For The Birds…

I recently completed this 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle (size is approximately 19 x 27 inches). It is Birds of Western North America.

It caught my attention because it had BIRDS! (120 of them)

Thank goodness the birds were numbered on the puzzle, although the numbers were very, very tiny on the box photo. It did come with a identification chart.

Today’s weird bird is called, Scrambled as in my mind after finishing this puzzle!

Searching for beaks, feet, tail feathers, wings, eyes… oh, my!

If you are looking for a challenging jigsaw puzzle, you may like it…

I’m going back to a less complicated puzzle. This one is definitely for the birds!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 🙂

Knowing When To Stop

How do YOU know when a piece is finished when creating art?

I was experimenting in gouache the other day…

I was enjoying the process of adding to my piece.

And then I went too far… It became too busy when I added markers.

Sometimes it is difficult knowing when to stop.  I was hesitant to show you but I believe this is part of the learning process when creating.  I cannot expect to make beautiful art every time!

I made copies and will use them in my collage art.  What do you do with your art mistakes?

Cheers to creating and learning! 🙂

A Different Perspective

I don’t know about you but sometimes I get stuck in a creative rut…

When creating becomes less fun and spontaneous, I realize I need a break.

I need a different perspective.

Taking a blogging break has helped me realize that creating art doesn’t have to be about knowing the direction I am going in life or art.

It can be about the JOY in discovery.

It can be experimenting with different art mediums such as watercolor paints…

And being inspired by aerial photography at National Geographic to create abstracts by dipping my paintbrush in paint.

I don’t have to create a masterpiece, I just need a new perspective and keep experimenting with JOY! 🙂

I hope you find JOY in what you create today.

Cheers! 🙂

A Doodle Sampler

Do you remember the needlework or cross-stitch samplers?  They were created to demonstrate or test a skill of needlework.

I have a friend, Marsha who creates the most AMAZING needlework!! I always enjoy seeing what projects she is working on!  🙂

This doodle reminded me of the cross-stitching I used to do…

A Doodle Sampler

It is like a sampler of doodle patterns that are all “interwoven” together!

It isn’t quite done but I thought you might enjoy seeing it anyway.

Have you ever done any kind of needlework or cross-stitch?  I’d love to hear what you have created with thread!

Cheers! 🙂

Good Vibrations…

Remember this doodle from the other day… Forever Variations

Well, I finished it on Sunday:

And I added a little pencil shading yesterday:

I’m calling the finished doodle… Good Vibrations!

Cheers! 🙂

P.S. Do you like the finished doodle better before or after the pencil shading?!

Forever Variations

My hubby was listening to the jazz pianists, Bob James and Keiko Matsui from their album, “Altair and Vega,” last evening while I was working on this doodle:

I thought the title of one of their pieces, “The Forever Variations, was fitting for my doodle which started simply:

And patterns grew in complexity, much like their music:

I had a Micron pen explode on me, so I’m working some “spots” into my design…

It is a work in progress that I’m enjoying while listening to the smooth jazz!

What music do you enjoy listening to while creating?  I’d love if you shared it with me… It might inspire me in my next doodle!

Cheers! 🙂

The Next Chapter…

Last week I showed you my first layers of two collages I started in the online class I’m taking from Anne Marie Grgich: A First Layer

I have made some progress during the last week.  It feels like I have added the next chapter in my collage stories.

I turned this canvas upside down and discovered the close-up of a face, do you see it?

I added some facial features and details, in addition to acrylic paint that I tinted with clear tar gel (which is like a super thick gel medium):

I think adding the yellow and turquoise paint helps bring more cohesion.

And in my second collage, I decided to create a mermaid.  I added more collage images in layers and paint… The progress is more subtle in the photo on the right:

I’m enjoying the process and learning new techniques as I progress.  These collages are like a puzzle or mystery to solve!

I hope you are enjoying the journey with me…

Cheers! 🙂

A Still Life Doodle?

One of the things I enjoy about taking online art classes is creating my own assignments from the class.

This one I made by drawing overlapping still life shapes in a 5.5 x 8.5 journal with a Micron pen.  Next, I colored the “shapes” with Prismacolor pencils.

It may look rather busy to you but it was very relaxing for me to create.

May you find JOY in the art you create!

Cheers! 🙂

A Daily Creative Practice

As many of you know, I enjoy taking online art classes – especially from CarlaSonheim.com

I started taking her first year-long class in 2013 with the Year of the Giraffe.  This year will be my 6th year.  I don’t always get to every assignment yet I enjoy the community and creative connections I make through her classes on Facebook.

I also enjoy the assignments as it helps me to think-outside-the-box and explore art in new ways.  Like this lesson:

I used thread dipped in watercolor and a brayer to create the abstract above.  Below is another one I did with India ink:

This year’s class is similar to last year’s – 365 days of creating daily.  The class started on Friday, January 5 so you can still sign-up and join in if you’d like. 🙂

Below is what I titled, Low Tide, where I used another piece of paper over the thread instead of a brayer to create my abstract:

You have the option this year to get the assignments daily or weekly.  I currently signed up for daily but may change to weekly later on.

Yesterday, our assignment was to draw a piece of fruit blindfolded – the fruit, not me! Hehe 😉 I did an apple:

I hope you join in the fun!!  Go to http://www.carlasonheim.com for more information.

Cheers to creating daily! 🙂

The Snowball…

When one idea leads to another, does it effect or affect you?  Good question!

I have been working on this collage that influenced me from Color Play

It is a work in progress.  I’m not sure if it effects or affects me.  What does it do for you?

Wishing you a happy Monday!

Cheers! 🙂

P.S.  I’ve decided to take a little blogging break so will be posting; Monday, Wednesday and Friday through December.  Thank you for all your comments and likes! ❤️ I so appreciate it!! xo