Ikea Art

The ladies are an art card that I picked up at IKEA. I love their cards. I picked up the board at Michael's 1.50, it had a cup painted on it I think. I gessoed the board, distressed and painted it, used gel to glue everything down, painted and wiped etc, added some Asian inspired stamps I have and here is my new art piece. I love how it turned out all for about $2.00 I am including the art card. The board has a wire with beads on it, very nice.

Today is the next half of the rest of my life.;...

That is right today is my birthday. Now normally I would not mention it but it is an important birthday for me. I am now going to be able to do what I want when I want (by the end of the month for sure). Create art at all hours. I felt great trepidation about this day.
1. Because my family seems to all check out at this age.
2. Because really I have worked all my life or at least 35 years of it and thought
I would feel adrift without it.
3. I thought to myself I dont want to get older.

Well there is no more birthdays after this one......I have put a freeze on them. My doctor says I should be around for a few more years. And I feel that I have so much more to give of me that I dont need to get paid for. I want to volunteer, I want to take painting classes, I want to lunch with friends, stay out late and not worry about work in the morning. Be able to get up in the morning and sit on the deck and read the paper at lesisure and much more. So much more to look forward to and I am...This card was made for me by my talented friend Sandy...

Outside My Window-Jen Worden Challenge

Ok I have posted this before it is from my art journal. Jen wordens challenge this week for outside of your window, like outside of her window it is a winter wonderland. We have a big dump of snow last night. So I decided to show this again, something I wish was outside of my window. This is a mixed media outside of my window.

X-Ray Vision

I chose the colour inkblot number 5. I immediately saw this picture in my mind.
If you dont get it, she is having an x-ray.

Doodling in my moleskin

Yes I do have a moleskin journal. Just like the millions of people out there. This is my first, I have used other small art journals in my purse, but I really like this one. It just feels right, so when it feels right you just got to go with it. I went and had a hot chocolate today at Starbucks and was doodling and here it is. Now I am going to use my gel pens that I carry in purse and fix it up. I love to doodle ,

Jen Wordens Challenge-Finish up an old project

Well those of you who read my blog have seen this girl before. I have had her hanging around the studio unfinished for ages. I dont know why probably because I was unhappy with her. That is why I never did the other side. So I took the challenge just to get her finished I only had a few things left. I added a stencil some paint etc. Then I got the brian wave to use wax. Okay my first time and probably my last, I did not like the way it looked. Then I tried scrapping the wax off, and ended up with this. So here she is in all her glory, scrapped and faded and looking like she has been in a fight for her life. Lets just say she is going in the back of the closet....Any tips on using wax would be helpful for next time...

Kitchen Art-Inspire me thursday

Inspire me thursday is all about the kitchen so here is mine.

Pastels

I would love to be able to create portraits of people and make them look like them. I need much more practice as you can tell from this pastel. First time I have used pastels, the jury is out if I like them or not. Went to my fav store today IKEA bought a dresser for a bedroom, my daughters, she had one but decided it was to old (she paid for it) and a few other goodies, cant leave there without buying something. This week did not enter any challenges, Inspire me Thursday I could not think of one thing. Well I should go clean up a bit, talk to you tommorow.

Odds and Ends

Well this is the card box that I made, I think it turned out okay for the first try. Now I have to get something in it.This is a recipes box that I got in the 1.50 bin at Michael's, I painted it, and did the picture on it, and I am going to put some rubons on it. I don't know what I am going to keep in it yet.
And the last picture is of some background paper that I am making for the art journal that I am keeping. I was busy down in the studio tonight, I am making a 4x9.5 inch journal so I was painting and cutting watercolour paper to get it ready. Painting the paper etc. I had quite a productive night so that makes me happy. It is snowing out as I type. Just when you think spring might be coming our way, mr. winter comes back. Well I have rambled on about nothing for to long dont want to bore you so talk to you all tommorow.

I have been tagged....

