watch out curves ahead,,,,

this is the last in the series of bathing suits this is number 5. I created this one because it seems all women have a issue with bathing suits,everybody that I know does. Nobody even if they have a great body think they look great in a bathing suit. So here she is in all her glory curves and all showing all the world her body. Good for her. I loved creating this one, she is not pretty, she is curvy in all the wrong places but happy with herself.

Inspiration Thursday-Becoming Picasso-Diary entry

This is my take on this week’s theme Diary. I did get a diary at the age of 13, but do I still have it, no. Those things did actually happen, so this is probably what I would have written in my diary at that time. I was very faithful about writing in it. It had one of those locks with the little key and I used to wear it around my neck, and hide the diary under my bed. And yes I did want to be a nun, and I am not even Catholic but then I found two things that changed my mind boys and art in that order.

A few months ago I did receive a grown up diary (journal) as a present from my friend.
I do write in it, I keep it beside my bed. When I have had an upsetting day I write in it
And relieve my frustrations and it makes me feel better. When I have something that I want to remember, I write in it. I think just the writing of your thoughts and feelings are important. I will keep it this time, and look back in 20 years and see what I thought was important to me.

Inspiration Thursday...Open Topic...Serial ART

This is what I have been doing lately serial art. I have been sketching in my art journal and writing. The concept is a continuing story about a girl and boy who dance Tango.
Each shoe will be a continution of the first peice.
I am going to do it on small chunky canvas. Have not started the canvas yet, still defining the story line. Everyhting is rough right now, so the pictures will be much better, etc...no judging it till its done..I was not going to particiapate this week, because I felt funny about showing it, some might think what the hell is she talking about. But it's my take on my art, so here it is.
I am all about a series lately I also have done a bathing suit series. Hope you like it. Dont mind the other stuff on the page, I like to use up all available space in my art journal.....

My Inspirations....

What is the most favourite resource you use to seek encouragement, understanding, enlightenment, inspiration, strength, to gain further knowledge or fun? Is it a book or a magazine, a quote, a website, a photo, another artist? How often do you turn to your source and at what point on your creative path?

I have been thinking about this quite a bit lately reflecting back on the path I have chosen. Inspiration comes to me from many sources, the newspaper, books, art books, magazines, other blogs, from Studio Friday, Inspiration Thursday, my friends. When do I turn to these sources constantly, I am always looking for inspiration, new colour, new ideas, new techniques, I think you can never stop learning.....

Its all about Me Time in 7 months....

Today was a funny day at work. I thought alot about my friend Lois who is leaving work at the end of this week just to stay home after 30 years on the job. I thought about how she must be feeling and how I will feel when that happens to me next year. I will be happy, yep I will be dancing with joy....I have worked long and hard in my life and now I am ready for alot of me time, and family time. I will just take my time and chill. I will stay up as late as I want to and sleep till I wake up. I will not be on a regimented schedule...I will travel when I want and for however long I want to be away and not worry about holidays running out.....I am ready to retire.....

Just call her Angel of the Morning

Did this drawing on a peice of lined paper on my coffee and lunch break, trying to get better at drawing people. I am having a hard time with the mouth,eyes and nose. Maybe I should leave them faceless.....I got doodling and turned into this. I used my felt pens from work and colored her thought would help make her look better. Just thought I would post her, talk to you tommorow.

Like a Bird on a Wire

Well I had just a great day today, the sun was shining, I sat on the deck and just enjoyed the day. Did not worry about the house, sketched painted, and you looking at my creation. Saw this bird on my fence and just sketched him, as he kinda flew around. I was out of my comfort zone, I did a bigger picture than usual and I am giving it as a gift, I dont think I have given any of my art as a gift, I really cant remember it. Well I am going to end this perfect day and will talk to you tommorow.

Inspire me Thursday-Godess in Training

This week let us be inspired by the creative prompt Goddess. A female being of supernatural powers or attributes, believed in and worshiped by a people. A female being believed to be the source of life and being and worshiped as the principal deity in various religions. Something, such as fame or wealth, that is worshiped or idealized. Or a woman of great beauty or grace.

Here is mine I know the godess was believed to be a great beauty. But my godess is in training, and she might not make the cut. The beauty part is up for grabs, I did not make her a beauty. I thought she had strength of character which is more important.

