Work in Progress - Going Big

I'm trying to paint in a new size for me: BIG! 

This board is 18 x 24 inches, much bigger than I usually would use. This is in a very early stage, still playing around, but I can already tell it is going to be a very different experience. There's so much space and freedom.

Your Adventure is Waiting ... Set Sail

I think I made this to inspire me to go on more adventures. It's been a long time since I've had a good, solid adventure! Life these days is more P.T.A. meetings, laundry, and spreadsheets.

I need to keep the spirit of adventure alive throughout the day-to-day chores.

Work in Progress - Flower Power

I'm just playing around on this piece so far -- trying to keep things light and flowery.

Inspired by these bright vintage placemats/coasters (what are they??) that I just got at a garage sale. The woman was very surprised and happy that I wanted them.

(I couldn't pass up these colors - they'll be perfect for collage pieces.)

A New Direction

I painted over some parts of this painting that were really bugging me. This still has a long way to go, but now I know what direction it's going in at least.

I take so long to do every stage of my art. I feel bad when I read quotes in art books like this: "Painting a picture should be effortless and simple. If you work at a picture a long time, the picture may appear labored, lacking freshness and spontaneity." 

Oooops. I try to keep it fresh, but I would never use the words "effortless and simple" to describe my process. Oh well. Different (brush)strokes for different folks, I guess.

About to Disappear...

This half-started painting is about to get painted over and disappear. I want to paint something really different, better, and richer. I hope that by tomorrow it will look completely changed.

"The risks you are willing to take that might ruin, destroy, or mess your painting will be the measure of whether or not any learning will take place"   -- David Leffel

I'm ready to learn something *NEW*!

Cleaning Up. Blah.

 This is the worst part of every project: The Clean-Up.

I hate it. Scraps everywhere.

I really want to have one of those neat and organized studios like you see in Where Women Create magazine. But I actually think I am more creative with all my scraps spread around me. So, my space just keeps getting messier and messier... 

Illustration Friday - Tribute

This image is a tribute to our big, beautiful world.

I'm glad I live here. Home Sweet Home.

detail from image

 

There are a lot of crazy things going on in the world these days, so I made this image to remind me about all the beautiful, amazing things I love about our world. There's a lot to love!