Art Update

Did I ever post these here? I'm thinking no.

Working a crop one night (that reminds me of something else.....hold on....) I thought I would take a creative break. So I grabbed a Dina Wakely book from the shelf and found an extremely helpful and useful "Face Drawing" tutorial. Practice!

Now take it home and expand... 

I picked a colour palette, and tried to stick with it as best I could. It was a lovely challenge. And actually quite helpful to keep me on track. And focused. And practicing.

The tutorial/instructions from this book was really helpful. Like, beyond helpful. Especially for noses. I suck at drawing noses. I make it too complicated for where I am at in my drawing and learning expertise. But she made it really simple, and obvious....as the nose on my face! Bah ha!! Groan...

Simple and lovely. Love the green hair and the green mesh and the words stenciled in her hair.

I forgot about these three gals! I really like them!

Looking back now, I actually have no idea where they ended up. Hmm.

What...I never blogged these?

Well, let's fix that.

Ages ago I taught a simple mixed media class at TM, a triptych. I always complete a project alongside my students, so I can show them how to do some of the techniques as we go, and so I can show them a different ending to the project. I'm all about letting people make something they love, instead of copying my demo.

These are my finished boards...

I especially love the single panel...it looks like a rose to me, with some water droplets on it! All I did was cover the board with gesso, add some "orange" paint to my brush and apply it in big circles over the wet gesso. I splattered some water drops on it, then after the paint had dried around them, I wiped the water off. The turquoise is a paint wash that I applied once the background had dried completely, then wiped the excess off.

Bundles

My latest project involves letting nature run its course. There is an art movement centred around bundling together paper, metal and other found objects and leaving them outside to let the rain and snow and sun alter them. Once their time is up, depending on what has happened, I plan on using these elements in my other art. I read an interesting article in a Cloth Paper Scissors issue I picked up at the store the other day about this, and just had to try it. I collect so much stuff that just sits around, waiting, and I thought this would be a perfect way to use them up.

This first one is all bits of paper, envelopes, some metal hinges, feathers and plastic bits.

 

I'm still building this next one, but I started by liberally spraying a bunch of scrap paper with Ranger colour wash in every colour I own. Then I bundled all these papers together, cut the bundle in half, and secured each half to some cardboard. I still might add more paper or other little bits, but it was really fun to just spray and make a mess with no plan in mind!

I'll give you an update on my bundles (there will probably be another one at least, for a total of three) in a month or so. I'm interested to see how each one disintegrates and how different the process will be depending on what I included in the bundle.

later skater alligator

Superior Awesomeness

Today we went to the City Market. It was far superior to the Strathcona market, as far as I am concerned. Plus there was a guy selling soft pretzels. Yummy. And a sax quartet...I could have spent all day listening to them.

Last night I hung out in the backyard, reading one of my new Cloth Paper Scissors magazines, spray painting buckets for an upcoming DIY, and just relaxing in the beautiful weather. I was very productive yesterday, and today as well. I set Lucas up in the studio with the lap top, and spent some time getting things cleaned up, and I even got a layout finished.

and I finished a painting. And I love it. So much so, I almost don't want to give it away (it's a present for Lucas' teacher). But one of my goals this year is to paint 12 paintings, and give half away. So far I'm well short of my goal!

and I finally took some pictures of the ATC cards I finished the other day.

 

 

at mom's tonight I entertained Jacob with some of the funny noises I can make. He was quite excited. Well, as excited as a one month old can get.

thanks for stopping by. I hope y'all are taking advantage of the gorgeous weather we've been blessed with. If I get another moment of peace at the end of day tomorrow, I hope to share with you another fun little project I'm working on, well more like waiting for.

later skater alligator

no...i did not get a tattoo

don't be fooled by the pretty picture...this is only sharpie on my arm.



