Interactive Journal for the Young at Heart

After many hours of work my first book is published!  I was inspired to create this interactive journal for my sister Rhema, who just recently retired.  I wanted to give her a gift that would keep giving!  Each page has a prompt, quote or activity (to keep the mind active) and is loaded with illustrated  quotes.  One of the things I love most about this journal is the legacy left for future generations.  It is designed to help you see what it is that matters most to you and what you would still like to accomplish in life, but there are also pages that take you back in time to reflect on some special moments.  At 150 pgs. most people will take about 4-5 months to work their way through the pages.  I am hoping by then, to have a second edition available.    

Mixing Pencil Sketch with Canvas; Face Study

Face Study

 

 

As an artist, I think it is important to try new techniques and ideas.  I made a large canvas and painted it with a tan acrylic paint.  It hung on my wall for weeks as I tried to decided what to paint.  I love sketching and pencil work and even like the illustrations on how to draw a face, etc.  I actually like the lines left in and think it adds an interesting element to the sketch.  I got out my pencil the other day, after about my third cup of coffee and started sketching.  I wanted to convey raw art and really liked the tones and simplicity of the piece.  Once I finished my sketch I sprayed it with an acrylic matt finish to protect the pencil lines and prevent smudging.  Two of my daughters pointed out to me that the painting looked like an older version of my grand daughter.  I will let you be the judge. 

My sweet grand daughter

  Perhaps I have her sweet face in my sub-conscience and her likeness ended up on my painting.  Her sweet outfit was made by my youngest daughter and my middle daughter is the photographer.  I am so proud of my kids and the creativity they have. 

Mermaids and Sirens

Siren's Call

Since I was a child I have always been fascinated by mermaids.  I loved when the National Geographic special came out titled "Mermaids the body found" and was glued to the TV.  I have to admit, I bought it, hook, line and sinker :) and was really disappointed to learn it was not based on real evidence.  Whether they really exist or not, it is a wonderful myth and mysteries always intrigue us.   For centuries there have been stories and legends and since we know so little of our seas and what creatures really exist, it is easy to believe (especially for those of us that have over active imaginations).  I started this canvas as an abstract work and left a layer to dry.  I was teaching a Zentangle class at the time and decided it would be interesting to combine a woman's face with  Zentangle inspired hair using colors you see in the sea.    I left her skin pale because I imagined that  she has spent her life under the water.   What I love about this work is the mixture of techniques and styles.    

Making my own canvas and abstract art.

Inferno

Lost at Sea

Found a nice round bolt of white thick fabric at a thrift store.  Love when I get a deal on things I need.  I bought 2 x 3 x 6 furring strips and made a simple framework.  I then used a stapler to stretch the fabric and staple it to the frame.  I put a coat of gesso on let it dry then began my paintings.  The beauty of making your own canvas is that you can make larger frames at an affordable price.   I have to admit that they are not stretched as tight as the store bought frames and hopefully with practice and time I can learn to make them tighter.   As an artist it is important to keep track of trends and what sells.  There is some debate on whether or not you should do this and personally I like creating what I like regardless of whether or not anyone else likes it.  But..... while that is what I like to do, I have to sell art to fund my creative passions.  I read somewhere that people like red and art with red tends to sell more than some other colors.   I took a close look at what I generally create, the predominate colors are blues and greens.  I know that stems from my love of the sea.   I have had a lot of fun creating some of the abstract works and decided to try reds, oranges, yellows in the work titled "Inferno".  The finished product reminded me of a lava flow and the name just popped into my head.   To give my eyes a rest, the next painting I used my familiar blues and greens and the finished result looked like turbulent seas, thus the title: "Lost at Sea".     Both of these works are larger than I usually paint and measure: 18 x 31.  They are currently hanging at: Across the Tracks, artist market in Livingston, TX 

Pointillism - Deer , Fox and Homesteading Update

Buck

Fox Trot

No excuses!  I know it has been a little while since my last post.  In the meantime, many of you know we have been working on our tiny house.  We now have an ac that actually works (we have been having 100 degree days) and a cute little stained glass window in one of the sleeping lofts.

