Color Explorations

One day, as I was reading blogs, I was happy to see a post from one of my favorite artists, clicked on a link that she provided, got introduced to another artist, saw a picture in this blog post.... and soon HAD to have a new moleskine. Does that ever happen to you? You read something and immediately have to try it? Anyway, I made myself walk to the store (3.6 miles away - YAY me!), purchased a beautiful red moleskine (which you can easily find here), walked back and with a big grin opened it and started.

It felt almost like I got a permission to combine colors and record them in a pretty book.

I decided to do it without pressure. No color theories. Just simplicity of choosing two colors, mixing them up, adding black and white and seeing what happens.  Couldn't be easier or more relaxed than that! 

Now that I had some time experimenting with colors (and filled pages and pages), I learned that I like many combinations much more than what comes directly from the tube. I plan on creating little paintings with very limited palette and seeing what comes from it, and I will share it here. Hope you'll enjoy my little experiments :-)

101 BIRDS - Painting #36

8"x10" mixed media (collage, acrylics, casein, pan pastels, colored pencils, sharpie) on cardboard

I love Damian Rice, and could listen to his music for days. Which I did before, but not anymore because it makes me very melancholy and sad and it takes a while for me to shake it off. Today I enjoyed I did listen to him a little bit, and decided to write some of the lyrics on my little bird piece. Why not? Mr. Bird might have asked his lady friend just that?  Do you see the other lyrics or know the song?

Golden Angel

Black stabillo pencil, water and titanium white. Often the simplest materials are enough.

Don't you think cats make every scene seem somehow more relaxed?

Golden angel is for sale here.

Welcome November!

Hello dear people!

I have been missing in action here on the blog for the most part of October. It was a full month, a good month, and I was keeping busy most of the time. I didn't play much in my art journal, but have kept my digital journal daily. Just glancing at the pictures makes me remember many little details of the previous month that would have been already forgotten. Tons of good food (beet burgers, anyone?), walks in the ever changing nature, dentist visits (ugh), concerts, kids, creatures, art... good stuff.  I somehow managed to be very social (by my own standards) and extremely too much in my head at the same time. I created almost daily, but for some reason didn't find the energy to share. So, I am going to try something different. November is my month, and I want to get back in action and share more. I'm afraid to say that I will post daily, as it may change tomorrow, but that is what I will try. I wrote many blog posts in my head, and would feel better if they would move from there to the blog.

To start - here are my days in October, captured in Noteshelf on my little iPad.

Happy November!

Reflection, journal page + Video

I finished the painting I showed in progress in this post, and then decided to have a little photo-shoot with her. Don't know why, probably because I used earthy tones to paint her, and the leaves are so beautiful now... I quickly noticed that glass and sun create reflections and that what I wanted to capture isn't happening. Interestingly enough, when I later looked at the photos the ones I liked the most were the ones that showed reflected flowers, tree or me in the painting.

I wanted to have her face in my journal too, so I made a very quick and impatient transfer.

I recorded a video in double speed, and for the first time tried to do voice over. I enjoy listening to other artists explain what they are doing, and as hard as it is, wanted to try it. Please excuse my manly voice, the different levels of sound and everything else... it is a learning curve, and this is just my first try :-);

101 BIRDS - Painting #35

 Here is a painting a did more than a month ago and forgot to share. It might be my favorite of all the birds. I had an urge to use the encaustic media and play with textures, so that's what I did.

I embedded real flowers (dry, pressed) in it. Couldn't believe that fragile hydrangea petals would survive the heat, but they did and turned out so lovely!

I added as much texture as I could, while leaving the color palette almost neutral. It was really a lot of fun and I could hardly make myself stop. After I finished, I immediately went to Judy Wise's blog to order her Encaustics Workshop e-book. Watched it, loved it, learned a lot but haven't done anything with it yet. I guess my muse has had enough wax play with this one painting for now.

Hope you'll enjoy the close ups of textures :-)

Today I...

Today I went jogging for the first time in a month (after trying to heal a hurting knee). I am not sure that my knee was happy, but I was. I enjoyed the crisp air and always welcome sight of water.

Today I tried my new "phone leash" and loved it!!! I go on daily walks/runs and always have my phone in hand so I can listen to books and music and also to take photos at moment's notice. I don't want to count how many times my hand tired and the phone fell... This simple contraption keeps it safe on my wrist and ready for action :-)

Today I took a picture of my friend the bird. I wish the phone camera was better so that I could capture this guy more clearly. I consider him to be my friend, because I see him often and love his calm energy. Don't think that it is mutual, because although he lets me come close, he usually becomes annoyed with me and flies away...

Today I made THIS lovely soup. It is velvety and rich in flavor and nutrients and just what I wished for. Appropriately called "Luxurious 7-Vegetable and 'Cheese' Soup" (no cheese in it).

Today I painted on a lacy piece of tree bark...

Today I started a new painting....

I was very conscious in recognizing all the good in this day and being grateful. It makes a difference when we really try looking at things expecting to see/feel/experience/share good. 

Happy weekend!