Fun art & swapping...

Well, hello there!

How are things in your corner of the world?

Is your weather playing tricks on you, as mine is here on the prairie? One day it is 40 degrees outside but then on Friday and Saturday it was a glorious 70 degrees here! I wore sandals! Oh, joy!!!

Cold and raining today. Seriously.

Perfect days for Happy mail, wouldn't you agree?

I sent this "Bird theme art swap" out just last week.

My recipient did get it and it did brighten her day! I think that it is safe to say that I am enjoying this group very much! I cannot seem to link it to this post, but if you would like to join in on the swapping of art, search for " Art Exchange, Happy Mail Love" on facebook. Several new theme swaps were just posted last week so you will have plenty of time to look them over and select the themes that interest you!

Here is a peek of some ACEO's that I painted over the weekend...

many of them for the theme swaps.

"CIRCLES" theme.

" CROWN" theme.

" DEER GIRL" theme.

And these vintage trailers were painted simply for fun! You see, my best friend, Lori (Also in the " Art Exchange, Happy Mail Love" facebook group), came for a three day stay! Yay!!!

We spent many many hours painting.

We tried our hands at abstract...

sipped coffee.

watched 80's movies.

laughed out loud.

instagrammed.

and painted again and again.

Oh, how I love these girly visits and yes... I got teary-eyed when I watched Lori pull out of my driveway on Monday. I never want the fun to end!

I am so glad that Lori was here to witness this pretty sky. The photo does not show the lovely pink that was quite present.

Breathtaking.

Yesterday I returned to my routine. Smiling as I reflected on the new memories made with my special friend.

Grateful for them and for her.

I do hope that you created your own wonderful memories over the weekend!

I will return soon!

XO

 

Could it be?

Could it be so?

Has Spring suddenly sneaked up on us?

By the sounds of the birds whistling from the trees and the sun beams bursting through our windows...

possibly, it is so.

Just a week or so ago, I painted this scene in my art journal.

It was real.

This was happening.

Strong winds, blowing snow flurries, grey skies. Silent birds!

On Friday, I painted much happier birds!

I have thoroughly enjoyed some "me" time in the studio. You know... art for fun and leisure.

It has been many years since I have participated in online art swaps and challenges with like-minded people. Recently, I decided that in order to remain happy in my career as a full time artist... I must also include some time and activities, free of commands and instructions. I decided to seek out, reach out, and get back into a few online communities that I thought would be a good fit for me. Since these groups are still rather new to me, I am not yet going to share the links. Allow me, please, time to participate in some of the events before making any recommendations.

I have limited myself to only one art exchange per month and one creative challenge per month so that my fun will not interfere with commission work.

I had forgotten just how joyful it is to sit and paint oodles and oodles of ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), and ACEO's (Art Cards, Editions and Originals)! I found myself smiling big and already feeling excited to receive cards from other artists! I create ten and in return, I will get ten cards to add to my own collection! Yes!!! I absolutely adore such sharing of art and creativity!

How about you?

Do you participate in any creative online groups? If so... please, share with a comment!

As for my work, I recently had the pleasure of creating a baby gift. My client provided me with the colors, the theme, and baby's name. This was so much fun... afterall, who does not love baby elephants?

I was thrilled when I was sent a photo through my public facebook page, of the recipients holding the gifts at the actual baby shower. More JOY!!! I LOVE what I do!!!

I also love interesting skies. And the moon.

Just last night I dashed out of the front door with my Sony nex 5r to capture this!

So worth it!

Could it be...

a Spring moon?

See you right back here soon!

XO

 

Yes, This Happened...

Midori Traveler's Notebook.

Have you heard of them?

I had not...

until last week.

I found myself browsing through countless photos on instagram and Pinterest. (By the way, I have just opened an instagram account and would love to have you follow me there by clicking on the icon to the right)!

After two evenings of Midori eye candy, I knew that I had to have this beauty to add to my art journal collection. I ordered. It arrived.

