Blue Dragon Arts - A place to share my art and thoughts

February 1, 716am - I love the colors of our sunrises!

2012-02-01T15:06:00.000-06:00

Having these kinds of colors to go to work with makes getting up early worth it. The job has taken over my life right now, so I apologize for so little content on the blog. I'm doing well to get pictures up. Hang in there though I have plenty of ideas and chicken stories when time prevails. Enjoy

1/26/12 7:21am

2012-01-26T16:01:00.000-06:00

WIPs for December

2011-12-21T16:02:00.000-06:00

These little birds will be part of a bigger piece eventually. 'Birdies' are my default creative project, if I don't know what to do I make a bird, I love making them. No two are ever alike, little wings, big beaks, fanciful tails or funky 'hair', there is a 'family' resemblance, but they each have their own personality and they make me laugh.

'Gear Head' side

'Gear Head' front

'Honker' front

'Honker' side

'Lockes' front

'Lockes' side

'Springy' side


'Springy' front

It's starting to feel like Winter

2011-11-30T10:08:00.000-06:00

712am Fireworks

The sky is deceptive and beautiful. It was 31 degrees this morning with a cold NW wind.

Fall

2011-11-09T12:58:00.000-06:00

Well, it's been a trying late Summer/early Fall. First Fern went broody (wanted only to sit on eggs all day) and then, sad to say, in early October Miss Ivy passed away. I still don't know what from, but she went down hill very quickly and Fern was fine. So, there I was with one lonely broody chicken and I couldn't have that. My wonderful neighbor Robert (who has a flock of Silkies) knew a lady out of town who was selling pullets at a very reasonable rate. I now have a beautiful Rhode Island Red named Miss Iris. She's a little smaller than Fern and is quick to follow Fern's bossy lead. I'm also happy to report that Miss Iris was just the competition Fern needed to get off the nest and back to laying properly! I have been collecting between 9-12 eggs per week since Miss Iris arrived, it's wonderful! The next plan of action is to set up winter quarters for the girls. My garage is too small for my truck, but would make a wonderful coop/garden shed, so that's the plan for now. Hope you are having a wonderful Fall!

Miss Iris

Miss Fern eats soup

9 days harvest

possible winter quarters

Art Everyday for a Month

2011-10-27T09:52:00.000-05:00

Once again Leah Piken Kolidas - Creative Every Day - is challenging people to make 'art' everyday in November.

As Leah says in her blog:

"Your daily creations can be anything you desire (from painting to drawing to photography to writing, etc...) You can work with a theme or do something different every day. It's entirely up to you! Make it doable.

I'm a low-pressure type person, so I encourage everyone to join in, even if you don't complete something every day. Even just giving yourself the challenge and creating more than you usually would is a beautiful thing. But if you can create something every day for 30 days, I highly recommend it! I've learned and grown so much through doing it each year. And the community that develops is always amazing."

I tried to do this last year and while I didn't manage everyday I did create more that month than I had all year. This year for me has been somewhat sparse in creative endeavors (if you don't count the chickens) so, I'm jumping in again with the hope that it will re-start my creative juices and get me rockin' and rollin' and 'making stuff' again.

So what do you say? Are you willing to take the plunge and spend 30 days working on...writing, painting, sculpting, gardening (if you're in a warm place) photography, sketching, anything, something? If so, then click the pic and read about a fun filled month of creativity, learning and making art every day!

We can do so much better than 'Eh'!

2011-09-30T07:41:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine sent me this quote and it just said "YES!" to my soul. I did a Google search to try to find the author, but I really couldn't determine where it originated from, but if anyone knows please let me know so I can credit the author. I have linked it to an Etsy site - The Ink Society - that sells it as a beautiful poster in many color choices. In the meantime, keep making art because I don't want to live in a world that is just 'Eh', do you?!

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, but somedays it feels like it!

2011-08-10T16:07:00.005-05:00

Summer has been a busy time for me, not the least of which is yard work on top of regular work and house work - ok, maybe not that much house work, but still a lot of things have been keeping me away from writing.

New in my world are Fern and Ivy, two of the most wonderful chickens I've ever had the pleasure to know. They are Sussex (Coronation Sussex to be fancy) chickens. I've never raised chickens before, and didn't want to deal with chicks and all their care needs, so purchased two grown and laying hens. In the short time I've had them they have just been a delight to watch and interact with. The only advantage to starting with chicks is that they can be trained for picking up and cuddling, once I catch Fern or Ivy they settle in quite nicely, cuddle and burble at me, but catching them is the challenge, they can move FAST!

