Life Imitates Art and Art Imitates Life

As Bob & I decorated our tree this weekend, we couldn't help but notice how some of the ornaments resembled some of the paintings from my 30 in 30 for 30 project...

This owl ornament from my childhood reminded us of... "Thankful Owl".

(available here)

This glass frog reminded us of... "Frog Prince".
 (sold)

This Picasso's Madonna ornament reminded us of... "Picasso Dog".

 (available here)

This wooden cow ornament reminded us of... "Holy Cow".

 (available here)

This funny cat ornament reminded us of... "Afterward".

 (sold)

This margarita ornament reminded us of... what else?!?  "Margarita".

 (available here)

Even the tree skirt reminded us of a painting... "Poinsettia".

 (sold)

I guess it's true when they say that we paint what we know!

Since I was so inspired by Art Every Day Month at the Creative Every Day blog I've decide to sign up for Creative Every Day 2011!  

Won't you join me?

I've Learned a Thing or Two...

Me  (Climbing in a Gorge in the 80's)

I keep this photo on the "inspiration wall" in my studio as a reminder to be brave.  I wanted to share it with you because I feel like my climb in this photo parallels the 30 in 30 for 30 challenge I just completed...  At first it seemed overwhelming, but by facing my fears, being brave, and pushing myself I was able to accomplish my goal.

November turned out to be a month of self discovery (in addition to creativity), so I thought I'd share some of what I've learned.

(In no particular order)

1.  I can create a painting every day (for a month).

2.  I am more brave than I realized.  Before this challenge I wouldn't have posted everything - the good, the bad, and the mediocre.  Which leads me to...

3.  If you create a finished painting every day, you can't expect them all to be masterpieces!

created at Dumpr

4.  Gesso is messy and needs to be handled with care.

5.  Inspiration is everywhere!  Day #10 probably sums it up best.

6.  This challenge has been fun, frustrating, exciting, messy, stimulating, aggravating, inspiring, enjoyable, maddening, invigorating... a challenge.

7.  I'd do it again.  (Probably not in the near future, but I would do it again!) 

created at Dumpr

8.  I like bright colors and sometimes I even use paint straight out of the tube! (I can almost hear one of my college professor's gasp... I can only imagine the tears he would shed over the state of my disorganized and messy palettes!  hee hee)  I also like to play with texture and lots of different techniques.  I do what I love because I love to do it!

9.  I wouldn't have made it through without all of the support and encouragement from my friends and family (both blogging and here at home)!  And finally...

10.  I cannot leave my palette and water container on my desk when I am not there.  Reason:  I have 2 cats, Mona and Lisa.  Mona is the typical Garfield-esque cat.  Lisa is, err... well, um... the more adventurous take-a-tumble-down-the-laundry-chute type.  Lisa is also the type to jump up on a work desk and rest her little paws in a wet palette just to get a drink from a dirty water container even though there is perfectly good, fresh water in her dish.  She is the type of cat that leaves her mark on the world and her brightly colored pawprints all over my studio floor!

created at Dumpr

Word is getting around!  The remaining paintings are available in my etsy shop for the amazing $30.00 price... I'd love it if you stopped by - original paintings make great gifts!

Day 30!!! (30 in 30 for 30)

"Margarita"  8x10  acrylic on canvas

available here

After a month of finished paintings every day, I need a drink!  Just kidding... for today's painting I am toasting all of my fellow AEDM creatives (and all of the people who have supported and encouraged us) as we celebrate day 30!  Congratulations - this one's for you!

Since I am going to "savour" this feeling of accomplishment, this painting also serves as my entry for this week's Illustration Friday challenge.

A lot of people have been asking me if I will continue in December.  Well as the expression goes, "No rest for the wicked."  I will be taking tomorrow to recover from my painting hangover, then it's right back to creating for me...

December will be my Sketchbook Project month (since it is still in pieces from changing the paper I have my work cut out for me).  It's okay though - as much as I love to paint, I really miss drawing.  Not quick, put your ideas to paper sketches (I've been doing that all along), but take your time, finish, shade, and possibly even color drawings.

