Everything Is Going To Be Okay

I would like to start this post by saying thank you for all of your well wishes on my last post.  Your kindness means so much and I am happy to report that everything is going to be okay.

Sparing you the gory details, a procedure that Effie was scheduled to have in July turned into an unexpected emergency surgery... scary, scary stuff.  The past couple of weeks have been filled with doctors, hospitals, and sleepovers at Effie's house... but, thankfully she is feeling better and things are indeed looking up!

I spent much of the last two weeks feeling frightened and helpless.  While I was in the thick of my despair, feeling completely overwhelmed, I saw the "roadside love" pictured above.  I took it as a sign from the universe letting me know that everything was going to be all right...  

It was exactly what I needed just when I needed it most!

A Note

Paint Party Friday... Same Painting, Another Possibility

It's time for another Paint Party Friday!

Last week while creating my patchwork painting, the image of a man in madras shorts popped into my head...

So I grabbed my sketchbook and started drawing.

Tyler kept me company as I sketched and asked one of his favorite questions:

"What's his name?"

My response:

"What do you think his name is?" 

So, thanks to Tyler, I would like to introduce you to "Martin".

(The last in this series of paintings...   for now!)

10 Years?!?

Bob and I are celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary today...

And we still go together like bacon and eggs!

(Mr. and Mrs. Dudish   June 15th, 2001)

Showing my more traditional romantic side...

(My maid of honor tying my converse sneakers)

With a dash of silly underneath!

Happy Anniversary Bobby - I love you more than doughnuts!

Do What You Love!

I am very happy to say that I am "sharing my story" over at the Do What You Love for Life blog!

If you are interested in learning more about my creative journey, you can read about it here.

I hope today finds you doing all sorts of things that you love!

Sunday Sketches

In case you missed it, you can see the paintings I created from this drawing here.

Please make sure to stop by Sophia's blog and show my sketching buddies some love...

Happy Sunday!

Paint Party Friday: One Painting, Endless Possibilities...

It's time for another Paint Party Friday and I'm excited!  We're having a beautiful week, so I grabbed my easel and headed outside...

This painting was inspired by Connie Hozvicka's "Abstract Adventures" workshop (part of 21 Secrets).  The process is similar to the one I use when making my collage papers, but with greater attention to the heart and body connection to art making.  It is refreshing (and challenging!) to quiet my mind and let loose.  I have a tendency to over think things, so I really appreciate Connie's intuitive approach.

After I stopped painting, I felt the restlessness of not being finished, but it didn't need more paint... It needed something radical...

So I cut it up!

(Sorry, Connie!)

After I cut it up, I couldn't resist playing with the pieces...

("before" on the left, "after" on the right)

If you remember this post, then it should be no surprise that I "found" an elephant among the pieces!

I guess I could have stopped there... But I didn't!

I mounted all of the pieces on an 18 x 24 canvas.  I loved the way it looked like a patchwork quilt, which made me think...

It would be a great background for a mixed media painting...

Or would be the perfect start to one of my "reverse" paintings!

One painting, endless possibilities!

I'd like to finish today's post by thanking Dawn for reminding me of the following quote (and providing me with some daisy inspiration)!

"I love daisies...  They're so friendly.  Don't you think that daisies are the friendliest flowers?"

-Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan's character in "You've Got Mail")

Daisies are my favorite flowers too.

Wishing you a weekend filled with all of your favorite things!

Lots to Learn!

21 Secrets logo from Dirty Footprints Studio

(edited at dumpr.net)

I signed up for the 21 Secrets (an art journal playground) e-course and I am so excited!  21 workshops taught by 21 different artists all in one place... How cool is that?!?

I have been seeing some amazing art and hearing some amazing things about 21 Secrets for a couple of weeks, but it wasn't until this past Friday while visiting Tammie's blog that I decided to sign up and join in the fun.  I am so glad I did because I have already started Connie Hozvicka's "Abstract Adventure" workshop and I'm loving it!

I feel like a kid in a candy shop!  21 Workshops?  Wow - I can hardly wait to try them all... I am going to have so much fun playing at their "playground" this Summer!

p.s.  I know there are lots of exclamation points in this post, but I just can't help myself!  I love learning new things!!!  Wheee!!!

Sunday Sketches: Eeeek...Splotchmonsters!

(click to enlarge)

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again (I would shout it from the rooftops)... I love, love, love Steve Loya's "a splotchmonster a day" site!  (If you haven't visited his blog, please make sure you do!)

As someone who is constantly "seeing things" in the clouds, in my food, in the shower, and in paint splotches, I can definitely appreciate a site where the primary goal is to "see things"!  Every day at Steve's blog, two new splotchmonsters are posted.  One of the spotchmonsters has already come to life by his creative hand, and the other is left blank so anyone who chooses can download the image and play along. 

