled 3 sd cards full of images. It was one of the most amazing trips! I have been taking photographs ever since and trying to learn from each one. I love digital.

The rules are as follows:

Open your first photo file

Scroll to the 10th photo

Post the photo and the story behind it

Tag Five more people.

so as it goes

a game is a game

and now you have been tagged

Artful Affirmations

Terri is an artist/crafter, writer and loves all things pretty and Marie Antoinette

Goddess Adornments

Summer Raven is a Jewelry Designer and loves natural stones. Her designs are beautiful.

Tumble Fish Studio

Marsha is a collage artist/ graphic designer

Her artwork and eye for designs are amazing!

Georgianna Lane

She is a photographer, writer, designer

Her floral and horticulture images are what I aspire to

GeramyUm

Amy is a watercolor artist illustrator and writer a delightful blog

Simply Sunday

Journal your dreams. You must believe in your dreams for them to blossom!
I got this saying in a fortune cookie; "If you can image it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it you can become it. " Positivity simply said!

The greatest dreams are always unrealistic. ~Will Smith

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~Les Brown

I hope you are able to keep your day simple and enjoy Sunday for all it holds for you. Join me next week for another "Simply Sunday" posting.

Happy St. Patricks Day

*You have to click on the picture to see the whole mosaic! The leprechauns have been here!

Having a wee bit of the Irish in me I thought I would share some green inspiration and quotes to carry you through your day! Maybe I'll put an Irish quote in my art journal today~ It would be fitting. Why don't you put your favorite quote in yours! So will it be a pint of beer or a Irish coffee? Or a green soda? What's your pick?

For 'tis green, green, green, where the ruined towers are gray,
And it's green, green, green, all the happy night and day;
Green of leaf and green of sod, green of ivy on the wall,
And the blessed Irish shamrock with the fairest green of all.
~Mary Elizabeth Blake

Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck. ~Author Unknown

Photo Credits: 1. Information......, 2. home of the fairies, 3. 13/03/10 - Bright, 4. Mushroom Green with Shadow and Light, 5. Alice is having her tea, 6. It's magic, 7. Forty Five: If Flannery O'Connor Had Choreographed 'Chicago', 8. climbing trees in stocking feet, 9. Day 161/365 : How gorgeously green is your thursday? ;), 10. Three Leaved Clover, 11. As green as water, 12. Green Power, 13. Logo in the Foam, 14. Green, 15. Green, 16. 167/365 Loud, 17. the entrance, 18. Green ink

Art Journal Creative Spirit Works With Hands

I found this saying "Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art" I glued it to my page. Then it evolved from there. I used papers, images, paints and pens. It is quite different from what I have been doing and I am not sure if I totally like how it came out, but I wanted to share it with you any way. Its all about experimenting and playing with different media. In my journals I tend not to throw out the things I don't care for. I just keep doing my art. It is good to look back at the growth, even if you aren't happy with every piece you have created. I am sure at some point I will cover or tear out pages I really dislike, shh don't tell anyone! Do you keep your journal pages you dislike? What about other art? Do you re purpose?
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams

Simply Sunday

Sometimes I avoid journaling my thoughts and only use images, but I will be sharing pages where I have been letting my words flow onto the pages. One simple thing you can do is just glue a few images down on your pages after painting a little background. First I took a paintbrush and dipped it in water keeping it only slightly wet for the outline around the pages. Then I used a dry brush with paint only slightly loaded and pulled it along. You can see the affect above. This has created spaces to write thoughts down. It is a simple technique you can try! I hope you are able to keep your day simple and enjoy Sunday for all it holds for you. Join me next week for another "Simple Sunday" posting.

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth

A Breath of Fresh Air

I am refreshed today. I feel like our walk down to the river did wonders. The earth has such gifts for us to enjoy, the beauty, finding earths treasures and the simplicity it offers yet is so complex if you take a closer look at it. I am grateful for how the outdoors can give you a breath of fresh air and renew your spirit. When is the last time you were able to renew your spirit? What things do you do to renew your spirit and creativity?