I've been wanting chickens for some time now and to finally have them is just wonderful. I was blessed to have a friend build me this wonderful coop/chicken tractor for the girls to live in. Most of the day they wander my backyard eating bugs and chasing snakes, but at night they snuggle down in their comfy cosy coop.

Where does your inspiration come from?

2011-06-30T14:58:00.000-05:00

Hubcap art by Keri Joy Colestock

Part of what I love about this art piece is how the hubcap makes such a wonderful base and contrast for all these great faces. It inspires me to find different ways to use faces, other than as part of a figurative sculpture.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Do images form in your mind while reading a good book or listening to music? Does walking or working in nature conjure up ideas? Activities like these can spark whole avalanches of new thoughts and ideas for me.

What about viewing other people’s art online? This is another great venue for inspiration. Whether it’s photos on Flickr or belonging to a group that focuses on a medium, or style of art, you're interested in – be it painting, collage, altered books, pen & ink, writing or, one of my interests, sculpting the human face - hence the above photo.

The advantages of belonging to a group are many. You can explore how various artists express a 'theme' through different mediums, share your thoughts on a particular craft/art, ask questions about technical problems or share your 'know how' with others. Seeing how other artists approach a topic helps you see/think out side the box. Then there is seeing just how wide the interpretation of an art/medium can be translated and expressed.

'Hubcap Art', by Keri Joy Colestock, is just one example of some of the amazing work being created and shared online. What can be more inspiring than seeing how a person takes an object, or medium, in a new direction? For me that can inspire all kinds of thoughts! I am particularly creatively challenged by people who take unusual objects, mix them with their own special flare and just run with it, creating a 'series' or body of work that follows a process through many transformations. You can see how the germ of an idea (expressed in her hubcap) moves through several of Keri's pieces on her Etsy site.

Where has inspiration led your art?

Sites to see

2011-06-21T12:31:00.000-05:00

Here are some of the blogs I have been lead to recently that have been very uplifting, informative and great reminders that the world is only as beautiful as we see it. The blogs deal with some of my 'phobias' - Failure, Mistakes, Change, Self Worth...(maybe some of yours too?).

Spirit Moves Dance Meg has written a very moving article on failure.

Scoutie Girl has a great guest article by Liz Kalloch called 'Living with - not by - Our Mistakes

Amy Oscar's guest post by Jenn Gibson: 'The Wisdom of Going Home' deals with change.

On the blog Kind Over Matter's: Being a Force for Good with Amanda Fall A Guest Post by Amanda Fall for the Kind Kindred series.

And one more for good measure, (the Editor and Chief of Scoutie Girl) Tara Gentile's article "Are you in love with your own Potential?'

There are so many more wonderful blogs out there that can inspire, move your heart and teach.What are some of your favorites?

Where does the time go?!

2011-06-10T16:00:00.000-05:00

WOW, I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post. Well, if your days seem to fly right by I know how you feel! I have been busy though working in the garden - when the rain has stopped and the mosquitoes aren't out - and creating 'stuff' and reading about cooking, creating and gardening.
I have several art projects in the works, such as painting on tiles:

Repainting a little blue gnome a friend gave me:

The color of the base is the color the whole gnome was

Some owl ATC's for a swap in May:

A mandala I designed in a class:

it's getting there!

which is taking a while because I can't decide quite what colors I should use and you can only color it once!

I'm currently working on sculpted figure, 'The White Queen' from Through the Looking Glass, but since this is for a swap I can't post any pictures yet.
I've also been taking lots of photos of my yard, various plants and shrubs, and of the cats:

periwinkle iris

elderberry blossom

fancy columbine

grape vine gone crazy

fur kids in the yard

Teasel in the tub with flowers

And to think it's June already...

Flower Faces

2011-05-10T10:37:00.000-05:00

Here are some faces I've been working on. I've just arranged their petals to see if I like the direction they are going before I glue it all down. They will be a gift for friend. The faces are about 2 1/4" across, sculpted with paperclay and painted with acrylics. Once they are all glued I'll stick them back on their stems and add some other flowers for a bouquet.

I need the Courage to Let GO!

2011-05-03T15:04:00.000-05:00

This is a painting that’s currently in progress and on which I have reached an impasse. My idea was that it would be loose and flowing and have all sort of texture and layers and once I painted in the faces I balked at working over them, not that they are that spectacular faces – though I do think they are nice faces.

sharpie sketch on gesso

first washes of color


	flesh color added

shading and some details added

more face details

There is something about once something has a face or eyes, it’s a done sort of thing for me, but I KNOW this is far from done and I think I’m going to have to bite the bullet and just continue on…regardless…even though it means painting over the faces…I can do it, because this isn’t what I envisioned!

