P.H.D. completed? ....

...Project Half Done that is.  I love zipper bags. My zipper bags have zipper bags. I use them for everything.  I have my make-up in 3 or 4 zipper bags, (yes organized, eyes, lips, etc ...) however,  most of that I don't use everyday but I pull out my make-up bags & they sometimes end up on my counter  for a day even though it takes 2 seconds to put them back in the cabinet.  I don't like that.  If you are a Follower of my blog you might already know about my "Hidey Holes", they are places I put things in so things are out of sight, just one tiny example is a antique large green bell pepper cookie jar filled with vitamins, aspirin, cough syrup, etc... in my kitchen, that jar would be classified as a "Hidey Hole", a medicinal hidey hole. hahaha   Basically they save me, I can have lots of crap but not look like it. haha   True story. When I was a kid my Mom had us shove clutter from the coffee table under a couch cushion when company came calling. hahaha  In her defense, she was married to Dad who doesn't like his clutter touched & had 4 kids, personally I thought it was brilliant at the time.

3 years ago (I know, craft hoarder) I saw this ugly worn jewelry box at the thrift store for $5. (The picture doesn't do it's homeliness justice, I thought $5 was a lot for it.) I also thought it might be perfect to put my everyday make-up/facial things in and a few pieces of costume jewelry or what nots - basically a new Hidey Hole for my dressing area.  

When I got it home & started painting. First primed it with white.

I drew out flowers, and painted it black.I didn't like the flowers.  

 

So I changed the flowers to Hydrangeas, which I love.

 

 

Then I decided I didn't want that for make-up. I like my zipper bags, they take up less space and swore off leaving them on the counter.  So I just put it in it's own hidey hole and left it. Well I pulled it back out a few weeks ago and decided I finish it and if I didn't want it I would just re-donate  it or give it away. But as I was finishing it I thought I would use it to house lots of sewing notions that I grab often, bobbins, rippers, stuff that .  

 

I liked it black and may turn it back to black...  

 

 

 

...but for now I am leaving the pop of red color on it.

 

 

 

I still have to varnish it or wax it...one day...

I hope this inspires you to make something new again!

Blessings

Squirrel ! ...

.... and I'm off!  That didn't take long did it? Today I was "squirreled" after viewing an online artist friend's new video.  Mystele Kirkeeng.   She is a Mixed Media Diva!  She makes it look so easy & not messy at all.  I love to watch her process and I am happy that I have some of her art.  Well right there on the side bar was a video by Betty Franks, Mystic Tulip Art, (click on their names to view their videos)  and her colorful doodle painting caught my eye so I watched Betty and I then painted & doodled all day.  I love mixed media pieces. I try, I make a mess, I have fun for awhile then I start thinking too hard, I get stuck, or I ruin it somehow, anyway I'm not ever super happy with the end result ...  then I clean up the mess & vow not to do it again for a long while...  But these were fun! It's just paint & ink. No stamping, poking, scraping, coloring, spraying (well I didn't spray. I dabbed ;)  I actually did some paintings like this in 2008 or 2009. I even resorted to my white lines like my ol' folky folk art I used to do.  

I took pictures of my process today so you could see that too.

 A great tip that Betty has for doodling is what I am gonna call the "double doodle".

Going over your lines twice and not perfectly does look really good!

 

 I already have some ideas for more and will probably think of a few more when I'm trying to get to sleep.

I did these little spontaneous pieces yesterday.

All 3 of the latter are ACEOs. 

Now I'm off to bed with paint in my head! 

Blessings!

On My Easel...

... I've had this drawn out for some time.  He looks like my little Bubbie.  I kept the piece at the front of the pile, often picking it up, then putting it down. (I say front of the pile because it was a stack, then the stack fell over and now they are all in a row like a library drawer- yes I have work to do!)  Feeling afraid to "ruin" it because I liked the drawing & planned to paint on white, using a built up of lots of thin layers, which is something a little new for me. This is the first layer.