Front of the Tiny House

Experimental Garden

 I have also built some cute window boxes and my husband decided we needed a heat shield and added in the camo awning!  Agh.  He assured me it is temporary, just to see if it helps.  I hate to admit it does.  But really, camo?  I would understand it we were at a hunting lodge on a deer lease, etc.  I really have to come up with something that is cute! Eventually, we are planning on a cute little porch but in the meantime, camo it is. We have also been experimenting with gardening ideas and found one that really looks like it might work.  Water is a precious commodity to us (we collect rain water and haul in drinking water) and I have been amazed how little water this system uses and how moist the soil stays.  I thought we would try some fall crops just to see it it will work.  Basically, we have a 2 x 4 frame, then stapled plastic inside, lined with rocks and put soil in Wal-mart bags.  The  bags act as a wick and keep the soil moist and from what I have read also air trim the roots.  The 5 gal. bucket in the center has a small (pencil) sized hole near the bottom to allow the water to flow into the rocks.  My husband is building an airtight watering system for me that I will post once it is completed.  It will help with an evaporation and allow me to load up the water and not have to worry about it for probably over a week. Nice.   Surprisingly, I have managed to create some new pieces and even taught a class at Sew Fancy in Livingston featuring the Buck, Egret and Fox Pointillism.  What I love about pointillism, is it is not an exact science and allows students to start looking for the tonal differences in the objects they are painting.  Even is someone does not have a steady hand this particular style works.  I am really proud of the progress  the students have made.  If you want to take a look at some of the students finished projects type in Sew Fancy Livingston, TX on Facebook to take a look. 

Palm Tree and Fish Kissing Canvas ACEO Original Art Cards

Kissing Fish

Oasis

Two more canvas mini art works.  These original ACEO carrds are on canvas and I used acrylic for the main body of the work.  I did however, do a watercolor was on the kissing fish.  I was not sure this would work but liked the muted affect.  It is important that you seal your work when finished, especially when they are tiny enough to be handled.  I found I do not have room to include a full signature so decided to put my initials on the front and full signature on the back.  My Limited Edition Prints on Ebay start at .99 cents but Originals will start at 4.99.  I have seen Original ACEO cards go for over 5,000.00  Wow!  Don't get your hopes too high, most sell between 5.00 - 30.00.  Since we all want to stay inspired and constantly improve our own skills I look at this as a wonderful way to get paid to do what I would do anyway.  Collectors get to enjoy the mini art pieces and I get more practice.  Win - Win.

New Starfish and Jelly Fish Original ACEO Canvas Cards

Starfish Bright

Jelly Dance

I purchased some canvas sheets from Hobby Lobby and cut my own Art Trading Cards or ACEO's.  They are always 2.5 x 3.5" and I found that you get more for your money by making your own.  Of course, you can do the same thing with Watercolor, Mixed Media or Drawing paper.  I have had some success listing ACEO Limited Edition Prints on Ebay and thought I would give ACEO Original's a try.  This little mini art fits in perfectly with my desire to create every single day.  While having my morning coffee I will often listen to relaxing music and play with mini art.  It is important for the collector that you include the title, date, medium, signature on the back.  I always also include a stamp with my website address.  I did find that canvas is a bit trickier to work with this small  and I admire some of the artists that get really detailed.  I will try to update you with new creations as I go along and hope to inspire fellow artists out there to take a few minutes and create each day.

Orca / Killer Whale Tribute Painting

Dance of the Deep

I was contacted by Veronica Wolski once more and asked if I would be willing to donate a work of art for the organization: Fragile Waters.  https://www.facebook.com/fragilewaters?fref=ts&ref=br_tf   I donated an original "Baby Seal" watercolor last year to help with their Spring Fling Lolita Auction and am thrilled to help them once more.  I wanted to create something just for them and decided to do an acrylic on canvas titled "Dance of the Deep".  This years auction will be May 23rd - June 7th.  The funds raised will be going to help Fragile Waters, Orca Network's documentary regarding the Chinook Salmon and the Southern Resident Killer Whales of Washington State, and also raising funds for banners for Seattle's highways to educate the residents about Lolita's plight.  If you would like to bid on this work or some of the other artists works please click on the link above for more information.  

