Weather

Like the air we breathe, weather is a constant in our life. "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it," said Mark Twain. Weather is constantly in the news now, a major character in our world, as our climate changes. 

We here in the Triangle had a severe storm pass through this week. It didn't last long, but damaged homes, forests, power lines and traffic lights. I spent a good part of this week cleaning up our yard. Since my wrist and back are not as strong as they once were, I spent another good part trying to recover.

I know that I have to practice making art every day, so I opted for trying some different techniques. I watched and drew along with a "Botanicals by Whimsy by Kelly" video on FaceBook. I did the Mini-Mandala Monday lesson on YouTube. I also watched some beginning collage videos, and purchased some digital printables on etsy. All of these are fun and relaxing ways to do art and learn something new. We'll see where they take me.

Here are my results:

Inspired by my Botanicals class and one of my favorite flowers, 

the California Poppy, or Escholtzia

Just playing with a tile I had already painted

This week's Mini Mandala Monday. I really enjoyed the 

blossom and left off the traditional embellishments.

A little sprinkle of Lindy's Gang Magicals, 

a peacock from an old magazine,

and a frame of "Pee-Fee" tangle

My first go at collage after the video lesson

Another postcard collage, with stamping and a hint of Zentangle

What class might you take this week to develop your art?

Mistakes?

One of the tenets of the Zentangle philosophy is "No Mistakes". Whatever unintended mark appears on your paper remains, because there are no erasers in life. We have every right and power to alter our mark, and can even just cover it up or cut it out! But in some form or another, it remains for us to remember. I mention this because I was looking at my first art journal this week, done in 2016-17. I was looking for notes on drawing over acrylic paint, which always challenged me. Page after page I had tried different techniques with paint--acrylic, watercolor, gouache, watercolor pens-- and made notes on my process and what happened. It was fascinating to see all the things that hadn't really worked to my satisfaction. Two years of this! Lots of lessons on what not to do! And how rich it all felt! I never really showed it to anyone, since it felt like a secret treasure. 

When I post my work here, I include the warts and bumps, of which there are many. I do this to encourage you to accept and embrace whatever you make. Rob Bell says, "What every artist must learn is that even the failed pieces are essential." In my case, the failed acrylic pieces--much to my joy!--led me to use more watercolors, inks and pigments. (And reduce my mess. I hated cleaning up acrylic paint from my brushes!) I hope that whenever you come here, you take away some power to venture out and make your own "mistakes".

Here's the work from the past week:

Quote from Erikah Badu, seen yesterday

Have you looked in your secret treasure chest of mistakes lately?

Snapshot!

I get uncomfortable when more than a week goes by without blogging, so I thought I'd just quickly share my art from the past 7 days. I'm trying to use more tangles after doing a lot of technique exploration. Of course, I'm not back to black on white, but the first picture shows how close I came!!!

I hope you enjoy!

Have a lovely week!

Just Play!

"I was just playin'." That student phrase held a lot of power over my self-control when I was teaching middle school, since it was often a denial of any responsibility! 

But last week, I decided to experiment with image transfers, heat embossing, stamping, inks et al. No Zentangle. No drawing. So why am I sharing this in a blog about my Zentangle journey? Because it's all connected. First, my journal pages to illustrate what I did:

After playing "mad artist" for a while, and taking notes on my results, I really wanted to tangle something.

In his neverending generosity, Lar at one point asked what I had been up to in my studio, since I hadn't rushed him at the door with my usual, "Come see what I did today!" Knowing that I wasn't especially excited with my work, I quipped, "I was just playin'!" I went on to explain that I'd been exploring and experimenting this week and showed him the sketchbook. And in the end, I used the heat embossing to make cards for our Meals on Wheels clients this week.

"Fly with happy wings today."

When's the last time you gave yourself permission to "just play"?

You're invited! Saturday, 7/15 from 8 to 12

My first art sale is tomorrow, Saturday, 7/15 from 8-12 in Homestead Village, Chapel Hill (27516). It's part of our neighborhood yard sale. The entrance is on Hearthstone Lane and Homestead Road. 

I'll have some matted pieces:

As well as some framed original art cards:

And some printed cards:

Here are a few more pieces. There's even a jigsaw puzzle!

Hope to see you there!

Saying yes

Self-doubt and fear have occasionally led me away from new experiences and challenges. I'm not good enough. I'm not ... enough. Overcoming fear has appeared on many a new year's resolutions list in my adult life. Remarkably, for me, last week focused a lot on saying yes. You can see this in last week's art. I replied "Yes" to an email to say that I would participate in our neighborhood's yard sale on July 15th. Surprised to feel energized by my choice, I started preparing things to sell. I have never sold any of my art. I've given away what I haven't kept, to our Meals on Wheels clients, the Little Free Art Gallery in Carrboro, the West Carrboro Minim Art, friends, family, random recipients....I still have pieces that I no longer have room for, but they don't feel destined for the above. Several friends have suggested that I sell my wares, so I'm saying yes!

Here's what's ready as of today:

Matted originals

These are all framed greeting cards with original art.

And in my journal this week:

I'm pleased with what what I have so far and will keep you posted about new additions!

What can you say yes to in your life?