Stay tuned...  December is going to be busy!

Day 29 (30 in 30 for 30)

"Snow Owl"  8x10  mixed media on canvas

available here

Last week my friend Nelly had an interesting post about a workshop she took with Flora Bowley.  Her post reminded me of this very cool video of Jesse Reno painting.

Today's painting is inspired by (and very loosely based on) their techniques.  I played with paint to create a background, then started covering up sections of it leaving my owl image behind.  I continued to work with more paint, prismacolor pencils, and a white gel pen.

It's hard to believe, but there is only one day left of AEDM... be sure to stop by the Creative Every Day blog to see what else was created for day 29!

Day 28 (30 in 30 for 30) and Sunday Sketches

"Cubed Owl"  8x10  acrylic on canvas

Today's painting was inspired by a couple of my fellow "Sunday Sketchers".  Last week Katerina created a cubist inspired painting and ever since then I've been itching to cut up one of my sketches and randomly rearrange the pieces...

The progression:  From sketch to finished painting

I was also inspired by Eva who has been creating a series of variations of a tree (she also draws a series of "girls with funny hats" that I absolutely adore).  Since Eva has done so well with her variations on a theme, I thought it might be fun to create another owl painting...  I am lovin' me some owls!

Be sure to stop by Sophia's blog to see more Sunday Sketches...

And check out the Creative Every Day blog to see more day 29 art!

Day 27 (30 in 30 for 30)

"Colorful Sisters"  8x10  acrylic on canvas

Today's painting was inspired by my sisters.  I have previously mentioned my very artistic sister Stevie... Today I would like to 'introduce' the youngest in my family, my sister Casey.  Casey is in high school - since I am the oldest and she is the youngest (of five) there is a big age difference!  When Casey sings it is like listening to an angel (and she also has the heart of an angel)!   I am truly blessed with two very unique, talented, fun, and silly sisters...

Three Silly Sisters  2000  (We've gotten bigger, but haven't necessarily "grown up"!)

One thing the three of us like to do together is go thrift store shopping - we love funky finds!  On our very first trip to the thrift store together we discovered three different owl necklaces sitting together in the jewelry case... One for each of us!  Now it has sort of become "our thing" and it is why owls have such a special meaning to me.

There are only a few days left of AEDM, so don't miss day 27 at the Creative Every Day blog!

Day 26 (30 in 30 for 30)

"Macrame Memories"  8x10  Mixed Media on Wood

Today's painting was inspired by... yesterday's painting!  I couldn't get the owl image that I "found" in yesterday's painting out of my head, so I decided to do a wood burning using it.

 

While creating today's painting, distant memories of macrame, latch hook kits, and avocado colored appliances came flooding back... Those memories had a definite influence on my color choices!

As I write this post there are currently 57,975 owl listings on etsy.  They are in paintings and prints, jewelry, clothing, journals, pillows, toys and more - I seem to be seeing owls everywhere!  The other day I saw the following button on my friend Jenny Blair's fabulous blog:

My Owl Barn is the go-to place for owl lovers and they are sharing the owl love by offering a free customizable and downloadable calendar filled with fantastic owl art created by some seriously talented artists!

I can see why owls are so popular right now... there is something very comforting about their familiar wide-eyed expressions.  I have a feeling today's owl isn't my last...

(Don't forget to stop by the Creative Every Day blog to see more day 26 art!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Thankful Owl"  8x10  mixed media on canvas

I have to be honest, for today's painting I had no plan...  I knew I wanted to use (what I consider to be) Thanksgiving colors, but other than that I decided to just let the art take me where it wanted to go.  I started by creating a warm layered background and eventually an owl emerged.  I decided to keep the owl fairly translucent because I liked how it was all blending together.

Tonight as I write this I feel full... Not just because I indulged in pumpkin and pecan pie, but because I feel so blessed.  I am filled with gratitude for my friends and family here at home and also for the new community of friends I have found online that feel like an extended family.

