sea.sky.stone.

Dragonfly and Iris

2012-02-27T11:52:00.000-06:00

I've been away for the past week and a half enjoying a little travel and time with family. I took a simple art kit with me--watercolors, pencils, paper--but then spent all of the artsy time I had playing around with more digital painting on my iPad.

"Untitled" using ArtRage app on iPad

Some of you may remember Valentina from a previous post--well, this is her big sister. Sis has no name yet...any ideas?

It feels like cheating a little, but I re-used the face that I had painted for Valentina and changed the mouth, eye color, and hair. And added ears and earrings. That's one of the things I do enjoy about digital--the ease with which you can recycle bits and pieces.

I also doodled a dragonfly (or is it a butterfly?) inspired by the circles I painted for the Doodles Unleashed workshop last month. I could do this for hours--I can say firsthand that it's a great airport time "waster".

"Dragonfly Doodle" using ArtRage app on iPad

Here's what I want to tackle next...FLORALS. Wish me luck! I may start with this pretty that I saw while I was gone:

...and with that, I just came up with big sister's name.

Iris :)

I'm off now to visit around and see what you've all been up to. In case I don't make it to everyone's blog, I wanted to say thank you for all of the wonderful comments I had on my last post. It was such fun reading them all--you guys are the best!

Art Journal: Star-shaped Window

2012-02-17T10:01:00.000-06:00

"Star-shaped Window" / 5"x7" / acrylics, watercolor pencils, gesso, Gelly Roll pen

This page was a challenge from start to finish--I loved it, I hated it, I loved it, I hated it. I actually abandoned it several times this week, before deciding today to finish it for better or worse.

But..."She began to dream thru a star-shaped window"?

I have no idea what that means. As I picked up the pen, those are the words that came. Part of me wants to de-code all the possible meanings, but the bigger part of me wants to accept that sometimes words are just pretty words.

And now on to another project which, hopefully, will require less brain power. Analytical Geometry, perhaps? ;)

I'm linking up to all the wonderfully creative folks at Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day, and wish you all a star-shaped weekend!!!

Always, Valentina

2012-02-14T09:33:00.000-06:00

"Always" / 5"x7" mixed media

(paper, fabric, acrylics, Gelly Roll pen, embellishments)

The mixed media valentine I was working on accidentally turned into a little wall hanging.

Interesting thought process while I was working on this one. I was gluing and doodling and enjoying all the heart shapes--and zoned out a bit thinking about how I've been wanting to try to paint digital portraits and what if I did paint a girl's face and what if she wore her hair like a heart?

OK, I know that last part probably doesn't make much sense--but that was my actual thought process, so please meet "Valentina":

"Valentina"
(iPad portrait using ArtRage app and Bamboo stylus)

So much fun. I want to try more realistic portraits, too, but this was a great way to get my digital feet wet.

Happy Valentina's Day!!!

***Edited to add a clarification that the Bamboo stylus I use is one they make for the iPad :)

Roses are Red

2012-02-13T11:11:00.001-06:00

...but they are certainly not alone. Everywhere I've looked lately I've seen red, and in every shade imaginable--barn reds, cherry reds, candy apple reds, cotton candy pinks.

So I'm just celebrating the colors of Valentine's Day and the sunshine I enjoyed over the weekend. Yes, my sun cheer worked :)

Today I'm working on a mixed media valentine, a couple of digital portraits, and ideas for a new journal. I hope you're having a wonderfully creative day as well. Happy Monday!

Art Journal: Shine, Sun, Shine!

2012-02-10T15:26:00.000-06:00

"Shine, Sun, Shine" / 5"x7" watercolor with gesso, Gelly Roll pen, fabric snippets

I had so much fun painting and doodling my full moon art journal page the other day that I thought it was only fair to give the sun equal time.

I guess it's not surprising, though, that with all the gray days I've had lately I titled this one something that sounds like a cheer: "Shine, Sun, Shine...Go, Sun!"

Maybe with a little encouragement it will show up more often? I don't know. Just be glad I did this instead of real cheerleading--trust me, it would would not have been pretty ;)

I'm excited to link up to Paint Party Friday for the first time--and now I'm off to visit a few of your blogs to see what pretties you're sharing. Happy Weekend, everyone!

I Don't Have Sunflowers, but if I did...

2012-02-07T16:04:00.000-06:00

Last night the moon looked really beautiful. It was playing hide-and-seek with the clouds, but still managed to inspire me to reach for the camera. Unfortunately, with no luck--all fuzzy shots, delete delete delete.

So this morning I tried to recreate it in my art journal. A doodle-y version done with watercolors, acrylics, a hand-carved eraser stamp, white pen.

A moon that can make even sunflowers go "ooh, ah".

I feel like I've been neglecting my art journal lately. I just have so many projects bouncing around in my head--but as long as I'm being creative, it's all good.

Reaching for the Moon

2012-02-02T10:27:00.000-06:00

I like to play sometimes with creating different surface textures, and a while back had thrown some color and crumpled plastic wrap on a few watercolor paper scraps. One of them had this wonderful deep blue awesomeness that I just knew would one day become...something.

Yesterday as I studied it closer, I began to see my first offering for this month's Creative Every Day theme of "Night".

Following the patterns left by the plastic wrap, I found a midnight walk through an old forest, and the gnarly branches of two old trees reaching upwards towards a clear, bright moon.

And on a side note...I've been struggling this winter with photography of my artwork. With many gray days and so little natural light, I've had to resort to artificial lighting and it's just not doing it for me.

I've tried different lamp set-ups and different kinds of bulbs, but can't seem to get true colors--and my whites often look yellow or pink. Argh.

This shot is close because I finally got a couple of minutes of sunlight to make use of, but otherwise I'm getting a little frustrated. Anyone have any good tips?

Three Flowers Bowl

2012-01-31T17:03:00.000-06:00

"Three Flowers Bowl" (5"x7" Mixed Media Painting on Canvas Panel)

Over the weekend, I started reading a book called "Everyday Sacred: A Woman's Journey Home". Have any of you read it? The author, Sue Bender, encourages doing even the smallest of things with our full attention. She also uses the imagery of a bowl quite often, which I'm sure is why a bowl snuck its way out of my brain and onto this little painting.