Postcard size, acrylic on paper

I have been having fun doing these little ACEOs when I can get in the studio and paint. Doing a small pieces that I can get through in a short amount of time. Using vintage fabric & acrylics these girls came to life. I call them all "Love is Like a Pretty Blanket". I am debating on whether to sew on them as well and just might try it while I have all of my sewing machines out.

 Snuggles.

 

Create a Great Day!

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!

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!

Failure...

... I can't do it... well, no I just didn't do it. I started this month with a strong determination to paint the Lord each day as a daily devotion that could also bless others but I failed. With all good intentions life just gets in the way. I have to give a shout out to those of you who participate in these daily paintings! I could blame it on a variety of things but when all is said and done, it didn't get done. I am not going to try not to beat myself up and if you were planning to paint the Lord along with me but haven't don't beat yourself up eihter. He loves us anyway.

"Washed Away"...

Just added March 2013 Daily Paintings  Page above.  I will be posting my daily paintings of Jesus there. Be sure to check it out.  I am thinking I may add all those that are shared there too. Let's see how many pieces of Christian art we can create before Easter!

LoVe LoVe LoVe

Happy Valentine's Day!
 

Know you are Loved!

 

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

 ( John 13:34-35) 

This piece is on a 5 x7 canvas panel. I didn't start with a black canvas which is so different for me. Somehow my brain sees inside out when I'm painting, if that makes any sense. The black or outlines on most of my paintings is where I didn't put paint.   I have been having fun experimenting with very thin washes of acrylic paint, using them more like watercolors than oils.  I have tried using watercolors countless times just to destroy a piece of good paper & make a mess.  Using a canvas & acrylic paint, if I mess up or don't like something,  I know I can start all over again, I suppose that's comforting in a way, no pressure.  I am planning to do a new video in the next week or so!

 

Yarn...

... it makes me so happy!

I love this piece by Yuko Shimizu. A tsunami of yarn, bring it on!

It's Not That Easy...

"Casting Cares"

Psalm 55:22

A Little Doll...

Back to Business

What? It's almost the end of the month. I have been so busy! It's good to be busy but I have been feeling a little overwhelmed the last few weeks. I am listing some paintings on Ebay with low starting bids. I just listed this mermaid with a starting bid of just $20! Click on the picture to make your bid. I am cleaning out my studio so I will be listing a few more.

I finished a few paintings for the gallery class I will be teaching. Simple and easy. More than a few people have expressed an interest in buying a tutorial painting class to see & learn how I paint. So I tried to make a video of myself giving a class. Oh geez!! I can't do it. I want to but unless I stay totally out of the picture or wear a bag over my head it's not going to happen! The unknown artist instead of the unknown comic! hahaha I'm too shy for my own good. I'm going to work on it though!

I am revamping my studio to make room to sew. I used to sew all the time but haven't touched a machine in years. I am having so much fun "painting" with thread. Free-motion sewing using they embroidery or darning part of the machine is so much fun. I'm not really good at it yet. Here is the first thing I have done. It's going to be a pillow cover. I didn't use stabilizer so it puckered more than I thought it would. If you care to try this be sure to use interfacing or stabilizer, or double the fabric so that you won't get the puckers. I love the look of it, like a pencil drawing. I have a long list of pillows like this I want to make.

Time, juggle, juggle, juggle...

Create a great day!

The Crazy Ones...

Here’s to the Crazy Ones

Here’s to the crazy ones.
The misfits. The rebels.
The troublemakers. The round
pegs in the square holes – the
ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules and
they have no respect for
the status quo. You can praise
them, disagree with them,
quote them, disbelieve them,
glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing that you
can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things.