The Path of Change is...(pick your word)

2011-04-22T16:01:00.010-05:00

As a person who likes to make things, I’m always looking for new and interesting techniques to expand my creative horizons. At the same time, after learning these new and wonderful techniques, I find myself almost always reverting back to the same mediums and symbols that feel most like ‘me’. Occasionally part of a technique or a new medium will work its way into a project, but it’s a slow process.

With the thought of trying to move past my reserve in implementing changes in my art I took a "Free-Frawl" painting class from my friend Susan Brasch. She is a very talented visual artist, writer and mediator, who teaches at her home studio and through Art&Soul, here in Lincoln.

Here is one of the pieces I completed in her class. I call it ‘Sleeping Heart’. It's worked on a piece of smooth paper, 24"x36", in acrylics and soft pastel.

She's a little crinkly from the color washes

I really like the colors.

While it has some spontaneity to it I think I still fell back into one of my art patterns, women and hearts, BUT it is looser and wilder in many ways, so that’ a start! I don’t think I will ever stop exploring the possibilities, but I know what I like to do, so isn’t that what I should do? I don’t think it’s a ‘fear’ thing exactly, but this quote is a good one for me to keep in mind then next time I start to explore a new idea:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” —Marianne Williamson

Pony girl has gone Anime'!

2011-04-14T08:15:00.000-05:00

After several attempts to get her eyes the way I wanted, a more realistic size, I had a hissy fit and painted out the whole area white. The more I looked at those large white eyes the more I thought 'what if...'? So, throwing caution to the wind, I made her eyes HUGE. My mentor loves how they look, I'm still a little unsure - I mean I think she looks cute but...it's so hard to break out our routines and predilections, isn't it? I'm just going to continue on and learn to love her as she is. Next on the agenda...CLOTHES! With that face I can get really funky if I want, but I probably won't...dang change is hard!

Sorry for the lag time

2011-04-07T15:26:00.000-05:00

Hello all!
I apologize for the lag time in posts. I've been trying to make them, at the least, weekly, but sadly I've had some health issues and surgery has put me behind. I hope to be back in form starting next week!
Thank you all for following me in my adventure!
Deanna

process

2011-03-16T10:06:00.003-05:00

So here is a little blog about my process. The theme for March Monthly art on Willowing was 'bunnies'. Well, this just played into my hands, bunnies are one of my most favorite animals. (The Velveteen Rabbit is still one of my favorites stories). So, anyway, I doodled some bunnies while eating KFC - because I am such a healthy eater and the back of the paper place-mat was there and blank - I liked the faces but the bunny at the bottom of the page was the one I thought would work best, it's about 2" x 2.5" in size. I scanned it, cropped it and printed it on a 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper.

I then took the enlarged copy and used modge podge and glued it to a 7" x 9" mason board.

When it was dry I trimmed off the excess paper and put a layer of modge podge across the top and let it dry again. This gave a nice surface to work on and kept the paper from pilling when I painted it. You can see that the other doodles are still showing on the page. From there I took thinned acrylics and painted in the base colors.

And finally I just added more paint and then went in with colored pencils to add more depth and texture. This is the finished piece.

Opening hearts & Reminders of life

2011-03-11T12:48:00.001-06:00

The Sophia Project is not your ordinary blog. Cyndi has a wonderful way of expressing in words the process of life, even on days that don't go as expected, her article 'Today...' is no exception. Maybe it's my age or maybe it's the truth of the article and the quote at the end, but for me and where I am now in the process, tears are always a good thing!

Fill in your '... is to Live'

Love-Valentines ATC Swap cards

2011-03-07T15:46:00.000-06:00

Here are the cards I created for the February ATC swap. Since 'love' was one of the themes I thought a little 'self love' reminder couldn't go amiss and of course then I threw in a little twist on the old fashioned valentine.

JEWEL Bugs!

2011-02-28T12:34:00.000-06:00

These are just a few of the wonderful 'jewel' like bugs made by 'ODD imagination'. Denise has the amazing skill of being able to create small, delicate, extremely detailed and whimsical objects of art. Whether she is crafting figures, jewelry, paintings or these stunning bugs, Denise's art ALWAYS fills me with joy and wonderment.

Look at the variety!

I love the colors in this one!

Amazing detailing!

Too many !!!!!'s - I don't think so!

(Ok, so maybe I'm a little biased, but darn I'm lucky to have her for a sister!)

Sydd in his sweater!

