Clutter, Tidy Up, and 29 Faces

 

I love flat surfaces.  They can hold so many things.

 

Maybe its the time of year - or maybe its something else.  It seems like I have the need to clean up my act.  I cleaned up my studio - and I can use the entire top of my work tables now.  I had let clutter accumulate along the edges - photos, paper, books, and all kinds of inspiration that once used was just moved aside rather than put away.  It crept inward and higher - all this inspiration.  Soon, moved aside stuff, meant that my work space had diminished down to just a small area by my palette.  My work tables are big too - I have 4'x8' of space - that's 24 square feet of space to work on and I was down to about 2 foot square space that I could call my own.  Remarkable really - to think that much stuff had accumulated on the remaining 20 square feet.  In all fairness, the fans and palettes occupy some of that - so really its not all clutter inspiration.  I've always worked this way - I like to have all of my inspiration all around me, close at hand.  It looks like clutter to anyone else but to me - its everything that I need and its all within reach and available.  I have a system.  I have my "go to" items right there ready at a reach.  Being that I use a torch to fuse my wax, I have things that will catch on fire a little farther out than those that don't flame up.  I pile like things together.  Yet, its a hard way to work too - because I often can't find what I need because it is buried under other things.   I had reached system breakdown and it was time to clean up.   Now, with my tidy up - a clean table top is such a pleasure - so much space - so much space to pile new inspiration :)

 

I've been tidying up this blog space too.  There is more to come - a gallery and I'm even going to start a FB page.  They're in the works.

 



More faces for 29 Faces:

Face #6



Face #7

Face #8

Happy Friday, everyone! 

Camping, Beetles and Other Oddities

I've been camping in a figurative way. I basically pitched my tent and have stayed a while on a lovely plateau. I've been camping in the land of faces and I've really been having a lot of fun painting and taking the time to study them. I've spent about a month here - working on skills and really noticing a positive difference. I will say that it really does make a difference to stay in one spot with one focus and really get to know one thing. Good things come from tunnel vision.

Yet, like any good camping experience there is a time to move on - a time to break camp.   I still haven't figured why oddball things to paint come to my brain.  I've been so focused on faces and then I couldn't get bugs off my mind - specifically beetles.   The thought wouldn't go away until they were complete.  I've learned to not question it any more - I just paint.  I used to get stressed about what I paint and whether it fits a style or even makes sense to be painting faces then painting bugs - and now I have a giant horse on my work table and a whole lotta bird ideas flitting through my brain.  Not sure when I'll be back in the land of faces, but I do hope to do 29 Faces this year - coming in February :) 

encaustic 8x8

encaustic 8x8

encaustic 8x8

Happy Friday everyone!! 

Phobias, Sketchbooks and Resolutions




Lady in Purple
encasutic on birch 6x8

Ok, I admit it... I have a phobia. Its one that I've decided to tackle in the new year. Its not a huge thing like a phobia of spiders or heights. But it is one that is a bit concerning as an artist. I'm going to address the elephant in the room. "Uh hum - Elephant? You are really cute, honestly.. but you do take up a lot of space and its time for you to move - at least to another room."

My phobia? - It's sketchbook-a-phobia... I hang my head in shame. Honestly, compliling artwork in a sketchbook brings me great stress. I think its the anal perfectionist side of me that just has a real hard time handling the idea that there are bad drawings, paintings and sketches in the book as well as the good ones and many that fall somewhere in between. I buy them - sketchbooks, I have them and I've even started some. But, as soon as the less than perfect thing happens in the book - well, its tainted and that's the end of it for me. Or really, the mere thought of creating a less than perfect drawing in a book makes me run far and fast in the opposite direction. I even have one that I have about 5 or 6 pages of good drawings - but I can't bring myself to add another for fear the good luck has run out and a dud will appear. So it sits in the started but never completed pile of sketchbooks - kind of like the land of the misfit toys.

Face
Oil in Sketchbook :)

So.. in 2013 I'm going to suck it up and get over this thing. I spend every Friday visiting blogs where artists are creating art journal pages, sketches while in restaurants, travel sketches, backyard sketches, all kinds of beautiful paintings, drawings and sketches - AND... all these are in books mind you! Inspiring to say the least. I hold these people up as the amazing sketchbook idols that they are. So, here it is in big letters - red too just to really make the point:

In 2013, I'm going to finish a sketchbook, one that I started already and I will show it here when its complete - warts and all. I'm saying this out loud because I'm good to my word - and I've said it - so now I have to do it. I even bought one that does not have tear out pages!

