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Posts tagged ‘original art’

a chop suey day

flowers 4.22.17

A beautiful sunny day after all.  A late start to the day, but once on the road, it was lovely.  The further from the busy pace of the city we got, the calmer I felt. With nothing really planned, it was nice to wander towards where we wanted to visit, but with no real need to be there, we could enjoy the ride.

The fields are bare, barren, trees are waking up, but there are still no buds in sight.  Other years we would have seen some sign of new activity, not so this year.  Low lying fields are damp, wet and in some places completely covered over by water.  I looked for animals, but except for a few sheep, resting in the sunshine on higher ground, there wasn’t much to see.

acrylic spools and needles

I did find a large quantity of a full range of colour in acrylic spools of yarn, and the needles to work with them.  Have I a clue on what to do with them, no.  If anyone out there knows, I’d love to hear from you.  I was smitten by the colours and the prospect of doing something artistic with them.

doll 4.22.17 18 inches VV Kanata

My husband sighed quietly when I climbed back into the truck with my little one… “I thought you said, you weren’t going to start collecting dolls”  the dear man, it wasn’t a question, he shook his head.. He didn’t say it, but he was thinking.. he hoped this phase will be short and sweet,  he really is the VERY BEST. =^_^=

There was much more we explored and experienced, it was simply one of the nicest of days..  I came home content with my “treasures” .. I had done the background for the flowers before we left.  After supper, the flowers magically appeared, it was 1,2,3, et voila, I was smiling.  I liked what I saw. =^_^=

Every day won’t be like today, but the happy days, out number the “gray” days. The minister in NY. wrote that we need to apply ourselves more to “living like the sun” PL Precept # 8.  I agree, and will try hard to practice being more cheerful, and to see the world through fresh eyes every day when I wake.

Happy Sunday everyone.. The forecast calls for blue skies with a lot of sunshine.  Enjoy!

Oyashikiri (Blessings)

 

vintage ? old? new?

vintage 4.17.17First, let me begin by telling you I do not collect dolls.  I have over the years belonged to the CDAA (Canadian Doll Artist Association) a club that no longer exists.  We were doll artists from all over the world who had an interest in one of a kind dolls.  Certainly not the kind of doll pictured above.

I met a lady in a shop, who over time, we developed more than a hi, good day, how are you relationship.  I found out she is an avid doll collector, not the one of a kind type of dolls but in particular ones from a Canadian company, that have a certain look to them, and a wardrobe.  Like myself, she is a crafter, and artist, with her hand in many different project. We are many such “creatures” on the planet, and we thrive on the exchange of ideas and the inspiration we get from one another.

It is in appreciating the differences in the people we meet that we ourselves grow.  I truly believe that.  Seeing their “vision” and “creativity” inspires me to look at the objects that come into my sphere of “seeking” when I’m out on a “treasure hunt”

The doll above, I’ve seen over the years in fancy boxes in shops that sell to the doll collectors, and have passed them without a second glance.  Today I saw this young lady with her beautiful hair rather messed, and untidy, hanging all over the place, her shift which once had been clean and starched, was now faded, dusty and had a staining (that brown coat of “age”) that made her look shabby.  To add insult to her condition, where other dolls were priced at a respectable price, she had been marked at a ridiculously low price.  The colour of her outfit doesn’t really show properly, but the dress at one time looks like it was a pastel Easter green.  Her crochet vest was perhaps an off white or linen colour.  Her mother would have been proud, her undergarments were still white.

Yes, I brought her home, used a crochet piece I had to put her hair up so that I could get her clothes off,  I’ve soaked the grime out.. and will give her a cleaning when I have time to get back to her,  Why did I do that.  I have no idea. I know I will not be starting a home for wayward dolls.  At the time it seemed the right thing to do.

We all get old.  Some more gracefully than others.  The kindness we show to others, and the reason for our actions at times is not clear to us right away.   But I know for a fact, that goodness, begets positive.  When we live with a desire to live our lives with pure intentions, life is good.  There is always a reason for our actions.  When you believe this, the moments of awareness become more frequent.

Today was Monday, tomorrow is Tuesday, how wonderful is that!  Sleep with dreams of soft pastel wonders, and tomorrow wake to a day filled with vibrant colour.

water colour 4.13.17

A recent expression.. I was experimenting with my new watercolours on canvas and tissue.  Life is good, share your happiness with others.

PL Precept #19 Begin once you Perceive

PL Precept #16  All things Progress and Develop

Oyashikiri

Dark forest- mixed media

dark forest 2

Good Evening everyone.  Mixed media is when an artist uses more than one media or technique to work on a canvas or project.  In this instance, I had a canvas I wanted to recycle I applied gesso, then acrylic and when that dried, I went on with water colours. I have used water colour on acrylic before, but this time I wanted a dark background, so wasn’t sure how the water colour would show.

I was pleased with the results, I sculpted the canvas first with different tools, then applied the water colour to bring out the “feeling” I wanted. My water colour pallets were the Medallic Accents (Prima) nothing too fancy, and the Prang Ovals by Dixon.

