October Projects and feeling 'Fall-ish'

I've been in my studio a lot these past few weeks and started painting on my birch panels, trying not to think so much about an end product as much as enjoying the PROCESS. I've also tried to keep an open mind at what's 'coming at me' as far as ideas & inspiration. As I mentioned to another artist blogger recently, I've been finding tiny, white feathers around our apartment -- we don't have any birds & the only birds around here are all black so not sure what that's about :> I've also found some books to research my lifelong interest in angel/iconic art and folk art, as well as my newfound interest in Mexican & Spanish influenced art which I've been immersing myself in since moving to the Southwest.

This was a WIP until today when after being stuck on the background surrounding her (which is a good reminder for me to include the bkgd in as I work on the main subject so I'm not stuck at the end wondering how to tie it in!) I experienced a breakthrough and decided that less is more and finished the piece with some simple folk art motifs which are my own handcut designs.

'Guardian Angel' mixed media folk art, 12x12 birch plywood panel

I've decided with this series on wood panels, that the originals will not be for sale until I complete all 6-8 of them, but I am going to put up some prints and other items for this design. I think it would make a great holiday card and paired with some of the wonderful accessories in my Zazzle shop, a great gift idea too especially with Christmas coming up :>

I'm finally starting to feel that Fall is officially here in Southwest Texas (finally) although it is nothing like the ones we had back in Michigan where there was a riot of color and a wonderful, crunch & crispness to the air. Ah well, such is life, we must go with the flow for resisting usually involves quite a lot of energy which is better spent filling our creative well.

With that said, I'll wish you a Happy Fall and whatever season you find yourself in right now, may it feed your SOUL and nuture your SPIRIT.

Illustration Friday - 'Enough'

How do we know when we've added enough to a body of work? When do we decide a piece has 'said' enough of what we set out to say, ie. what inspired us to create it? For this week's IF prompt, I thought I'd share a WIP - or rather a finished piece.....at least I think I'm done with it.

My inspiration came from my recent fascination with all things 'prairie' or 'ranch' themed and my love of contemporary folk art pieces. I've also been dreaming of living a simpler life, breathing fresh clean air, having more modest possessions, buying organic & earth friendly products, etc. I came across a wonderful magazine last week, "Mary Janes Farm" which focuses on organic lifestyles - I love it!!

Anyhow, I'm working on a small set of paintings, this is #1. I snapped pics along the way and decided to post them as I love seeing the progression of a piece and thoroughly enjoy it when other artist's do the same on their blogs.......

step 1 - foundation for bkgd and main subject

Step 2 & 3 - added a camisole and changed a lot at this point: softened her coloring, changed the sky tone, added some puffy clouds as well as a simple landscape w/Shaker-style house.

"A Simple Life", acrylic on stretched canvas, 10x10

Step 4 - brought her hair more in balance, added the branch and bird & added more rosy color to her cheeks.

If you've made it this far, thanks for taking the time. I hope you enjoyed seeing my creative process...which is sometimes, I remind myself, simply enough :>