mixed media journal, 10x10

I finally played in my journal today....it's been about 2 months. I know I should be easy on myself as I really did need that time for focusing on some things in my life that needed my attention. If you're struggling right now with life issues and/or are not feeling inspired or creative lately, know this:
flow does follow ebb, your inspiration will find you again,
it whispers in your ear and softly knocks on the door
to your heart, until you answer...

For me I think the big push recently to get back into artmaking/painting was signing up for Misty Mawn's online class 2 weeks ago. Getting new supplies in is always a major motivator for me and finding my table under piles of books & papers was an extra bonus, *smile*

Painting Layers officially starts tomorrow (!) I tell ya, I think most of her students have been about ready to burst from excitement waiting! :>

walk with me...

cactus & barbed wire, plenty of that around here y'all - this is Texas...
i got 'bit' twice trying to get in for a good shot :>

{before}

{after}

creating some photoshop magic post-walk [wandering]

while i'm feeling poetically inspired...

stepping a bit lighter, spirit & soul refreshed...

listening to the haunting melody of this song

* * *

even though i'm still trying to find balance/get priorities straight, i
decided to sign up for Misty's 1st online class - Painting Layers,
i haven't felt the desire to dig out my journals or throw paint around in weeks,
hopefully this will be the inspiring push i need (!)

* * *

what changes or decisions have you made in your life recently?
what's inspiring you this weekend??

Inspire Me Thursday - 'Dark'

'earthbound'

recent experiment manipulating photos/layers in Photoshop,
trying to achieve a bit of a 'dark' theme, at least for me...

i've been a silent observer the last few weeks, trying to find the calm
in my inner 'storm', it's always been there but sometimes i need
a quiet compass to find it...there's a certain delicious comfort in that
place of stillness, don't you think?

asking lots of questions and listening, always listening....

warming my fingers around hot mugs of pumpkin spice coffee...

reading novels, classic art books, watching 'Ghost Whisperer'
(which inspired the digital piece above)

i'm intrigued by all things spirit, magical and spooky this week...

* * *

hoping to visit y'all real soon. until then,
be well and be inspired...

Fall-ing

feeling restless,
deep in thought
as i look through photos
that remind me
of a place and time
where i knew what to expect
with each passing season...
i've many questions of late,
think i just need
to scale back a bit
so i'm fall-ing
off the blogosphere map for awhile,
not too long i hope...

Be well.

edit 10/17/09: thank you friends for your kind words of support,
here and via email, it means a lot :>

Inspire Me Thursday - 'newspaper'

Macy's advertisement from last Sunday's newspaper and a handcut stencil
(which I didn't end up using)


Added gesso to soften & mute it overall, then added artist crayons to bring out my focal point...the hands....i LOVE to incorporate them into a piece....they are so expressive and of course are my favorite tool, way better than paintbrushes at times - not as indispensible as pencils tho :)


'untitled', mixed media watercolor journal

Defined the sleeves a bit more, muted out the bracelets & added a ring and stem w/leaves. I originally thought I wanted a blush-pink rose, huge in bloom, but decided on a minimalist look. I still want to add a quote along the edge of the sleeves as this journal is dedicated to quotes /self-portraits...


detailed view

Journaling with found imagery has such instant gratification, it's so easy & quick to do. I hope I've inspired you to try this...

Inspire Me Thursday & Illustration Friday

"Your self image is your pattern! Every thought has an activity visualized. Every activity belongs to a pattern. You identify with your pattern or thought. Your patterns lead your life.” -- J. G. Gallimore - Scientist, Researcher

Quick post for 'Open Topic' and 'Pattern'. Self-potrait entry in my journal, which ended up being quite busy with pattern (and intense color) which is definitely different for me. I've had lots on the go lately, buzzing with many ideas and some new projects simmering around the studio so I guess it was natural that this turned out as it did. I found the intensity a bit much at first and so reworked it but in the end decided to just leave it as is and added a favorite quote.

Anyhow I've loved patterns of all kinds forever and they always find a way into my work, even subtle ones. I rarely step out without camera or sketchbook in hand as some pattern always catches my eye, everything from architecture to the unique ones you can only find in nature - it's all good.

Have a wonderful weekend and do check out all the creativity at IF here and IMT here.

Illustration Fri. - 'infinite'

mixed media, strathmore watercolor journal , 8.5 x 5.5 (8.5 x 11 open)

"When you live your life with an appreciation of coincidences and their
meanings, you connect with the underlying field of infinite possibilities."
-- Deepak Chopra

My offering for this week's IF prompt, 'infinite'. I originally intended for this journal entry to be more Fall in tone and feeling but it's still summer here (and will be for another month or more) and so I guess it influenced my color palette and mood. I so miss Autumn in the Midwest...

And yes I truly believe in infinite possibilities as long as our minds and hearts are open enough. However I also know that you have to be at the right place or time in your life to recognize them, openly accept them without question and place your trust in the universe...

By the way, a new moon is upon us as of yesterday. Did you write down & send out your intentions [wishes] into the universe? I did...

Illustration Fri. - 'welcome'

Thought I'd share a sketch from a WIP mixed media piece I started this weekend. I have so many ideas for where I want to go with it so I'm trying to narrow things down. As some of you may already know, Alice in Wonderland is at the top of my list of favorite storybook tales and one that I love to revisit.

As I sketched this out, I wondered what she was thinking as she fell down the rabbit hole - I'm sure she hoped that she'd land in a place where she'd be welcome, poor dear girl :>

Have a great weekend & be sure to visit all the wonderful creativity at IF here