Today I Feel...

I'm so excited! I've signed up for a new class...

Who couldn't use a little more silly in their life?!? Come join the fun!

Carla sent us a pre-class "work"sheet that said, "Write a story about this bird guy".

I don't know if it was the John Travolta (circa 1977) hair or what, but I immediately had the urge to draw a white leisure suit on him & send him disco dancing!

I have a feeling this class is going to be LOTS of fun.

So do you feel silly too?

Sunday Sketches: Birthday Edition

The background in this mixed media piece was created by cropping & manipulating this photo by Crystl in the Creative Commons on Flickr.

I created the following pieces with Creative Tuesday in mind. Guess what the theme is... Birthday!!! (The serendipity continues.) Balloons (in stages)A Birthday Banner And a little something I'm working on for The Sketchbook Project
cupcake line drawings for this week's "dessert" theme over at Illustration Friday. (Isn't it funny how things work out?!?)

This week I celebrated my birthday and even though I wasn't able to spend very much time in the studio, I did manage to play with color, texture & pattern in my sketchbook.

What would a birthday be without cake? Well, I created

Make sure you take some time to stop by Sophia's blog to check out more Sunday Sketches. Better yet, why not play along and show us what you've been working on this week!

A Peek Inside My Studio

Here is a glimpse of what my creative space looks like today:

I'm working on a couple of ideas in my sketchbook...

And I'm very happy to announce that my moleskine for The Sketchbook Project 2011 has arrived!

I experienced a moment of serendipity this week. On Saturday night I was "surfing" and discovered Tiffany's (a.k.a. Rena's daughter) inspirational blog - it's a wonderful space that pays tribute to her mother and reminds us all to live our lives to the fullest.

Saturday was Tiffany's birthday & she was offering a giveaway to celebrate. (It's such a generous thing to do - but once you read her blog you'll understand that's the sort of kindhearted person she is.) It just so happens that my birthday is tomorrow, so I was very excited to find someone (especially such a nice someone) who was born the same week I was. Well, wouldn’t you know it… I won her giveaway! Not only am I the proud new owner of a gorgeous handmade scarf (and other goodies), I made a wonderful new friend.

(Bonus: The photo she took to announce my win was so fabulous I printed it out and hung it up on my studio wall – it’s a fantastic reminder of how very lucky I truly am.)

Make sure you stop by Kirsty’s blog to check out what other artists have going on in their creative spaces today!

A Sweet Little Post

I created these "sweet" little line drawings for Illustration Friday's "dessert" theme.

Sunday Sketches

In my sketchbook this week...

I drew butterflies and a "butter-fly" ,

and played with monkeys!

Don't forget to check out Sophia's Blog to see what's happening inside other artists' sketchbooks!

Color Challenge: Final Color & Wrap Up

This is the last week of Louise Gale's Creative Color Challenge. I have to say, this challenge has been more fun than a barrel of monkeys...

With that in mind, I created the lavender purple mixed media monkey painting above.

To celebrate the completion of the challenge I thought it might be fun to have a look at the entire series:

Week 1: Sunflower Yellow, Week 2: Raspberry Red

Celebrate Color!, Week 3: Turquoise Blue

Week 4: Sea Green, Week 5: Lavender Purple

Lots to Do and Lots to Post

"Butter-fly", 8x10 acrylic on canvas

I created this "punny" little painting for the Lots to Do Challenge, "Butterflies and or Insects". I just can't seem to help myself with the wordplay!

As of this post, I have officially been blogging for one month! Starting this blog has proven, so far, to be one of the best creative decisions I have made - It's hard to believe I was so nervous to start.

Not only has this blog helped keep me on track with my art making, it has led me to an online community of artists that keep me inspired and energized. I have 'met' so many wonderful people since starting this blog, I'm actually giddy! I can't help but get a big ol' goofy grin thinking about all of the support and encouragement I have received from my new friends. Bob keeps saying to me, "You have that look again." And it's true, I can't contain the joy I feel & it's written all over my face!

So to all of you, my friends, I offer you my heartfelt thanks for making my first month of blogging so wonderful. I'm looking forward to many more...

p.s. I just discovered a very cool blog where artists post what's been going on in their creative spaces... be sure to check it out!