Friends, unpacking the Midori Traveler's Notebook is a treat in itself!

Because this notebook is designed with an elastic band system that can hold several notebooks, I also ordered some additional notebook inserts and accessories to start with. Each piece, beautifully packaged...

but I first opened the leather cover and removed it from it's lovely chipboard box. Words cannot even describe the aroma of pure leather. I ordered the brown. Mine was soft to the touch. (Some leather may be stiff when new). There was even a cotton carrying case for my new Midori.

I spent the remainder of this day adding my inserts: a journal for art, a monthly calender, a blank notebook that came with the Midori, a Kraft folder, a zippered pouch. I also purchased the pen holder clip and some pocket stickers.

Oh, the joy of personalizing this notebook/journal...

making it truly my own!

The fabulous glass bead was handcrafted by a friend/artist, Kris Ball. The palette and brush charm was a purchase made long ago. I untied the knot in the elastic from the back side of the leather cover, and slid the bead through, then re-tied the knot.

And then this happened...

I have been using my Midori for what mine was intended to be used for. Art, doodling, planning, organizing, list making...

Since my Midori will be with me everywhere I go, I want it to be functional, yet full of creative art and inspiration!

I will be adding more. This is an on going project and I will be blogging my tiny works of art. I will even throw in some tutorials for those of you who love their planners! Just wait and see what I have done to the inner pages!

Yes. This really did happen.

I love my Midori!

I also adore these pretty pink skies on the prairie!

See you soon!

XO

 

Shaking & Painting the Winter Blues...

Oh, those Winter blues.

February seems to linger on for too long, wouldn't you agree?

Each morning I stop by the large window in our dining room to peek out. You see, where we live, one day it may be snowing, while the next day it could be bright and sunny with "pleasant" temperatures.

I always hope for the latter...

but then again, the snow is so beautiful. On Tuesday we had big, fluffy snowflakes!

I never become bored...

but I do long to play outside and feel the warmth on my shoulders again. For now, I just sip hot beverages and happily paint.

More journal entries for the "Documented Life Project".

I get lost in this world of my own.

Not a worry or care.

Riding out Winter.

And drinking more tea.

How do you shake the Winter blues?

Please, tell me!

I will see you again, very soon!

Stay warm.

 

The Documented Life Journal Project...

Hello, dear ones!

Did you have a lovely Valentine's Day?

For those of you that know me or who have followed my blog through the years, know that it is not my favorite day of the year...

although I have now, a wonderful husband to share February 14th with, and it has certainly been a more pleasant event, I still feel sad for those who are alone when this big, commercialized holiday rolls around. I have been that person too.The one who sees the big, beautiful bouquets of flowers being delivered to co-workers and hearing them talk about dinner plans with their sweethearts...

while I went home to an empty house and sat alone all evening.

I learned to pamper my own self. It got easier! Then, one year, I realized that it really is okay to be alone and the chocolates that I purchased for myself tasted just as great as anyone elses!

My art journals tell of all of my loveless Valentine's Days.

I cherish my journals...

and now I am thrilled to be a part of "The Documented Life" art journal project!

I jumped in late and started with a journal that happened to be sitting on my shelf. I then found the large "Dylusions" journal at a hobby store and loved it instantly, so with a coupon, I got it for 40% off! Oh my... it's big, pages are heavy, but I really admired the way that this journal is constructed. It has a large envelope mounted on the inside of the front cover, an elastic closure band, and several pages to work on!

(Now I was really behind with the journal prompts, provided by the Art to the 5th Academy website).

Hey! Why don't you click on the link and join us?

Each week, a new prompt is given, along with a medium or technique to follow.

Example: the photo above was for a prompt using the color wheel and layers.

Notice my stress ball? I just wasn't "feeling it" on that day and since then, that page has undergone many transformations!

Take a peek at some of my other journal pages...

I am really enjoying the project and it gives me a nice break from commission work. I tend to play in the journal while paint on a canvas dries... but this weekend, it has been all play!