Houston Skyline in Purples

Houston Skyline 1

Houston Skyline 2

Houston Skyline 1 & 2

I only get to Houston once or twice a month now and love the skyline.  I decided to prepare my canvas with an abstract background in purples and add in the skyline once they were dried.  While I love all that is available in Houston, art galleries, restaurants, shopping, after a full day I am ready to get back to my quiet country life.   I admire the local drivers and how they manage to navigate the craziness.  Maybe it is because I now live in the county, but I find myself clutching the wheel and doing lots of praying when I get into the heart of downtown.  The galleries are worth the white knuckles and so far I've made it unscathed.  My tribute to all the beauty Houston has to offer., 

Texas Longhorn Cows

Texas Longhorn

 

 

 

Decided to add in a few new pieces indicative of Texas and the Longhorn was the first animal to come to mind.   I love driving by and seeing these majestic animals in the field but got to thinking about just how much work they would be to raise.  Top of my list would be the fact that they could impale you with one of their horns and then you have to have all your barn entrances large enough to accommodate those lethal weapons!  Overall, I think regular cows would be a lot easier but appreciate those ranchers who are committed to raising these Texas Icons.  This is my tribute to them.

ACEO or ATC ?

What is the difference between the two?  Years ago at an art show a friend of mine showed me some small works of art that she had created on 2.5 x 3.5 paper.  She explained that they were ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) and according to her, could not be sold, only traded or exchanged.  The idea was to encourage artists to share and collect the works of others.  While on ebay, I noticed the acronym ACEO and did not know what the difference was, since these little gems were also 2.5 x 3.5 inches.  I did a search on www.aceo.org  and have copied their description below.

 ACEOs are miniature pieces of art that measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2". If a small piece of art has different measurements than this, it does not qualify as an ACEO.
The acronym "ACEO" stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. They can be original art, print editions or photographs.
The majority of ACEOs are two dimensional, but three dimensional elements may also be incorporated. Pop-ups, books, collages, and sculpture can all be ACEOs as long as they measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2"!

ACEO history

ACEOs stemmed off of Artist Trading Cards (ATCs), an idea developed by the artist M.Vänçi Stirnemann. He based the size of ATCs on sports trading cards. ATCs can only be traded or given away. Their purpose is to share art and to encourage creative exchange between artists. Like ATCs, ACEOs may be made with any media, material, or method as long as they measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".
ACEOs are made with the intention to sell. The artist Lisa Luree started the ACEO group on eBay in part to make cards available to collectors.

So there you have it!  Personally I love both ideas.  As artists we are always searching for new ways to market our work and printing little ACEO gems seems like a good idea to me.  I think I may create a few originals too, just for the fun of it.  What a great way to start an art collection on a budget.  Just think, years from now you could have hundreds of little masterpieces from around the world, reflecting your own taste on what is beautiful and support the art community in the process!  Sounds like a win - win to me.  

Rooted in Texas

Rooted in Texas

I grew up in California and still love the State.  I loved that I could drive only a few hours and have such a variety in scenery.  One direction was the Pacific the other mountains.  I have to admit I really miss the beach.  I use many blues and greens in my work and gravitate toward marine themes.   That being said, we are not firmly rooted in Texas.  We have bought a piece of land, are in the process of homesteading that property and trying  to learn as we go (see my Budget Homesteading blog for more on that).   I am fortunate to have three out of my four children living on our property and get to have my grand babies help me in my garden and around the house. There is always so much to do and I have to make myself sit down, make a list and try (yes try) to stick to a schedule to get anything done.  We live in such a busy time and as mom's often are pulled in so many directions.  I got over trying to be "Super Mom" years ago but I still just keep piling the projects on.  As a wife, mother, grandmother you try to make sure that your family knows just how important they are to you and want to be there for each one.  Homesteading has its own requirements that requires attention and time.  We are building and construction needs to keep moving forward.  We have animals, gardens and are constantly trying to stay ahead to the forest that wants to take back the land.   It is important to me to provide good meals for my family and simple things like running errands seem to take up a whole day (it doesn't help that town is 30 min. away) and if I need something like art supplies it is a good hour plus away.     Finding time for art, blogging, on-line listings, teaching and creating new work for our local art gallery is always a challenge.   There was a time that my art took a back burner as I raised my family and did humanitarian work in Romania.  I am now dedicated to somehow make the time.  That means that sometimes I have to get up in the middle of the night or work early in the morning.   I've learned that if you really love something, you can find little nuggets of time to pursue that love.  I have to credit my kids and grand kids for teaching me this valuable lesson.  All of them love taking our country walks.  Such a simple, sweet pleasure.  It is a time to talk, a time to enjoy the beautiful creation and a time to smile at the efforts of my daughter trying to catch a butterfly or my grandson pretending to be a new superhero.  I love them, so I make the time!  I am so grateful that we finally have a place we can put down roots and even more grateful that we can do it together.    