I admit I did not do this with my full attention. That's because shaping this bowl with paint brought back memories of shaping clay pieces in a pottery class that I took many years ago.

Working in clay was so much fun...and I was soooo bad at it.

In fact, the only "masterpieces" I took away at the end of the class were a couple of wobbly mugs and this one tiny (2" tall tiny) bowl you see here. Not a lot to show for all my work--but you know, I just can't get rid of it.

Maybe one day I'll find a bigger purpose for it, but for now it serves as a perfect reminder of the feel of the clay under my fingers.

Handmade Mini Journal: Looking for Shells

2012-01-26T13:37:00.001-06:00

Here's the little book I've been working on--finished just this morning! It's made entirely from found and recycled materials except for the paint and beads, which, technically, I did find in my years-old bead stash. I said before that it would be about 3"x3" but was off an inch--it actually measures 4"x4", not counting the frou-frou on the spine.

The cover was made from a discarded cardboard box from the kitchen pantry--big thanks to the mega-talented Jenny over at Jennibellie Studio for her tutorial which I used as a reference when making the cover!

I decided to go with paper for my journal pages this time. I cut them from paper shopping bags left over from holiday purchases, and did the binding with plain old twine.

Maybe my favorite shot of all...I just love the texture and colors of the stacked pages.

The frou-frou decoration on the spine of the journal was done with strips of cotton from an old pair of capri pants headed for the donation bag.

I decided to leave the pages relatively simple because I thought it would be a great little place to record sketches of seashells.

Now I just need to plan a trip to the beach! Oh, and buy a new pair of capris to wear ;)

Art Journal Doodles for a Winter Day

2012-01-25T18:56:00.000-06:00

I've been doodling with paint and pastels again, this time in my new(ish) art journal. I just love the circles in circles in circles thing, very relaxing to do.

I've been in such a "brights" mood lately. Maybe it's my way of rebelling against the gloomy gray skies we've had--trying to add a little summertime to my winter days. For the record, I don't dislike winter at all... AS LONG AS IT GIVES ME AN OCCASIONAL GLIMPSE OF SUNSHINE.

Sorry, Mother Nature. I didn't mean to yell, honest.

Might I please have a glimpse of sunshine? Pretty please?

Silver lining: at least winter gives me plenty of disappear-into-the-studio-with-a-steaming-mug-of-hot-chocolate-to-make-art-time, and I've been using some of that this week to continue with the mini journal I mentioned in my last post. It's almost done, so I'll share that with you next time.

Something kinda interesting...I've been keeping a sort of informal count and am happy to say I've made art 22 out of 25 days so far this year--and was probably creative in other ways on those remaining three days. I'm so excited about that, and I'm linking up to Creative Every Day with rainbow fingers and gratitude.

Doodles inspired, of course, by the Doodles Unleashed workshop with Traci Bautista. It's been great fun, but is wrapping up this week. Long live the doodles, though!

Pages for a Mini Journal-To-Be

2012-01-21T17:32:00.000-06:00

What a lazy afternoon. I thought about watching a movie, but the remote control is currently under the control of a napping spouse, who in his sleep is clicking back and forth between old reruns of The Rifleman and Diff'rent Strokes. Pretty funny in a time-warpy way.

And much more entertaining than any movie I could find--so instead, I'll just give you a peek at one of the things I've been working on this week.

It's (going to be) another handmade journal, this one very small. Maybe 3"x3"--fits nicely in the palm of your hand. The cover's made from recycled materials--I've already started on it, but am still playing around with ideas of how to decorate it so I'll wait to show you that part.

The pages this time, though, are cut from paper grocery bags, and as you can see I've painted them for a washed "beachy" look.

I really like the brown of the paper showing through--it reminds me of the color of wet sand, so I was careful not to cover too much of it. I haven't decided how much more to add to the pages, if anything. Something tells me less is more for such a small book.

Fits my mood for the day. Less is more. Hope you're all having a relaxing weekend, too.

The Flight of the Purple-Slippered Doodler

2012-01-15T22:19:00.000-06:00

This week we've been doing "Spontaneous Watercolor Backgrounds" in the Doodles Unleashed workshop. Here's the piece I completed yesterday. I haven't yet decided what to call it--maybe "Overworked" ;)

Have to admit I didn't get into this assignment quite as much as I did last week's doodle paintings (which were a blast!), but that doesn't mean it wasn't fun. I could tell that I was getting good practice, too, with color and line and brushwork.

I also wanted to share this photo I took on a short excursion out into our wintery wonderland today. It's not the best quality because I forgot my better camera and was using my phone at some distance.

It was funny, though. Here I was bundled up like Randy on "A Christmas Story," and these guys were standing around with their feet in the icy water. Whatever happened to flying south for the winter, anyway? If I had wings instead of these cold toes of mine, I'd be on a warm beach somewhere.

Alas, I have no feathers, just fluffy purple slippers--and they're about to wing it to the kitchen for a cup of hot chocolate. Beach dreams are even better with hot chocolate, don't you think?

More Workshop Fun: Doodles Lime and Purple

2012-01-10T21:03:00.000-06:00

"Doodles Lime and Purple: 11"x14"
watercolor paper, acrylics, oil pastels, markers, Tulip Slick® Dimensional Fabric Paint

Some of you may know from my last post that I'm taking Traci Bautista's Doodles Unleashed workshop over at the Strathmore Online Workshop Series...

"Doodles Lime and Purple" is my second painting for Week One's Playful Printmaking. I've really been attracted to purple and green color combos lately, so thought it would be fun to try. Overall, I like this piece better than my first one--but at the same time there are things about the first that I like better. Hope that made sense.

For Week Two, we're doing Spontaneous Watercolor Backgrounds--so it's time now to switch gears.

Fun, fun, fun!

