Book of Me

this book started out as the Book of Days,

and it has morphed into the book of me

I am going my own way, not really

following along, so here it is.  The art

you have seen before .

The cover is glued and varnished.

The spine is covered with a brown paper bag

and the music notes are tim holtz tissue paper

The clock on the eye, the shopper got from Anthropoligie for her birthday

The inside cover was just paint, and dots

 This is a favourite print of mine that I bought from http://lovelife.typepad.com/my_weblog/
another artist that I love and bonus she is Canadian and from Winnipeg.

And I like to have bands around my books, and this is one

I bought from Michaels, its for smash journals, and it

comes two to a pack and it just about 3.00 so cheap

Thats it for today, if you are making a book show it on your blog
so we can all see it.

The Name Game

First off I wanted to thank everyone who commented on my last post. I truly appreciate all your caring words.

Now when I was younger I wanted to be Heidi, it was a book I read over and over again.

Don't ask me why I was thinking about Heidi when I was watching the Cops show, but

it just popped up in my every day book.  And yes I know I spelled her name two

ways, but I decided if I was a Heidi, I would spell my name the other way (lol).

Did you ever have a favourite character in a book you read when you were younger?

Still crazy after all these years

Today i am going to tell you one thing about me, that you don't know,

otherwise I am an open book.  I rewrote this sentence at least

50 times, because I feel i am better now, but there is

no sugar coating this, i suffer from depression.  Yep

thats right me, i went to that dark place about

3 years ago.  Just a few months before i retired.  I

was overwhelmed, with my sisters death, my

mothers grief, her moving here, my family

problems, i couldn't cope.  I started

falling asleep at work (not a good thing to do),

i was so tired i could not get out of the

car, sometimes, i would just sit

in the driveway and sleep.  And

worst of all i was closing my eyes while driving.

That's when I reached out for help, first

to my doctor, who got me started

on a regiment of pills, and then

to a therapist to talk it out.  I can tell you

she helped me the most.  I was trying to be

everything to everybody, and nothing to me.  I went

on sick leave from work, until i retired.  And finally

months and months later i started to feel like

my old self again.  Why am I spilling my guts out on

the Internet you might ask yourself, that's so

private.  But its not , today in Canada it is

Mental Health week, and if this touches someone

anyone, who thinks god I am like that, see

someone, it can make a world of difference.

Okay that's the end of my touch feely story, and now its back to reqular business.

its all about the house

today is all about cleaning the house

doing some art

trying to finish off my trade I am in, its due the 14th and since

Canada mail is by pony express i don't think its going

to make it on time

reading Traci Bautista new book and loving it

having leftovers

tomorrow something you did not know about me

stay tuned

cracked two

This was February cracked, and this is what I saw

1. getting ready to watch the Superbowl
2. have steak, potatoes, mushrooms and quiona salad
3. gave in and went and got the tape, i love it
4. was out shopping with the shopper, bought some new Nike Runners so that when I run the New York marathon next year, i will be ready, ok i wont be running the marathon but I still needed new extremely stylish runners, so people will think I am so athletic.
5. listening to Van Morrison Brown Eyed Girl

so that's it for today, what are you doing

cracked

1. this months crack drawing this is what i saw
2. did not get the paper box yet, but there's still tomorrow
3. got a refill for my copic black marker, will refill the marker 12 times, no need to ever buy another copic marker, just buy refills
4. working on my two trades, worrying about if its good enough
5. going out to the mother in laws for turkey dinner
6. beautiful day out today
7. went for a 2 mile walk with devil dog

And that is it for my Saturday, here's hoping yours was more exciting

Good Stuff for Friday

just wanted to show you a few things I found on the Internet lately

that you might be interested in.

