Nebraska Winter Sunsets

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

My 'Word for the Year'

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

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

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

 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

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

 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!