Letter “C” Is For…

Letter “C” is for color!  Like this continuous still life I did over the weekend:

Each week, I’m inspired by many creative blogging friends!

This week, I’d like to share a COUPLE of them with you… CAN you CHECK out their blogs?

Sharon, is currently creating an alphabet journal – colorful, captivating and clever…  You CAN find Sharon’s cheerful blog:  Make Art Magic Happens

Cheers! 🙂

Just Words?!

I’ve been drawing my own patterns lately for collage papers.

I got the idea from Kara Kramer’s online class, hosted by Carla Sonheim.  You can check out her class at Improv collage

She got me thinking about words…

So I started cutting out JUST words that “spoke to me” from old magazines and junk mail:

It helped to think about words I like AND different lettering “styles.”

Then I created a page of words that I can copy and use in my own artwork:

What WORDS speak to you to write and doodle on a page?!

I have to say that YOU inspire me every day in your art, poetry, photography, blog posts and encouraging comments.  Thank you!

Cheers! 🙂

Dear Friend…

Have you ever written a letter to yourself?  In your own handwriting?

I have been updating my MIL’s address book on my computer.  (A great gift idea BTW for a family member!) And it got me thinking about writing a letter to myself.

Have YOU ever done this?

I wonder what my letters would say if I addressed myself as a friend?  Would I be more kind to myself?  Would I show the same kindness I do to others?

And then I wonder, what seems so important now… would it still be… a year from now?

I have decided to write a letter to myself today and treat myself as I would a friend.  In one year, I will mail it.

I encourage you to do the same!

Cheers Friends! 🙂

P.S. I used purchased stationary here but it might be fun to create a border with your own artwork for your letter.

Fishing

I remember fishing with my family as a young child.  When we went in my dad’s boat on the lake, we would sit for hours (or so it seemed) without the fish taking a bite… talk about BORING!!  🙄

When I was a teenager, we started creek fishing which was much more EXCITING!  😃  We could actually SEE the fish swimming in the creek water.  And we caught fish!  Hooray!!  I recall how wonderful they tasted knowing I caught them! 👍

Two of my sweet friends from Germany and I are going on our own CREATIVE, fishing expedition starting September 1st and you are welcome to join us if you’d like!  🐡

My goal is to create 50 mixed media fish and post mainly on Instagram.  However, a fish or two may swim onto a blog post! 😮

I started experimenting with materials and here is a fish appetizer for you:

I will show you my fish finding tools on Friday.  I hope you join me!

Cheers!  🙂

Sweet Peppers

Yesterday, I went to a potluck with some lake friends.  I decided to try a new recipe using my Spiralizer – so I made this Italian Pasta Salad – without pasta!  I used zucchini and I have to say, no one missed the pasta.  I will share my recipe next week.  Here is a photo of it:

Making this salad gave me the inspiration to paint sweet peppers for World Watercolor Month.

My subject matter – I was painting outdoors so my lighting changed but this gives you an idea:

My finished painting in my art journal:

I decided to splatter my background instead of adding the tablecloth.  I think it looks rather festive, don’t you?

Happy Painting!

Cheers! 🙂

 

Circle Of Friends

Remember the paper circles that I recently posted?  If not, you can find it here.

Well, one of the reasons I was cutting out circles was to make these 3 minute postcards:

An assignment from Carla Sonheim recently in her year-long online class was to create a quick postcard with these 5 perimeters:

1.  Use a round piece of collage
2.  Add a drawing that interacts with your circle collage
3.  Add a splash of watercolor paint
4.  Add a word or two – I used rubber stamps
5. Add the color, orange

And here are a few more postcards I did:

Some days it’s fun to give yourself perimeters to create art!  And postcards are great because you can send them to a friend and say, hello!  🙂

I hope you take time to play and create something fun for you today…

And maybe put a stamp on it and send it to a friend!!

Cheers!! 🙂

Christmas Ornaments

I have been thinking about my handmade Christmas card for this year when this poem came to me:

And here are some of my favorite ornaments hanging on our Christmas tree…

A handmade heart my grandma made many years ago:

An ornament saved from my childhood that reminds me of the family tree:

And one an artist friend painted:

Each one holds a special place in my heart just for me!

Wishing you a Sunny Sunday!  Cheers!!  🙂

P.S.  Do you have a special ornament that you cherish?  I would love to hear about it!

Pass The Wine And Cheese!

At the lake, several of our friends gather at 5 o’clock for Happy Hour.  It really is a chance to talk and get caught up with everyone and share some laughter.  Everyone brings a snack to share and what they want to drink.  Some people just drink water but my hubby and I usually pour ourselves a glass of wine.  White or red – we like them both!  🙂

I created this in my art journal this summer.  It is a blind contour drawing (my eyes were closed and no I didn’t peak!)  After I drew it, I splashed on some watercolors – and yes, my eyes were open for this part.  😉

I like how the soft colors blend, don’t you?   Kind of like a winemaker blending his grapes together to create a varietal of wine…

I’d like to create this painting on a larger piece of watercolor paper and frame it.

Speaking of framing – do you cut your own mat board for your artwork?  I purchased a couple of mats today with the intention of matting some of my art but the mat opening didn’t fit properly.   Any ideas?!

Cheers Friends!  🙂

Red Geraniums

My friend, Bonnie grows the most beautiful red geraniums.  Whenever I see them, I think of her.  She has a very kind heart and an infectious laugh.

Here is one that I planted in my yard this summer – don’t you just love that RED color?

I drew and painted it in my art journal this week and posted it on Instagram.  Maybe you saw it?

Do you have a favorite flower that reminds you of someone special?  I’d love to hear about it!

Happy Painting!  🙂

Connecting the Dots

On my trip to Oaxaca, Mexico in March, I was inspired by color and patterns.  Here is a photo of black pottery on a turquoise background:

I also met many talented ladies in our group and hope I can continue our friendships.

One such friend was Dot.  I was amazed by her beautiful handmade art journal that she  brought with her and she was really good about creating art in it each day of our trip!  🙂

So I asked if she would make me one!  And she said, “Yes!”  I was very excited when this beautiful journal arrived in my mailbox in April:

In exchange for this art journal, I made her this bracelet and earrings – we both love the color orange!  I had to add a few Oaxaca colors to the mix too:

Many of you may not know that I used to make and sell my handmade jewelry.  But I kind of got burnt out on it.  I found it frustrating that people didn’t want to pay for all the time and cost I put into a piece.  I realize now that I was probably in the wrong market.  Anyway, I still have LOTS of beads!  So I enjoyed creating this set for my new friend, Dot.

I loved my new journal but I needed an idea to get me started.  So when Sharon Mann mentioned on her blog that she was starting a new journal with her daughter and niece using the color turquoise on each page, I asked if I could join in the fun!  (Be sure to check out Sharon’s blog if you haven’t already!!  She is one very talented lady and a wonderful friend!)  I was happy that Sharon agreed that I could join her.  🙂

Here is the first page of my new journal:

Now I’m very excited to fill my pages with art!  Sometimes all it takes is one idea to connect the dots and get me started, how about you?

Happy Creating!  🙂