Oh the excess

 

I know who has this many pencils.  Who needs this many pencils, there are watercolour pencils, colored pencils, white pencils, drawing pencils

pastel pencils, you name its there. I truthfully didn't know I had this many,

as I always kept them in a drawer, but I wanted to start to use my

stuff and I have to see it to use it.  So I found this old container

that I had for forks and knifes and put all my pencils in there.  I will

not be buying any pencils in the near future.  I bet Picasso back in the

day used one nub of a pencil, and look what he produced.  God

with all this stuff, I should have created 50 masterpieces and been

a millionaire by now.  This is like my walk of shame, that a person

accrues so much, so in the coming days you will see my shame on

full display.  I have paired down and given stuff away and still its a lot.

Ok what do you do with your unwanted supplies?

stencil reorg

just a unfinished sketch in my art journal.
  I have been busily trying to think

of something intersting to say on this blog, other than what's on the dinner table.

So today I am going to talk about storage in my studio.  I am trying to find

a working solution for my stuff.  When I say stuff I mean stuff.  I decided

today that I am on a moratorium until I use up my stash of stuff.  First

I want'ed a way to store my stencils.  

I have tried storing them in a box, on a ring, listing them on paper.  Nothing
seemed right.  I decided to go get a 12x12 album, I have different sized
stencils so I am not even sure if this method will work.  The little ones, I am going to store in a smaller binder, then I will have all my stencils stored,
in a binder.  Then sort them into some kind of order that will work for me so
I will be able to find something I want quickly.  As you can see this is a work in progress.  If you have stencils, how do you store them.

We will resume regular programming

 

 

I have a travellers journal that I carry around in my purse.  Its made out

of leather, and it holds a daily journal, a book with drawing paper, stuff

like that.  I am sure I have blogged about it before.  These are just

little doodles that I do in the book, so I thought I would post them.

Nothing fancy.  Well I am on the mend after all day yesterday,

in my Pjs and a good nights sleep, I feel way better.  So was

out today with a friend for lunch.  So its back to regular programming

in my life starting tomorrow.



A little mish and mash

 

still down for the count, never even made it to michaels to spend my coupon, I must really feel like crap, which I do.  Did I tell two days after Christmas our main tv

just quite working.  These days its cheaper to buy a new tv than try and get

a repair man.  Our TV was 15 years old, and it was time to Update.  The heavens must have heard my plea for a new TV   I sent the hubster out to buy a new TV, with instructions, must be flat screen, must be no smaller than 55 inches and must be a smart tv.  He met all the criteria and came home from Costco with a new beauty.  The reason I wanted a smart TV was so I could get netflicks.  Anyway short story

signed up to Netflicks, and we have been addicted to the show Homeland, on Netflicks, it has the first two seasons, and we borrowed the third seaons from our

friends.  Now we just need to find 4 and we are caught up.  I asked the hubster,

now we almost done, what are we going to do (lol) we might have actually talk to each other.

two halfs make a whole

It's gustuf again this time with a bit of an Asian influence. I decided it needed a bit of  Color.

He was easily influenced by japanese art. I am not to happy with the mine turned out but you gotta show the good bad and the ugly

still alice...

Meet the artist Alice neel an American and a portait painter

She painted gritty regular people.  Her friends, boyfriends, family.

I like her style go check her out.  https://www.google.ca/search?q=alice+neel+portraits&rlz=1T4NDKB_enCA563CA563&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=tSCwVKrFJdfcoASax4CgBg&ved=0CB4QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=457

 

Still holed up with this cold and aching bones, but hoping to at least

get some fresh air today.  When was the last time I got a cold,

I cant remember that's how long ago.  Its really cold here,

and has been snowing, to cold for the dog walk, so she

is moping around.

Anyway enough complaining, I got a 50 percent Michaels coupon, some

money in my pocket, and I just might go buy myself something I

don't need, just because I can.  Talk to you all  tomorrow.

 

I am linking up to Master challenge 

http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/2015/01/01-2015inspired-by-masters-part-ii.html
and baltzer BlogSpot
http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/

A picture without a painter, is a song with out words

 

this is a painter from around 1401 all they know is that he was from

sw Germany at the time.  So I did my take on it for the challenge of doing the masters.http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/2015/01/01-2015inspired-by-masters-part-ii.html

I seem to have caught a cold, so I am staying warm and cozy around here to today. Finishing up cleaning the art room, going down to try and finish some projects.  Having left over vegetable soup , and tuna sandwiches for lunch (I know you wanted to know that ).  Been using watercolours more, just experimenting, I did the girl above with them, eh lets just say, I need more color.



Goal 3.......

 

Well I have been busy these last couple of days.  I am in the middle

or organizing my studio, again.  I tend to do this when I am

in a art rut. Thought I would write a blog post before my day

starts, I am off to the pool, then home to make some vegetable soup.

