A New Month - A New Challenge

I didn't think it would be a challenge but was I ever wrong!

Yesterday I did a mini workshop on card making with paper flowers and quilling for the Creston TAPS group. TAPS is Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors and it is a great organization to help get seniors out of their homes and active. For the last few years they have had a program where elementary school students join the seniors for some of their events and yesterday was one of those times.

I thought I was prepared! I had a variety of flower parts in various colors cut out and some extras, like butterflies, hearts and stars.

I had some of my painted papers available for those who wanted to use them.

I had blank cards, quilling paper, glue, paper-towels, scissors and everything I could think of that we would need. I also had a number of my own finished cards to show people what they could accomplish.

The lady who asked me to do the workshop told me there would probably be 6 adults and some students participating in the 'art project'. I figured one student for every adult to help and to share - no problem!

Was I ever wrong! A whole classroom of students arrived, happy and noisy, many of them determined to get in on the art. All of a sudden, instead of the twelve I expected, I had closer to twenty people sitting at the art tables. I was definitely overwhelmed. Fortunately, 3 ladies were there to help or I would have possibly committed some serious offences; swearing, screaming or crying to name a few. At any rate, for an hour and 15 minutes I bounced from table to table, side to side, constantly talking, demonstrating, helping and making suggestions. I was so focused on the card making that I didn't even have time to take photos.

I will try to do better in 2 weeks when I do a mini workshop about 'drawing one of the places we lived' using alphabet art.

2016 Day 2

Am I every glad I did a bit of work last week when I had some time, because I certainly haven't had time to paint today! I spent most of the morning at the Creston Public Library setting up a new art display and then part of the afternoon my husband and I were down in the crawl space under the living room checking and fixing insulation. We are always trying hard to become more energy efficient.

At any rate, last week I spent some time in my studio cleaning up and  I found some interesting pages in an old book I have been using as a palette. I have never been one to let 'interesting' go to waste so...

Book Art #8 With Flowers

 I stuck a page from the book onto a white painted gallery wrap canvas, added some of my paper flowers and Quilling paper and voilà - a finished painting!

I hope that I get some time tomorrow and some inspiration so that I can really get into the spirit of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge.

The Year's Review

I keep a record of all the art I create and at the end of every year I update my file on the computer. This gives me a good overview of what I have accomplished and it gives me an idea of my income for the year.

I started the year with a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge and used the time to improve my skill at Oriental Brush Painting.

I switched gears and, after taking a card making class featuring flowers, I started making cards. I taught myself quilling (thanks Youtube) using my own painted papers and added that and some of my own drawings to the cards I made. I even put together some 'Color Me' cards to sell.

As well as learning new things (and, I have to be honest, playing), I was also busy organizing some art displays as a volunteer with the local Arts Council.

Art in the Chamber

Creston is lucky to have two great venues where artists can display and sell their work. For 2016 we will have four 3 month long displays instead of six 2 month displays as we have had in the past.

From January until October I am also busy with my garden flowers; starting bedding plants, transplanting, watering and pruning, planting out, watering and dead-heading, harvesting seed and finally clearing everything up before winter. And, of course, continuing to create.

The Protector

I did a color painting challenge in the spring and followed that with the September 30 paintings challenge, this time focusing on doing pen & ink cards.

Lighthouse card

I used many of the cards in lieu of Christmas cards this year adding one of my crocheted ornaments as a nod to the season.

Altogether I painted around 75 pieces this year plus the cards (around 50), plus the quilled critters (about 80).

Quilled Critter

 I have opened a store at Handmade at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/handmade/Mellowood-Studio?ref=hnd_dp_smp
I have displayed my art in a number of shows and venues, participated in a self-guided art tour, and taught art to some beginner artists. All in all it has been a busy and moderately successful year. While I will not likely ever make enough money with my art to do much more than pay for my supplies, I will continue to ply my brushes and other tools, learning and playing as each new year unfolds.

Happy New Year everyone and thanks for checking in!

September Challenge Day 20

One of the advantages of adding watercolor to pen & ink is that you don' t have to be as detailed with the pen work.

Campanula

The pen work on this card is pretty minor, almost more outline than detailed. Most of the shading is done with the paints but the two together makes for a nice delicate look.

Only 10 more days in the challenge and I am thinking of working toward something a little more impressive for my final pieces. I figure I should use the practice that I have been doing for more than cards but I will have to wait and see how things go.

Don’t forget to check out some of the other art in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge -http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.ca/2015/09/thirty-paintings-in-30-days-day-twenty.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/PzFQn+%28Slices+of+Life%29

I Really Should be PAINTING!

Tourist season is fast approaching and I am going to be exhibiting my art in a couple of venues over the summer and early fall, so I should have some new work to show. Also, my home gallery is going to be part of a self-guided art tour and I should have some new art available at home too.

BUT, I am having too much fun playing with cards to want to paint.

I made a couple of birthday cards for two of the cat-lovers in my life: my friend Linda and my daughter, Susan.

 I did a few pen & ink drawings of cats, added some watercolor and then used paper flowers and quilling to finish. I made one extra and added one of my crocheted butterflies.

For something a little different, I made a card using designs from my "Decorative Papercutting" book and added some paper flowers that were brightened with some silver gel pen.

As I quite liked the cards with the cats, I looked through my sketches to see what I had that would work the same way. The sketches become pen & ink drawings that will be painted and incorporated into more cards.

Hopefully, some of these cards will sell and I won't feel too bad about not painting more. The creative urge can be satisfied many ways - painting is just one of those ways!

On to New Challenges!

The winter months of each new year have always been a time for me to try new things. In the past I have taken workshops by talented local artists (http://windinnart.blogspot.ca/ andhttp://www.artfoamies.com/ to name two) but this year I am going to teach myself. And that is the challenge!

I have already worked on Oriental Style painting: now I am moving on to Paper Quilling and Anime.

Valentine Card

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I decided to try my hand at a few cards. I have used my own painted paper for the hearts, some of the quills, and the leaves. 

Valentine Card #2

I will have to practice taking photos of my quilling work to find a way to show it off to better advantage. I think the cards look much better in person!

 I don't know if I will incorporate this skill in my regular art but It has definite possibilities for mixed media. Whether I use quilling just to make cards and to play or whether I add it to paintings, I figure all knowledge is useful - if only to keep the mind alive!