Studio Friday - Yellow /I call it mellow yellow

This week's topic for Friday July 20th suggested by michelle: What does the color yellow mean to you??


I love yellow, it makes me feel happy and alive. It calms my spirit,its fresh, its the colour of a sunrise, a shade of a half moon. Do I use yellow in my house no, I would but my hubby doesnt like yellow so I comprise. Do I wear yellow no, my coloring does not suit yellow. But I love to see yellow flowers, pillows it just makes me happy. Like this flower, I knew what I wanted to do right away.

She dreamed of the Ocean

This is the 4th in the water girl series, I think one more and that is it for this series. This is my first series ever and I feel quite happy with it. I have them on magnets *they are all made on wood, and I used water colours. they are at the office, on top of a filing cabinet. I will take a picture of them and post it. I have an idea for the last one, going to work on it this week.

Here is a picture I did tonight, I am not happy with the flowers, so going to redo them. I painted the backgroound, love it, and the leaves but the flower bud leaves something to be desired. Lets get your opinion.

The Snake Charmers

Well was down in the studio, cleaning and thinking about my Tango shoe Diary...and also my younger sister. She has been going through a rough time lately (with men) and thus my design the Snake Charmer. I hope you got that he was a snake. Now I am not saying all men are snakes, for sure most of them are not, but there are some out there,,and I am sure you have all met a few in our lifetime. Today was another perfect day, hot hot and hotter, we have had two weeks of hot weather. Thank god for my air conditioner....
Well just wanted to post my picture so till tommorrow night.

My Hometown

I have joined my first ever "swap" called my hometown. What you do is fill up a box with things about your hometown and send them to the person who you have been matched with. I have been matched with Jess. Now I am worried that my box will not be as cool as everybody elses box. Firstly I have never done this before, I think all the people on Make a Connections have done swaps many times. I am thinking and am open to suggestions of things to put in my box, about my Hometown. If you were in the swap what would you put in your box, really I need help, if you have never made a comment on this blog now is the time to do it. Help ME.... Well I was going to take another week of holidays off but did not pan out, as we are short a girl, who is on holidays and we need to keep the staffing levels up. It is just as well, as after my two weeks off it was very hard to come back to work and get in the groove....Well got to go, make a comment and tell me what you would put in your Hometown box, give me some Ideas...

Inspire Me Thursday - Bold

These week’s creative challenge is Bold. Whether it’s taking bold action like our featured artist of the week or simply using a boldface font, find inspiration in boldness. Daring courage and bravery… brazen and sassy… prominent and clear to the eye… steep or abrupt in grade or terrain… use any of these definitions to interpret this topic.

I am doing a series of bathing suit women on wood this is the 3rd in the series. I enjoyed making this one and then thinking of how to incorporate boldly into it. Hope you all like it as much asI do.

Studio Friday -Looking Back

let's do exactly this and take a look at what you started out with on your creative endeavor and all those magnificent things you have accomplished since then.

I have always loved art but in my life it seemed I never time for it. I always did some sort of craft always searching for something that would hold that I would feel was right. I always sketched a little, mostly doodling but nothing serious. Then a life altering occurance happened, my sister died suddenly and I had a major meltdown. My therapist suggested I take up some kind of hobby so i thought about it and decided to go back to my art. Of course, I did not show it to anyone, nobody knew except my family what I did. Then I decided to create a blog and felt comfortable showing my art on my blog after all nobody knew who I was. The more I did the better I felt and the better the art became. I used to secretly call myself an artist. But now I am saying it out loud I AM An ARTIST. Looking back I have come a long way....

Inspiration Thursday -Seven

This week let us be inspired by lucky number Seven.

Meet Travis my nephew who is seven, this is my art of Seven. Did a fast little black pen sketch of him, (really he much better looking in real life). Wanted to participate and thought about it late.

Studio Friday - Digital (Phone)

I do have a cell phone, but alas it does not take pictures. But I do use my digital camera all the time, it is my way of taking notes. If I see something that I might want to use in my art, I take a picture of it, and keep it as a reference point. My picture of the Indian woman was a picture I had taken of some beautiful Indian Cloth in a market hence my colour for the picture.

