judy grupp studio

He Saw His Shadow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-02-02T07:00:00.008-05:00

Punxsutawney, PA.

If he sees his shadow, be prepared for six more weeks of winter weather. If there is no shadow to be found, then spring is just around the corner!

So - today is Groundhog Day - a regular holiday in Pennsylvania. Tens of thousands of people travel to Punxsutawney before the sunrise. They have to park miles away and take shuttles into town. And from what I understand, the average Joe can't even get near enough to see Phil, the world's most famous groundhog. Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his warm burrow at about 7:30 am to greet the tens of thousands of people who have made the trek to Gobbler's Knob, outside of Punxsutawney, PA.

Jamie Burch said...

Does that mean winter is going to actually show up? Yikes! It's been feeling more like spring lately.

Same here Jamie - I didn't even wear a coat to work today - 40's & 50's - where is the snow?

Collage and the Colored Pencil

2012-01-29T07:00:00.006-05:00

More collage fun with my colored pencil drawings!

I've used some fabulous NAPKINS in these collages.

Red Poppies and White with Blue Dogwoods

I also had some RIBBON I really liked, Red and Green.

As you can see, I've limited my palette to
RED, GREEN, and BLUE

Kim Henkel said...

Judy,
I love the pencil crayon work! I have added it to my list to try....but there are so many things on my list that I may not make it this year and the year has just begun. Your work is beautiful!

Jean said...

Just beautiful. Love the colors.

January 30, 2012 6:26 PM

Linda said...

Very nice Judy G!

The colored pencil painting becomes Collage Ephemera

2012-01-26T11:11:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh, the colored pencil experience. The gentle layering of colors. The therapeutic hours spent with these wooden sticks filled with soft creamy colors. I could leave these drawings as they are, maybe matted and framed or just lounging in my sketchbook.

But noooo - I deemed their destiny to be COLLAGE EPHEMERA. For those of you familiar with collage, you might be thinking - What fun!. The rest of you are probably shuddering to think of their future of being cut up or torn, painted and stamped on, and definitely slathered in glue.

What Fun!!

CPSA

2012-01-23T07:00:00.002-05:00

Please visit the

COLORED PENCIL SOCIETY OF AMERICA's
website www.cpsa.org

to see what fabulous paintings
are made with colored pencils.

Jean said...

Absolutely wonderful. Love them all.

The Colored Pencil ENTHUSIAST

2012-01-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

I love colored pencils.

I love them more than paint.

Yes - they are slow - very slow - but for me, it's a form of meditation. It's calming and reflective.

Just like watercolors, my colored pencils are applied in layers, many layers to build up to the color I want.

Some people say colored pencils are just "coloring" = that's true if you only apply one layer.

But when you use many layers - then it's painting.

2012 Let's get started

2012-01-14T07:00:00.005-05:00

I have written my goals for this year - so why can't I get started! I've undecorated the holiday decorations, so I'm done with that. Of course, the Ravens are in the Play-Offs - so there is still celebrating going on in my house! Mostly my problem is day-light-savings time. It's dark when I get up for work and dark when I get home. All I want to do is curl up on the sofa and hibernate. I so envy the bear!

I tried to do some painting in my studio - but that's in the unheated garage, and even though it hasn't been that cold, I just can't stay in there. So - the only cure for what ails me is - COLORED PENCILS.

No mess,

No fuss,

and I can still sit on the sofa and draw,

I'm a happy camper!

Jamie Burch said...: I struggle to stay motivated this time of year. My body wants to hibernate, but my mind has so many ideas. It's a battle! Judy, it's amazing what you can do with colored pencils. Love that drawing!; January 14, 2012 10:19 AM
ellie said...: Happy you found a way to snuggle and create. Like the picture.; January 14, 2012 11:53 AM
agruppy said...: Good thing I gave you a new electric pencil sharpener for Christmas ;); January 14, 2012 12:16 PM; Jeri Landers said...; Great job with colored pencils. I thought at first it was acrylic! I am totally motivated in the winter, because I can't go outside and garden, there is nothing to do but artwork.

My 2012 Mantra . . .

2012-01-09T13:08:00.001-05:00

Celebrate What's Right With The World

~ Dewitt Jones

"It's going to be a wild, wonderful, knock-your-socks-off year."

Visit Deitt Jones' blog http://blog.celebratewhatsright.com/.

Jeri Landers said...

And there IS a lot that is "right with the world! Just look around you and beneath your feet, what wonders surround us!

2012

2012-01-05T07:00:00.007-05:00

Live the life you have imagined

~ Henry David Thoreau

. . . it's that time again to set goals for this new year.

Yeah

ellie said...

thanks for the chuckle. I hope 2012 is filled with light-hearted moments as we all stuggle to move our lives and businesses forward.

January 5, 2012 1:45 PM

Jeri Landers said...

Onward ho! Many goals and dreams for the new year and I intend on living all of them.

January 6, 2012 3:30 PM

susanna said...

Happy New Year to you, too! Have you thought of what you want in the New Year? I haven't yet. Gimme a couple of weeks!

January 6, 2012 7:45 PM

2012

2012-01-01T07:00:00.012-05:00

An Outlook of Gratitude ~

Listen to Nature,

Listen to others,

Listen to your Inner Self;

the messages will continually flow through your spirit.

2012

2011-12-28T09:15:00.000-05:00

I no longer maker goals that stretch far into the future,

but try to achieve,

to learn,

to wonder,

and to keep gratitude in my heart for each tender mercy - Jenni Farnes

May All Your Christmas Wishes Come True !

2011-12-22T14:54:00.002-05:00

Courage Lion Book

2011-12-06T07:00:00.002-05:00

Practicing again for the
"Grief & Loss"
book. This time I tried an older character. Rather than actually show what caused his grief, I used the doll to symbolize whatever it was.

Courage Lion Book

2011-12-02T07:00:00.001-05:00

Time to start thinking about the new book for the Courage Lion Project.
Here is the website for the Foundation - http://www.couragelion.org/ - with all the info about the first project - a book, CD, and stuffed lion - so far over 30,000 have been given to children in critical care facilities.

Book II will be started soon. The 1st book was about having courage, this 2nd book is about grief and loss. I have learned that only 5% of "grief and loss" is from a loss as a result of a death. The majority of grief is a result of disease and illness, physical handicaps, emotional trauma, anything from losing a home, changing foster parents, the list goes on and on. As soon as I get the first draft of the text, I can start the storyboard.

