Happy Easter - Blog Fixed & News

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Happy Easter! I had a little time this morning to fix my site here! So if you are looking to old posts for journaling prompts or other photography & art you will be able to see them! {sigh of relief } If you'd like to see my current posts and what I am photographing or art I am working on visit me @ TheresaHuse.com  and to see my crafting and  home-garden visit me @ DearCreatives.com

Here is a post of my most recent:

•   spring photography 
• art Warrior Princess two part (final piece) you can also see process on prior post 

I have a weekly Inspiration Spotlight post where you can link up and blog hop your creative posts of any kind; such as crafts, art, home, garden, recipes, photography....anything goes & hop around to visit others. (or if you would like to be featured or interviewed email me at DearCreatives at g mail dot com & send me an inquiry for either of my new sites, as I'd love to share about my creative friends projects, art and photography) 

**Super important Google Reader is going away so if you have subscribed via Google Reader be sure to follow via FaceBook, Google+ or any other form! To read more about importing your Google Reader blogs to another reader you can check out the post I created to help you here Goodbye Google Reader- Hello Options. 

I also shared some spring photography tips & inspiration right here: Spring Loves- Photography Ideas and Tips

Now blog is all updated & kinks worked out! Hope you have a wonderful Easter & drop by to visit me at my current sites where I post on a more regular basis. Be sure to comment where ever you visit me so I can come by to visit you (and your site if you have one) Let me know if you found me via this post!! 

All my best, Theresa ;) 

Deer Girl 2 Sketch To Painted

Another weeks flies by! I found myself doing a little sketching, taking the sketches and adding colored pencils mocking up my colors then painting. This week I went to my tried and true, acrylics. I like using watercolor pencil but decided watercolors themselves aren't for me. I have not found the happy place with them.

The initial sketch had no color pencil :

I color penciled to see how I wanted to paint her.

Here is my deer hunter /deer girl painted with acrylics and some color pencil work, but not much.  Here she is painted with acrylics and no background

 Here is a close up of her. I am still experimenting with my imaginary friends. I didn't get to paint over last weeks girl yet, but I am going to.

 

I kind of like her without a background, but I played around with this background almost like if someone walked up with a flashlight in the dark and saw he.

 Click to enlarge

Here is a collage of the images that you can click and see the details larger. I hope to get more painting in next week. Hindered by my first migraine of the year. I am hoping they don't come to visit too often and I would be happy to never see them again. Maybe my girl can hunt them down with her bow and arrow. lol The Mr. got me some medicine and it helped. I am planning on playing along with Paint Party Friday. Do join in if you paint! Visit either way to see others. I hope to get some journaling done next week, but if nothing else I have another sketch to paint. Have a wonderful weekend.

Deer Girl & Paint Party Friday

Hi! I wanted to play along with Paint Party Friday. Have you ever joined in? If not you can grab the link here,visit the other artists and count your self in when you have something you painted to share. I decided to work a bit on my drawing this year along with my painting. So I am going to share my sketch and then how it looks painted.

You know how I love nature. So I decided to create a deer girl and nature scene. Here is the sketch.

First she had fawn spots but then when I took the first photo it just didn't look right in the photo. So I worked over her face a bit really quick. I might work on her some more, but she needed to dry. I am good for tearing wet paper. I love working with lots of layers.

Here is the little scene all painted. I used water colors to brush up and learn some new skills. Ya, not my favorite. Kudos to all you watercolorists, as I know it takes some mad skills! But one thing I love about playing like that is I added white acrylic into the sky & then I really liked how it turned out. And little details here and there with color pencil. This was created with pencils, water colors, acrylic paint, colored pencil & love.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and new year. My shop is open and slowly adding things and I hope to update it this weekend. I am busy crafting too. And of course organizing! Yep, somebody has to do it. Have a great weekend and be sure to leave me a comment so I can return the visit! I'll be so happy to see what your creating! And in case you didn't see my New Year Journal Page and post it is here. But here is a snip it.

This is a new year, with new opportunities & unexplored creativity waiting to be nurtured. Envisioning my dreams onto canvas & bringing it to reality is filling my soul; Creating from the place of my heart.~ Theresa Huse 2012

What are you focusing on creatively in 2012?

Color, Art , Post Halloween Thoughts

Hi, thanks for being patient with my in between posts. I really have had some things going on and don't see slow being in the forecast until after the new year. Hopefully some new things to share soon too!