~ Jack Kerouac

Currently Listed on Ebay

Mango Madness!

photo and more info found HERE

I've gone crazy for mangos. It's a fruit that in the past I have rarely purchased. I like mango flavor and usually if I have something mango it is mango "flavored". Well I bought one and Hubby and I shared it, even though I didn't really want to share. I cleaned the pit, alright, I'll admit it, I sucked on it until it was clean. hahaha The pit has kind of a pine taste to me and I love it. Wish I could crush it up and use it as a seasoning. I wonder if anyone has ever done that. The next day the pit had opened and inside was a pod. I put it in an empty pot that I had previously killed something else in barely under the soil. Within days it was sprouting. You know I do NOT have a green thumb so this is thrilling.
Look! Today it's even bigger!
I bought 3 more mangos and I may have to paint a mango tree! AND I am going to try not to love it to death. Aren't they awesome looking?

Misawa & Me

Some of my most treasured & most terrifying childhood memories were made in Misawa, Japan. The good far out weights the bad. The Japanese people were such kind & gentle people and the experience was so enriching that it somewhat etched me into who I am today. As I say in some of my profiles, it was there that ignited a lifelong quest of crafting and a determined search for the perfect craft. (Those of you that know me, I know are taking a moment to laugh like hell, coz you know, go ahead! lol) It was there that I learned needlework, it there I was baptized, it was there I realized, we are all one, no matter our differences, and it was there I it really sank in that life is fragile, we really aren't in control, and it can be gone in an instant. These are a few photos of the 1968 8.2 earthquake that I went through while I lived there. I know the helplessness & terror that they feel with the earthquakes, however, I know that I can not fully comprehend the horror and uncertainty they are going through with the tsunami and nuclear situation. My heart is bleeding for the Japanese people. I am praying for them all and all of the families of the kind people and their families that touched my life in past.
I have listed these 2 Angels on Ebay and 50% of the proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

I used the same palette for both pieces. Thalo Blue, Viridian, Crimson, Yellow Ochre, Cad Yellow, Titanium White, and Payne's Gray. I painted the mermaid 1st, using only very little yellow, then painted the sunflower Angel with the same under painting and palette using very little viridian & thalo blue. I think these combinations of colors muted & melded into each other making the pieces moody instead of super bright. About 15 years ago I began making my own perfumes. Most store bought perfumes give me headaches, whether worn by me or someone else. Making my own and removing all the chemicals make it possible for me to wear more scents, there are a few that don't bother me as long as I don't put too much on. So a few years ago, on the weekends, I created a small line of perfumes. Like a little chemist, I was measuring, mixing and smelling, adding, subtracting, reading everything I could find, smelling everything to try & guess what was in it, trying to develop something that was natural, different, yet sophisticated. Not just a combination of a few oils. My guys put up with all "reek-age" leaked in the atmosphere and were generally willing give their opinions which was really sweet. Opening a new shipment of oils were exciting times. Oh what mystery smells that were about to be unleashed into the mix! So exciting! *P.S. Tomato essential oil does not smell like a tomato bush, the scent I was hoping for. I have no clue what it would be good in! P U* I spent innumerable hours in study, learning what makes good top notes, middle notes, bottom notes, mixed endless combinations of oils, designed the packaging, did profit figures and came up with some marketing strategies only to be left to occupy a little corner of my studio. It was impossible to start that business and work at such a stressful job at the same time, but I thought one day.... One day still hasn't arrived, however, I made the most wonderful jojoba lotion bar last night with some of those supplies. I love it so much I may make some to sell in my Shenanagans shop and on this blog just so other people will have to chance to have some. I need to tweek the recipe a little bit but it turned out much better than I expected for first try. We'll see. I'm still trying to find balance with all the other things I have on my plate. Oh but it's so creamy and smells so good. I used a green Irish smelling scent, which is really a unisex scent. I made all the guys put it on their elbows, and I think it made all the wrinkles on my face disappear! hahaha! just kidding. Don't you wish?!
A Big Shout Out & Thank You goes to these fabulous shops for featuring my art in their wonderful collections! Please click on their names to visit their shops. SmallImpressions, BirgittasBridal, AnnaLela, OrangiesAttic, WhatsHerName, AprilCJohnson, MyDreamGarden, and GreyGirlDesigns - Thank you so much!