In the meantime I am practicing. Since my audience will be older kids this time in addition to the younger ones, and their families, they've asked me to dress the animals in the attire and accessories relevant to kids today.

This goofy giraffe is my first attempt. I think he is goofylishish - maybe too goofy for this type of book. Anytime you try to dress an animal, it's going to get silly. Maybe the story won't have a giraffe!

Back to the TO-DO-LIST

2011-11-30T07:00:00.004-05:00

Squiggles - remember these when you were a kid? A ream of blank paper, a box of 64 crayons, and a rainy Saturday afternoon - Life Was Good!

So - here I am , 50 years later - I'm still squiggle-ing. Only now I am using it as a form of meditation. A way to empty my mind of everything except what is important at this moment - my ART-TO-DO-LIST.

Early next year I need to complete a slew of new paintings for the Gallery, 2 shows, illustrations for a second Courage Lion book, prepare for a 5-day workshop, and a 5-day vacation - all to be completed by May/June.

And here I sit - squiggle-ing - and wondering how many squiggles my Gallery will take!

Message from Ellie:

ellie said...

Used to be that one of my most treasured possessions was the Crayola box of 64. Loved the shades and the names of each. Hated that moment when the first one broke.
These days in order to clear my mind or to tussle with a design modification I do sudoku or play solitare. Hands at work while the mind can worry a problem and visualize a solution.
We're not too far from our childhood, are we?

Words of Encouragement . . .

2011-11-28T07:00:00.004-05:00

A very special Thank You
to my dear non-cyber friend LINDA SOMMER,

who would be very quick to deny the fact that she is the most

inspirational
and
motivational,

art friend I have. She said she "loves my passion" and that my "flame burns brightly" - so sweet!! My passion pales next to hers.

Words of Encouragement . . .

2011-11-25T07:00:00.003-05:00

Thank you ELLIE . . .

Thank you for showing up on my blog whenever I need a lift or a dose of reality - TRY AGAIN and KEEP GOING. The best advice ever - so simple, yet so true!!

Ellie and I were cut from the same piece of cloth. When we were kids, if we wanted to play, we made our own toys, mainly paper dolls. Ellie is the same way today, inspired by her grandchildren, she started her own business, making clothes for little girls. What lucky grandchildren to have Ellie as dressing them in fantabulous beautiful colorful clothes!

http://annarellahome.blogspot.com/

Words of Encouragement . . .

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thank you CLYTIE . . .

Clytie is an artist who claims to "see things differently"
I think the only way she sees things differently is that she actually sees things that the rest of us don't. She is an APPRECIATOR and an OBSERVER, in a world that has forgot the importance and the benefits of both.

http://clytie-randomtrash.blogspot.com/
http://clytie-eandomheartwork.blogspot.com/
http://naturejournal.blogspot.com/

And while she is OBSERVING, she APPRECIATES when those of us in her cyberWORLD need a cyberHUG, and she freely showers us with her Random Hearts. She is a treasure.

Words of encouragement . . .

2011-11-20T07:00:00.003-05:00

Thank you PAUL KASMIR . . .

Paul reminded me of a few popular books that were rejected numerous times:

M*A*S*H, Richard Hooker - rejected 21 times
Carrie, Stephen King - rejected 30 times
Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell - rejected 38 times
A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle - rejected 26 times
Heaven Knows Mr. Allison, Charles Shaw - rejected 20 times
Dune, Frank Herbert - rejected 23 times

Paul is a fabulous fantastical illustrator of whimsical gargoyles and toy animals.
Check out his YouTube video - Taurus Remembers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk-xaRtnSi8

Words of Encouragement . . .

2011-11-18T11:49:00.001-05:00

Thank You - Jamie Burch . . .

Jamie sent me these words

"Remember - dreams are just your future waiting to come true"

I sent these words to her a year or so ago, and now they found their way back to me.

http://dancingdownserendipitystreet.blogspot.com/

http://chasingthemooncreations.blogspot.com/

Jamie is an aspiring YA novelist. I expect to see her books on the best seller list in a year or two.

Don't give up your DAY JOB!

2011-11-14T20:27:00.002-05:00

Ahh the critique. The baring of the soul. Letting a perfect stranger see your hopes and dreams. Being able to say THANK YOU as they gently tell you - you are ordinary - you are the same as every other artist trying to make their mark -you are bold and brave yet humble and touched. My two hundred page book is just a small idea not big enough to support a real book, I need to write a big story with my little idea in the middle. So - I have no book, no reserved spot on a library shelf, no movie deal - and no AUTOGRAPH from Wendy Loggia! Plus, I am a year behind on my art projects with nothing new to post on my blog.

But what I do have is an admiration for the writers with big ideas for their big books. An admiration for the writer who can remember 65,000 words ago whether they gave their main character her birthday yet this year, or if her brother's name is Zach or Justin, or was that the Dad's name? or if her bedroom is on the first or second floor of her house. Things we readers think our authors most certainly know!

Plus, I am still a great reader. And those writers with their big ideas wouldn't be so great if it wasn't for us great readers. I still have that!

Honestly - the critique was exactly as I expected, I am a first time writer. And all my first time writer weaknesses were evident. I knew they were there. But writing a novel was on my bucket list and now it's not. And the next time I illustrate a manuscript, I will do it with reverence and awe!

ps - Wendy Loggia was sweet, with true grace she let me down gently without saying those dreaded words - you suck!

SCBWI - Gettysburg Conference

2011-11-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today is MY DAY

My Mountain IS waiting

Wendy Loggia - Ever After

2011-11-09T12:56:00.000-05:00

This weekend I am attending a SCBWI conference in Gettysburg PA. It's a huge conference for the Eastern PA and Western PA chapter, and Maryland Chapter.

I always love these conferences, so much to learn and great fun! As you all know I am primarily an artist, and even though I write picture books, I am not published. But recently, on a lark, I thought I would try my hand at writing a YA novel. I had an idea that gnawed at my brain and wouldn't leave me alone. It was a big idea, one that would never do in a picture book. After a few months, I gave in to the YA novel idea. I wrote the novel. I wrote it three times and I see at least twenty more rewrites in my future. Picture books, with their 800 words are a piece of cake compared to 70,000 words. Lord knows I was challenged! Long story short - I threw aside self-doubt and signed up for a book critique at this conference. Self doubt came back with a vengeance and I have regretted it ever since.

I received my critique appointment, this Saturday, 9:15am, with no other than

Wendy Loggia.