Any how since I usually blog about color inspiration on Tuesdays and have nothing of my own to share. I thought I would share another artist whose work caught my eye. His name is Johnny Taylor. I love his use of color and bold pop art style. He says, beside the pop art influence,"he draws inspiration from graffiti art and improvised music, particularly jazz, dub, and hip hop." Artist Statement

 

Recently I had come across this vintage camera ephemera of a camera and was really drawn to how Johnny used it in his art.

Another thing that inspired me is that in 1992-1993 he painted three paintings a day. I know how hard it is to complete one! If you would like to view Johnny's work check out his website JohnnyTaylorArt.com

Doesn't Johnny's art just make you want to play with color more?!! I sure do!

A little post Halloween. I hope you had an enjoyable time if you celebrate or have kiddos you take about.  Sammie's costume was a witch and her makeup I applied prior to her trick or treating. No real art to share, unless you consider makeup as an art. I do! It can create magic. It transformed her and her personality!

She let me take quite a few photographs of her after, which is always fun. Until the sugar high began to crash! lol

This photo was taken and altered. ( prior to makeup )  I wanted to post it yesterday but, never got the chance!
See you soon with some new artwork!

Whose art is inspiring you?

All That Jazz

Friday! Paint Party Time and I didn't think I'd make it, but a short post to link up with a group of fellow creatives! Come check it out if you like the link is in the resources page.

 Click Image to see large

This has been a week of all that jazz! Music and art can be so interwoven. Especially in my house. At my house we all have our corners of creativity surrounding music and art. So while the Mr. is off playing music I got my own jazz going on! If you know me I love music, but can't carry a tune!

So I put one on paper! 

Happy Paint Party Friday & All that jazz~ 

This was created with pencil sketch first, paint, more paint, watercolor pencil, colored pencil, pencil and a touch pastels. I went back & surrounded the silver writing on the dotted journal page with black to make it pop! 

And a cool rendition Jazz metal of Adele singing Rolling In The Deep! Enjoy

"Everybody came. Everybody came to the Cotton Club."  Cab Callaway

"What we play is life." Louis Armstrong

Whose jazz art or music has influenced you?

A Bit of Crafting

I thought I would share a bit of what I have been up to & let you know why I am sparse at posting. I have started working on another journal page. I made a video of me painting it, but haven't edited it yet. I hope to share it soon. If not here, it will be on You Tube.

I pinned one of my handmade paper art quilt blocks & its ready to sew by hand. Its not a favorite one but that is OK. I do love the colors & textures. Look at the top right corner for whole quilt block.

 Click image to enlarge

If you would like to see another one of my art quilt blocks so far it is the Dreams art quilt block .& here are some other handmade papers prior to quilting that I did.

Here are a couple of links to making handmade papers but are different from how I did mine, but I sure want to try doing it this way too! Hanmade Papermaking Tutorial & many video tutorials on making handmade papers on You Tube.

Crafting Halloween stuff:
I found an older velvet dress at a thrift shop & am going to make Sammie a Halloween costume. Why did we wait to the last minute? She couldn't decide on what to be. So this week is going to be full. If you want to see how it is going to turn out & my inspiration for the diy visit here! You might like the little hat tutorials I found & the makeup tutorials. I will be working on that today.

I also have been making these Halloween vases from recycled jars & Fall inspired ones too. If you would like to see more about them you can see it on my freebies & tutorials page over here on DearCreatives.com
I have more Halloween, craft inspiration & tutorials there.

Honestly as we get closer to the end of the year I feel the time slipping away from me! Does that happen to you? Time already to pick up the kiddo! Bye for now.

What have you been working on?

Spring Journal Page & Art Supply Discount

I wanted to share my spring journal page with you today & a special discount later in the post. This is not my favorite in the series for my "Seasons" journal pages, but there are aspects of it I love. The mountains with snow left on the caps, the movement, the colors and the added textural layers that I played with.

What I didn't like is she is not a pretty girl, lol she is almost cartoon like, but hey they can't all be pretty girls. Although if I want all pretty girls for the series I might have to try and do another spring. Or leave it at that. I actually made a video of  painting this one but was having problems with the program. But I will upload it when it is all done. If you are like me I love watching people paint. Sometimes you can catch things that help you that words couldn't express.Here is another that you can click and see larger if you like, to see some of the detailing. I have also uploaded them on Flickr.

