Holding The Key:Fairie Handbook

I made this little piece 6 x12 and I like it the way it is, but at the same time don't know if it is finished. I didn't wax it or seal it yet as I can't decide. Part of me likes the simplicity compared to some of the more complex backgrounds I have done. What do you think? I would love to have your input! In the meantime I have been doing a lot of organizing and getting ready for back to school for my daughter. It will help me be able to focus on my art on a daily basis and get back on the daily painting. Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy. ~Author Unknown

Serene Nature Part 2 - Angora Lakes Lake Tahoe

Angora Lakes has three separate lakes~Here is a picture of the first lake we reached on our hike. Off the trail and more quite, a spot for contemplation.
Continued past lovely mountain views up to the final lake at the Resort~
You can hike around, canoe or swim across the lake~

Jumping off the rocks and swimming back to shore was a spectator sport for me~

The Resort at Lake Angora the busier of the three lakes, but the most popular spot for diving and swimming is just across from this view ~ The resort has a general store.
Unless you arrive early or stay late the area can get quite busy especially on weekends but the beauty is worth the wait. If you plan a trip to Lake Tahoe here is a link to all the areas hiking with degrees of difficulty. http://www.bluelaketahoe.com/visitors/recreation.php?s=10&l=2
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~John Muir

Serene Nature Part 1

When I was in Lake Tahoe CA visiting family they live a stone's throw from conservancy land. We packed a small lunch, waters and hiked on down to the river. You go through meadows seeing mountain views in every direction. When down at the river some parts shallow enough to walk across other parts deeper where beavers have made a dam or where there are swimming holes to enjoy. The beauty of the surroundings are filled with contradiction, beauty and decay.
The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~Author Unknown

Time To Connect With Nature

I am always inspired by nature and especially flowers. The beauty of their colors, scent, shapes and various sizes they grow. This week I will be traveling to Lake Tahoe California to see family. I will share some inspiring photographs upon my return and of course some more art work. I love taking pictures as much as I do painting~ Until next time I hope you enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and stop by to visit soon.

Garden Faerie

Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame.
~William Butler Yeats, "The Land of Heart's Desire,"

These first two photos are taken prior to waxing~
These pictures are after waxing. Waxing gives the painting a warm hue~
The kitten is actually a card you can pull out~
Wax seals the painting ~

Details of the background~

Fairy -One of a class of elemental beings. usually associated with gardens and plants

Faerie - Archaic spelling of fairy

Summertime

This picture was made with elements that I hoped would evoke childhood memories of summertime; music, dreaming, monkeying around and jumping rope followed by a glass of lemonade of course.
Beautiful memories tell our story, and wrap themselves in ribbons of the heart.
-- Flavia

Cats Lullaby

Encouraging creativity in my house is easy these days. A special table for my daughter in the same room. Although she uses mine when I am busy! Allowing her to use my supplies as long as she asks first. She is my shadow creating and drawing at 7 yrs old. Here is a unfinished piece we did together, which all started like this~ She asked if my girl needed a kitty and I said sure! A few days later she said here is my girl and her kitty! So I decided to incorporate them in one piece. I found a piece of sheet music called the Cats Lullaby and that is what is on the background which inspired me to make it dream like. The final piece is covered in wax. It was my first attempt at this process. I like the dimension it gives the painting /collage but it is hard to pick up in a photograph. I laid on the wax some area's thicker and some thinner. It looks dreamy in the picture. I have done some more since and I can tell I am going to love experimenting with this technique. I can't wait to share more.
If you would like to learn how to do this type of collage technique Suzi Blu has a fun class called Les Petit Dolls for beginners. Her work in this style is amazing.

Creativity represents a miraculous coming together of the uninhibited energy of the child with its apparent opposite and enemy, the sense of order imposed on the disciplined adult intelligence. -- Norman Podhoretz