Tonight there will be two posts...this one and the other with some pics and such. I have been tagged by Karine and by Patti. What you are suppose to do is name 7 things that people don't know about you and pass it on to 7 other people. All the people who I would have passed it onto have been tagged already. So if you want to be tagged by me just let me know or consider yourself tagged. Here are 7 things...

1. I do not drink coffee, nor does my husband or daughter.
We all drink diet coke. I know diet drinks can destroy your brain cells and put weight on you. But I love it and will not give it up.


2. I am the one in the family who does all the electronics - setting them up,getting them to work ...my husband is electronics challenged.


3. I love to blog, I love to read other peoples blogs..I find them all interesting.

3. I am really interested in American politics - and I am Canadian I find the system fascinating


4. I am a reader. I can finish a book in one night....cant put it down once I start stay up until I have finished the book. I am a night owl.

5. I used to smoke a pack a day and quit cold turkey 10 years ago and I am glad I did.

6. I love to take pictures....of every event. My relatives and friends can tell you I am that annoying person who always is snapping pictures.


7. I did not learn to drive until I was 22 my husband did not teach me, my good girl friend did and that is why I am still married to this day.
.

Chipboard Purse for CArds made by Hand

Check this little beauty out made by my friend Sandy. She came over to the studio on Saturday and we both made from scratch this chipboard box. I mean from scratch, told a few hours but well worth the time and effort, Hers looks great, I have not taken a picture of mine yet but will post tommorow. We found a pattern on line and we decided to give it a go. Something new to try .......

Jen Worden Cartoons-PUPPY LOVE

This is about our puppy sofie, who loves shoes and socks. She hides our socks and shoes in her bed and then thinks we cant see them.

Artygirlz challenge - Circles

here is my entry for ARTGIRZ challenge circles. By the way on her mouth the circle word is spelled correctly you just cant see the e. I know shes not pretty

Jen Wordens challenge-Cartoon-Washing day

Here is the second one I have done, called Washing day - my daughter put to much soap in the washer and we had us a little flood.

Cartoons from me

A challenge from Jen Wordens site, creating cartoons about your life.....Alright I am not a cartoonist for sure, this is about as funny as I get. The writing says: Why is it always my turn at 6:00 am to take the dog out? And that really happens here.........

4x4 Friday-Watercolour

Create a 4×4 this week using watercolors somewhere on your 4×4! Could be for a background, around an image-just use your imagination.
I sketched the rose, watercoloured the whole picture. Hope you like it.

Cleopatra 2008

I was watching the debate the other night and got to thinking about powerful women. I was working on my art journal and thought about Cleopatra and started to draw her and then turned her into this woman. This woman says what she wants, doesnt bend to the established rules, has heart and soul. She can debate with the best of the old mens club, but still manages to fit in. I would like to be that woman to some degree and am working on it.

Warm Colours - Theme Thursday/arty Girlz-Green

I have posted this before on my blog but it fits right in to Theme Thursday. I only used stamp pad ink (the only stamps are the bottom flowers). I love how all the colours came together and when I look at this I get all warm and think of a summer night when the sun is going down.

Who will I be...

I really look much better than this. I did this page as a reminder to me that my life is changing. A milestone birthday is coming fast and furious, and many decisions about my life have to be made by me. Yes i am turning 55 (god I feel like 35)I have worked for many years 35 years to be precise and its time to retire if I want to. I have not been working since Dec 14/08 off on short term. My life not working has been good, hard to get used to but good. So as my birthday approaches I must make a decision about retiring from work or continuing on.....So lots to think about, I know you think whats to think about but truthfully after you have worked for such a long time, it is hard to just give it up........

I made this art journal page because I would like a tattoo but I do not like pain or needles. So there goes the small tattoo. I like Hindu hennas, I really like them, I have had one of my hand, the art is amazing I think that is why I like them. I kinda tried to do one on my hand on the picture, lets just say I wont be getting hired for any weddings any time soon. Well today the weather was good, the roads are clear which is a plus. I definitly think we are on the up swing into spring. Saw a chipmunk on our fence today that is a good sign.