Hope to see you there!

 

February Love...

February has arrived...

and with it's first day, it has made it's grand entrance with blowing snow here on the Kansas prairie.

After my two cups of coffee this morning, I went into the kitchen and began chopping vegetables. This kind of day calls for stew in the crockpot.

Now, many hours later, I can report that it was delightful! (Quite colorful too)!

Sundays are typically "lazy days" around here. A day of rest, indeed. I rarely even paint on a Sunday...

but I can show you what I am currently working on!

I am painting Las Vegas for a client who was married there. A gift for her husband. This has probably been one of my most challenging paintings, for many reasons. I have only been to Las Vegas once... when I was just age 18. I do not remember much about it.

I do not paint cities or buildings often and I do struggle with "perspective".

Yes, it's been a difficult painting...

yet enjoyable!

I feel that I learn and I grow as an artist with each commission because I am told what to paint. If I had not been told to paint Las Vegas... or a cow...

I most likely would have never done so. I would have never known just how exciting it is to paint a silly cow!

I have really come to appreciate commission work for such reasons. It forces me to step outside of my comfort zones and to learn. Before painting, I spend weeks studying the subject that I will be painting. I observe every line, the colors, the variations... and perspective.

I think that Vegas will be finished this week!

Possibly she will decide to give it to her hubby early... a Valentine gift? (I am way ahead since I originally told her that I could begin painting in February)!

Awwww, the month of Love!

I also squeeze in some playful painting that requires zero brain work!

Sending some Love your way!

 

Let's talk journals...

Oh, dear.

January is moving so quickly (but I am okay with that because I do prefer sunny and warm months).

I live in my own little corner of the world, quietly painting. I do not get out much, especially when it is so cold outside...

however, this past three day weekend I did have a reason to throw on some jeans and a real blouse.

Since this rarely occurs, I felt the need to snap a selfie to send to my darling husband, who was off on one of his "guys trips". Just after taking this photo, my best friend, Lori, arrived with all of her luggage and art supplies! Yes, indeed... it was time for our "Girls' weekend" and we kicked it off with a Friday night outing in downtown Lawrence. We were on a mission to seek out some vintage books from the used book stores.

We found this fabulous childrens' book! A perfect cover for creating a journal with!

Of course, while downtown, we popped into the "hippie shop" and I added two new t-shirts to my wardrobe. We also had sushi at my favorite sushi restaurant! My mouth is watering all over again just typing this! Delightful!

Once back home, here on the prairie...

we changed into our weekend pajamas and for the next few days it was all about art, creativity, more yummy food, coffee, late nights, scary tv programs, great conversation, and laughter!

Childrens' book was turned into a new art journal filled with lovely watercolor paper pages.

The fairy lights shined brightly wee hours of the nights.

We were on a roll and on Saturday we created a smaller journal with a hand made cover.

We were so very proud of our creations and naturally, we had to just sit and admire the journals for awhile.

We even crammed some online mixed media classes into our weekend!

We always feel that the time goes by too fast. I absolutely love our girls' weekends and cherish each memory made with Lori. (friends since 7th grade... we have certainly made quite a collection of memories)!

Monday was a difficult day for me emotionally, when Lori left...

and I was once again alone in my very quiet reality. (hubby was still working).This happens to me every time loved ones come... and then must go. This is truly the most challenging thing about leaving a home town to begin a new life, miles away.

I pulled out my current journal and spilled my sadness onto the pages.

Sometimes it takes a day or two before I bounce back to my happy self, loving this beautiful life and feeling very blessed. Right down to the simple pleasures that I thrive on, such as hanging laundry out to dry so that I can smell that fresh outdoors while sleeping!

I will always miss my family, friends, and many things about my home town. I was there 40-something years.

But then I realize that what I have now, is everything that I once wished for.

I look back through my art journals and witness the growth, the pain, the sacrifices, the change...

yes.

My reality rocks!

Blessings to you!

XO