Yes that is right I am in the hot spot of Winnipeg..

Kal quessed right, I am in Winnipeg, enjoying the heat and humidity. Tommorrow is suppose to be another hot humid day but I am getting used to them. Leaving Sunday for home hubby says its hot there to. Today we toured Winnipeg, I must say they really have inspiring buildings. They have not ripped up their old homes like most cities, they have saved them, redone them and they look great. Old imposing homes with great lawns, flowers. There is a corner store just about on every block. Where I live we only have 7 eleven and lets just say they are not on every corner. What ever happened to the day of the corner store, where you could just run up and get a carton on milk. Winnipeg really has not lost that old town feeling, which I think is really nice. We went to the forks today, walked around, and had dinner at the Old Spagetti Factory, it was a really nice day all in all. We are home now because my sister likes Big Brother and it starts tonight and she did not want to miss it. Well probably wont post any more until I get home on Sunday. Thinking about Studio Friday and will try to post that on Sunday as well. I have been doing some sketching and some watercolour well here. The boys are interested so we have been having art everyday....they are a hoot....

Where in the world has Lee gone on vacation..

I cant post any picture clues as my sister does not have a scanner, and I forgot to bring my camera cord to upload pictures. Second clue they have a place where you can go called the Forks.....thats a easy one ...for whoever knows Canada. Today just chilled, did lunch and some sightseeing. The weather is very hot here, but today there is a breeze so it is tolerable. LOU LOU is still stalking me, but I am trying my best to get used to her. She seems to know that I dont want her around me and she does her best to irrate me. My sister has been putting her in the basement, but I feel bad so I told her let LOU LOU out of the basement...My sister has a really cool funky house pictures to follow later. I am on the 3rd floor my own wing as to say, with my own bathroom. She has air so it is tolerable in the house. Well should hit the road...talk to you soon

Can you guess where I am....

As you might or might not know i am away for about a week on vacation helping my sister. Now here is a hint...the misquitoes are giant sized. Well I have arrived at my holiday destianation. My sister has 2 kids and a cat named Lou Lou. Well you would not think a fifty something year old would be afraid of a little oh pussy cat would you. Wrong, I am...I have an irrational fear of cats which I am trying to overcome which is not going so well. I like all other pets but cats..I dont know. Apparently LOU LOU knows I dont really like her she has been stalking me around the house. Last night coming out of the bedroom she was waiting at the door for me. I had to phone my sister from upstairs to come and get her. Oh well enough of my life. I am taking the boys who are 10 and 8 to see Sherk tommorow so they are looking forward to that. Holidays just started two days ago for them and they are bored already, my poor sister has a very long summer ahead of her. Well should go and find out where everybody is (including the cat). Talk to you all soon with another clue of my where abouts.

Inspiration Thursday...Light

When I saw the topic I immediately thought of Litehouse. I have this thing for Litehouse and their stories. All through the Maritimes, they have the coolest litehouses. On our vacation their a couple of years ago I made the hubby stop at all of them. Hope you like my quick little watercolour, not my best I am in hurry going away for a week on vacation and still havent packed but wanted to submit...

Studio Summer Brunch....

Summer time calls for a light snack for lunch. What is your favourite summer snack you treat yourself to in your studio while having a break from creating? Is it hearty or sweet, cold or warm? What are its colours? Is there a dream scenario you keep wishing for at times for a lunch, too? Do you have a favourite drink as well.

Yes I like to eat in the studio, when creating munching seems to go hand in hand. I try to eat healthy with my favourite fruits. But I love salsa and chips, and diet coke...I cannot live without my diet coke. Hope you all enjoy it..Great topic.

My Latin period continues.....

Yes these are some of the sketches that will go with the serial art, of course they will be bigger painted etc.
After all these are just 5 minute sketche ideas and painted with pens high tech I am...The tango dancer was just a whim, she will not be going in the series, I tried to indicate that she was dancing and her hair was out of control. All it does is look like a mess of hair. Oh well, tonight I am working on my Studio Friday submission and having an early night, last night it was 1:30 and I get up at 6:00. It is hard to function.....

serial art...