For my friends that are celebrating today, I hope you and yours are enjoying a wonderful holiday filled with lots of reasons to be thankful!

xo

Kristin

p.s.  Make sure to stop by the Creative Every Day blog between bites!

Day 24 (30 in 30 for 30)

"Sneaky"  8x10  acrylic on canvas

Today's painting was inspired by Illustration Friday's "Sneaky" theme.  It is also my contribution to this week's Whimsical Wednesday.

It has been quite a day!  Early this morning I went into my studio to prime my canvas for today's painting.  The lid was stuck so I did what I always do - I started banging it against the side of my art table.  Unfortunately, the lid wasn't as stuck as I originally thought... it went flying and my jug of gesso spilled and sprayed all over my art table and the surrounding area.  I should also explain that since I do a lot of painting I don't buy the small bottles of gesso, I buy economy sized jugs!  Oh what a mess!

As I cleaned it up I remembered the children's book by James Stevenson - "Could be Worse!".   It's all over the wood floor I lovingly refinished 2 years ago ("could be worse" - it could be carpet).  It's all over my pajama pants and in between my toes ("could be worse" - I could have been wearing a favorite pair of pants or my sock monkey slippers).  It's on my shelves and my blank sketchbook project pages ("could be worse" - it could have gotten on the cover that I already finished)... I'm sure you get the idea.  Even though it was reminiscent of a crime scene, remembering that it "could be worse" helped me get through the hour of clean-up!

Be sure to stop by the Creative Every Day blog to see more day 24 art!  

Day 23 (30 in 30 for 30)

"Holy Cow!"  8x10  acrylic on canvas

Yesterday while flipping through old sketchbook pages (looking for inspiration) I came across a drawing I had done a few years ago...

When I saw it I said, "Holy Cow!  That would be perfect for the Creative Tuesday theme: 'Heavenly'!" 

For today's painting I decided to revisit my old cow drawing and turn it into a bright acrylic painting.  Be sure to stop by Mr. Toast's blog to see what other "Heavenly" art was created!

It's day 23 of AEDM so be sure to stop by the Creative Every Day blog too!



Day 22 (30 in 30 for 30) and a Thank You!

"Head in the Clouds"  7 3/4x16  acrylic on wood

I've had the idea for today's painting kicking around in my head for quite some time.  At different times in my life I have been told that I have my "head in the clouds".  Although it wasn't meant as a compliment, I have come to realize that without my wild imaginings and crazy dreams I wouldn't have seen some of the amazing things I've seen or done some of the unbelievable things I've done.  This painting is a celebration of limitless possibility!

(My photo doesn't do this beautiful necklace justice!)

I am also very excited about the wonderful package I received in the mail today!  The very talented Suzanne of Blue Sand Studio had a giveaway of one of her beautiful handcrafted necklaces to celebrate her 100th post (Isn't that such a wonderfully generous thing to do?!?)  It turns out I was the winner - I am such a lucky lady!  I highly recommend a trip over to Blue Sand Studio's etsy shop - she has some fabulous creations... and with the holidays around the corner they would make great gifts!

Don't forget to stop by the Creative Every Day blog to see more of what day 22 has to offer! 

Day 21 (30 in 30 for 30) 2 Paintings and Sunday Sketches!

"Iron Inspired Circles"  8x10  mixed media on wood

"Iron Inspired Rectangles"  8x10  mixed media on wood

(Plaster drawn into while wet, primed with black gesso, and painted with acrylics.... They work well as a pair!)

Today's paintings were inspired by the iron pour I attended yesterday.  In addition to being inspired by a very creative sculpture studio, there was lots of inspiration to be found in the event itself...  circles and squares of glowing colors, gritty textures of iron and coke fuel, fire and smoke...

And since it's Sunday I have more to share...



My friends always have lots of fun drawings to share, so be sure to stop by Sophia's blog to have a look!

It's day 21 (wow, already?!?) of AEDM, so take a trip over to the Creative Every Day blog too!

