Word nonsense

What's this thing with having a word of the year? I mean, 2013 will be 365 days long. Why only one word when language is bursting with adjectives and adverbs, verbs and verbosity? 

True, the last couple of years I have joined the flock and chosen a few letters to set the tone for the coming 12 months, but it was all rather restrictive and, frankly I should have chosen 'forgetful' as it turned out to be far more appropriate. I had to hunt back to discover that my word for 2012 was supposed to be 'complete'. 

Pants to that. I am instead going to break with tradition while still joining in. My word for 2013 will therefore be...

Chosen initially for the delightful way it rolls off the tongue but also for its nonsense connotations and links to slapstick comedy involving Eric Sykes.

I have a whole heap of other words scribbled in notebooks outlining my ambitions for the coming months. I'm being very efficient with SMART goals and enough mind-mapping to plot a course to a parallel universe - speaking of which... Will I ever start that book?

Left hand drive

I couldn't figure what to paint so I stuck the brush in my left hand thus allowing my right brain to take over the driving.

As you can see we swerved around quite a bit while we figured out just who was behind the wheel and which way to turn to avoid total disaster.

We ended up here. It's a river, not a road (by now we had parked and were moving more slowly on foot).

I wasn't actually painting with my foot at this point, it's just a figure of speech to give you the impression of a more careful consideration of subject matter.

I'm typing with my right brain too. Well, the fingers are using the left but both hands are on the keyboard to get the message all right. All right?

I should maybe think about going to bed... I sleep on the right if there's any left.

Life is about ...

I'm trying very hard to create myself today, to plan for the coming year... But the thing is, I just keep thinking about burrowing down under the duvet and gazing at the inside of my eyelids...

Two hours later....

Hmm....

(Dahlia flower and chalkboard texture from Kim Klassen's Beyond Layers course, colour texture taken from detail of a recent painting).

Paradise

PPP Para para para dise.... who can guess what song I've been listening to? We need a few thoughts of sun-drenched beaches today as the grey skies linger and the drizzle continues.

Mind you, paradise doesn't require palm trees and turquoise shores. It's all there for the making if we only want it enough. The view outside my window today may be very monochrome, but inside I'm bursting with colourful ambition and joy.

I was thrilled with how this painting turned out - I'm loving the textures and layers. A little bit of this, a touch of that, new and old, not quite complete but promising more... A bit like me!

Sharing for Paint Party Friday - aka Paradise for Artists!

Seasonal Sketches

Something seasonal for the Christmas countdown. Later today I will have to tidy away the art supplies in order to rediscover the dining table - which I keep 'for best'. I mean there's no point using it to eat on every day is there? It just won't feel special when we do.... That's my excuse for covering it with an art supplies mountain and I'm sticking to it.

In 2013 I intend to sell lots of art to fund operation 'we're going to need a bigger house'. Lately just getting through the door has become a piece of performance art in itself.

It's good to state ambitious intentions. Yesterday I took delivery of The Icarus Deception a very exciting new book by Seth Godin. He challenges the cosy old rules of comfort zones and compliance and reminds us that we all have the wings we need to soar. It's about bravery, adventure and creativity. I'm in.

Sharing today for Sunday Sketches. Pop on over and see what the gang are up to!

Saturday Ramblings

I'm so glad the world didn't end yesterday, there's so much I still have to achieve. My word for 2012 was complete, although I have to confess that I probably haven't remembered that since about February. I had to scroll back through old blog posts to try and find it!

I'm thinking that maybe having one word for a whole year isn't really me. I'm much more of an all-encompassing kind of gal, don't like to restrict myself. And seriously, what was I thinking? Complete? Start a million projects yes, but finish them all... Wishful thinking to be sure!

Part of me is a bit disappointed in myself but the rest takes a more philosophical approach. I may not have gone back and finished all those online art courses I started, but I have achieved a great deal and set myself up on the right track for ongoing success. I am more organised and own a sense of purpose.

