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Showing posts from December, 2009

Back to the studio - yay!

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I don't know how so many of you manage to keep up the creative pace during the holidays... maybe you have studios in far better order than mine, are able to work late at night, or maybe painting in your sleep? Perhaps it's an illusion. But during my blog visits I saw a lot of work in progress - journals, paintings and assemblage, digital collage... I had to 'do' Christmas in a two-week period, unable to focus on anything else until I delivered the journals that were commissioned in November. I'm happy to report that someone along the way asked the gallery owner if there were any left... fortunately for me she wants more! And that's a good thing because once I completed the 8th piece I was surprised to find myself in withdrawal. I only had time to make a few gifts, two of them, of course, were journals. The background started out, as usual, gesso and a few layers of gel, some bits of paper and stuff to enhance the texture. I had an idea, albeit vague for the conc

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanza...

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It's fairly obvious that we celebrate Christmas, the festive tree journal and all... so whatever holiday you observe, or not, I hope it's filled with friends, memory-making moments and peace. Last night I re-read the message I wrote for the Advent Devotional published by our church and realized how little credence I was assigning to my own words. Written in November. Before, when there weren't a hundred things on my list and a clock ticking. So, climbed in bed with my laptop and I read it again, took a deep breath and... settled. I moved on to The Rat Race Trap , one of my favorite blogs, and from there a link to an article by Steve Pavlina , about values, with a list of dozens (fortunately many are synonymous). I read slowly down the page and every time I felt a thump in my inner heart I stopped and made note. What I ended up with is a core set of beliefs that I already hold as truth but want to deepen, further, enhance, expand in the coming year. Like adventure, awe, focu
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Some of us can't keep up with the essentials this time of year, let alone creating a virtual encyclopedia of tricks, techniques and handy ideas. If you don't know about Seth Apter's Secret Sunday, it's time. This is the fifth Sunday that he's posted a veritable wealth of info from artists of all media and style - with the previous weeks' treasures posted on his sidebar. The blogs I've visited in the past hour(s) are brimming with creative works that make me long for a trip to the studio. Everyone seems so productive. I have been busy up there, finishing the commission of journals, projects in various stages that I hope will be wrapped up by Wednesday. Not a lot to show off though... hmmm, I posted a photo of the wreath on the front door, now maybe the fab swag I made to drape over the mantle? Or the sled I salvaged from a junk shop and embellished with pine cones and greenery... wait, I think Martha does that. And believe me, I am NO Martha (if she even is t
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So many posts, so little time... there are the wonderful gifts I received from the art exchange, the lovely papers from (have already used) Poland, the paper swap that Lawendula organizes... photos of the journals that were so well received (someone asked if there were more... that's what every gallery owner wants to hear - YES:) Or, the price of wreaths... I wanted a large, lush production for my front door but alas! Even at the wholesale place they were $70 and $85 for a finished piece. Yikes. Not happening. So, I bought a fresh one while we were getting our tree, dug around in my supply bin and here it is, my $14 special! I hope you are all coping well with seasonal issues, making a bit of time for art (time? gifts?) and for friends and traditions - old and new. I hear the brushes rattling in the jar... it's December 16 and you aren't finished.... so for now, bye and blessings, much love ~