This little 5 minute sketch (please disregard the strawberry thats a whole other issue) has developed into a project in my mind of a series of 4 drawings tentively called the Tango Shoe Diaries, with a continuing story on each of the 4 tango shoe pictures. I know sounds compeletly off the wall but my mind is racing and I am totally exicted, I have the story down, and two sketches of tango shoes, the other one I will show you tommmorow. The story is in rough draft and will be on the picture. I am going to do it on picture blocks, with paint, sheetmusic, old maps (if i can find any). I am totatly ready. These week I am roughing out the design in my sketch book, and the story. Next week I will do the same (as I away visiting the sister) the following week I am on vacation at home, and will start the series. If you can think of a different name let me know, so far that is the only one I can think of...

The Jazz experience...

Well I am back been having trouble with blogger and my mail, they would not let me log in. So you go to help and you go around and around. Finally I found out how to change my password, and tried that. It let me into blooger but not my mail...Tonight was great went to a Jazz concert with Madeleine Peyroux, fabulous...had a really great time.
Well I am going away next week with (mother) to visit my sister, she has a computer so I am hoping to be able to post from the road, taking my sketch book, and camera and hope to get some work done. I am working on Studio Friday submission now. Well gotta to go got to get my beauty rest.

Inspire Me Thursday-Connection

I thought alot about this weeks challenge - connection. I believe we are all connected. I mean you have to have some sort of connection with someone, or something or else you would be "left adrift in a sea of loneliness. You can have a people connection, spiritual connection, animal connection, art connection it is endless. People need a connection to justify their existence. I made this art peice, from a kids puzzle, interconnection, circles that connect....

10 minute sketch - Rolex

Just a little sketch of my daughters boyfriends dog. I did not get to the eyes as I did this sketch from memory and I did not want to get the eyes wrong. There is a beautiful story behind this dog. My daughter and her boyfriend were on their way home one cold winter night minus 40 that is how cold it was. They saw this dog running (puppy) around loose. The boyfriend stopped the car and after about 30 minutes coached the dog into the car. He took him home, looked for tags, went to the vet to see if it had an ear tag implanted but no. Somebody had adandoned this dog and left it to die, we don't know how long he had been running around in that cold weather. He took him to the SPCA in case somebody was looking for him, left him there for three days, nobody claimed him, so he took him back. Decided he better get his shots, and he kept him.
He is the most gentle loving dog, but must have been mistreated because he is scared if you move suddenly. ANyway a happy story they named him Rolex, I call him Rollie and I love him just as much as my daughter and her boyfriend.,

Inspsiration Thursday Wood

This week, let’s find inspiration in Wood. Think about the various uses of wood throughout time, both practical and decorative. Consider the symbolism of wood, such as the wood element in feng shui. Look around and explore wood in your environments, furniture in your home, building structures in your town, trees in nature.
This little peice of wood I have had around for ages I have 20 more the same size. I got them at a thrift store in a baggie, did not know what I was goiong to do but have found a use for several. This little bathing beauty is one of my delights (I love anything to do with water and old bathing suits (image courtsey of fifi lepew) she was kind enough to share this image with me. I gessoed the wood, painted it a few times, rub away some of the paint to give it that old feeling, also sanded it, printed out the image in black and white, added a little colour and here it is.
There are much better peices out there, but hey I like the look of this one, I think it looks like I just found it in a junk store.

One Little Word .....MY

For the One Little word challenge which is MY. Here is mine, My Favourite Drink..Which happens to be a Salted Cesar with or without Vodka. In the states I believe they call it a bloody mary. Now why would I do this for the challenge. I wanted it to be light hearted and that is the first thing I thought of. I must have wanted one....

Studio Friday - Imprefection -Hand art

Wabi-sabi (in Kanji: 侘寂) represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centred on the acceptance of transience. The phrase comes from the two words wabi and sabi. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete" (according to Leonard Koren in his book Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers). It is a concept derived from the Buddhist assertion of the Three marks of existence — Anicca, or in Japanese, 無常 (mujyou), impermanence.

This weeks studio friday as all about imperfect. Thats what my art is, it can never be perfect because I could just go on working on peice forever. When I feeling blue about my art I think did Picasso ever have a bad art day. Did he ever just roll it up and throw it out. I bet he did, he could not have been perfect all the time...

