Sunday Sketches

In my sketchbook this week...

I created 48 turquoise "inchies" for the current blog art challenge at My ARTistic Life. I love how the inchies work together as a group...

Or as individual itty-bitty paintings.

I also learned how to do some very cool doodling at my new friend Sheila's blog. She is a very talented artist and has a wonderful doodle tutorial! But beware, doodling Sheila's way can be very addictive!

And of course, I also did a sketch for this week's color challenge.

For more "Sunday Sketches" visit Sophia's blog to see what other artists are up to!

Creative Color Challenge: Week 4

Wow - I can't believe we've already completed four of the five weeks in The Creative Color Challenge. Time really does fly when you're having fun!

This week, Louise paired up with Cathy Nichols and her Found Art Friday. In addition to using this week's color (sea green), we had the added challenge of creating within the theme "To the Sea".

As you probably already guessed, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to play with words and the phrase "Sea ya later" immediately popped into my head. It wasn't long after that I had visions of a fish saying goodbye to his bowl and heading "to the sea".

I've really been enjoying this challenge... Please make sure you check back to see what the final color inspires.

Another Challenge

Photo Friday

Theme: 'The Street'

Color Challenge: Week 3 (Livestock Love Lives On!)

When I heard this week's color was turquoise blue, my mind immediately went to one of the most famous monochromatic times in art history: Picasso's "blue period". Although the paintings created during that time were not in his well known cubist style, I wanted to use shapes to create that feel. I thought, what better way to do that than to use a drawing that has been making appearances in my artwork for years... "Picowsso"!

(copper and brass pin that I made in college)

And, as any good cerulean cow knows, it's never just 'moo', you always say 'bloo'!

A Day at the Fair

I believe the best way to recharge a creative battery is to put down the brushes, turn off the computer, get out of the studio, go outside and do some livin'!

So that's exactly what I did...

And one more...

(a clue to what I'm working on for this week's color challenge)

A New Painting and a Few Words About "Flying"

Because the OCD part of myself thrives on assignments and deadlines, I decided to give Illustration Friday a try. This week's theme is 'stargazing'.

Looking at this mixed media painting, it is apparent to me that a lot of the stuff that's been swirling around in my head this week found its way into my art. First, I've been thinking about blue (this week's color). I've also been thinking about cows (more about my bovine thoughts later this week). Last, but certainly not least, I've had "flying" on my mind...

Since taking Kelly Rae Roberts Flying Lessons e-course, something has changed... And the people around me are noticing. Bob said he can't remember ever seeing me like this, Zoe said I seem so driven, and the rest of my friends and family are also asking lots of questions about my new found vim and vigor.
I have always made art - it's part of who I am... But, what I've discovered is that I've been holding myself back. Whether it was an assignment for a class or a mural for a client, my art was always centered around what other people wanted or what I thought they wanted.

Since taking Kelly Rae's e-course, I've started creating more for myself and its made all the difference. Her course gave me the boost I needed to get out of the creative rut I had fallen into, along with the tools to make it happen. Because of Kelly Rae, I feel like anything is possible. I haven't felt this creatively exhuberant in years...

I do believe I can 'fly'!

Color Challenge: Week 2

"Hogs and Kisses" is the final result for this week's color challenge - "raspberry red".

Another play on words, this mixed media painting was created using only red, black, and white. Paired with last week's painting ("Ewe Are My Sunshine"), I'm starting to see a pattern develop... I guess this challenge is bringing out a love of livestock I never knew I had!