Painting Weekend

Had a blast in Malibu this weekend - took a painting workshop with Katie Kendrick - learned a bunch of new tricks and tools and can't wait to try them out again.  These are all quick sketches and a few started out with left hand scrawls!  The traveling lady was the end product of Day 1 using lots of different techniques - the best was just using intuition and going with it to tell a story - i love love love this idea - no pressure and absolutely no attachment to the outcome - on any of these pieces - just playtime!

value study and also a lesson in mixing flesh color - about 7 different paints 

this is what i want to do more of - i like the mystery and "outsiderness" of this one

this lady was another quick study in value - she is shades of purple - not that you can tell from this photo - but maybe that is the whole idea ;)

the colors in this are so much better in person - i really need to figure out the best lighting in the house for photo taking
tons of different techniques in this

xoxo

Playdate w/ Jen!

inspired by Pam Garrison and Thomas Campbell pinwheels we played with paper and fabric and then also did a bit of doodling on linen to embroider and embellish at a later date. Tons of fun - girl talk, creativity talk, lunch talk, coffee talk - so good!

xoxo

a small project

i made myself a new makeup brush holder using toile fabric i bought in Paris and some vintage red bias tape i picked up today!!  i like this so much better using than a brush bag since i can see everything at once.

the small pockets

the back

filled with brushes + tools

rolled up for easy storage

xoxo

Fabulous Weekend

playtime with Judy Wise in malibu on saturday and sunday was pure bliss - she is so lovely, kind, generous, and open - i want to be her when i grow up ;)

Judy + me

countdown to creativity

sweet hollie

the fabulous jen

a glorious jumble of art + supplies

seriously can't wait to do it again and also to make journaling a priority in my life - all the little bits + thoughts  + happenings add up to a book of beauty

xoxo

ARTful Journey

i loved attending this retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains - it was fabulous to spend 3 days creating and meeting so many lovely people - there is an energy created when so many minds and hearts are working and creating and sharing together - it is addictive.

nina's class was truly relaxing - no pressure at all and i enjoyed working with the gems and crochet and learning her wire wrapping tricks was super cool - her pieces are gorgeous! 

Booklace

Resin Papers

Full Necklace - Leather Heart, Crochet Strands

Detail

 xoxo

Workshops

I did it - took the plunge and signed up for 3 different workshops during Feb and March!  I'm going to be taking a 3 day class in the Redwoods with Nina Bagley.

Love this!  I have to make a prayer flag this weekend since I signed up to send it in by Feb 1 - nothing like a deadline to get me creating!

xoxo

Looking Ahead

A list for 2009:

Creativity: camera, lessons, photo software, more blogging, focused vision, mixed media

Travel: visit 3 new places, museums in LA, Santa Barbara weekend on the beach

Correspondence: writing more, postcard mailing, sending photos to family & friends

Home Decor: bathtub redo, wall painting, music room, bulb planting

i look forward to a new year and a new set of goals and wishes to fill.  i'll have to look back at 2008's list to see what i jotted down and the desire vs the fulfillment.  i think i made a lot of progress in 2008 on the road to figuring out the next phase of my life.  little by little.....

  

A Daily Dose

So in my quest to break away from the habit of paralyzation, i've started a small project-per-day goal.  This is my hope and i'm finding it true so far - that i will discover and get addicted to play time with no cares about the final piece but just trying to get into the zone and have a daily dose of creativity.  i really find that my day goes better and i'm truly happier on these days that i get into the groove.  Doing the projects with an open heart, getting down to some real emotion and

possibly some real healing - that makes me feel great!

6 Degrees of Separation

It was a hot one and we decided on pizza delivery and a movie last night. The 3 of us watched Six Degrees of Separation - a story that i knew, read about, but i had never seen the movie.  There's a part of the movie where a character speaks about imagination and how paralyzation is when the imagination stops and is void.  i may need to listen to that speech again.  i have been seeing signs everywhere - yoga mag came this week with large headings on the cover - meditation for creativity - open your heart to find happiness.  These are my current thoughts: the heart does not just open once and you are fixed.  some rays get in and then it closes again - what i do understand is that maybe it will open again and again - each time a bit quicker and a bit easier.  i do feel that this week a piece of the wall has shattered and the light is trying to glow just a bit deeper.