Celestial Planets

Celestial Planets

This particular work started out as a simple abstract focusing on greens and blues.  Some of my favorite color combos.  I had so much fun with my last "out of this world" painting that I decided to add in different planets.  Finding different sized circles around the house to use as templates came in the form of bowls, lids to jars, coffee cups and soda tops.  When you look around it is amazing how many different shapes you can come up with, using everyday items.  It is important to determine which direction that  the light  flows in any painting but especially in round objects.  I choose the upper left and therefore knew my shadows would fall on the lower right hand side.  One of the things I love about abstract is that you can allow yourself the freedom to just GO.  You do not have to think too much and I find it more relaxing than other forms of art.  There really is no right, or wrong.  As adults I think we often forget to just play, just for the fun of playing.  Abstract allows you to do just that and really become more instinctual.   If you haven't tried it, give it a go.  Enjoy the process.

Aussie Roo

Aussie Roo

Australia

This work was inspired by my granddaughter Australia.  Everyone calls her Aussie Roo and she is a doll.  I love when she tilts her head and gives me that sly little smile.  Once again I used the tiny brush strokes to complete this work.  I wanted to give the impression of movement so left the kanga a bit to the left and only added splatter to the bottom right.  I cut out a part of a newspaper and covered the areas I wanted to protect and left the areas open that I wanted the splatter of paint to fill.  Warning: splatter goes everywhere!!!!  I was even trying to be careful but still ended up with splatter on the window and wall.  I really NEED an art studio!  As many of you know we are in the process of building a tiny home (which will one day be for our oldest daughter) but in the meantime 4 of us live in a little over 400 sq. ft.  With all my art supplies and constant projects it is a tight squeeze to say the least.  My grandbabies come to visit and "help" yaya (that's me) paint and then the fun really begins.
One of these days we will actually get the house finished (that is if I can get more focused). See my budget homesteading blog for more on our house.  The reality is..... painting is so much more fun! 

Dot Abstract Octopus

Dot Abstract Octopus

Love the ocean and all the sea creatures.  My daughter Brittania refers to these beauties as "wormy things"!  The arms and lines of the octopus were perfect for my dot abstract painting.  I used colors that you would actually see at the ocean and love the flow of the finished piece.  The background is solid white and it has a very clean look. 

Abstract Seahorse

Abstract Seahorse

 

 

 

The Seahorse is probably my favorite animal.  I was fortunate to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California a few years back when the had an exhibit on seahorses.  One of the things I remember was the dedication seahorses had with their mate.  Not only are they pretty to watch but their movements are so graceful.   I used a very tiny brush on this particular work with a color pallet of bright "happy" colors.  I first outlined the areas I wanted to make sure and keep white.  Have to think in negative here!  The shadowing is done with darker colors and dots that are closer together.  This particular is somewhat time consuming but easy to do and meditative.   For those of you that live close to Livingston, TX I will be teaching a class on this May 15th, 2015 at Across the Tracks at 6:00 p.m.

