Good morning everyone. For a little while now I have been playing with different media, doing some of this and some of that. This all started when I began doing handmade cards for our church (Church of Perfect Liberty) (institucion Religiosa perfecta libertad)
The first Precept (1 of 21) #1 Life is Art This is not about how you paint or draw, but rather how you use your creative expression to get through the day to day challenges of life. How you see the opportunities that come your way and in accepting them, being able to grow and channel new found energy into your daily life.
. I love life, I love being alive, and the sense of wonder I get from even what most could consider a mundane moment. Death is a by-product of life. It happens. When you lose someone who has been a part of your life, there is a sadness and a feeling of loss. However, if you have lived loving and cherishing the person, there are no regrets. You live forming honest interactions – always – some people you connect with instantly and with others.. it can take a long time, or… it just never happens.
Important here, is to be true to yourself, not someone else’s expectations, or how other’s want you to act or do something. This is a concept not everyone understands, or appreciates. Again, we all have to live with our SELVES… To do something we like means to follow one’s instincts and do and use whatever makes it happen.
The above picture is a card that I did for ME. Not to put in the collection of cards at the church for sale, but for ME. My wise little sister once said.. remember you are making cards to sell, that means you have to make cards that people will want and like. Not her exact wording, but you get the drift. She was right. Handmade cards or any other craft, where you put your personal time and energy into creating or making something is a balancing act.
The “Artisan” “Craft” person can spend hours even months making something creating a piece they love, yet find that putting a “retail” value on it, is very difficult. Many people simply do not want to pay for something that they feel they can get at a dollar store.. the fact that what they are getting in these places is manufactured and basically are made in the 1000s, doesn’t matter. -” To each his/her own”
Because we are a throw away society, what is IN now , may not be in a couple of months or years.. I digress…oh dear… bottom line… we will skip the rest of this for now.. I’m sure it will crop up again =^_^=
Back to the picture. I hadn’t picked up a paint brush in years. I mean yearS. When I did, I found that I didn’t want to put it down. I have been trying for a distressed look on the cards, using inks, pencils and markers… but never felt I got the results I really wanted. At times not even close.
I had my own idea, or image in my head, it just wasn’t happening with the tools I had.. BUT when I took brush in hand, and some inexpensive water colours I found on sale.. POP, SHZAMMMM, I loved what I was seeing. Best of all the cartoon characters that I discovered in a shop in Montreal, Scrapbook Centrale, made me smile.. It was a new line for me, PaperArtsy.. you can find more about them at http://www.paperartsy.co.uk
I am letting go of what I think other’s may want, and maintaining my own sense of wacky, wild and wonderful.. I got up this morning and tweaked the card some more. It is fun fun fun.
PL Precept # 2 To Live Is to Express One’s Self
Oyashikiri
Artist Loft 4 n1 brush – Michaels ** multi functional great value
Cardstock – watercolour 130 lb. Strathmore
Artist Loft – basic 24 colour pallet – Michaels
Prang – oval 16 DeSerres
Yasuyomo – mettalics (16) DeSerres
I was content to simply peak silently into the little world I’d come across. Hoping that by standing very still, I’d catch a glimpse of another wandering nomad, or furry critter going about its day.
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