Reflection

We had a beautiful sunshine filled day and I took advantage of the great weather by going for a walk.

Our dog Rupert really enjoyed himself as he sniffed every plant on the block, and I noticed everyone we encountered on our walk seemed to have a little spring in their step, including us.

I spent most of the afternoon working on the painting below, and wanted to share it with you. It’s almost ready to be posted on the gallery site, I just need to tweak it a little more .

Reflection (C) 2008 – Digital Painting

“Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away”. – Barbara De Angelis

Crazy Day

This morning I went into my art room, flipped the light switch on and began preparing to work, and within five minutes the power went out. Our power was out for a good hour or so.

As we were hurrying around unplugging the computer, and television, I must have strained a back muscle. When the power came back on I started working on one of my paintings and ignored that nagging little ache in my lower back, until I couldn’t ignore it any more.

Now here I am sitting at my computer all propped up with a heating pad. At least I can work on posting my paintings on my new Art Gallery site, and catch up on the news.

Today, I ended up making digital collage paper for a family project. I began by painting the background, and using a photograph I took to create the image below, later I will add text, family photos, etc…

Digital Collage Paper

“Trust in yourself and everything will fall into place”. – Vedic Scriptures

In The Creative Zone

Making collages relaxes me and is always a foolproof way to put me in the creative zone.

Today, I had so much fun playing with acrylic paints, stamps, old books and magazines that it was hard for me to stop long enough to write this blog entry.

Moments In Time (C) 2008

“Why would anyone want to wake up in the morning and do the same thing when you can try something new everyday”. – Maxine Masterfield

Ashes and Snow/ The nomadic Museum (Mexico)
[youtube qxKKo9uVhrc]

Angel In The Garden

While going through some of my old digital painting files this morning, I came across this angel painting I made for a slate sign that hangs by our garden gate.

It was one of those creative moments where I did a quick draft, printed and glued it to the sign, thinking I would someday go back and finish this painting, of course I moved on and forgot about it.

Angel In The Garden Rose Arizmendi 2004

Our Garden Angel

Creative Jewelry Day

It has been raining cats and dogs all day long here in Northern California, and just recently we were alerted of possible flooding in our area.

Not a good day to be out and about, so I pulled out my jewelry supplies and created a necklace. For me rainy days are perfect for creative activities such as bead stringing, wire wrapping, etc…

Brigid “Celtic Goddess of Healing”.

Ceramic Goddess figure, Moss Agate, Red Jasper, Sterling Silver Findings.

Flowers from my Husband

Today my husband surprised me with this beautiful bouquet of flowers, they look and smell so wonderful. It was such a thoughtful thing for him to do, and it certainly brightened up my whole day. I wanted to share them with my family and friends. I am one very lucky woman. Thank you honey.

I prepared a couple of canvases for collage this morning, and then went out with some friends for coffee in the afternoon. I needed to revive my muse, awaken the senses and engage my inner child. There is nothing better than lively conversation, laughter, and shared moments to get the creative juices flowing again.

“Muses work all day long and then at night get together and dance”.
Edgar Degas

Wacom Cintiq

I just saw this on You Tube, and I am dreaming of the day I own one of these.

[youtube oE2APo_EORQ]

Ode To January

This is the time of year, when I go through all of my supplies and get rid of stuff I no longer need or want. I found dried up tubes of acrylic paint, empty ink bottles, and a couple of very sad looking brushes. Afterwards, when I had finished, I treated myself to a nice cup of hot tea.

I find winter is a good time to contemplate, reflect and observe the busy world slow down a bit. It’s also a time when I bring a little bit of nature into our home, flowers, potted plants, and my favorite seed catalog, daydreaming of the first signs of spring. It won’t be too much longer now…

“There are two seasonal diversions that can ease the bite of any winter. One is the January thaw. The other is the seed catalogues.”
– Hal Borland

I took some photographs in the afternoon, and discovered this beautiful tree near our home. A perfect ode to January.

Ode to January (C) 2008

Swans

I’ve been working on my Gallery site, we have the first image up at my homepage, so go check it out. Hopefully we will be able to get the Gallery up and running as soon as possible.

I also Spent some time working on the small canvas today, I applied more texture with color, and added some symbols etc…

First draft

Second Draft

Beautiful Day

We had a beautiful day, the sun was shining and I decided it was time to tackle my painting room. We moved some furniture around, and set up one of my floor easels, because my makeshift table easel just wasn’t cutting it.

After I finished, I worked on a small 6″x6″ canvas. Now, I always thought large canvases were intimidating, but this tiny little thing almost got the best of me. I must of stared at that little blank canvas for a good hour.

I finally got into the swing of it and covered it with some gesso, tissue paper and set it aside to dry. I decided on a swan theme and I will continue with this project tomorrow.

Afterwards I sat down and did a quick sketch of the woman below. Lately I have been revisiting some of the Arthurian tales of the Lady of the lake, and have started coming up with ideas for a painting.

“You do not know how paralyzing that staring of a blank canvas is; it says to the painter, You can’t do anything … Many painters are afraid of the blank canvas, but the blank canvas is afraid of the really passionate painter who is daring, and who has once and for all broken that spell of ‘you cannot’.”
Vincent Van Gogh