Is there a word that sums up the opposite of distraction. That's what I need for 2013 - antidistractionmentilitarianism or focus for short. In the short time of writing this blog post I have already nipped downstairs for a light snack (and to take down half of the mugs sitting on the windowsill). I've turned on iTunes and browsed for something light and soothing to provide a further distracting background (settled on Ben Harper), gazed at a sparkly bird flying in the gentle thermals of radiator heat, picked up a book and put it down again without opening a page and splashed my face with cold water ... ooh that reminds me I could put some eye-freshener on.

I really need to go and do something a bit more productive. New art supplies arrived in the post today that need sampling!

Poppy painting has nothing to do with this post, I just got distracted looking through my art...

When we were young...

I used to love drawing cute little bunnies...

Just found these tucked away in an old art folder. They date back a few years (about 28 to be precise!). I think I was about 13 or 14 when I created these characters. They lived in a smart town house in Mayfair during the season but preferred their country estate - much more suited to rabbits. I'm not sure why his Lordship is dressed in hunting gear though... I would have thought he was a vegetarian!

I guess they were a sort of Downtown Abbey for bunnies. That's the Dowager Countess in the bottom picture - the one with the top hat with a feather who looks like she's about to go out riding (though I do wonder how she's going to get on the back of a horse!). What a 'game' old gal she was... always had a twinkle in her eye when telling a story.

Maybe it's about time I told it for her... what do you think?

Sharing a spot of nostalgia with my friends at Paint Party Friday.

I'm so happy I found them again. What a lovely blast from the past. I can still remember creating them!

Special delivery

I drove up to Solihull this bright and frosty morning to personally deliver these three prints of my art work. I'm thrilled to say that they are now hanging in 'Botty Towers' - the offices of Nigel Botterill's many enterprises (that's him on the right).

Nigel is a serial entrepreneur and business mentor who shares his wit and wisdom with hundreds of business folk across the country through the Entrepreneur's Circle.

Thanks for your purchase Nigel and the insightful advice. I'm taking it all in! But best of all, thanks for the amazing boost to my confidence!

My first single!

Forget Slade, Wizzard and Shakey - we have a new Christmas song to warm your cockles this winter.

Written by yours truly for my lovely customer - Rackspace, it is a cheesy little number designed to spread a little cheer. Will it be a bigger YouTube sensation than Gangnam Style? Probably not, but we can but hope!

Have a watch and let me know what you think - but remember - you have been given the cheese warning!

Pleasure with pain

I love shoes. I mean I'm female so it's hormonally programmed right?

BUT...

... the thing is... I often wonder if there's not some great conspiracy going on out there. I mean does anybody actually find high heels comfortable to walk in, let alone leap about on a dance floor in all night? Why oh why don't party dresses look just quite right with a comfortable pair of flats? Why don't shops sell shoes with kitten heels any more? Why do stilts just look so gorgeous? In fact, I think retailers have actually stopped selling shoes; they are instead peddling us sculptures intended merely for show rather than actually walking about in.

I might just put all my shoes on shelves and wear books on my feet instead. I am sure they would be more comfortable. In fact, if I did this and the whole trend caught on, I could sell half my collection - anybody want to buy a selection of left shoes (I have to keep the [w]right ones for obvious reasons).

As the Christmas party approaches I have to confess I think I've found a sneaky little solution. You see I'll turn up in the heels when everyone is still sober enough to care or remember what I'm wearing, then later on when the dancing really warms up and I need my feet for, well, supporting my body weight... I'll sneak to the cloakroom for a quick change into some ballet pumps. Shhh don't tell!

Chloe is determined

Chloe is a determined lass. Despite the fact that my lengthy absence from the world of blogging (yes, pretty much a whole month - shocking eh?!), has meant that I have accumulated a somewhat large stash of art to share with Sunday Sketches, Paint Party Friday et al, she insisted on being created last night.

While the other half was watching old episodes of ER on TV, I was forced to sit down and create this set jaw and steely gaze. Her background was already in existence so I should point out that the blood splattered look has nothing to do with the frequency of GSWs flowing in and out of the trauma team's hands at the other end of the room.

Other half has only just 'discovered' ER and is working his way through season after season. Carol is currently heavily pregnant, Romano still has both functioning arms and Clooney has gone to Hollywood. I was a big fan 'back in the day', but it's amazing what we forget and what memories itch to let slip to let slip mention of the danger of helicopters, impending love triangles, multiple births and heartfelt reunions.

It is becoming all too easy to get sucked back into the storylines (despite the fact that Doug Ross has moved to pastures new....).

OK you win

Blue-eyed girl

It seems that my blog wasn't the only one to miss me. I'm touched.

Right now I am tearing myself away from a newly discovered piano app on the iPad to keep this aspect of my social media life happy. I've just played Greensleeves, Moonlight Sonata and the theme from Angry Birds all without a single lesson - not bad. I can't say I'd even noticed that there was a theme from Angry Birds mind, but who is one to argue.

Needless to say, my eight-year-old son is already mastering the art of keyboard tinkling much better than me - he'll be playing for the Royal Philharmonic by Christmas... I, on the other hand, think I might be getting RSI...

While we are on the subject of music, I shall be unveiling a special YouTube link on Monday - my debut single. Forget about the X-Factor winner... No, the real musical sensation for Christmas is yet to be revealed. Stay tuned readers, stay tuned....

Now, back to the business in hand. No, this girl was not crying because she'd just heard my contribution to popular music (it's not that bad). She's just feeling a bit blue at not being invited to Paint Party Friday. I've tried to explain that it wasn't for lack of invitation that she hasn't attended these past weeks or so, more just that I've not taken her as I've not been there myself. She wasn't really impressed with either explanation. Frankly I can't blame her. It is party season after all and who wants to be left at home alone?

So, I've told her to put her party frock on - we're going out on the town!

Dear Lisa

What did I do? What did I say? What can possibly be the reason for this wanton abandonment?

I thought we were friends, that you loved and cherished me. We used to talk for hours; shared secrets, hopes and dreams...

And now? Nothing for weeks. Just a handful of unfinished posts left languishing in drafts folder. What am I to think? Is this the end of a beautiful relationship? Is it Facebook? Have you left me for his community bonding and flippant posting?

Yours with abandonment,

Your Blog

***

Dear Blog

Get a grip. I just needed a break (and OK, I admit I've been flirting with Facebook). You know you can be very demanding at times. I'm a busy girl - places to go, people to see...

Stop your whining and I might post something tomorrow!

Lisa

I have been painting...

every day this month - just not writing much on the blog this week.

Here are some I prepared earlier:

Inktense pencils before they got wet

and after...

We remember

In memory of the fallen and those they left behind.

As my partner's son prepares to join the British Army next month, a heartfelt thanks for every service man and woman who choose to risk their lives for us every day.

Thank you.

What lies beneath

Six of my paintings actually. I mashed them up in PhotoShop and am rather chuffed with the result.

Interestingly the song "somebody that I used to know" is running round my head which feels appropriate.

I freakin love making art me.

This Art Every Day excuse is perfect! However, today we have guests for dinner which means I have to (temporarily) pack away my art studio so it can actually serve its intended purpose as dining table. I dunno... the things we have to do for family eh? I might keep some pencils out.. and a scrap or two of paper, just in case they ask for a demo or something...

Still life

Well it's hardly radical, but I have actually created a painting that doesn't involve faces!

I went at this without much planning, just loosely copying from a beautiful photograph in a book. It all stems from my 'letting go' phase. I just wanted to draw, so I did. I couldn't be doing with the hassle of making sure my ellipses were elliptically correct (or even spelt right!). I needed to see the colour run across the paper and so it did.

It's all Inktense pencils - lots of layers of dry then wet then dry then you get the idea.

I really love how this turned out, it's got an interesting energy to it. However, as soon as I tried to do another I found myself slipping back to the more structured approach and it lost all the fun.

I think sometimes I forget why I paint. Of course, it's lovely to end up with some wonderful artwork that might one day grace a wall in a fancy frame - even better if someone pays for the privilege, but really it's as much about the process of getting there as the end result. It should be fun and never a chore!

Right I'm off, busy day, must dash...

Sharing with the folk at Paint Party Friday and Art Every Day Month

Still

Well, it's been quite hectic not joining in with Art Every Day this month. So far, I've been painting, drawing, preparing backgrounds, experimenting and generally getting very paint splattered. It's amazing how sometimes we need to lift the pressure to set ourselves free.

Normally I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of girl. I'm a deadline thriver. Lately though, I knew I had to slow down and it has been really good for me.

The spark is glimmering that much more brightly and I feel a zing running through my batteries. The trick now will be to keep it there, fan the flames and harness all that warmth and energy in a healthy way - without getting burnt!

Now I know when I said I was experimenting, you might not think that these two ladies look much different to my usual style. The 'face on old book page' has become a bit of a signature of mine - in fact, it was Art Every Day Month this time last year that set me on this particular storyline in the first place.

Well, they are not the experimental results... you'll have to wait until tomorrow for those. I'm saving the best for Paint Party Friday!

There is a new richness in these ones anyway - achieved through my new-found fascination with the Derwent Inktense pencil.

Upside Down

I figured if I put the images in then the words might come; kind of an upside down approach. Have you turned your art around lately? Viewed from a different perspective? Go on... take a look...

You might be surprised by what you see. Stepping away from anything and shifting focus allows time for the mind to recompute.

But then again, sometimes, it's OK to go with first instincts, even if they do seem a bit strange...

Meet Angular, native of the Easter Islands

More samples of the art I'm not doing every day this month (see previous post!!)

A back to front approach

Created from a Kim Klassen Beyond Layers challenge using original photo by Kim which I've cropped, then added Kim's February Magic texture and a couple of photo filter layers.

I chose the quote from a selection I found on the theme of reflection and thought it fit perfectly.

Second post today and I'm still on a creative roll so will make the most of it!

Not joining in

I'm not joining in with Art Every Day Month* - that's what I'm telling myself... because you see I have been a bit guilty of overloading myself in recent weeks and so I'm not making any firm commitments....

What I am doing though, so far this month, is making art every day.... so I thought it would be churlish not to share... and also have a little peek at what others are doing too....

I just won't be blogging about it every day, because that would be another commitment... so don't expect to see me here every day.

There. I think I've covered myself now. Right I'm off to make more art (while mentally composing blog posts ready to share later....).

And here's some of the art I've not been making every day. It's a sketch for a larger painting I'm planning... and then I kept at it, threw some colour down then added a few layers in PhotoShop, just for good measure... And there's a floral doodle I played with last night too.

*Art Every Day Month is an annual event run by lovely Leah. I've been there the last two years... but as I said... I'm making no new commitments this year..... (tee hee..... just don't tell.....)

Collaborating

Back in the summer I was gifted (from Karen - I am Rushmore) a beautiful handmade journal with each page a unique opportunity to create more art and expand upon what was already there. Assorted ephemera, painted backgrounds, tags, textures ... all beckoned and invited me to come and play.

I was so excited - so much possibility... and yet...

So much opportunity to mess it up! The Muse went all shy, foolish thing. I tried reasoning with her. Doesn't she realise I just want her to be 'herself', my artist within that loves to create?

Well, it took some time, but I feel she's finally allowing her authenticity to flow through. This week we received back the Round Robin Art Journal that has been through the hands and creative thought of eight artists. I was blown away by the contents and you will be too - watch this space for once we each have our treasures back we'll be holding a blog party to share all that loveliness with the rest of our creative tribes in Blogland!

Taking part in this shared experience gave me the confidence that I wasn't going to 'ruin' Karen's book, and I am slowly adding my own layers, my story to sit alongside hers. I'm excited to see where this adventure will lead.

Thank you to all my artist friends who help me grow, push my boundaries and bring such joy and friendship!

Sharing this sketch over one of Karen's backgrounds today.I took the hard black line as the bridge of a nose and the rest just flowed from there...

A turnip for the books

A friend asked me to paint something as a Christmas gift for her husband. "Sure", I said. Then she warned me it was something a little out of the ordinary!

She had this idea in mind of depicting the pair of them as root vegetables - specifically turnips! They had to be snuggled up together and in love...

Ever one to grab a challenge, I grabbed its leafy tops, gave a jolly good yank and went for it!

I present my turnip couple, the perfect mash-up.

Who said romance had to be all hearts and flowers?

Sharing this piece with Paint Party Friday.

Food shortages

I have this recurring dream, well nightmare really, that the world has been hit by a zombie apocalypse. Few humans remain and those that do live under the radar of the predatory flesh eaters.

In my dreams I am pursued by hordes of these repulsive creatures, shambling towards me like a never-ending tidal wave of rotten flesh. Vacant eyes stare as they are propelled by just a primeval instinct to feed.

And how they feed – ripping into limbs, gorging without taste, smell, or indeed any other sensory pleasure. It’s pure savagery, like the proverbial fox among the chickens.

As creatures from horror go, they lack and little need any form of sophistication, intelligence or cunning. It’s all about the power of the pack, a very large and greedy pack. There’s no thrill in the chase, no sense of victory when you capture your quarry. It’s just mindless feeding for seemingly no purpose, after all it’s never really explained why the zombie must eat flesh. Will they all die when they run out of living creatures to provide their three meals a day?  Is it just an unnecessary compulsion? What's the point of zombies anyway?

And then there’s the issue of them destroying what few humans remain on the planet - that’s where I have a real issue. You see, I'm not particularly concerned about being eaten by the vile creatures myself… it’s more that I worry about what they’re doing to my food supply....

;)

Seriously, nobody ever thinks about how the poor vampires will manage during a zombie apocalypse do they?

[For the uninitiated, this devilishly handsome fellow above is the rather delicious Damon Salvatore. Mean n moody, but ever-so-sexy blood sucker from the Vampire Diaries. Obviously he shouldn't be confused with flesh-eating rotting Doris at the top of the page. She lurched her way out of my imagination and dragged herself onto the page dripping pus... nice....].


Vanessa, from A Fanciful Twist is having a Halloween Party. I like to pen a few words of fiction on these occasions. This is a little on the short side this year, but what it lacks in substance I hope it makes up for in drool-ability. And, if you have any zombie nightmares, here's hoping Damon Salvatore will be on hand to rescue you!

Mapping friendship

Doubly inspired - by both Orly Avineri's class and my beautiful friends on our round robin journal swap, I created this piece that maps our friendships. Layers of maps, letters, postage remnants and scraps from here and there* while the watchful eyes offer up the gateway to the soul.

Our round robin has wrapped eight friends together through art. Next stop on the journal's journey is the original owner, so I'm incredibly excited as I anticipate the arrival of mine back in the post any day now.

We have resolved to share all through a little blog party, so watch this space to share in the globe-trotting wonders.

While we're on the subject of parties - I'm sharing this with the Paint Party Friday revellers.



(*including one from Orly - or it might have been Teesha - it's the transparent piece over the right eye with the 4 on).

Zumba la Bumba (elephants can dance)

I think that in a former life I must have been Cuban and also possibly an elephant. You see, I have this total affinity and love for Latin music; it seeps through my veins and pulls me to my feet like some dark-haired King of Salsa in a sweaty nightclub.

My speakers rebound with the sensual passion of the Buena Vista Social Club and I dream of one day being able to play the Spanish classical guitar.

Unfortunately once I get onto the 'dance floor' (or more accurately the Zumba class studio), that's when the elephant makes its appearance. I just can't seem to coordinate arms and legs; my hips most certainly don't swivel or shimmy in a remotely sexy fashion and swarthy suitors back away with quick flip of their Cuban heel (or there would if there were actually any men in the class... I've been trying to persuade my twinkle toes to come along, but he's having none of it!).

There is a happy end to this tale though and it's not that elephants can do the Cha-Cha-Cha... You see the thing is, it doesn't really matter if I don't quite get the steps exactly perfect or that I constantly muddle my left with my right, front, back, up and down. No,  the point of going to a Zumba class is to have fun and work out to a spot of passionate music. If you sneak a look around the room, you'll notice that you're not the only one in a tangle or with a huge grin. In fact, forget elephants, there are giraffes, orang-outangs, ostriches (and OK, admittedly a few swans!).

If you've never tried ... you should!

Strange things are happening to me...

Peculiar things are happening in this neck of the woods. It's all rather baffling.

Firstly, time is playing tricks on me. My digital bedside clock keeps shifting the hours around as it feels like it. It alters both the time of day and my alarm settings so I'm oversleeping or getting up way too early.

Secondly, strangers are calling my mobile phone claiming to have a missed call from me - although I have made no calls. I've even contacted the provider to see if somehow my SIM card has been cloned.

And thirdly (for now.... who knows what's going to happen next....) I get this strange sensation down my left shoulder when I'm sitting at the computer. A tickling on the underside of my skin like someone is trying to tell me something...

If you can shed any light on any of these mysteries, then please send your answer on a postcard to the usual address!

(I love this photo image I created. You think you see something but is really what you mind is telling you? Look closer... I thought it went well with the subject matter!)

No vacancies?

Journal page from the heart

I am shamelessly stealing/borrowing this poetry from both Ange and Rumi. Written by the latter, I found it on the former's blog and it sang to me a tune of recognition.

This human being is a guest house. 

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Rumi

It has been a busy period in this particular 'guest house' - high season for visiting emotions. Some seem to have set up home, while others flit in and out with no regard for reservation or planning. When the Sorrows come to stay with naughty children Depression and Mope they are usually bent on taking over the place, filling every nook and cranny with their dreary moods. They are not the most profitable of house guests that's for sure as they leech productivity and cast a weariness over all in their path. They play mournful tunes and spend too much time in bed. How am I supposed to change the sheets when they are weighing them down?

Fortunately I do believe they are thinking about leaving. I dropped a few hints - like printing out their invoice and packing their suitcases and they sense a shift in my once subconscious welcoming attitude towards them. You see, I've had an enquiry from Joy and Gratitude. They are desperate for a visit and let's face it, who wouldn't open their doors to these moments of sunshine?

Grungetta

Spent many restorative hours yesterday painting and talking about art at my Art Spa for the Soul Workshop. It was a wonderful day and, given that I've been really down in the dumps lately, just what I needed for a bit of creative pep up.

Here's the piece I worked on - the result of a number of exercises mashed up together, lots of loose sketching and play

More about the workshop in a forthcoming post, just wanted to share this with my friends at Sunday Sketches.

Doodles on Doodles...

and whiskers on kittens...

Just playing in my journal and letting the paint take its own direction and map out the story.

This one speaks to me of adventures in Arabia.

When she arrives at Paint Party Friday she will have tales to tell of secrets in the sand, ancient treasures and mystic stones.

From the stars

Celeste, daughter of moon and sister of stars

The subconscious is a mighty powerful thing. Hiding at the back of my mind was the Stargazing theme for the Artists' Playroom weekly challenge. After I had scanned my original piece (below), the urge to play further took over and so out came the PhotoShop. Grabbing the first texture that caught my eye, suddenly Celeste was looking down on me from the stars and I had my entry.

Having a painting frenzy this evening, so no time to write. I have to go now, the colours are calling...

Whispering trees

I swear these trees were talking to each other. A very private conversation, because as soon as I whipped the camera out they fell shtum. A couple of regal ladies a little past their prime, they gossiped of summers past and tried not to notice each other's somewhat threadbare attire.

Meanwhile on the other side of the river, the oaks stood guard over the landscape and consulted the clouds about the weather.

A book with bite

If you loved Twilight but craved for the story and characters to be just that little bit more 'grown up' or you got rather frustrated with 50 Shades (no, not that kind of frustrated... more the kind where you fancied the touch of some actual plot that holds together or characters that you might actually enjoy spending time with), then you'll love this!