This week for Sunday Sketches, I headed over to Steve's blog armed with only a micron pen, a white gel pen, and an open mind.  (The blank splotchmonsters I used can be found here.)  The thing I love most about splotchmonsters is that even though a group of people might use the exact same "splotch", every monster will be different because of everyone's unique vision and style... very, very cool.

And... 

Don't forget it's Sunday - which means it's time to head to Sophia's to see what unique visions my friends are sharing in their sketchbooks this week! 

Paint Party Friday... Questions Answered

Hooray!  It's time for Paint Party Friday (Week 12)!!!

After 3 months of Paint Parties, some questions about my techniques and supplies remain unanswered.  So, I thought I would take this opportunity to answer those questions (and offer a couple of tips just for fun)...

Two weeks ago I had a "tropical" Paint Party Friday post.  Jessica from Brown Paper Bunny and Nicola from Pointy Pix were curious about how I created the black background with white line hibiscus flowers.  I used black gesso (I love, love, love black gesso!) with white gel pen lines.

*Note:  White gel pen is not water proof.  (White paint pens are better for that type of work.)

Nicola was also interested in my collage papers last week.  She and Dana from Sinderella's Studio wondered how I got the patterns so "uniform".  My secret:  Stencils and stamps.  I cut stencils using mylar and I cut stamps from 1/2" foam.  After I apply them to my painted surface I add additional details using paint and prismacolor pencils.

Alarmcat from alarmcat studio wondered what kind of sketchbooks I use that can hold watercolor.  The truth is I choose my sketchbooks based on the book itself.  I like a book with a good, sturdy, linen cover (I'm not a fan of flexible covers - I like a book I can use on my lap easily).  The paper is decent, not watercolor paper, but it works... I don't usually mind when the paper buckles, but when it bothers me I just iron it.  If there is bleed on the opposite side of the page I either incorporate it into that page or gesso over it.  

I used to find my "perfect" sketchbooks in the bargain section at Borders, but they no longer carry them.  I recently discovered the sketchbooks pictured above on sale at my local art store, so I picked up a bunch.  They come in a variety of colors (the one I am currently working in happens to be black).  You can find out more about them (and find a retailer) here.

I frequently paint with acrylics and when I do I like to add a paint conditioner to my paint - it extends the drying time making them more workable, and it creates a more translucent quality depending on how much you add.  If you buy "acrylic glazing liquid" at an art supply store, it can be expensive.  To get the same effect for less I buy "Floetrol" (paint conditioner) at my local home improvement store!

I wanted to finish this post with one of my favorite art supplies: The Prismacolor Colorless Blender... amazing!  It is  my go-to tool when creating colored pencil pieces that have a painterly quality.

(If you're interested in learning more about colored pencil techniques, check out this tutorial by Ann at Blue Bird Hill.)

Grateful

 I have always been enamored with the idea of gratitude journals.  In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy to lose sight of all the reasons to be thankful.  This post is my online version of a gratitude journal entry - it is dedicated to some of the things that are making me smile today...

I would like to start by thanking MaddyRose for giving me this award.  Every day is Christmas over at her blog (she creates the most amazing Santa figurines) - Who wouldn't love a daily dose of that magic?!?

She also shares my sense of humor... On my lovebug post she left the following joke:

How do lovebugs get from here to there?

They fly United!

Ha!  I definitely appreciate someone who can make me laugh!  Thank you MaddyRose!

Normally (as part of my award acceptance), this would be where I write "7 Things About Myself", but in the spirit of gratitude I would like to offer "7 Things I Am Grateful For" (in no particular order):

1.  I am grateful for this amazing package I received in the mail from my dear friend, Jenny Blair!  I was so blown away by her thoughtfulness I actually cried.  Her artwork is amazing and her heart is big... very, very big... truly.  Please be sure to stop by her wonderful blog and etsy shop and show her some love. 

2.  I am grateful for the love and support of my family and friends.

3. I am grateful for my home (even with it's seemingly endless and ever-growing list of DIY projects)!

4.  I am grateful for the ability to do what I love.

5.  I am grateful for the big bright sun that is finally shining.

6.  I am grateful for the creative people at Ben & Jerry's who continue to amaze me with their incredible flavors...  "Cinnamon Buns", "Late Night Snack", "Clusterfluff", and of course the classic "Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough".  (Seriously, I think coming up with new and unique flavors would be an unbelievable job!)

7.  I am grateful to all of you... my beautiful blogging friends who take the time to leave me such thoughtful comments, make me laugh, and never cease to inspire me!

Which brings me to the second part of the award...

I would like to give this award to all of you!

You can take this award and post it on your blog (please be sure to leave a link in the comments if you do so I can learn more about you too).

or

 You can just tell me something I might not know about you (or maybe something you're grateful for) in the comments!