Improving my art.

Now this painter Lucian Freud is an amazing painter.  He painted many of

his painting in impasto, and he did tons of nudes.  I chose not to do a

nude today (lol).  I am so enjoying playing with the masters that

I might just keep it up, it improving so many aspects of my art.

 

Anyway I hope you have a good weekend, and will be back

on Monday to see what I have on deck.

Today I am off to a art fair, and lunch with a friend, and

maybe some new art supplies. 

 

lee

 

A Pouty girl....

 

I wanted you to meet a favourite painter of mine.  His name is Bernard Buffet

a French painter.  He lived from 1928-1999.  He painted or illustrated over

a 1000 paintings, and even had a stamp.  His style I love very broad stroke

and In your face.  So I hope you will look him up and see his paintings, here is a link on pinterest to him http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=bernard%20Buffet&term_meta%5B%5D=bernard%7Ctyped&term_meta%5B%5D=Buffet%7Ctyped

and I am linking to http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/2014/11/112014-inspired-by-masters-inspiriert.html
with some great artists take on some masters.

http://www.diondior.com/2014/11/friday-sketches_21.html

the italian letter

 

since project runway is over for now, I knew you would be missing fashion

so here is some really bad fashion for you.  

Inquiring minds want to know

today is a mish mash of things.  Tried to go to that movie Interstellar yesterday, but we

got the time wrong, so instead we went to the new movie with Brad Pitt, Fury, a world war II movie, I thought the acting was great, but the violence was way to much for me and my friend, body parts flying everywhere. I had a couple of questions on my blog that I thought I would answer here, instead of emailing you the answers. 

 

One of the questions was when I do Throwback Wednesday does it mean Its an older picture that I have used on my blog before.  And the answer is yes, because as you all know your readership changes and the art you showed before they haven't seen.  And its a good way to show old art, if you have nothing new to show.

 

One of the ladies on the blog said in Europe the shops close on the 24 of December and don't open until the 27.  I can tell you not here.  They usually close about 5.00 on Christmas eve, some open on Christmas day, and the 26th they open extra early

and we have our boxing day sales, kind of like black Friday in the U.S.

 

In Canada we make a big fuss about Christmas, and not so much thanksgiving.  In the US its the opposite.  We always have the 25 off and everybody used to have the 26 off as well, but not anymore, the retail market has to make money.

 

Christmas dinner is Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and dessert.  Christmas eve at our house is all about finger foods,

Boxing day is left overs after you have come home exhausted from shopping....

News Years day is a little better, most shops are closed, we have a ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetables and anything else that happens to be laying around.  And of course the house is full of desserts, candies and chocolates.  At my house we open presents on the morning of the 25th before breakfast, have a big breakfast, and then clean up the mess from opening the presents, and get the food ready for Christmas Dinner.  We are a small family 3 of us and my mother in-law.  So really its not to much work.  Our neighbour who is Romanian cooks pork, that there traditional Christmas dinner, and they have different customs as well.  I would love to hear yours how you celebrate, what you cook, do you buy lots of presents, do you just buy a few, do you do stockings, etc.

throwback wednesday

 

I decided to implement throwback Wednesday, this is an

old piece of art from February .  Today its movie

day with a friend we are going to the movie

Interstellar with Matthew McCaughey (spelled wrong), so

in the crockpot cooking is Vegetable Beef Soup,

and I made some banana bread to go with it, so

dinner is ready when I get home. I know you all

probably think why is she telling us what she eats,

its because there is not much else to say today, plus

I like it when people tell there dinners, gives me ideas.

The cupcake files

 

Yes I do have a sweet tooth, and the body to prove it.

I have been obsessing lately over cupcakes, debating

whether I should make some, or buy just one.

I decided to draw one, and maybe that would satisfy me.  Alas

it does not, so I decided not make any, to many in the house,

and guess who would have to eat them, so I am off to

buy just one, and indulge myself with a cupcake and a diet coke.

 

lee

Dear Mr.....

