It's all in the Attitude. . .

I picked up this great quote during one of my recent visits to Pinterest.  It is an outlook that I am fervently trying to cultivate. 

For example - gaze upon this amazing photo of my 13-year old son.  He has been endlessly fascinated by the styrofoam heads at Hobby Lobby forever.  While some might find his craft store antics to be an ordeal, I embraced the spirit of adventure and snapped his pic!  BTW - he reminded me several times that he will be that height very soon. . .

Lori Barnett posted a card with rays today that inspired me to try the technique.  She has a much fancier cutting board than me and I have less patience so taping off sections with Frog Tape (found in the painting section of your hardware store) and quickly painting worked for me.

My foolproof method for protecting my mat wasn't so foolproof - I still managed to get paint on it.  Doodled, cut out and glued a flower and called it a day.  I really gravitate toward clean graphic lines - love this look. 

Linking to Paint Party Friday

and Art Journal Every Day

Cranky gouache. . .

That's what people do who love you.  

They put their arms around you and love you 

when you're not too lovable."      - Deb Caletti

Tried painting with gouache today - not easy - I'm sure there must be a technique to it but I sure don't know what it is right now.  It seemed to be fighting me - cranky gouache! 

Linking to Art Journal Every Day,

Friday Sketches and

Paint Party Friday

Feather

Do you paint backgrounds in your art journal ahead of time?  Most mixed media artists advise it - that way the white page isn't so daunting when you sit down to create. 

Recently I had a desire but not much time or inspiration so I watercolored several pages in my current journal.  Adding salt while it dries adds a fun texture.   

I'd never drawn a feather before and was thrilled that it turned out as well as it did.  Part of me wishes I had left it well enough alone (I say that pretty often) but in the moment I felt yellow ochre in my feather painting.  Glad I captured a pic before I added that part though. . . 

Linking to Sunday Sketches and

Creative Every Day