2011-02-23T14:01:00.000-06:00

Need I say more? Ok, I will any way! Isn't he just adorable and doesn't he have the greatest great aunt to make him his cool outfit?! Yeah, I'm modest too...

Fortune Cookies and ATC's

2011-02-17T16:00:00.001-06:00

This is an ATC I made a couple years back using a fortune cookie message. I like to work in complimentary colors and the combination here is striking I think.

'Blessings' card Received

2011-02-13T23:00:00.001-06:00

This is the WONDERFUL 'Blessings' card I received from Deedee. This is the envelope front and back...

A great quote from RW Emerson is on the stunning sparklie card (with close ups of front and back)

Frida's arrive from UK!

2011-02-10T10:02:00.002-06:00

Micki, in the UK, sent me these wonderful 'Frida' ACT's she made for our February swap. I just love the colors and quirkiness of these cards!

This one is 'Frida love Diego'

Here is 'Frida's Moustache'

And this one of Micki's paintings made into a card.

Thought for the Week

2011-02-07T13:04:00.002-06:00

'If you were arrested for being kind, would there be enough evidence to convict you?'

-source unknown, submitted by David, Madison WI

A wonderful friend at work shared this and I thought it profound and worth sending out into my world.

At first glance I answered 'yes', but then I started to think 'Am I as kind as I could be?' Granted we all have our days, I have days when it wouldn't matter if you were wrapped in $100 bills and said you'd fly me to Italy, I would still be a pill.

Thankfully those days are getting fewer and farther between as I reach toward my maturity with more understanding and grace. Still...I have to say there are times, times when I'm not unkind, I'm just sort of 'indifferent' and that is almost worse. And even sadder still, I'm indifferent to myself, which is reflected in how I treat others. You know the 'do unto others...' well if you can't be kind to yourself, how can you be truly kind to others? I don't mean the total self indulgent sort of 'kind', I mean true kindness where you recognize you're human, you make mistakes, but you don't bang on yourself FOREVER over it. You recognize your error, apologize where necessary (even to yourself) and try to move forward with more understanding, compassion and awareness.

So, with the posting of this thought, I'm going to try to be more aware of my attitudes - the good, the bad, the indifferent attitudes, to myself and others. It takes so little to make the world a kinder place and starting with myself is a good place to start.

Frida ATC's

2011-02-04T15:58:00.000-06:00

I swapped these ATC's I made with Micki in the UK!! I'm excited to get to send something overseas. The theme was based on Frida Kahlo. I've been an admirer of Frida Kahlo and Remedios Varo's artwork forever so it was fun to use Frida as an inspiration. I've included photos of the original inspirations for the cards. I just wanted to show how what inspires me doesn't always translate directly to the final product and of course there is my own artistic bend that comes through. I found for this endeavor that I had a difficult time making Frida look as masculine, as she can, so my cards have a more rounded, feminine look to them.

February White

2011-02-03T12:36:00.000-06:00

As much as I'm not loving the cold weather, I can't help but marvel at the colors and textures of winter. Crisp lines, soft edges, blurred distances. Beautiful colors of palest pinks, greens, blues, browns and grays, of bright red berries, burgundy dogwood stems, deep green pines. It's really amazing how much there is to see and wonder at in winter! My most favorite thing about winter, beside all that I've mentioned, is the silhouette of branches and grasses against the snow or softly shrouded in a misty glaze of frost. Ice covered trees and grasses are beautiful too, but I don't like the damage it can do. Today the sun is out, but earlier in the week it looked like this...

Sumac is always a treat to view in winter.

The redbuds are just gnarly wonders, I have scads of picture of them!

The air is soft with blowing snow and frosted trees.

Ponytails Doll #3

2011-02-02T15:17:00.000-06:00

Ok, I couldn't wait until tomorrow, so here is 'ponytails girl' with toes and a wash of color started in her hair and on her face. I also got a little closer to her face so you could see her features a little easier.

2nd stage of cloth and paperclay doll

2011-01-31T16:03:00.000-06:00

Ok, here's another look at the doll with her face sculpted and her 'body-ecotomy'. When I re-sewed her body together I splashed an additional coat of gesso on her to help strengthen and hold the stitches. Her feet have been restitched to make them a little smaller, but her toes haven't been adjusted here. That picture is coming soon, along with 'further progress' photos (I promise Dodie)! I hope to finish her this up-coming weekend.

'Blessings' card swap

2011-01-27T12:15:00.000-06:00

Here is the card I made for the 'Blessings' card swap on 'Willowing & Friends'. Though the card doesn't really state 'blessings' it is ideas & thoughts that I wished for the receiver.