Eating in the name of Art

Pencil Crayon Tiplet #5 - this is my take on the tiplet, the drawing I did not pay to much attention to as you can see, I concentrated more on getting the color down and trying to layer in different colors, adding white and I did not do to much black mucking up (I just could not do it, its just not in me). The link on the left lovelife is where these tiplets are go there she is multi talented and very entertaining....

Summertime in the City.....

Meet my Dad, My grandmother and my great grandmother. I never knew the ladies they died quite young. My dad also died young 54 years old. So as It nears father's day I think of him. My mother never married again. She says once you have found the best you can never replace him. I cant believe I have not posted since Saturday....Whatever have I been doing...working, cleaning, being a good wife, good mother, good daughter. and trying like hell to get some art done in between all these things. The art did not win out, I did not do Studio Friday, Inspiration Thursday last week at all. I went down to the studio tried a few things and came upstairs, when you dont have you just dont have it...The house is quiet the hubby is out of town till tommorow, the daughter is working and just me, I should be creating but no I am cleaning out my clothes cupboard, obsessing and organizing that is what I do when I am stressed. Hubby likes it says I get alot done lol. Well should close want to get that cupboard done before bed, talk to you all tommorow...

Studio Friday...The studio

Take a look around you at your studio space...how much space do you have?
Take a look at your art...how does your space influence your art in any way? Do you create small or large art works? Do you see a parallel?
Take a look at your dream studio space (yippieh!)...what does it look like? What is the layout? Is it big or small? And most important of all: What art do you create in it? Will it be on a larger or smaller scale than before? And what can you do to get closer to your vision this week/month/year?
I have a dedicated place to do my art and I know that I am lucky. There are a few things I wish I had, a island in the middle (if I had a bigger room) with drawers large emough to hold huge watercolour paper, and bins built in for paint and brushes. All and all I am happy with my space. At the moment I am in the process of trying to fix it up (or organize it) for a better flow. My art is on a smaller scale but I have bought a bigger canvas to work on. I keep looking at it and thinking I really should do something with that but its not talking to me yet... I love looking at other studios to get ideas...so this topic this week is great.

In the Style of Mogiliani

Amedeo Mogiliani is one of my favourite painters. I discovered him on the blog of Carla Sonheim (see link). I just love his style and colour. His work can be distinquished by long necks and faces. I am in search of my own style but love his, so some of his style I have incorporated and updated the look to make it my own, still trying to work it out to be mine but trial by error. Thus the word trendy, I made her trendy, haircut etc. This started out as a sketch in my art journal and stayed there, but painted the background. Hope you like it, have you found your style....

What do you do with your free time...

Well where have I been since Sunday. I had "free time". Hubby was out of town, the daughter was working and I was just chilling here at home. Just relaxing and going to bed early for change, and not having to worry about anyone just me. And you know what I kinda of liked it. Didnt create any art but I am well rested. I think sometimes you just need to do that, be alone and reflect...I created this peice tonight, its on 3x5 canvas from the dollar store, a stamp I love (a swimmer in a bathing cap) I love to swim, I tried to create the background like water, found the words in a magazine and here it is. I have decided to try new things, new techniques so you will be seeing more new things from me, I am taking a risk for me (I have a comfort zone). What do you do to take a risk out of your comfort zone. See ya!!

Studio Friday - Recyle

I believe in the Reduce, Recyle, Reuse method. Dont get me wrong I love paper any type of paper, and I love really good canvas for paintings. But I love to hunt down really different objects for my art, old wood, old books, used baby wipes (used for art purposes ) I love to discover new ways to work old thrown out objects and make people want them again. I love the thrill of making something old new again....so here is mine.....a few objects I cant show you them all the work area not big enought.

Inspire me Thursday-Outside my Window Journal

The window











Outside my window the sun shines bright
The sun streaks through the trees a sharp golden light
The leaves on the trees are a bluey green
Like a watercolour that has never been seen

The birds build there nest high up in the trees
Mother bird had the babies they number three
The chicks are hidden and hard to see

The blades of grass grow long in the hot summer sun
The flowers have bloomed and are almost done
Dusk comes quietly and night has begun

Original poem by Lee

James Taylor - Shower the People (Beacon Theatre 1998)

I love James TAylors music and this song..hope you all listen and love it to.

