December...

December is going by so quickly!

Today, I shall finish up my holiday shopping in the historical section of Ellicott City. It's one of my favorite places in Maryland...filled with much charm!

In my new home, I have left Santa a gingerbread man cookie and a piping hot cup of Starbuck's. Surely he will see it and sit down for awhile, next to the Christmas tree! Yes, I'm in the Christmas spirit this year, although it's not always easy. I often think of my old house in Kansas and reflect on the holidays spent there...in happier times, of course.

I try not to dwell too much on the past because I am moving forward. I must move on.

ART is my life now.

Creativity.

I've been stuck for some time, but feel myself bouncing back!

I worked on THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT yesterday.

Here are the pics!

I'm doing the entire book in Sepia, but once each page is completed, I will go back and add just a hint of color.

I hope that you all are enjoying this holiday season!

Blessings from the East Coast!

December in Annapolis...

It's been awhile.

I just haven't felt like blogging these days. Possibly, I'm losing interest, but I have realized that for now, it's much more important to me to adjust to my new home, surroundings, and lifestyle...savor each moment of the day and simply observe in silence.

It's December. The season for giving, so instead of painting or sketching, I have been creative in other ways such as seeking out the "perfect gifts" for my loved ones, wrapping pretty packages, etc.

I'm also enjoying some new video equipment and trying to learn how to upload and edit!

last night I took my camcorder and still camera to Annapolis and captured the spirit of Christmas in the brisk, night air!

The quaint shops are decorated so pretty.

The large Christmas tree located in the center of downtown Annapolis glows with red, white, and blue.

Inside of the arts & history museum I participated in the voting for the best Gingerbread house!

I voted for this one because I found it to be most unique and fitting for the Annapolis area.

I love it here! Truly, I do. It's feeling more and more like HOME to me.

Art and creating will come back to me when the time is right. I ask myself, "Why rush this process"?

I shall live only in the NOW.

Happy December to all!

The Sketchbook Project 2011

"Live A Storybook Life"
By Missy Trent
The Sketchbook Project 2011

I've been stuck creatively.

I just was not satisfied with the pages of my sketchbook project. They didn't seem like "my style". I came up with these drawings, using only a sepia colored pencil. I actually planned on adding color...and, I may still do so. What do YOU think?

Maybe just choose a few colors? Pink for her cheeks?

And...the big question now is, should I do my entire book in sepia, giving it a vintage feel?

I welcome any suggestions!

Well, today I will delete my blog, "In A Shabby Kind Of Way". It seems scary for some odd reason. I have blogged for years and that blog was my comfort zone throughout many difficult times. Time to let go.

For those of you you followed me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Joyce F. won the blog giveaway painting and I hope that by now she has the mermaid in her home!

I shall continue on with my sketchbook project!

All things Magical...

It's not easy adjusting to a new lifestyle and new routine. Unpacking years of collected belongings has consumed me, leaving very little time for art...but I'm getting there! I have been working on my "Sketchbook Project" some and will be posting more photos soon. I must confess, the weather has been beautiful here, so I do want to enjoy as much outdoors as I can before the cold Winter sets in.

Of course, I did attend the annual Maryland Renaissance Festival last month and it was just as magical as the first time that I went! I always feel right at home here with the gypsies, queens, knights and Kings! Thought I'd share a few photos of this year's event since I haven't any art to show & tell about.

This weekend I'm off to Virginia Beach for some more sight seeing and inspiration and I will be packing art bag!

Bear with me as I ease back into the blogging routine, please!

Wishing you all a magical weekend!

AND THE WINNER IS...

 I still prefer doing things in a traditional manner!

I want to thank all of you for participating!

I will be hosting more exciting giveaways in the future so please check back frequently!

JOYCE! You are the winner of the mermaid acrylic painting on canvas! CONGRATULATIONS!

Please email to me, your full name and mailing address and I will ship this right out to you!

My email address is:

MTreasures@hotmail.com

You all are very dear to me.

Big hugs!

In Color...

It feels wonderful to be doing art again!

I have added color to my title page of "The Sketchbook Project 2011".

I then created this charming paper doll...

that will be tucked inside of this envelope. The doll will be removeable, however, because this book will be traveling, I will attach her to a ribbon or string, and then to the book.

The paper doll represents the child in all of us...

the child that still longs to play and be adventurous...

even when we are forced to be all grown-up!

She will show us how to pretend again...

how to explore.

She will teach us to use our imaginations to create

A Storybook Life.

Live A Storybook Life!

For the "Sketchbook Project", I chose the theme, "Storybook".

All of my life I have enjoyed storybooks! I especially like the interactive books with secret doors and hidden treasures inside! I am always amazed at pop-up books. I study every little detail!

I want to create a very magical book filled with eye candy, however, I may not have the kind of time needed for such book....

I shall see.

I'm not going to write a storybook. Instead, my book is going to be a tiny book of inspiration!

In today's world, everyone seems to be in such a hurry. Sadly, the world goes un-noticed. For some, it may even appear to be black and white.

Creativity amongst young people seems to be a thing of the past. When I was a child, I played with my friends and cousins. We created our own entertainment by constructing doll houses from shoe boxes, building underground forts that would take us days to dig by hand. We couldn't wait to get out of school the following day just to continue on with our digging!

I cherish my childhood memories, and today, I DO notice every color in each fallen leaf, the textures that surround me. I am very observevant and most importantly, I CAN create my own fun. I CAN be alone and have a great time.

I find the greatest joy from the simple pleasures in life and so this is what I will share in my illustrated sketchbook project!

For now, it is only black and white....

but soon you will see the COLORS!

Welcome to my new art studio!

Come back any time!

Blog Giveaway!

I'm giving away this original mermaid, acrylic canvas!

Just add yourself as a follower by November 10th...

post a comment.

Once my winner has been selected I will post your name right here on my new blog!

I will ask you to email me your mailing address so that I may ship your mermaid right to your home!

Thanks so much and good luck!

The Sketchbook Project 2011

 I sat here this morning...
thinking.
 Stuck.
I had signed up to participate in the 2011 Sketchbook Project prior to my move, and really must get started on it. My art supplies remain in boxes and my art studio is not quite set up for creativity...
however, I shuffled some things around this morning and even made a small work space! I cannot allow the mess of the move to get in my way!
My dear friend, Laura, is also a participating artist and continues to keep me inspired! She is making great progress in her sketchbook and it looks amazing! At the end of the tour, she and I plan to attend the showing at the Brooklyn Art Library, right here, on the East Coast! The sketchbooks much be submitted by January.
I chose the theme, "Storybook".
I'd love to hear from other participating artists! Post a comment, please!
Wishing you all a fantastic day!

Welcome to my new blog!

 Welcome!
New beginnings... new location...new home...new career...new blog.

It wasn't easy

but I am now here and eager to live this next chapter of my life.

I hope that you will join me.