Author of

Ever After,

and Editor of

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Are you serious?

It's too late to crawl in a hole, travel to the other side of the world, or have my wisdom teeth extracted - anything to avoid this appointment. I will be there. I figure all is not lost, for my $40 critique fee,

I'm getting one hell of an autograph!

LOOK AT ME

2011-10-17T06:54:00.000-04:00

Self Portrait in Charcoal.

This painting was also juried into the York Art Association's Juried Exhibit.

Doesn't look exactly like me, looks more like my cousin Juanita.

It's the first time I used this process for charcoal - covered the paper with charcoal dust,

then removed the highlighted areas with a kneaded eraser,

and added charcoal for the darker areas.

A PRIZE for my RABBIT

2011-10-13T11:25:00.001-04:00

Award of MERIT

for my "White Rabbit"

41st OPEN JURIED EXHIBIT

at the YORK ART ASSOCIATION

October 9th, 2011. Over 300 paintings were entered,
136 were juried into the show.

There were 7 prizes awarded before me, so I was actually 8th.

Still - not bad for The White Rabbit!

Go the the website http://yorkartassociation.org/ to see the winners.

I had a second painting juried in, a charcoal self portrait -
I'll post it as soon as I get a photo.

My Newest Patron

2011-10-07T10:17:00.001-04:00

This is my newest and youngest PATRON of the ARTS,

not KC the dog, but, Caleb, the baby.
please note: this is not my baby, my baby is over 30, this is her girl friend's new born.
I wish I were that young again!!!

Painting the Farm

2011-09-23T07:00:00.002-04:00

Oh, the critique - guess what all of them did not like -

the Cobalt blue "Parrish" sky.

They said, since my instructions were to "paint the land", the blue sky was the first thing their eyes were drawn to, that it was a distraction from the "LAND".

So - good-bye to my cobalt blue sky.

This is the finished painting I will be submitting for the show.

Painting the Farm

2011-09-21T07:00:00.001-04:00

Finally, nearly finished.

I added a hint of the farm house and barn.

My "Parrish" sky is just as imagined it would be.

I've sent the photo off to some friends for a critique.

Painting the Farm

2011-09-17T07:00:00.003-04:00

Maxfield Parrish used a glazing technique in his paintings, only he used oils and I am using acrylics. He was famous for his COBALT BLUE SKIES, so much so that a cobalt blue skies in a landscape paintings came to be known as a PARRISH SKY.

You're probably wondering why this version doesn't look much different than the last one - the changes are subtle - I agree. But I have added more that 6 to 8 new layers of color. It is a very slow process.

Painting the Farm

2011-09-13T07:56:00.000-04:00

I am using the glazing technique for this painting.
Just like the colored pencils I love so much, I am painting many layers of
transparent paint to reach the color I desire.

Painting the Farm

2011-09-10T16:22:00.000-04:00

My instruction for painting this farm are to "paint the land",

the buildings should not be the main focus. Which is why I chose this panoramic view. There will be a slight view of the house and barn, tucked behind the trees.

Painting the Farm

2011-09-06T06:41:00.000-04:00

UNDERPAINTING

The painting has officially begun. I've chosen to do the underpainting in lights and darks using purple and yellow.

Painting the Farm

2011-09-03T07:00:00.003-04:00

Time for supplies, I was going to order from my favorite art supplier - Dick Blick - but I know I would order way more than I need, so it was off to AC Moore with my 40% coupon.

With my newly aquired 36 x 24" canvas and my charcoal pencils, I've sketched the farm. A little spray fixative and a light coat of watered down gesso to seal the charcoal.

Summer is over - Back to Work!

2011-08-30T14:15:00.000-04:00

I have a new project! I'm doing a painting of a local farm that has been put in the Preserved Land Trust. The painting will be part of an exhibit at the York Art Association next April 2012 - but it needs to be completed this October 1st. I visited the farm a few weekends ago and took over hundred photos - thank goodness for digital cameras.

Now I have to plan the painting and decide what view I want to use. I want a more interesting sky, so I've chosen the farm landscape and added a menacing sky from my own photo collection. So, out of the 100+ photos I took, I used (4).

New Freedom, PA vs Irene 8.28.2011

2011-08-28T11:07:00.002-04:00

Irene has come and gone. She brought with her a lot of rain and has left a lot of wind. All in all, for us it was just a tropical storm or Nature's Spring Cleaning. Below is a BEFORE picture of our lake. They are fixing our dams and had lowered the level of water by almost half.

This morning, after the showers had passed, I ventured out to take a few AFTER pictures, as Irene has seen fit to fill our lake up to its original level and then some. During the summer, a mammouth sunflower planted by the birds had taken root in the mud beside our pier, as you can see, she is quite underwater.

This picture above is the view I have of my neighbors backyard. The water is a few feet up his yard. But what I hadn't noticed was the tree now covering his pier, top left corner of the photo. Can't see his flagpole anymore!

I walked around to the other side of his house - turns out it was the next neighbor who had lost two big big trees. One fell to the right onto the neighbors pier, just missing the corner of his house. The second tree fell toward the lake and took out half of a beautiful ancient willow tree.

So all in all - blessings all around - no one was hurt - no property damage except for the pier. And to think my main concern this morning was my sunflower!

Signs are meant to be followed . . .

2011-08-25T14:50:00.002-04:00

Robert Burridge Workshop

2011-08-17T07:00:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited. I signed up for a Robert Burridge workshop - Painting Landscapes - next April 2012 !!

Plenty of time to save and plenty of time to gather all the supplies on the list. I'm so glad he finally came to my neck of the woods.

Check out his blog http://www.robertburridge.blogspot.com,

or his website www.robertburridge.com where you can sign up for

his Artsy Fartsy Newsletter.

Happy Birthday to ME!!

2011-08-12T13:22:00.000-04:00

Three Score
and Three -
Where do the
years go?

Glazing Landscapes

2011-08-09T07:00:00.001-04:00

My third and final LANDSCAPE sketch. I think three paintings will be plenty to work on at one time.

Think about who you are and how you want to be remembered - it's not enough to be talented,

it's not enough to be ambitious -

define yourself before someone else does.

Glazing Landscape

2011-08-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

Here is my second LANDSCAPE sketch for the glazing project.

