Around town.

Shot this at a stop light near the Ronald McDonald house in Orlando with my iPhone. I love trees.

Rainy day play

Balancing

Oil pastel on paper

A rainy day--a perfect excuse for lounging around the art studio, playing with materials and seeing what happens. This oil pastel abstract was my morning warm-up. I'm looking forward to heading off to the art store this weekend and picking up some more colors. I love smearing them around with my fingers and trying different layering combinations.

I've got a new chocolate chip cookie recipe baking in the oven, one made with spelt flour. I've taste tested one already, and they are quite lovely... light and buttery. The only thing is, they are on the flat and crispy side of the cookie scale. ;) Hmmmm. I may need to tweak the ingredients a bit. The recipe called for baking powder, not baking soda. I'm no expert; I just followed the Arrow Mills spelt cookie recipe on the side of the bag. Maybe I can find additional information about spelt cookie options on the Internet. I'm sure they will get eaten today during tea time. I'm not worried.  :)))

An organized art space=joy.

An organized art space=joy., originally uploaded by studio318.

These are a few of my favorite things... ;)

Birds Collage

birds collage2, originally uploaded by studio318.

I worked on a quick watercolor, ink, and found paper collage this afternoon--just for play. I used an old National Geographic magazine, selecting graphics from the one issue that seemed to have similar color qualities. Then I sketched around them, adding color with the watercolors. Totally relaxing. Now off to cook some dinner! :)

Flagler Avenue Beach Day

Flagler Beach Day, originally uploaded by studio318.

A delicious day at the beach, the colors... the soothing sounds, and the warm sun--these experiences needed a space of honor in the art journal. ;) Sketched with pen (the fine-tipped Sharpie pen) with watercolors from my travel palette.

For a little "ink bleed" (just love a little "runny" look sometimes), I used the Pilot V-5 pen. It runs just enough to give a watery edge to things. I use it selectively, and it does the job of adding some shadows here and there. I never quite do a layout the exact same way; it's good to change it up some. This time I used the small frames, but in the end, I had to add the elements floating in the background as well. They added more interest and depth of composition I believe.

Okay, off to have a morning run! Have a great art day friends! :)

New Smyrna

Spent Saturday with Jeff enjoying the beautiful weather at New Smyrna beach. The weather was perfect for taking photos, sketching, daydreaming, and strolling through the tiny shoppes--so very relaxing. Good for the soul.

Something about the sea air that makes everything seem so alive, so full of joy!

Breathing. Space. Sun. Energy. Life is good.

Mixed media collage

Bird and Bee

mixed media collage

I was lucky to have stumbled upon Tina Marohn's website this morning. I had just finished working on my second collage (see above) and was trying to figure out if I "liked" my latest creation.  Tina's post about the inner critic got me thinking about how harsh we artists are on ourselves and towards our work. My response to her was this...

"Ah, yes, indeed--those days when we can't find it in our own hearts to "like" our own work, ourselves, or our unique, and necessary journey. It's a struggle to be a creative--not knowing when the muse will decide to turn inward and go on attack mode. You are not alone; we all go there because "not creating" isn't an option. Keep painting my friend. There are visions that need to be born."

Yes, surely we will go there. Art is in our souls. Go visit her site--she has some wonderful images there. Namaste.

Which journal?

Why so many journals? I guess it is the result of my endless quest for the perfect journal. Now to defend myself, there ARE differences that make it totally necessary to purchase a new, empty, waiting-to-be-decorated art journal--and the main issue is that you never know what kind of paper you will be in the mood for. Some days are vellum finish days, and other days are cold press watercolor days. Variety and choices. Yes indeed... so very me. ;)

Experimental collage

Experimental collage, originally uploaded by studio318.

Faded images of a garden. Some specimens survived, some did not. A collage of found papers with acrylic, colored pencil, and charcoal. Measures approximately 5 x 7 inches on watercolor paper.

I find these small collages to be very rewarding. They serve as a creative warmup--a time to play with color, and a means to explore patterns and line. Small works have always appealed to me. The challenge is to keep enough information included, yet leave open space for the imagination to move in and out of--the added bonus is that the work can feel complete in a relatively shorter amount of time than the larger canvas projects.

