Life Book, Week 8: Epic Fail? Nope.

When it comes to art, I do pretty.


I freely admit I have control issues. Try as I might, I find it extremely hard to be...messy...in my art. I want to be. I try to be. I fail. :(

I went into the studio to do Mystele's lovely lesson on "art with abandon" with high hopes, however. This time, this time, I was going to do it. Unleash the messy beast inside of me. Yeah!  Let's hear it for coloring outside the lines!

But...but...it's pretty. And neat. And controlled. Again.

*sigh*

So, I went back into the studio this afternoon determined to make a mess of things. On paper. On purpose.

And I wasn't coming out until it was done. (Or until dinner. Whichever came first.)

I pushed myself. I really did. And I think I made a little progress. It's still too neat; I was still too controlled about the process. But I'm learning. And that, after all, is what these classes are all about.

In my book, anytime I step outside my comfort zone to try something new, it's a win.

Every time.

Thanks, Mystele. :)

Release

Release...my meditative word for the year. It's a two-parter, really: 1. letting go of the things, people, beliefs, thought patterns, and emotions, that don't serve me well, and 2. freeing my dreams, hopes, and aspirations to the Universe and trusting that the best outcome will prevail.

"Speak a new language so that the world will be a new world."

~Rumi

Experiments and Valentines

I've been playing around with a new technique because I really love the soft effect it creates in a painting. Also, I've been trying to incorporate more of my own original writings into my art work. See what you think...


Oh, and, Happy Valentine's Day! Eat lots of chocolate!

Life Book 2012: Week 6

One of my favorite teachers, Tamara LaPorte, was this week's instructor in LifeBook 2012. We did a technique that I've done before with Tam (in another class): the Paint-over Collage. It was lots of fun then and just as much fun this time around.

This week's theme was "Celebrating Our Achievements," which may not be obvious when you look at my piece, but trust me...the celebration is there.

Artist-of-the-Month!

The very lovely Stacie of Stacie's Jewelry (and a fellow participant in the LifeBook 2012 course) has named me Artist-of-the-Month on her blog. Check out the fun interview. Thank you, Stacie. I'm honored.

Life Book 2012: Week 5

In week 5 of Life Book 2012, we did a variation on a self-portrait with instructor Kylie Fowler, one of my favorite arty blog ladies (find her at Blissful Pumpkin). This is a portion of the painting I did for the class. It actually does look a bit like me...and I don't hate it. *grin*

Conversation with a Bee

My latest finished piece...

I absolutely love this little gal. I feel as though I turned a corner with this one. Perhaps it will only be apparent to me, or perhaps it's only a feeling as opposed to something visual, but *I* know it's there. And it's very, very cool. :)