I'll be linking up to Paint Party Friday! Come party with us if you like. Link is in resources and wanted to share a discount link with you!

Have you been painting lately or sketching? Maybe this will help you get the supplies you need!

My sponsor Dick Blick is offering a special discount right now to my readers! Too many good deals not to share them! I hope you see something you need at a great price. Some of the things that I love about Dick Blick is they are super friendly if there is a problem (which is never accept when I enter in the wrong quantity or forget a discount code * they help adjust orders ;) , helpful and orders arrive fast! Who doesn't love a box full of art goodies to play with?

BLICK ART MATERIALS: Save up to 85% on Select Items through October 19th!

Creativity & Growth In Creativity

Hi Everybody! I Came across this video today and thought I have to share it. It speaks to creativity and the learning curves we go through. I hope you watch it!  I posted my completed "Winter" season journal page earlier today & full post with photo collage of progress and other things if you would like to see it click here when you are done with the video. But here is just one photograph in case you don't have time.

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Ira does say years, Years, YEARS!  Do a volume of work, huge amounts of work! So go create something! Fight your way through! Thanks for those words of wisdom and encouragement Ira Glass!

I can so relate to this, sometimes struggling, sometimes hard on myself, aching to grow creatively to produce quality work. I am going to fight my way through! Now going to create! Sketch, Draw, Paint and repeat! Paint, photograph, Paint, Photograph repeat!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead! Linking up with Paint Party Friday come check it out if you like!  Leave a comment so I can visit you back! Follow along if you like! But, be sure and be creative!

How do you work through your creative obstacles?

Journal Page "Winter" from Seasons Series

How this week is flying by! I hope this is finding you well.I did a photo collage & another shot of my "Winter" page completed.

 Winter from the journal page series "Seasons"

She is my favorite so far, I just finished spring & am going to be *editing video of painting that journal page.  Kelly asked, "winter already?" But, no! I want fall as long as possible. I am only doing a series of girls for the seasons then back to journaling & painting other things. I am sure those things may have some fall inspiration, as it is my favorite season!

When I get a chance I will upload a larger version so you can look close up at the detailing. It will be posted to my Flickr account. Link is on the side bar to follow along if you like.

On another note:
Part of why I haven't been around I just had gotten back up hard drive & hadn't finished moving files..... when I lost a majority of my files to a computer hiccup! Two years of photography & art! Can you see me crying!? Any how, the Mr. found a program & reset the computer a few days prior to that to recover images. But things seem to still be missing! I am devastated, but still hoping to recover more!
Photography Storage Tips: 
Never keep your work just on one hard drive! Always back up! & if you use Flickr or some other hosting site add in your edited work as soon as you are done & hold private until needed! Take my advice & don't chance losing your work!

Tomorrow I have an award ceremony at Sammie's school & I will probably add this post to Paint Party Friday, but I might not be able to visit until the weekend. Just let me know you dropped by and I will return the visit! If you want to link up something you made with PPF just look in the resources page and then go pop it in their linky on Friday morning! There is lots of creativity going on with PPF! PS I have some new art quilt blocks to share soon too! 

What have you been painting, journaling or working on lately? 

Do you have a photography storage tip to share? (obviously I could use more!)

Beginnings of Winter Journal Page

I took out my journal and was thinking of how I just made my Autumn girl * (you can see her in the previous post if you missed her) and how maybe I should do a girl for each of the seasons. And so the story begins.

I knew I wanted winter to be a girl who was pale like snow, with jet black hair and ruby red lips.

I had this wonderful scrapbook paper that had deer, birds, trees and snow. I added it to give the page interest and dimension. I wrapped it around my girl like winter wraps snow around nature in winter.

I wanted the sky to be blue with snow and maybe have the appearance of rain falling. This was the beginning concepts for my winter pages.

I love how sometimes things just flow better when you sit down on a different days and on different weeks. I can't wait to share with you the finished pages. Here she is with a few layers and sorry the image was taken at night so its not the clearest, but when I post the pages done I will take the photographs in day light.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead! We've been having our typical late CA. summer, which as me indoors under a fan and trying to paint more! If you like to visit other artists and see what they created this week this post is linked up with Paint Party Friday and the link is in resources. See you soon!

