journaling

i remember quite a while back i met someone at a spiritual class i attended and during lunch she shared her views on past lives and our souls.  she felt that we could have been anything in a past life, even a head of broccoli.  i don't really know why that has always stuck with me, but when ever i think of her telling me that, i smile.  i wonder what i would have been - surely something sweet and delicious perhaps?  so tell me, what fruit or vegetable do you think you could have been?

making a canvas

after painting that piece of  cardboard the other day i decided to keep painting and pulled out a 6 x 6 canvas to gesso and get ready to use.  i decided to let the cardboard painting as it was but i did use some old vintage text on this painting.  i really like the added interest.  i will do another one because i have an idea of something different i want to try.  doing this canvas made me reopen my etsy shop...if you'd like to purchase this piece of art please check out my etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/rocnic23

alcohol ink background technique

painting on cardboard

i saw this technique some place online that said you can wet cardboard and peel away layers to reveal ridges to add texture to your art,  so i decided to give it a try it.  i ripped off cardboard pieces from a packaging box i received in the mail and cut a piece 6 x 6 inches.  i put a layer of gesso on the cardboard and let it dry. i painted the background with acrylic paints and scraped paint around with a credit card.  once that was dry i just drew a design and painted it.  i used a charcoal pencil to outline the drawing. i'm not sure if it is done or not. i feel like i want to add some paper to the background. but for now i'll just let it sit til i decide if it's done.

calendar journal

it is hard to believe but i am still working in my calendar journal. when i first started doing it (june of this year) i was so intimidated by the thought of writing something. i thought that the small area of the calendar would be a great place to start because of the small space provided i wouldn't have to write too much to keep a daily journal.  much to my surprise i find that often times i want to write more than each square can handle and it is hard to pick just one or two things to squeeze into that small space.  i love doodling in it and looking back at what the previous months' recordings were.  i have to thank kate (thekathrynwheel) for the idea.  i saw the idea posted on her blog and asked her if i could do it, too. i am loving the process of it all.

another technique video

baby in a blue hat

time has a way of flying by, doesn't it?  my little grandson, benjamin,  is already 4 months old.  here he is at his little friend's first birthday party.  he sure looks like he is having a great time.  don't you just want to kiss those chubby little cheeks? and honestly, i don't think i'm being partial at all.

smooshed background tape transfer videos

smooshed background technique video

my great friend, terri kahrs came for a visit yesterday to make art.  oh, we made a little, but we mostly laughed and giggled.  we liken ourselves to lucy and ethel. terri brought along her satchel of greatness which contains everything including the kitchen sink! in that satchel was her new camera that had video capabilities. so terri performed the skills of a cinematographer and had arms like a tripod. i didn't realize that it would be so hard to demonstrate and talk at the same time, so excuse the "ums".  we decided that we would like to keep it real, learn as we go and just follow the progress as we bring more videos to you. so here is the making of our first technique and i hope you enjoy it.

something to crow about

it seems like forever since i got to sit down and just create some art.  i've been thinking about possibly making note cards and/or postcards to sell.  i haven't actually got any further than the idea of doing that, however.  it seems life just gets in the way of any good art time these days.  today was a little different in that i just decided to take the time to sit down and create. it felt wonderful to get back to the art room. i made this crow postcard.  i used some of new liquitex acrylics and my water soluable oil pastels.  i hope you find some time today to create something that makes you soul sing.