Dont you want to dance with baby....

Okay mine does not quite compare with the orignal. But I was going for the difference years make. We wear more clothes now but we can still belt out tunes and dance. I found this image in a Vogue book and the article was about a graphic designer who made caracitures famous in 1930, very interesting. I thought hey I would love to do that in my art journal and hence here it is in all its glory. My face looks like a dogs breakfast it needed more work but I left it the way it was, its only my art journal its not like I was giving it to someone. I love smoky gold colours. I like New Orleans colour, I have never been there but I think the colour would be amazing. Okay there are some spelling mistakes here and blogger spell check for some reason is not working and I am way to lazy at 12:00 to look them up in the dictionary, so just pretend they are spelled correctly.

lWhat are you made of....

Here is a page I am working on in my Art Journal. Not finished yet, but I am looking for a quote and stuff still. I wish I could be more free and easy in this book. I look at Teesha Moore, and Kelly Kilmer art journal, and its all about this and that and it all works together. When I try it turns into a mess. So I end up putting very little mixed media stuff. I feel that when I do a page it has to tell a story to me, about how I am feeling, about what I think, what I am doing, so everything has to go with that story. I quess that is the way I am in life all neat and tidy and wrapped tight. To tight I need to let go and let my inner artist out....

Gesso Girl

Over at Jen Wordens site (see link on the side) her weekly challenge was using a fashion magazine use gesso and black pen, so here is mine. I loved doing this one, this image was all brown and oranges and I think it looks really kind of now looking. This was like a lady from way back when I forget what she was adverstising but it was in my Vogue book. Today was a clean the house and get things done day. I am afraid to move the house is so clean, now if only magically it would stay clean and tidy. You would like that 3 people and 1 puppy would not mess it up. Well should go, no news around here, when I have to tell you I cleaned the house, it means there must be something sadly lacking in this life.

Inspiration Thursday-Mirror Image

Inspired by our featured artist this week, this week’s creative prompt is Glass. You could choose to create with glass or choose to focus on a concept such as windows, through the looking glass, glass houses… or interpret as you wish. Have fun!
I thought about this one and this is what I came up with, a mirror is made of glass. Hope you like it.

Designing Women...

Ok I admit when I was younger much younger I wanted to be a designer. Now all I want is to get the figure correct in a painting or a drawing. That is why I decided I needed more practice is this area. Also I was practising with colour and water colour. So here is the practice drawing and painting that i did in my art journal. I am reading the most interesting book from the Library on Monoprints made with geletain molds. I am going to give it a whirl. Also got a book on making my own stencils I am fascinated with stencils for some reason and want to make my own. Ok that is enough from me tonight. Talk to you all tommorow.

I am dreaming of the ocean....

That's right I am dreaming of the ocean. Tonight it is -46 to cold even to stick your toe out the door without it freezing. I am looking forward to Summer and the warm days.....Even when it is really cold here it is sunny.Today was not it was so cold, it was foggy just about the whole day. No art was created today, this is old art I am posting, done on a piece of old wood I found at the thrift store. Today I received a parcel from China, yes that is right China, I ordered a purse (well actually my daughter) ordered the purse and it arrived 4 days later (today) and was exactly perfect. I also ordered a purse from China and am waiting for it. Well should go hope I have more to say tomorrow night.

Is it a lemon or a pineapple.

When I asked hubby how he liked my painting he said (exact quote) the pineapple looks really good. Well I was going for a lemon.....so here is my new fruit lemonpineapple......I painted this because Jen Worden (see side link) has a weekly challenge and this week is citrus. Now everybody that does those challenges are immensely talented and come up with great things, and this is all I came up with.....so you see my problem if hubby thought it was a pineapple, will they know it is a lemon. Then I decided to use a stencil and but the name on the painting, therefore no mix up could occur......lol. Well it is really cold here, lots of wind and really below zero temps. Ice on the roads, it is really not a nice night to be out.....well better go talk to you all tomorrow. Leave a comment and tell me what you think it is. I also did it on a 6x6 canvas that was 4 inches deep.

Flying.....