Happy Friday everyone. Thank you to my fellow PPFr's for your weekly inspiration. Hit the button and visit some of my sketchbook idols as well as many other amazing artists.




Breaks, Water Soluble Oil Paint and More Faces

This past week I've been working more with the water soluble oil paints. I'm figuring them out. I'm also getting a better feel for painting faces and the ability to see in terms of values. Taking the time to stop the norm for me and settle in to learning and studying is a great break and a beneficial one.
My break is coming to an end and Christmas is just around the corner. Wishing you all Happy Holidays to you and your families.
Have a Merry one!

Faces in Wax, Trying New and Being a Beginner

Swimmer (detail)
encaustic on birch 12x24

Here's one of the complete swimmers from this post.  She is finally done.  I've been working on my getting the faces better - new colors, new thoughts.  That in itself takes time.  When I say that, what it really means is slowing down and taking the time in a more methodical way.  Its easy to put paint on a painting - but it takes thoughtfulness to put paint on a painting in a way that brings life straight from the brush to the surface on which you work.  It doesn't matter what the subject matter is - but I find there is a huge difference in the works where it seems as if the artist is one with the brush and each stroke is added lovingly to complete the picture. 
I'm going to be away from my wax studio for a couple of weeks.  Instead of just shutting down, like I have in the past, I'm actually going to embark on a new journey - even if for only a couple of weeks.  As, I said, I am going to work on my faces and practice while I am away.  I'm also, going to attempt a run at water soluble oil paints.  I'm really looking forward to it... going in with a little apprehension, in that as much fun as it is to be a beginner, its not fun either.  I figured the more practice I get in mixing colors and painting faces - the better.  If any of you have great tips and tricks for working with water soluble oil paints - do share, really.  I need all the help I can get.  I'll be here next week and show you what I've been up to.  Paint on!

Confidence, Cures for Being an Amature, and Paint it Like You Mean It

Flight
encaustic on birch 6x6

I was cruising around youtube the other day and I came across this guy.  I liked what he had to say - so I am sharing it here.

I know that I get a wee tentative when I paint.  I'm always questioning myself if this is right, or that is the right shape or color - or whatever.   I'm hesitant about brush strokes.  I don't use enough paint.  In doing that I have a lot of rework, because I don't believe in my decisions, and many of my paintings look kinda wishy-washy.  These are not the ones you see here.  They are the ones that get scraped back and end up in my recycled wax box. :)  I'm not this way in my real life, so why am I this way when I paint?  Not sure, but I know its time turn the corner and to walk the walk. 

In painting - lets just put it this way and cut to the chase - paint it like you mean it - really.  Be decisive, be confident.   In the end, its art. Its your interpretation.  Its how you see it.  Paint on!  Happy Friday everyone!

Orange on Monday, Books and the Red Breasted Nuthatch

the Nuthatch
detail from a larger painting
The Reader

Sometimes things have a funny way of coming together.   I've been wanting a reference book on birds.  I've been thinking on it pretty hard, actually.  But, for whatever reason, I haven't had time to stop at Barnes and Nobel to look there for what I was thinking I was wanting. 
On the way home last week, I did stop... finally.  But not at B&N.  I made a stop at a Goodwill store that I pass by regularly.  No reason, to stop there - other than to look through their books.  There it was - Book of North American Birds.  A beautiful book that had been passed on - unused. 
There were some other books that I couldn't pass up.  One is a first edition, signed by the author 1918.  Another is a home handyman guide that has pressed flowers between the pages.  The last, another that had news clippings tucked into the pages - all dated from the 50's.  Then to top it off... I received a $2 bill in change.  So, proof in the pudding - yes... thoughts become things.

 

This sweet little birdie is a red breasted nuthatch.  I don't see them where I live.  Yet, he just had to be part of this larger painting that you can see here.  His sweet little belly is orange even though he is called red breasted.  Orange is my favorite color and favorite color is also the color prompt at Fearless and Fly.  I actually believe its the happiest color going.  How can one not smile, while thinking of orange?  Oranges, orange popcicles, orange sunrises and sunsets.  See what I mean?

