Peas Be With You...

 

I love peas!

My Mom sent me a Country Living magazine in her last package, knowing how much I love magazines.  It is so difficult for me to throw them away. I gradually cancelled all of my subscriptions. I have pretty much cured myself of the hoarding of them by cutting them up before I throw them away. So now I have boxes of garden pictures, funny pictures, animal pictures, etc... which is great for doing those "one of these days" collages. I love cutting up paper too. It's a wonder I don't do more collage than I do. Last night I made this piece while watching The Voice, then promptly put it in the can. (proud of myself haha) I may not have a magazine addiction now,  but Pinterest is it's replacement! I think I am going to challenge myself to do it again, make a collage from the next magazine I have, on the spot, spur of the moment, spontaneously creating it then letting it go...  

English Pea Salad Recipe by Country Living

2 large hard-boiled eggs, whites chopped and yolks crumbled      

1 (1/2 cup) yellow bell pepper, finely chopped

2 ounce(s) (1/2 cup) Cheddar cheese, shredded       

1/2 cup(s) mayonnaise

1/2 cup(s) sour cream

3 tablespoon(s) dried basil

2 tablespoon(s) finely chopped red onion

2 teaspoon(s) chopped pimiento

1 teaspoon(s) apple-cider vinegar

1 teaspoon(s) sugar

1 teaspoon(s) soul-food seasoning or seasoned salt

1 teaspoon(s) granulated garlic

\ 1/2 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper

2 dash(es) hot sauce

60 ounce(s) (four 15-ounce cans) early peas (such as Le Sueur), drained

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In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the peas, mixing well. Then stir in the peas. Refrigerate the salad for at least 10 hours or up to overnight. Serve at room temperature.
 

Gesso, I Guess So...

Thanks Bloknote!

Newest Oval Angel just finished...

 

On My Easel...

Another oval work in progress, ...my last oval canvas...I think I will be buying more! 

(I have to use a maginifying glass at times)

and this is a 4 x 6" piece of paper and I am putting all my left over paint from my pallet on from the top piece to the 2nd piece, just willy nilly I say. I had a bunch of turquoise I mixed up and didn't want to waste it.  Blue, green, touch of yellow, white & touch of black, yep black.  For skin tone I usually mix green & red together then add white & maybe a touch of yellow or burnt sienna. 

This is NOT finished! She looks like she has a shiner, or a really dark side.  I do like to make my faces with 2 sides, 2 different expressions but now she kinda scares me. hahaha  Hold your hand over 1/2 of her face and you will see what I mean.  See the difference in my style from one to the other? The oval I started with a white canvas with a red wash. The paper was waiting to be painted & was already painted black.  When I paint with a white canvas, my painting seems much more delicate, I take my time, I draw it out, I plan it in my head, doing light washes or light scruffing over the last.   My brain doesn't work that way, however, with an initial black canvas, I usually don't draw anything. It's like I see backwards.  I'm more free too, whacking the paint any which a way.   I would love to do a class. I have had several people say that if I did they would buy it.  Lord knows I can use the money but beyond that it would be cool to be able to share what I have learned with other Artist who may be just getting started. I had an opportunity to participate in Soul Food but I wasn't ready and I actually don't know how to make a video or class and I'm shy and extremely critical of myself in nearly every way.  My sister helps me with that.  So any tips to making a video or class is appreciated! Here is another I have started on a large 36 x 20". I began with a white canvas and just randomly wash, splatter, scrape, squirt, rub, scrub & paint. 

 I'm a little stuck at this point. So I have been painting the ovals, and doing these painted ACEO Zentangles or Zendoodles... 

This is my newest I am working on, not yet finished or listed.  I draw these with ink then paint them. Lots of fun.  What is so fun about them is the Lord looks different, yet the same in every little painting!   I have lots that are drawn out, as well as some other pieces on paper, I'm guessing 20ish.  It feels good to be painting again but there are days when I don't know where to start!  

