November 30, 2017 November 30, 2017

I have finished creating the ATC’s for my family. I must say that I had so much fun that I will probably create some additional collages. I have some watercolor postcards and note cards that I want to work with. I enjoy the mixing and matching to create an end result that is interesting, unique, unusual and, most of all, fun. This may not seem like art to you but for me the end result is much different than the individual pieces. Think about that old saying “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.” I try to create something new and different. I must admit that I am itching to pick up a pencil to do some drawing and a brush to wet my colors. I am just wrapping up a busy period for my three volunteer efforts so that will happen SOON…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement

November 26, 2017 November 26, 2017

I have been fascinated by a WordPress blog titled The Used Life. I do not know the blogger’s name but you can visit her website here. Since New Years I have been on a journey searching to have a better “used life”. I have been writing in a journal given to me by a friend. It is titled She Moves to Her Own Rhythm and was designed by Shiloh McCloud. Here is the cover of the journal.

 

 

 

 

Shiloh writes the journal is a place to feel safe experimenting and being your true self. That reminded me of The Used Life blog that I found so interesting and wanted to share with you. One of the things I really like about my journal is that it has quirky drawings that we are encouraged to color, paint, write on or otherwise use creatively. I love using markers, colored pencils, gel pens, metallic markers, glitter pens and other diverse and wonderful instruments as I move through the book. Here are two of my pages. I hope they make you smile.

 

 

 

November 20, 2017 November 20, 2017

I’ve been working on ATC’s and more ATC’s. I was busy cutting and pasting, and putting the pieces together like a puzzle for most of the weekend. I always look for a theme or an interesting juxtaposition. Most of my Christmas cards are stuffed and addressed. Here are four more of my creations. Horses….

 

 

 

and birds!!!

 

 

 

 

and cats!!!! Animals are such wonderful subjects.

 

 

November 18, 2017 November 18, 2017

Earlier this week I posted an acrylic painting that I mentioned might not be complete…well it wasn’t. I have looked and painted and looked and painted. The additions are very small and minor but I think they make a better painting. I am to the point that I think one more change might push it over the edge. I’ve told myself ENOUGH! Here is my revised painting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

November14, 2017 November 16, 2017

I had another day of “creating” with my grandson. We worked on three different projects and enjoyed trying our hand at something new. We started by making reverse prints. We used styrofoam plates as our printing plate and bamboo skewers as our drawing stylus. Ian got two interesting drawings and I worked on a simple poinsettia. I struggled because I did not leave a deep enough impression on the plate. When we printed our images we had some problems because my ink is old and pretty thick. BUT Ian had several successful impressions of his two images

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and I finally got one.

 

 

 

Then we worked on new abstract paintings. I think Ian was rushing a little. He chose many colors this time and said he loves color and having many choices gave him more options. Again I worked really wet like I do with my watercolors so my painting took a lot longer to complete. I am not sure it is actually done yet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, we did two more collages. This was fun for me but Ian became frustrated because I wanted to natter on about “composition”. He said he likes to learn by failing! Oh My! Doesn’t this sound like a grandmother and grandson??? Ian’s is on the left and mine on the right. We had a very good day all in all and I thought he created some very interesting, fun art. Hope you enjoy!

 

 

November 12, 2017 November 12, 2017

I am moving forward with my ATC project. As I’ve mentioned this project is really a treasure hunt for me. I spend hours looking for interesting images and cutting them out of magazines, catalogs and flyers. Putting them together is like assembling a puzzle that doesn’t really have a right answer. I try to achieve a balanced composition, a unified color palette and frequently focus on a theme. I cut strips of paper from many sources to create a frame or interesting strips running through the design. I hope the strips create movement and interest. I just completed two new designs.

The first is a rustic sculpture of a cardinal sitting on top of a Native American rug. The cardinal is the state bird of Indiana so I thought that was appropriate for my Hoosier family members.

 

 

My next ATC goes back to my original theme…horses, horses, horses! Look at this beauty! Just a remainder ATC’s are the size of baseball cards – 2 1/2 inches X 3 1/2 inches – so they are very small. It can be extremely difficult to cut out the detailed shapes I use but I love the results I am able to achieve. Once again I have a Native American textile design in the background. The strips are cut from a seaside scene shown in a travel catalog

 

 

I do want to mention Josephine’s blog LemanShots . She creatively expresses her response to a scene she encounters.  I relate to her images for the same reason I like doing the collages. They are interesting, express emotions and can be thought provoking and even whimsical. She tries to communicate as do I. Please enjoy a visit to her blog!

November 10, 2017 November 10, 2017

When looking for canvas earlier this week, I found a canvas I painted this summer. I thought I would do more with it but then I couldn’t bring myself to change it. I had a very clear inspiration for this painting.

One Sunday morning in the middle of July I took my regular walk at Ft. Benjamin Harrison State Park. The sunshine was brilliant, the temperature was mild and the breeze was gentle. The dappled shadows danced on the path as I walked and the forest seemed to flicker and vibrate with energy as the leaves were touched by the breeze. As I drove home I was filled with a feeling of content, peace and happiness. The words that kept arising from my unconscious were “shimmering greens and gold”. The words wouldn’t go away. They just kept bubbling to the top. The minute I walked through my door I went to my studio to paint. When I finished this small abstract, I was happy but I thought I might try adding a hint of tree trunks and limbs to make it more realistic. I thought I would post both versions on my blog. But for some reason I never was able to add to this painting. They say that the hardest decision a painter makes is knowing when to stop painting. When will one more stroke be too much? I agree!

 

 

November 8, 2017 November 8, 2017

I am trying to post every day but am having trouble getting my images from my iPhone to my laptop so I use them in a post. I am working on it and am learning all about digital communications from my granddaughter. She thinks my WIFI is the problem…? Anyway my problem, not yours.

Yesterday I spent the day with one of my grandsons. Ian is in his early 20’s and we sat together and painted small abstract paintings. I googled abstract art before we started so he could see examples. We how the styles differ so he would have a starting point. Ian has Asberger’s syndrome which is on the autism spectrum. He loves writing and drawing but is sometimes overwhelmed when he has too many choices so I told him we would both use white and black and would each choose two other colors of acrylic paint. Ian chose red and blue and I chose red and yellow. He’s patriotic and I’m wishing for sunny days after all this rain!

Here is Ian’s abstract painting. I think it is GREAT for his first attempt. He is interested in super heroes…could you tell?

 

 

Here is my painting. I’ve done very little painting with acrylic paints so I am experimenting with techniques. I laid down paint in various shapes and then “floated” color letting it dry thoroughly. This is a very wet technique I use with my watercolor abstracts to achieve layers and add depth. I finished by dropping on paint and working it with a kleenex. Not sure about the results…I love Ian’s painting…a lot more fun than mine!

 

November 6, 2017 November 6, 2017

On this rainy, dreary, windy day I completed another ATC. I love the look in this majestic horse’s eye. He seems to be peering over his shoulder and quizzically tolerating our nonsense. What character and personality! It reminds me of a quote I read recently:

“A patient horse looks a man in the eye and sees him as an equal.“

 

November 4, 2017 November 4, 2017

What a good day! I completed my third ATC using Horses as my theme. The beautiful horses I’m using are being cut from the back cover of a Magnificent Horses calendar I used during 2016. This combo of horse and background makes me happy. I hope it does the same for you.