Did you get any creative projects done this past week? What is your favorite season? 

Morphing My Journal Page

Days seem to be flying by. I don't know where time is going. Do you ever feel that way? I been re evaluating my time and where it is spent. I created a journal page that took the complexity and detours from my daily life and let it out on the page. Big "me" topics are time management, focus & simplifying.  I actually used chalk board paint and chalk ink for this journal page. My journal page morphed several times.

But, then like my daily mindset and routine right now it felt so complicated. I want to simplify, focus, change to make things more productive. And of course compare less! How many times a day do you come across some great artwork, artist, illustrator and just think wow and then you feel like your work is not good enough?

I have been all over the place in my work and thoughts. Focusing on other things yet in my heart I know I want to reshape things to be more clear for myself. Which in of itself can be complicated! Almost like a puzzle.

Sometimes the page can handle the complexity of life more than you can. Let it feel your frustration, pain and take you away from it when you let go.

But the reality of life is you need Focus! 

 

And that is up to ones self 

  Full Journal Page Completed

In life it seems so easy to over complicate, carry burdens and feel mixed up about what direction to go in artisically. For me, right now I know I need to simplify, focus and there is no perfect time like now! Maybe you have heard it before from me or even said it to yourself and even attempted to simplify and focus. I don't know about you, but for me it sure isn't coming easy!

So today I am sharing my unedited, morphed many times page with you as I still look for these things within and for myself. I don't know that I am happy with the outcome of this page, but I do know I feel so much better after creating it. 

Do you ever feel like you need more focus? What is one way that you create more focus or simplicity in your life or for your art?

Artist Quotes:

"The further I go, the sorrier I am about how little I know: It is this that bothers me the most," Claude Monet

"It may be that the deep necessity of art is the examination of self- deception." Robert Motherwell

"Artistic temperament sometimes seems a battleground, a dark angel of destruction, and a bright angel of creativity wrestling." Madeleine L Engle

Imagine The Stories Journal Page

Hi Everyone, Remember the sneak preview of the journal page I gave you. Well here comes the rest of the page and a little journal prompt for you. This has been one of those busy, the kind that seems like you aren't getting anything done! One step forward, two step back weeks. Do you ever have those?

Journal Page: Imagine The Stories I'll Tell You

This page was inspired as I was reflecting on how I love to tell Sammie stories as she swings. Sometimes she reads to me, we talk, tell each other stories and in the summer all while hanging out the laundry. The butterfly is pulling the book around to open it.

Well I love doing this so much and thought of the news my daughter Krissy gave me a bit ago. She is having her second baby due in December. Shes has had a rough pregnancy but is doing better now, but still has to take care. Any way, this page is for the little one who is on his way. I created this page for him.

One day Sammie will be older, the swing empty and waiting for the little boy to come and have me tell him stories. It won't be often as we live far apart, but I know he will enjoy the tales I have to tell him. I can't wait to hear a name, see his precious face and enjoy another baby in the family. Her daughter Audrey will be almost 4yr old when he is born.

Journal Prompt:  I just thought I would share you can add pages about events happening in the family and how they relate to you personally. I said things in layers that didn't show, you know some personal things. I also added in real tree twigs and some mesh fabric ribbon. Lots and lots of textures and layers.

Well, that is all from me for now. I hope to get back on track with things this coming week. Thanks for visiting! & Have a great weekend. Oh, and its Paint Party Friday if you like seeing other creative folks work. The link is in the resources page. Follow along and sign up  Or subscribe by going back to the top left side. I'd  love to have you here and return your visits. Be sure and comment so I know you stopped by!

Do you journal? Have you worked on your journal pages lately?

Reflections & A Reminder

I have been MIA this week. It has been hotter than hot here. I can't seem to get my head out of the freezer and creating anything! But, here are a few things I did work on prior to things being heated up!

 Editing photos

Do not use without giving credit

River by the waterfalls of Lake Tahoe

 

How quickly things race by us, rivers, visits with family, life, time......

I feel like my head hasn't been in the right place this week between the heat and close family friends losing a loved one. My mind has been elsewhere. Its always a reminder to be present for the ones you love and cherish your time here. And tell them that you  love them daily!

