Happy Memorial Day!

Just a quick post this morning, I am having a family BBQ, but it is last minute and the place is a mess! I spent the week happily puttering around in the garden and my studio, and completely ignored all else...I haven't been able to work on anything large, but I did finish my ATC's for this months Flygirl ATC Group exchange. The theme is "Mellow Yellow" and our hostess this month is Kelly Hoernig, go check out her lovely blog.

I showed these to Mr. How2 last night, and he really likes them, he is my biggest fan, but asked why I wasn't doing larger pieces to sell, and didn't these take up a lot of my time. My answer to him was, first, I AM painting larger pieces, and he would see them if he followed my blog...(he is strictly a computer solitaire kind of guy) and that these are not a waste of my time, for two main reasons.

  First, I get to communicate and exchange with a wonderful group of other artists online on a daily basis. With wonderful, heartfelt conversations, encouragements and commiseration. Not to mention the beautiful art, which has been an absolute joy to watch as styles are developed with time and practice. Which brings me to my second reason, I have learned so much about my own style/brand/technique over the last few months, and it is a direct result of my "playtime" making these ATC's. The size makes them a comfortable format for trying new methods, and there is never any fear of messing up an expensive canvas. I have instant feedback when I post them to our group, and learn what works, and what shouldn't be done again. With a theme chosen for each month, by someone else, I am challenged to stretch my abilities and my interpretations to entirely new levels, things I never would have thought of myself.

So there you have it, my tiny little art! Speaking of tiny art and challenging myself as an artist, here is my Every Inchie Monday creation for the theme "Number".

Numbers and I don't get along very well, there doesn't seem to be a lot of room left in my brain after all the creative stuff. As a result, I have to spend an inordinate amount of time making sure they are correct, which SO goes against my nature. I work better if I keep my calculations down to a very simplistic method, hence the "counting apples" concept. The kiss is a reminder to "Keep It Simple, Stupid"!

I hope you have a wonderful day with friends and loved ones. Until next time...enjoy!

Inspired by Life...

It is finally, truly Spring in the Highlands where I live. As usual she was slow to arrive, and rather tentative about fully participating this year. But she is here and fully committed to staying for awhile.

  I love this time of year, capricious as she can be, and welcome her with open arms. That being said, I will also add that it is a chaotic time as well. I have a huge yard and garden, and I have no control over my own impulses when it comes to planting. It seems every time I turn around, someone (me) has added yet another flower bed, constructed another fairy garden, or started a new variety of vegetable I cannot resist. I am surrounded by beauty and green and growing things, but it all takes maintenance. That would be me...

   I am no longer in my twenties, and I feel this most strongly at the end of a hard day weeding, seeding and crawling around on my hands and knees. A soak in a hot bath just makes me fall asleep faster, so my indoor chores are neglected, or outright ignored. But the thing I have found, the complete irony to this, is that the harder I work physically, the more inspired I become to create my art! My mind is full to the brim with ideas, schemes and plans, and I am a wrung out rag by the end of the day. This seems unfair to me, but apparently that is just how my brain works.

   I am painting many things nature related, what with all the visual stimulus, and I am driven to capture the amazing color that surrounds me. I am dreaming of a time when all the flowers are planted, the irrigation is running smoothly, and the veggis are growing, but not quite ripe. When I can take my paper and paints out to the garden and sit amongst Spring's bounty and breath again. Until next time...enjoy!

Today is Monday, so that means Every Inchie Monday! The theme this week is "labyrinth". In my research on this subject, prior to making my inchie, I discovered there is a difference between a labyrinth and a maze, though the two terms are often used interchangeably.

  A labyrinth has only one path, follow it where ever it twists and turns, but you cannot get lost, the path will lead you to the middle...

"A labyrinth is a single path or unicursal tool for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation. Labyrinths are thought to enhance right brain activity."


A maze, however, is designed with a challenge in mind, with many twists, turns, deadends and exits. 


"A maze is a tour puzzle and can be designed with various levels of difficulty and complexity."


As I read more about them, I discovered that the tradition of building a garden labyrinth is over 4000 years old, and plans and societies currently abound on the internet. 


   You know, I have an entire extra acre that is just in field, plenty of room for a garden labyrinth! Planting one really doesn't look that hard...

Developing a Style...

A little something to ponder...

  When I made the decision to focus more on my art, I really didn't have a particular style. You might say I was "all over the board". I tried many different techniques, and looked at piles of images online, read hundreds of tutorials. I truly feel that is the only way to find the style that suits you. Trial and error, waste some paper, waste some canvas and paint. Looking cloesely at the art that appeals to you, what calls to you, what inspires you...

   Eventually you will find that perfect combination that sets you free and allows you to continue your creative journey along a path that is uniquely your own. Keeping in mind that every journey, even into uncharted regions, begins with preparation, planning, practice and on paved roads... Until next time, enjoy!

This weeks Every Inchie Monday theme is "Dragon" and here she is...

Find other artists inchies at the Every Inchie Monday Blog!

Painting While the Sun Shines...

This time of year it is so difficult to stay indoors and work in my studio. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the weeds are growing... but I am so driven to continue exploring this new style of art, that I am afraid much of my outdoor work is being neglected. I did stop long enough to combine these two passions, and created some flower baskets to sell at our local nursery...

  I collect vintage and unusual containers through out the year, 
and make them up in time for spring...

But I am still drawn back into my studio to pursue my first love...

This is a series of four Artist Trading Cards I made for our
Flygirls ATC Group trade this month, "May Flowers"

I will just have to figure out a way to better mange my time... until then, enjoy!