As you know 'courage' is my word for the year and I thought that it was a good word to use as a blessing, along with attributes that would be helpful for living a fuller life.

I drew the lady on colored card stock. Most of the detailing is colored pencils, but I used acrylic paints as the base color and then added water colour crayons and stamping for more details.

WIP - cloth and paperclay figure

2011-01-25T12:05:00.000-06:00

Here is my spin on the 'Cloth and Clay Dolls' tutorials. She is a weighted sitting doll. This is an early photo, she now has painted hair and a face. This picture is also pre-torso-ectomy. I really thought her body too long, so whacked her in half and restitched her - she has wonderful 'Frankenstein' stitches above her waist line now! (I'll do a 'side by side' photo comparison when I upload the new pics). I paper-clayed the ends of her toes too, to be more shoe shaped.
I've tried to combine paper-clay and cloth in the past, but this time it's working much better. I made the under figure all cloth - even the pony tails. The fabric is gessoed, and when dry, a covering of paper-clay is added over the face, hair and upper torso. I'm not sure how I will dress her yet, but I'm thinking something funky.

Swaps are fun!

2011-01-18T15:04:00.000-06:00

These are the lovely ATC cards I received from Becky in the December 'Willowing & Friends' ATC swap.

Sadly my camera skills don't capture their beautiful sparkle and shine.

Nebraska Winter Sunsets

2011-01-16T13:02:00.000-06:00

Winter sunsets have been spectacular lately and I adore all the 'loving' pink that has been showing and glowing!

My 'Word for the Year'

2011-01-11T12:31:00.000-06:00

How many of you have seen this idea around, in emails, blogs, on art sites? I find the idea popping up more and more and even though I have done this in the past, it has been a while since I have had a 'word for the year' to focus on.

This year my word to focus on is COURAGE. The definition I'm using for 'courage' is one that I heard Brene' Brown give in a TED Talk - 'to tell your story with your whole heart'. Isn't that a magnificent definition?! It also sounds like a scary and challenging thing to do, but if I don't try to live this word I will never know if I can LIVE this word. So, what word do you want to live, learn or be this year?

Stepping into a New Year - ATC's as a medium for personal growth

2011-01-03T14:58:00.000-06:00

I am starting the New Year with a new attitude and an acceptance of myself as I am right now, not as how I envision others seeing me, or how I think they should see me. I'm trying new art techniques and revisiting previously failed art techniques and mediums.

This may sound like a lot to bite off at one time, but they are interlinked. I think I express my 'true me' a lot through my art, though it may not be the most exciting 'me' on the planet. I plan to allow myself show more of my vision/emotion by working on ATC's. I want to use these little palettes to express a given theme (like in swaps), thought or inner feeling, regardless of the idea attached to the theme, thought or feeling. I know at the very least this project will be an adventure of learning and growing.

I think of ATC’s as little versatile pieces of art. I've seen some really wicked ATC's that are just PILED on with layers of paper, paint and stuff and I love them, I want to make them, but I can't seem to accomplish that ‘look’. My work tends to have a more simplified, reserved demeanor compared with ATC’s in general. When I try to work multiple layers and multiple mediums, it feels uncomfortable for me, but what is worse is I feel my work is ‘wrong’ because it doesn’t look like the ATC’s I’ve seen. Ridiculous, I know! My art should be what I envision, but still there is that persistent voice that says ‘I’m doing it wrong’ because it’s different from what others are doing.

SO, this is the year I say ‘WTF!’ and ‘who cares!’ I will create to please my vision and stop worrying about whether what I make compares, or doesn’t, to other artists working in the same medium. I will put the "mine doesn't look like everyone else's” attitude behind me (or maybe, put it in front of me, PROUDLY!) This is my Step 1 in learning to let me be me.

These ATC's were for the 'Fun in the Snow' swap on Willowing and Friends. I was exploring the whole ATC thing, working with watercolors, watercolor crayons, stamping and gesso as a base coat.

Winter...little visitors

2010-12-14T15:07:00.000-06:00

Snow is so beautiful...if you don't have to shovel it, drive in it or otherwise be out in it, but it does let me know who has been visiting my yard. I love to see the little bird feet, kitty paws and other tracks left behind.

Eoster - Holiday Doll Ball Swap

2010-12-10T12:20:00.000-06:00

This is the doll I made for the swap. Her name is Eoster, she represents the Celtic goddess of Spring & fertility, which eventually became part of Easter.