Space

Space

This piece was worked and re-worked at least 50 times.  I started with just an abstract blend of color, felt it was too soft, then added in lines, then felt it was too harsh.  Worked and re-worked.  Then finally was somewhat happy then added in splatter.  Let it dry, looked at it and couldn't decided if it looked like a psychedelic mess or space.   It needed something.  The more I looked at it the more it felt like it was leaning toward space.  My nephew Jake has been into astrology for years and even gives stargazing tours in Minden, Nevada.  He can tell you just about anything you want to know about the stars and planets.  He kept coming to mind as I started at the work and decided to add in planets, keeping the colors bright.  I don't know what it is exactly that lets you know when a painting is done.  I tease it is when you are sick of working on it, but in reality it is more than that.  I finally completed it and gave it a gloss spray finish to enhance the planets.  Both my husband Brian and daughter Lass say it is one of their favorite pieces I've done.   It is completely different than anything I have done before but I like it.  Acrylic on Canvas.  16 x 20.  Original: Etsy/StudioQuest,  Prints: Fine Art America.

Shark Abstact Impressionism

Shark

This is a variation from just using the pallet knife.  This particular work was created using a combination of both pallet knife and small brush strokes.  I left the background white to simplify the piece and so that it would not compete with the stokes of paint on the shark.  Shading was done by simply adding more paint to the areas I wanted darker.  I sketched in the outline in pencil then simply used pallet knife small strokes to start the work.  Surprisingly relaxing.  Once again a tribute to my love of the sea.  Acrylic on canvas.  16 x 20.  Original: Etsy/studioquest.  Prints: Fine Art America.  For those of you that live near Livingston, TX.  I will be teaching a class at: Sew Fancy on Tues. April 28th at 6:00 on this technique.  Hope to see you there.

Wild and Free Abstract Impressionism

Wild and Free

The pallet knife can be a very useful tool, not only for mixing colors but creating an image with lots of texture.  I started with a blank canvas and worked in negative.  I left the outline of the horse with a little detail and filled in the background with pallet knife strokes of paint.  When I got the look I wanted I added in some splatter to enhance the movement of the piece.  While living in Nevada a few years back I was fortunate enough to see wild horses roaming the BLM land.  Most of them stayed away from people but now and then one would come fairly close to my camera and were as curious about me as I was about them.  Acrylic on canvas.  16 x 20  Original: Etsy/ StudioQuest.  Prints: Fine Art America. 

Zen Hummingbird

Example of Tangles you could use.

Zen Hummingbird

Pen and Ink is one of the most relaxing forms of art.  While it is not very forgiving, tangles are!  Most of you that are over the age of 50 remember this type of work called doodles.  One of the things I love about this is there really is no right or wrong.  I start with an initial sketch (outline) in pencil.  Then I go over that with a fine sharpie. I chose to use just one size on this particular work just to show that you could achieve a lot of variety with only one pen.  There are many sizes available as well as colors.  Once my outline was complete I then blocked off certain areas to fill in with tangles.  This type of work is therapeutic.    You can put it down whenever you want and come right back to it when you are ready.  I have added a sheet of 89 different tangles I created as an idea of some of the ones you could use.   If you liked to doodle or color as a child, give it a try.    Pen and Ink - 11 x 14.  Original: Etsy/StudioQuest.  Prints: Fine Art America. 

Boat Oars - Watercolor

Boat Oars x 3

I was asked to do a watercolor demonstration for Livingston Art League.  I wanted to create a simple work that I could nearly complete in the time allotted.   They had a nice lunch and I was set up at a table at the front of the room.  Above was a huge mirror at an angle which allowed everyone to watch me work as my paper laid flat on the table.    There was a lot of interaction and I met some very nice people.  I used both wet on wet techniques and dry brush techniques for some of the wood grain.   I thought these boat oars would go well with some of my Lobster Sea Float watercolors I have done in the past.  Watercolor - 11 x 14 on fine watercolor paper.  Original: Etsy/StudioQuest.  Prints: Fine Art America.