Today I am also linking in with Mandarin Orange Monday.  Thanks to Lori at LoriKart for hosting.  You can see what others are up to on this Monday, by hitting the button below.

Spin Cycle, Practice and Face Painting

I've been practicing.  I feel that I know enough to be dangerous, but not enough to bring it home over the finish line.  I'm pretty good up to the 80-85% mark, then I'm a little wobbly after that.  So, I decided to try some warm ups this week and focus on trying to keep a fresh look + trying some other head positions.  I'm a little unsure on using warms and cools in colors and how the shadows actually fall.  As I go through this realm of unsurity, before I know it I've dropped into the endless spin cycle - making corrections here, then there, and then another round, again and again.  So, these studies have rules... fast (or at least faster), few corrections and decisive strokes with fresh color.

I'm still working on the swimmers from last week.  I was actually kinda hoping to be done with them by now.  I can say one is done.  I have declared her complete.  I had really thought that two were done.  But, now that I have revisited, I think there are a few more corrections to do.  This thought process, by the way, is actually the kiss of death because opens the door to fall into the dreaded spin cycle. When I get to that spot where I'm so close to being done.... just like 10-15% left to go... I start over working things and over thinking, and over analyzing.   I make a correction here, that throws things off and leads to a correction there and before you know it - I have made a lot of little corrections.   In wax, like any other paint - mud is inevitable when we churn and aren't decisive in our choices of color and stroke.  Colors build up and layers build up that end up losing the fresh clarity of confidence.  So, in between the spin cycle of working on the swimmers, I'm doing these small studies.  They are an attempt to get over the finish line with clear colors and confidence without the churn of overworking things.   Practice, practice, practice... its true.

Style Observations, Variations and Arriving in the Middle

WIP
The Swimmers Series
Encaustic on 4 12x24 Birch Panels
 

The joy of being an Artist is when we go off on a tangent and paint several of something - its a series.  I've been working on these 4 this week.  They are actually 4 separate paintings.  Its been an interesting process to work up four similar paintings together.  I've never done this before.  I have lots of open paintings in various stages in my studio (seven to be exact), but I've not worked four of the same before in variation.  I decided to give it a try based on some of the comments from last week, where my fellow PPFrs, actually do work up variations of one subject.
 
What's been interesting is how these swimmers have morphed.  The boy on the left was the first one.  He is fresh, kinda rustic and not overworked... at all.  They've been worked simultaneously and all started out looking kinda  like him.  The next girl until about an hour ago, had a similar look to her friend on the left.  Then she morphed and skewed away from that style crossed over to be more like the others.  The next girl, she has had 5 different faces and two different bodies.  I had a body that I liked, but after the first face went awry, I couldn't get a replacement face to work.  I learned that face and body are a unit.  Either they work as a whole together or I need to start over in total not in parts.  What's interesting is that she has looked like the same girl in the face every time.  I guess she wanted to show up regardless of what body she was on. 

The boy on the far right had gotten a bit overworked in the face, but his hands are still at a good stage... so, what to do - based on the learning's of the girl to his left, do I keep working the face and risk overworking it or do I start all over again?  Needless to say... he is sitting for the moment, while I decide what to do.  I'm actually a salvager, so I'm sure I'll take at least one more run at him to keep those hands.  My favorite is the boy on the far left and I've been reluctant to work on him at all and just leaving him as he originally showed up.   He is actually based on the style of a German artist. 

This has been such an interesting lesson in style and how it seems I want or need to paint.  The more I try to duplicate the style of the one on the left - the more they end up away from that and settling into, I guess where they should be.  They are teaching me that my style and voice show through.  And no matter if I try to paint in someone else's style, my own style is going to find a way to override.  I used to find this kind of frustrating.  I haven't been a fan of this style I have.  But, the more I paint, the more the style is refining and becoming something I do like. I have to thank Flora Bowley for helping to free up my thinking.  Finally, I'm at the point where  I am embracing my style rather than fighting it.  It's taken a while, I don't know if any of you have found this to be true on your artful journey.

This foursome isn't meant to be too realistic, because for me that adds too much pressure and a load of expectations.  So here they are... in the middle.  They still need some work to be finished up.  I need to figure out the bodies.  So more work, more discovery, more learning.   Happy Friday! 

Portrait Painting, Baby Steps and Conga LInes

Baby steps can sometimes seem like a penance that we have to pay, a necessary discipline in getting from A to B.  Yes, forward progress but slow going with these little tiny steps.  It seems to take forever to get where we are going.  Where's the leaps and bounds?