"Life isn't about finding yourself,

Life is about creating yourself"

George Bernard Shaw

Glazing Landscapes

2011-08-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

I'm still working on the glazing process. This time I'll try my hand at some landscapes.Something simple with spatial shapes to make a great composition. This is my first preliminary sketch, done with colored pencils - layers of colors - simple design. Before I start the painting, I'll do at least two more designs. That way I can work on 3 or 4 paintings at one time. I can use the same mixed color more than once and while I'm waiting for one glaze to dry I can go to another painting.

Project Runway

2011-07-30T21:07:00.002-04:00

My favorite REALITY show is back on!

I love Project Runway!

When I was still in high school I sewed all my own clothes and even made a few amateurish attempts at designing a few of my own outfits. And I loved FASHION ILLUSTRATION.

Most of you probably don't remember when the Sunday Paper was packed with ads from the department stores, hand drawn illustrations of the new spring fashions, the back-to-school clothes or the beautiful wedding and prom dresses, all drawn in black and white. Fashion Illustrating was my career goal, I said so in my yearbook, and planned to study it at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

I wish I had had a glimpse of the future, an idea of what technoloy would do to the art world.

Photo-
graphy
stole
my career.

Glazed Elephants

2011-07-26T10:13:00.001-04:00

Finally - Finished -

the Glazed Elephants!

In some areas this painting has at least 10 layers of glazed color, other areas only 4 layers. The layers remind me of my colored pencil process, layers and layers to get to the color you want. I imagine, if I knew anything about watercolors, the layering process is probably the same.

Someone asked what kind of glaze paints I used - just regular acrylic paint in a tube added to an acrylic Glazing Medium (very little paint and lots of medium).

I'm going to try this glazing process on a landscape painting next. I usually avoid landscapes, but I think I could get some nice effects with the glazing - oh but I do have major problems with the color GREEN!

Still Glazing . . .

2011-07-21T07:00:00.011-04:00

I've been so busy with LIFE that I haven't been able to paint as much as I'd like - but I'm up to 8 layers of glaze. I've added real balloons to float around with the balloon elephants. Now I have to add more glazes to the balloons and fix their colors and everything needs highlights and is the sky blue enough?

ACRYLIC GLAZING - TIPS

2011-07-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

Tip No. 4:
Use a Light Ground

I usually avoid a white canvas to start, so this is new for me.

Tip No. 5:
Glazing Mediums

Don't thin with water, water ruins the consistency of the paint

Tip No. 6:
Use a Soft Brush

As you can see here, even though I used a soft brush, it was a square one, and you can see the brushstrokes.

I'm up to four layers, 10 more to go - maybe.

ACRYLIC GLAZING ~ TIPS

2011-07-14T07:00:00.037-04:00

Tip No. 1:
Get to Know Your Transparent Colors
I thought if you added glazing medium - they were all transparent!

Tip No. 2:
Be Extremely Patient
This only happens if there is a good movie in the video machine

Tip No. 3:
Glazes Like Smooth Surfaces
That's true, see the ACEO to the right, the Acrylic glazing on this watercolor paper just looks like watercolor

ACRYLIC GLAZING

2011-07-11T07:00:00.003-04:00

"A glaze is simply a thin, transparent layer of paint and glazing is simply building up color by applying thin, transparent layers one on top of another, dry layer. Each glaze tints or modifies those beneath it. So why is glazing something that can trouble, and even threaten, artists so much? Well, while the theory may be simple, putting it into practice takes patience and persistence to master."

So true! Sounds so simple, but when you are used to mixing colors on a palette - building thin layers of paint instead to get to those colors is a bit daunting. And keeping the glaze thin enough and the waiting - oh the waiting for the layer to dry!

Back to Work . . .

2011-07-07T15:41:00.000-04:00

I've straightened the studio and removed all tell tale signs of

Alice and the White Rabbit.

Time to Get Back to WORK,

now that my lawn is at "Captain Crunch" status

I won't be spending every spare minute cutting it.

First I need to re-write the 2011 To Do List,

as I've added 3 new projects and lost interest in a few others.

The To Do List is a living ever evolving document.

I have been thinking about trying acrylic glazing in my new projects.

In my research of this, I've re-discovered one of my FAV artist.

What an inspiration!

To Every Thing There Is A Season . . .

2011-06-27T15:30:00.000-04:00

. . . in 2009, the Dalai Lama said,
"The world will be saved by the western woman."
He later added, "Some people may call me a feminist . . . but we need more effort to promote human values - human compassion, human affection. And in that respect, females have more sensitivity for others' pain and suffering."

I don't normally use my Art Blog as a soap box, but today, with the announcement that Ms. Bachmann will enter the 2012 presidential race, I wonder if the Dalai Lama's prediction will come true. It started with Hilary (who had too much Clinton baggage) and then Sarah (who was too far in left field - left field not left wing), and now Michele Bachman . . . who knows?

No Ribbon for my Rabbit!

2011-06-22T07:00:00.033-04:00

I did not win at the York Art Association Rottler Exhibit,

not even an honorable mention!

Oh well! C'est la vie!

But the good news is:

~ My paintings are hanging in a public venue for one month

~ I now have a painting ready for the Juried Show in September

~ I now have 2 paintings ready for the Riverview Gallery next March

~ Painting Alice and the Rabbit was on my Art Bucket List !!

and as a consolation prize -

I did win the Judy Grupp Studio Award for

"Being Engaged in Life"

or better known as -

at least I got up off my tookus and did something!

The Drum Roll please . . .

2011-06-20T07:00:00.001-04:00

Deadline. Almost 3 months later, and the paintings that have consumed by free time are wrapped in plastic and delivered to the York Art Association.

My studio has been straightened, paints put away and brushes all washed.

I don't know what to do with myself.

There's always the lawn - it needs mowing - again!

White Rabbit

2011-06-18T14:42:00.000-04:00

My White Rabbit from beginning to end ~

from no eyes to blue eyes ~

I have secretly named him Sinatra.

Just putting on the last finishing touches, varnish, hanging wire, making sure the back looks tidy and neat. I always paint the back edges and glue down any loose pieces of collage material. When I paint on gallery wrapped canvas, I always make sure the painting wraps around the sides, and the back looks good too. I want to make a good impression from all angles!

The Weakest Link

2011-06-16T07:00:00.016-04:00

"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link"

This applies not only in business but also to your paintings.

It is the weakest part of your painting that will lose the sale or keep you from winning the prize.

