Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for many things but I've thought about my family and friends the most this Thanksgiving.  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

I hope you managed to fit in some artwork today!  

would ya look at this...

Is this a computer on my art table?????  Well, here is my excuse for posting no new artwork.

I've actually been working on the works already in progress.  And I have journal pages, but they are just doodling with my new oil pastels which i don't know how to use.  :)

art supplies

I made a video of my new art supplies, but it didn't work very well, so instead, here is a list...

• gesso
• scrapbook paste
• alphabet stencils
• decorative tape
• square canvases
• pastel board
• portrait/earthtone pastels
• oil pastels
• acrylic paints
• more acrylic paints

It seemed like more than that, but I think that's all.  I'm going to have to look on youtube for oil pastels how-to's.  I've never done anything in oil pastels.  My favorite mediums have been oils, pastels, pencil/charcoal, ink, and cut paper.  I will have to dig up some of my old cut paper things and post them.  I've always loved to work with drawing/painting portraits and animals.  I like watercolor, too, but need some practice for sure!  Your favorites?

illustration Friday on Thursday

The theme is "pretend" and my piece is a pencil sketch.

journal page and work-in-progress

Well, today I was too busy USING my new art supplies to make my video, so look for that tomorrow!  Instead, here is my art journal entry--ideas that I like from a magazine on pretty pages of layered paints.  And a portrait of my niece that I'm nearly finished with.  I'm not sure how happy I am with it because it is meant to be a gift for my SIL and I know that it doesn't EXACTLY capture her sweet daughter...I always hesitate.  Mommies know their children so well that I don't know if I'd ever feel completely confident giving it to her.  Anyway, here it is.  I'm working in soft pastels on pastel board.  I've never used pastel board before and I really want more!  They hold so many layers of color and look so smooth and soft.  I almost didn't buy it, but I'm so glad I did.  Now, I know that I like the boards so much more than paper.

art journal stuff.

I finally figured out a way to decorate my art journal.  I bought some scrapbooking tapes and just decorated it that way.  Nothing spectacular, but I like it.  I also got paper to cut to finish my collage layout in my journal, so a picture of that is here too.  NOW...wanna hear about all the goodies I got at the art supply store??  I was so in need of everything!  I'll post a video of my show of new art supplies later either today or tomorrow, so stay tuned!

art catch up!

Illustration Friday

The theme this week was "WISE."

art today!

First, is one of a set of 12 picture frames that I started years ago and never finished.  I have July through December painted, but even those lacked the black around the edges.  So, I dug those out to finish.  Here is "July."

Next, is my "Illustration Friday" for the theme, WISE.  Ruth suggested we try it.  It's a blog where you enter artwork that matches the theme that is announced each Friday.  This post isn't my official entry post because I haven't figured out how to scan it into the computer yet, but I thought I'd unofficially post it since I did it today and I like it.

Here is my journal entry today.  It says, "Years of patience, discipline, and effort are the price of access to a strict and personal vision.  An artist is not born but made."  A quote from Jean Max Taxier.  The exercise was a good one for me because I don't like still life.  I set a mug on the table with a strong light on it.  After drawing it with colored pencils, I filled it with coffee and drank it.  :)

well, I tried.

Here is today's journal entry.  It's a copy of the Italian master, Canaletto.  All the shading was done with diagonal lines.  The closer together the lines, the darker the values.  This one is of my house.  You can see the frustrating ink spill--SPLAT--that I managed just as I was nearly done.  RATS.  This technique takes time and patience-I gave it neither-ha.  Maybe this isn't the technique for me.

This is yesterday's journal project.  It's my first attempt at watercolor pencils.  I haven't gotten the hang of it yet!!

Here is Braeden perusing a drawing book, looking for the perfect subject... funny that his face is tilted the same as the painting of it above...hmm.

the latest

No artwork over the weekend.  Hubby was here for only 36 hours, now gone again....

I started a journal sketch today, but haven't finished it yet.  Maybe I can post a pic of it tomorrow.

make a rubber stamp

for ruth...

a still shot.  you should be able to click on it.

layering technique

Today, I wrote in my journal all the negative thoughts I've had about myself and then painted over them with white paint.  "White as snow"--ring any bells?  Did for me.  Then, I added layers like blue (loyalty), red (blood of Christ), and purple (royalty).  I ended up with a random dark "cross" on it, so I darkened it more, and voila!...

virtual art gallery-show me yours!!

pictures of my new art space

Does this first picture look inviting as an art studio space?  Not to me, so I got to work to revive it.  The following pictures show you my new, improved space and an inspired Braedy.  Maybe a video tomorrow?  So you can see what is there.

Art Journal!

I started an art journal today.  I've had the book for a long time, but am just now getting around to using it.  Here is my first entry.  It's of a stained glass that hangs in a window in my home.  My hubby had it specially made for me one Valentine's day.  He travels, and is gone right now, so I miss him.  My entry is about dealing with loneliness.  It was therapeutic and fun to write and draw about it.  The quote at the top is one I found in this book....  I've also had it for a long time...just now getting to it.  The kids are in on the fun too.  I'll include Braeden's drawing of a knight and the piece Gracyn is working on entitled, "Bow-WOW!"