I went down to the studio tonight and played around, did not really know what I was going for. Did the bird and went from there. The picture in my mind evolved into this, about me starting to take chances. I am a very cautious person, I overthink, over analyze, and plan to the last detail, it drives my friends and family crazy. This is the year I plan on taking chances not only in my art, but in my life. Now I wont go crazy and just jump into something without some thought but I might try it instead of playing it safe...So that is what this journal page is about taking chances, playing and having fun...

An idea turned bad and then good.

I got the idea of photo transfer from this site http://beecreative.typepad.com/bee_creative/2008/01/inspire-me-th-1.html complete with directions. I thought I would try it in my journal only to discover the journal page is to thin to transfer. But the picture I was trying to transfer after I had wet it completely and it had dried turned out great. So here it is an idea turned bad then good. It is a picture of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice , Italy. Yes I have been there, thus the picture. I loved Venice, and I would love to go back.....going to incorporate this into a journal page about Venice...stay tuned.

Monoprints example...Rapasady in Blue

At Jen Wordens site (see side for link) she has weekly challenges. This week was to try a monoprint. Ok I wanted to try it as Karine (see side link) has done beautiful ones. This was done with a peice of glass, acrylic paints (acrylic extender) watercolour paper, and after making the print a little help from me. I tried it a few times and was not happy with the results, but this one did not turn out to bad. So her it is, I call it Rapasady in Blue

Just call her conehead....

Our little sofie had a little girl operation today and is not to happy with us. She is okay and at home now, but sleeping off the ansethea.....had to be done, she is not ready to be a mother....
Well took a blog break have not posted since Tuesday and have not done any art....Have been to the art store, bought supplies, brought them home put them away. Sat in the studio, but no work. I am going to do something tonight and going to post it so stay tuned....

Postcards from HOME

This challenge is from Jen Wordens blog (over the side there is a link) I love her blog and this challenge was for January 11, 2008 so I am a little late, does not matter had fun doing and am going to do the one that she is doing now. It makes me get up and create......It looks a little like me........I made myself thinner, artist progrative.

Weekly Art Challenge - #1
Trolling the web during the pre-Christmas rush I happened upon Summer Pierre’s idea for a Christmas newsletter. Loved the idea but couldn’t scrounge up the time to get one done. However, I thought it would make a lovely postcard for the New Year, sending to those I neglected to send a Christmas card to or those that sent ME one and I didn’t reciprocate. I LOVE postcards and often keep them on my fridge for month’s at a time. What could be more fun than having a fridge full of friendly faces looking back at me for the remainder of the year?!?

The Challenge: Create a self-portrait - draw, ink, photograph, whatever makes your muse happy - add some newsy-type notes. Did you do something stellar last year that you want to tell everyone about? Add that. Make some resolutions? Add those. Have a funny story? Jot it down. Like to doodle? Give’er. The key here is to HAVE FUN! And make it all about YOU. Then colour copy (or hey! feeling extra ambitious? make’em all originals!) them onto postcard sized cardstock and send them out into the world.

Its all about the comfort zone Inspiration Thursday

This week, be inspired by your Comfort Zone. Create within your comfort zone, using materials and techniques with which you feel comfortable and confident. Or alternatively, illustrate the boundaries of your comfort zone when it comes to relationships, career, fashion, et cetera.

I had a hard time with this one, so I went with comfort food, comfort colours and the way I like to create art being comfortable, in my studio, listening to music and creating.

Practice...

I was down in the studio, using my Art Journal. I first drew the bird, and then used my new gel pens, I love the colours, and then decided to make a background, trying different paints and this is what I came up with. The more I practice I better I will get is my theory. I have a hard time with paint knowing what to mix to make a colour. I went out and bought and colour book, to get an idea....so watch out for more colour from me.

Studio Friday-The View from my Studio Window

This is not the view from my window, though I wish it was. My studio is located in the lower level of the house, so the windows look out at the fence. But sometimes it would be nice to think that I looked out at a blue ocean, a gentle breeze and a boat waiting for me. Oh I could create there I am sure. This picture looks dark, must be the scanner, because it is quite light.