Holiday Ball doll swap

2010-12-07T12:12:00.000-06:00

Ah, the Holiday Ball doll swap is complete and it was a success. Look at this cute little guy! I love his face, it's so sweet and his big GREEN eyes!! I 'm a sucker for green eyes.
He is hand sculpted in polymer, painted and adorned with a sparkly star and tall red felt hat - so tall it's almost as big as the elf himself!
Stephanie Cadiou-White is the artist who created this wonderful elf. Her site is Pixies in the House. There you can see her more of her fabulous art - paintings, textile creations and OOAK's.

The sweater update issue

2010-12-06T16:06:00.000-06:00

Well, all that's left to do is add a few snaps!Again the color is too yellow, but hey, you get the idea.

Now, eyes for lamby and Sydd is set!

Sydd sweater update

2010-11-23T14:51:00.000-06:00

Here's a pic of the Sydd sweater. I have to take out the cuffs and make the sleeves longer, but that shouldn't take long. Then it's add the buttons and sew up the sleeves -- VOILA, then done!

The colors are a bit off, the green and blue need a more yellow in them, they're like a soft apple green and a teal. Surprisingly the red and yellow are fairly close. I'm still learning how to adjust the lighting on my camera (though no setting seems to be true to the color I see) and then work the color in a photo program.

Knight of Pentacles

2010-11-18T07:28:00.000-06:00

Every so often I look at my Tarot cards. Partially I do this to connect with something beyond my egotistic mind, which is ever critical and sometimes down right rude. At other times it is to enjoy the color, design and variety of the artists interpretations (I have several decks). About 7 years ago I participated in an on-line tarot card swap. In the swap I created my version of 'The Star', 'The Tower' and this one, 'The Knight of Pentacles':

I thought the man quite handsome when I put this together - I still do! One of the attributes the knight represents is 'the desire for beauty and aesthetics, musical and artistic abilities' (I tend to take what I want from an interpretation and leave the rest). I loved how the elements of this card came together, sort of obscure in it's references, but the symbolism is there. So, your 'card' for the day is the Knight of Pentacles, go out and fill your desire for beauty, in whatever form it may take.

snow and frost

2010-11-16T14:55:00.000-06:00

This is the 3rd morning in a row for frost on the truck windows and

we had our first snow on Friday night. Winter is yipping at the door!

November 12th, 2010, downtown Lincoln, 7:03 am

2010-11-12T07:58:00.000-06:00

And they say it 'might' turn to snow...

cool weather means a warm oven!

2010-11-11T16:34:00.000-06:00

Ok, so still no pics of Sydd's sweater, but it's half done (and the lamby is in parts waiting to be stuffed and sewn closed).

What can I say, distractions abound, books to read, quilts to design and sew - this makes March seem much closer - and BAKING to do!!! I don't know what it is about Fall that just trips all my nesting instincts, but there it is. I've been day dreaming of baking breads, cakes, cooking soups and casseroles and just making about any warm, soul satisfying meals you can think of.

Since it's just myself I find that many recipes are just too big and breaking down the recipe isn't always an exact 'cut in half' process, especially for baked goods. So, perusing my library I found Small-Batch Baking by Debby Maugans Nakos. Needless to say I now have a copy of my own. OMG! She has some killer recipes in this book (Lemon shortbread squares, drool!) and the small batches are just right size (serves 1-2) which is a life saver because if my mouth likes what it's tasting I will eat it until it's gone...sad but true.

Now, I don't want you to think I live only on baked goods, I wish, I do try to eat relatively healthy, leaning towards a vegetarian menu more often than not. Another great book for smaller recipes is The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones. While I thought some of the recipes a bit exotic for my tastes, it's a truly engaging read and she gives wonderful cooking advise. For example, how to take a pork tenderloin (say 1-2 lbs size) and use it in 3 different meals or 'the 9 lives of a turkey', as one chapter is called. I found this information extremely helpful, because as you know the most inexpensive meat is usually in a 'family' pack.

If you want some great recipes with unique twists I highly recommend the blog 101 Cookbooks. Heidi Swanson is a food photographer, and cookbook author, and both talents come shining through on her blog. 101 Cookbooks is full of wonderful vegetarian oriented recipes that use ordinary, and some not so ordinary, vegetables and grains in a fresh bold way. You should definitely check it out.

best laid plans

2010-11-08T15:21:00.000-06:00

Well, you know I've signed up for creative everyday month and so far I have 30 small gessoed pieces and no real art, but I have faith that I will get to them.