But this arm-doodle has given me more confidence in my choice. it is one that I have thought of off and on for awhile now, and I keep coming back to it. so it's the winner.

we'll see what happens next...

p.s. that's a peek at my 30 Before 30 book! it makes me feel older (and wiser!?) just looking at it.

#500!!

And the clouds part, and the choirs sing...Lisa is finally back!

And this being my 500th Post - woot and hoorah - I wanted to make it a special one. I've got lots of pictures and projects to share...I hope you enjoy!

Here are some of the projects I've completed in my Mixed Media class that Chantel, Darryl & I are taking on Thursday mornings. It's so amazing to have two hours every week to just create and play with paint and stuff and not have to clean up a whole studio afterwards!


Mom, Grannie & I went to the Butterdome Craft Fair on Thursday. I've never been, so it was something to see. Mostly pricey stuff, lots of jewellry and Christmas ornaments and stuff I wasn't interested in. But I did find some things...for myself! It's just too hard to buy gifts for other people at a craft fair, unless you know exactly what they want. This coptic journal was one of my purchases...I'm excited to figure out how it goes together so I can start making these for myself!
Some holiday decor. That Dream sign is another purchase from the Craft Fair.
More decor stuff...I'm really crushing on these old school wax Santas! And my little Joy banner...it doesn't match the rest of the stuff anymore, but I like it too much to take down just yet. I'll have to make another in a different colour. Turns out all my Xmas stuff is standard red & green!
Here are my paper chains!
And now for some "art journal" stuff. I've been doodling a lot lately, lots of song lyrics and random paper bits attached.





And my take on Nadine's yarn ball wreath. I had already purchased this berry wreath from Superstore, but it needed a little something extra. So I bought some cheap wool at Michaels in the standard Lisa colours, and covered some extra Christmas balls I have in my collection.
I think it turned out great! Lucas had a lot of fun "helping" me make the yarn balls, and even Russ thinks it looks good!
At the end of the post already? Im afraid so. Maybe I'll have more for you next week...I have been so busy lately that I just can't find a moment to sit and update my blog! I had to break my to-do list down...into "Crafty" and "Non-Crafty"...now I just have two long lists instead of one ridiculously long one!

I still have lots of Christmas decorations left to put out, and a tree to purchase, and gifts to purchase and make. But I'm getting there! I'm looking forward to hanging out with family and eating lots of turkey and cookies, and just relaxing during all my time off. I have so many creative ideas for the season, too many in fact...I just might not get around to tackling them all. I might still be Christmas Crafting in January!

Later skater alligator...

driving along in my automobile...

I finally posted some items on our Etsy store...did I mention that already? Two of my "gadget pouches". We'll see how they fare.

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WORK BREAK

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Love the XM Radio in the new Santa Fe. Found a good station that's all 1940s Big Band Jazz music! Love it!!!

Also Love my new drink concoction at Starbucks...not really that inventive, but still tasty. Coffee Frappucino with Cinnamon Dolce syrup. Mmmm.

SYTYCD
Was amazing again this week. All of the dances were just so cool! They should make a DVD of all the group dances. I would spend big money on that!

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Who all among you would be interested in a monthly CREATE night? I find that sometimes craft and creativity take a back seat to all the crap of normal everyday life. But if I knew that one night every month I would be able to just sit and gab with my girlfriends and create like mad, I would be a little bit less insane. Bring back the Sanity!!

Everyone is welcome. We could hold it solely at my house or rotate depend on who's comfortable with hosting a "crowd". Heck, it would give me some motivation to clean up after myself!! Ha! Snacks (and wine...) would be on hand. And only healthy snacks...like cheesy poofs, and things dipped in chocolate!

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Artists...
Vivienne Strauss

I see a market on Etsy for...
...Plus sized vintage and handmade fashions that don't look like gack or whore-y. Big girls like to look good too! Once I get my sewing machine out and dusted off and buy some thread and figure out how it works and buy a pattern and figure out how that works and pigs will start flying and hell will freeze over so we'll all need some warm protective head gear which is where my clothing empire will begin! Mwa-ha-ha!

