A Bicycle journey through pages...

Something different. Change.

We all crave that occasionally, don't we?

This week I have gathered the necessary art supplies for my latest commission and have created a work space in our kitchen. I enjoy the corner nook, surrounded by sunny windows, big plants, and the coffee pot, of course.

This job is a gift. The client's friend recently challenged herself, along with her boyfriend, to bicycle across Kansas. In addition to the challenges that came with this journey, the woman has also suffered some back problems for quite some time now, causing her great pain. In fact, her journey on the Kansas roads has ended, and she is now at home, recovering from back surgery. Oh, how I want to get this surprise art journal completed soon so that her friend may get it to her, to enjoy and hopefully smile big while she is stuck in bed.

Her bike ride began on July 3rd.

I am stalking her Facebook page to capture the dates, the towns that she has passed through, and the highlights of their trip!

Right down to the meals that they cooked on their tiny camp burner!

Although I cannot fill every page in the moleskine journal, I like the idea of the recipient having the extra pages to add her own photos and journaling.

This commission is so much fun and quite different from my most common work- painting on a canvas and acrylics. For those of you who have followed my blog consistently, know that I am very passionate about art journaling and frequently dabble in my own personal journals. This is a huge part of my life as an artist...

and a person.

I am loving this ride and the change in "scenery"!

What's new in your corner of the world?

Be a sweetie, won't you...

and leave a comment and share!

Xo

 

Paintbrush wonders...

Hello, out there!

How are you?

All is silent here on the prairie. After having my nephew and his sweet girlfriend here for a few days...

Dashing here and running there, all in which we absolutely enjoyed. It's now back to quiet moments with a paintbrush in hand. Soaking up Summer skies revealing their own special brush strokes of color.

Back to commission work...

but also some "fun" projects.

I began by painting a variety of paintbrushes. Yummy colors!

Wondering what would evolve from each one, as I studied their sizes and shapes.

Then, it came to me!

One of them anyway, would become a mermaid from the sea.

I added some molding paste and sculpted some of her most interesting features such as her hair, scales, and fin.

Acrylic paints to make her really pop.

Isn't she lovely?

Now this is what I call super FUN art!

I am already looking forward to the next.

I do hope that you are taking some time to admire your pretty painted skies!

XO

 

Treasures of the Sea...

Around here lately...

It seems that I am surrounded in water, as it has been raining. Big rain.

That's fine with me because I adore water.

I am especially fond of the sea...

it's hues of turquoise, blue, green, and white.

Tranquility.

Sea creatures fascinate me...

even if they really only live in my head....

or not?

I like to believe that they do exist.

Sunken treasures below.

I ponder all of these things while sculpting clay heads and tails.

While painting tiny fish.

I have enjoyed several sea theme art projects since returning home from our vacation.

The mixed media mermaid doll was a fun project for an art doll swap! She is being shipped to New York today. In return, I will receive a handmade art doll from my swap partner in New York!

This is what I refer to as my "play time" art. My hobby. Art with no instructions!

This big guitar case was my most recent commission. Although it came to me with instructions, I absolutely loved doing this piece!

"Bugs" is a pet dog who has passed on. My lovely client hired me to paint this case as a tribute to Bugs...

a gift for the doggie parents. Isn't that sweet?

I feel as if I am still on vacation with all of these sea projects...

I even added some ambient lighting to the tree, right outside of my studio window.

Fireflies in a sea colored jar? Oh yes!

It makes me smile!

Sending some tranquility your way!

I'll meet you back here again soon!

XO

 

Swept away...

Hello!

Oh my. Again! I have been swept away by Summer and all of its offerings.

We recently returned back home after a week long vacation. In my quiet moments, I'm documenting all of our sights and activities.

I always pack my personal art journal and a small bag of supplies, with good intentions...

but rarely do I actually get to the art journal. I am a person who believes in "being present and in the moment". I do not want to miss out on something beautiful and significant in my life because I was texting on my phone, on Facebook, or distracted by something else. I see it too often- people missing out on a conversation or a lovely meal because their heads are down, viewing a phone screen. That phone will be there after the event!

I find it to be sad. These moments cannot be re-lived. Even when I dine out, I want to focus on the food. The flavors and textures. I do tend to always snap a quick photo of my meal!

Although art journaling can be a very positive part of our travels, I simply prefer to play "miss photographer" while taking it all in and visiting with my husband! I get so tickled just watching him, seeing his excitement when he is exploring a new place!

 

By evening, we are exhausted in our hotel room... Otherwise, I would do some art journaling then and glue ticket stubs onto the pages.

But hey! Because I'm doing it AFTER the vacation, I get to go to these great places, all over again, right?

So...

Would you like to see a few pictures from our journey?

So glad that you said, "yes"! (giggle.giggle).

Chicago, Illinois.

Indiana for some RZR riding in the dirt and mud!

Niagara Falls. New York and Canada!

Friends, it was so breath-taking. I just listened and breathed. The rainbows made Niagara Falls extra special!

We are always happy to also be back to our prairie home and in our normal routines again.

Painting.

This was the first stop on our vacation. A place called, "Hannibal, Missouri". Home of Mark Twain.

This is the building that I am working on in my art journal.

 

Until next time,

Be safe and have a happy 4th of July!