Color Inspiration & Pattern Design

Everything's coming up flowers~ 

Today I wanted to share with you my color inspiration, pattern design and where it came from.  Honestly I love doing floral arranging and for the wedding I used two styles. One set of table arrangements were a Rustic / Romantic style, with a natural flair in ball jars. The first photograph shows untrimmed, prior to flower heads opening with the pops of purple and when we were allotting how many flowers for each jar that we would need. The other style was more dramatic and with less flowers and curly wood branch added in a small modern glass rectangle jar. I promise to share some photos and details of those later. So without further adieu the photography, color inspiration, pattern design results.......

Image Credit Theresa Huse

This photograph shows what the flowers looked like when the heads were open and the pops of purple among the blush pastel colors were coming to life.

Image Credit Kelly Boitano

Now here is my color palette inspired from the wedding flowers. Many blushes surrounded  with the bolder colors from the mason jar and purple flowers.

Here is the pattern I came up using blush colors in the background with the pops of color. This might be great for fabric for a skirt, apron or even scarf.

Now if you love eye candy, you'll love this book Print and Pattern if you visit the link there is a flip video showing pages of the book. Swoon! This just may have me trying to make some hand made design patterns of my own.

What new projects would you like to try?

Journal Prompt "No One Should Be Like A Caged Bird"

This weeks journal prompt is continued  from my post on Friday.It isn't about making a page related to what I wrote.. It is about looking at found objects differently. I used old Polaroid film that I found expired from a yard sale camera the Mr. found for me. Maybe I will never have the film to work the camera, but I have used the expired film in my journal page and it will also be on my canvas when I rework the journal page onto canvas.

*Please note that in the previous post I in no way was indicating anything wrong with being stay at home mom. I am one. As is my second youngest daughter. You can read my response to a concerned reader, in the comments, should you read prior post.

 I took the expired film glued images on them then wrote and painted after writing on them.

Also you can use imagery not only from magazines but to cut out shapes to represent items from page content. I found an image of the rustic wood and cut an image of the women out of it. Then I used graphite pencil to enhance edges and blue paint on the outside. This was all painted over writing I had first done on the orange painted page. Later not shown here I outline the heart with wings with graphite pencil having it show up more.

I don't let rips, mistakes stop my process I let my intuition guide me

Sometimes imagery can tell a story

My ah ha moment with this piece is that you don't have to have the perfect cage door open, or the perfect image of a woman running painted, imagery can represent those actions without having to be that thing. Example the bird flying at her head representing freedom, being freed. The white on the cage representing a light of freedom, the shape of the woman in white with textures to simulate movement.
If you would like to read the full post of what this journal page was about just visit the prior post here.

 

 What ah ha moments have you had when painting or creating something?

Journal Prompt: for this week is for you to incorporate found objects into your journal page. Also not be afraid to use loose imagery to tell a story. Do not worry about rips, tears or making mistakes.

Food for Thought:

The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Anelou

Quote: Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. Maria Robinson

Journal " No One Should Be Like A Caged Bird"

Yesterday I sat down to paint a journal page in which seemed like it had been a long time. I looked through a few images and when I started I thought I would do a  journal page about my daughter's wedding, but as I was painting it was changing and being more about women, relationships and how things can get out of context.

I remember the era my grandma was from. Most women didn't learn to drive, they lived with their husbands, stayed home and raised their families. Although my grandma did do some work, she always made money from home but it wasn't enough to support herself. As I journal this that is part of  the happy part memory. She did have some money for her needs but ultimately she was a caged bird with no choice, no way to emancipate herself from a situation that was ultimately not good for her. Yes she loved her husband but he had issues that were not dealt with. At times he was very cruel to her verbally and down right scary at times. She stood up to that but never left. Luckily she was never hurt.

So what I am trying to say as I journal these thoughts is I am so happy we live in a day and age where we are more educated as women, have the capabilities to make it on our own and have a voice. We can stand up for ourselves and there are places women in need can get help. No one should be like a caged bird.

That is the title of my journal page No one should be like a caged bird and is written next to the image of the young lady. On the top left, but you can't see it in this photograph. Next to her, along side the bird cage I painted in white on the cage to represent the light / escape from being caged. The figure in the white with the bird represents her being freed. At the bottom of the page is a figure with a heart with wings. This represents listening to your heart and having the wings / guts to leave. The photo with the feet in boots with wires represent that even though things can get tangled that there is light there and that you can find a way out. On my page under that a voice says "No escape" yet on the side of my photo where it doesn't show in the photograph I took it says " Find One"

I could write so much more about this subject, but I chose to leave my journal and page as it  is, words unspoken. Luckily today you can speak the unspoken. There is hope you don't have to be imprisoned by any circumstance.

