2013 Reflection

We are at the end of the year. I am not making any New Year's Resolutions, because of the word "resolution". It implies that that particular thought or promise is locked forever. Go with the flow, and adjust as you go. That is one of my new mottoes.

What would I like to see in 2014? Compromise among all politicians. Just do your jobs, jerks.

Zero tolerance for animal cruelty. In every state, in the entire nation. And severe punishment for this crime. Someone who is cruel to animals will eventually turn to people, usually children. Nip it in the bud.

I want to become more tolerant of others. This is something I think comes with age, and I am far, far more easy going now than I was 10 years ago. But there is always room for improvement. If you don't change, you don't grow. Continued growth is the goal.

Patience. Good grief, I need more patience. I hate getting lost, and when I am lost, I have no patience with myself or the situation. It took me 65 years to realize that it is a control issue within my head. But it puts pressure on whoever is with me, and that's not good. Perhaps I can change this, or not. But now that I am aware of it and the reason underneath, the reactions should change.

Finally, I want to find our niche for selling our art work. "WE" is Cathy and I. We both know, in our hearts, that we can do this. It's just getting off our butts and out into a wider world to find the outlet. It will get done, and very soon. I am running out of room to store the canvases. Getting scary....

Have a safe and calm New Year's Eve. Relax New Year's Day. Join me in starting the new year with a positive attitude. It certainly can't hurt.
Linda

A Daily workout

I have been working in my art journals every day, and I'm feeling good. Finally feeling like I have found my voice, and want to express what's inside. Does that make sense? Sometimes I wonder.

Last year at this time, I had purchased a sewing machine and started making dolls like crazy. I think between mid-December and February, I had 12 creations totally completed. This year it's pages and pages of color, trying new techniques and absolutely loving it.

Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the season.
Linda

Art Journaling Again

Gelli print added to my journal with Washi tape

A few months back I ordered a Gelli Art Plate, and promptly made some of the most ugly prints you can imagine. It takes a few sessions to get the hang of working with the Gelli plate. I now have a stack of prints that will be incorporated into other projects, such as the art journal, greeting cards, or canvases. One of those prints that turned out decent to my eye is above, with the orange background. I can't define why I like it, I just do. Last night I taped into the journal with Washi tape, and then added some large raindrops. Those I colored with markers.

On the facing page, I used a Faber Castel Pitt pen to hand write the large letters, then make elements inside those letters. While the dogs snuggled alongside of me on the bed, I played with the markers while watching NCIS. The time flew. I think this all reminds me of coloring with crayons in a brand new coloring book as a kid. Whatever it is, I love it. The process totally relaxes me, and I am not worrying about how it will end, just trusting the journey.

So obviously I didn't stop there, went on to draw out the humps and color them as well. Both pages were done on top of acrylic paint that was brayed onto the paper. I clean my brayer off in the art journal when working with the Gelli plate. A good tip I picked up somewhere along the line. And I realized that simplicity is sometimes what I crave. I have journal pages that are loaded with layers of paint, stamping, added papers, etc. But this "hump" page is done. Just because I like it in the present state.

Not to say I won't go back later and add something to it. But hey, it's my journal, right? Have a good day.
Linda

Word for the Year

Jake. This is his normal early morning position

Hand made Art Journal from a class by Journal Girl

The "room" at a height of mess

Petunias in the late spring

My favorite canvas, from the SheArt3 class, Christy Tomlinson

I read a lot of blogs, or at least give them a daily glance. I do this for several reasons, the first being that seeing other's art inspires me. The second reason is the fact that all women are connected through art, with the struggles and challenges associated in the endeavor, and they talk about it. I love that. Kelly Rae Roberts is a hugely successful artist who made the choice to market her creations in reproductions. You have probably seen something by Kelly Rae, even if you didn't know it was hers. I started reading her blog just a few months ago, and was surprised to see how hard she works to maintain a positive attitude, physical fitness, balance with the family (well, that really isn't surprising), etc.

So here is a woman who has achieved enormous success, and she is still searching for balance. Which brings me to the Word for a Year. Kelly posted recently that she had chosen a new word for the year 2014. She got the idea about choosing an annual word to live by, to influence her daily decisions, from another artist, Ali Edwards. You can actually join a class about this at Ali's website here.

