Literally, that is what I have been doing. Bedazzlin', bejewelin', sparklin'...making things fun. (Left) ...new sketchbook for 2012. Haven't marked on the first page yet, but I have been dragging it along everywhere I go, my first concern being the transformation of the outside of the book. I mean, if I am going to draw in it I need to be INSPIRED by it, right? So...sparkly black adhesive paper, check. Leopard duct tape sheet, check. (I love those, by the way) A sprinkling of jewels in different colors and sizes, check. Now, it is ready. Not sure for what, but it is ready. Another project for my night of sparkle...the box that I have using to store my CED works for January. It is a great box, very sturdy, large enough to accommodate the works, still room for the rest of the month. Silver metallic with black dots and pink trim...already on the right track. But...well...why not? ...Ummm...so I bedazzled and glitzed that as well. Now it is truly fit to contain my works for this month, in all of their jewel toned, whimsical, leopard and zebra glory. Now I can proceed.
Oh, and I finished my CED work for day #10. I am really starting to look forward to these. ...just some ramblings...per usual...nap was awesome...first night back at zumba was awesome...probably not going to feel that way that tomorrow...random sparkly finds at the mall...yes...awesome. But after all of that, working on school stuff and watching a DVD on graffiti art to help me prep my students for the visiting artist...the most, dare I say it, AWESOME, part of the day was seeing an unexpected letter all the way from Hawaii with a certain little girl's artwork in it. Says she wants to be an artist. And based on those fabulous pink flamingos...I'd say she's well on her way. Oh yeah, and I posted CED work #9, shown below in progress...still thinking of the theme of 'new' in terms of 'new' shoes...and my little sassy angels, which, yeah, don't have anything to do with 'new' but that is what I feel like painting, so be it. Tonight's edition...sassy angel with red shoes sitting in a high heel. Fun stuff.
One of these days I will get eight hours of sleep and be well rested for school. Not tomorrow, though! Aloha ahiahi ia oukou! So five days ago I signed up to be a part of the 'Creative Every Day Challenge'. That was easy enough. Started strong, posted everyday, despite teaching and the daily business of life...but heading out of town this past weekend and then spending time with friends...well, ummmm...I didn't post. Well, I just did, and I really did work on something on Friday, it was almost finished and never posted. And as for Saturday...I certainly thought of my painting, and what I would do. But, admittedly, I just posted the 6th entry tonight....paintings 7 and 8 are in progress. Made me feel a little guilty that I was away from my artwork. So...will have to think of creative ways to prep for days when I have other things going on...which is the whole point of the challenge I believe...to figure out how to make time for my creative self no matter what obligations and events come up. I did do something that I feel was creative, now that I think back on it. I had two pieces that I brought back from my collection at the Artist Gallery in Southern Pines. Two works from graduate school, back when I was doing more beading. Anyways, brought those pieces back to Florida, unsure at the time what I would do with them. Turns out that they were destined to be gifted to my art friends and fellow Tipsy Girls. So, I guess that could be kind of art related...sharing my art/creativity with others? Yep, I can work with that.
So I made it to work. It was tough to get up, especially after waking up at 3am and trying to fall asleep..failing at it, but trying nonetheless...
I did complete my fourth CED Challenge work, another small watercolor of a shoe. Only thing with the watercolor is having to wait for the paint to dry, especially using the salt for textural effects. While I waited I put away my artwork and supplies from the last ANE show...which I never unpacked. I had to re-work some storage for all of my canvases and assorted art treasures...but I think I found a home for everything until the next show. ...ummmm...yeah...blog... not been keeping up with it. Guilty. However, there have been many happenings this holiday season, many art related...and this summary is going to be chaotic but that is pretty fitting...For starters, the ANE show was awesome. Jess, Sofia and I had a great time, had a table right up front. Of course it was sparkly and magical...so magical in fact that we were awarded 'Best New Artist' later that evening....I was so tired the next day, but I think that it is important for me to keep putting my own work out there, so bring on the Red Bull! ...ummmm...so then.... ...new grant is posted and ready to go on Donors Choose (http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/325658.-2029090731) and I just saw earlier today that I already received a donation! Whoop whoop! Really excited about this grant, it is to purchase drawing books and materials for my students...they...love...to..DRAW!... ...and... ...the paintings made it to Hawaii, Amanda took a pic of the work hanging above Lexi's new bedding, looks cute! I had fun doing custom paintings for a little gal also fond of pink and sparkles. ...then off to celebrate Christmas and New Year's... ...headed home to NC for what ended up being an extended break...spent my collection of Michael's gift cards...visited my shoe paintings at Jazzy's and discussed working on a web for Mrs. Carlyle...visited my last two pieces at the Artist's Gallery of Southern Pines (formerly Artist's Alley)...then had an art night with Jennifer and delivered ten new watercolor paintings the next day...really whimsical, funky angels with red shoes and assorted animal print dresses...then gathered supplies to head to Raffaele's to paint wine glasses for customers for New Year's. so...in the works...
...gotta get my art out...keep making paintings, drawings and sparkly things...keep being creative...keep networking with other artists to stay motivated and inspired...keep on keeping on...a few things I am focused on right now include prepping some work for sale on my gal Jessie's site, get ready for the next ANE show on 1-25-11...and maybe actually sitting down and do that whole Etsy thing I have been meaning to do. oh...and i want to draw more...started a drawing over the break, will post later...forgot how much I just love to sit down and draw...and I need to get back on my beadwork...much to do indeed. ...2012 will be a very art-filled year! I want to make more art. I thought that it might be good to participate in some daily activity to keep me motivated...I mean, I feel like I am getting better about making work, and writing about the work and the process...even if no one else cares, I do, and it helps me...but there is something about feeling accountable...helps me stay focused. Blah, blah, blah...I found this cool challenge on line after some searching...So I worked on the navigation on my website to allow for a new link...my mini-blog for the Creative Every Day Challenge. Not gonna worry about a ton of writing...just want to post pics of something creative that I do each day for 2012. I relaxed a bit today and then got out some art materials and my little table to paint a little while I watched 'Flight of the Conchords' with my husband. Not sure what tomorrow will bring in relation to the theme of 'new' but tonight that theme turned into two finky new shoes and a sassy angel in a leopard dress and red heels...click here to view... Aside from the CED Challenge...I am brainstorming ideas for the next ANE Show...and figuring out how I am going to complete the project shown on the left. Maybe I mentioned it...maybe not...John's Nonna passed over the break and all I could think about is this one picture that I had seen of her...holding squash flowers in her garden. She could make anything grow, had such a green thumb. Over the break I started this graphite drawing...added some watercolor details...and was thinking I would add some phrase translated into Italian and give it to Raffaele. He shared with us that Nonna was quite the writer...writing her thoughts, notes, lists, recipes on anything that she could find. He read some to us, trying his best to translate as we tried to fill in the gaps lost in translation...and then it came to me. The space on the left of the composition should be filled with Nonna's writing. So I am waiting to get some more direction on this one...Raffaele is going to help select the text...probably going to use some type of transparency or vellum for the writing and then overlay it on top of the drawing...not sure yet...and of course he will make an amazing frame in his wood shop when it is completed.. Now, going to enjoy the last moments of my break before I have to go to bed early and get up to teach... |
AuthorArtist and Art Teacher
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