Transfer Girl

This girl was a failed transfer in this little 6x6 journal I have (which I love!) and I almost tore her out but there was something I liked about the look of it. I decided to try to bring her face forward and just leave most of the distressed background.
 Note to self: don't tear anything out too quickly--you just never know what the muse will have you do with it later.

I painted her...

 I really enjoyed painting her with a layer of Caran d' ache then layers of acrylic. I also love using the stabilo black pencil for the eyes and eye lashes because you can smudge it a bit so they don't look quite so cartoonish.

I like to name all my girls but sometimes I forget.
 Her name is Penelope.

I drew a girl instead

...instead of shopping on black Friday, that is...

I chickened out and decided I would stay home and shop online

and draw a girl. I will paint her and blog her tomorrow.

Shopping!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I will return hopefully----that is if I don't get trampled at the Black Friday sales.

Thankful

I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Another Fab Fabriano Journal

I think I am addicted to spraying these pages. It's so FUN!

More pictures here.

Loyal

She is colored with copic markers and a couple of them were running out of ink which prevented me from blending the face properly. But no worries...sometimes we do have a blotchy face don't we?

Hope Angel

This is the healing angel we were to draw and paint in Tam's class. I think mine turned out to be more of a hope angel bringing things she hopes for me.  I have enjoyed Tam's class. She is drawn in the food composition journal. I enjoyed painting her with my new replacement Claudine Hellmuth paints. I like them a lot.

Sketch du jour

Ok, well, here I go a' sketchin'!

The chair on the right is a far better rendition of the chairs than the one on the left.

I actually should go outside in this beautiful weather and actually I think I will but first I wanted to attempt the chairs. The box---well, we just won't discuss it. I am still only using a pen because with a pencil I fiddle way too much and I want to see if I can just go for it. Of course if I were drawing something for a painting or something then I would use a pencil.

I really am going to pull out my "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and try to go through it--again. I did it years ago but didn't make it all the way through. It got too hard so---I put it down. I guess I didn't realize at that point that drawing what you see is a difficult task (at least for me) and pushing through is what makes us better artists.
Also, here is a YouTube of how I spray the pages for the journals. 

Old-->New Sketchbook

This is my old-->new  sketchbook that only had two pages filled so I am planning on using this for my sketchbook. It is a Bee Sketchbook with really nice paper that accepts wet media and just about everything else. I decided to use my newest girl on the front with some collaged pieces in the background. I actually created the front digitally and printed it on --Staples brand injet photo paper (matte) which is very affordable and excellent! I am so excited to have found it. Then I added Golden Polymer Gloss Medium to seal it give it a sheen.

Now, I will see if I can keep my promise to myself to draw something everyday. I guess time will tell.

And for me the thing that helps is to have a cute journal to grab. Anything that helps!

Now this was FUN!

Ok, I have found my new fun thing, making these journals! I absolutely love spraying paper whether it is copic spray, Montana paints or Adirondack inks. I love the way they disperse on the paper and well--yum yum yum!

This one is fashioned after Teesha's 16 page journal but it is a little different with the blank pages added. These are quick and easy to make but the spraying takes some time. But as I said---it's FUN!

Here are more pics.

Just draw it!

I used my 20% off birthday coupon at ReddiArts yesterday and bought this Koi watercolor set because the one thing I really want to do (and always have wanted to do) is keep a sketch book going. Alisa Burke is my inspiration here because hers is so fabulous. She doesn't use a pencil, she draws with a pen. That is what I did on this one. The watering can is on the front porch so I sat in the beautiful warm sun and just went for it. This sketch journal doesn't like the water too much so I need to pull one of mine out that will take water much better than this one. I hope I can keep it up. I am really going to give it my best shot. Drawing is so important and it's truly "no pain, no gain."
Have a wonderful Sunday!

New Journals!

I have really enjoyed spraying these pages and making a smaller journal. I really think I am addicted to spraying on color. I used Adirondack Color Wash Inks which I love! Watch your fingers though because it will stain. So much for nice looking nails. Oh, the plight of the artist!

More pics here and here.

Pretty in Pink

She was going to have white hair but there as pink on my brush and thought...ok.. pink's good too. As you see she does not have lines because she is painted in another one of my many journals that are partially completed.  One of these days maybe I will draw a whole girl--body and all.

Queen for a Day

I really did have a wonderful birthday and I want to thank you all for my birthday wishes. Some of you came on over from my good buddy, Lori's, blog and I thank all of you too!!!  Yes, it was a wonderful, beautiful day.