Workshop Fun: Doodles Unleashed

2012-01-07T18:41:00.000-06:00

"Doodle Garden" 11"x14"
watercolor paper, acrylics, oil pastels, markers, Tulip Slick® Dimensional Fabric Paint

I don't know what rock I've been living under, but I just learned a couple of days ago that Strathmore has an online workshop series. As soon as I heard they did, I checked it out and signed up for Traci Bautista's "Doodles Unleashed" workshop. It actually started on January 1st, but because you work at your own pace there was no problem with signing up late.

This is my first piece, which I did this afternoon. Anyone else doing this workshop? Let me know so we can cheer each other on!

It is so much fun (and oh yeah, it's free)!

Apologies to Santa and Other Random Thoughts

2012-01-05T13:37:00.000-06:00

Santa should've moved faster.

Periwinkle is an awesome color name.

Maybe I'm just sewing machine impaired.

f-stops, will you be my friend?

Homemade vegetable soup--that is all.

Stupid studio-cleaner-upper fairies.

Well, hello sunshine!

Remind me how I got gel medium in my hair?

A Year and a Journal, Both New

2012-01-03T10:59:00.000-06:00

my word(s) for the year

Well, that didn't work out so well, did it?

I'm talking about my plans to be here on January 1st with the first entry in my new art journal that I bought just for 2012. Same goes for my plan to have picked a word for this year's focus: turns out I've been torn between "be" and "begin".

Be as in living in the moment, peaceful, accepting, always conscious of Today.

Begin as in challenging myself to put in the work to make a few wishes and dreams come true.

So I'm cheating a bit and choosing Be(gin).

I did paint a few backgrounds on New Year Day. Yesterday I did some more layers on this first page, and today I finished it--so I can actually say I've been Creative Every Day so far in 2012. Yea! The page did take longer than usual, though, because in between layers I accidentally got started cleaning out my studio space. I hate it when that happens.

2012 Art Journal: Be(gin)

I've worked in this type of sketchbook before; have several of them, actually. They're 8.25"x 5.25" and don't hold up to a lot of scrubbing, etc--but I like them because if I slop on enough water and paint, I get a really cool bleed-through of colors. I think it makes the backgrounds more interesting.

ooh. color.

I'll be posting pages from my 2012 journal maybe once or twice a week. I have lots of other things planned, too, including a possible cover for the new journal...? We'll see. I think I detect a whiff o'creativity in the air for this upcoming year, and I'm ready to be(gin).

p.s. A little late, but Happy New Year! *insertnoisemakersandconfettihere*

Walking Out 2011

2011-12-31T07:34:00.000-06:00

Great. Now that title makes me want to hit the treadmill. Almost.

I'm sooooo ready to begin a new year, and can't wait to see what surprises our creative muses have in store for us all. I'm excited to be taking part in the Creative Every Day Challenge--our optional theme for January is "new," so I believe I'll kick off my new art journal with something along those lines...

But that's tomorrow--and where I am, this is still tired ol' 2011 for a few more hours.

So I'll say thanks to everyone who posted wishes for a happy holiday (mine was nice, how was yours?) and share these photos from the walk I took on Christmas Eve:

I hope you enjoyed the crisp air, the clear blue skies, and the bits of woodsy green as much as I did! See you tomorrow with my brand new journal--let's get this 2012 party started!!!

And the treadmill? Maybe I'll save that for "next year" :)

Happy Holidays to You and Yours

2011-12-20T17:07:00.000-06:00

I'm taking a few days away from the blog

to unwind and enjoy the season--

I hope you're doing the same :)

I'll be back around New Year's. See you then!

A Winter ATC and Journal by Amanda

2011-12-17T22:33:00.000-06:00

"snow fell" ATC

Just a quick mish-mashy ATC for my Creative Every Day effort today--I started a larger piece, but had technical difficulties and ended up cutting out my favorite parts and making something I do like. Feels good to rescue something that once would have been considered a "fail".

So, on to what you're probably really here for...

The other day, when I shared the recycled journal I made to give my friend Amanda for our swap, I promised to also share a few photos of the one she made for me. Here 'tis:

juicy bright colors, beads, keys and charms...and circles of course

fabric flowers, polka dots, and really fun stitching

secret pockets, more fun stitching, and funky tags galore

handwritten notes, colorful ribbon, vintage snaps and fabrics

Isn't it cool? I'm still exploring, and find new details each time I look at it. And she even made the carrying pouch you see in the first photo!

I really wish I could link you to her blog, but she doesn't have one. Trust me, I'm working on that ;)
I know she'll read this, though, so I'll just say THANK YOU once again. It's so much fun having artsy friends like you!

And like *you* guys, too--you're all such an inspiration to me! Hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season, full of happy times with family and friends. And Christmas cookies.

Recycled Art Journal With Circles

2011-12-14T21:06:00.000-06:00

I've been teasing you all a bit lately with mentions of a handmade journal I've been working on. Evil of me, I know, but it was being made for my friend Amanda and I wanted her to be the first to see it!

We had decided about a month ago to make and exchange journals, and chose cardboard as the base for the pages. The idea and timing were perfect because I had just seen the very talented Jenny's recycled art journal tutorial on her blog Jennibellie Studio.

I won't go through all the steps I followed to make mine because Jenny did that so perfectly in her tutorial--but I will say that my cover was made with a muffin mix box, and the pages with cereal boxes. We both like circles, so that's why you see that recurring "theme". All embellishments were done with things I already had--some of them were old, some were "new," but the single item I bought was a replacement bottle of green craft paint when I ran out.

Anyway...

We met for lunch today, exchanged books, and drooled over them so long that the waiter had to run us out of the place. And that means it's now time for the Big Reveal of the book I made:

Other than the will-I-EVER-finish-painting-this-cardboard stage, I enjoyed everything about this project and I'm already itching to do another. Have to admit that it would have been hard turning this one loose (I got rather attached to it) if not for the beautiful journal Amanda made for me in return. And good news...as soon as I get photos taken, you get to see that, too!