You've got to keep the child alive; you can't create without it. Joni Mitchell

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright. ~Henry David Thoreau

Feeling Blue

I have to admit I am feeling a little blue today even with all the sunshine streaming through my window. Why? I am not totally sure. But, Sammie gets out of school early today so maybe I'll change it up a bit, take a walk, play a bit and soak in some fresh air! A new look at my art and sit down to start fresh with more clarity. Do you ever just have one of those days? Meet you back here with a little bit of art and a smile. ~Theresa


Smile, breathe and go slowly. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Focusing on the act of breathing clears the mind of all daily distractions and clears our energy enabling us to better connect with the Spirit within. ~Author Unknown

Art Journal Pages Guide Me "Buddah"

I am always in awe of spiritual figures. The vast array of religious beliefs that can be had.
Spiritual figures remind us of humanity, our wish to transcend to another space when creating, to lead with your heart, to hope for a future beyond our physical world, to be able to reach for guidance and acceptance of our own selves.
I am truly inspired to do more spiritual art and angel art when I look to the masters of the Renaissance Period and other times.
What period of art inspires you? Have you done a spiritual inspired page in your journal?

" The artist has a special task: that of reminding men of their humanity and the promise of their creativity" Lewis Mumford

Life is the art of drawing without an eraser. John W Gardner

Simply Sunday

I always look forward to spring with all its glorious blooms in the garden and scents from every direction whether it be the air right after the rain, fresh cut grass, or flowers such as Narcissus or Jasmine. I found this quote with the author unknown but it captures the feelings of spring.
Be still my heart for in my garden is beauty and fragrance.
What are your favorite spring scents? What is your favorite flower in your spring garden?
I hope you are able to keep your day simple and enjoy Sunday for all it holds for you. Join me next week for another "Simply Sunday" posting.

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout

Spring On The Central Coast of California

Magnoli trees in bloom 45min south of Paso Robles
Flowers on the fields of the hills just west of Paso Robles
Coastal drive near the ocean near San Simeon
Bushes with Mexican Salvia in bloom right near our house

I wanted to share a few pictures from around our area to give you a sense of what spring views are like around here. We finally are having a year with a more normal amount of rain. Everything is green. So many things are starting to bloom. The past few years have been dryer and the fields turn brown very quickly. The summers heat starts in May and lasts until October. I always long to be closer to the coast for relief of the heat. We are 45 minutes east, distance wise that isn't a lot but temperatures can be 30* plus difference in summer (similar to that of Arizona at weeks at a time). Spring and Fall are my favorite times of year around our area. The temperatures are mild and you can enjoy the outdoors. I can't wait for a break in the rain to take my camera out and share some more photographs of florals and scenery!
What is are your favorite times of year? Do you enjoy photographing outdoors? Do you ever use your photographs for inspiration when painting?

Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter. ~Ansel Adams

There will be times when you will be in the field without a camera. And, you will see the most glorious sunset or the most beautiful scene that you have ever witnessed. Don't be bitter because you can't record it. Sit down, drink it in, and enjoy it for what it is! ~DeGriff

Adore

I am a dreamer. I have lot of ideas swimming in my head but I adore it when I start a painting and it just falls right into place. Sometimes it can be simple other times complex. I experiment quite a bit with different materials on my projects. Like this girl today I am longing, longing to get to my brushes and do what I love. Create with paints and wonderful treasures found or purchased. Yes I do love to find treasures whether found or bought and incorporate them into my painting. Sometimes I use scrapbook materials and use them in different ways.
Here I have taken pieces of a Making Memories kit and used components in my mixed media piece. It has been created on 1/8" wood.
I truly believe art has no rules and that is what I love about it. Art allows you to dream, experiment, make mistakes, and mostly to grow at what you love! So if you thought this could be for a Valentines post, well sure! But I adore it for today and what it means to me finding what I love to do and creating art!
What do you love about creating art? Are you a dreamer? What kinds of treasures do you love to use in your artwork?

Art is the colors and textures of your imagination. ~Meghan, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams