fever painting

I woke up with a sore throat and fever today, but somehow I was still inspired to work on small format abstracts. It kept my mind busy. I must admit though, I'm dragging now. Ugh. I think it's time to wash up the brushes and call it a day----"There's always tomorrow, for dreams to come true!" LOL Now I'll have that Rudolph song in my head all night!!!!! :)

frogs!

While I was going through my art portfolio, I found a group of watercolors I did some years back. I thought it was a bit ironic that this summer I have had the most challenging time with frogs singing loudly throughout the evening outside of our bedroom sliders--the little buggers keep waking me up! Well, I guess I still think they are cute, as long as they pick someplace else to sing! :)

collage and monotone

Good morning! Working in the studio today, finishing up an abstract series of small canvases to bring with me to the Ivanhoe Art Stroll this Friday. I enjoy working in a smaller format, and this venue seems like a perfect place to bring mini works! I already have a collection filled with vibrant color themes, but I wanted to paint in a more monochromatic this week--trying to achieve a more subtle balance, but always with my music theme and calligraphic finishes for the final touch. And black. Of course... always black! Okay, busy day ahead... must get back to work. :)

follow your heart

I managed to concentrate on drafting my 1500+ word anthropology critical analysis essay this morning, so I've treated myself to a cup of tea and some time on the internet visiting some new artists' blogs. It is nice to have the writing pressure off and a few minutes to bask in the creative zone. I have a few journal entries that I'm trying to photograph or scan, and get uploaded. This one was a loose abstract experiment based on a random charcoal scribble that I ended up adding color to with water soluble crayons and gouache. The right-hand side evolved later, as did the quote... nothing is related--just ideas bumping into each other and inspiring words that I don't want to forget.

remarquable

I'm not sure there is anything more joyful to a sketchbook junkie than a 40% off coupon at the art store and a new mixed media sketchbook on the shelf! Yes, I caved. Canson Mix Media XL series. It had to become mine! So, I gave this first page as much abuse as I could... rubbing charcoal into wet paint, glue, gouache, layers of collage, ink, etc. The page buckled slightly, and I think I'll know more about how I like the final results after I work on the backside of this first page. Tonight I'm going to the symphony to experience Mahler No. 2 performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, so that means I'll have to check out either a new top or new shoes, all depending on what I ultimately decide to wear. That means a trip out to the stores, and I suppose that means there will be no art experimentation until tomorrow afternoon. My husband has decided to come along for the shopping project. Hmmm. Poor man! LOL :)

destiny shadows

destiny shadows

gouache, charcoal, collage and graphite in my large moleskine

musical memories

destiny shadows

fleeting time

marks on the soul

enlightenment

I stumbled upon this wonderful Chinese proverb yesterday while I was working on my "enlightened" spread. "Tension is who you think you should be, relaxation is who you are."

Definitely a good verbal match for the coffee/tea visual theme that I began. I ended up sketching my favorite floral coffee mug to go with the collage--a cup I use daily in the afternoon during "coffee" break. The simple, muted colors of this spread seem to evoke a spirit of relaxation. Simplicity. Beauty. Peace. Yes, I'll drink to that!

making bookmarks

abstract bookmarks

I needed something simple and fun to release some creative energy this afternoon, so I used up some scraps of paper I had lying around and made colorful bookmarks for us. Nothing fancy, just some paint, charcoal, and some collaged music papers sealed with an acrylic glaze.

dream box

dream box

Pen and ink with colored pencil... can't say that I have much commentary on this--just one of those "this is what came out" moments. I'll leave it at that.

composition notebook collage

I still have some pages left in the composition notebook to use up, (my third in the series), two of them were already collaged and prepped with paints and ephemera. I am finding some time here and there to add words to describe the last few days as I juggle the grad course and get used to Caitlin being away. Some days I just don't feel like writing it all down though. Words often just get trapped inside and don't feel like coming out to be recognized.

I may just switch back to the moleskine and practice drawing things around me, leaving the journaling for another day. I finally finished reading Madame Bovary a few days ago and just got back to the library last night to pick up another classic. I am looking forward to beginning Great Expectations this afternoon with a cup of tea. There is always anthropology to read now that I'm into this grad course, but I've spent most of my morning setting up an annotated bibliography and making several entries, so I think I can sneak in a few hours of leisure reading.

more drawing time

Apparently I needed more sketching time, so I spent the last hour using graphite, colored pencils, and watercolors to capture a bit of autumn in my journal. I guess I should do some grad school reading--but first, a hot cup of green tea.

afternoon art

So I was successful in allowing myself some afternoon time with my art supplies and notebook yesterday as planned. I enjoyed hanging out in the living room listening to music and playing in the sketch journal. It felt nice to take a break from the graduate studies, and I'm going to set up some tough boundaries to protect my art moments from the reading and writing that seems to take over if I am not careful.

time balance

I'm currently taking a graduate class in cultural anthropology, and even though I promised myself I would not let my art time suffer, I can see that I am no better at balancing the creative with the intellectual than I was in the past. It is 2:10 pm, and I have promised myself some fun in the art studio this afternoon as a reward for being so dedicated this morning. Hopefully I can switch gears and enter the world of visual creativity. Maybe I need a cup of tea to help me ease into the relaxing studio mode. :)