Dear Mr. Modigliani,

I am writing to you to apply for the job of apprentice.  As you can see I have

sketched one of your pictures, I made the neck a little longer, as I am sure

you were thinking more of a swans graceful neck.  See already I am

being a help to you, giving you pointers.  I apprenticed for Mr. Matisse,

but he did not appreciate my ideas and suggested that I apply to you.

Lee

linking to http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/



Just a drive by......

 

Just a short post today, another flower drawing that I did last

night.  Still trying to get that one picture that I want

to enter into the contest.  Today is PJ day, football (for the hubster)

crockpot roast for dinner, and some time in the studio,\

I am in the clean mode lately and am purging old crap

that I have collected and never used.  What's on your Sunday"

The dilemma

 

well this is the second abstract that I made in class.  I brought it home and

thought it needed something else, I added the pinwheels, and the black

charcoal and added some shading, and this is it. I think this is going to

be a gift.  You know you hate giving your art to someone, and

what if they don't like and cant tell you, and then feel like they have to

hang it up, you know its like the present you get from your 95 year

old grandmother...So its still mulling around if It stays here, or goes

as a gift.

I interrupt my regular friday post.....

 

This is a page from my journal, I made the other day, I am again enjoying working in my journal, I use this journal from Ranger Dylusions Journal, its expensive, yes,
but it takes a beating and has great paper, and there is a lot of paper in
that journal, and I have been adding tip ins from bits of paper that
I have drawn and painted on and had no where to add them.  I will take a picture of it for you.  You can also decorate the cover, which I have not done.  I see they are
going to use that journal in the Documented Daily Life for 2015 and use prompts, so
go have a look and get ready to art it up in 2015, and no this is not a paid for
advertisement.  They are pretty good, with free videos and stuff, and in this
day and age every little bit counts. I have finally finished my last abstract which
I will post tomorrow, I am no abstract painter that is for sure.  My usual Friday
Project Runway is delayed this week, due to technical difficulties, (I didn't get it done).
Okay that's it for today, the weather is crap, snow and really cold, so its home
for tonight with chicken cashew stir-fry for dinner.

I
 





A kick in the pants...

 

Yesterday someone made a comment on my blog, that they liked my work but would probably get more comments, if I commented back.  And you know there right, I like it when I go to someone site and they notice that I commented.  So what the hell is wrong with me, lazy, don't care , what.  I do care a lot when someone comes to my site, and makes the effort to comment, so I make this vow that if you comment I will answer you back and visit your blog, because if you are here we have a lot in common.

 

lee

Oh Matisse will you be my boyfriend

 

Oh Henri would you please be my boyfriend, and paint lovely

pictures of me, in soft light and brilliant colors.  Would you show me the secrets

to your painting style, and let me apprentice for you? You are one of

my favourites dont get mad but I also happen to love Amedeo Modigliani and he lets me call him Amedeo.  Ok I know you mad  that I painted your model with green hair,

 but I told you I wanted to pose for you.  You keep saying next time , well maybe next time it will be Modigliani turn.
I am linking to http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/
check it out more great masters there

Its time to remember...

 

I think everyone has been touched by war in some way.

My grandfather fought in first world war, my father in law

the second world war, my father was in Egypt as a

peace keeper when the first Gaza strip war began. Now we

have a different kind of war on our doorsteps one where

you don't know who the enemy is anymore the lines are

blurred.  That's why I think Remberance day is

so important, its time to remember

 



Its all about Van Dongen...

 

Another Kees Van Dongen, I updated my picture to the 2014, I am

having a great time, looking at all the masters, and seeing what

paintings that I want to do.  Mine I only did with markers, but I

am going to do paints on some   of them.  Today its all about,

hanging out with my friends, one is going to Phoenix on Tuesday

for the winter, so we are going to lunch and some therapy shopping. The roads

are very bad here, lots of ice and snow on them, I hate driving when

they are like that.  Oh what you do for friends.

Better is not good enough..

today I am taking a break from the masters and was back to trying to

design a card front (its all about spring and summer ) for a contest that

Strathmore is having, this is my second attempt, its getting better,

but its not there yet.