You might think the painting is so strong that the problem area will be ignored, in most cases it is the problem area that will cause the painting to fail. It is difficult to distance yourself enough to determine the problem areas - it is also difficult to admit there is a weak area - but what is the hardest - at least for me - is to actually correct the problem. For one, at this point the painting is 99.9% complete, and two, is it worth the risk of ruining the rest of the painting just to fix something that might not be a problem to someone else. Yes - fix it.

Don't settle for less than your best.

So close to complete, it's becoming a chore to work on these. I want them out of my house. I don't care if I ever see them again. This mood that I am in is one of my indicators that these painting might be done.
How do we know for sure?

What I do know for sure is that I am not the only one with these insecurities - check out Kim Henkel's blog, http://khenkel.blogspot.com/ , June 7th - "When is is Finished?"

Painting Deadline . . .

2011-06-13T06:40:00.000-04:00

Being PREPARED when
Opportunity comes, means
DOING the WORK
Staying in the Studio
until you are done!

Painting Deadline . . .

2011-06-10T07:00:00.002-04:00

When you are
Prepared,
your chance for
Success
will come.

Painting Deadline . . .

2011-06-08T07:00:00.003-04:00

LUCK

is the time when

Preparation and

Opportunity meet.

Painting Deadline . .

2011-06-06T06:36:00.000-04:00

The Ultimate

INSPIRATION

is the

Deadline

The Painting Deadline . . .

2011-06-04T07:00:00.004-04:00

A Goal is a

DREAM

with a

Deadline

The Painting Deadline Looms Ahead . . .

2011-06-01T12:03:00.000-04:00

A perfect method for adding drama to LIFE is to wait until the deadline looms large!

My shoes do fit . .

2011-05-26T07:00:00.001-04:00

I received my Dick Blick order. What a surprise - my shoes do fit in the Dick Blick box.

That's probably because I ordered the big tubes - which would account for the cost! So, back to painting.

I only have 15 days to finish these two paintings.

I'm in so much trouble!

A Good day for Dick Blick

2011-05-20T07:00:00.001-04:00

I've started painting the Rabbit. I realize I should have given myself more time, I'm afraid one month might be cutting it close for these two paintings. And - as I'm painting away - for the one or two hours a night that I have - I realize my collection of acrylic paints leaves a lot to be desired! I used student brands for the underpainting, but when I got out the good stuff, I was sure there had been an acrylic home invasion because what was in my paint box was not what I had pictured in my mind! So again - Dick Blick to the rescue, but I qualified for the 15% discount and the free shipping. Over one hundred bucks and my shoes probably won't fit in the box the paints will be in!

Alice Underpainting

2011-05-16T06:42:00.000-04:00

The ALICE underpainting is complete also. Both paintings are ready for the final painting. At this point I will use the actual colors I have planned. I might add more paper or fabric as I see fit. Even though it seems I have planned the whole painting, while I am actually doing it, there will be times when a particular paper cries out to be in the painting, I never know what might end up on the canvas. The only thing I am sure of is Alice will not have blue hair - even though I do love it!

Please visit this blog to meet a real live Alice in a Wonderland of her own making:

http://hopalonghollowgazette.blogspot.com/

My Lake this Summer . . .

2011-05-16T06:40:00.000-04:00

I live on a lake, a small lake. It is man-made, forty plus years old,

surrounded by small vacation homes that have since been converted into year round residences. Aside from the one-hundred homes in my neighborhood, the lake is a home to ducks and geese and turtles, fish, muskrats, beavers and snakes (I pretend they don't exist).

My favorite time of the day, is late afternoon when the sun is reflecting across the lake like dancing crystals. But I know it's not really crystals - it fairies - fairies dancing in the sunshine across the top of the lake.

But - sad news - our lake needs some maintenance to fix the forty year old dam equipment. Maintenance that will necessitate the draining of the lake. Luckily we are attached to a second lake, so the fish and other aquatic mammals will go there and the birds will go there. But I will miss the geese who's night time banter puts me to sleep and the quaking ducks who wake me up. As the water recedes more and more each day, my dog watches his favorite play spot disappear.

Sadly, he does not understand where his lake is going.

It's going to be a long brown and muddy summer.

But, mostly, I wonder where the fairies will go.

Rabbit Underpainting

2011-05-09T06:53:00.000-04:00

The Underpainting for rabbit is complete.

As you can see I've used paper, fabric and paint. every square inch of the white canvas is gone gone gone! In some areas, like the blue background, I used a cool color, knowing the color I will paint on top will be warm. Hopefully some of it will peek through.

I'm not happy with the clock parts, I need to rethink that area.

If you like rabbits or "hares" check out this blog:
http://moonlightandhares.blogspot.com/

In Honor of Mother's Day

2011-05-08T07:00:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-018qBMlBs

Underpainting - Alice

2011-05-05T07:00:00.002-04:00

I've just started the Alice underpainting. Some fabric, some paint, I'm hunting for just the right collage paper. The Alice painting will be mostly cool colors, so I'm looking for a warm paper to use in the underpainting. And weaving - fabric weaving is in the works. I'm not worried about the details - just laying in the color and getting rid of the blank white canvas.

Hearts. are the underlying theme running in both the ALICE painting and the RABBIT. I've even made some of the leaves hearts.

If you like hearts, check out this blog:

http://clytie-randomheartwork.blogspot.com.

Underpainting - Alice

2011-05-02T07:00:00.009-04:00

"In art, an underpainting is an initial layer of paint applied to a ground, which serves as a base for subsequent layers of paint."

Underpainting is usually monochromatic, used to plan the light and dark. I, however use a full palette to build my foundation. Mixed media starts in my underpainting - paint and paper - color and texture - yum yum! I made a paper weaving using velvet ribbon and paper and glued it to the right side of the rabbit, you can see that little square. Even though I love the weaving, I decided it was too much to use it on the whole background.

I want this painting to have mostly warm colors. So I might use some cool colors or opposite colors in the underpainting. This will help the final painting to pop. So far all I've applied is collage paper. I can't stay away from the glue!

Alice and the Rabbit Paintings

2011-04-28T06:55:00.001-04:00

Part of preparing for my MIXED MEDIA paintings is gathering supplies. I have plenty of acrylic paint and mediums, but I will need paper, fabric, ribbons, or whatever stikes my fancy, for the collage. I have a huge stash of all that stuff, but I am always on the look-out for new stuff. I found some fabulous ribbons tied to bag lunches that were delivered to the office a few weeks ago. I went trash can diving for them. I found some cool paper at the stamp store that I frequent. I even got some fabric from the craft room at my parent's retirement community. I've chosen a few fabrics and paper to make weavings for the background. Part of my process is planning the painting as I collect the collage material,

it is a form of meditation for me.