Theme Thursday-Valentines Hearts

Theme Thursday is about hearts and valentines, so here is my rendition. I painted this on a coaster from a restuarant....

Studio Friday - Jan4/08 Brand New

This weeks studio Friday is about new things in the studio. Well my easel is new, I got it for Christmas. At first I was definitely not getting an easel, I felt uncomfortable using one. Then I decided my art would be better for use of one. So I decided I would start small and use a table top easel. The art on the easel is also new, it has had may reincarnations, different colour dresses, different backgrounds but I think I am finally happy with this one. Mostly painted on the easel. I am lucky enough that the counter it is resting on in my studio is tall, and with the easel on it , its just the right height to stand, so now I guess I have to get a stand up one because I really like it. I told hubby the exact table one I wanted and he went and got it for me for Christmas.....Now only if I could get him to do everything I ask...

It's not a resolution it is a life choice....

Ok i did not make a resolution to lose weight because if I did that then it would not work. So I am making a life choice to get healthy. Starting Tuesday...so wish me good luck
I received this book today in the mail and am excited to read it, I plan on doing something different this year and really want to try something like this......Well got to go, its late and the puppy is trying to escape from her kennel....

Art Journal

Have not posted in a few days as I have been under the weather, you know the winter cold. I seem always to get one after christmas, must be because I get run down. My throat feels like fire tonight as I thought I had got over the worst of the cold without a sore throat but not the case. Here is a page I worked on tonight, it did not turn out really the way I wanted it to, but I decided just to let it go, nobody is judging my journal....I am going to work on other stuff more, it seems I get obsssed with one thing and that is all I do. Well it is late again, my sleeping habits must improve.

2008 and a new art journal....

Thats right got a new art journal for 2008 . The old one was like a binder and after a while I could not close it. So this should work better for me.
I created a 2 page spread one for saying goodbye to 2007 and 1 page saying hello to 2008.
I actually think it turned out pretty good. I like working in an art journal, but I am not going to be soley doing that this year. I am going to make sure to particiapte in challenges. Like Studio Friday, Inspiration Thursday, 4x4, etc. That I think gives you motivation to create.

2008 a new year...a new begining

Well usually every year I make a few New Years resolutions and keep some and don't keep others. So this year I am making only 1 resolution (to make every day count as if its my last). I am going to live my life like that. 2007 had a few memorable highlights.

1. Sofie (the dog) came into our lives and now what would we ever do without her.

2 My daughter started College last year and likes it.....

3. I created more in my studio and was happy with most of it.

4. My mother is still in reasonably good health and is happy.

5. My three best friends has been with me through thick or thin

6. Spent a week in Phone nix with my daughter re-connecting

7. Saw my younger sister two different times in 2007 (she lives in a different place)

8. Met some wonderful supportive people on my blog and other blogs.

9. Received some beautiful art from Karine and Patti (two talented artists)

10. Was happy....

For 2008 I want to accomplish some things artiscally
1. Want to take some life drawing classes at the University
2. To learn more about mixing paint colours
3. To make my own stencils(I am fascinated with stencil art or street art)
4. To paint more canvases
5. To be happy with what I create

This list will evolve over 2008 and I will add to it. I am going to post it in the studio and at the end of 2008 I will report if I have accomplished all that I want to do.....

Its not the New York Times

Today was all about family, resting, talking, revisting when we were young, remembering my Older sister.My mother, me and my younger sister(who is visiting)it really helped us all. We all went out tonight for Chinese food and had a great time. My sister leaves tommorow for home and I will miss her....The newspaper is for my art..hubby went out to the mall and found me one, the mall apparently was crazy.....I am itching to spend some quality time in my cleaned up studio. New Years eve will be quiet which is the way I like it...I will talk to you all in 2008 and you will see some new art from me.

Christmas is over and the studio is on display

I am back and all the christmas frenzy is just about over. I have taken down my trees and decorations I know early but I like a clean clutter free house. Now I have also did the same in the stuido. I had a declutter this week . Spent all week getting rid of stuff I will never use, organizing the cupboards and drawers. They were not functioning the way I wanted to work. This arch is how you enter the studio, I also share space with the treadmill, which keeps calling me to use it, but I havent answered that call in awhile, New Year coming...