In other news, its freezing here, snow and ice, I guess old man

winter is here to stay, yesterday we had to shovel the driveway and the sidewalks.

Today Its all about staying in , wearing my PJS and working on my

abstract and finishing it up.  What are you doing today?

Lee Does the Masters..../

 

Meet the artist Kess Van Dogen  I was introduced to him through a

great artist by the name of Myra http://artofmyrajae.blogspot.ca/.  Now

kees looks like to me he is quite the dapper Dan by all his pictures, and

I think he had an eye for the ladies, has he certainly painted enough of

them without any clothes.  Over the next little while I will be delving

into the Masters and doing my rendition of them, I need to improve on my faces and

bodies.  Now I made her face a little dirty looking on purpose, (lol) no I didn't,

I screwed up her nose and then tried to fix it.  I have a few Matisse up my sleeve and

who know what else, so stay tuned for Lee does the Masters...

 

 linking up to http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/2014/11/112014-inspired-by-masters-inspiriert.html where its masters month

Project Runway Its all about clubbing

 

well today we welcome a special guest, Lindsey Lohan to

Project runway.  As you know today its all about club

wear, and nobody knows about clubbing more than Lindsey.

Well Lindsey what do you think about the designs today,

Well thanks again Heidi for inviting me, I am excited to

see all these fabulous designs, I would wear any of

these to the club.  But I must say LeeLee designs are

my favourite, shes all about flair, comfort, and colour.

 

Well thanks Lindsey for dropping by and giving us

your thoughts on our club wear.  Next week will be

a special treat for you all, its a secret so see you then.

 

Project runway


linking to:  http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.ca/2014/11/paint-party-friday-week-35-year-4-check.html
linking to a fabulous painter who is also participating in Project Runway
http://artofmyrajae.blogspot.ca/2014/11/project-runway-picasso-and-matisse-faux.html



Playing with Paper

 

been playing around with some old papers,

and one of my girls, and this is one

of the pictures that I came up with.

I call it the teacher....she is in a bad mood. (lol)

I know I promised I would show you the other

abstract, but I have decided it needed more, so

maybe Saturday.  Stay Tuned for Project Runway

on Friday, its all about clubbing, with special

guest Lindsey Lohan.....

 

lee

nana

 

Todays post I am linking back to http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/
who's challenge this month is inspired by the masters, I was so inspired by the one that they showed, she has my body (lol)
Niki de saint Phalle who created the Nana's; it seems Niki knew my colour pallet (lol).  Anyway she is fun artist,  and
if you wanted to know a bit more about her here's the link
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niki_de_Saint_Phalle


 

The art of abstraction

 

 

Yesterday I took an abstraction painting class,

we did 2 paintings.  The other one you will see tomorrow.

This is the first one, done with teals, red oxide, white

and a hint of yellow, black ink, what do you think?

Its quite a big canvas, I don't know if I have a future in

the abstraction field, but I had fun doing it.

Saturday update

 

Well now that Halloween is over, we can all get ready for

Christmas (lol).  Well tomorrow I am taking an

abstract canvas class at my favourite art store, we are

making 2 canvases, so I will show you that on Monday.

Ok today its short and sweet...nothing much doing around here,

how about at your house

Project Runway the little black dress

 

We want to welcome the new judge this week Tom Ford to the panel.  Well Tom what do you think of this weeks challenge.  I really like it Heidi, every woman should

have that little black dress in her closet.  I see that the designers have updated the

dress to show a tiny bit of colour made it more 2014. After all a little colour is

great on every woman curvy, or small.  Well thanks for that Tom, next week

its going to be all about clubbing, what the Gals want to wear when they

go out clubbing.  Till next time Project Runway signing off.

Check out this painter of design dresses
http://artofmyrajae.blogspot.ca/2014/10/flirty-red-dress-in-blue-room-by-myra.html

am linking to
http://www.diondior.com/2014/10/friday-sketches_31.htmlhttp://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2014/10/art-journal-every-day-foil-tape-tutorial.html
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.co.uk/



when your Brain gets in the way

 

 

this is what happens to my brain when I

am trying to learn to draw it better, I have

pages and pages of these all different, trying

to make them right.  In my brain, I know

they look fine, they are my style, but something

in there is saying, your buildings should look

realistic, but I know its not my style.  I wish

the other side of my brain would just shut

the hell up and the listen to the rational part once in a while

The flowers dont have it.....

