Ready for a Change

Years ago in high school I was ready to change my mousey dark blond hair into a beach blond. What did I use? Sun In, producing an effect much different than I was going for, but all in all it hooked me into hair color. Ever since I have playing around with different shades of blonds. Recently I started wondering about going a bit darker. At my last hair appointment I asked my stylist what he thought of my color and he was all for going darker. So a month ago I made the appointment, have been thinking a lot about committing to this change, and decided why not. So today was the day. I was hoping for a dark golden blond with hints of red. The actual results....

quite a bit darker, and I would say more brunette. I think I like this change, I feel a bit sassy and bolder. So I am going to embrace this change (at least for the next six weeks before I head back for my next appointment.) I have been working on a few new pieces, trying to be looser and adding some drips and splatters to my work. Here is the piece that I finished and will be taking home to hang in my office to try to liven that space up a bit.

Now I just need some elves to come and make me curtains with the Amy Butler fabric I bought almost a year ago. I wish I was more talented with sewing, I think half of it is my machine likes to be temperamental.

Love Always

May love always find a way to bring us together!

A Glimpse of my Studio Day

Here is a peak into a day in my life at the studio. On Mondays I have no classes scheduled so it is a full day to devote to my own art (well after taking half of the morning take care of the business end of things.) I was so happy to enter my warm studio. It's been quite chilly here in New Hampshire and the winds whipping made my eyes tears as I walked across the city to get to my building.Right now I'm working on a piece that is just for me (no intentions of selling this one) as I need a big, bright, cheerful piece to hang over my desk at home office. It has been a while since I worked on such a large piece and I really am enjoying the freedom of movement.Before I got started I had to unpack my goodies I bought yesterday at the Michael's in Portland, they were having a clearance sale on many of their Golden products, their fluid paints are my favorite and really add great vibrant color. I almost always work on more than one painting at a time. Today I set a goal of trying to finish a painting from start to finish. Lately I have been getting a ton of inspiration from Alisa Burke. Her is my process.

Start with some patches of golden fluid paints and move the canvas around to create some drips. When dry add some flower shapes with gesso.

Next spray paint and more drying time. By mid day I have added some color to some of the large flowers in the big painting on my easel, created a sketch for the first painting of a series of trees that I have been longing to do, and I am half way done on my goal for today.

Next to collage in some words that I had collected in January and make room for new ones to go up on my flower ephemera holder.

Then add a little more splattering, some more layering of color, and ta da the finished piece! Each month this year I have the goal of setting one day aside to devote to this new practice.

As I was leaving the studio at 6:15 tonight I snapped this one last shot of my easel. It is pure satisfaction having such a productive day of creativity.

Alisa Burke Absolutely Inspiring

I have been playing in the studio, working on loosening up with some drips and splatters as a new element to my style. A couple of years ago, I came across the artist, Alisa Burke, she has a great graffiti painting style. This morning she posted a video on her blog that is just wonderful! She really inspires me.

Meeting Deadlines

I would like to be one of those people who are two steps ahead of the game with projects done way before deadlines, but I have come to accept that I'm not and it's o.k. I love the freedom that working for myself allows. I do not live by a schedule (except for my weekly classes), I manage to keep track of dates and appointments in my head. Names are a whole other story. This week I was working on meeting a deadline for the Cloth, Paper, Scissors Studios Magazine. It's been a goal of mine to start submitting to some publications and it feels super good to have this project completed. It took me three full days of running around, asking for help about converting photo files, moving in my new tables and painting them, and a whole lot of organizing to get the studio ready for the photo shoot. It feels great having the space clutter free, I have the hardest time with my desk and piling papers on it. I am going to really make an effort to keep like this. The paintings that I have been working on for the February show at Lucy's Art Emporium were put on hold and I'm looking forward to spending the next few days finishing them. Here is one of my new favorite embellishments to the studio, it is an Umbra photo holder that can be hung on the wall and it's also magnetic. It's perfect next to my easel to hold bits of ephemera for pieces that are in progress.
Here are my new tables that Brian made and we painted a bold turquoise. They are such a great centerpiece to my studio and are super sturdy compared to my old tables. I just loved the kids reaction when they entered the studio and saw that the new tables were there. There few extra inches we added to the dimesion which really gives alot of extra workspace. Opening my studio to children and sharing my love of art with kids is a real gift. Every day I wake up and get to create a life I love!

Sharing the Joy of the Creative Process

What happens when you allow yourself to engage in your creative process? You.... This was my studio, carefully prepped for my one day workshop, Artful Painting. I designed it to share my creative process and some of the tips and techniques that I use to make my whimsical mixed media paintings. It all starts around color and making mood boards to inspire. Then onto making a couple backgrounds, one painted and one collage. I always work on more than one painting at a time. This group was engaged, they had lots of questions and took notes, and then were ready to jump right in. It's so easy to loose your sense of time when you are creating. Time flew by and we worked a little longer than expected. It is so terrific to be able to facilitate this kind of creative energy and it always inspires me to think of what is on the horizon for new creative endeavors. I would love for you to join me for a creative day too. Below is a coupon for my up coming workshops soon to be posted on my website.

Thanks for choosing to be creative!

Easing into the new year

Here in New Hampshire winter has settled in with the icy cold weather and snow. I have been busy keeping the wood stove burning so that although it's cold outside it is toasty warm inside, just the way I like it. Over the holiday break I took a total vacation from the studio. I spent lovely times with friends, took a ski trip to Mad River Glen, my favorite ski area in VT, read Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth and started World Without End the sequel to it, and enjoyed just being around the house.

I am taking a cue from my pets that winter is the perfect time to just cuddle up and give my body a little rest. As I start my first week back, I can feel my brain spinning with questions around ideas for this coming new year especially around my creative business. I'm trying to choose a focus to help me expand and grow, but to also stay grounded in a place of balance so that I have time approach what comes my way with grace and peace. So far the questions are there but the answers and actions still are floating around. For now I'm just enjoying the time I have in the moment. Being thankful to be a Mom, nesting in my cozy home, and easing into the new year!

Wishes for good health to approach the new year with ease and grace!