So what if we shake this concept?  What if we re-frame baby steps as dance steps in life's conga line?  A place where we can shake and move our bodies to the beat of the music, dance all night and have fun following the line and where it leads.

Conga lines are fun.  They are fueled with joy and music and yes, little steps in rhythm to the beat.  There are whoops and hollers, bodies swaying and lots of color and awesome music.
What if we view baby steps in this way rather than as... well, baby steps. 

I haven't done a portrait for a while and was wanting to give it a try with my new painting technique.  Here's the first run at it.  For some reason when it comes to faces I have trouble with adding drama.  I get all worried and fearful of dark darks and light lights.  I stall and always back pedal to some medium ground.  Yet, I so admire the high drama portraits like those of Jeff Schaller

I don't know what I am looking for in this regard to make it more like hot chili peppers rather than plain white rice.  But, I'm taking another run at this same girl and am currently working on another version of this portrait- which I am trying really hard to be brave and add drama.  She's not ready to show yet but I feel I am making progress toward some unknown goal of - "the perfect style".  baby steps in the right direction - or perhaps fun hip hop, conga steps that lead to some big drama, changes, and abandon to the wind and courage in creativity.  Hmmmmm.. do you hear the music?  do you sense a hand reaching out for you join in?  I do.  I'm up and I'm in the conga line dancing my baby steps and having fun as I follow where ever this line leads me.

Thoughts and prayers for those that have been affected by Sandy. 
 

Pandora, Brain Breaks, and Racoons

Into the Night
encaustic on birch 10x22

As an artist, I have noticed that I seem "in tune" with all kinds of external stimuli.  My senses seem to be on task all day long.  It sometimes feels a bit like dodge ball - being bombarded by incoming at all times.  A dance to the left, a dance to the right... by the end of the day my brain can feel a little overwhelmed. 
So I wanted to share some things today that I have recently found that allow my brain to quiet down and take a break from the whirl of stuff that flies about all day.

I have found two radio "stations" on Pandora that offer really great studio/art music.  I tried to listen while driving and it really didn't do anything for me.  I tend to like modern music that I can sing along to when driving.   But, for studio time, this kind of electronica music seems to help me find that art zone.  One is Plej  and the other is Zero 7.  Similar kinds of music, but something about the beat that works for me.  You can search on Pandora in the new station option and find them there.  For more studio music, I've discovered Kyrstyn Pixton - I stream off her website.  I also love Mumford & Sons.  Their new album Babel is on my wish list.  What do you listen to during your creative time?

Also, Deepak Chopra is offering another free 21 Day Meditation challenge, starting Nov 5.  I did this a few months ago and really loved it.  Just 15 minutes in duration and it comes in your email each day.  This is a new theme from the one I did before, so I am looking forward to it. 

Also, for you budding writers out there..  National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) starts on Nov. 1.  Its a challenge to write a book/novel of 50,000 words in the month of November.  There are 1000's of participants nation/world wide.  I'm actually going to take a run at it.  You can follow my word count on the right bar of my blog.  I am MarjiT, so if you sign up - be sure to send me a NaNo mail so we can urge each other on.  50K words is a lot, not sure I'll be a winner - but I'll try.  I figure its my chance to get writing an e-course or maybe that storyline that has been circling my brain for a while.  This seems a little anti-brain quieting - but I see it as a opportunity to brain dump all those thoughts and words that need to get out.  I'm going to have to find a way to balance it with painting time - but the two seem to compliment each other for me. 

Thanks to all that visit here and those that leave comments.  The inspiration that you provide to me is beyond words.  It's Friday and you know what that means....  it's Party Time.

Intuition, Listening and Practice

Sentinel
encaustic on birch 16x16

INTUITION

I - Internal
N - Natural
T - True
U - Unmistakable
I - Instinctive
T - Tuned In
I - Insightful
O - On the Mark
N - Never Fails

I don't remember where I found these words actually.  But, I wrote it down thinking that I would put it in an art journal or at least do something with it.  So, here it is today - fitting actually, as I am working on painting more intuitively by taking Flora Bowley's Bloom True e-course.
The thing about intuition is that you first have to hear it.  For many, that is not so easy.  Our lives have geared us to hear only the chatter of everyday and all that chatter can drown out our internal voice. Our minds are a little over run by the ego, so to listen to the heart or the gut is a bit tough. Then, to actually trust it and act upon it takes even more mojo. Its a mutual trust thing - this acting on a gut feeling or listening to the heart. It doesn't really matter from where it originates in you, its just there, waiting to be heard.  Intuition is there to guide us and provide us with wisdom.