Linking up to Creative Every Day because this is what I've been working on daily, just couldn't prove it 'til now ;)

Blue Shadows

2011-12-11T17:54:00.001-06:00

The sunshine was warm on the white-painted brick, the shadows cold and blue. That was me this afternoon, too--brrrrr cold unless I was standing in the direct sunlight... and there seemed to be very little of that as I tried to snap a few pics. Brrrrr.

It was nice and warm in my studio, though, and I got in some good time working on the handmade journal I'll be exchanging with a friend this week. I'm almost done with mine, and can't wait to share photos!

This is my first post here in a while, after moving to Wordpress for a few months. Some people (me) just need a little more "grazing" to see for ourselves that the grass is not always a shade of green we like. I'm having problems moving my WP posts over but decided to just move on as I work that out. You have permission to remind me of this mental pain and suffering if I ever again mention moving my blog, ok?

I'm also linking up to Shadow Shot Sunday over at Hey Harriet--I'm sad to read that next week will be the last for the SSS meme unless someone else offers to host it. While I hadn't posted as much lately, it was great fun while it lasted--and I know that the search for great shadows will continue for all of us!

Sitting Alone in My Room

2011-08-12T15:54:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the long absence--I've just been sitting alone in my room.

LOL - not really, but it feels that way sometimes!

In reality, I've been working on a number of projects and needed a short blogging break. One of those projects has been building a new writing blog, and the other has been writing itself. Unfortunately, my break from here lasted longer than I'd meant it to, but that's how Life is, right?

I've really missed you all, and all the feedback and challenges. I've still been taking lots of photos, but it's just not as much fun when there's no one to share them with!

Dandelion Days

2011-05-16T11:38:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post, because I'm having a dandelion day.

Yes, I just made that up, but I couldn't think of what else to call it. Plenty of things on my To Do list, but all I want to do is go outside and be blown around by the wind.

Maybe a good day to work remotely. Or even better... "work" remotely.

She's in the Trash Again

2011-05-10T15:40:00.000-05:00

Yes, I've been playing in the "trash".

I was intending to do another small collage, but couldn't get to my art table for all of the stuff left there (at least) since my last project, "Grow". It was a mess, trust me. So I started cleaning and straightening, and reached for a stack of used paper towels to toss them in the bin.

But wait! What interesting bits had been left behind from the paint blotting, brush cleaning and spill mopping!

I'm so weird. I got so sidetracked with the camera and the macro that I never did the collage! Does anyone else do this? Get derailed in strangely creative ways?

Birds, Flowers, Shadows and Moms

2011-05-08T09:30:00.000-05:00

There's lots of Shadow Shot Sunday fun over at Hey, Harriet - check it out!

Yesterday, I (Fill in the Blank)

2011-05-05T16:13:00.000-05:00

...went for a walk in the woods,

and it was

⟣ magical ⟢

Partly Cloudy Shadows

2011-05-01T09:11:00.000-05:00

I was trying so hard for this little garden gnome to be my shadow shot for the week! The sun would come out just long enough to make a great shadow, then quickly dip behind the clouds just as I pressed the shutter release.

But don't you just love that face?

Of course, the sun decided to come back out as soon as I walked away, but I'll take it - it allowed me to get a few flower shadows as I walked...

Linking up to Shadow Shot Sunday fun over at Hey, Harriet - check it out!

Inspiration is Good

2011-04-29T11:31:00.000-05:00

Linking up to Tammy over at daisy yellow again - what can I say? She inspires me. This time it's in response to her question "What are your good things?" - which really got me thinking, because this has been a tough year so far.

The result is my photographic reminder to Self of just a few of my Good Things:

blackberries / walnuts / greek yogurt / linen

old buildings / aged facades / architectural details

bright paper flowers / color color color

whimsy / wonder / trees with fairy homes

stories in progress / pages written

springtime / blue skies / nature

This ended up being a wonderful reminder for me that there's beauty (and "interesting") all around us, even when things are difficult.

Thanks for the inspiration, Tammy!

Collage: Grow

2011-04-27T16:07:00.000-05:00

I recently cut several sheets of inexpensive watercolor paper into 4" x 4" squares and stacked them on the corner of my art table, just to be on standby for when I'm feeling artsy but don't have a lot of time. That was the case this afternoon, when I had less than a half hour to play.

It's such a simple idea... but having a stash of squares already cut and waiting really helped take away an excuse. Small projects just aren't as intimidating - and together with my stash of paper scraps, a little acrylic paint, and a glue stick, I was able to make a small but complete project: "Grow," which represents (me) (impatiently) watching Spring flowers sprout under moody gray skies.

And I stayed on schedule.

Or close enough.

Somebunny Wishes You A...

2011-04-24T08:34:00.000-05:00

❀ Happy Easter Weekend ❀

Linking to Shadow Shot Sunday over at Hey, Harriet - check it out for more shadowy photo goodness!

Rainy Day Shadows

2011-04-16T17:45:00.000-05:00

We're having a gloomy day, no shadows to be found - so I had to get a little creative for Shadow Shot Sunday this time. Raiding my craft closet, I grabbed a small handful of beads...

... then I remembered a journal I had set aside - its pages are made of a soft handmade paper that's so pretty I've hesitated to write on it - and decided that would make a good background.

I wasn't sure what I could come up with, but I'm glad I gave it a try. My favorite part is the transparent purple bead in the center, which I think looks like it was painted in watercolor.

I also like the twin sets of shadows caused by the two artificial light sources. Each time I look at the photo is a little different - sometimes my eyes go first to the cooler gray shadows, and other times to the warmer brown shadows.

Which do you see first?

There's lots more Shadow Shot Sunday fun over at Hey, Harriet - check it out!

Pretty Papers

2011-04-14T15:49:00.000-05:00

I saw this in a coffee shop the other day - an entire wall covered in different printed papers - squares and rectangles in various sizes, attached with double-sided tape.

Not sure if it was done especially for Easter, but it was cute and Spring-y!

