Soul nurturing moments...

Hello!

No big news from my end. You?

It's Friday night on the patio. Just me, my sketch journal, a nice cool breeze and some storm clouds forming up above.

We have had some rather unusual sky performances this Summer!

Isn't it fabulous? Like art in the sky!

I sit out here and watch. Study.

Doodle at times.

Hey! I guess I do have something fun to share!

My sweet husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary. He gifted me with this oh, so cute, "Instax" camera!

I will use these tiny 2" X 3" photos for my art journals.

We also purchased the mobile "Polaroid zip" mini printer and are very impressed! One can never have too many tiny pictures, right?

This guy.

He is so good to me and I wake up feeling blessed every single day.

He has now made his way out to the patio so I will close here, wishing you a wonderful weekend...

And, surprise hearts! (I found this gem on the patio).

I wish you colorful skies...

And soul nurturing moments.

XO

 

A new backpack...

Hello, hello!

It happens about this time each year.

My urge to be outdoors and to explore excites me beyond words!

And, because when we do take more road trips throughout the Summer and the journeys are always very unpredictable, I need to carry a lot of stuff...

On my back.

Yes, I prefer a backpack during these warm months, spent outside. Backpacks, I find, free up my arms so that I may snap photos or shop with ease. I can carry a jacket in my backpack, a bottle of water, a book, my camera, my art journal. They are a must for me and this year, I decided that it was time for a new one!

I chose a backpack from Sakroots, along with a matching crossbody cell phone bag with a removable strap. (These are great for keeping in a backpack and removing for quick trips into the convenience store or a restaurant).

Can you tell that I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of these purchases?

On this quiet Sunday night, I'm enjoying some bonding time with my watercolors and art journal.

It's been a very laid back weekend. I even started a new book!

I hope that your weekend has been peaceful.

I would love to hear all about it in the comments!

Enjoy!

XO

 

Flea Market Meets Fall...

How can this be?

Just a few weekends ago, the husband and I were out and about, in sleeveless tops...

enjoying such vintage goodness at a big flea market event in Kansas City!

And at home...

Painting beach themed commissions!

The bright sun peeking through our large windows.

A gentle breeze on wind chimes, producing a most tranquil tune.

Still holding on to Summer. Tightly.

Today is different.

The mornings are quite cool and I have thrown on a sweatshirt!

Reality has quickly set in.

It is Fall.

Hello, October!

Are you ready?

Xo

 

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

 

Oh, so green!

Hello out there!

How is your week?

All is wonderful here, as we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our parents!

I'm having a hard time focusing on much because of my excitement! I still get terribly homesick.

I got out my sketch pad a few evenings ago.

I suddenly felt an urge to paint bicycles so I wanted to practice a bit on paper before actually tackling a canvas with acrylics.

When I think of Summer bliss, I have lovely visions of bright colored bicycles, blue skies, and grass oh, so green.

I chose those chunky 4" x 4" canvases and have every intention of painting several different bicycles.

You know...

Bikes by the water.

Bikes by a tree.

Bikes by a white picket fence...

and possibly even one resting beneath a clothesline?

How cute would that be?

And of course, each bicycle will have it's very own basket...

with flowers on board!

It's been so much fun!

This one is up for grabs.

You may read the details on my Facebook fan page here.

Just to let you know, I am also doing a give away next week! I just reached a goal of 300 "likes". I think that is cause to celebrate!!!

So, won't you please head on over there and join in with a page like? (My next goal is for 500 and even a bigger celebration)!

Okay. Speaking of bigger...

hubby and I have some very BIG news!

We have just purchased our own magical forest!

We have seen this property many of times and have been so intrigued by it's Tom Sawyer kind of landscaping. The type of adventure park that Disneyland has with the tree house, surrounded by trees...

it reminds me of that.

Only this property has multi decks that stagger (through the trees), all the way down to a pond.

Well, we bought it!

We just closed on the property yesterday.

Many more photos and magical things to come!

I do wish you a perfect weekend!!!!

I will be loving on my parents!!!!

Until next time,

XO

 

A Pretend "Fall" Day...

Interesting, it is.

How the weather can alter our minds and trick us.

It's been raining all day here. With the rain comes a chill in the air.

It truly feels like a Fall day. The sky is a drab grey color.

I made a pot of coffee, late this afternoon, and took a cup of the hot brew into the bedroom.

I got all cozy, beneath the bed blankets and opened up my art journal.

Sketching.

No plan...

Just pencil scratches...

Then some watercolor.

Soon, these faces adorned the journal page.

Kinda creepy, eh?

Well, maybe not.

I found myself thinking about Halloween, pumpkins, ghosts, goblins, black cats.

Glass bottles filled with magic potions...

Oooooh, don't you just squirm when you think of that spooky time of the year?

I dip my paintbrush into the bright colors...

Orange, green, purple, yellow, and blue.

I'm thinking that I may create each one of these characters using clay!

What do you think?

Possibly, I will.

So, in my art journal I will continue to play.

I will jot down some notes and ideas...

On this pretend "Fall" day.

Until next time...

XO

 

How to Draw a Cup of Tea...

Wanna draw a cup of tea with me?

It's really quite simple!

All you need is a piece of paper ( I chose watercolor paper), a pencil with eraser, a black Micron pen, a paintbrush, and watercolors.

 

1. Draw an oval. If you want to look down into a cup, your oval will be wider. If looking up at your cup, a thinner oval. I'm going to keep this tutorial very basic, providing you with just a general idea. We will discuss more on perspective another day!

 

2. Now draw the sides of your cup.

 

3. Add the bottom, keeping your line somewhat curved.

 

4. Draw the handle. I always think of the human ear when drawing handles!

 

5. Draw the inner handle line, eyeballing the width. You don't want a cup or mug handle that is so thick, one could not slip fingers through it to hold!

 

6. Now add your "coffee" or "tea" line. Leave room for cream!

7. If you want to, you may pencil in very soft markings where you plan to leave white. Some artists prefer to use masking fluid. I have tried several brands and types... It just doesn't serve me well and bottles end up in the trash can because they dried up.

Ok. Now you have a mug (or tea cup) drawing. You could begin painting it now.

Or

Why not shake things up a bit and transform this chunky mug into an elegant teacup with curves?

 

8. Just erase and repeat the steps, only this time, YOU be the designer and create your own teacup. Add a base and a thinner handle with some swirls!

 

9. Let's add some color... Or shall I say, tea!

I'm using an aqua brush. They hold and release water as you paint, keeping your paper damp and watercolors flowing evenly. These brushes come in various sizes. If you often paint on the go, you may want to buy one... Or two... Or all sizes! You will discover that each size is very useful!

 

Oooooohhhhh!!!! How about a bright pink teacup?

I'm also using my portable Koi watercolor set, perfect for patio painting! Can you guess where I am sitting?!!!

By layering watercolor applications you can create darker areas and shadows.

 

10. These next steps are totally optional and you may tune me out at any time and choose your own path! Good for you!!!!

I am going to use my Micron pen to outline my teacup. I don't always like dark lines so I only use it when I want a more illustrated look, not a realistic look. I mainly use my Microns in my art journal. These pens will not bleed when used with wet mediums. Love, love, love my Micron pens- all tip sizes!

11. I want to create a pattern on my teacup. I simply dip my brush into a dark color of paint ( one that I think will look nice with bright pink)...

Then by using the side of the brush, I randomly push down, making petal-like marks on the teacup.

12. Once the lowers have dried, I outline them with the Micron pen.

 

Doodle until your heart is content!

13. Go make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy!

Blessings! XO