Part of my journal page

This is a part of the journal page I was working most recently. I wanted to post more but for some reason Picnik and my computer aren't agreeing. So I will have to run a scan and do all the fun tech stuff then hopefully I can post full page and story behind it on Friday. I incorporated twigs, netting and texture in this page.

Another Reminder 

I thought I would remind you to enter the giveaway here! All you artsy, crafty folks might like this for printing off your work! Just leave a comment to enter. It closes tonight at 7pm PST and the odds are good! ( its on my craft blog) I really wanted everyone to have a chance but could only have the giveaway over on my craft site. So if you want something for nothing but chance, just drop by and comment.

With that said I am off to spend time with the kiddo and help with the homework and maybe tonight when the Mr. is playing music I will have a chance to paint in the cool of the evening.

Have you had time to journal or make art lately? 

Color Pattern & More Wishes

A little color,  a little pattern and getting back into the art room today. I have been busy getting ready for changes here, tech things, but more of that later and on to the color and pattern~

Click images to enlarge 

  I called this pattern He loves me.

Did you ever sit in the grass as a child or teen and pull the petals off of daisy s? He loves me, he loves me not. That is what this pattern reminded me of. I made a few other patterns over on Colourlovers; Organic Poppy, Lovely Travels, Lovely Travels 2, Deers Sunrise it is amazing how you could just keep making patterns with colors. I love that! I want to print some patterns on fabric and sew something soon!

 Here is one of the color palettes I came up with. I just had to add the wishes for you in the left corner and my painted illustration in the right where I had taken the color inspiration from in case you didn't stop by the other day. If you have time see Tuesday's post I shared some lovely music and wishes~

 Painted Illustration by Theresa Huse 2011

 Wishing you living and loving your great big dreams~

 One thing I have learned is if you don't love them and live it then it won't happen, so nurture your heartfelt dreams and follow them where ever they lead you. If you 'd like to see more people working on their dreams visit Paint Party Friday artists and even join in. * see my resource page for link.
I hope I have more to report soon! Along with the full painted illustration. Follow along with GFC or Subscribe if you like I'd love to have you here and visit you~ Have a great weekend!

When did you start following your heart and nurturing your dreams? 
What plans do you have for Labor Day Weekend?

Plans, Projects, Art & Song

Tuesday already! Where are the days going? Passing too quickly as I work on projects, plans and art.

 I wish I could hold certain  days in my hand forever

I just came across this song and singer Mindy Gledhill I love her voice and  this song. A reminder,  I have to remember that no matter what I wish for, no matter if I have to climb, it is about the journey. Life and art are one in the same that way to me. It is always the journey isn't it? Making the most of special moments and even the simple moments. Like dipping your brush in paint and touching the canvas. I hope you enjoy this music video & my message after it~ 

If I had a hundred wishes I would give them all to you~ 

Now I hope you go and take a chance! Live your crazy dream~

 I'll be back later in the week with my color inspiration & more art. I've been working on my great big plans, making wishes & following my heart.  

What big plans do you have today?

Mother Earth & Pledge To Our Environment

I finished my mother nature painting and I decided to make a pledge for future generations. So I digitally journaled on my painting a pledge; To care for our earth and think about the daily changes I  can do to ensure she is here for future generations.

  Original Painting

 

My Pledge 

I will always do my part to keep you healthy for future generations.

You can help our planet too!

From the simple everyday things such as recycling, using cloth napkins, using cloth bags for grocery shopping, composting, planting trees & plants and more .......

Thank you Mother Earth for all you do for us! 
& if you are interested I shared wip photos in previous posts.

Here is a small round-up of some articles, tips, pdfs:

pdf - 100 ways to save the environment -article

10 things you can do to save the earth- article 

Zoom Action Help The Environment - PBS Kids-article 

Organizations: 

National Wildlife Federation

who I partner with

Friends of the Trees

OurEarth.org

Greenpeace 

National Audubon Society

The best for last a list of Environmental Organizations from around the world!  - Wikipedia

I hope you take the time to think about, make changes, join organizations, help in the community and help in your everyday life while caring for our planet and Mother Nature. 

Look deep into nature, and  then you will  understand everything better. Albert Einstein 

PS. if you are interested in seeing other people's art today check out Paint Party Friday the linky is in resources! & don't forget to follow along with GFC. I would love to see you here & visit your blog too. 
Leave me a comment and let me know you stopped by. See you soon~

What are a few of your favorite tips for helping our planet?