If you like weaving - either paper or cloth - check out this blog:
http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/
Here you will find the most beautiful art quilts with lots of weaving.

Starting the Paintings

2011-04-25T07:00:00.007-04:00

I've transfered my sketches onto the canvases, using first pencil, then making the final lines with a sharpie pen. I wasn't happy with the long necked Alice, so I made her neck normal, it looks better on this size canvas. The rabbit didn't quite fill the space as I had envisioned, but I'll work on that later. All in all, there were no big surprises - having a detailed sketch should eliminate that hurdle. Then I painted the marker lines with acrylic paint. It doesn't have to be perfect, thin and thick and messy is okay!

Sketches for the Painting

2011-04-22T07:09:00.000-04:00

I've finished the sketches for my ALICE and RABBIT

paintings . I know you're wondering why I've chosen such an overused subject for these paintings. Well - because they are for a "juried show" -

my main objective is to paint something I love, that way I am truly invested in this venture and will give it 110%
because the subject is recognizable, I'm hoping to make an immediate and unforgetable impression on the judge
and, finally, I'm hoping my choice of unique medium and design and colors will be original and fabulous enough to make the judges love it.

Chances are the final paintings will have changes,

but for now, I'm ready for the canvas.

These sketches were done with a blue ball point pen, the technique is rather charming don't you think? If you want to see some fabulous ball point pen sketches, check out this blog:
http://andreajoseph24.blogspot.com/

An Artist goes to Paint the Heavens

2011-04-20T06:52:00.000-04:00

Susan Maull
11.3.1940 ~ 4.11.2011

Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower, and you its only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give,
and the soul afraid of dyin' that never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely and the road has been to long,
and you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose.

The Rose, Bette Midler

Sketches for the Painting

2011-04-18T07:00:00.001-04:00

I starting sketching some ideas for my paintings. I've decided to use the "Alice in Wonderland" theme. My first painting will be of Alice, what else. I like the scene where her neck grows long and her head ends up in the trees. I'd like the second painting to be of the Rabbit,

I know, again - not very original, but I love the rabbit. I'm thinking clock parts for him.

I don't normally show my preliminary sketches because they are so very preliminary and primitive! I think I am the only one who sees any promise in them.

Revisit the To-Do-List

2011-04-14T07:00:00.003-04:00

Revisit the To-Do-List . . .

I've finished the first task and am now working on the next two - at the same time.

My goal is to have the first draft of the YA book finished by April 12th, 50,000 words. As of today, I have over 50,000 words! Hold the applause, the manuscript is a mess, no editing has been done, it's incredibly hard to manage so many words, so many pages - my hat goes off to the real authors!

The second project is to complete (2) paintings for a June juried exhibition. The show requires an entry of (2) paintings, to show the judges that you are capable of producing a cohesive body of work. The prize is two-fold for (5) winners - first they will win money, hundreds of monies, and secondly, the five winners together will have a show next March 2012. I won 6 years ago, and 2 years ago I won honorable mention. I feel like winning again. (That was my ego talking.) So, I am planning two paintings in the style that is now mine - abstract realism and black outlines. I need to find a better description for my style.

Here I am showing my two honorable mentions from 2009:

"The Raven" and "Punchinello"

My Current To-Do-List

1. Blog twice a week - this is my accountability anchor

done - (6) paintings for Riverview Gallery (due for delivery the end of March)

2. YA Book project (finish first draft, April 12, 2011)
3. (2) paintings for the Rottler exhibit (June 1, 2011)
4. 1st picture book project (illustrate, story is done)
5. 2nd picture book project (re-write story & illustrate)
6. Art Journal (do this when ever I need fun, paint and glue are my stress relievers)

The Last Knit

2011-04-13T07:00:00.002-04:00

. . . a video - when knitting becomes an obsession.

I am not a knitter, just a lover of things knitted. But I am obsessed with creating.

This video hits very close to home - too close.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZjMWLqJvM

My Look & Style

2011-04-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

Selecting a Look and Style - "every creative person has their own look and style. Learn how to identify your style. Be recognizable by your style - without the use of words"
Jodi Walsh - http://www.houseofartistry.com/

The black outline will be

my BRAND my STYLE my LOOK.

I do so dislike labels - but at some point you just have to

bite the bullet! So I will make my work recognizable by the black outline.

LOOK AND STYLE - Black Outlines

2011-04-08T07:00:00.002-04:00

Selecting a Look and Style - "every creative person has their own look and style. Learn how to identify your style. Be recognizable by your style - without the use of words"
Jodi Walsh - www.HouseofArtistry.com

I have heard this over and over again. Still I fight it tooth and nail! My painting is different from my drawing which is different from my mixed media, etc. etc. Why would I want them all to look alike? Why not? I'm just being stubborn because I don't want to change, I don't want it to be any harder than it is. But I had to sit back and ponder this and be honest with myself. I want to be recognizable. I want to be remembered, by somebody - anybody!

So - I went through my digital portfolio - drawings - paintings - mixed media, and picked out the pieces I enjoyed making the most, and voila - they all had a common thread. The mediums are different, some are realistic and some abstract, but they do have a common style or look. Ten years ago I painted a self portrait in a style I'd always wanted to do, black outlines, and I loved painting this! Ever since then I keep going back to the black outlines. Could that be my recognizable look?
3.31.2011

Elizabeth Gilbert - Eat Pray Love

2011-04-05T07:00:00.007-04:00

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

For anyone in the business of creating -

please watch this video.

Loved it - loved it - loved it !

I am now inclined to read her book, I love her humor and her relationship with the universe. Here is an excerpt from one of her interviews. Please substitute the word "writer" with whatever you are - "artist" "chef" "homemaker" . . .

"As for discipline – it’s important, but sort of over-rated. The more important virtue for a writer, I believe, is self-forgiveness. Because your writing will always disappoint you. Your laziness will always disappoint you. You will make vows: “I’m going to write for an hour every day,” and then you won’t do it. You will think: “I suck, I’m such a failure. I’m washed-up.” Continuing to write after that heartache of disappointment doesn’t take only discipline, but also self-forgiveness (which comes from a place of kind and encouraging and motherly love). The other thing to realize is that all writers think they suck. When I was writing “Eat, Pray, Love”, I had just as a strong a mantra of THIS SUCKS ringing through my head as anyone does when they write anything. But I had a clarion moment of truth during the process of that book. One day, when I was agonizing over how utterly bad my writing felt, I realized: “That’s actually not my problem.” The point I realized was this – I never promised the universe that I would write brilliantly; I only promised the universe that I would write. So I put my head down and sweated through it, as per my vows. "

Tell Your Story

2011-04-02T09:40:00.002-04:00

If you are a writer or an artist, use your gift to tell a story.