When the dark night delivers the day.

When the dark night delivers the day., originally uploaded by studio318.

Still experimenting with oil pastels in my sketchbooks. I like how the chunky crayons force me to think in larger graphic shapes.

Morning warmup.

Morning warmup., originally uploaded by studio318.

I really need to work on some watercolor flowers today for an upcoming interior decor show, but I needed a quick oil pastel moment. :) I've challenged myself to use up some older, inexpensive oil pastels that have been hanging around in the studio. I'm enjoying them so much, that it may be time to invest in some good quality sticks. A visit to the art store is always a good day. :)

It's not easy being green.

I found this old watercolor spiral journal that had entries in it from 2006 and after perusing the pages, I considered some of my odd color choices in a few of the landscape sketches. They just didn't appeal to me any longer. My reaction was to take the portable watercolor palette and create a more encompassing color choice grid to put my mind at ease. I seriously wondered where my creative sensibility was in 2006.

I guess I can consider it artistic growth, change, maturity--a new outlook about color and color temperature. I suppose we artists all change as the years come and go, picking up new favorite shades and finding others passe´ and unappealing. It's something to think about--how colors reflect our times. Have an artful day everyone!

Studying the colors of Diebenkorn.

Studying the colors of Diebenkorn., originally uploaded by studio318.

Studying the colors of Diebenkorn.

Studying the colors of Diebenkorn., originally uploaded by studio318.

Secrets of yesterday

Just a quick sketch with ink in a cheapo sketchbook that I think came with a cool satchel art studio thing (ya, know... one of those bargain gotta have gizmos that you find on the clearance shelf in Michaels). Anyway, I did about 5 sketches in this questionable quality sketchbook, and of course the book started to fall apart. Murphy's Law. I should know better. I took the pages and taped them into a better sketchbook with artist tape. Yes, I threw out the faulty book. The paper quality was very "sketchy"... pardon the pun. LOL Have a great day! 

A nice sunny spot on the porch for journaling.

Detail of sketch.

Detail of sketch., originally uploaded by studio318.

Here's a detail of the experiment as described below. Somehow this all came together. No pencil sketch, no plan, no real vision. I just put pen to paper and let it evolve. I like how these moments just happen. ;)

Captured by your beauty and light.

Captured by your beauty and light., originally uploaded by studio318.

I found a cheap journal that I got for free and just had to try out the paper. I don't know what it is about journals, but I keep thinking I will find the perfect one. I know... the never-ending quest. :)

This was my experiment page, and although the paper is not well-suited to a lot of abuse, pen and ink with a gentle watercolor wash looked quite nice. Let's see... that makes journal number ??????

On the desk.

On the desk., originally uploaded by studio318.

Tools I love... Pens--pens of all kinds and colors. My emerald green glass pencil sharpener. Art journals. Art supplies are my weakness.

Couldn't sleep, so I ended up playing with my Sharpie. :)

Couldn't sleep, so I ended up playing with my Sharpie. :), originally uploaded by studio318.

Why is it that when I cannot sleep due to a sinus headache, I end up making detailed artwork in the wee hours of the morning? It happens a lot. I think there is some weird connection between headaches and creativity! Making art didn't get rid of the headache, but at least I was productive. :)

Memories of Autumn.

Memories of Autumn., originally uploaded by studio318.

We Floridians don't really experience an autumn. But I do have memories of another time and place.

Mixed media drawing

Mixed media drawing, originally uploaded by studio318.

I pulled out some old oil pastels yesterday; it felt good to smear the colors with my finger. Tactile art. ;)

Collage escape...

Collage escape, originally uploaded by studio318.

It isn't always easy. Try opening. Hello tomorrow.

Found papers, ink, gouache, and colored pencil in my small Mead spiral art journal. Words used to be easy; now I'm gluing and painting the thoughts instead. It works better for now.

Notebook warmups

Notebook warmups, originally uploaded by studio318.

Keeping it simple, pure and uncomplicated. It works for me in most areas, painting... life in general. Why make it a more difficult journey?

2012

Bring on 2012!!!!! Life is so good. Hope everyone has a healthy and joyous new year. Peace!

New Year!

This is how we spent New Year's Eve. Awesome-ness.