I haven't been totally slack though, I'm knitting Sydd a sweater for

winter and a knitted 8" lamby, by Barbara Prime (FuzzyMitten.com), with green knitted overalls which I have to say are just ADORABLE! (knitting pics soon) So, in that sense I have been creative everyday, just not the way I thought I would. Also, I broke down and mulched/mowed all the leaves in my yard, removed several more boxes of stuff - to become other peoples stuff - and have just been trying overall to get my sh*t together and be a semi-responsible adult, which is very challenging for me.

In the meantime, I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather! More soon....

Art Every Day Month Starts TODAY!

2010-11-01T08:15:00.000-05:00

Creative Every Day is one of my favorite blogs. Leah Piken Kolidas is insiteful and inspirational in her creative life and shares that energy through her blog and emails. Check out her site Creative Every Day and give the November challenge a go, what have you got to lose?

Time flows too quickly

2010-10-22T15:17:00.000-05:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost 5 months since I've posted anything!

Life has been full of adventures. In August I got to spend an amazing week with my sister (http://oddimagination.blogspot.com/). We spent a couple days taking photos around town - a textile show, wall murals, architecture and at the cemetery pictures of angels, mausoleums and other beautiful objects.

We also spent a lot of time talking, plotting art projects and giving positive creative energy to each other. There is NEVER enough time to talk & plot with my sister!!

In August I also adopted a new kitty. Mesa is still missed but I have to admit that Jasper Winston has many of her qualities in a rambunctious male form. He was about 4-5 months old when he was found and I took him home shortly after that. He is going to be a BIG boy, he is now approx. 7+ months, 10 lbs(!), FULL of energy and the terror of Teasel's life - though she has kicked his butt a lot lately, he may start the mayhem but she finishes it!

You can't really tell from the photo, but he's got an inch or two on Teasel.
His coordination however is still in the development stage.

Since August it's been yard work, house work (a lot of re-arranging of furniture and downsizing 'stuff') and work work. Hopefully, with the beautiful fall weather and winter hibernation around the corner, things will slow down and I'll be able to resume my ponderings in this blog.

Over the summer I completed my rain barrel commission, much to the joy of the new owners.

Finally, for the Fall/Winter season,

I'm starting on some new figures for a swap in December

and a staff art show in April. I also hope to be part of a staff quilt show in March...we'll see how the winter goes for that.

the art of 'maleness'

2010-06-02T10:58:00.000-05:00

There are so many figures I want to create that are male in their nature and appearance...and yet, the poor things tend to either come out as women or men masquerading as women. I just can't seem to get the proper edge to the face. Don't get me wrong, I know there are men who have gentle feminine faces, but I guess I'm trying for the stereotypical man. Anyway, with all that said here is yet another attempt at a 'man'. I sort of feel he is Asian in personality and can see him wearing saffron robes, it could be because of the bald head. Currently I am calling him Ping. As you know nothing is certain until the figure is done, so all is subject to change without notice.

(Please excuse my wobbly photo skills, it's hard to hold a head and photograph it at the same time)

The color in the bottom photos are closer to true, but still a little too red for his skin. These were taken in the same light and at the same time of day, but on different parts of the painting and with different light settings, I think I used 'auto' on the bottom photos and 'daylight' on the top.

Spring - Where is my sunshine?

2010-05-17T15:07:00.000-05:00

So far this spring has been wet and fairly sunless, which for me is sort of depressing. I'm still waiting for my sunshine and 70's+ weather. I have to admit though that everything is very green and lush and my lilacs have never been fuller or more fragrant!

In the meantime, I've been trying something new and totally adventurous for me. I've been taking some wonderful tele-classes from Laura Hollick of Soul Art Studio.

Below is the cover I made for Laura's 8 week 'Create Yourself' phone class. It was a very exciting and insightful class for me. There was a lot to take in and I'm still digesting what I learned. The great thing about the class (besides being able to attend class in the comfort of your own home!) is that Laura records the tele-class in an mp3 format and sends you the link to the recording, a full overview of the course and assignment by the next day! So not only do you get to take the class the first time, you have access to this information to go over as many times as you like, each time expanding your previous insights!!

Front Cover - acrylic paint and sharpie

Back Cover - colored pencil and sharpie

I'm currently taking the '21 day Creative Cleanse' (my 'mothers day's present from my sister - WOOHOO!). I will post my new journal cover as soon as it's completed.

Rain Barrel

2010-03-09T16:11:00.000-06:00

I haven't been writing lately, but I have been painting. I painted this rain barrel for a fund raiser. It is currently on display at a local card shop and will be auctioned April 17th to raise funds for scholarships for childrens nature camp. It's called 'Mesa in the Garden'.