Shadows in the Park

2011-04-09T22:20:00.000-05:00

Is it possible for a person to be addicted to the photography of shadows? Um, I'm asking for a friend...

Oh, alright, I'm asking for me. I spent a good part of the day today in a beautiful state park, and practically wore out the shutter release on my camera - I could NOT stop looking for shadows.

What can I say... the weather was really nice, it felt great to be outdoors, and there were so many interesting subjects begging for my attention. Here are a few of my favorites, just for Shadow Shot Sunday over at Hey, Harriet.

And just so you don't think everything was brown, here's a little pop of color.

Tomorrow's Another Page

2011-04-05T21:36:00.000-05:00

Here's a corner of the art journal page I just finished. Yes, just a corner, sorry.

I considered not even posting this, but figured even the worst projects can be learning experiences. I mean, journaling's supposed to be about experimenting, trial and error, and play, right? Well, I'm not sure why this one didn't follow the plan, but everything after the blue/green background felt like a struggle...

I didn't like the red. I didn't like my drawing. I didn't like my hand lettering. I didn't like the whole left side. I ended up painting over half of the page and using it for personal journaling - which is the only reason I'm not showing the whole thing.

But that's an awful lot of "I didn't likes," isn't it?

Yep, my Inner Critic got the best of me.

It happens. Not as often as it used to, but still more often than I'd like.

Shadows for a Sales Clerk

2011-04-02T17:12:00.000-05:00

This week's shadow shots come courtesy of a recent day of antiquing. As usual, I was thrilled to get out of the store with a bargain or three - and as usual, my treasure hunting was a bit eclectic. As the clerk rang up my purchase, she raised a brow and asked with a grin:

"A rusty milk can, a fishbowl, and a handkerchief?"

Um, and that's weird, why?

So... since I wasn't quite ready yet to share the pictures-to-be running through my head, I chattered on about using the fishbowl to hold paintbrushes on my art table*. Which, if I might say, it is already doing quite satisfactorily.

* Function of milk can and embroidered handkerchief yet to be determined.

To see more shadowy photos, visit Shadow Shot Sunday over at Hey, Harriet!

Shadows on Sand

2011-03-27T09:08:00.000-05:00

old fence, grasses, leaves

casting shadows on cold sand

warm gifts from the sun.

There's lots more Shadow Shot Sunday fun over at Hey, Harriet - check it out!

Art Journal: Yellow Flowers

2011-03-24T15:36:00.000-05:00

I've been working in my journals lately, and wanted to share this two-page spread with you. I've had a pretty gray winter, and the somber colors on these pages do represent that. But there's also the sunny yellow of flowers, which reminds me that Spring is nearby.

yellow flowers I

yellow flowers II

yellow flowers close-up

I created the background with acrylic paint, using netting to create pattern. I layered painted papers, torn pieces of a paper towel, pressed wildflowers, and netting - added a little more paint and some charcoal pencil... then played with it all until I got the look I wanted.

I think the playing is my favorite part - I love moving shapes and colors around until my muse says "Uh, HELLO... leave it alone now!"

Hello (and a Goodbye)

2011-03-20T11:10:00.000-05:00

Hey. It's me. Way overdue, but here.

I'd intended to take a month off because we were moving and I knew posting regularly would be a huge challenge. Got through that adventure ok, when just on the outskirts of Normal Life again, we lost a loved one and one month turned into two.

I'm not one for really personal posts, but I have been writing a little and working in my art journal. Creative therapy, you know. Last week I jumped back into Twitter, and now I'm ready to be here. It feels good to be back.

goodbye

our superhero in quirky t-shirts
we will never forget the power of that smile
you left us much too soon
you are missed.

I'll Be Back

2011-01-23T11:02:00.000-06:00

I know I've been a little quiet here over the past couple of weeks, but I'm not gone. I'll be back the second week of February, sooner if I can!

In the meantime please grab a chair (hopefully one more comfortable than this Chair of Many Colors appears to be), relax, maybe read a little...

... and have a very Happy January! See you soon.

Shadow Shot Sunday: Cafe Shadows

2011-01-09T02:46:00.000-06:00

Today was for things like sitting happily while enjoying a nonfat latte and a bit of late afternoon sunshine. OK, I had a cheese danish, too, but that's not the important part.

Next door to the coffee house was an Italian restaurant with a section of outside cafe seating. The chair cushions first caught my eye because I liked the color. They were pretty much the only spots of color among the busy shadows, and I couldn't resist snapping a pic with the trusty cell phone.

It made me realize how much I missed being a part of Shadow Shot Sunday over the holidays. My mind must've stayed on track, though - here are a couple of photos I took while I was on the road:

I love the clock with its curving shadow across the face. And the old brick wall and gate - finding good shadows made them even more interesting.

Join the fun - if you enjoy photography, be sure to submit a photo of your own to Shadow Shot Sunday!

Here Comes the New Year!

2010-12-28T10:00:00.000-06:00

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and you're still feeling like this...

and not like this!

Don't know about you, but I've never had much luck with New Year's "resolutions" or "intentions," so I've decided to call my goals something else... hmmm, how 'bout "goals"? ;)

Do you have a focus for the new year, things you want to be or do? Get those whatever-you-wanna-call-'ems ready, because here comes 2011!

Happy Christmas

2010-12-24T11:25:00.000-06:00

So much for my subtle color mood the other day - here's a little RED for you!

With it comes best wishes for a safe, happy, and very merry Christmas!

A Little Bird Told Me

2010-12-22T15:53:00.000-06:00

...that it's three days before Christmas. Can that be true?

The year has passed so quickly that I find it hard to believe it's almost over. I have been seeing small hints of the season lately, though, so I guess it's so.

Seriously, there are of course lights and decorations and color all around, but for some reason I've been drawn to the more subtle. I'm in the spirit, but feeling low-key about it, I guess.

On the same theme, this week should've been crazy for me but instead has been a nice mix of photo outings in the park, lunches with friends, and tackling of chores. All of my shopping is done and for once I'm feeling no manic Christmas rush - I even did a little holiday baking this morning. Made these cookies, and they're yummy.