Make your audience want to turn the page to see what happens next.

Make your audience move closer to your painting

to see if they missed any details.

"We are the only species on the planet

that tell stories -

it is our responsibility to tell them."

Kathi Appelt,
Poet, author, Teacher
"Spring Into Action: A Day for Writers and Illustrators"
Saturday, March 12, 2011 - SCBWI MD/DE/WV regional conference

Journal

2011-03-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

Writing advice from Kathi Appelt, Poet, Author, Teacher

Keep a Journal . . . a place for catching all your thoughts and sometimes your dreams.

It's often the first place the idea for a new project occurs. There are no rules about what to write or draw in your journal, sometimes you will be surprised by what shows up.

Writing tips from Kathi Appelt

2011-03-28T07:00:00.002-04:00

"Spring Into Action: A Day for Writers and Illustrators"
Saturday, March 12, 2011 - SCBWI MD/DE/WV regional conference

Find seeds of stories in your own life, because that's what we know best and feel the most strongly about.
"Write to the hole in your heart."

Kathi Appelt,

Poet, author, Teacher

Painting Light Houses

2011-03-24T07:00:00.003-04:00

Once I finally made the time -
These four tiny paintings were
done pretty quickly!

3.24.2011

Back to the To-Do List

2011-03-21T11:34:00.000-04:00

I still need a few more paintings for the Gallery. Again, I am painting in a series. No thinking involved, pick a subject, use it on more than one canvas. Another advantage, you can use the same paint on all the canvasses. I am painting small - very small - 4 x 4" and 5 x 5" - I can put all four canvases in from of me and use the paint on each one.

I am re-using canvases, ones from my stash of supplies. A New Years Resolution accomplished! The textured background was applied last year. First I will get rid of the white canvas - I prefer a colored background, makes me feel like I've already started and I'm half way done!

3.21.2011

Painting in a Series

2011-03-17T06:43:00.000-04:00

Finished, the series of Florida Canal paintings.

These (3) paintings are perfect for the gallery.
Small and Affordable.
By developing this cohesive group, for the
gallery, it gives them the opportunity to better
represent me by being able to show a
group of paintings with a recognizable
style and a collective visual impact.

But, I'm not done yet,
I need to paint
(3) more gallery paintings!
Then back to my To Do List.

3.17.2011

2011-03-15T06:45:00.000-04:00

I just had to share the comment from Heather Powers (http://heatherpowersart.com/)

"Have fun using up your supply stash - that's a great idea. "

One of my 2011 resolutions/goals was to use up my existing supplies before I bought more.

Heather, I'm sorry to say, I have failed, and as we speak, Dick Blick is laughing all the way to the bank!

Painting in a Series

2011-03-14T13:32:00.001-04:00

During the 1890's, Claude Monet worked on series of paintings; Landscape with Poplar Trees,

Haystacks on a Field, and the best known,

the Facade of the Rouen Cathedral.

During this time he painted the cathedral more than 30 times.

3.14.2011

A Day for Writers and Illustrators

2011-03-11T06:53:00.000-05:00

"Spring Into Action:

A Day for Writers and Illustrators"

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Saturday I'm attending the SCBWI MD/DE/WV regional conference "Spring Into Action" at The Bishop Claggett Retreat Center in Buckeystown, Maryland.

As always, I will return with reams of notes, new ideas, suggestions, and gobs and gobs of inspiration and motivation.

By Monday, when I'm still reeling and ready to write or draw, I'll be heading down the road to my day-job, my bill paying day-job.

But, as always I will stop and buy that illusive winning lottery ticket and dream of the day when I can get up on a Monday and head to my studio, and do what I want to do.

Dreams are the stuff that keeps us going!

Painting in a Series

2011-03-10T10:12:00.000-05:00

Painting in a series sets limits by serving as a starting point for creativity. It is an effective way to keep my creative energy sustained and focused. Since I am experimenting, the need to create a masterpiece is put aside leaving me free to play - which could yeild extraordinary results.

These canvases will only be painted with acrylic, but as I paint these, my mind is thinking of other possibilities using the same subject. I'm visualizing a larger canvas, acrylic, tissue paper and fabric.
3.10.2011

Painting in a Series

2011-03-07T06:38:00.001-05:00

I've started my series of Florida Canal paintings.
By focusing on the same thing on three different canvases, I am able to leave room for my mind to be creative. You would think this would be boring, but through that boredom, I become more observant and fluent in developing alternative ways to paint the subject.

I've decided to abstract it with fractures, changing the light and color in the dissecting areas.
3.3.2011

Number 1 on the To Do List

2011-03-03T07:00:00.002-05:00

Here are my three sketches for paintings. I checked out my stash of canvases. One of my 2011 goals is to utilize the supplies I have before I buy new stuff - so my only choices are 6 x 8 canvas board and 18 x 18 stretched canvas. I think I will start with the little canvas board, just to see if I like these designs rather than starting with the large canvas. However, today at the store I found some fabulous fabric, the perfect color of the water.

Already my mind is awhirl with mixed media ideas - and glue!

3.3.2011

Number 1 on the To Do List

2011-02-28T07:00:00.003-05:00

I've added color to my Florida Sketches. My paintings won't be realistic, I don't enjoy that kind of painting anymore. But there are a couple of Abstract directions I could take. Abstract realism, Fractured, Mixed Media.

I'm pretty sure there will be something involving glue. I'm all about glue!

Number 1 on the To Do List

2011-02-25T07:00:00.003-05:00

I've made some sketches and decided to try these.

I used the triangular underlying shapes. I can't wait to add color.

I love the orange roofs against the blue skies that you see in Florida.

YA Book Project Status:

11.18.2010 4,689 words

12.16.2010 17,290 words

1.18.2011 31,036 words

2.18.2011 35,963 words

Number 1 on the To Do List

2011-02-22T07:00:00.002-05:00

Paintings for the Gallery

Paintings for the Riverview Gallery in Havre De Grace, Maryland. Last year the only paintings I sold through this gallery were small and affordable. So that's my direction for 2011. Small and affordable. I found an entry in one of my old sketchbooks - UNDERLYING SHAPES. I'm going to use this as my foundation. I have some photos I took last spring in the canals of Cape Coral, Florida. Off to make some sketches.

