Sketch book re-intro

Reposting, just as a back-up of my reglar site. If you are seeing this, you need to come on over to the Home page. :-)

During that period of over-activity, I neglected my sketchbook (and my downtime.)

For the last few nights, I've been happily penning away before bed, just drawing anything that comes to mind, or any object that strikes me as inspiration.

It feels good to have a pen in my hand again.

These are the latest (click to enlarge):

Building on the Rock

My coffee press (which, yes, deserves its own picture.

I plan on adding watercolor to this one soon.)

I truly believe...

Just draw. Paint. Sew. Make music. Cook. Create. We were made to.

Sketchbook

Basic, quick "from-life" sketches with the kids today. I'd like to start adding watercolor to pictures, as time allows.
We've been working on mini-books and homemade tags, cards, too.

Stay tuned for more art and activities.

This is a double-post. Blogging on the Main Site now, with this only as a back-up.

Labeling Plants

We had a wonderful, jam-packed day, lunching with cousins at the lake, learning about power, and planting. This year we decided to get a little more creative with our plant labels.

Painted extra-large Popsicle sticks painted clothespins

small rocks, labeled with permanent pens

itty bitty hand-painted signs

house objects, labeled and put to good use

more clothespins (this was the easiest one for the younger kids to do)

clothes pins, painted and put in the soil upside-down to hold the plant placard

and, one of my favorites, nestled eggs with special messages.

We have many more things to plant, including our raised garden this week. Let me know if you have suggestions for other fun, artsy tags.

Painting from magazine models

I sketched out this woman's face...easier to do, when it's a black-and-white picture.
Next modge podged it to a small 8x10 canvas, and painted over it all with watercolors.
It's not done yet, and I'm just enjoying the process. I plan to add the title somewhere:

Be Yourself.

Poetree

The kids and I have been working on "poetrees" to aid our writing on certain subjects. It's a fun way to encourage artistic brainstorming, for kids who aren't old enough (or excited about) outlining or list-making.

Choose your topic, which can be written on the tree trunk, and brainstorm on the leaves or branches.

The Artist-child decided to write a poem about herself. Her leaves were descriptions about her appearance, personality and interests: natural, horsey, artistic, and so forth.

For our sketchbook work, we did "free draw." The Artist chose horses. Again. NatureMan and Dash drew monsters, using a library book as a guide. They claimed their pictures are not yet ready to be "published." I worked on the human body.

mixed media painting on canvas

Just experimenting with mixed media

For Art Night awhile back, I had bought several extra canvases on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I've decided spring break is definitely a good time to get workin' on them.

I like the simplicity of this. I drew and painted the face and neck, and used layered paper for wings, and a paperdoll body. Anyone who feels the need to create will understand..

I cut my books

Okay, yes, we've been through this before.

I. Cut. Books.

Yes, yes, I do.

I've heard people say before, "I really wanted to make an altered book, but when it came right down to it, I just couldn't slash the pages."
Well, I don't have that problem. I rip, slash, and gouge out whatever I don't want. And, before you see me as a merciless book-killer, let me justify myself. The book below was lovely, old and torn, fraying apart and worn. It may have been loved...but then was left, abandoned, forgotten. It was crammed with many other treasure-books into a plastic tub at a thrift store, and sold for a quarter. So, I could cram it right back into my bookcase and leave it there, soon-forgotten (too many pages were torn to actually read the book,) or I could give it new life and purpose. This is its second chance, people!!
I call it "Youth." You can see that Youth, of course, has wings. She sits seemingly bored where she is, hair carried by the gentle breeze...while the real treasure lies just beyond, in Home and companionship. Yes, I'm just that deep.

Making a mini-book from an old hardcover

Have you ever come across an old classic, worn and falling apart? I loved the front cover of this book, and picked it up at a flea market. The pages were falling out, and the spine was destroyed. It could have been kept, untouched, on a shelf for display, but I believe this book deserves attention.

So I cut it up.

Yes, book-lovers everywhere, you can cringe. I LOVE books...in all forms.

I cropped the front and back covers into perfect little squares, cut pages from the book the same size, along with some scrapbook paper. Then I poked holes through all and bound it with ribbons, a charm and button.

Naturally I had to paint on a bit, too.Voila. Beautiful mini-book.

This one was sent off to live with another mixed-media-art-fan-friend. :-)

Art Journaling take 2

And, again, an overlap... because art and prayer can be consuming. So, for the latest art journal entries, you can go here for mine, and here for The Artist's.

And then there was...

The Art Journalposted here. Inevitably, my blogs will overlap at times.

Painting with acrylics

I mentioned that several amazing artists inspired me to start focusing on art. I believe God has given us each certain talents, and expects us to use those to glorify Him. Well, I'm like Moses I suppose, and I like to make excuses for why I can't use my gifts.
It takes courage to try new things.

"What would you dare to accomplish if you knew the only possible outcome was success?"

One thing that I hadn't dared to try was painting. You know I paint walls and furniture... but I was too scared to try a REAL picture. Sure, that may seem strange coming from someone who will paint the entire living room on a whim. The truth is that I was intimated by having such a talented family. Bleh-- I know, ridiculous. I'm truly so amazed and thankful for their abilities. And I can't expect to start off with the experience and talent that they've acquired over a span of 10+ years. Everyone has to start somewhere, and now is the time for me.

So, without further ado, I give you my painting:

Beginning: (yes, I'm painting on a book)

Making some progress:

Finished product:

The plan was to have her holding a flower, but I couldn't get the hand right, so she ended up with a blue gown. ;-) Gotta do what works.
It's not perfect or professional, but I'm thrilled that it's a real picture. And, like Nester says, it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. It makes me happy!

And, by the way, I rearranged my entire bedroom in order to have the art table, easel, and sewing machine set up in a functional space. October, thanks for your help with that on Friday night!! This area just draws me in. I know where I'll be every evening when the house goes to sleep. :-)

Check out the other things people are creating at...

Persimmon Perch's Made It Monday and

handprints

We just came across this picture, that T and I colored a year ago. Sweet memories.

"Cold" Sketchbook Prompt

Nature Man's "cold"

The Artist's "cold"

My "cold" prompt

I find it funny that The Artist and I both drew a "cold" woman. ;-)

Two -faced Sketchbook Prompt

One of the latest Sketchbook Prompts was "Two-faced."

Nature Man's artwork below:

and flipped:

Another of his:

The Artist's picture:

And hers flipped:

My artwork:

Mine flipped:

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying these afternoon art sessions with the kids!!