Support Our Troops - Red Fridays

This is just a little something I've been working on in my spare time. I find knitting very relaxing so while I drink my tea after supper I pick up something I have on the go (and I always have something on the go) Right now I have this scarf, a bag and another finer scarf in progress. It's something I can grab and take with me while I'm waiting at appointments or I need to wind down.

This one I made with 'Support Our Troops' in mind. We do wear red on Fridays here to show our support of our troops and I guess this is something small I can do to show them that we are thinking of them and Thanks.

It's a great thing they do.

WishCasting Wednesday - What step do you wish to take?

'Red Apple' coloured pencil by Sheila

WishCasting Wednesday

What step do I wish to take? Oh what step don't I wish to take, I feel some days I'm about to burst with things I want to do.

But first and foremost I wish to expand my Art career - take a BIG GIANT STEP forward to supporting myself with my art.

I absolutely love what I do and I hope all of you have the same happiness and balance in your life. Balance is difficult but if at the end of the day when you lay your head down you can say 'Wow that was an awesome day and I did my best' you know you can sleep well.

Face life one day at at time and enjoy every moment.

Beary Snowy

Here is yet another of my bear designs that I painted up yesterday, I enjoy painting these little guys very much. I think it's the thought of someone receiving one of these for the Holiday Season that makes them special for me. They are bright and cheery and I hope put a smile on someone's face.

It's hard these days, it seems, to send appropriate 'seasonal cards' as we all have our own beliefs but I think we can celebrate our winter time and all that comes with it.

It's too bad you can't see the shimmer that the H2O paints give these cards, it's quite lovely.

So here I go, back at it and loving every minute of it. Have a very beary lovely day.

Merry Beary, Beary Merry

Just another card I wanted to share with you that I've been working on for Christmas. I designed this bear a few years ago, along with the snowbuddies, but didn't do much with them. They are a lot of fun to create, I draw them with a black Sakura Micron Pigma pen and then hand paint them with Twinkling H2O watercolour paints. There will be more to come so keep checking in at the Shoppe.

Well I must get back to work...create, create, create...Wonderful.

ps Tim Holtz had a beautiful quote on his blog this morning...

'Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to give something back by becoming something more'

Very True.

A Well Deserved Break

('Dandy' photo by Sheila)

I've been working pretty hard these last few weeks, you know this is a busy time for a lot of us. I'm doing a lot of shows, teaching classes, keeping track of things at shops I have my prints at, finding new venues and My Etsy Shoppe and all that entails.

Some say 'Oh well, you've got it easy, you work from home'. Granted I am doing something I absolutley love and I thank the Lord everyday but I also work very hard and would never change it for anything. We artists have to work 3 times as hard as most to acheive greatness but when you believe in yourself (and we all have our moments of doubt) you forge ahead because you know deep down that this is the path that has been laid out for you.

Follow your path, you know you're only happy when you're there in the middle of it all, knee deep in frustration and balance but remember it's the journey we're on that's important and I've met so many wonderful flowers along my path.

Wish Casting Wednesday - What Do You Wish To Embrace?

'Chick-a-dee' graphite

If you take the word literally I wish to embrace my family and friends, they are the most important to me. I think we could all 'embrace' our special ones with a hug and tell them that we love them.

I wish to reach out to friends and offer my best energy in support (as we all need positive karma in our lives).

I wish to embrace career opportunities as they arise, be open to things that I am unsure of and think too much about.

I embrace you, my fellow bloggers, thanks for all your positive support and may you have great big hugs in your life.

Wishcasting Wednesday

A Few Things You Might Not Know

(this is my Aunt Mary, Aunt Charlotte and Mom, Tesia)

circa 1932

5 things you may not know about me.

1. I sucked my thumb as a child so I wore braces for two years in my teens.
2. I love liver and onions (my honey makes the best).
3. I've been crushing on Paul McCartney since I was 8.
4. I really want to own a 1965 Mustang. (colour doesn't matter)
5. I was born on my paternal Grandmother's birthday and my maternal Grandfather's birthday.

