• Art - Blog - Creativity

    T Tuesday: twice published edition

    June 5, 2017 - By 

    Way back around the New Year I mentioned that I was sending something in for possible publication.  I was super excited about the piece and shared a couple little snippets.

    On a whim I sent a collection of collage gift bags that I’d been working on as well to Sew Somerset. Much to my surprise, I was asked to write an article about my gift bags…then shortly after I heard that my other submission would also be included in the gallery section of the magazine,

    I can’t even tell you what a lift it was getting this in the mail. Of course I knew it was coming but getting to hold it in my hands really brightened my day.

    It’s a real honor to be included with so many wonderful artists.

    This week marks the end of school…no more middle school for Mini-me. I will have two high school kids next fall! Freshman and senior. Many changes on the horizon. New adventures and challenges alike. It all builds character…and we could all use a bit of character right?! The world would be a pretty boring place if we all were exactly the same.

    What are you doing today?

  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    Painting from texture experiment

    May 21, 2017 - By 

    I didn’t set off to finish a painting today. I was more just wanting to play with different techniques in a canvas board. Using different paints and application methods. Even paint removal methods.

    texture study

    I found this very interesting and learning a lot about different body paints and how they react differently with a palette knife for instance. Also the transparency of certain paints…why you want this at times and other times not so much.

    I walked away pleased with my new found knowledge. Later the canvas board pulled me back.

    abstract painting

    I used my fingers to create over top of my experiment. There are only small areas that remain from the learning process.  I really am pleased with the end result. I’m still not quite ready to call it done…I’m still thinking maybe some minor accents of black might complete this one for me. Only time will tell.

  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    T Tuesday: a decade of blogging edition

    April 10, 2017 - By 

    Today for T stands for Tuesday I’d like you to help me celebrate a real milestone…an entire decade of blogging!!!

    I am so incredibly shocked that I have been at the keyboard sharing my work with the world for 10 years now! I started the blog on a whim and wasn’t sure if I’d even had any readers but was thinking of it as a digital diary of sorts. I hadn’t ever had success a paper diary or journal so who knew I’d still be at it all these years later.

    Take a peek at my very first post…

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    The blog itself has went through many changes over the years, but though it all the content has remained the same. The visual presentation and the platform have changed. I was on Blogger for the first 5 yrs then purchased my own domain and moved over to WordPress.

    Blogging helped me learn to identify myself as an artist…something that was very difficult to say out loud for the first time. Of course, part of that is likely due to growing up in the upper mid-west, raised in a conservative Lutheran church.  We cannot take a complement. No seriously…it’s a sickness. If someone says, “OH I love that new blouse!”  Instead of just saying “thank you” like a normal person, people like me will try our best to avoid accepting the complement by down playing everything… “Oh gosh, you wouldn’t believe the great deal I found on it at blah blah store…I’m sure it would look even better on you…” totally avoiding the acknowledgement of the compliment because that would be to “full of yourself”.

    Ok not sure where that tangent came from but hey…it’s my anniversary…I can get off track if I want.

    I’ve “met” so many wonderful like minded people through blogging from all over the world. I shared my art, crafts and photography. Gardening, travels and kitchen experiments. My failures and celebrations. Blogging has become an integral part of my self-expression.

    I have noticed a tendency lately for people to use more social networking than blogging. I have found myself falling into that trap as well. I post something on Instagram so I don’t bother creating a post about it.  Such as this…

    A painting in progress. I was commenting that I wasn’t sure where I was going with it or even if it looked best in this direction. This quick superficial post without a followup on the blog is what I want to stop myself from doing…mainly because it’s a little lazy. It’s tendency I’d like to break myself of quickly.

    So have you had enough deep, introspective thoughts from me yet today? It’s been that kind of day. Having an introductory meeting with hospice will do that to a person.

    We do have some exciting things on the horizon though…a wedding anniversary and a choir trip. Truth be told, I’m only going in spirit on that trip, but I can’t wait to see and hear all about it! More on that at a later date.

    So what’s on tap for me…an appt for mom and a parent meeting about the trip to NY.

    What are you doing today?

    T stands for Tuesday