The Sea

The Sea – Mixed Media – 8 X  II inches

I’ve been working on quite a few projects lately, and this painting is one of them. At this point, it’s still a work in progress.

The preliminary sketch of the mermaid has been floating around in my studio for some time. Every time I came across it I meant to do something with it, but never did.

I finally started working on it yesterday and this is as far as I got. . . .

I still have a long way to go on this one and a lot of changes are likely going to happen.

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.” – C. G. Jung

Monday

Here is a video demonstration of contemplative sketch booking with Sumi ink, watercolor and collage.

A very creative and interesting video. Beautiful!

Friday

I spent the day wandering between the studio and the garden trying to decide on where to squeeze in another few plants.

What to do next . . . will it be herbs or flowers?

Being in the garden relaxes me completely. I love it! I feel  myself becoming unstuck, more energized . . . open . . . cleaner . . . and inspired to get back to painting.

Take care and have a great Memorial weekend!

thought for the day:

“I don’t know what I’m doing  most of the time, but that’s okay because I have a lot of fun. And, isn’t that the great gift of art? Always seeking, always growing and always having the time of my life.” – Tom Jensen

In The Studio

Abstract Trees #1 – Acrylic/Mixed Media – 9 x 12 inches on canvas

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been painting.

I ‘ve actually been squirreled away in my studio, completeing several paintings that I started earlier this year.

My focus for the next few weeks will be on finishing works in progress. I will try to post a few as I go along.

thought for the day:

“Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter”
–  Ilan Shamir, Advice From a Tree

The Art of Appreciation

Wednesday with Sunflowers

Today, I took a photo of this glorious sunflower and decided to take it into Photoshop, to play around with the image.

So for the moment, this is as far as I got on this project. I will add more as I go along.

The shape and form of the sunflower reminds me of a mandala.

thought for the day:

“Bring me then the plant that points to those bright Lucidites swirling up from the earth, And life itself exhaling that central breath! Bring me the sunflower crazed with the love of light.” – Eugenio Montale

“And here the sunflower of the spring
Burns bright in morning’s beam.”
– Ebenezer Elliott

Monday

I have been a busy bee over the past week or so. Unfortunately, this means I have had less time for blogging.

I’ve been in the studio everyday from early morning to late afternoon working on two paintings for the Egyptian series. Yes, I have been hard at play and loving every moment of it!

Sekmet -Acrylic Art – Mixed Media Collage – 17 x 21 inches on paper

thought for the day: “If you want to get better at painting or making art, then do it everyday (passionately/religiously) as if there is no tomorrow. Let go of the judge within, and be surrounded by positive, supportive people. Be gentle on yourself and others. Give. Never hold back. – Nancy Davies Bilbro

Blossoms Everywhere

thought for the day:

“‘Tis like the birthday of the world,
When earth was born in bloom;
The light is made of many dyes,
The air is all perfume:
There’s crimson buds, and white and blue,
The very rainbow showers
Have turned to blossoms where they fell,
And sown the earth with flowers.”
–   Thomas Hood

Monday

Over the last few days, I haven been working on this painting. I still have quite a bit left to do on this one, including adding gold leaf and finishing the hair.

Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is the next project that I will be working on “Sekmet”.

Egyptian Series in progress # 2 – Acrylic/Mixed Media Collage – 16 x 20 inches on paper

thought for the day:

“Don’t ask what the world needs.
Rather ask – what makes you come alive?
Then go and do it!
Because what the world needs is people
who have come alive”
— Howard Thurman

Creativity

“Creativity can be described as letting go of certainties.” – Gail Sheehy