back in my studio/creating backgrounds

 I haven't been posting many art process pics on my blog lately because the truth is, my time has been so limited in my studio these past many months, that I always seem to forget to take pics!! I'm so happy when I have some time to create...the time just zooms by and before I know it...no pics!! But yesterday I spent all day in my studio...creating backgrounds, experimenting and completing paintings. This is a closeup of one of my paintings...tons of collage and Paynes Grey fluid acrylic at the edges to add age and interest.

 Bubble wrap over the collage...just playing around and intuitively picking colors I love.

 

I had these Holbein Oil Pastels lying around and decided to use them. I usually use my Portfolio water Soluble Oils (which I adore) but these were fun as well for  a more graphic feel. 

 Another close-up...I add tons of collage and even though much of it eventually gets covered up...it adds layers and stories to the finished pieces. Because that's how we are, isn't it??Made up of layers upon layers of stories...some of which show while others are hidden...just there under the surface or covered up completely.

Adding Ultramarine blue washes over parts of the painting...I decided that the colors were too warm and some contrasts were needed.

This isn't the best pic right here...I added a lighter shade of blue as well as burnt sienna washes. It really adds character, depth and interest to the painting.

Adding stamps...just randomly...playing around and letting go

Adding more collage (found papers using Liquitex matte gel) on top of all this! Washes of teal at the top...

 

Detail of her hair...

 I am not quite sure how she'll turn out-and isn't that part of the fun and excitement?? But here's my lady making her way into the world!!!

trusting in the messy

"Sometimes in life, you will come across a chasm.

Jump.

It's not as wide as you think"

                                        -Native American as told by Joseph Campbell

I am right in the middle of messy over here. You know...that place or process where you are leaving behind old parts and pieces but haven't yet stepped into your new ones yet. Have you ever felt that way? Don't even know what the SELF you are birthing  looks or feels like. Just having a deep and abiding knowing that ...your new SELF is there...waiting for you to claim her. So...here I am ... trusting in the messy.

Interview with Lis-part 2: the Creative Process

                                                                    ("red hand") 
I am so very excited to post part 2 of my interview with Lis...juicy, insightful, honest!!! It's all about creativity; the path, the process, the practicalities, the passion. I deeply believe that creating takes big huge courage and in the true sharing of our journey (the failures, joy, pain and successes)-we inspire others. Since most of us are interested in the creative life, there are such gems and germs of truth in her answers. She's a mamma (to one super adorable Cowgirl!), yogini, creative soul...amazing woman! And I am just loving these pics BTW-aren't they just superbly...delicious??
* Oh! and you can read part 1 of my interview with Lis right here!

                                                                    ("thriving")

 I understand that you are in the process of "birthing your artistic self"-how fascinating! I think so many of us are on that very same journey. *Can you share what led you to begin this journey?  

This notion of “birthing” my artistic self came about during the second course of Fearless Painting by Connie Hozvicka called Deep.  It is a process where we are in continual dialogue with the painting  and with our Intuitive Self.  It requires a constant letting go of any sense of control and surrendering to the process and seeing where it takes you.  You keep digging deeper and deeper into yourself and it is both exhilarating and nerve wracking.  I had no idea where I was going and I had to learn to trust in myself, trust in the process, in creativity and in Connie.  Out of that experience, a new sense of myself started to emerge and it was then that I felt like I was in the midst of birthing my creative self.   I’m not sure I made the conscious decision to embark upon this path! And it may be an epic labour!  I do know I yearned to reconnect with the little girl within me who loved making art and believed she could be an artist.  She got lost and one day I realized I needed to find her.  

                                                              ("work in progress")

* what are some practical things you do to facilitate this process?

I have been fortunate to have stumbled upon the right teachers at the right time.  I think it is essential to find others who inspire and support this process and who can guide you – if only by their example – on how to nurture your creative self.  I have taken a wide range of online courses.  It is a tricky thing because there is so much out there, I could do nothing but take ecourses and be busy creating.  But I try to balance out developing my interests and skills with appropriate courses.  I have become more selective in what I take as I now have a number of projects and ideas I want to explore. 

                                                              ("me and Goddess")

*  what are some of  the events that led you to declare this journey to yourSELF and the world?

