Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Its hell to get old


This little piece was about me getting older, and forgetting
things, like what was I going to fridge for, like where
did i put those keys, what was I going to tell
you..... anyway before i forget (lol)
those of you who wanted to know what two
online classes I am taking

first i am taking Pam Carrikers 
Pursing Portraits, starts on Feb 4 cost 40.00
I happen to love the way she does portraits
and feel i can improve on mine, as i need it

the next one, is joanne sharpes
from
the class is letter love art journal ling
i happen to be in love with the way
she letters, her use of color

so there you are.  The other day  I read ,people who post to much are really boring.
Because they basically have nothing to say and people get tried of reading there blog,
do you believe that?

Monday, January 30, 2012

Crosseyed Cat

  1. Playing along with Carla Soneheims book, making cross eyed cats
  2. Ordered Traci Bautista (spelling) new book Doodles Unleashed
  3. Had an art ephimay  created in the art room till all hours of the night Saturday
  4. I know I said I was not going to take any more classes for awhile but signed up for two
  5. Made Swiss steak in the crockpot delicious for dinner last night (out of Weight Watcher cookbook)
  6. Counting my calories to lose weight
What's new in your life?

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Everyday page

I know i have mentioned before that i have an everyday book,
one that sits beside me in the studio, while watching tv.  I treat this
book badly, its out of its cover, there is paint, and markers all over
I stick anything I find it, I write grocery lists, generally
just abuse it.  I guess its sort of my art journal ling book.
But i like to think its my idea book.  Take for example
this little guy above, he is not perfect, its something
i sketched and used markers on for an idea, maybe
i will use that idea maybe i wont, but its down
Everything you do does not have to be perfect
and beautiful to call art.  Do you have an everyday book?

Friday, January 27, 2012

calling all angels

Those of you who are in Book of Days, probably heard this song the other day.  After I heard it,
I emailed Effy to find out who sang it, Jane Sieberry and KD Lang,  It has been on mind since I
heard it.  You know when something touches you and you cant get it out of your mind, hence
my drawing.  If you have not heard it , here is the link, go and listen and see if it doesnt touch your soul.

http://youtu.be/vfoQPcacb98

let me know what you think

lee

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Change of Plans

Ok, I have the skinny on all things pens, from the
queen of all pens , Kelly Kilmer   http://kellykilmer.blogspot.com/and I quote
 I had a whole basket of pretty pens that I had to toss because none of them (100 or so pens) worked. I'm a lay those pens down flat now 
I really appreciated that she took the time to comment, and everybody elses comments. So my pens are now laying down flat, to much money to waste.  On other news, there
is no news, so instead of boring you, I am outta here, take care
and talk to you tommorow.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Need them, use them, store them



Hey, how are you all doing?  Yesterday absent from the blog , was going to my course that I am taking
Healthy Living, Healthy Body.  Because I really want to stop my 4 pk a day habit of smoking, drinking   a48 bottle for breakfast, and doing drugs.  (lol) which by the way I don't do.   But this is the year I am going to get healthy mind and body.

As you can see from the picture those are my markers, (not all of them just the ones I use the most) obsession or what, anyway I had them in a box, then saw a you tube video on storing them this way.  Now I don't know which way is right lying them down, or standing them up.  Some say that they dry out faster if you stand them up.  What do you think?  Also I really want you guys to watch this video, if you like washi tape, and find it to expensive to buy, this is the coolest thing ever, make you own, use fabric, paper whatever, I am definitely going to try it.  Here is the link for it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TNC2EaPL7M  hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Monday, January 23, 2012

odd


I was kind of an oddball when I was growing up
I loved to read for hours on end
draw, and I could just be happy on my own.
Where as my older sister was always out with friends,
chasing boys and generally getting into some form of
trouble, (of course I was envious wishing I
could be that kind of girl, and looking up 
to my older sister).  But years later when
we were older, my sister told me she
was envious of me because I was
the one who could just be happy, and
had no need to prove herself to others.
Odd?

Sunday, January 22, 2012

i wear my sunglasses at night




I sketched this and tweaked it in photshop, make it
so bright you need to get your sunglasses, but
its fun, and today I need fun

Saturday, January 21, 2012

She loves you

I started out with just wavy lines.  I was practising my lettering.  I know I know
I got the song wrong.  I sing it all the  time around the house and
just make up my own words.  Anyway after the lettering was
finished and I noticed the song was wrong, i started doodling
around with the lines, and came up with some characters.  And it
looked to cutesy (and you know I don't do cutesy).  I tried
to grunge it up. But it still does kinda look cutesy.  So
i guess sometimes I do, do cutesy but don't tell anybody.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Smile your on Candid Camera

I don't like getting my picture taken at all
I look awful and i am not just kidding
I am self conscious my smile looks like
its pasted on, and doesn't it seem when
somebody takes your picture its
at that moment when you don't look your best
I like mysterious pictures half the face,
just the eyes.  Do you like getting your picture taken?