Water Movement

Water Movement

Abstract with water.  I had so much fun with abstracts that I decided to try a new technique using lots and lots of water.  I first used a spray bottle to completely wet the canvas then began applying blobs of paint and turning my canvas to get the paint to run where I wanted it to.  This process is very messy and you will drip paint everywhere so make sure you are outside or have a tarp down.  Once you have just the movement you like, stop and let the canvas dry.  Once the canvas completely dried (over a day) the colors dulled.  I really liked the shiny sheen when wet so sprayed the entire canvas with a gloss finish.  The movement and colors remind me of water and I like the finished effect.  Acrylic on Canvas.  16 x 20.  Original: Etsy/Studio Quest.  Prints: Fine Art America.

Abstract Octopus

Abstract Octopus

Our family vacation this year was to Galveston, Texas.  We stayed at a cute little cottage and walked the beach for seashells (one of my favorite all time things to do).   The Strand has many cute shops and art galleries and yummy cupcake shops.  When we arrived back home I was inspired to create the abstract octopus.  The background was created using brushes, combs and a spatula.  Once dried I drew in the octopus and used a pallet knife and brush to add in details.  I cannot look at an octopus without smiling.  Years ago while our family was in Greece our oldest daughter was fearful of stepping into the ocean.  The water was crystal clear and beautiful but she was sure something would grab her if she stepped in.  After what seemed forever she took a few steps into the water and quickly retreated with arms flailing screaming wormy thing, wormy thing!.  She was near the dock and a baby octopus had peeked out to take a look at her.  No amount of convincing could get her back into the water and to this day she refers to an octopus as a wormy thing!  Acrylic on canvas.  16 x 20.  Original: Etsy/Studio Quest.  Prints; Fine Art America

Derby Lady

Derby Lady

Love drawing and painting women.  We are all so different and I have wondered how much of who we are is affected by where and in what time period we have lived.  Culture, our age, our families, and social standards all play a role.   So many more options are open to women today yet we tend to romanticize bygone eras.   Maybe it was the clothing, or style that appeals to us.  Most of us assume that life was simpler.  While it is true that the women of the past did not have some of the same worries we have today, I think that they had many worries that never even come into our frame of reference.  Most of us do not worry about the weather and the influence it may have on crops or travel.  We do not have to set aside food for the long winter months.  Starting the evening meal is as simple as flipping a switch on the stove or pressing a button.  We do not have to chop wood, haul wood, light a fire, haul in water just to name a few chores that would have been required to provide a meal for your family.  I am grateful that I live in a time where I can pursue whatever it is that I want to pursue.  I am grateful to a mom and grandma that taught me many of the life skills I would need to survive but most of all loved me for who I am.  I have three daughters and they could not be more diverse and different from each other.  Something I celebrate.  Each has her own unique skill set and personality that makes our family a bit quirky and never dull.  As I worked on Derby Lady I wanted to stay primarily with sepia tones and have the background be a simple white.   She needed just a touch of color and I added in the blue.   Acrylic on Canvas.  16 x 20    Original: Etsy/Studio Quest, Prints; Fine Art America.  

Abstract Impressionism

Lady of the Mist

Abstract Bike

Abstract Impressionism is what I am choosing to call this particular style.  Are we allowed to make up our own name?  While the background is abstract, I did add in something recognizable (thus the impressionism part).  Our neighbors are such good friends and Randy is an artist in his own right.  Primarily creating sculptures and folk art.  I invited his wife Cheri over to play with abstract art one day and we pulled out canvas and paint and just dived in.  We had a wonderful time and she did a great job.  I ended up creating two different works.  I started with Lady of the Mist and used a pallet knife, lids, scraper and brushes to create the background.  Fortunately, acrylic dries quickly and while it dried I moved on to the other painting "Abstract Bike" .  The colors reminded me of traffic lights.  Once the back ground was completed I moved back to the first painting and started to sketch in the facial features.  I used a small detailed brush to complete the work and really liked the mysterious feel that began to develop.  Once I was finished with the piece I moved back to the traffic light background and did not feel that drawing a car would do anything for the work.  I remembered riding my cruiser in town and having to wait for a signal to change.  I sketched in the bike, intentionally leaving it a bit more primitive.   A few days later Randy stopped by and asked how much I wanted for the "Lady of the Mist" , saying that Cheri had talked about it and had a connection with it.   We decided on a trade of one of Randy's sculptures and he personalized the work by making a very unique custom frame for it.   It now hangs in Cheri's office.  Lady of the Mist Prints: Fine Art America.  Abstract Bike - Acrylic on Canvas.  16 x 20.  Original: Etsy/Studio Quest, Prints: Fine Art America.  