It's a really good day

PSALM 118:24

I Will Go

I am still drawing faces in the composition journal. I really don't mind the lines. I love lines---why do I love lines? I guess lines are a comfort zone for me. I don't really know why. There must be some deep seated thing going on in me. Maybe it's just something to hold on to. Of course I like drawing faces without the lines too on a canvas but it's not as comfortable as in my composition journal.
"I will go" is from the book of Ruth. I love that sweet story of Ruth and Boaz.

Two Sweet Friends

Here are two little friends that I think I might cut out and place on some sort of background in my journal as Tam did in her class.  I try so hard to paint whimsey girls but for some reason the realistic always tries to push through. I love the faces Tam paints and she says everything needs to be exaggerated--bigger heads and eyes etc. She did a little button nose which might help more but I usually try and paint the nose. It's the hardest part for me.  Well, the mouth is hard too but you just keep drawing and erasing, drawing and erasing until she emerges. She is always there.

She searched for years

This is in the composition journal again. I am still enjoying Tam's class and we were to draw ourselves and write something about our lives. This of course doesn't look like me but I suppose all my girls are my alter me in some way or other.

New Chunky Book

I haven't made a book in quite a while but I always have a drawer full of pieces that I can put in. This book is a bigger one, 11 x 12, and I had fun making the file folder pockets. I have a great desire to use a coptic stitch to sew these books but I chickened out on this one and decided to just use the Rubicoil. I love the Rubicoil because I can tie on all sorts of fibers. It was fun!

Miss Fabulous, Fashionable "F"

Miss Fabulous and Fashionable "F" went to Fashion Week in New York with her friend, Miss Dottie "D", and her twin sister, Miss Eclectic "E" to see the finale of "Project Runway." Needless to day, they were VERY bummed that the fabulous Mondo didn't win and the "other girl" with the extremely drab clothes won. So this is Miss F's tribute to the fabulous, Mondo.  She was very fortunate to have inherited a fortune so she promptly bought Mondo's last show stopper design right out from under Heidi Klum.

PS If you didn't watch this season of "Project Runway" then you might be very confused about this post!

She Has Great Peace

I am trying to draw a face within the areas of my Moleskine where I had already added backgrounds. I also had previously added the lettering. She is right in the seam so it was difficult to paint her and I don't like to put the focal point in the center of the page but in this case there was no other choice. She is meditating on the Word. She looks rather deep in thought, doesn't she? Perhaps someone just offended her and she is remembering that verse and holding her tongue.

Junk In-->Junk Out

This is a little whimsey girl from Tam's class that I sketched into my composition journal where I keep my food lists. I colored her in with colored pencils. I am enjoying Tam's free class so much that I might even take some of her other classes. I really like her.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

"She is Free..."

I am enjoying drawing and painting faces again in the Moleskine. They are looking a bit younger I think which is how I always wanted them to look.  It has helped me seeing Tam from Willowing paint hers  and watching her fiddling until it works with layers upon layers. I used acrylics and Caran d' Ache and a Stabilo black Aquarelle and various other stamps and stuff. This page was already painted in my journal with the stencil outline of the bird already there so I just added the girl.

She Knows Who She Is

I haven't painted a face in a while in this Moleskine journal. I just did the first lesson of Willowing's, Art, Heart and Healing FREE workshop which started on the 18th.

I have never taken a class from her but I love her wonderful accent and the sweet faces she draws.

 She shows you how to draw and paint a face in the first week. If you have ever wanted to draw a face this is the place to start. I am really enjoying it so far.

Join up--you have nothing to lose but lots to gain.

"Organic Girl"

Yep, that me! All organic and no hives for going on 4 weeks now. I really don't think it was Bucky but still--it might be--but I really think I was poisoning myself with processed foods. This is my new credo: I won't eat it if my grandmother wouldn't recognize it and if it has too many unpronounceable ingredients. Anyway, this is what I have figured out at least so far that was causing these awful hives off and on for 6 months or so. I had a comprehensive and complete check of all autoimmune, heart, celiacs and many more and nothing was out of order there (yay!)---so it is something I am eating or  it's environmental.

So, yep. that's me--organic girl. This is from an actual photo I took of my organic fruits sitting on my counter. Actually, the tall green thing is something I got at the farmer's market and I don't plan to eat it---but it made for a good composition. And again, Dr. PH Concentrated watercolors with a little regular watercolor, some Hydrus and a little bit of Copic spray. 