The To Do List

2011-02-19T11:50:00.000-05:00

I'm planning my To Do List and making my dreams come true! First I have to prioritize the items as some of my goals have a deadline. But true to my nature there are a gazillion things I want to accomplish, a really large unmanageable list. So my first action is to make a list pared down to NO MORE THAN 8 ITEMS. I don't know why 8, 10 seemed to many, 5 too few. My second action is to prioritize the list in order of deadlines.

So here is my list:

1. Blog twice a week - this is my accountability anchor - I can't disappoint my millions of followers
2. (6) paintings for Riverview Gallery (due for delivery the end of March)
3. (2) paintings for the Rottler exhibit (due May)
4. 1st picture book project (illustrate, story is done)
5. 2nd picture book project (re-write story & illustrate)
6. YA Book project (finish first draft)
6. Art Journal (do this when ever I need fun, paint and glue are my stress relievers)

Writing & Arting

2011-02-16T07:00:00.006-05:00

I've used my Blog, up until now, just for my ART, my current art work. But now I've decided to include my passion for children's books. Not just the art, but also the WRITING. I know I've claimed to hibernating all winter in an unproductive sofa induced stupor. But, truth be told, I have actually been writing, on the sofa, tucked under a snuggie.

I found an old obscure fairy tale that I re-wrote and modernized and plan to ILLUSTRATE - complete with fairies and a princess and scaly green critters. I've also written my own modern fairy tale spoof - again the plan is to illustrate this myself.

Picture books are my usual fare, but a few months ago I had an idea for a Young Adult book. Picture books have to be a concise 1000 words or less. The YA book should have 70,000 words. I thought, with a great big ego, I can do that. So I started this project in November 2010. As of February 2011, I have 36,000 words. What the hell was I thinking! I'm not going to give up though! But I do have to start devoting some of my time to other projects. I need new paintings for my gallery in March - and ooops - that's only 2 weeks away.
And I need to win the lottery so I can quit this day job!
2.16.2010

It's Hard To Get Started

2011-02-11T14:43:00.000-05:00

take time to smell the roses
Such good advice but so difficult to follow. I'm still dragging myself out of hibernation, the weather is not cooperating. It's so cold, 14 degrees last night, my studio garage is freezing even with the heater on.

But I've got soooo much I want to get started on - the sketchbook, illustrations, paintings, writing, and reading.
My "To Do List" is daunting!

I have started the sketchbook, barely. I've updated this blog with a new template and all the stuff I've been meaning to add for the last few months. I've spent a lot of sofa time "blurfing" (blog surfing), and have visited cherished old friends that I haven't seen for awhile - Hello Everyone - and discovered many new blog friends, the inspiration I've soaked up is fabulous.

I found a new fav I'd like to share, hosted by Grannie Annie, don't let the name fool you - this lady is quirky and fun and her blog is so worth the visit!

http://thewhimseyasylum.blogspot.com/

2.11.2011

Plein Air Snowman

2011-02-07T14:16:00.002-05:00

Today was a fabulous day for a walk. No snow. No freezing rain or sleet. Welcome Mr. Sunshine, haven't seen you in a while! We met this snowman on our walk. I'd like to say I drew him "plein air" in the true spirit of an artist, but no, I took a picture instead. In all fairness, in spite of Mr. Sunshine, it was still pretty cold. And

Mr. Lumpy here didn't have anything to say, so the one-sided conversation became boring very fast. Plus, I was walking AJ the Alpha Dog, who didn't find Mr.Lumpy The Snowman all that awesome, and threatened "yellow snow" if the walk didn't continue! So - I brought my digital picture of Mr. Lumpy home to my computer, loaded him up on my monitor, and drew him "plein aire a la sofa" - the first sketch in my sketchbook as I slowly come out of hibernation.

Stirring the Muse

2011-02-04T14:05:00.000-05:00

I am still hibernating, but I'm starting to feel guilty about it - a little. Phil did not see his shadow, so hopefully, we will have an early spring. They're calling for another wintery weekend here in Pennsyltucky, so I'm not expecting a visit from the robins or the crocus any time soon.

Still - just the thought of an early spring makes me want to shake off those winter doldrums, and the snuggies, and the hot chocolate and do something. Ah, but my muse is still buried deep under a huge mound of quilts and goose down and fleece. There is no rousing her.

So I went perusing for inspiration on my own - on the internet. The perfect place to look for inspiration without actually disengaging myself from the sofa. These blogs stirred my creative juices:

http://www.alisaburke.blogspot.com/

http://www.andreajoseph24.blogspot.com/
http://www.elviestudio.blogspot.com/
http://www.teeshascircus.blogspot.com/

The perfect place to start getting ready for an early spring
~ the Art Journal ~ the creative Playground!

Groundhog Day!!

2011-02-02T09:08:00.000-05:00

PHIL PREDICTS AN EARLY SPRING !!

Punxsutawney, PA.

If he sees his shadow, be prepared for six more weeks of winter weather. If there is no shadow to be found, then spring is just around the corner!
So - today is Groundhog Day - a regular holiday in Pennsylvania. Tens of thousands of people travel to Punxsutawney before the sunrise. They have to park miles away and take shuttles into town. And from what I understand, the average Joe can't even get near enough to see Phil, the world's most famous groundhog. Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his warm burrow at about 7:30 am to greet the tens of thousands of people who have made the trek to Gobbler's Knob, outside of Punxsutawney, PA.

Winter is for the dogs

2011-01-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Eating Snow.

Walking on the Ice.

Catching snowballs.

What is it about snow that dogs love so much?

January - the Frozen Month

2011-01-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

The view is beautiful.

White. Clean. Bright. Refreshing.

It will take your breathe away like a first love or a baby's smile.

2011 - I'm coming into the new year kicking and screaming!

2011-01-22T18:40:00.000-05:00

So far, I liked last year much better. I remember having goals and ambition and wanting to do something.

2011, so far does not have those attributes. My studio, located in the garage is about 40 degrees, if that. I finally collected all the Xmas decorations and put them away. That helped to clean up the garage a lot. But then our garage door broke and we had to move everything out of the way for the workmen. They are coming back again next Friday with the rest of the parts.

This is really a poor excuse. I don't need a studio to do art - an

artful life

can be accomplished anywhere.

1.22.2011