Circus Hat

Illustrated Design by TopsyTurvyDesign
Ring Leader Top Hat by TopsyTurvyDesign

I am in love with her hats! I used to collect hats and at one time applied for a job at a Millinery in Sebastopol, CA. but they wanted someone with experience~ I only had some sewing skills which wasn't enough for them, but it has always been a fascination of mine. I never gave up on my love of hats. The history, styling, fabrics, netting, buttons and laces. When I had to start moving around I gave up my hat collection as much as I loved it. I only kept one of my grandma's hats and a hat my mom made for my older girls. When I saw this video and that she made circus hats I had to share~ A girl after my own heart. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
Have you ever had a fascination with something, or started a collection? What led you to where you are creatively?

Superhero

Today I chose the Superhero. I could use one right about now. Other terms for superhero include Mystery Men and Costumed Crime Fighters. Did you know that Superheroes are authentically from the United States created in the Great Depression Era~ And that "Super-Hero" is a trademark crowned by DC Comics and Marvel Comics.
I went to high school with kids that created characters and air crafts like in this Rock music video~ Makes me wonder if they made a career out of animating and selling their images. I will have to ask my brother who is still in touch with a few old high school chums~ I am still fascinated with animation and comic characters and the art involved with creating these other worlds and Superheros~
I think one day I will have to elaborate on my Superhero creations and just put them in all one journal instead of sporadically creating them. I can't believe when I was researching I found sites where you could create Superheroes with a HeroMachine~ I can see my daughter loving this for inspiration. She loves drawing Pokemon and cartoon figures.
Well, I better get back to reality & finish my other paintings.

What are you doing today to make your life extraordinary? Could you use a Superhero today? Peter Parker *Spiderman Not everyone is meant to make a difference. But for me, the choice to lead an ordinary life is no longer an option.

Simply Sunday "loss of a pet"

Who ever knew a bird could be so sweet~
He loved to whistle and dance to music~
Mr. Big Stuff loved being held and petted by everyone~

Today our lovely Cockatiel bird passed away~ This was a big shock as yesterday everything was fine & no signs of sickness or problems. It is a sad day for us, but I was thankful to be there in his last few moments. Hubby found him in the morning at the bottom of his cage and he died in hubby's hands while being held. Mr. Big Stuff was with us thirteen years (* they can live up words of 15-20yr.) and he had a close encounter with being lost over 9 years ago when his cage door dropped open by accident and the dog scared him and he flew off, but he was found and returned. He had been given to me by my son as a gift one Mother's Day. Who knew you could love such a little creature so much. His feathers were the most beautiful white and he would make you laugh with his cat calls, songs and dance~ I may have to create a journal page just for his memory.
Did you ever lose a pet who meant something to you? Did you get a pet for your child not thinking you would get attached and somehow it just grew on you? And when it passed you grieved as much as your child did?
For this weeks journal prompt dedicated to Mr. Big Stuff write about a time you or your child lost a pet or create a page dedicated to your pet~
I am sure I will be in better spirits soon. Until next time I hope you are able to keep your day simple and enjoy all it holds for you.

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." Martin Buber

"Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief. " Swedish Proverb

Vintage Circus Clowns & Circus Wagons

Here is a painting I did that is second to the one I haven't shown you yet~ I was inspired by the vintage clown but changed it to have a futuristic styled hair and air about it~
It is quite different from the other one I have been doing lately but I needed to paint with a more free styled brush stroke~ I would love to hear what you think.
Here's a little Vintage Circus History/Entertainment for you~







Circus Wagons

I came across these Vintage Videos of the Circus and a little history and had to share. I just found them interesting and am hoping you might too~
Happy Weekend to you all, Theresa

Vintage Circus Cabaret Trio

Here is my Vintage Circus Cabaret Trio~ All done is in Acrylics with pastel type hues. For my own purposes I looked up the true definition of Cabaret:

1. A restaurant or nightclub providing short programs of live entertainment.
2. The floor show presented by such a restaurant or nightclub.

So for me whether you call it Circus, Cabaret, Performing Arts it is all subjective as I have created my own Vintage Circus Cabaret Trio~

The Cabaret is said to have originated in France around 1880~ If you want to know more you can visit the link above. Below is a Vintage poster reproduction that is for sale by following the link~

Le Frou-Frou

Seeing the image above may put a new spin on my direction of Vintage Circus to Cabaret~ But not just yet, you see before I go there I have my two new paintings done to show you very soon! In a bolder and I think more futuristic or modern style~
What have you been painting lately? Has there been a theme or series you are or have worked on? I would love to know what you are working on, do tell~
Oh, and I found some cool old circus videos that I am going to share too!

"They are creating a circus atmosphere." ~ David Scheffer

Simply Sunday Free Journal Prompt

In this shot I had the focus on the heart of the flower, her petals that were about to open and reach out to our world~

I was visiting a friend Jackie's blog yesterday. She had asked the question when is an artist an "artist"? It is quite a lovely post. I had many thoughts swirling around my head as I read this article, but I had to think of when do I really feel like an artist!? What makes an artist an "artist"?

For me I think an artist is when an "artist" or for myself I am totally immersed in my work. It is almost like the "artist" or I am getting ideas, energy and guidance to help me in the act of

creating. Being right in that moment, feeling the paint, creating with the flow.
Just being in the moment~ For me that is when I think an artist is an "artist" or when I am an "artist".

I try not to compare myself to "real" artists if I did I would never grow into the artist I am~ Theresa Huse

So today's journal prompt is for you to "focus on things that matter."

You could just sit down, create and be in the moment. Or you could make a list of things that matter to you that you want to focus on. You might even just focus on sharing time with a loved one. Or spending more focused time with your child. What ever you decide to do today think about it for a moment and focus on things that matter to you~
I hope you can keep your Sunday simple and enjoy all it holds for you!

Ps Congrats Jackie on focusing on you and things that matter to you by taking a new art class! Spread your wings ~

Floral Photography

Just popping in to say hello. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I took these photographs of roses from my garden prior to the heat wave that sent them away~ I thought I would share them with you today~ I also had to let you know that I started some new painting with a twist to my circus series. Totally different style, freer and back to some bold colors. I am stretching myself, experimenting today. I even took some video on my new phone of my painting in progress. When I figure out the details I hope I can post it for you to see! Oh how I love that today's weather is cooling down so I actually can move around, paint, stretch and breathe!

If you never struggle with confidence, you obviously are not stretching yourself far enough. You are not pressing to the edge of your abilities. In other words, the only way to never struggle with confidence is to play it safe. Play it known. Play it in a way that you achieve stability, but lose opportunity.

TIMOTHY URSINY, The Confidence Plan