Simply Abstract

Shades of the Sea

Here it is, abstract, simply abstract.  I have finally been very happy with just leaving it abstract and not feeling the need to add anything in.  I love the textures and colors.  Having grown up in California and spending as much time as possible on the beach I came to love anything nautical and seaside related.  The colors are calming to me and while I went on in a previous post about not seeing a common thread in my work, I do see that I use these colors quite often.  I had so much fun creating this piece and made a "huge" mess.  I had paint in my hair, on my face, on the ground and even managed somehow to get a nice blue dot on my toe (I was painting outside in my flip flops).   I am not a neat painter to say the very least and desperately need a studio!   My grandson, Zane kept coming over and trying to "help" so he was covered in blue and green too!  The biggest challenge for me was determining when to stop.  I probably re-worked this piece at least 50 times until I was finally happy with the result.  Abstract Acrylic on Canvas.  Measures : 16 x 20.  Original: Etsy/Studio Quest.  Prints: Fine Art America.

I'm Back - Thoughts on a specific artists "look".

For all of you that have been kind enough to check in on me I am finally back.  This past year has been a bit crazy to say the very least.  My garden is now planted, all 25 trees are planted and some of the construction work on our home completed.   For those of you just checking in, we have begun to homestead a piece of property and I do hope to start a separate blog to record the progress.  This however is my "ART" blog,  so I will hush about the homesteading projects.  It isn't that I have neglected my art,  I have somehow managed to create during all the craziness, have been doing demonstrations, judging contests, had exhibits and art talks and taught classes.  I have had the most fun experimenting with some new styles and ideas.  Those who know me well, know that I have had a personal hang-up about creating abstract art.  I could never just leave it alone and had to put something recognizable in each work.  While I also enjoy adding the mixture of elements I wanted to be able to move past my own mental block.  I have finally done it and have created some abstract that has nothing obviously recognizable (although each piece does remind me of something).   I often look at other artists works and usually can see a common thread or "look".  It has bothered me that I can't seem to pin down a specific "look" that I have.  I have decided that I must be a little, yes, just a little, ADD.  I get bored easily and perhaps that is why I bounce around with so many different styles.  My daughter was so sweet and said, Mom, why fight it, celebrate the fact that you have so much diversity.   The reality is, if I try to create only one "look" I will probably get bored and not create as often.   Maybe my "look" will eventually emerge on its own, if so, great.  In the meantime, I will continue to follow my own flights of fancy and just have fun experimenting with different styles.   I am going to try to be more faithful in my postings, no promises, but will give it a good go.  If any of you want to share how you found your own personal style I would love to hear from you.

Playing with Abstract Art

Monet's Garden

I have always loved Monet's Impressionistic Style and the calming effect it has.  While traveling to Napa Valley a couple of years ago, one of the vineyards (Chateau Montelena) had this wonderful pond that reminded me of Monet.  It took me several years to finally paint it but here is it.  It much more "abstract" in feel than some of my other work and I was determined to not get too detailed.  I tried to stick with a variation of greens primarily and used both brushes and pallet knifes to create the work.  Acrylic /  Measures: 16 x 20 on canvas.  Original: Studio Quest / Etsy.  Prints: Fine Art America.

Update Jan. 2015

I realize I have been behind in postings.  We have purchased a piece of property and are in the process of homesteading.  I am planning on doing a blog to keep readers up to date on our progress.  As soon as I have all the pieces together I will include the blog detail information.  I will also include some of my art projects there.  Besides all the construction work I have managed to teach art classes at Sew Fancy, in Livingston, TX on the last Tues. evening of the month, 6:00 pm and now have some of my work in the new art gallery that opened here in Livingston called Across the Tracts.  For the month of January we are planning a European Hotel Watercolor and I am thinking of an abstract acrylic class for February.