Creating a Series of Art Work

I have been trying to stretch myself in my art. Working with different colors, different kinds of substrate, and trying to find some theme that would interest me enough to create a series. I have often found that I am pulled to that wild pink color (opera pink) that so many people use but I stay totally away from. Well today was my day to try it, and I was enchanted with it.

Using my art journal as my experimental journal, I found that I love getting my feeling of the day down on paper and then painting over it, smearing it, concealing it, but the decorative nature of my handwriting was a great way of adding mark making. So this was the start of my Table Top Series.

I made some rules for myself, but also knew that I needed some freedom and flexibility. Subject matter: anything that sits on a table and may include that table. Colors: adding a little pink Design: All will have some kind of hand written letters to them, smeared into them or used as mark making. Substrate: interesting rectangles on wood.

So here is the beginning of my Series, please let me know what you think. If you have made a series before, how did it go and what were your rules?

Everyday is an Experiment

Somedays its a struggle to sit down and do some art. Is this really what I want to do?

Sometimes I feel that I don’t have anything to say in a picture or painting.

Somedays I find my style repetitive and I just need to shake it up a bit.

That is when I just start. Just start

If you start each day as an experiment, you have nothing to loose. You can just play. Scribble, write your soul on that page and then cover it up.. or let it peek through…just a little.

Enjoy the process, it doesn’t have to turn into anything. Here is one of my experiments that actually turned into something I really like.

Just Show UP

So…. I am committing right here in front of you all…” To just show up” and do my art practice DAILY… I am not picking how long, or how much , just “ I will do this daily” Todays picture started with a picture in a magazine… sometimes your imagination is on hold, so I am taking what i can from observation. I loved this picture and tried to add some of my creative touches from it… or maybe it is calling me to get busy and pick my own apple trees before they are on the ground. I had a great day yesterday with my Granddaughter Maeve in the apple trees, I saved all the apples on the low branches for her, she’s only 3 but got the “ twist and pull” method down.

Whatever your creative spirit inside of you says. Write it, make it, create it, garden it… Just do it … now I will have to post more just to show you that I am making this a DAILY PRACTICE

Daily Marks

It’s a new year and what a better start that to resolve to add a few marks to some paper each day.

I have found that doing a journal page each day can be overwhelming and some days well just face it.. you don’t feel like even cracking your journal. I have found by just making some marks each day will spur you on to greater works. The next day you can add to it or not… its your choice , no pressure from me.

Great book to read: Mini Habits by Stephen Guise This book not only give you a insight to make your life a little better, maybe even replacing an old habit but makes it easy to do so. Wonderful read

Whats on the Easel Today

Working on some of my old flower pictures... I thought that this was headed in the right direction but i ended up adding more flowers and painting out the background to a nice grey black.

I tried using some chalk and inks to paint in some detail.... I don't know.

Its time to hang it up and think on it.

How many times have you painted over a painting or just started again because it wasn't going anywhere?

A little distraction

Have you ever had an overwhelming desire to learn everything and all?  From the time I was very young I always remember not wanting to feel left out or not learning something.  I am sure that is why the TV was on even when I wasn't looking at it.   " There might be that one subject that comes on that amazes me or that event that is right next door that no one knows about, and there it is.

Well for the past few weeks I have been learning different art techniques and just LOVE it !  I can't get enough,  what happens with my business is that it gets put on the back burner and i ignore it for a while.   These techniques will be wonderful when I get them incorporated in my business but now I am just doing things for the fun of it with no intention of selling it or even hope that someone else likes it,  i forgot how fun and freeing that can be.

What would you do if you were not judged, if it only was your opinion that mattered ?   

I encourage you to experiment and find that feeling.