I am not going to take that class, but I like the idea of choosing a word for an entire year. As a reminder. As a prod. For a little meditation. So my word is ACHIEVE. For the entire year of 2014, I am going to set some goals and do my level best to achieve them. Not just with what I create, although that is the main motivating factor, but also in relationships and reactions. And I am returning to something I have neglected in the past few years. This was learned in a months long journey into AL-ANON several years ago:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

Have a restful weekend.
Linda

Winter and the dogs

Jake

Gracie

Dogs don't know about frostbite on paws or ears. All they know is that it is lots of fun to run in the white, fluffy stuff on the ground. And stick your nose in it. Lots of different smells. Look! Bunny tracks.

Yesterday afternoon the sun was out, strong. I had them in the backyard and realized I wasn't freezing with the temperature at 28. I was also in a sweatshirt underneath a brand new Columbia jacket with that reflective lining. Sucker works! So we headed to the dog park. I walked the perimeter and let them just flat out run and sniff. They had a blast, judging by the smiles and wagging butts. After about 35 minutes, I put the leashes back on and told them it was time to head home. "Oh, mom!!!" I am so protective of these two, but I truly don't want any frozen body parts on the dogs.

I wonder if they understand? Have a great day?
Linda

Random Thoughts

I have made a resolution to use up craft/art supplies that have been in my house for way too long. This was the first project. I found 2 wooden plaques in one of the storage drawers. This is the problem. I buy this stuff, put it in it's place somewhere, and promptly forget about it. And I am positive that other women do the exact same thing. So. This winter, which obviously is already here, I am pulling out substrates and working on them.

I had forgotten how much I enjoy painting on wood. When the colors on the sides of the plaque became too bright, I let them dry and then used fine sandpaper to calm and blend. Worked like a charm. An old tole painters trick.

The second plaque has the same color base, but I have yet to finish it. That will be today.

Dogs: I love them. They are my furry kids. But someone, and I have a strong feeling that each is contributing, is using the living room as a bathroom because someone does not want to get their paws cold. Someone this morning did not want to go out when his sister did. And while I was at the computer, a deposit was made. Accidents happen. But hello? I was sitting 5 feet from the back door.  And I have never denied either of them access to the backyard when they tell me they need out.

Small price to pay for owning two of the most loving, adorable dogs ever.
Linda

Dang

Jake is not impressed with the canvases

6x6 chunky canvas

I really like this little guy. (Yeah, I LOVE Jake. Talking about the snowman). He is currently sitting on my big bookcase in the living room. Yesterday I tried to finish a Santa figure, old St. Nick, on the same size canvas. Not happy with him at all, so he has been banned to the studio.

I am nuts.

It would be lovely if all of this very early winter weather in Central Indiana means that spring will move in by March 1st. I seriously doubt it, but it would be nice. Too cold, for me, to walk the dogs or take them to the dog park. I just can't take it anymore. So we play in the house, briefly in the yard, and take them for rides.

Speaking of which, there have been several dog snatching incidents in the Indianapolis area, where car windows are broken to get to the dogs. So now I will not leave them in the car while I run into Michaels to stock up on canvas or whatever. I never would leave them at Walmart, where you are lucky to come out and find your car still parked where you left it. I hate a thief.

This is a rambling post. So time to end it. Heading for a second cup of coffee. Have a good one.
Linda

Misc Monday

He's a cutie, but I don't like the scarf and have Mr. Penguin too tall!

Used modeling paste mixed with white paint for the snow. Now I don't like it.

My favorite

It's been awhile. Am I the only one who goes into a downward spiral this time of year? No. But for whatever reason, it has hit me hard this year. So to try and get out of this funk, I worked on Christmas themed canvases. It has helped, but I think it's the creative process more than the subject matter.

Yesterday was the 33rd anniversary of John Lennon's death. 33 years. The mind boggles at the music we missed. I follow a variety of artists and celebrities on Twitter. Simon Helberg (Howard on Big Bang Theory) posted a link to an article and audio of John and Paul singing "Don't Let Me Down". This was just the vocal track without instruments. Raw, pure emotion was in their voices. The article was concerned with John's plea to Yoko, not to let him down. But as I listened to this, Paul's voice overshadowed John's in several places. In my humble opinion, there was a plea coming from McCartney as well.

When we were kids, or rather teenagers, Christmas was very special. Capital Records was not a stupid company. First of all they had signed the Beatles. And every holiday season, a new album was released. We were always on pins and needles waiting for Christmas Eve so we could tear into that album. Nothing else under the tree held that type of magic. By Christmas Day afternoon, it had been played and played again. Lyrics memorized.

Seems so very long ago. I miss it terribly.
Linda