Check this out in the meantime...Boutique Mia. Some beautiful "made to order" shirts and dresses. I have also found a smattering of cute plus-sized vintage dresses! Now I must decide where to spend my hard-earned $$.

Super rad and fab!!







And most wonderful indeed!


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Some Flickr inspiration for you today...search "Glue Stick"

(photo credits below...)




#1: Evil Erin, Jodie Hurt, which isn't showing up for some reason so check ou the link #2: Ian Boyd, #3: Travis Ezell, #4: gascoynebowman, htcoogan (which also isn't showing up...argh...GIF...so just click on the link), #5: 999
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Am off to the back. Put the phones on answer, maybe warm up a bit with a refreshed coffee. Work hard, then head home. Last night I started prepping my wall to paint it today! Woot! It's very creamy yellow (baby ducks...) but I think - I hope - it will dry much much darker and less happy baby!

later skater alligator

it's a start...

a painting I'm working on this afternoon. am going to pick up Lucas right away, so it's not done quite yet.

"i am e robot"

The other day I had Lucas walking around saying this, in a very robot voice! And I say "alrighty Aphrodite" all the time, and he just caught on! So when I was asking him about his lunch today (he went out with Poppa, Auntie & Grandpa) he said "I said alrighty Aphrodite there".


Finished some pages and projects today. I have really been feeling creative, but the in-between-clean mess downstairs is bringing me down. Every time I go down there I just sit and stare and nothing happens. NOTHING! It's kind of freaking me out! I need a day to just finish all the cleaning and organizing, with no interruptions, and then I think I will feel better. On a positive note, I love my Clip-it Up top and I wonder why I didn't get it sooner!

My class today at TM went really well...both of my students shapes turned out really nice! And mine's not too shabby either!

I used one of my new toys...some stencils. I have been craving black spray paint, so I bought these letter/number stencils at Colours. They work really well with regular paint too!


A random layout for the store, because I think we need more diversity...and the Hambly was calling my name. "Lisa...Lisa...you know you want me...feel the love...cut the paper..." I took a whole bunch of pictures (and I mean a whole bunch) in front of the sliding doors in my house recently. So you can expect a whole bunch of layouts and projects and canvases and mini albums with said pictures on them to be gracing the pages of this blog in the coming weeks! If I'm having a good hair day or a good face day I always whip out the camera and take a bunch of shots! Savour the moment.
Note: I really like the Heidi Swapp mirrors, but usually have a hard time using them...I think the big guy works really well here. Mini Challenge: use a mirror or something reflective on a layout about yourself.
Another random layout. It needs a title, but I think I like it just as it is. (Note: the title I had in mind is: "unofficial TM Mascot")


Another random mixed media canvas thing...I used some of the new Art Chix, the new Riff Raff tree and (old) little house. The background is my latest accident technique: I smooshed gesso all over the canvas, then sprayed glimmer mist all over it. But I sprayed too much, and it pooled, and it was horrible, and I tried to blot it off with some paper towel and then it was beautiful!

I am also very proud of the words I used on the canvas. I got a thank-you-for-your-service letter from Primerica and all of the words on the canvas came from that letter! Triumph! It has a little extra meaning that way! It reads: "with any Dawn comes renewal. Don't let this opportunity disappear."

I got some more Riff Raff pages done for the March release...sorry you can't see those yet! And I am having so much fun with the shapes...and I didn't think I would! I have a couple more ideas that I'm excited to try out.

Hello to my Farmer's Market buddies...and sorry we missed you Juli...

P.S. If any of my readers ever have questions about a technique or a product I used on any of my layouts or project please ask me what's what and who's who!! You can leave a comment below and I'll get back to you asap! I don't write all the nitty gritty details about my stuff every time I post because it gets to be a long post! But I don't mind sharing my artistic gains with the world...