Want one? I'll share! Holiday spirit, and all :)

Shadow Shot Sunday: Flower Shadows

2010-12-18T22:00:00.000-06:00

I actually took several photographs today with Shadow Shot Sunday in mind, but decided on this one because it's so different from last week's photo. Flowers are one of my favorite subjects - I'm not sure if that's just because they're pretty, or if they intrigue me because I'm such a sad excuse for a gardener.

I'm having so much fun playing with a new-to-me camera, and was really happy with this shot. If you enjoy photography, be sure to check out Hey, Harriet and submit a photo of your own to Shadow Shot Sunday!

Holiday Treasure Hunting

2010-12-17T14:45:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week I went to one of my favorite antique stores - mainly just to look this time, but I did have my eye open for vintage holiday things. I came home with a handful of goodies and a wallet that was less than $10 lighter. Woo hoo!

True confession... I think I also woo-hoo'd (out loud) in the store when I saw the two silver Christmas tree ornaments in a box marked "50¢ each". Each year I like to add an ornament or two to the tree - preferably ones that have a little history to them, or at least look like they do - and these were perfect!

I also got a silver stand which will be just the thing for displaying one of my three hand-blown glass ball ornaments. I've had them for several years - one blue, one pink, one gold - but they're a little too heavy to put on the tree.

I should've included a pic of them, too, because they're really pretty. Anyway, I had never found the right way or place to show them before, so maybe I'll let them take turns on the stand.

Merry Christmas to me! Now back to gift wrapping...

List It Tuesday: Christmas Rush

2010-12-14T11:16:00.000-06:00

I've done it again.

Every year I say I'll get started on my holiday shopping early. And technically, I do. I'll buy one or two things right after Thanksgiving, then somehow find myself again just where I am now, rushing to get it all done.

Before I brave the malls, though, I wanted to make and share a list for "List It Tuesday" over on the Artsyville blog. Here 'tis... my short to-do list for today.

That's it! Just three items. Should be easy-peasy, right? Nice try, me. Seriously, I know it's overly ambitious and I'll be lucky to even do the first one...

... shop!

Yep, I probably shouldn't have taken the time to play art this morning, but luckily I already had the background and circle prints waiting on a prepped art journal page - so all that was left to do was add the words and a few Christmas tree branches.

I'm headed out now. Please keep me in your thoughts ;-)

Shadow Shot Sunday: Green Eaves

2010-12-12T00:26:00.000-06:00

We had beautiful weather today, so went for a lazy afternoon walk. I was looking for great shadows - the more elaborate the better, I thought - to be my first contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday...

So what did I find instead? A clean, simple shadow that "popped" against the green and white eaves of an old building we passed.

It figures that I would find exactly the opposite of what I thought I was looking for.

If you enjoy photography, be sure to check out Hey, Harriet and submit a photo of your own to Shadow Shot Sunday!

Shadow Haiku

2010-12-03T23:35:00.000-06:00

morning walk. sunshine,

cotton ball clouds overhead.

shadows at my feet.

3 Reasons I'm a Happy "Loser"

2010-11-30T17:55:00.000-06:00

I've never been so happy to be a Loser.

It's funny to write those words. You can ask anyone who knows me well - I've always been a pretty competitive person. Having taken part in my first National Novel Writing Month, though, I can see that there are benefits to participating even when you don't cross the finish line.

So, while I would obviously rather have written all 50,000 words but am instead finishing this challenge a whopping twenty-seven thousand one hundred and thirty-nine words short, I present to you...

Three Reasons I'm a Happy NaNoWriMo "Loser"

I met new friends! I got to know several new writing friends who were great sources of support and inspiration. I also met new characters, and yes, they now refuse to live only in my head.

I learned so much! I learned that I should sign up earlier next year and have at least some idea of plot and characters before NaNoWriMo starts. I learned that it helps if I take an occasional day off to let ideas churn - but once that day has passed, to just sit down and write, no excuses. And perhaps most valuable - I learned to turn off the Internal Editor. I can write lots more words when he's not nagging me to rewrite every other paragraph.

I'm off to a great start! I wrote. And wrote and wrote and wrote. I've ironed through numerous plot wrinkles, and created even more. In the end I'm finishing the month with 22,861 words towards a story that I really like.

Hmmm - sounds suspiciously like "winning," doesn't it? I might just go out and buy myself a *sparkly* trophy.

Blue Sky Mandala

2010-11-28T12:38:00.000-06:00

Blue Sky Mandala

I pulled out my colored pencils for the first time in ages this morning - and was as happy as a kid with a new coloring book! Not sure why I haven't been using them more often... other than their being lost in the sea of art supplies.

I really liked using them to color this mandala, which was inspired by the colors of changing leaves against a background of blue autumn skies.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T07:35:00.000-06:00

Today I am thankful for...

a loving family

an upcoming adventure
creative friends

the beauty of nature
a good cup of coffee

Happy Thanksgiving!

...and to friends elsewhere in the world, have a wonderful day!

Creative Procrastination: Mandala Madness

2010-11-23T11:34:00.000-06:00

So, yes. I was doing other things last night when I was "supposed" to be writing. But it was creative, so does that really count as procrastination?

I've been wanting to draw a mandala. I've seen some gorgeous ones lately by some very talented people, and wanted to see if I could do anything even close. I sensed that maybe I should start with a circle (having read somewhere that mandala means "circle," I'm bright that way...) - but other than that I was a little unsure where to start. I grabbed a journal and jumped in anyway.

The journal I chose was one that's been sitting in my art closet for a couple of years, actually - waiting until I filled all the other others I've bought. It's about 4"x6", and wire-bound which I like so it'll lay flat. Best of all, its pages are brown kraft paper - who knows why, but that spoke to me for this type of project.

Back to starting. I grabbed a pencil and my fancy-schmancy circle making tools (bottle tops, rolls of tape...) and biting my tongue between my teeth, painstakingly began drawing perfect little circles. And almost immediately thought: "Yuck. Work."