Trust

Proverbs 3:5

These are drawn Neuland letterforms with Dr. Martin's Ph. Concentrated watercolors.
Love these colors. I am in a colorful mood these days.

Italian Night

YUM!

A Gaggle of Pears

  I used my favorite watercolors Dr. Ph. Martin Concentrated watercolors (which I love!) because they are so bright and pleasing to my eye. I have collected many colors now and I would even like more but they mix beautifully also so if I would just take the time to experiment with my colors then I wouldn't need any more.
There is something about these colors that make my heart flutter--really. It's a cheap thrill--well not so cheap depending on how many colors I indulge myself in.
I will be leaving tomorrow to drive up to Greenville to stay with Macaulay and Baby Marc will Daddy Marc goes on a business trip.
See y'all next week!

Dreaming of Poppies

Oh, what a comfort zone...POPPIES!

I have missed my Poppies. I was just checking what this paper was. It looked like some sort of watercolor paper so I decided to add a little red to see how it took the paint---and Poppies emerged!

Digging deep...

While I am taking a break from the acrylics and watercolor for a while I have decided to dig down into my overflowing art drawers pull out something that has the potential of improvement. Believe me, this could take a while! I vaguely remember that these poppies were almost a throw away but now with some copic spray (non-toxic I am told!) and punchanella I think it is better now. I also used some Pan Pastels.  As I grow as an artist I see that depth and contrast is very important and with this one, it just needed a little depth and fancy-ing up a bit. I love my copic air compressor sprayer. I think that it is the best way for me to punch up the color to any piece that needs it--like this one. This one is a watercolor.

Practicing...

I have had to relearn this Engrosser's Script, or just learn it because I have never really used it. I mostly use Italic or a funky variation. This hand is soothing for me to write and as I see improvement then it makes it enjoyable.  I am not criticizing my progress at all but my eye sees that I am not quite there yet. I have spacing issues between the letters and between the words. For me the spacing of calligraphy has been the hardest part. It doesn't matter how beautiful your letterform might be, if it is not spaced properly it all falls apart. I am not a meticulous person at all and I have often wondered why I have loved learning calligraphy because it is the epitome of meticulous. I think I like the rules because I always feel safe within the rules. I am off to see if I can make a green smoothie. Sounds yuck but I'm gonna try.

PS. I am working on this script for the wedding invitations I will be doing for my best friend's
daughter.  It's not until May but I have to start now because it's like getting ready for a marathon. If you don't condition yourself the hand, arm and back will cramp up.

I'm still alive...

Well, I think that Art du jour has turned into "rare art du jour". I have missed creating and posting but I have a block now I think. I have been on a pretty good roll for several years now so maybe I needed a break. My hives are better and have been for several days now. I have de-danderized eveything and if it's Bucky then the de-danderizing is helping. It could be a chemical sensitivity to processed foods and I want to say thank you to Diane for mentioning to me that it could be a Ribo Rash from an MSG-like food enhancer. These are nasty chemicals that are hidden in our tasty processed foods that seem to be causing all sorts of problems. Ok, I admit it, that Pop Tart that I have eaten every day for breakfast for 20 years  has probably poisoned me. I am eating all organic now and we will see if that helps. Now I have to cook rather than creating art. So, now you know my secret, I never cooked. Well, I can't say never, but when I did, I hated every minute of it. I better change my tune. Maybe I will grow to love it. So much for me. I love you all and thank you for your concerns and suggestions. I consider each and every one!

PS. I have been practicing my Copperplate letterforms for wedding invitations for a May wedding of my best friend's daughter. So actually, I have been doing something. I have pages and pages of practice. Maybe I will post one. It's looking better.

More quick art--and the unresolved problem...

