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Funky Cats!

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It appears as if Chico the funky cat is watching these lovelies create their own versions of him.

A fantastic group last night attending my funky cat workshop.  I love their vision and their openness to learn.  So rewarding when you see someone walk into your class and soon their day melts away as they become immersed in the creative process.  Teaching has become a wonderful bonus to my passion for painting and creating art.  Trying to allow yourself to release that perfection is sometimes difficult.  Awhile ago, in one of my young artist classes, a sweet 6-year-old said it best, “There is no bad”.  Those simple words stuck with me and I love that statement.  I’ve shared that statement since then in all my classes.  Importantly, coming from a young artist, reminding us we need to let go of our need for perfection and embrace the bliss of coloring outside the lines.  What could be more freeing!

Thank you lovelies for last night and embracing your creative side.  Amazing crazy, funky cats.  Each their own masterpieces with shining personalities!

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Raven 2

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Raven 2 finished this afternoon.  This piece I placed two coats of a gloss varnish.  Once in a great while I do enjoy having that glossy finish on my art, depends on the subject.  This piece has several layers of recycled materials including sheet music and used postage stamps.  The photo is a bit dark, I had to take the photo without a flash in a darker setting because of the glossy finish.  This is number five of my bird series.  Enjoying this series, birds are a favorite subject, probably obvious!  I’ve worked steadily the last several days as our weather is forcing me to stay indoors.  Weekend weather is not promising for getting out so more time in the studio!  Thankful I have my art or I just might have a major case of cabin fever!

Thank Goodness It’s Friday!

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Spring Blossoms

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This sweet bird appears ready for spring perched on a blossoming branch.  Another painting in the bird series I am creating.  Done on a 6×6 stretched canvas with 2 inch finished sides.  No framing required.  The background has several layers of recycled papers.  I painted the first layer with a lighter blue.  The second is a color I like to call eggplant.  The bird and branch, sketched on lighter canvas paper and adhered to the canvas with gel medium.  Before painting the bird, some serious drying time required!  Usually I have a difficult time waiting to begin painting the subject!  I will use my hair dryer to speed the process.  This piece is outside my normal bright colors but I do like it.  Stretching myself a bit with my creativity, one of my intentions for 2014.

Have a great day, thanks for visiting my blog!

Morning Brew

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I’ve had little time for my blog since the holidays.  This piece is one of a series I’ve been working on with birds.  I will post more in the next few days.  My daughter and I gave each other the gift of an online e-course by Brene Brown.  A six-week workshop which is ending this week.  It has surprised me the depth of emotions that have come forward and surfaced.  It has been good!  The class included an art journal which is one of the reasons we wanted to take this particular class.  I will share some of my art journal soon as well.  We’ve had an incredibly long winter and this week blessed us with a foot of fresh snow.  Makes being in the art studio a very easy task as the cold is not my friend!  I hope everyone is surviving this winter.  If you are like me, I am looking forward to spring with great anticipation!!   

Giraffe Completed

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Finished the giraffe painting yesterday. This one will be hard to let go as I love animals. A subject that is close to my heart. I find myself sometimes fighting with the canvas to get just the right expression in the eyes. And the correct proportions are not always easy. The finished giraffe feels pretty good!

Thanks for visiting my blog…never stop stretching that neck out and pushing forward!IMG_0861

Gratefulnest

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IMG_0739 These two pieces are from the commission work I just finished.  I created the nest from scraps of thread.  My daughter, who is a fiber artist and designs a line of bags was home recently and used my studio.  She left this little “nest” of threads on my art table…with love for me to recycle and use in my art.  So, I titled that little piece “Gratefulnest”…she is always thinking of her mom!

Childhood Memories

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This little sketch done with watercolour pencils, pen, acrylics is a special piece representing my childhood home.  The border and words are from a magazine that was in my parents vintage collection.  I use these magazines sparingly as they date back to the early 1900’s.  Both my parents are gone so this piece will stay in my private collection.

How does your art reflect your childhood?

Thanks for visiting my blog today!copy childhood

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I’m starting a series of seven mixed-media paintings. This first painting is on a 14 X 14″ gallery wrapped canvas.  All of the pieces will be about dresses.  I’m trying  some new elements, the wire hanger and rick rack are two I’ve placed in this piece. I’ve also written a poem for this piece titled The Dress. This first painting I wanted to share a brief part of the process with a slide show. I trying to stretch myself and explore a bit.

Thanks for visiting my blog!  Comments are so appreciated 🙂

First of my dress collection!

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Pause

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I’ve decided to pause for a bit with this  painting I am currently working on.  I feel as if it is coming along well.  I simply don’t want to screw it up!  Having thought about the possibility of not being able to complete the piece because I’m feeling that fear is upsetting me.  I want to be able to paint without fear as once that creeps into my space it invades my creative spirit.  Having mixed emotions it is best to step back and allow myself to pause.  I don’t need the pressure to complete the piece…time to pause.

Winter Storm

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This piece I’ve worked on for several days.  It’s an attempt to try a new layering technique using masking tape as the layers of color are applied.  I’m hoping the image of the buffalo stands out enough to be easily recognized.   Buffalo have survived thousands of years, against many odds including the long, subzero winters in Yellowstone National Park.  We visit Yellowstone at least once a year and the buffalo (or bison as some refer to them) are at the top of my list.  An amazing creature.  I have hundreds of photographs of buffalo but yet this particular piece I used a magazine head shot.  Not sure why!

Hope you enjoy the piece.  The finished painting was hard to achieve.  Not sure I’ll try this layering technique again.  Or, maybe I need to give it more time and keep working at perfecting it.