Today I am choosing to share this with my Paint Party Friday Friends as most are women. I hope to create a large painting from some of the concepts of my journal page. When I do, although it may not be right away I promise to share it when done. I know this is more of a somber subject but, as an artist I feel not everything has to be about something that is pretty. This will be a two part post and on Sunday I will have some journal prompt ideas posted for anyone who would like to create a journal page. Today I leave you with a quote I just read for the first time by Maya Angelou and the thought as she so puts, never stand on the grave of your dreams.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou
A free bird leaps on the back
Of the wind and floats downstream
Till the current ends and dips his wing
In the orange suns rays
And dares to claim the sky.


But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.


The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.


The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.


But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.


The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.

Purple & Green

This has been a week of unpacking, laundry and open house, but I saw that Inspiration Avenue was using a purple and green prompt this week. Knowing that I love both those colors I thought I would share a couple of purple and green photographs of flowers and one of my journal pages I did but originally wasn't going to share.You know a  journal page that is just so, so and just for you, but it fit the bill for this post so I decided to include it.

The one thing I love about the Mr. is he always comes to give me a kiss in the morning prior to leaving for work. 

 

White Sage is so beautiful when it blooms in the spring

 

I don't know who loves Rabbits Ear Lavender  more the bees or me? 

Lisianthus is what we used for a pop of color for the wedding flowers, the buds open to the beautiful flowers. 

Purple Kate Spade Shoes my daughter wore under her wedding dress I altered my photograph and gave it a green border

I had to sneak in a photograph from the wedding photographer Kelly Boitano just in case you want to see more purple and green & wedding photographs in a journalist style!

Then don't forget to pop by Inspiration Avenue there is still time for you to join in the fun prior to Sunday's deadline for this week or visit their blog to catch the list of participants to see what everyone else created for the prompt. Hope you drop by Sunday for some more journal art. I promise to share some painting as I get back in my little art space and creating again now that things are settling down from all the festivities of the wedding.  

 "But, luckily, he kept his wits and his Purple crayon." --from Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955)

 

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." --Pedro Calderon de la Barca, Spanish Poet and Playwright, 1600-1681

What is your favorite shade of purple or green? What color shoes did you or would you wear under your wedding dress? 

Pink Color Inspiration & Rustic Romantic Wedding

I have been drawn to pink lately, but until I looked up the meaning behind the color I never knew some of its color psychology. Did you know the color stimulates energy, encourages action and confidence? Most of the time when I think of pink I think of its youthful, lighthearted and passionate meanings.

And of course that is in the forefront of my mind right now with having just finished with Laura's wedding. I have a few photo's to share with you and a link to the photographers preview! Laura sent me the link with one word "Wow" and I must say you will be swooning over those photographs too! So when your done with the post hop on over to the link at the end of the post!

* These three photographs by Theresa Huse

Her sister Jenni who was her Maid of Honor wore these pink shoes!

Laura and Charles theme was Rustic / Romantic pink flower swooning

Soft, Sweet  and Shades of Pink / Sisterly Love

andi.vs.zf

Pink is a tint of red, or red with white added to lighten the color. Pink can also go red-orange (Coral) or red-violet (Magenta aka "Hot Pink").

I can see using this palette for painting

Source: weheartit.com via Theresa on Pinterest

After seeing myself in some photos and my dress I have to admit I am ready for some spring training to drop some weight I have gained. I am swooning over this pink bike with a basket full of roses!

                                                                        Source: weheartit.com via Theresa on Pinterest

The whole wedding week was magical, like pink glowing glitter sprinkled everywhere!

 Don't forget to visit FloryPhoto.com to see a preview of the special wedding I was part of. They are very beautiful! Kelly and her assistant Nirav did an amazing job!  Her sister Jenni did the makeup and hair *site in process. 

I made the banners, mustaches and table scape s, place-cards, signs and floral designs. Amy helped with the floral work and set up! The wedding was held at the BarnDiva, Healdsburg, CA.

Next week my color inspiration is coming from the bride's shoes purple! One of my favorite colors!  Now run over and take a peek at those pretty purple shoes, Healdsburg and the wedding preview! Ready, get set, "Wow"!! 