 

this is a card I made to enter into the Strathmore Card Contest
http://www.strathmoreartist.com/spring-2015-greeting-card-contest.html
after I finished it, I realized it wasn't quite up to there standard, so instead of
submitting it, I am giving a thank you card to a friend.  I am going to enter
but it just wont be this design, and I think it will be watercolours.  

ready set we have takeoff

I did this one down in Arizonia, it looks like we are ready

to take off......straight like a solider.

 

Well its been a few days from hell around here, we

have had the renos going on, and its like we are

camping, no water, no sinks, and I am no camper.

Today the plumbers are coming for the taps, (hubby thought

he could do it, but he is no handyman), and then

Friday the backsplash will be installed and then its over.

Pictures will follow on Monday.

 

lee

tricks of the trade

 

Good morning, how are you all doing, well woke up today to

snow on the ground, so how do you think I am doing.....

Usually snow on the ground means it sticks around and

will here until spring. Oh well whats a girl going to do,

I am adapting, last week in 95 degree weather, and this

week snow.

Ok enough moaning about the weather, as you will

notice the faces are the same, but the back ground is

different.  I make backgrounds, slaving away in the studio,

scan them, and store them on the computer.  And when

I don't like the way a picture turns out, I go to photoshop

and switch up my backgrounds, and its like you have

a whole new picture.  That's one of my tricks of the trade,

do you have any, lets share.

Hey I wanna be your friend,

 

 

my favourite song by Bruno Mars,

what's yours?

girls gone middle aged

 

 

let the bells ring out I am home.  My homecoming was less than

thrilling, you know all the time you spend waiting at the

airport, and then when you finally get home, I am

not feeling so great.  My stomach is rolling around

and I am thinking I have got some kind of bug,

and then its like a mild flu bug, but it

keeps you down for about two days.  Today

I finally feel more like myself.  Anway  I had a great

time with my gal pals, we shopped and shopped,

and still I did not spend my limit, what's that

about, I must have contracted that fever early.  We also went to

to three movies, I know , I know are you middle-aged bordering on

old or what.  But honestly movies are 6.50 there for a senior

I think senior age there is 50, my age, that's my story and

I am sticking to it.  And to top it all off you buy one bag of

popcorn, you save the bag and bring it back the next time

you are at a movie, and free popcorn.

Here where I live in Canada, if you want to go out to the

movies, first you mortgage your house, and if you want

1000 million calorie laden popcorn (and who doesn't) plus the diet coke to counter balance the effect of the popcorn,

you have to sell your first born.  I would move there

just for the movie deal.  Ok enough about my cheapness,

this is us deciding what movie to go to, and before we

left we had seen  three of them, but missed the Judge

and after all that if you want to see a great song video and a sneak peek at my daughters main squeeze who just happens to sing on the video take a look at the link.

http://www.raanimusic.com/video.html

lee

Project Runway its all about pattern.

 

Well this week the challenge is all about patterns, the designers have been busy in the studio, and we have seen some wild ones on the runway.  Now this designer LeeLee

likes to use color and her pattern challenge is quite the eyeopener.  I don't know

if the judges will go for this one, I for one Heidi think that the pattern is to tame  , for a good pattern  design.

 

Well on that note, next week I think the challenge will be all about the little black dress, you know ladies that dress you want to wear out and about.

