While pursuing good physical fitness was certainly admirable, the effects of seeing things "that can't be unseen" was taking its toll. . .
(yup, another instance where I've cracked myself up!! LOL)
Linking to Sunday Sketches,
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Illustration Friday - RESCUE
"Humor does not rescue us from unhappiness but enables us to move back from it a little." - Mason Cooley
Ever since Aimee Dodich (artsyville.blogspot.com) did what she called a "teardrop chop and plop" (hee hee), I've been meaning to make some droplets from my pretty junk papers.
Wanna see some of my favorite "secret weapons"? That crepe tape (found near the drafting section at Hobby Lobby) is a perfect way to add graphic detail without the headache of attempting a straight line with a pen/marker and a ruler. Since it is made from paper you can tear it without using scissors (like washi tape). Another handy trick is to type your sentiment/quote in Word with a fun font and then cut and paste into your art journal. This font is called IMPACT LABEL (through dafont.com) and is free for personal use. Be careful, once you get inside that site it is hard to free yourself - kinda like quicksand - the BEST quicksand ever!!
Linking to Art Journal Every Day,
Paper Saturday, and
Sunday, August 25, 2013
What not to do with gold leafing. . .
So I was making this red-haired girl with the purple background when I had a conversation with myself,
ME - "Self, What would be a good embellishment or technique to finish off this page?"
MYSELF - "I know - Gold leafing!! So shiny and fun - also unexpected!"
Me - "Self!! I knew I could count on you for a great idea. . ."
Loved the look that the shimmery gold leafing added! As usual I sprayed a sealant on my page to protect the water soluble pencils/crayons. NO!!! Bad choice!! Dulled my beautiful gold leaf down to blech!! Learn from my mistakes, grasshopper!!
Linking to Sunday Sketches,
Thursday, August 22, 2013
The Introvert
A Facebook Friend posted a link today to an interesting article - "23 Signs You're Secretly an Introvert". While I can appear to be outgoing, I definitely have hermit tendencies. Between my job at work and my job as wife/mother I am outside of the house daily running errands, etc. That makes my "alone" time that much more precious to me. I guard it zealously - if I can bank on some alone time then I can schedule in other activities - if other activities preclude alone time I become unhappy. My brother is the complete polar opposite of me - the more the merrier for him - he loves being in "the thick of things" at all times. Where in the spectrum do you land? Introvert or Extrovert?
Check out that cool yellow label - came inside a calligraphy pen I ordered filled with India Ink - will not smear - Love it!! I'm going to have to order more with different sized nibs!
Linking to Paint Party Friday,
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Illustration Friday - POWER
The topic at Illustration Friday this week is POWER. As an avid reader I can testify to the power of the written word. When a book or character stays alive within you once the story is finished you've experienced the power of a well-spun tale.
I've always been a great admirer of authors - their imaginations, the ability to create and populate entire worlds and to make it believable to the reader - believable to the point that we cry at the demise or misfortune that a favorite character encounters.
Do you find literature powerful??
Linking to Sunday Sketches,
Thursday, August 15, 2013
The Housewife. . .
This gal with the slightly crazed and glazed look about her eyes reminds me of those stereotypical 1950s housewives - the ones who were the cook, the maid, the loyal wife - all while impeccably dressed and made up - any time of the day or night.
I will admit that I have a few tendencies in that direction - There is never a day that the bed isn't made. I get dressed down to my shoes with hair/makeup even if I'm not leaving the house and I sweep/dust most every day.
One way that I am NOT even close to the stereotypical housewife is in the cooking department - I am not a fan of cooking although I have a great affinity for eating. I love watching cooking shows, especially the competitive ones. The issue I have with cooking is all the time and preparation that is involved for something that gets eaten within a few minutes and then I get to clean up - sigh. . . Do you love to cook?
Linking to Paint Party Friday,
Paper Saturday
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Illustration Friday - FRESH
"It will probably be a long time before men can make anything that is quite as good for you as real sunshine and fresh air."
- The Healthy Life Series, 1940
This week's prompt at Illustration Friday is FRESH. Thought I'd veer away from the girls for a little something different.
I've started a new art journal in an old book - Kim is a huge fan of ephemera and old things and started me on my own love of crusty items that could use some more love.
It is easy to turn an old book into an art journal by simply gluing several pages together with a glue stick and then coating with gesso. Now that it is back to school time you can pick up gobs of gluesticks at bargain prices.
This book can sit on the shelf and no one is the wiser as to its true contents unless I want to share with them. Despite the fact that I share on this blog I am actually very reticent to show my stuff to the people in my everyday life (except for my immediate family) and very few people even know that I dabble in paint regularly.
Linking to
Creative Every Day, and
Friday, August 9, 2013
A visit to the dentist. . .
Despite the kind words from her D.M.D. she was still grateful that the visit was over.
How about some fun dentistry facts:
1) The natural bristles of early toothbrushes were taken from the necks and shoulder of swine, especially pigs living in colder climates like Siberia and China.
2) The first nylon bristles were introduced in 1939 and soon replaced natural swine bristles.
3) The electric toothbrush was first introduced in 1939.
Wanted to try something different with this girl - added lots of paint colors at one time - not sure if I like it or not - I think I may have liked the sketch better before it was colored.
Linking to Paint Party Friday,
Paper Saturday
Sunday, August 4, 2013
LAPIN the Rabbit Girl
It was useless trying to resist. Lapin simply had to hop up and take a nibble each time she passed a salad bar.
The topic at Illustration Friday this week is HYBRID. Hence, we have on display for your viewing today a strange girl/lop rabbit combo.
In retrospect I should have moved her nose/mouth further down on her face.
It's not every day that I attempt to paint a weird animal/human creature.
She kinda looks more like a dog than a rabbit. . .
Linking to Sunday Sketches,
Creative Every Day, and
Thursday, August 1, 2013
The bookworm attends a party. . .
She knew it was going to be a long night when what she was looking forward to was snuggling in bed with her book. . .
Do you love to read? I do - I've been a big reader ever since I was a little girl. I used to walk to the library when I was around 9 with my best friend and come home with so many books. A super exciting day for me would be when my newest Nancy Drew book club selection would arrive in the mail - whoo hoo!
One of the best gifts I ever received was a bound set of Louisa May Alcott books from my grandmother - I read those books so many times when I was young.
I don't have as much time to read as I used to and I rarely read "paper" books any more. Digital books checked out from the library fill my phone now. That way I can read in the middle of the night without waking my husband if I need to.
He calls me "Ninja Reader" because there are mornings that he thinks that I am asleep because I am so still and quiet but really I am in another world because I am reading.
Linking to Art Journal Every Day,
Artists in Blogland, and
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