Essential for me is routine and accountability.  Blogging has been a great way to keep myself accountable and creating.  For example, I had this idea to paint 49 paintings by my 49^th birthday later this year. As soon as the idea popped into my head, I declared my intention on my blog.  Even if no one else remembers it, I know I committed to this project and I am posting updates on my progress.  So what I blog about is more for me and my own growth.  

                                                                    ("strength")

 I also have set routines I try to follow.  Fridays are my sacred creating days.  I know that day is set aside for me and my creativity and there is no compromising on that agreement.  I just finished The Artist’s Way and I am a total convert to writing Morning Pages and the Artist’s date (which I like to think of as a random act of self-kindness.)  And I cannot forget the best support for my creativity – my daughter.  This whole journey began from making art together and she continues to inspire me while helping me remain light and playful. We are now embracing our mission to find, celebrate and create joy everyday.  We are Joy Warriors and we accept all who want to join us!  This is how I keep the birthing process moving along.  It can be intense, painful, a struggle but always always it must be joyful. If it isn’t, then I have made a wrong turn. 

 * all photos in this post courtesy of Lis (just gorgeous pics!!)

dear Lis-thank you so much for granting me this interview and giving us insight into your creative journey .

juicy journal pages!!

I have wanted to write a post on this for a while because I think so many of us just love our journal!! I feel a bit vulnerable sharing these (very private) pages but in the spirit of..we are all learning, sharing and growing together...here goes! My journals are part diary, part art, part letters to the universe plus everything else thrown in!!! Journals have been very therapeutic for me and have seen me through some very rough patches. In my teens when I wasn't able to have a physical space for my art...my journals became my portable studio! I still have them and they hold some of my most turbulent and creative times. They are also where I store all my  ideas in words, colors, drawings...It's where all my paintings take root in words and thoughts.Journals are so freeing because they are private, creative, personal and just plain...fun! Besides...They are also an autobiography of our souls.

I prepare my pages with all sorts of things...I love scrapbook papers or other ephemera (ticket stubs, calendars, old day planners, newspaper,cards...), bubble wrap and sharpies. One of my fave products is gesso. I either apply it straight to the page or water it down and then apply it. It produces the most interesting depth and texture. Wait until it dries completely and then add paints or oil pastels or...pretty much whatever you want!

Another fave technique is using a paper towel on damp paint...it produces such interesting texture and color variations. I love rich juicy colors ...a few fave color combinations...
* alizarin crimson and burnt sienna produces rich dark reds
* burnt sienna and paynes' grey =lush moody grays
* ultramarine blue and burnt sienna = rich rich  darks

This is a photocopy of an actual key. Then I just cut it out and glued it on. I photocopy all sorts of things (fabric, buttons, pics, flowers, leaves...) to use on my pages. Looks so real huh?

I love love love using white pen on rich dark colors. It is difficult to find one that actually works consistently though! Usually they work  a few times and then zonk out!  If anyone can recommend a great white gel pen...I would love to try it out! This is a Sakura pen (I think!) and I just doodled some patterns over dark paint.

Anything is fair game...this is from the packaging of one of Tara's toys. I love the simple yet profound message...B. you!! Sometimes when I am super stressed I will just prepare pages. Looking through papers and applying paint to paper just soothes me...there is  a very meditative quality to painting without purpose. And nothing is ever lost on this journey...it comes back to me later when I paint on canvas!

One of the reasons I love journaling so much is that in here, I paint and draw in a way I normally don't. I really love the rhythm and energy of her hair + the expression on her face. This really grows and stretches me and lately...since I have been making a concerted effort to refine my style...I find myself looking through pages and pages of my journal. Usually I will see recurring themes...like color choices/combinations, texture or elements such as text and pattern. Oh! And there are no mistakes in your journal pages...only happy discoveries!!

This is the lower half of the page above...half of her dress is patterned paper and the other half paint. Then I used a black  Sharpie to draw over both parts to unify the whole dress. I cut the flower out from patterned paper and the "ART" letters  are chipboard . I use a lot of scrapbook supplies in my journal...there are such amazing things out there now. I love Tim Holtz products!!