That's when I started poking around for help and discovered this great tutorial - Video: Athena Mandala by Tammy (@gypsy999). That was just what I needed! With her help, I saw that drawing mandalas can be fun, stress free... and as planned or spontaneous as I choose it to be.

Away with the pencil and fancy-schmancy circle tools! From that point on, it was just the pens and paper, and me. I started three before bed last night, drawing the basic lines with an ultrafine Sharpie. On the finished flower-like one, I did the shading with SRX Metallic Colorsharp pens.

I use these pens sometimes for journal writing, and love their colors! They do look great against this brown paper, but I found that because they were a little more opaque than I'd intended, I had to go over a few of my black lines again.

I haven't decided if I'll color all of the ones I draw - there's something appealing to me about the drawings themselves. Either way, I have a feeling this little journal may fill up pretty quickly.

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A Meditation on Mud

2010-11-19T09:51:00.000-06:00

"Mud not the fountain, that gave drink to thee." ~ William Shakespeare

I have no words. My fountain of words has dried up, or become so clogged with mud and debris that maybe the words just can't get past.

*sigh*

It's funny. The first week of NaNoWriMo, I was on a roll. I met my daily goal fairly easily each day, and in my NaNo ignorance wondered why others moaned.

Then came Week Two. All of a sudden, it was much harder to find that magical flow of words and sentences. My characters no longer tapped me on the shoulder begging to be written, and I missed them! I kept going, though, and squeaked past my daily goal most days.

Now to Week Three, and I've hardly written anything in the past five days. A few words here and there, but not enough to even log them on the NaNo website. I could make all kinds of excuses, but I won't. I mean, we all have places to go, people to see, Real Life to live.

Today, it's all just mud. Muddy real-life-flow-blocking-word-stopping stuff, and I'm calling it out. Today, I will write.

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Theme of the Week: Benches

2010-11-12T17:47:00.000-06:00

Do you ever feel like your life has a Theme of the Week? When an everyday something all of a sudden seems to pop up more frequently? For me right now, that theme is "Benches".

Everywhere I go, I see a great bench!

Now, I know benches have been around at least since The Flintstones, so it makes me wonder why all of a sudden the Universe is hurling them my way.

I think it may be because I'm writing. When my brain is so totally consumed with a creative task like it's been lately, I think I'm more observant. More open. More thoughtful. More aware.

Hmm. Maybe I'll sit and ponder that awhile.

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Creative Procrastination: "Under a Striped Sky"

2010-11-06T13:23:00.000-05:00

I wrote last time about participating in NaNoWriMo, the month-long novel writing challenge held each November. Well, it's going pretty good so far. We're on Day 6, and while I haven't met my goal yet for today, I have reached it on each previous day. Yea!

That doesn't mean there hasn't been a little creative procrastination going on here and there. Here's the latest diversion, discovered yesterday after I took some reject photos while out walking. Here's one of them:

(original photo)

OK, I know it's not hugely crummy - it's just out of focus because the wind was blowing, and I couldn't get the thing to be still and pose.

What d'ya do? Here's what I did:

"under a striped sky"

All it took to get this effect was to play with three settings in my photo editing program: increase Contrast, decrease Saturation, increase Sharpness. I found the recipe by accident, but really love the artsy look!

I especially like the way you can see the frilly curls on the petals, and how the sky almost looks like it was painted with watercolors. Click through to the larger version of the photo, and you'll see even better what I mean.

I've already tried it with a few other photos, and know I'll be experimenting more. I also know I won't be quite so quick to delete some of those less-than-perfect photos I take.

OK, back to writing. Only 1100 or so words left for the day...

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Bring It, November!

2010-10-31T02:20:00.000-05:00

I did it. I've thought about doing it for the past couple of years, but this year the stars seem to be aligned, so I'm in.

Yes, I signed up last night to do NaNoWriMo.

I decided a little last minute with it starting on Monday - but hey, who needs a plot or characters, right?

I actually do have characters available. Dozens of them from stories I've never put to paper or screen. I'm sure a handful of them would be glad to step into a novel and finally have their voices heard.

Anyway, this will be my first NaNoWriMo - so I'm excited, and also a little intimidated by the 50,000 word goal. Any advice would be appreciated.

Also, I'm looking for a writing buddy or two, so if you're participating this year, please leave a comment!

In the meantime, I'll be stocking up on essentials (coffee and chocolate)...

Rouge, A Finished Page

2010-10-22T16:05:00.000-05:00

I blogged recently about a journal page which was inspired by worn paint on an old concrete wall. I know... kinda weird subject. But I like faded old things like that!

Anyway... while I painted, the colors themselves brought up unexpected memories of a great-aunt - and from that point on, the page took the direction it wanted. Instead of a commentary on age and old concrete, it became "Rouge on Her Cheeks".

"Rouge on Her Cheeks" Journal Page

To the initial background, I added layers of white acrylic, text, and more white acrylic - then wrote a second layer of text over the first. I stamped white and pink paint randomly, using bottle caps and bubble wrap.

The rectangular section started as solid lavender-colored handmade paper, but then I added pattern and more white acrylic. Covering up the paper wasn't really my intent, because I liked the lavender. But I think it hints of a piece of old fabric, maybe just a little?

"Rouge" details

A piece of old lace and a dried flower were the only other embellishments, and it felt done. Overall, I'm happy with the finished page. It is nothing like I pictured when I first began, but to me that's part of the fun of art.

Sometimes it just becomes what it was meant to be, in spite of me.

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Just Because It Makes Me Smile...

2010-10-21T15:44:00.000-05:00

Dream a Little ATC

2010-10-15T23:01:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it took me as long as it did to discover the fun of Artist Trading Cards! Sometimes I don't have a huge amount of time available for the art table, but ATCs allow me to play even if I only have a few minutes.

Love 'em!

"Dream" started with brown and cream acrylic paints on watercolor paper, then morphed with a bit of collage and shading with Terracotta and Ivory Black drawing pencils. The natural colored yarn running down each side may be my favorite part.