PS.There is a lot more to pink than meets the eye! To find out more visit Squidoo.com to find out more about this wonderful color, pinks meanings, brand identity and more interesting information. Now that I have my color inspiration I am off to paint.  

What shade of pink is your favorite? Do you know a fact about pink? Let me know your favorite wedding photo from Flory Photo.com of Charles & Laura's preview!

Journal Prompt & Super Powers

 Meet my character able to leap large bounds, tackle all items in from of her, always plugged in and focused while still maintaining her balance.

I gave her a super power feel. I added a plug to her brain to give her energy, used bold colors, her body references a bee. They are focused and to the point! And then I added bowls like a scale in her hands with an uneven yet balanced number of balls which represent no matter how different those items, they need to be balanced as not to tip the scale and she holds the powers to balance all things.

When I created this journal page I used my super power girl as a  reminder to myself. Now for this page it was a reminder to review or check my lists daily. Focusing on my top ten items, encouraging myself to be more focused and balanced for the things I want to create in my life.

This is the full journal page minus the edges.

 

Here the arrow meaning is reference to keeping your chin up, looking forward, staying on point.

Here is a close up of the plug and her cartoon like saying / thought of the top ten things.

For this weeks prompt create a journal page that is cartoon like. Have your super power person focus on something of meaning to you. I hope this inspires you to create your own cartoon character. As you can see from my close ups you don't have to do a perfect drawing or painting to have that feel for your page. Maybe even look up cartoon characters to draw or paint. It can be quite fun and refreshing to have a looser paint stroke and try a different style once in awhile. I didn't name my super powered girl. If you can think of a name for her leave it in the comments section.

As you can see I am taking a week for the wedding. I will be checking my emails and taking lots of photographs in the hopes of sharing when I get home. Until next time have a wonderful and creative week ahead. Don't forget to give creating a cartoon character a chance in your journal. 

Journal Prompt: Create a cartoon like character in your journal page. Write about their super powers.

 Quotes: The superpowers often behave like two heavily armed blind men feeling their way around a room, each believing himself in mortal peril from the other, whom he assumes to have perfect vision. Henry A. Kissenger *brainy quotes.com

Food For Thought: 

Photography

As promised on May 9th post I am sharing some more photographs and photo collages of our drive on May 7th. You can click on these images, open in another window and see them in a larger scale. The landscape photo's were taken while driving, just trying to get shots from the window.

We actually stopped and I took the photos of Sammie with the flowers on the beautiful blooming bush we found.

I had the Mr. stop the car so I could take photographs of this abandoned car. To me it was like a sculpture in golden fields.

As you can see from Sammie's expression, that this day was filled with happiness and we had lots to be thankful for on this day. Don't you just love days that fall into place without any set plans.

This last photograph is of some orange blossom honey, fresh strawberries and basil our local farmers market had. It had been the first trek to farmer's market this season. I know I am going to have to make it a point to go at least twice a month if not more. Glorious, fresh and organic produce! Yummy goodness.


Do you enjoy going to local farmers markets? Do you ever just head out to do one thing and just keep on going making new adventures?

Meandering leads to perfection. Lou Tzu

Ocean Drives & Teal Colors

Oh, how I wish we could drive up Hwy.1 but honestly sections have fallen into the ocean and will be closed for months between  north of us and Big Sir. That is OK though because it would add hours to our already five hour drive. Once we are around the San Francisco area and Bodega Bay area we may be able to slide over to the coast for that quick visit along the ocean coastal drive that we love so much.

Geoftheref

Maybe I love coastal drives so much because as a kid we were all piled into the vintage car for a long drives to the beaches outside of San Francisco and near Muir Woods. We would spend entire days playing in the cold surf, teeth chattering, soaked, clothes full of sand, towels wrapped around us and huddled in the backseat of the car waiting for the heater to warm us up on the way home.
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So these colors are near and dear to my heart. As a teen one year I painted my room a dark shade of teal. My mom said your not going to like it, maybe you should only do it on one wall. To her dismay I only painted the ceiling creamy ivory and all the walls teal. Although my bedroom isn't this color now, I have a bathroom wall and above the shower where the window is painted with the color teal. I have a lighter color on the other wall which reflects in the mirror and makes the room look larger. The tricks color can play.

So speaking of playing I used Colourlovers pattern designer and made this pattern of flowers from the color palette I made.

What colors inspire your art or memories?

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts. Marcus Aurelius

Photography Time & Central Coast, CA.

This weekend we took some time out for a drive, lunch and exploring on the California Central Coast. This week I will share with you some photography of the natural beauty found around these rolling hills of our inner coastline.