It's one of those books that found its way onto my Kindle. I've not really any idea how it got there. Perhaps the saucy cover picture caught my fancy while I was browsing the lists on Amazon or maybe it was free that week.

That's the trouble with Kindle I find. It's not quite the same as having a pile of coloured paperbacks waiting patiently for their turn to be read. I'll buy a book then promptly forget all about it. I'm a bit of a sucker for the freebies you can pick up every week so my home page tends to get clogged with The Complete Works of Shakespeare or anything that looks a bit steamy or opens the door to a fantasy realm filled with fae and vampires.

What is it with the sharp-toothed immortals that so captures our imaginations? This is a vampire romance with a heavy dose of adventure and intrigue thrown in among the fang fascination. Naturally the lead man is devilishly handsome and lucky for our heroine his 500 year existence doesn't show on his features - just his cultured mind.

The villain was born in the tradition of a Bond baddie (think lots of henchmen and a tendency to unveil his dastardly plans so he can revel in their glory, while giving the game away should the good guys live to fight another day).... but there's nothing wrong with a bit of Blofeld mixed in with your psycho Klaus (Vampire Diaries fans will know who I'm talking about!).

Anyway I have to go now. I've just finished Book 2 in the series and can't wait to get my teeth into the next one...

PS - Oldish drawing of mine which you may well remember.

An unusual vase

I was doing my homework. Not only is it a bit late - it's not even what was asked... But hey, this is the world of art and nobody really minds (I hope!).

These funky flowers were supposed to be in a vase, but Tahiti here wanted to carry them around with her all day so she stuck them in her hair and weaved a dress from the vines and blooms then danced around singing hippy songs and hugging trees (carefully, so as not to crush the petals).

I'm taking another class... Yeah, what can I say, I am a total art class junkie. This one is the Brave Girls Art School.

She started as a doodle but then I just kept going. The coloured pencils started taking an interest and before I knew it I had a whole sheet of paper covered in bright shades. She pretties up my mood. I like her.

It's nearly Sunday, so I'm going to post for Sunday Sketches.

Hair-raising

Hair-raising

I'm not too sure where I'm going with either of these pieces, they are just finding their own way.

They both began with pieces torn from magazines.

The hair-raising lady had her missing body parts drawn back in with a liberal dose of colour and imagination. She feels almost finished, though part of my sees a pencil sketch of something appearing through the blue background... What it might be is still floating around my right brain somewhere...

The second piece is sharing a story of a tender heart exposed, laid bare. I should point out that the 'Chinese' calligraphy is purely a product of my imagination - should it actually spell anything I would love to know! Imagine... my subconscious may be able to communicate in other languages... what a marvel that would be!

I may continue with these today or just leave until their stories more fully reveal themselves to me.

Sharing today with Paint Party Friday.

An open heart

Street Art

Girl with street light

 

I came across art in the street

It stretched before me

Covering pavement

It's out of proportion

But the artist did no wrong

The woman viewed the girl

Motionless

The lighting was perfect

Then the woman moved

The art was gone

Impermanent

Until the next shadow

 

And the day came...

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Anais Nin

I love watching a face take form on the canvas. This piece is a little topsy turvey in its approach though.

It began life as a full length Klimt-inspired Goddess, but I got annoyed by her wonky eyes and ridiculous hair so she disappeared under a layer or too of Gesso and I went to town with the mosaic patterning while I waited for inspiration to strike.

Finally, weeks later I am rewarded with this face as she takes shape from the layers of lives that have gone before. She seems to carry some wisdom in those eyes, which once again seem determined to be wonky... but there is plenty of time to fix that!

My beautiful business coach Leanne Flower shared this video with me and asked that it be my mantra for the month as I feel a shift within - shoots ready to grow and bloom...



Sharing this piece with the crew at Sunday Sketches where I have been absent for weeks - my apologies my lovely artist friends. I have missed you!

 

Also to confess I already missed a day's blogging for Blogtoberfest... Oops....