So, how do we hear it - this wisdom within?  Well, I think it is something we must work on every day.  Its not just a matter of listening today and it works.  Sometimes that works, but other times we are met with silence just when we feel we need a little help.  I believe that the ability to tune in is like any other skill in our lives - practice makes perfect.   So starting today, lets each carve a little time out to tune in.  I think we will all be pleasantly surprised at the amazing things which will result from a little listening time.

We are still in the early layering stages for the intuitive painting class, so I don't have much to show at this point.  I should have something to show you all by next week.  I worked up Sentinel in between making panels for class.  So, I guess there is a little intuitive carry over in this painting. I'm very happy with how she turned out.

Getting Ready, Being True and Intuitive Art

Poppy Pods
encaustic 8x8

I'm getting ready to dive head on into 5 weeks of intuitive painting.  Flora Bowley's online class starts on Monday for me.    I did send her an email to see if she thought that I could participate with encaustic and not miss out by using a different medium.  Her response was that really this isn't about the medium.   It's a class about learning to trust our intuition within the artful process.  It's a class about listening to our hearts when we create.  Its a class about letting the art speak as it goes and let it emerge into what it is meant to be.  In other words... yes!  encaustic is fine to use and I can always switch midway if I choose.  I've decided to take a run at it with encaustic to keep true to me.  So, I've been busily making lots of wax medium, big pots of cool colors and making space on my painting table for large panels.

This class is really coming at the perfect time for me.  I'm sort of in between things and searching a bit.  The ability to be able to trust within ourselves and what we do and create is huge.  So often we doubt or second guess what we do and don't let that inner voice truly speak.  I'm very hopeful that I can embrace the essence of her lessons, but also keep to my own style as much as possible.  Should be really interesting to see what comes of this.  I will definitely be sharing what I learn and my thoughts on the process.  So, stay tuned over the next 5 weeks to see how intuitive painting + Flora's style + Marji's style + encaustic all combine into one happy artful journey.

Brave, Bravo and Being an Artist

Mystic Tree
encaustic and paper on birch 9x12
Still playing, still experimenting and cut lots of little leaves out of book pages

Have you ever thought of the difference between BRAVE and BRAVO.  one letter, really.  When we stand and clap and shout Bravo!, aren't we in a sense recognizing a brave act by the person we are celebrating?  Brave acts come in many packages and when we look at it in that sense - it takes a brave act to be on stage, to perform our best, to be an athlete or an artist. 
So, what exactly is being brave?  What is a brave act?  I think if we give this some thought, we may come up with all kinds of definitions and examples.  But, what if we look at the brave acts that we each accomplished on our own - just today.  Being brave is anything that we accomplish that falls outside of our own comfort zone.  Just showing up and being in your studio is a brave act.  Why?  Well, because you are allowing yourself to create - good or bad, experimenting and playing and by calling yourself an Artist.  Count your braves today.  Count all of them as big or as small as they may be and in all aspects of your day.  Yes, it takes a brave act to stand up and show off your creative talent and not let it hide away.  It is brave to be an artist.  It is brave to be a Mom.  It is brave to face a challenge.  Now, give yourself a standing ovation - BRAVO!  and repeat.... every day.

BRAVO!  Brave acts, well done!

Mint

Mint
Encaustic on Birch 10x10

Sometimes we have to experiment.  Try something new.  Take a leap and hope we sprout wings before we hit the ground.  I've decided to do just that.
I set a personal goal that June was my official unofficial deadline to do something with the art I am creating.  I'm going to enter my first juried art show since I was a kid.  I drop of my paintings tomorrow - fingers crossed.  It'll be the first time my encaustic paintings have left my home.  The first time for people to see them in person.  And, oh my gosh... they are for sale too.

My Dad was an artist and he entered lots of shows.   The Ocean Shores Art Show was the local event and being that we lived in the community, he would enter.  So, I entered too.   I remember going to the show for the opening event.  There it was, my painting.  It was a lovely brown horse with a saddle, blue sky and green grass.  And hanging next to my painting was a big blue ribbon!  wow.  I was 7.  I entered every year with my Dad until I was about 14 and I felt I had better things to do.