I have a great photo collage to share with you this week of these lovely flowers we stopped and took photographs of on our drive. They are on a bush does anyone know what they are? I so want to find out!

I was treated to a Mexican lunch. I don't know who was happier? Me or Sam ?

 I can't wait to share some photographs I captured while taking a ride to the restaurant the back way on our country roads.You can see we are still quite rural here on the Central Coast. This was actually taken out of the car window while driving, as a passenger that is!

I just published my May/ June newsletter but it isn't too late to sign up and receive one. I share some creative links to help with your art, color inspiration tools....Sign up is on the side bar. Then just leave me a comment with your email, or email me that you just signed up and I will forward it to you! Then for next time if you sign up on the side bar you'll be on the mailing list and automatically receive the newsletter! The newsletter is bi monthly and free! 

I came to the realization that this week is going to be finishing up details for the wedding, cleaning up so we can return to a clean house, double checking what we need and packing up for a five hour drive and seven day wedding filled week! And although I want to share some art with you I doubt that I will even get to sit down and create anything this week! But, I will have posts to share with you, from the teaser above! We actually went out on Saturday instead of Sunday.
 
What did you do this past weekend?

Happy Mother's Day & Journal Prompt "Motherhood"

This is a journal page that I created for transforming it into a card. This journal page is a reflection on motherhood.

Happy Mother's Day

Motherhood is a beautiful time. The entire process is so unique and everyone's experience is different. We can share our stories, lightening loads for those who have not experienced it but, until it is your moment you can only image.

It is important to cherish the little moments. Not everything is easy even if you have help. The flowers represent that is isn't always a bed of roses!

The most important thing I think as a  mother besides be loving, caring and nurturing is to have patience. Patience is a great gift. Patience is  needed so often in parenthood. With sleepless nights, as the child is teething, for the bumps and pains they experience and journeys  that continue into adulthood with listening and supporting the children who come to grow to adults. From the nest to seeing them fly off on their own you will use patience with them and for yourself. It can be one of the true gifts of being a parent.

In this collage close up of the journal page are showing just some things representing motherhood. The nesting, birth, cherishing your baby. The bird dropping hearts is a reminder to love them as time is fleeting and it goes by so fast.

For your journal prompt; If you are a parent create a journal page that reflects your experience. Or you can create a page with qualities you wish to have when you become a parent.
You can cut images from magazines that represent how you would like your life to look like with children or draw and paint as I did.You can also create a list of things you are thankful for or want to experience from parenthood; such as the help of family and friends, getting ready for baby, add in your personal experiences along the way...... Well, you get the idea. I hope you get a chance to create a page about your dreams of becoming a parent or what your experience as a parent means.

Journal Prompt: Create a page about becoming or being  a parent or motherhood/fatherhood * see ideas above

Quotes:
God sends children to enlarge our hearts, and make us unselfish and full of kindly sympathies and affections. Mary Howitt
An aware parent loves all children he or she meets and interacts with—for you are a caretaker for those moments in time. Doc Childre, A Parenting Manual

Food For Thought:  This is a great book. I received as a present when I had Sammie. It has stories to read to the little ones, poems, music with children songs, recipes, how to make paper items, stamps and more. Its a chunky book of 348 pages, at least my copy is. I haven't seen the new addition in person.

The Little Big Book for Moms

Making Time To Create

Yesterday I got to the point where I had to make some creative time happen with paint. I had been feeling like it was too long since I picked up my brushes. There has been so much going on for the wedding, but I needed to sneak in some time for me, my art, my clearing house of letting all go and just being in the moment and creating. I needed this no matter what the outcome of my short session with my paints would be!

Here is the outcome of my creative time.

The tag is something I saved from a flating iron that was purchased. I painted sections over it so its colors would match in with the painting. On the tag it says Glamour, just under it for straight finish /processed hair.
I found the tag in my stash of papers after making my curly haired girl and found it ironic and that is when I added it to my painting.

The two images on the top are pior to adding inks and changing the background slightly.

I wasn't sure if I was done I decided to add inks in the background and see where it went. 

 

Today and over the next week I hope to make a little more time to create as in the days beyond that I know the packing will ensue, travel and all the makings for the wedding will be coming together as will the festivities and family time for my daughter Laura and Charles big day. *I decided to share with Paint Party Friday visit if you would like to see more artwork.

 Do you ever find it hard to fit in your creative time? Do you bring an art journal with you when you travel?