This is on the back of the scrap paper from my last post. I am still playing with laying down some color and making quick paintings. I have this thing about instant gratification. This is why I don't think I could ever be an oil painter although I do love the oils. It's just too slow for me.  I need instant bursts of color and maybe even a place to write. It's--- Quick Art for the Slightly Neurotic and Impatient Artist! Maybe I will write a book for all of us impatient artists who need an instant fix. I will be your pusher. hee hee
 And since this is a scrap---no pressure and--> instant gratification.
 There is an art induced high in all that.
Thank you all for your sweet comments about my mystery hives. I have my game plan as how to try and live with Bucky. I woke up clear today and everyday I am symptom free it is a good day. I have to make several safe zones where he is not allowed in---mostly the bedroom and office. He will be groomed once a week and I ordered several items from National Allergy: spray that lowers dander,  anti allergy clothes detergent, bath cloths for in between baths, an air purifier that I carry around with me right now because they are quite expensive. I think there were a few more things also. It's a shot in the dark but I am bound and determined to try and live with him---that is IF he is the problem. I am going to take some days off of  creating art and blogging to tackle this problem and clean the studio (de-danderize that is.) I might have to see if it is anything at my studio---paints??? Now wouldn't that be bad?! So I do need to stay away from all the art materials for a while. :(
I will be back hopefully really soon but I will certainly visit you all and see what you are doing. I am doing a class with LK Ludwig which I love so maybe I can blog some of those journal pages--that is when I get around to doing it.
I love you all and thanks for your prayers and best wishes. I need it now.
Oh, and here is a little cutie:
I could just eat him up with a spoon!

And one more cutie below chillin' out after his bath and shave:

It's a scrap....

First of all I want to say hello to everyone and apologize for my absence in responding to all your wonderful comments. I have really been struggling with a condition called Chronic Urticaria which is chronic hives where my eyes, lips and face swells with hives with itches terribly. I have been to 4 doctors and finally my internist has ruled out everything under the sun and I have surrendered many viles of blood to find out what this might be. It cycles about every two weeks or so and ...well...so much for those details. All tests have come back negative (that a good thing) except for one....pet dander.  Unfortunately, do do fear it is Bucky but with chronic hives you never really know the cause. All you can do is take a shot in the dark. I might have to find Bucky a loving home but that would bread our hearts.  Long story short, I have been able to create a little quick art so again I apologize for not returning comments. 

So, now to the art du jour.

Each day that comes and goes I never know which way the muse will lead me... and depending on how much my face might be itching. Today I am still in a watercolor mood.  I do think that my first love is watercolor. But I love acrylics too. My very favorite watercolorist is Shirley Trevena. I am mesmerized by her paintings andI have been looking at her DVD again and drooling all over again. This is on a scrap and I was just laying some color down. It's very quick and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  This one was fairly appealing (maybe a 61/2 out of 10) to me so therefore...

l'art de la journée est terminée.

In the studio today...

I have been doing a couple of things today. I made some backgrounds for a journal that I am thinking about putting together and also I am playing around with some abstract watercolor. I was mainly trying this Stonehenge paper that is good for the background techniques but I don't like it for the watercolor. I am trying to make random marks on the paper (this is hard for me for some reason) then lay down some watercolor. The "listen to the whisper.." one has pleasing colors but the quote and style of letterforms do not go with the bold marks and the colors. I don't really know why I wrote that one but I just grabbed the calligraphy marker and wrote something. Sometimes I really just need to slow down, take a breath and think for a minute. As a calligrapher, the best layout is one where the quote and letterforms have the same feel as the background. But, it's all about trying and learning from our less fortunate choices.

Doodle Marc

Have any of you seen Rebecca at Daisy Dolls Gypsy Caravan?  I just can't get over her fabulous doodle portraits so I decided to try one. It really took me quite a while to figure it all out and actually this one is just in pencil then I darkened it in Photoshop. I love to doodle so this might be really fun to do. Rebecca is fabulous at doodling on faces and it's certainly worth a look see!!

Miss Eclectic "E"

Let's give a big hello to Miss Eclectic E. As you can see she is quite Ebullient but very Eccentric. She is quite an Extraordinary letter because she is very open minded and accepting of the other letters in the alphabet who are not as Expressive as she is. She and her neighbor, Miss Dottie Doodle D, are best friends. She actually was the one who taught Doodle Dottie to say, "Daaa-ling".

Yes, we are having fun!

We are having fun here in beautiful Greenville, SC, and Papa Chaunce flew in today but we have to drive home tomorrow. Bucky is so sweet to Baby Marc and we had a good laugh with the ride in the wagon today.

More color!

I am still living these punches of color.  It's Dr. Martins concentrated WC again. The top image of the birdhouse is a sketch from my previous drawing class and the bottom one is a photo of a still life at the studio when I took the oil painting class.
I printed them on watercolor paper and they are really fun to paint.
 I am leaving today to go see Baby Marc so I will be traveling 6 hours. I have me a book to listen to so I will be just fine. I will be there until Monday so I will see you all next week!