I am lucky to have space to do what I want to away from the family and be able to leave out my mess if I want to, which is very often, I am not a tidy artist. The white cabinet which I really cleaned out I got at IKEA and it is really a handy cabinet.

I cut big watercolour paper on the cabinet with the cutting mat, it is just the right height.







Well that is my studio and the drawers hope you like the tour and I would love to see yours.

Have your finished your shopping

This is an ornament that I have hanging on my tree. Well today I just did not do to much, just lazed around the house. I should have been wrapping the presents but no, I better finish that tommorow. The puppy layed on the couch and napped.

A gift from a generous friend...

As promised the gift I received from the lovely talented Patti Is it not beautiful? It came wrapped in brown paper, stamped and with the tag. I totatlly love it and really came out of the blue, generous spirted and really talented. Go to the side of my blog and you will see a link to her site, Patti.....you wont be disappointed.

Flowers for Christmas

Well I only have one more art peice left, I never did get to Day 25, but did my best....Well today was a day of last minutes, trying to get some sleep, I am having trouble in that department, must be all the stress of christmas. On the 25th I will take a big long sigh and relax...

2 posts in one night ...

Just wanted to show you a page in my art journal, its good therapy for me, to art journal, plus I love it. You can try out new techniques...

Only 5 more sleeps

Only 5 more sleeps till Santa comes....Wonder what he will bring me....Well today was a cold and crisp day, a day for a little walk for the Sofie the puppy, a day to sleep in, wrap some presents, anc clean the studio a little. I am cleaning so I can take some pictures of it to show on my blog....what did you do today...

Two days in one post

Missed posting this one yesterday as it was hubby birthday. So out to dinner, then cake at his sisters.
Here is todays and truthfully I think I only have one left, that is all I did. I going to try and upload my picture of pattis gift so you can all see it.

Camel Travel...

Alright I know these dont look to much like a camel, but I have never been on one, so this is my rendition. I have been thinking, that I am going to take some pictures of my studio and show you where I work. I always wonder what kind of space everyone has to create in. I love looking at other peoples studios. I am cleaning it up first it is a total mess. Well its my plan to get to bed early tonight so I am off talk to you tommorow. Oh I recieved a surprise in the mail today. Patti set me a beautiful present I will post the pictures of it on my blog. It is to beautiful to explain, the picture will show you...

The Countdown begins....

Well today we decorated the house and put up the oranaments on the tree. Dont ask me why it has taken me so long to do this, I am not in the Christmas spirit this year. Plus we have had the tree up for a while with the lights, just testing Sofie the puppy, she hasnt bothered the tree to much, now the oranments time will tell. I have been tagged by Patti Mosca about 7 random things about me. I have done this once already but I tell you 7 new ones.

I met my husband when I was in grade nine

I am the middle child of three girls

My dad and sister both died at age 55 and I am scared I might be next

I was born on St. Patricks Day

I have size 10 feet (I wish I had size 7)

My favourite junk food is French Fries from McDonalds (its the salt)

I went to Europe with my Mother for two weeks on a bus trip
So, now it is my turn to tag, here are the rules and here is who I choose!!

The rules: -Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.-Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself-Tag 3 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.-Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here is who I tag: Krissie http://bowerwood.blogspot.com/
Janet: http://jkbees.blogspot.com/
Ankehttp://ankemartin.blogspot.com/

I dont know how to get the links to work sorry about that.

Stressfilled Saturday

Alright your wondering whats with the Green N, well I cant find the wooden N and no other N is available so I went with the green felt pen......This whole layout is done in white...if I had it to do over again, I would not do it,,but a girl has try new things. Well its getter closer to Christmas, so I am full system alert, trying to close in on finishing the shopping. Hubby and I went out for dinner, he now is sleeping on the couch, the puppy is beside me, sleeping under the computer, the daughter is working, and I should be wrapping instead of here on the computer. So I better get at it. Talk to your tommorow.