I love using sheet music and drawing over patterned paper (like I did on the heart above). The white is gesso (watered down) that I applied over dried paint...I sometimes add more paint (burned sienna watercolor mottles really well over gesso) over the white (after it dries) for rich texture and depth or ...just leave it as is.

A few amazing sites I go to for serious journal inspiration! I am such a newbie...these ladies are the experts.
*Teesha's Circus
*30 Journals 30 days
*Soul Journaling (I sooooo want to take a workshop over here!!!)
*D.J. Petit (I love how she alters her book covers!!) Plus she has awesome links in her sidebar!!
*Kelly Kilmer (I am so going to take a class with her!)

A few great books I use for ideas:
*True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling
*Collage Unleashed
*Collage Journeys
*Wide Open
*Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings
A few books I want to get!
*Journal Spilling
*Creative Wildfire:An Introduction to Art Journaling
*The Art Journal Workshop: Break Through, Explore, and Make it Your Own
*Sorry-I tried to put links for all these books but it kept on getting all wonky:( You can google them!

A few fave products:
gesso
patterned paper/newpaper/old book pages
Portfolio Oil Pastels-they go on like butter!
Mixed Media sketchbook-I use one by Canson.
watercolors
Golden fluid acrylics
black Sharpies
Stabillo pens (they have  a really fine point and come in awesome colors!)
white gel pens...Sakura is the one I am using right now
glue stick

scissors

bubble wrap/stamps/plastic forks etc...to create texture/pattern

*If you would like to share some of your fave tips/techniques...boy, would I love to know!! Always looking for new things to try out...

how this process of transition is opening my heart

                         (Heart Wide Open, mixed media on canvas, archival prints available soon!)
We have been living in a hotel for about 5 or 6 weeks now; I am not quite sure because I have completely lost track of time. It's not a regular hotel either-we are staying on the Miramar Marine base so I consider us to be very lucky. We have two huge suites plus a small kitchenette and, of course, a bathroom. It's a new facility with (sketchy) Internet service, tons of playgrounds for Tara plus pretty much everything we could want right here. So we are fortunate...but it has still been one of the most stressful times of our entire married lives. We are hopeful that we will be in a home soon...but these things take time. Lots and lots of time! And then sometimes things don't go as planned so it's back to square one!!  It is utterly exhausting. I can go for days and days doing just fine and then I will get really cranky and stressed, depressed and just out of sorts...tears for no reason and very very weary. Tara is off her schedule. It is horrible not being able to paint and create (it's kinda' driving me nuts)...Also-wearing the same few pieces of clothing is really getting...tiresome. But this process of transition is opening up my heart in ways I don't fully understand but am completely grateful for. There is a lot of having to have faith in the path ahead. I mean that's when it really counts, isn't it, in times of complete and utter uncertainty. But this whole process has been very humbling and it really brings the important things into focus. Yes!! My heart is opening wide...

(everytime I see our shoes in a row...makes me soooo happy)

My family all being together; that is the number one thing that makes this worthwhile. It may be such a small thing but every time I see all of our shoes together in a row...I feel content and calm. Blissed out! Happy open heart. And my blog has been both an incredible source of support and friendship (thank you so much you wonder-FULL souls) and an amazing creative outlet. Real friendships are forming that are nourishing and sustaining me. Complete strangers opening up their hearts and homes to us this holiday season opened my heart up to the amazing goodness in people. Tara riding her red tricycle in the crisp winter sunshine. Tim going through so much trouble after a long and difficult day to make sure I had a fantastic birthday. And a few things that instantly puts a smile on my face ...Tara squealing with joy when I beg her to kiss me! It's a game we play and she loves it...she withholds her kisses while I beg her "Please Princess Tara...can mommy have a kissie-kissie"...and then she finally gives in and plants a huge smooch on me!! My hearts bursts wide open to see her so happy:) I mean...it cracks her up!! When I see the gorgeous jewel-toned patchwork quilt that Tim gave me ( one of my birthday gifts)...I love it!! And Tara and I had our toenails painted today...a luscious ruby wine ...to brighten up our day! It's the little things that open up our hearts...it really is...

(chocolate cheesecake birthday cake and that's my gorgous quilt under the tissue paper!!)