ATCs, of course, are a great low-commitment way to try out new supplies and techniques. But I think what I like best about them is that with such a small amount of time and effort, you have a finished piece of art.

A little mini "masterpiece"!

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Rouge on Her Cheeks

2010-10-08T23:24:00.000-05:00

I was recently playing tourist in a small mountain town full of shops and history... when I was distracted by this one section of wall on an old building.

There was a sign painted there, so old and faded that you could hardly make it out. And just below the sign was the sidewalk, its textures and colors interesting on their own.

The small piece of straw is where wall and sidewalk meet.

I loved the washed-out colors in this photo so much that I decided to paint an art journal page reflecting its colors and textures. I'm far from done - I want to add more layers, work in some of that seafoam green you see in the top half of the photo, and maybe add a little diluted white to lighten and age the whole thing. When it's right, I'll write.

(in progress)

For obvious reasons: cracked concrete, faded paint, etc., I had planned to write about time and impermanence.

But as I wrote this post, I had a piece of my own history come to visit - recollections of a great aunt, gone many years now. We kids called her "Bill".

I remember Bill's soft gray hair, the sparkle in her pale blue eyes, and the shade of the rouge she would put on her cheeks.The colors in the photo remind me of her.

Words have a mind of their own, you know. And now I know that I'll write about sweet memories.

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Hillside Flowers in the Breeze

2010-10-05T00:36:00.000-05:00

I crouched on my knees on the rocky ground, camera in hand, waiting for just a moment of still. The warm wind pushed across the hillside, blowing my hair into my eyes and blurring the colors around me in waves of lavender and gold.

It came quietly, that one sparkling second when the flowers weren't bobbing their heads in the breeze. I snapped several shots, hoping. Thinking maybe, just maybe, I got one good photo.

I stood cupping my hand, squinting my eyes. It was hard to tell, with the harsh sunlight reflecting off the face of the camera viewer.

Did I get one?

This flower nodded that I had. But just one.

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Journal-in-Waiting

2010-09-30T13:13:00.000-05:00

I found this old ledger at a used book sale last February. Paid one whole dollar for it, so I knew it was a good find in more ways than one, yet it sat in my craft closet, waiting.

Twiddling its invisible little book thumbs.

My Ledger-in-Waiting

Yes, it took me a while to decide what it was waiting for. Art journal? Collage? Altered book? Dustcatcher? Then one day, I just got the urge and started throwing paint on the pages, and it kind of became an art journal by default.

As I'm sure it was meant to be.

I decided not to have a color "palette" or theme for the book, but to coordinate each two-page spread. As you can see, I painted a few backgrounds, so then they were ready and, um... waiting.

Paint on (some of) the pages!

In a moment of serendipity, I (finally) bought the Summer issue of Art Journaling by Somerset Studio over the weekend - and was surprised and excited to see Linda Harre's piece called "My Ledge-able Journal".

It was so inspiring! Our styles are very different - read: hers is beautiful and mine is still an evolving mishmash - but her work made me realize that I want to let more of the original pages show through. Those lines and numbers, and even the color of the paper, are what makes the journal special.

It was just the nudge I needed, so the wait's officially over. Journal on, me!

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Layers of Perfect Imperfection

2010-09-22T12:45:00.000-05:00

Lately I've found myself re-reading Ingrid E. Cummings' book "The Vigorous Mind". This is one that has a permanent home on my bookshelf - full of great information, especially for those of us who don't easily fit in one niche.

One of the things that speaks to me is Cummings' discussion of the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which she describes as a "respect for imperfection".

Even before having a name to attach to it, I think I was a student of wabi-sabi. I remember writing a post on my ill-fated former blog about an afternoon I spent photographing half-dead roses. I wondered at the time why I was not as accepting of my own imperfections. But that's a whole 'nuther subject for a whole 'nuther day!

The photo above is a close-up I took a few years ago of the back of an old chair. Many would look at the chair and think what a mess it was; I looked at it and was hooked. I still find myself looking at the photo occasionally, because I think it's cool just how many different colors you can see through the peeling layers of paint - the blues, the yellows, the greens, the white.

I guess it's the writer in me, but I want them to tell their story. They have to have reasons for being there!

Did a grandmother once paint the chair a sunflower yellow to match her living room with its huge window overlooking her garden? Was the blue added when it was picked up by a struggling college student at a thrift store near campus? Did it weather for years in the farmer's barn after the family got a new dining room set?

What stories do the layers have to tell?

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My Perspective on Clouds

2010-09-17T18:36:00.000-05:00

I guess since "sky" is part of this blog name, you won't be too surprised to hear that I like clouds.

What you don't know yet, though, is that I especially like taking photos of clouds which could pass for watercolor paintings, like this one I took recently from my back yard. I love the softer focus. I also love the "heaviness," and how the pinks and lavenders of the setting sun are reflected off the bottoms of some of the lower clouds.

It's actually quite beautiful when viewed upside down, too! Looks like some otherworldly dreamscape.

Here - I'll rotate it for you so you don't have to stand on your head ;-)

I realized just changing the way I looked made me see everything differently - patterns, shapes... and even color.

A fresh, new perspective is good, yes?

I'm Glad We're Here

2010-09-16T12:52:00.000-05:00

I should call this "Remix" or "Blog, Part Two".

Earlier this year I created a blog, but from the beginning it was very stop-and-go. I had the desire to write, and plenty of ideas! But other than tweaking the design over and over again, I just couldn't make myself spend any time with it.

After much soul-searching, I realized the reason was simple:

I just really didn't like it.

The look, the design, the format, the platform - pretty much nothing made me smile.

I know the conventional blogging wisdom: keep at it, don't be a perfectionist, make the changes you need to make, let your blog grow with you. If I had been staying with the same blogging platform or had more than a handful of posts, I would've buckled down and done that.

But I wasn't, and I didn't, and a total fresh start was calling - so I am here and this is sea.sky.stone.

Welcome.