 

Well how do you like the challenges so far, if you like them great, what about some of you participating, leave your link and we will go have a look.  I am back in the

saddle again, at home, so new posts will be coming.  I had a very artful time and lots to show you.

linking up with http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.ca/

http://www.diondior.com/2014/10/friday-sketches_24.html

http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2014/10/art-journal-every-day-pages-from-august-september.html

http://artofmyrajae.blogspot.ca/2014/10/sketch-runway-by-myra-anderson-painter.html

project runway week 4 swimsuit challenge

Welcome to the swim suit challenge.  And it is a challenge

for the designers this week, some of the suits are not

fitting to well in the bodice, or gaping in the back, its

all about the fit in a

bathing suit, and you need a great set of not only designing skills, you need to know how to fit, and sew.  Now this suit, seems to meet all our criteria Nina, and the model even have a tan.  Love the color and the classic little skirt at the bottom, and the two toned bodice, this just might be a winner.

Stay tuned next week for the Pattern challenge

Its Turkey Lurkey......

Just one more sleep

Will be posting from the road

Having a big Turkey dinner tonight family and friends

Great weather

Talk to you soon

Happy thanksgiving from your Canadian friend 

Lee

paperbag art

 

I did this one the other day while I was out shopping,|
I was taking a break and had just bought something

that came in a paper bag,  took my trusty black

pen out of my bag and this took 2 minutes or less

and it looks like it, I continued to draw and write

all over the bag, had to put into my journal

could not bear to throw it out.

project runway week 3 workout wear

 

Well Heidi this is the week I have been waiting to see.  It's very hard

for a designer to design for a curvy woman.  They tend to put them all in

older women clothes.  Curvy women no matter what age, want and

need great workout clothes, or clothes in general.  I see that the designer

Lee has tended to the bright colours and stripes, but you know Heidi, this

works.
I am linking to another project runway great artist go check out her designs
http://artofmyrajae.blogspot.ca/2014/10/you-me-and-lee-project-runway-par-tee.html
linking to paint party friday
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.co.at/ 

 

Next week its all about bathing suits, see you then.



The countdown begins

 

today I got the suitcase out

 getting excited about the trip

invited some friends over for Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday(Canadian)

a little cleaning in the art room

lots of getting rid of stuff in the storage room

trying to lighten our load

only 6 days till I am out of here...

You have come along way baby....

 

there was a comment left yesterday, about how far I have come as an artist.  And you know she is completely right.  The other day I was looking at my first ever journal, and I even cringed at it.  But you know what I might have cringed but I put it out there, bad or good so I pat myself on my back.  I managed to find somewhat of a style along the journey, how much I like color, I think my style might lean towards illustrative.  How I like to try all different techniques, did I mention how much I like color (lol).  So I want to know do you go back and look at your art from when you first started and see how much you have grown?

A pesky bug....

 

I got it, that bad cold that is going around.

Last week the hubster got it, and he lost his voice, okay

I liked that part.  Now I thought I was going to dodge

the bullet, I have not had a cold I bet in 15 years.

But got up today and its bad, and least its not next

week when I would be jetting off to Phoenix, so bring

it on so I wont be down for the count in Arizona, also

got some Cold fx to take care of this bug.

Pumpkin pie, and sweet potatoe fries

 

the last of the nice fall days are just about upon us

so tonight its bbq hamburgers and

sweet potatoes fries in the oven,

and pumpkin pie

next weekend is thanksgiving around these parts

and I was given this delicious pumpkin pie

by my neighbour, so the shopper and

the boyfriend are coming for dinner, so

should be gone by tonight.

Splotchy color is in....

Her face is splotchy

but I still like the way she turned out

today is a Costco Run, god help me

need new pens from my favourite art store

its cold, so warm coat weather

next week on project runway stay tuned for plus size exercise wear

I am having a lot of fun designing these outfits and drawing the girls



project runway week 2 challenge pink and yellow/orange

 

Well it looks like Week 2 got off to a good start, the first designer is

 

India, oh just a minute does that skirt look like it's seams are finished.

No Heidi it looks like she used safety pins to finish, oh my that's

sure to go against her. But otherwise her designs are crisp, and

clean, and something I would wear out shopping.

 

linking to http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.co.uk/ 



bad hair thursday

Lets just say I am no beauty when I wake up

Welcome October

 

 

Welcome October

cold nights

and glorious days

Halloween

thanksgiving

Phoenix

comfort foods

cozy pjs

fireplaces

falling leaves

winter jackets

long walks

great photo ops