Getting to know someone is a strange and wonderous thing, we are social creatures yet are apprehensive to open up and let people in, become vulnerable. You know it's worth while taking the time to listen to the soul sing, this song is the true essence of a person...you can hear it if you open your heart and are willing to trust.

Snow Buddy

I've been playing with a different medium these days (it's good to change it up every now and then) I love to send handmade cards at Christmas to family and friends so this is one of this years card set.

(you can find these at my Etsy Shoppe).

I draw the image with a Sakura Micron Pigma black pen then hand colour with Twinkling H2O Luminarte watercolour paints. These paints are awesome as they give a little subtle shimmer to your Art work (a perfect effect for these cards) I use 140lb coldpress watercolour paper as I wanted a good weight.

I know there's a big push to 'save trees' and so on and I support the 3R's totally but it sure is nice to recieve a hand written card that you know someone has taken the time to pick for you, write in it and send. It's about taking time to appreciate one another, letting your lovelies know they mean a great deal to you.

People are gone too quickly from our lives, let them know you're thinking of them.

Wishcasting Wednesday - What do you wish to dare?

(coloured pencil drawing of mine called 'Munster Sunlfower')

Wow, what do I wish to dare? It can be very scary to dare. I did dare to open my Etsy Shoppe two weeks ago, it felt really good to accomplish things I've put on my 'list'

I dare to not be intimidated to ask shops to host my drawings - not to fear rejection. That's a big one for me and for a lot of artists I think.

I dare to think BIGGER for my Art career, learn how to trust my instincts.

I keep a list in my art journal of things I want & need to accomplish. It is extremely satisfying and empowering to physically cross that deed off said list. I think when you put it down in writing it holds you more accountable, you've made it official and it's a reminder of what is important to you.

You could start your 'list' today, believe me you'll feel good that you did.

Wish Casting Wednesday

ps I would like to thank all those who have fought and are still fighting for the freedom of all people.

Palette Swatches

Sometimes it's a little hard to get going, especially on a Monday (hazelnut/vanilla coffee helps) Here are a few things that work for me and I hope they'll work for you, it's worth a try.

I recently, and that is relative, bought some new LuminArte watercolour paints (they are so cute in their little pots) and decided it was time to start to explore. Making swatches of paint groupings is a great way to stimulate your passion, you learn a little about their properties and intensity. Unlike standard watercolours these paints have a subtle shimmer to them which add a unique 'glow'. I use these swatches for later works to decide on shades I think will work for a particular piece. Just applying the colour and watching the hues illuminate fuels the creative flow.

Another good exercise is making gradient swatches, starting with intense colour then gradually add more water to each application. I keep the swatches in a reference journal which is also helpful when you decide to purchase more, which is inevitable.

Do you remember getting new watercolour paint tins as a kid? I just couldn't wait to get my brush into them to see what they could do. Use that same innocence. Explore today like a child, it's good for the soul and a lot of fun.

These Boots

Starting a new project well I equate that to buying new boots, a totally exhilarating experience. I imagine it's like hunting. You head out to known areas where they've been spotted, do a little tracking, look at the different species available then make your kill. A new project has that same energy, it's the process that's the most fun for me. Picking paper then size, choosing a medium then palette, a subject then mood...Oooooooo!

Never let anyone tell you what you do isn't important. You're making something beautiful to add to the beauty of our existence...it's what's important to you that matters.

(I am thankful today for my gal pals, they understand the real me) I hope you have that in your life...I wish it for you.

Wishcasting Wednesday

I've just discovered Jamie Ridler Studios (thanks Laura Daub) and I like her thinking. There's a lot we haven't discovered yet about ourselves, she makes us think in the right direction.

My Wish for myself...well where do I start? This week my wish will be I would love new success with my Art (recognition and prosperity)

We all work so hard to find our way in the world, a little help now and then would sure be a wondrous thing. I know I'm surrounded by love, I can feel it across my shoulders, like a big hug, a low voice telling me 'you're on the right track'. To see it all come to fruition...it's the one goal that seems just out of reach.

Make BIG wishes for yourself...the universe is listening...always.