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Strutting my stuff

Last night while watching TV i sketched this,
and put my Tombow markers to use, I only had 4, and I wet
them and they act like water colour, today I went and
bought 3 more so now I have 7.  There is 91 in a set
I have a ways to go.


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Mish Mash wednesday

lately i have fell in love with tombow markers,
its so cold here you don't need a freezer you could just use your deck
i have been playing along with Traci B her doodles check it out
http://www.strathmoreartist.com/workshop-reg.html
and its doodle month at
sketchbook challenge check it out
http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/
have been busy with my book of days, slowly and surely I am catching up
if you don't know what it is and its free here's a link
http://effythewild.typepad.com/effy/book-of-days-2012.html
and I have been working on sketching each day to
try improve on my drawing, all I do is sit down
and sketch anything I see, or comes to mind, for just 10 minutes or more if you have
the time.
I am also working on a swap with two lovely ladies and I am having
a hard time with that, it seem when I have to make something for someone
else I freeze...those old fears come over you and the magic doesn't happen (lol)
Well I better go check my snowsuit on as I have to go out
and battle the elements, i have to get out of this house
so I don't become a hermit.  One nice think about where I live
though it might be so cold you could freeze in a minute, the sun
is always shining

Monday, January 16, 2012

Finding my muse

Last night while in bed, I was thinking about muses.  I
was wondering why I don't have one, I have looked
all over the studio,   asked it to
come out and talk to me.  But no muse
I finally realized its only me in the studio.  How
do I know this well If I had a muse it would not have
let me put those black lines around the whole
sketch now would it? If you have
a muse, could I borrow it, or could
you ask if it has a friend for me.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

How a sketch goes from bad to ..........awful

when art goes bad it goes bad
started out with a bad sketch
then re sketched and add colour
and don't ask me why i put the
squiggly lines on the page,  and
the color of the fish what was I thinking 
stinky fish, stinky art
but i did not rip it out as much
as I wanted to. You only learn from your mistakes
 What do you
do if you create bad art

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Mona Lisa Smile


It seems when I make these girls, they dont smile
much, thats because they dont have any
teeth (lol)
Have a great weekend

lee

Friday, January 13, 2012

I never promised you a rose garden


Last night while watching mindless TV, I was sketching, and using
my Tombow markers, this is what I came up with, actually
I made two, but they are different, I didn't do them in my
art book, I did them in my everyday book that I write
grocery lists, phone numbers, things that need to be done
these are just sketches and ideas for future drawings, and
paintings that I felt the need to get down and explore.

both different but yet similar
which one do you like

Thursday, January 12, 2012

studio

 i use a lazy Susan, and some containers I found at home goods, on my table, cheap and expensive paints
together, on the lazy Susan they turn so I can see everything at a glance.  |The mediums and containers of
paint I store behind me in the selves




 I store all my paper in this sweater rack I found at the goodwill store, all scrap paper etc, I have
not filled it all up yet, as It is fairly a recent addition to the studio, but now I can find paper at a glance
 I have this roll cart for ages, I see now Michael's carry them, I have load of things in them , not all
labelled yet, I have pastels, pens, carving tools, watercolours, glues


right behind where I sit I have a screen modem that I use my laptop with when I watch a online video
demonstration,  and my sewing machine next to it, when I want to sew paper etc.


 Sometimes I don't want to sit and create so this is my stand up area, where all the magic happens (lol) or my cutting area,

right across from where I sit is a rack that holds my paintings, books, my stereo, containers, brushes


this is where I have my easel, see that closed door that is where
I put my paper holder in the previous picture


Nice tape this is a folding table that i bought to create on, and If I clear the other side I can have a partner
come over and create with me, your all invited. I know I am lucky to have my own space to create and make a mess and just walk out if I want to. 




Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Mini studios on the move

I find that sometimes I don't want to create in the studio, I want to
be where all the action is , watch tv, once in awhile talk to Hubby.
So I bring stuff from the studio   but then all my art stuff is all over the place in my house.
So I went out and bought this bench its faux leather i think it was 80 bucks.  Not only do I get extra
seating  in the family room but  I got the storage I needed.   This baby was full, but i
just took a bunch back down to the studio, and this
is what is left.  You could also use those little
leatherette stools that open for storage.  So if you think you cant 
create art because you dont have a studio, you are wrong.  You
don't have to pay a ton to have your supplies handy Tomorrow I will show you how I store my paints
so that they are handy and ready for use in the studio.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

are you organized

over at http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/ its organization
week for the studio, or where you create art   and I am loving it.  There
is nothing I like better than going down to the studio and reorganization
that is my form of avoidance, going down there to create art, and
instead cleaning the studio.  But I cannot create art if I am
constantly wondering where i  put a supply.  I have found
some handy things at thrift stores and ikea etc.  and this
week I will show some of them to you.  Do you have
any good tips for us that you use.  Lets share,