This is Mint.  Over at  Summer of Color 2, we have moved on to our next ice cream inspiration::
Chocolate Chip Mint.  One of my personal favorites!!  Of course B and J's Cherry Garcia and Salted Caramel from Molly Moon in Seattle are my all time favs.  However,  Chocolate Chip Mint is a close runner up in my mind.  In keeping with trying something new, I decided to try a tonal portrait and just focus on the shapes and values that make up the face.  Also, wanted to keep with our inspiration colors.   I kept the palette simple with black, white, raw umber and raw sienna and alizarin crimson for her lips.  This experiment was SO helpful for me who gets a bit tied up in the color.  So, I think I'll try another, a little bigger and easier for detail work. 

I'm asking all my friends to send happy vibes to the judges of the show so they will pick my paintings to hang on the walls of Bastyr University for the Kenmore Art Show, June 21-24. 
Also, I would love your help to decide what paintings I should take.  I can take 3 paintings.  I have grouped them in potential sets of three - four choices.  What do you think?  Option 1,2,3 or 4?

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Thank you to all of my Paint Party Friday friends and my new friends at Summer of Color 2.  I so appreciate the inspiration you provide to me with your beautiful artworks and kind words.

Rainbow Sherbet, Mrs. Finch and the Artful Journey

Mrs. Finch Takes a Walk with her New Umbrella
encaustic on birch 8x8

The shortest distance from A to B is a straight line.  Even the great circle route is short and straight as it curves over the globe.  Do you remember as a kid stretching the string from your hometown to somewhere in Europe?   For me, the art process usually starts as a visualized straight line - A to B - simple as that.  However, it can take many twists and turns along the way and really sometimes, I never end up at B.  I sometimes go right on by, or miss the turn, or take a detour.. anyway, what I'm saying is that I don't end up at B or at least my visualized B. 

This painting went that way for me - no B - not even a Plan B.  The idea is to use the color inspiration for The Summer of Color 2 - Ice Cream Inspirations given by Kristin over at Twinkle, Twinkle - that's A.  Then, create a work of art using the color inspiration for this week of Rainbow Sherbet - that's B. Easy.. a straight line, the straight and narrow.

In my mind - B (the work of art) didn't look anything like this.  For one thing, there was no bird involved.  I started with a very cool background and moved on to a great photo transfer.  I painted in the umbrella which I loved... but then things took a turn.  My car went careening in a downhill spiral.  I managed to pull it out and take a side road.  Then an enormous pothole bounced me in a new direction.  I overheated on a huge uphill climb - and coasted down windy switchbacks to find a bright orange detour sign pointing a new direction.  Then, finally a straight flat road was visible once again (not the same one as I started on, mind you).

Sometimes, our best works begin with a vision and they stick to the plan A to B - the straight and narrow.  Other times, the road map gets thrown out the window at some point in the artful journey.  Mrs. Finch is the outcome of the zig-zag process we lovingly call art - a detour here, a side road there, switchbacks, steep inclines and treacherous pot holes that can easily bump us off the road. 

Mrs. Finch is inspired by the work of  Olaf Hajek.  His art is a personal favorite of mine.  In Olaf Hajek's world, Mrs. Finch would be wearing a black cocktail dress rather than a raincoat.  However, Mrs. Finch is a product of Seattle, and a black cocktail dress is hardly practical for the weather. 
Go check out and join in the FREE fun at Summer of Color 2.  Its 6 weeks of Ice Cream Inspiration starting with the delicious colors of Rainbow Sherbet - oranges and pinks.   Happy Paint Party Friday everyone. 

Friday:: Making of a Mandala

Mandala
encaustic on birch 16x16

The making of the Mandala.  Have any of you every made a Mandala?  I made this one for a friend of mine.  She is hosting a Mandala making class that I unfortunately can not attend.  So, I decided to participate anyway and make a Mandala for her.  Now, I don’t really know if that’s how it works, that you can make a mandala for someone else.   A mandala is meant to be a reflection of your inner self, therapuetic and about the journey rather than the final outcome.   It is precise and repetitive and easy to let your thoughts go as it is made.  Zen time, really.  This one took a long time… way longer than I thought, so I had lots of zen time.  Brain quiet time is kinda nice.  I don't know about you, but my brain runs on overload all the time, non-stop.  Dropping into wordlessness (do you know about Martha Beck?) is hard for active brain folk like me, but I am getting better.  I just have to keep telling myself - ssshhhhhhhhhhhhh.  The Mandala process made me realize the importance of a little brain down time each day.  This website offers free meditations and so does this one. 
Want to know more about making a Mandala?  Go HERE or HERE. Want to see it in its true form?  Watch this time lapse video

Happy Paint Party Friday everyone!!  Be sure to follow the link and visit the other amazing artists who participate.