Day 19 (30 in 30 for 30)

"Pinocchio"  8x10  acrylic on burned wood

For today's painting I decided to continue with another fairy tale theme.  Pinocchio seemed to lend itself to wood burning, and I thought it might be neat to let the wood show for his face, neck and long nose.

It's day 19 of AEDM over at the Creative Every Day blog, so be sure to stop by and see today's creations!

Day 17 and 18 (30 in 30 for 30)

"Frog Prince"  8x10  acrylic on canvas

I am happy to announce that yesterday's issues with blogger have been resolved - yay!  (Not only was I unable to upload photos, I couldn't do anything about font or font size... all I could do was type... aaargh!)

This is yesterday's painting.  It was inspired by Nutty's Drawing Lab challenge and was also my response to Whimsical Wednesday.

When I decided to create a frog prince I thought, "Great - I have just the stamp for that!"  I had cut some lips for my Hogs and Kisses piece back in August.  Well, when I went to look for my lips I couldn't find them anywhere.  (This 30 in 30 for 30 project is really taking it's toll on the organization of my studio!)  Since I had my heart set on using a stamp for the lips I decided to cut another one...

When Bob and I were dating he told me his father worked for a foam company.  He still laughs at my reaction... apparently I looked as if I had just won the lottery!  Well, as a girl who cuts her own stamps, I guess I kind of did!

"Grow Love"  9 13/16x10 5/16  mixed media on wood

Today's painting is another wood burning with gesso, acrylics, watercolor crayons and watercolor pencils.  You may have noticed the strange measurements of this painting... Bob is making new kitchen cabinet doors and this painting was created on one of the misfits.  If you look where the check pattern is, it actually has dimension because he had used a router to create grooves.

Because of it's strange dimensions, the whole painting does not fit in the scanner all at once so I photographed it.  I will be scanning it and piecing it together in photoshop, but that is a project for another day because it is a big night in the Dudish household - "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" is on tonight!

Thank you for your continued encouragement during this project!... Please be sure to stop by the Creative Every Day blog to see more day 18 art.

Day 16 (30 in 30 for 30)

"Poinsettia"  8x10  acrylic on canvas

available here

For today's painting I continued with the holiday theme, but in a more traditional style.

Be sure to check out more day 16 art at the Creative Every Day blog!

Day 15 (30 in 30 for 30) Burning Love!

"Burning Love"  8x10  Acrylic on Canvas

Burning Love

As things started to heat up, their love quickly went from raw sienna to burnt umber...

Isn't that always the case with a couple of crazy painted cookies in love?!? 

Today's painting was inspired by Illustration Friday's theme:  "Burning".

Do you remember my buffalo painting from day 11?  Well, the original buffalo sketches were created for my illustrated Buffalo Wing Dip recipe.  If you would like to see the larger version (and try the recipe - yum!) you can head over to They Draw and Cook because they posted it today.

I found out that my "Picasso Dog" was featured in dolphinlady's treasury today... cool.

Now that I've opened my etsy shop I am working hard to try and regain my balance (not that I was all that balanced before!)...  I would love to hear any tips you may have for how you manage your time to get things done!

And... Don't forget to check out Day 15 over at the Creative Every Day blog!

An Announcement, A New Painting, And Sunday Sketches!

I am very, very happy to announce that my etsy shop is now open!  All of the paintings above are listed for the fabulous $30 price!  (I replaced the unfixable day 3 painting with my "butter-fly" painting from this post!)  Be sure to stop by... I'd love to know what you think!  (If you aren't familiar with my 30 in 30 for 30 project, you can read more about it here.)

"Nutcracker"  8x10  acrylic on canvas

Today's painting was inspired by Eva's nutcracker suggestion.  All of this holiday painting is starting to get me in the spirit!

And last, but certainly not least, are this week's Sunday Sketches!

It has been such a busy weekend - I'm tired.

Please make sure you visit the Creative Every Day blog to find out how other artists spent their Sunday.

And, of course Sunday wouldn't be complete without a trip over to Sophia's blog to see my friends' Sunday Sketches!

I will be visiting blogs tomorrow... for now I'm off to bed!