Monday, January 09, 2012

Art Hands

A page out of my everyday book that I sit and watch tv with and doodle 

weather perfect
brainstorming ideas for two collages
browsing thru the Picasso Sketches book from Library
going to Second Cup for hot choclate, lowfat muffin and relaxation
no housework shall touch these hands today
what are you doing today


Friday, January 06, 2012

Bitten off more than I can chew


I think I have bitten off more than I can chew!
I wanted to do the Postcard, the 10minutes sketch each day
and the book of days. Plus some other art, the blog, the house, friends a life. 
So I made executive decision,


1.  I will continue with the 10 minute sketches
after all they are only 10 minutes no more and I need the practice as you can
see above

2.  The book of days is manageable for me
and I really want to do that one.

3.  So yep you guessed it, I am not going
to do the postcard one

Better to know that now before getting started.  So what are you doing art wise
this year?



Thursday, January 05, 2012

Extremes

We have had extreme weather here
this morning it poured rain, and the wind howled
and its way above zero, now where I
live once winter comes, its here
and its a deep freeze until spring.
So watch out Hawaii before you
 know it you will have our weather
and we will have yours.

ok am i obssed by the weather or what,
Canadians are a bit weather crazy and
we do alot of talking about the weather (lol)
So now you know I had nothing to say
today.   so I just  better shutup and go and get my bathing suit
on and go out and get a tan


Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Priortize my life

I dont make resolutions because when I fail I beat myself up over it.
But this year I want to make more time for my art,
I dont know why I dont have more time, I dont work, I
thought that when I didnt work I would not know what to
do with myself.  So here is what I am going to start doing

1. Go on the computer only once a day at the end of the
day while I am sitting watching tv, and then I can
browse as long as i want. I can
go hours, just checking blogs, art sites.

2.  Plan a specific time when I go to the studio each
day.

3.  Get a specific schedule for the house
certain days, the wash etc

I used to go to the studio at night and spend hours
down there, but now that I don't work I don't
have to do that, I should be able to get
everything done around the house
and have plenty of time left for me.

How do you do it?

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Old acquaintances

Another 10 minute sketch, with added watercolour


well today was beautiful weather
me out having a walk around the bookstore
having a diet coke and a muffin
reading a good book
cooking chili
and making banana muffins
and seeing someone you have not seen in in i bet  40 years
  remembering the good times and the bad
not let her see you, because she doesn't look like she has aged
and you don't look like the girl you were
now this is fodder for my Book of Days

Monday, January 02, 2012

Free is good


This is todays 10 minute sketch, I should get better as
the days go on. (lol)

This year all the online classed look like they are
raising their prices, and i get that, its a business
everything goes up.  But we all like free
well here are some free classes that
i found on the web, and thought you
would like.
And if you found any let me know and I will post those too.


1.  This is a postcard challenge thing, it would take
to long to explain it so I will post the link for you to
read it

2.  I am doing a 10 mintue sketch a day for 365 days,
dont say you cant do it, its 10 minutes of your
day, whether you are finished the sketch
or not its 10 minutes.  I think by the end of
the year, my sketching should have
improved, here is the link

2.  Now if you have not heard of the book of days by now, you
have had to manhy new years eve drinks, here is the
link

3.  Gulfspirte if you dont know her art hope over to her site,
she is generous in spirt, and madly talented


4.  Over at Amys a free spirtied wildy creative artist
shares tutorials, and videos and its just a
great creative sitte

5.The Sketchbook Challenge, a nother great site
where artists share tips, videos, drawing and
get you inspired
http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

6.Strathmore is offering a free series as well
here is the link check it out
http://www.strathmoreartist.com/workshop-reg.html

7.  Janet a fellowblogger and friend mentioned
one I forgot Millandes she is doing videos
lots of great technique there
http://milliande.ning.com/group/theartjournalers/forum/topics/2158107:Topic:528137

8.  Julie Prichard a multi talented lady has some free videos
on her site, really great ones, I have taken a few of her
online courses and not come away disappointed learned lots
http://julieprichard.squarespace.com/blog/category/tutorials

9. Elivie studios, I love her lettering and pictures
and she has how to on inspiration Monday,
her site is eye candy here is a link to a how to
http://elviestudio.blogspot.com/2011/11/inspiration-monday_21.html

10.  Christy Tomlinson has a great site, and some
great online workshops
but on her blog, its full of great tutorials and
i hae linked to the tut page for you
http://christytomlinson.typepad.com/christytomlinson/tutorials/

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