Friday:: Aspire to Inspire

Smile
encaustic on birch 10x10

Have you ever pondered the thought : What lifts me up? 
What is it that you do that really makes you feel good inside and causes that little wave of emotion to surge and the tiniest of smiles to cross your face.
What lifts me up?  I've been thinking about this lately.   This is what I came up with:  Inspire - inspire is top of the list. Really. The thought I did something or said something that inspired someone else – wowie. Uplifting. You GO Girl kinda stuff.

So how do we do this – add inspire to our daily list of things we do? What if the TO DO list looked something like this:

Grocery shopping, inspire, bank, inspire, Dr. appt.,inspire, laundry, inspire, make dinner, inspire

I mean really, look at the definition. How can we not find a way to add this to our day.

in·spired, in·spir·ing, in·spires
v.tr.

1. To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.

2. To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion:
3.
a. To stimulate to action; motivate:.
b. To affect or touch:
4. To draw forth; elicit or arouse:
5. To be the cause or source of; bring about.
6. To draw in (air) by inhaling.

7. Archaic

a. To breathe on.
b. To breathe life into.
v.intr.
1. To stimulate energies, ideals, or reverence:
2. To inhale.

Inspire comes in so many shapes and forms. Inspire can be intentional and unintentional. I actually believe that often times we have no idea that something we did was inspiring. So today add inspire to your “do” list – say something kind, do something kind, smile, laugh, compliment, hug, kiss, inhale – and be your amazing self. You may not know who you inspire, but really that's OK. If we all include at least one kind act or kind words in our day, we will inspire others. Today, go out into the world and aspire to inspire.

Happy Paint Party Friday to you all. Many thanks to this group for their kindness and beautiful inspirational work. Hit the button below and go and visit some of these amazing artists who share their work on Fridays.  (sorry for the small print - ran into an HTML snag that I couldn't seem to fix)

Inspiration Today::Are you pushing your Creativity?

under the sea

This is the last of the series of sea paintings.  Its been wonderful exploring the sea and its underwater beauty.  Next week, I will start on a new inspiration and see what that brings to my art.

Octopus
encaustic and paper on birch panel 5x5

I've been thinking a lot about creativity, lately.  Seems like its in the front part of my mind these days.  The big questions I have been pondering is do I push my creativity enough?  Does my art have a voice?

I came across this video by OKGO - it made me realize that there are no boundaries, no limits to what we can do as artists.  You think you are pretty creative?  Check out this video - Creative Genius is even an understatement here::

Have you ever played the observation game?  What do you see?  You will usually always state the obvious things.  Then you ask again - What do you see?  We can usually come up with a few more things.. but by the third time - What do you see? Many of us get stumped.  Yet, if we allow ourselves to really see - to see the multidimensional layers of what's around us - then maybe we do start to see.  So, what if we adopt this in our art?  photography?  music?  OKGO obviously could get past all the boundaries that we set for ourselves.  I mean, REALLY, who comes up with stuff like this and then how in the world do you pull something like this video off?!!  REALLY! 
Its time to push a little or push a lot.  Its time to re-think and re-frame.  Its time to get a little more creative in what we do.  So, here's a proposal:: What if every time we do our art, we set aside a little time at the end to really try some new stuff, to push ourselves to dig in a little deeper.  You may be happy with what you do now, but maybe you will find something beyond what you do now that is even more exciting.  Start today really looking at the inspiring things around you and see what it can bring for you.  How can you push your photography? your painting? your music? your whatever it is that you do?  I'm going to try it and I'm kinda excited about it.  Think about it and you'll feel that little bubble of excitment grow from inside. 

I'm linking up with Paint Party Friday today.  I'm sorry to say that I will be out of the studio for the next couple of PPF weeks.  I will miss all of you.