Mesa Augustina 8/2/93 thru 1/2/2010

2010-01-04T09:39:00.000-06:00

Miss Mesa passed away on Saturday, Jan 2 at the age of 16 yrs, 4 months. She will be missed.

Monster Mash!!

2009-11-13T16:06:00.001-06:00

The Monster under the Bed swap!

I was partnered with Lisa Nelson of Bucks County Designs and Lisa Nelson’s Art. I received this AMAZING delicate ‘Frankenkitty’!!! Isn’t he just adorable? He’s even cuter in person! He is about 8" tall and his hand-painted face had wonderful detail.I sent Lisa my ‘Baby Monster with his Bunny’. He is made of Paperclay over a styrofoam frame. The bunny is felted sweater. I used acrylics to paint him and sealed with a spray matte acrylic finish – though he is still shiny.

Madonna - Staff Art Show

2009-11-04T14:53:00.000-06:00

It seems like it takes me forever to post anything these days, but with the sun being down by 7p I find it difficult to be productive after work hours - my energy runs with the sun. I have however managed to create some art lately. I finished a figure for the Staff Art Show at work and I've been working on a challenge that is almost complete. So I don't feel too bad about the times I just lay on the couch listening to Terry Pratchett stories!

Madonna (My Lady)

This week I helped put up the 4th annual Staff Art Show. This is the 3rd year I participated. I enjoy this venue a lot because there is such a diverse array of art. I submitted a figurative sculpture called 'Madonna' (my lady). She is approximately 16" tall and is composed of paperclay, wire and wood. Her hair is brown paper bag and her clothing is made from crepe & tissue paper, some of the tissue paper I altered by creating a pastel pattern on it. The process of creating a little person is enjoyable, but I really love sculpting faces - so much so I have a hat box full of little heads waiting for bodies!!

Mermaid received - Under the Sea Swap

2009-10-01T15:45:00.000-05:00

Here are some pics of the wonderful creation I received in the ‘Under the Sea Swap’ from Marleen. I apologize for how long it’s taken me to get these pictures up, but life can be so swift sometimes – I guess that’s why we should embrace the moments and cherish our good fortune.

Added Side Bar Attractions

2009-08-28T16:57:00.000-05:00

Check out the side bar for a cool give away and a great funky spooky swap!!

Thank you!

2009-07-24T13:50:00.000-05:00

'Thank You' to all my followers and to everyone who commented on my Octopus Lady!!
I feel so special.

These are my green eyed girls, Mesa and Teasel.
They will be celebrating their 16th and 11th birthdays, respectively, in August.
I will be digging up the 'nip' in the yard and there will be much partying in the neighborhood by fur friends and the girls. Yes, I'm biased.

ADO challenge dolls

2009-07-20T15:59:00.000-05:00

WOW, I just started viewing the element dolls...it's going to take me a while to get through them, I didn't realize how many there were and the ones I've viewed so far are amazing!! This was a great challenge and I hope they do another one soon.

ADO Elements Challenge

2009-07-16T16:28:00.000-05:00

The Element - Water

I created an octopus lady. It's difficult to see but her skin is a hand dyed mottled cotton and her body is a store purchased batik print.

I used acrylic paints, colored pencils and micron pens for the face. Her hair is natural mohair.Of course it isn't a photo shoot unless Mesa can help.

well

Odd Imagination

2009-06-19T09:37:00.000-05:00

If you haven't been to my sisters site, I highly recommend it. Of course I may be biased, but I don't think so, she really is AMAZING!! Here is one of her latest pieces, it was for the Under the Sea Swap on Wild at Heart Art.

Denise Baldwin
Odd Imagination
http://denise.pbase.com/denise
http://oddimagination.blogspot.com
http://oddimagination.etsy.com

wild at heart art - sea swap

2009-06-18T10:03:00.001-05:00

I finally finished my sea swap mermaid and now I'm getting ready to send it off to it's new home. Here are a few views of it. She was made from a wooden 'lizard' that I altered for her long bendy tail. I applied paperclay to the upper portion for her face and torso, the rest is painted, glittered and encased in gold netting. With all that she's still bendy, which I think is the fun part!

coaster swap

2009-06-03T09:40:00.000-05:00

As part of Kindred Crafter's coaster swap I designed the 'Flora' coasters on the right. I received the wonderful coasters by Candi below. I enjoyed the challenge of thinking out side my usual idea of what a coaster should look like.

Candi's coasters use fabric from anna marie horner, so gorgeous!

The fronts are strips and the backs are solid pieces of the same fabric. I love the colors and prints of these fabrics together.