A Tintinnabulum

Today’s weird bird has a ring to it…

Tintinnabulum – (N) a small, tinkling bell or set of bells playing in succession.

This bird gives new meaning to a “wingding!” Lol!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 🙂

Feeling Thankful

Hearts possessing,

With thy blessing…

Giving Thanks!

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to express my gratitude to YOU!

 Thank you for all your likes and comments on my blog!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday and Thanksgiving for those celebrating!

Cheers! 🙂

So Noted…

I have discovered two fabulous ways to get one’s creative juices flowing as warm-up exercises in art making.

I learned these ideas from Anita Lehmann in her online class, Translating Landscapes, hosted by Carla Sonheim.

The first idea involves creating marks with a variety of art mediums and tools.  One “natural” tool was a stick!  I had so much fun dipping a stick into ink and “making marks” with it… And using a variety of materials to create this piece:

The second idea was making marks while listening to music.  I created this piece while listening to Eva Cassidy and Natalie Merchant:

I enjoyed both exercises.

So noted, my favorite was the one with the music!

I encourage you to turn up the music and create!

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?!

A Trumpet Beak

Today’s weird bird is rather loud…

And this Trumpet Beak likes to toot his own horn…

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 🙂

Sonnet 43

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways…

Today’s weird bird was inspired by Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43:

In the book, Finding The Gift by Angela Howell, she writes; “Be the love you wish to receive…  Love you!  Love your life exactly as it is right now.  Happiness is an inside job!”

How do you love YOU?

Happy Valentine’s Day to someone special – YOU!

Cheers! 🙂

Dreaming in Color

Do you ever dream in color?

Charlie at Doodlewash.com loves to paint AND dream in color…

And what a wonderful dream it is!!  He is encouraging everyone not only to paint every day with watercolor for #WorldWatercolorMonth but also give financially to the Dreaming Zebra Foundation to help children have the opportunity to create art or explore music! 🙂

Here is more information about how the Dreaming Zebra Foundation got its name!

About Dreaming Zebra™

The Dreaming Zebra Foundation is a (501)(c)(3) charity providing support so that children and young adults are given an equal opportunity to explore and develop their creativity in the arts.

How did Dreaming Zebra™ get its name?

The answer is that every zebra is unique, just as every child is one of a kind! Zebras are black, with white stripes that are as individual as fingerprints. At Dreaming Zebra, our mission is to encourage children to embrace their individuality, to express themselves creatively, and to follow their artistic dreams. Hence the name, Dreaming Zebra!

The Dreaming Zebra Foundation was incorporated in Portland, Oregon in the interest of promoting greater access to the arts for children and young adults. Our founders recognized a pressing need in many communities for the promotion of charitable donations of art and music supplies to support individuals, schools, and other nonprofit organizations serving youth and the arts.

Core to our identity is the belief that all children, regardless of their financial circumstances, should have access to art education. As a public charity powered by volunteers, this belief drives all that we do.

The Dreaming Zebra Foundation’s supporters share a common passion for education, the environment, and community, and as such, we are able to connect the synergies between those who support the arts and those in need.

I am so thankful to have ART to express my creative JOY!

I hope you join me in sharing this gift of expression by giving to the Dreaming Zebra Foundation.

All it takes is one dream to make a difference!!

Cheers!  🙂

Stardust

My husband and I attended a Jazz concert last evening with The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble and special guest, Branford Marsalis.

We got super seats – only 3 rows back from the stage:

The venue was the Fox Theater in downtown Spokane, Washington.  It was originally a 1931 Art Deco movie theater designed by architect Robert C Reamer, who was notable for his design of the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park, Wyoming.

After a 31 million dollar renovation in 2007, the restored building retains some of its original architectural details and lighting fixtures:

Branford played a solo of “Stardust” on the saxophone that was extraordinary!  I closed my eyes and enjoyed listening to him play his instrument with such precision.

After three standing ovations, the crowd dispersed but I don’t think anyone was ready for the concert to be over.

Here is the beautiful lighting in the ceiling – I just love the patterns!

Wishing you all a Sunny Sunday… listening to music that makes you happy!

Cheers!  🙂

Sunny Side Up

I was on the way home from work yesterday and Martina McBride’s song, “Sunny Side Up,” started playing.  So I started singing along and before I knew it, I was feeling happy!

I’m hangin’ on to happy – like the song says!  And sending positive thoughts your way for a fabulous day!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday, friends!  🙂

A Coat of Many Colors

I was inspired by a beautiful photo of a sunrise that Debi Riley took to start my collage – be sure to check out Debi’s blog at:  http://debiriley.com/2016/01/21/wild-morning-sky/

Debi is a very talented watercolor artist!  She also has some excellent painting tips on her blog.

The cloud shapes in her photo reminded me a little of cotton candy.  So I started cutting out circles from my painted papers in blues, purples, pinks, oranges, reds and a touch of light blue and green.  Here is my result:

The size is 9 x 12 inches.  As I was pasting my circles to my paper with a glue stick, I listened to the album, “Somewhere” by Eva Cassidy.

One of my favorite songs on that album is “A Coat of Many Colors.”  I like Dolly Parton singing it too but Eva is my favorite!

Check out this YouTube video with Eva Cassidy:

Enjoy your day!

Jill  🙂