A bad few days...

I have had a bad few days, hubby the handyman that he is, fell off the ladder at home and hit his head on the concrete was unconscious for about 4 minutes, he did wake up just as the ambulance arrived. Scared the shit out of me (pardon the language) went to the hospital, they did a scan of his brain, and found he does have one (just a sick little joke to ease the tension)was ok from the fall, but they did find something else with white matter, he has to go for a MRI on Thursday....So I quess sometimes when you think what did this happen it happens for a reason, otherwise we would not have known about this white matter thing...Oh well I am not going to go crazy about this till Thursday. Anyway he has been home re cooperating from the fall since Wednesday, sleeping alot they said he would, he gets a little dizzy and the world sometimes goes upside down, but the doctor said that would pass soon. So that is where I have been for the past 3-4 days, looking after hubby...I am going to work on some studio Friday and Inspiration Thursday tonight, he is sleeping watching the hockey game, so I have some free time...Talk to you all soon.

Just one little word: STOP

Here's mine, heard the word, knew what I wanted to do, sketched it out, watercolour and here it is. Not typical scrapbooking but my version. Hope you like it....

Love Sweet Love - Johnny Reid

One of my favouorite singers and songs...hope you like it, I love this song.

Its been a hard days night...Inspire Me thursday Journal

What is a typical day like for you? Use your journal to reflect upon your normal routine — jot down a timeline, take photos or include daily ephemera or momentos, write down thoughts about your schedule — any way you choose to illustrate a day in the life of you.

Thought alot about how to document my day, first I was going to draw each activity and then decided just to put it all down randomly, this is a day in the life of Me.

Handart....

Well hi!! Happy Memorial Day to all my American readers...I have had a busy weekend, doing nothing. But I well rested and ready for work tomorrow. Had a BBq tonight chicken kabobs and veges, Greek salad, etc delicious. The weather cooperated and was nice. I have been in the studio trying to create, not going to great. This little piece was a doddle of a hand and become this. I actually like it , the colours (I used watercolour pencils I happen to be addicted to these now). Bonded with hubby over the weekend and spent some time with my MOM and now its over. So talk to you tommorw..

Studio Friday-May Treat

Treat yourself to something your heart desires, maybe some chocolate or flowers or new art supplies... a nice little something (no spending of a fortune involved). Celebrate yourself !!

I received this shelf for my birthday from my husband. I wanted one for use in my studio to hold some of my stuff. I love IKEA and their shelves. Hope you like my treat...

Inspiration Thursday...Two by Two

This week, let’s challenge ourselves to be copycats. Explore the use of photocopies, image transfers, tracing patterns, repetitive images in your art. Find inspiration in duplication, replication, reproduction, imitation. Interpret the theme as you wish.

I immediately thought of this, I used art felt pens,and watercolour pencils. I had a fun time doing this.

zebra Lines

still doing 5 minute sketching
trying to get better, dont really know if it looks like a Zebra but for 5 minutes it will have to do. Well it was back to work after a long weekend. I love long weekends but hate to get up on the tuesday for work I just make it by the skin of my teeth. Hubby is awy on business till Friday, the daughter is working tonight so it is just me, some art, tv, and the computer, I am multi tasking. Well enough for one night no news that is earth shattering, so just enjoy that Zebra and think how I could have done it better. Talk to you tommorow.

Its a Long Weekend that is now Over

No picture today...Have had a great weekend. STill got the sore throat and cough. Hubby and I did spring cleaning (mostly him he loves to clean, so hey I just let him have his fun) windows, washing drapes, moving all the furniture and vacuming behind it etc. So I am officially ready for Summer to come, also bring on some nice weather will you. I have joined a couple of new art groups I think it helps me keep up my art inspiration. If you havent noticed I added Flicr to my blog, all by myself.l Hey I am a techno person...Next some video features, music etc. STill working on it, but it will come.Well better go talk to you all tommorow.

Go one little word...

From that one concept on words, we created a place where all of us, you...me....can explore the power of words. Create ART and be part of something BIG!The first word we have selected seems appropriate for the launch of this site but what does that word mean to you? Here is what the Creative Team has come up for GO!

Go has many meanings to me. Most of all it means GO and do it, find what you want, wwhat you are looking for......