Blogging break

I am challenging myself to see if I can take a month break from blogging (and blog reading- which is much more difficult). I think I am addicted to blogs... and I'm not sure how I'll do it, but I'll try. I hope to return with many photos and art to show (if there'll still be anyone to show to). Have a happy summer!

Hulk, butterflies and Josh Groban

On a day when you feel vulnerable and crave gentle things going to see "The Incredible Hulk" is not the best idea. My children loved it.... I didn't. After the movie I needed some tender art play and Josh Groban therapy.

I just treated myself to a beautiful Norah original.... she has more in her etsy shop. While I waited to grab the piece I sketched a face and played a bit with it in Photoshop. Can't wait to paint her with real paint. Happy weekend!

Weird sisters

A sister is a little bit of childhood
that can never be lost.

I don't know where these weird creatures came from... I was reading an email from my sister and missing having her around and then instead of a gentle painting - these two girls show up. Oh, the beauties of an art journal! You can relax and allow things to emerge from the end of the paintbrush. Did I mention that I love my new journal? :-)

How I feel today

-a page in my journal-

Think big thoughts

I'm not in a dark mood. The weather is sunny and bright.
Yet somehow I felt like painting in dark, rich tones.

I listened to this song:

I combined roses and the lady from my journal and this was the result. For some reason I thought it needed a shiny finish and I bravely used one of Golden's products for it. It doesn't show on the photos, but I'm glad I did it.

Loving my new journal

I think I'm in love with my new journal! The watercolor paper is completely different from the paper in moleskine... Acrylic paints behave like watercolors, which is new to me and exciting. I don't have as much control over the paint and brush as I'm used to, but that's part of the fun. I'll prepare some pages with Golden gesso and grounds and see what happens. I'm loving it! Thank you Julie!

Feeling silly

I have a new journal!

A journal fairy read that I'm without one and sent me a very special package. I love the format (8.5"x6") and can't wait to see how the handmade watercolor paper will behave when I 'attack' it. There are deckle edges on all sides... simply beautiful!
I started with the inside front cover (I like to have my name & address there so that in case I lose it - it can come back to me). I used bits and pieces from the envelope it was packed in (I 'recycled' my name, the cat's head is cut from a decorative tape (love the tape!), the body is created by a tiny artist). There are also pieces from an envelope filled with wishes that another friend sent... all very meaningful to me. Thank you ladies! I can't wait to start filling the white pages with layers of color... and can't help but wonder how will my life change in the following months and what will be recorded in these pages.

Love saves her...

Love saves her
and makes her forget

Learn from my experience - don't use Mi-Tientes pastel paper for acrylic paintings.... It is not friendly (and it shouldn't be - it's made for dry material). I wanted to do a quick pastel portrait, but for some reason decided to switch to brushes and paint and it turned into an interesting experience. I can't say that I'm completely unhappy with the result, but I will not repeat it...

It's only paint...

Another makeover... Click here if you want to see the girl I changed. Since she already had a musical dress I made her hair using pages from an old French book. The bird decided to land on her shoulder, and the message moved from her cheek to a different place.
It's so nice that we can change what we paint... If I decide I don't like her - she will have another transformation and maybe become completely different. There is no need to be afraid of a blank page or canvas. It's only paint...