1  Julie Balzer has on her online classes
a free online course, did i mention free,
here is the link, all her have to
do is scroll down to stencil 101,
i signed up, but we might
not hear for a few days
as she is away teaching
http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/online-classes.html

2.Over at http://elviestudio.blogspot.com/

is it not beautiful, she found it aprothogie, i phoned my store

they have 6 in, i have one boot on and one stuck in my door.  I vowed

I wasn't going to buy stuff i really don't need, but i think i need this,

the other boot is going on, keep you informed.  By the way

if you want it, 22.00 bucks in Canada, and way cheaper in the U.S.A.

i have blog love for this woman, she draws and paints

the way i wish I could, but every month, i

can have a little piece of her art

on my computer,  you can download

a monthly calender for your background

go have a look, I love February

http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-desktop-calendar.html

that's it for now Kids I have a deeply personal blog post coming up

on the 8th.  Stay tuned.

wishes

\

i wish i was Mark  Zuckerberg's  (the creator of facebook) mother

                                 i wish my body could eat anything and not gain a pound

                                i wish there was more hours in the day to create art

                                i wish  i hadnt posted this drawing, if you cant quess what it is,
                               it started as an angel, the face turned out not angel like at all,
                               so i slapped a bird on it, and called it a day

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 

http://pamcarriker.com/

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

http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.com/

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?

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?

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?

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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?

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.



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

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.

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

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

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

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. 







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.

Don't forget to go over to Julies   http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2012/01/organization-week-storage-containers.html

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,

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

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?



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



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?

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

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

http://art-and-sole.blogspot.com/2011/12/postcard-challenge-2012.html

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

http://312in366artchallenge.blogspot.com/

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

http://wildpreciouslife.com/

3.  Gulfspirte if you dont know her art hope over to her site,

she is generous in spirt, and madly talented

http://www.gulfsprite.com/2012/01/did-you-sign-up-for-the-new-art-geeks-group-yet/

4.  Over at Amys a free spirtied wildy creative artist

shares tutorials, and videos and its just a

great creative sitte

http://butterscape.blogspot.com/

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/

2011 in a nutshell

well the countdown begins for the beginning of 2012

in 2011 i blogged 238 times

made some good and bad art

took alot of courses and learned alot

have 112 followers (thank you)

made many good blogging friends

grieved over the loss of my mother

had a few scary health concerns (good now)

took a few trips

had fun times with good friends

watched my daughter grow as a woman

celebrated my 39the wedding anniversary

helped my sister

tonight we are staying home having a quiet new year

sometimes we don't even make it up for new years,

we are going today at 1:00 pm to have lunch with

friends at the Red Lobster...my favourite place on earth.

What are you doing tonight?

Favourites

Do you have a favourite drawing, painting, sketch that you

like above anything else you have ever created?

I do, this one, its not pretty, its not even that

good technically, she looks like she

has had a bad batch of botox, but

it represents me who I am as an

artist,where I want to go as an artist.

I cant draw or paint realistically, no

matter how hard I try, so I decided

I have to go a different path, the

path is a little wonky, funky, edgy (i try)

I want people to look at my work and

say, that is her style for sure.

What do you say, whats your style,

Imperfection

When you make art do you love what you produce immediately?

I must say sometimes, I am satisfied with it, sometimes

I hate it, sometimes I am happy with imperfection.

I think that some of the great painters of years ago

struggled with the same worries about

there art, as we do.  I am sure Picasso must

have produced a few stinkers in his time.  But

I guess what we all have to remember

is what we see as an imperfection\

others see as perfection.

Mrs. No idea

I quess you can tell, I have no ideas, no art ideas i mean

the well has run dry this week.  The feeling of blogging

is not there.  Is it the season? Is it sometimes you need

to take a break.  I kept going by Zorans blog, but

she had not posted in awhile.  Finally a post

a bunch of bloggers had emailed her and asked

if she was alright.  She was she had just

up and quit her blog, she thought nobody

would miss . she came

back, explained she had enough for now,

and goodbye.  Do you feel like that sometimes?

Or am I the only one, or is blogging going

out of style, now with different ways to

communicate. thru face book, twitter etc.

Personally face book or twitter is not

for me.  Ok lets take a poll, do you

like to blog, facebook or twitter, which one the most

Me.  its blog when I have something to say