Monday, February 18, 2013

Illustration Friday 'wool' and Paint Party Friday


A quick post for IF's word this week, 'wool'. Also glad to be contributing to the lively group over at PPF.

I had a few ideas for my interpretation of 'wool' but in the end went with my take on this Missoni Soia wool-blend sweater with its' lovely colors. I would love to own something like this, but to be honest I don't think I would ever pay that much for a sweater :)

Check out what other takes on 'wool' are here, and don't forget to pop in to the Paint Party over here.

Have a great week!

Friday, February 8, 2013

Illustration Friday - 'storm' and Paint Party Friday

"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship."

Louisa May Alcott (November 29, 1832 – March 6, 1888, American novelist, best known for the novel Little Women, 1868)

My offering for IF's word this week 'storm', and actually glad to be submitting this on a Friday for a change - it's been awhile  :) Also for the gang over at PPF where I haven't participated in months (!)

I love the meaning behind this quote, we all have 'stormy seas' at some time or another in our lives just when the water looks calm and trouble-free. If you've been riding out any kind of 'storm' in your life recently, I wish you smooth sailing and a quick, safe journey back to shore....

Have a great weekend

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Illustration Friday - 'wings'

handmade journal, 5x8, mixed media on arches hp watercolor

So happy to be contributing over at IF this week for the word "wings". I haven't posted yet for this new year so I hope it finds you well with lots of goals set in place and let's not forget about our dreams.....

As well thought out and planned as we think things are though, according to statistics, by now most of our New Year's resolutions have fallen by the wayside - that's probably why I don't make any :)

Instead, I usually get my mojo going by focusing on something that's really been an inspiration, like the word "intent",  Panetone's 2013 color of the year 'emerald' (which just happens to be my May birthstone color) or this week's IF challenge word "wings".

Stay true to your self and be well.



Thursday, December 20, 2012

Illustration Friday - 'snow'
























Inspiration found me today, so better late than never for IF's challenge word this week 'snow'.  I've always loved matryoshka dolls, aka Russian nesting dolls. I have a few sets in my collectibles - one set was custom made for me and made in the Ukraine.

Make sure to visit IF and see what everyone over there is up to - Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Illustration Friday - 'stretch'

A quick post for the challenge word this week - 'stretch'. Don't forget to stop by and check out all the talent over at Illustration Friday.

Hope your holiday season is off to a festive start, and that it finds you & yours well - have a great weekend!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Illustration Friday - 'sky'

"Clouds come floating into my life no longer to carry rain or usher storm,
but to add color to my sunset sky." ~ Rabindranath Tagore

handmade journal, mixed media on hot press Arches

* * * * * *
A quick one for IF's word this week, pulled out some paints and splashed some color around. I've been feeling a bit 'out of the loop' as they say, but trying to find inspiration to create & draw/ paint again. Sunsets here have been amazing lately - so glad to see the the trees are trying to keep up as best they can - hopefully a show of riotous color in a few weeks :>!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the talent over at IF, have a fabulous week!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Early Fall + Nature's Color Palette




































"The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself."  ~ Henry Miller

Hello friends, a quick post to share something that inspired me this morning. The colors + textures in this beauty just popped out at me begging me to look up and then move in for a closer look....it also inspired an illustration which I may end up using for this project if I can meet the deadline.

What's inspiring YOU today?

Monday, October 1, 2012

Hello again........

"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” -- Alexander Graham Bell

*  *  *  *  *  *

Dusting off my blog and getting rid of some cobwebs (altho it seems totally appropos to leave some of them hanging around being that it's October).

The break from this lovely place and all of you dear friends was longer than I thought it would be, but it was a much needed one for many reasons. I hope you have been wildly creative, squeezing every juicy moment out of life and enjoying time with friends and loved ones.The air is finally get cooler here and the leaves are showing hints of fall color- what's is like where you are?

A few things I'm loving on Etsy today:




Looking forward to visiting everyone and seeing what you've been up to. My studio is undergoing a revamp and I've been working on a few things that I'll share with you all - hopefully very soon (!)

Until then - be well.

Monday, June 4, 2012


The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

~ Robert Frost ~

***********
Hello friends, I hope you are staying creative and that life has been good to you. I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted here! The warmer weather has prompted me to slow down, reassess and take time to smell the roses, so I've taken myself on a personal journey of sorts (artistically, physically, meta-physically and spiritually)

I shall return from the road-less-traveled soon and try to visit you all - promise. Until then, be well.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Illustr. Fri. & Paint Party Friday

handmade journal, mixed media

Another one in my longstitch journal for IF's word this week 'jump' and for PPF. I started this spread about 2 weeks ago for that online journaling class with Judy Wise but just got around to finishing it (!)

This assignment was dedicated to our hands. After tracing and painting my hands, I wasn't feeling very wordy (I never do in these visual journals) and simply stamped the word JOY, then a few 'messages' followed as I continued working the pages....it's always a surprise when I play in my journals because I try not to have a plan or any 'art' expectations, unlike when I work on canvas or board. That's the real beauty of art journaling for me - the unexpected serendipity :>

Have an inspiring week!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Illustration Fri. - 'heights' and PPF

mixed media, hot press watercolor handmade journal

A quick one for IF's word this week, 'heights' and unlike the figure above, you probably wouldn't find me that close to the edge of anything :> and also for the gang over at Paint Party Friday just because I haven't been over there in awhile - hi everyone!

Anyhow, this was created in my newly made longstitch journal filled w/ my favorite paper: sturdy & smooth hot press watercolor paper. I was inspired to make it for a very special online class I'm just finishing up: Mixed Media Art Journaling w/ Judy Wise. She's keeping the class live for a few weeks for everyone to catch up on their assignments and this spread is dedicated to a quote that inspires or speaks to us. Anyhow I have to say again  - what a fabulous class it was!! Thank you Miss Judy for being so generous with your unique journaling techniques!

Have a fabulous week + stay inspired.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Spring + Nature's Color Palette


"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."-- Hal Borland

Spring has sprung here in New Mexico, even though we have a winter storm effect moving through most of the state now until mid-week. I snapped the photo above early this morning under grey skies - our crab tree was the only pop of color in the backyard this morning but nature still provided a lovely palette of muted tones. Which just proves, if you're looking for a perfect set of colors to work with, just look outside :)

Has Spring arrived where you are yet? Have a great week everyone - stay tuned for more updates on my fabulous journaling class!