Well today I am sharing my last goal for 2015...

 

Working on myself

I need to make more time for myself, who doesn't right It ties into the

other two goals.  I need to lose some weight and keep it off (a never

ending goal).  I want to take a life drawing course at the university.

I want to explore new countries (something I vow to do this year)

I want to volunteer at a school in the art room.

Take time to read more books

be a better mother and wife and friend

Try to do something that takes me out of my comfort zone as much as possible.

and the list goes on.  Did you make a resolution , or any goals that

you want to share, I would like to hear some.

 

lee

 

 



Fashion, and a french illustator just like toast and Jam

 

I love fashion illustration, and for the masters, I chose in my opinion, one of

the smattering of fashion illustrators, who are in the realm of a master.

Meet Renee Gruau he is a great illustrator.

 

Gruau became one of the best known and favorite artists of the haute couture world during the 1940s and 50s working with Marie-Claire, L'Officiel, L'Album Du Figaro and an assortment of “high-style” magazines  Gruau’s artwork is recognized and commended internationally in some of Paris and Italy's most prestigious art museums including the Louvre in Paris .In addition to his international fame and recognition, "Gruau's artwork is known for its timeless and enduring style. (quote from Wikipedia).

 

I think I like him, because of his clean lines, and use of color.  What do you think?

I have a link to his work, check him out

https://ca.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrSbjahg6lUpqEADB_rFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTBsOXB2YTRjBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2dxMQR2dGlkAw--?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-715&va=rene+gruau

and I am linking to the masters challenge

http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/2015/01/01-2015inspired-by-masters-part-ii.html 



block head

 

 

I am hitching my wagon this week over at

http://mix-it-monthly.blogspot.ca/2015/01/januar-2015-vintage-colorblocking.html

Its all about color blocking, I don't know if my fits in or not, but I am

going to sneak it in, and hope it passes the test.  Today I am all about being

cozy, its freezing here, minus 33celsus, so fireplace, cozy pjs and comfort food on the

menu at my house today.  Okay and some art....

 



Hello Gus

 

This is my take on Klimt, I sure his peeps called him Gus way back when.
He what was known as a ladies man, but he only married once, but
managed to have 14 children, I don't know if it was all with the
little woman or not.  He had a thing for painting erotic pictures.
I guess today instead of painting beautiful pictures he might
have been into other sorts of erotica, none I want to know about.
Okay I do like his painting, he used a lot of gold, maybe because
the family bus was gold engraving, you know kind of keeping it
the family.
Glad to see the masters is back and am linking to
http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/2015/01/01-2015inspired-by-masters-part-ii.html
 

Life Organization

 

 

In yesterdays post I let you know that I have 3 goals for this year, and I

told you the first one, now on to number 2.  I did not know what

to call this one so I called Life organization.

 

Goal 2.

Life Organization

if you read this blog you know I am retired, and should have lots of time

to get things done in my life.  But at most times it seems I am spinning my wheels.

First the hubster is retired as well, should not be a problem right, wrong,

he does not have any hobbies, so his hobby, is cleaning the house,

nice right, wrong, he likes me to help him.  Imagine that....well my

way to do things before he retired worked for me but apparently does not

work for him.  So I sat him down the other day, and explained my

life expectations, which are

I go swimming in the morning for 1 hour a day, but it takes 1.5 hours to

get there, come home, and shower etc at the pool.  So I am gone

2.5 hours in the morning.  When I come home, I will with him

clean and do what needs to be done in the house, from 2.00 to 5.00 I

will go to the studio, and work without interruptions, just like a

job (of course hours are subject to change, cant create on demand)

So this is a work in progress, not set in stone, but I need to

create, in the studio, because I want to go big. More on this in

later posts



The word vs goals

 

Well happy new year to everyone, hope you are all alive and

well and made it through new years eve.  We had a quiet new

years eve, we went out with friends for dinner early,

and came home, and I was in bed by 10.00  Am I getting

old or what.....

So I have though long and hard about the word every one

does every year, and decided no word for me, I never

quite do the word.  So this year I have decided on three goals

for me to achieve, so today I am sharing goal one.

 

Goal One...

To sell my art

 

This is a tough goal for me to achieve, first and foremost, I don't produce a ton

of sellable art.  So that in itself is a big problem.  Second I or my self crtic

always says not good enough to sell.  And last of all I am not good at

promoting myself or my art.  So those are all big problems.  So I had made

these collages above awhile ago, you might have seen them on my blog,

they are all my own design, and papers I have painted and collaged.