Sorry I didn't post a "Ta Da" this week.  It's been a rough one. I didn't take the time to put it together & take all the pictures. I just lost myself in housework & paint.  My BFF lost her mother and may have cancer again.  Please say prayers for my Layne. 

Thanks for stopping by & God Bless!

My First!...

...Oval canvas.  I have always avoided ovals of any sort, and triangles for that matter. I'm a circle or a square person.  Wonder what that means? There must be some sort of personality test in regards to that out there somewhere. Do you like certain shapes over others or is it just me? Well I did some drawings in ovals (the bears) and ovals have been on my mind since.  I decided to get some canvas and give it a try.  I have to say I think I'm hooked!  I listed this one on Ebay and I have another in the works.

Blessings! Create a great day!

It's Easter!...

...Wishing You A Loving Happy Easter To You and Your Family!

 I hope you have a Wonderful Day full of many Blessings!

(Ink drawing with digital color)

What's On My Easel...

...Easter Bunnies!...
I started doing these "bunnies" as zentangles while I was watching tv.  My sister got me zendoodling and it's hard to stop. Most that I have done are ACEOs, my favorite.  I have lots of them and I plan to list them for sale on Ebay (Click HERE) and maybe a few in my Etsy shop (Click HERE).  These I drew with pencil and then painted them lightly with just craft Americana paint with lots of water, like watercolors, except the the bunny with the black background, on heavy watercolor paper. I'm playing with acrylic paint on watercolor paper before investing in serious watercolor paint.  What can I say, I love acrylic paint. Years ago I only painted with oils and couldn't imagine myself saying that. I have grown to love them. You can see the texture of the watercolor paper in these photos.

I am currently painting "Seek and Ye Shall Find" which is a fun one! 

Blessings & Have a great weekend!

Happy Anniversary...

...Happy Anniversary to my greatest guy! I love you!

Sorry I am not posting a Ta Da today, but I have a good one for next Thursday and I am thinking peacocks may be involved.  Today is our anniversary. I won't say how many years because if I typed that out I would feel old all day & I don't want that today! hahaha  Let's just say it's more than 1/2 my life. (My husband took me to my high school prom.)  Sometimes when people ask what's the "secret" to being together so long; we, or I fumble for an answer. But here's the answer, this is what I'll say next time ~  Love, Forgiveness & The Golden Rule, that's it, I think :)  We didn't plan anything big this year, just kicking it, going out to dinner & maybe a movie.

.  Last week he took me on a  sweet spontaneous impromptu day trip to Daffodil Hill.  

Pretty awesome. We had the best time.  In the many years we have lived here we have never been and it's close by.  Getting to go through Sutter Creek is always a bonus. I love that little gold town. The daffodils were beautiful.  Did they bloom  a little early? If so, it was probably because of the wonky weather, there were a lot of dead heads. The place is so huge and there are so many varieties that there still was masses blooming so it was not disappointing.  I got a lot of inspiration from that little day trip.  The place was so country cute and I loved the peacocks. I had recently embroidered a beautiful peacock on vintage turquoise tiny ribbed corduroy fabric and now that I have some photos.... humm...   I painted a little "Inchie" with tiny tiny daffodils.  I had not heard of "inchies" until my sister started making fairy gardens and working with miniatures.  You know my favorite paintings are ACEOs so I had to try painting some "inchies"!  Here's one I started. This is the first coat of an acrylic wash on watercolor paper.  It measures 1" x 1".  I am going to come up with some fun ways to use them other than doll houses.  Maybe an "Inchie" book of some sort for a collection? If you have any ideas I'd love to hear them. 

Instead of roses I got beautiful daffodils and believe me that was just as much if not more romantic than roses! 

If I don't kill them first, we can enjoy them next year on our anniversary too! 

I love daffodils.  Isn't yellow the happiest of colors?! 

Blessings!