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?

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? 

Journal Prompt " Love Note"

When I took the photograph of my journal page "Love Note" the sun just happened to hit the moon and shined upward. Honestly, when things like that happen, I just have to smile!

I made myself a love note in my journal page. I have found over the past few years my focus has not been on the business side of my art. I have focused on growing artistically and I have put others needs first. Squeezing in my art here and there. Now, I really feel a need to focus on many aspects of my art life that has been taking a backseat. My focus needs to be creating my art life with planning, dreaming and creating opportunities and seeing my vision (s) and bringing them to life.

Whether it is putting myself out there more, applying for submissions, trying to get into shows or fairs, writing, creating a piece of artwork, getting artwork published or what ever my desires are,  I know you have to ask for them. At different times I have done some of these and had some success (s) and some disappointments but I must not give up on my dreams and goals.

I am always reading about succeeding with goals and different ways to achieve them. Dreaming those ideas, creating those plans and putting them into action. I have had several goals over the past year. Some put on hold by necessity, some by fear, some by needing to help others. Now I find in the quite of my space that I need to give some attention to those desires and not just ask for it, but nurture it to fruition. Like the journal page I created here.

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When I made this page I had a plan for something entirely different I had created a flower and it made me think of growing so I charcoal penciled in a girl and some thoughts. Then I felt it didn't flow just right so I began to paint her in, I also wrote thoughts all down her dress.

When I think of asking for things I have a way of looking to the universe, a power greater than I that I can reach out to. To represent that, I painted / created the mountains and night sky. All of a sudden in the journal page its vibrancy wasn't there so I added inks.

I arrived at the place where I knew the page was ready. Ready like I am now personally to really focus on  what I am wanting and the love and nurturing  that it will take me to bring my desires to fruition.(& work that it will take to get me there!)

Have you ever come to the point where you really have to work at nurturing those dreams into reality by pushing your faith in yourself and your artwork?  What big leaps of faith have you taken?


Journal Prompt: Create a page with a love note to yourself. A reminder of those things you wish to nurture and see come to fruition. 

Quote: All that we are is a result of what we thought. Buddha

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place. Nora Roberts

Food for Thought: 
Using Inks in your journal pages I used Adirondack ink by Tim Holtz. 

Summer Plans

When Sammie got out of school I asked her how she felt and this was her answer. Jumping for joy. I can't say she is loving the laziness of summer as much as I am but we both agree we are ready for planning some activities and travels. So she is jumping for joy again since we have decided on a few summer plans!

 

Day trips to any of these are fine by us! The beach, a castle and aquarium. Then a museum *or two, zoo and botanical garden trip in San Francisco would be wonderful to check off this summer! 

 

 

 

The beauty of the vineyards, mountains and being near the Russian River. I think a raft or canoe trip down is on the plan & we'll have the luxury of visiting family in the area. Hanging out, barbecues, horse shoes, and a little shopping and a lot of catching up. 

 

 

 

 

Another family trip to visit my brother & his family in South Lake Tahoe, CA. We always make a trip or two to the beach for kayaking. Plenty of outdoor activities and this year we get to see his new addition to his home an art studio! I am jealous? hm... I'll try not to be!!  & hope we get to play with paints. We also love to get out the telescopes and view the stars and planets there are no city lights which make it amazing!  

 

 

Lots of hiking in Tahoe and when back around our coast line. That should be fun! I'll bring my camera and snap wild flowers and nature. I promise to share.

There will be plenty of swimming when the pool opens here in a week & where ever we find water! No fancy trips, but summer plans that will take us here and there. Visits with family long over due. Lots of outdoor and fun activities! Swim lessons too. And of course a bit of art in between it all~ 

 

 

 

What are your summer plans? Are you finding time to create art around them?

 

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

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

Angel "She Gave Me Her Wings"

Hello friends and new followers! I thought I would share the angel acrylic painting that was inspired from my journal page.

 I created this angel's piece in the purple and rose color palette. On the bottom of the acrylic canvas I wrote "her voice was in my heart, she gave me wings."

 Sorry about the color on this one taken for close up and exposure isn't the best

If you look closely at the top *first angel photo you can see there is mixed media papers are all across the top of the canvas of this angel acrylic painting. Also the right angels wing in painted on paper that is glued to the canvas. On this image you can see where the paper was laid on the canvas and I placed her wing on the purple angel.

Today without loading my image to COLOURlovers  I tried to match the acrylic painting palette. I thought I might like to make some designs for fabric from the angel color palette. I will post what I come up with later. I did make one design with the three lightest colors but want to make a few with all the colors combined.

If you missed my free journal page post "She gave me wings" it is right here and you can learn the inspiration behind this angel painting. I will post the angel images in full size on my Flickr page so if you want to take a better look at the full size image hop on over when you are done, but they won't be up until later today.You'll be able to see more of the details of the angels and their wings there.

Please don't forget to post on what day you would enjoy the journal prompt if I change it. Poll is on the side bar. I am trying to figure out a better schedule as life is getting busier while I am on this journey. Sammie has a science fair, talent show and book report where I have to help her make a puppet. here is also wedding stuff going on (my oldest is getting married!), some baby showers, Easter, then the wedding! Yes, that time of year. Not to mention new things right around the corner! More to come about that later. PS.  I think the puppet part will be fun, but she wants to do life science and hatch brine shrimp. Hm-mm....That one is for hubby. I love science but not that project! lol

I must admit have been painting but, not enjoying the results. I will try and be brave and share them any way later on. Hopefully I can get creative with my acrylic painting and create something I like and don't struggle with! But when you are pushing ideas that frustration can be common right?  I hope you are finding the time to get creative! What projects are you working on right now? I would love to know~

When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings nor fell the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts. Author Unknown

Simply Sunday

Flickr
To see full size visit my flickr page
My personal reflection was drawn by the passing of Earth day and all I saw and read about this year. I reflected about when I was a child and I remember every time we went to the fields and played there were butterflies in abundance. We use to occasionally catch caterpillars and watch them spin their cocoons, setting butterflies free when they hatched. When I see butterflies I tell my youngest one this story and she says to me why don't I ever see butterfly's like that?
The Earth is changing and we have to do things to help save it and all living things~
On my journal page above I put some of my thoughts of how I felt using a photo program and some words painted on the page of dream, imagine, peace, love and hope. 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.

What things do you remember from your childhood about nature? What did being outdoors in childhood feel like to you? Journal some things about your childhood.

Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops...at all. ~Emily Dickinson

Creative Courage

I thought you might like to see the journal page in full size~ From the Simply Sunday post.I used found images and drew the figure of the goddess and then painted her. I also added acrylic and colored pencils to the journal page. I am not sure what Indian goddess she is but I really was drawn to a image of a statue I saw. If I come across it I will post a link for you~
I am inspired to draw Goddess Saraswati she is the Goddess of arts, music, knowledge, and wisdom. I found out about her after looking for images to find the one above~
What types of things have you been creating in your journals? Do you find yourself drawn to creating a series of certain things? Any arts and crafts that you have been drawn to lately?
The heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, and the hands to execute. ~Junius