When I look at them, I see children's rooms, so I thought that might

be where my market for these are.  We have a second hand used clothing

store just up the street, not you usual second hand, upscale second hand

if you know what I mean.  So this is the plan in the next week, first

go in to the store, (never been in it) talk to the store owner, about

getting some children's art on her wall to sell, and show her these

five and see what she's says.  She can only say she is not interested right.

So that is plan for next week, will keep you informed of my progress

as I go along on this goal.  Tomorrow I will review Goal 2.

In the year 2014

 

Well its almost that time again, another year has passed and its time to reflect on the highs and lows of the year , here are mine.

 

1. posted 261 times this year
2. most posts in November 29
3. least posts July 17
4. I dodged a health issue
5. hubby spent 5 weeks in hospital  but is on the mend
6. created a series of art
7. Girl trip to Phoneix for 10 days
8. Road trip to BC
9. lost a few pounds
10. gained a few pounds
11. increased my exercise
12. lost my ipod
13. found my ipod
14. read 25 books
15. kept up with my daily planner until September
16. took some online classes
17. attended some live art classes
18. tried to Create art every day and failed
19. found some great new blogs
20. had a great time with all of you

see you in 2015

1.  
2.  
3. posst

one thing

blotchy

 

Had a great Christmas, and my sister is here, so we are not doing to much,

I am done with shopping for awhile.  So we are just chilling, and I am

slowly sorting out some cupboards in my art room.  I called this one

blotchy because she is blotchy, from paint on the other side of the page.Its

just my art journal, I have been working in, and just a few more

pages and its all done.  I can only work on one book at a time.

I have been sketching a lot, so I am going to try and paint a few things maybe tonight.

 

lee



Back to Business

 

I hope you enjoyed my 25 daze of Christmas, I had fun doing it.  But am glad it's over and its back to business.  Today in Canada its Boxing Day, its like Black Friday in the States, but  the deals are not quite that good.  Today my sister is arriving to visit me, for about a week, I haven't seen her in a few years, we talk on the phone every day,

but she is all I have left of my family, so its nice to get together.  As you can see

I have been experimenting with watercolor, the results are not what I want, and the

hair looks like she has been wearing a helmet, but practice only makes you better,

right.  Ok I am going to get ready to go to the airport, talk to you all soon.

house rules 24 and 25

  

 

 

 

 

 

christmas rules

for all of you to have a merry christmas



house rules 23

 

 

Christmas rules

 

Place the gifts around the tree

house rules 22

 

Christmas rule

 

Clean up of the Christmas dishes is not done by the cook

house rules 21

 

Christmas rules

we phone all family out of town and in town and wish them
a merry Christmas


 

http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/2014/12/12-2014-c-o-l-l-g-e.html

linking to

house rules 20

 

Christmas rules

Christmas eve we always watch a Christmas movie

linking to http://www.diondior.com/2014/12/friday-sketches_19.html

http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/2014/12/12-2014-c-o-l-l-g-e.html



house rules 19

 

Christmas rules

 the Sophie (the dog) gets a wrapped present



house rules 18

Christmas rules

 

go out for dinner to celebrate the hubsters birthday



house rules 17

 

christmas rules

 

A family trip to Candy Cane Lane to see the lights

house rules 16

 

christmas rules

 

christmas baking must not be eaten before the 24 of December

this rule is for me (lol) I can eat it in the freezer

house rules 15

 

christmas rules

 

try to make one homemade christmas themed item



house rules 14

 

Christmas rules

 no diet during the Christmas holidays



house rules 13

 

Christmas rules 

the tree and all decorations are taken down on December 26



house rules 12

 

House rules for Christmas

 

family photo on Christmas morning around the tree

 http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.ca/

http://www.diondior.com/2014/12/friday-sketches_12.html

http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2014/12/art-journal-every-day-girl-with-wings-in-fast-forward.html

house rules 11

 

house rules for Christmas

nobody gets up before 8:00 AM on Christmas morning



house rules 10

 

house rules for Christmas

 

if you have a Christmas sweater it must be worn on Christmas eve no matter

how hokey it is

house rules 9

 

rules of the house at Christmas

 

a Christmas movie is watched every Christmas eve

house rule 8

rules of the house for Christmas

 

One person passes out the presents and he or she must wear a Santa hat

rules of the house 7

 

Rules of the house for Christmas

 

 No presents are opened until everyone is downstairs on
Christmas morning

Rules of the house 6

 

Rules of the house for Christmas

 

Appetisers only for Christmas Eve Dinner

linking to http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.ca/2014/12/12-2014-c-o-l-l-g-e.html

http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2014/12/art-journal-every-day-dailies-from-the-beginning-of-october.html

http://www.diondior.com/2014/12/friday-sketches.html

 

Rules of the house at Christmas

 

A new ornament is bought each year as a present for our daughter

 

 

Rules of the house 4

 

Rules of the house at Christmas

 

To open presents and have breakfast PJ's only