Simply a summer house

I decided to go with this Summer House vision for Jen Wordens challenge#7- I think that there is nothing like just sitting outside on a bench enjoying life -

GPP Street Team Challenge-Crusade number 17

On Street Team Challenge was to create an on the go art container,so your ready to journal not just in the studio, but anywhere. I loved this challenge, as I have been thinking about setting up something for when I am upstairs, or at the library, so this was just up my alley.
I really thought about what I would need to have in this box, so that if I wanted something it was there.
I thought since you might not see everything I would list them for you: gel medium, gesso small bottle, cheap craft paints, paintbrushes, watercolour kit, lables, pop up dots, 2 sided tape. lables, gel pens, black pens for journalling, ink pad, a few favourite journalling stamps,eraser, pencil, small notebook, some clear envelopes. Now in the ziplock baggy i have some phrases, words, images etc. and of course my journal which is separate.

Theme Thursday: By the Sea

This week’s theme is “by the sea”! Think beaches, sand, shells, mermaids, fish, bathing beauties…. anything that relates to the sea! Use collage images, rubber stamps, fancy paper , embellishments or any other art supply to give your art a “by the sea” look. Make an ATC, 4 x 4, card, inchie, altered tag, skinny or whatever you fancy! Add your art to your blog, then post a direct link under the comments! Please include a link to Theme Thursday on your blog! Have fun and make art!

An old art peice that fits this week theme. Made on a peice of wood, acrylic paints used.

Inspire me Thursday-Illusion-Talk to the hand

This week’s creative prompt is Illusion. Think magic… optical illusions… mimes… or any other visual trickery that inspires you.
I had drawn this awhile ago. I think it fits the theme. My daughter always use to say talk to the hand.Hope you like it.

Old McDonald had a farm....

This is what was accomplished in the studio tonight not much. I went to the studio fully intending to finish something,,,,but alas all I did was make a mess of it. You know when you add to much, that is my problem never knowing when to stop. When enough is enough, but know it when it is to late. Anyway it is now a blank canvas once more. And how was your day???We are expecting alot of snow here tonight and a little wind great for driving. That is what I hate about winter slippery streets. Well talk to you tommorow.

Challenge- Red

The Challenge: Given that Valentine’s Day is next Thursday, this week’s theme is: SEEING RED. Make either an ATC or 4 x 4" card using materials you already have. No buying new. Once completed, I want you to give your card to someone that did something above and beyond the call of duty, as a small "thank you". The catch … it has to be a complete stranger. Experience what it’s like to let go of your art and allow it out into the world with no strings attached.

Post’em: Post a link to your image along with the reaction of your gift in the comments below.

Due: Post by Friday, February 15, 2008.


I made a very traditional card 4x4. The person who I (my mother) is going to give it to is a 93 year old woman in her building (a seniors home). My mother is going to put it under her door for me. I will know the comments as the lady sits at my mothers table and they are friends. My mother is not going to reveal that she knows who the card is from. This lady is wonderful I do not know her personally just to say hi etc. At 93 she volunteers for everything in the building. She helps new comers feel welcome, she helped my mother. Most of these seniors do not have family members come to visit and I felt by giving her this card and by signing it friend they would have alot of fun at there table tryhing to decide who gave her the card.

Inspirations Thursday - Faces

This week the focus is on Faces. Paint a face. Sketch a face. Sculpt a face. Collage a face. Make it pretty or abstract or colorful or subtle. As always, there is no wrong way to approach or interpret the theme. It is a broad topic, so be creative!
This is an old image that I created made of recyled paper towels that I had wiped paint on. I drew the image with black pen and here it is. I used it in my art journal...

Hot sun and a airplane ride not for me

No the trip is not for me. My daughter (19) is going to Cancun on reading week February 14 is the start with friends fromwork and school. She really has worked hard, studying, working, going to school and trying to fit some fun in between. She is paying for the trip herself thats the beauty of working weekends and one night a week at a popular restuarant and getting great tips. She loves the sand and the sun, and just generally loves to have fun just like everyone else. I thought I would create this little mixed media piece in my journal, I love the colours I chose I love bright colours. Till tomorrow night...

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.