Because I basically work to express myself, I use products that appeal to me, either colour range, and price. plays a part in what I get.  One could say, self indulgence. I create to please my need to express visually what is passing through my frontal lobe. This makes for happy happy, I know I’m happy when I hear myself humming.. I paint, I hum. =^_^=

What does it mean, I’m asked, or what am I supposed to see? is another one. The short answer, is whatever you want to see. If what you see speaks to you, Enjoy. There is no rhyme or reason, my expression, whether writing, painting, or sculpting is because I want to.  I gave up a long time ago trying to please..

We learn in PL, we, WE have to be happy, it is up to us to be ourselves.  If we don’t know what we want, or what makes us happy, how on earth can we share honestly with another human being.  It is no one else fault if you are unhappy, no one can make you unhappy unless you give them the power to.

OH my.. must not get going on one of my pet philosophies… Just wanted to share with you, my happy “dark forest”  Makes me smile silly.

A holiday Monday for some, others are back to work.. hope your week-end was a good one, let us have a joyful start to another week.

baby bear Yu yang pin wanLook who came to visit. He is from Malaysia..his ribbon said..Yu Pin Wan, does anyone know what that says?  Google translate didn’t help me.  Doesn’t matter, I think he is darling and will let him stay for a while.

broken crayons

Oyashikiri

Blessings/Namaste

PL Principle #2 I will not have complaints about others,matters, nor the weather.  Rather I will always be creative and will look for shortcomings in my own thinking and actions.

messy Tuesday

canvas torn

Welcome to my mess.  If you look .. you can see that it is a colourful mess.  It happens. Both these canvas pieces, I found in a thrift shop.  Both I brought home with the intent to recycle.  How I would end up recycling tho’ I had not predicted.

I was looking for something rather specific for another canvas I had been working on, and it turned out that the tail on one of the birds was perfect for what I wanted.  I pulled the canvas off the frame, and ripped it into pieces to get the piece I wanted.

Lo and behold I found that it was a very satisfying sound, the ripping of the old, dried canvas, and every more pleasing was the discovery that I really had myself some great pieces to do some unusual cards.  So today when I found this other canvas with the paint splatter all over.  There was something about it that drew me.. it was too busy for my taste, but I saw possibilities.  For a few dollars it came home with me.

Once again I found myself delighting in the sound of tearing canvas.    and … Now, I have a mess on my desk. I know, I just know. I really do… that these pieces are going to come in handy.  At what .. I don’/t know yet.  I’ll keep you posted.

Meanwhile.. I’m a very contented camper.  I’ve ripped, torn, and pulled apart a canvas, finished a super special card, found a piece that is perfect for my “escape” canvas… and the day is not done.  How lucky can one person be.  =^_^=

Now that the mess is made, and I’ve recorded it for ???  I can pack up the pieces and put them away for another day.

Happy happy happy, every one..

Oyashikiri

PL Precept # 17  Grasp what is most essential

=^_^=

Step outside the box, enjoy all you do..

life is meant to be lived

wanting – doing

joy 3.22.17Remember the other day, I posted this start of a new “expression”  She was joyful, I felt her energy and couldn’t wait to get back and work on her with a new media that I’ve found rather interesting.  Previously I have played with it in very small  sections of a piece I had been working on, and realized that to get the desired effect as shown in demos I’d seen, I would have to be more liberal with the product.

The product is made by a well known supplier Pebeo, I have often used their paints, their pigments are strong, vibrant,.. so I was keen.  The Vitrail. Prisma and Moon, Fantasy series all have the toxic danger symbol on them…   but for some unknown reason (to me) I saw but didn’t think any more of it.  I knew to be careful, and recalled having worked with such media before.

What I didn’t take into consideration was my reaction to the fumes, especially to the cleaning solvent needed to clean brushes, stir sticks etc. good ole turpentine..  Needless to say, soon enough I was feeling the  results of my being in the close proximity of the paints and the solvents.  Even after a day out in the fresh air, my head was not willing to deal with the fumes of the products.

So… that said.. my “Joy”, is being put on hold, she is still drying, for the paints to finish interacting  with themselves and to dry could take up to 72 hours or more… depending on the density ..how it was used etc.  My “Joy” is now continuing her drying process in the sun room.  All brushes, and waste (cleaning cloths, paper etc.) have been emptied outside.

Sometimes we want something, or we think we do, but the Universe has other lessons, or experience for us to live.  When Joy is all dry, I’ll re-address her possibilities..  maybe she has had enough too.  Who knows.

PL Precept #6  Efface your self conceptions.

PL Precept # 7   Everything exists in Relativity.

note.. this is a truly fabulous media, check out the videos on YouTube,  I have a sensitivity that doesn’t mean you will.  I should have remembered why I don’t work with oils is just not because of the time it takes to dry.  =^_^=   We are all different and unique.

=^)^=   thank God for that!!!!!   smile… life is good!

Oyashikiri

 

watching

mar 17.17 watching

It was a beautiful day .. I took to the roads .. you’ve often heard me say how I love driving the highway, headed out of the city core.  The stretch of roads I take have a lot of country side along the way. It is a way for me to unwind.

I’ve undertaken the huge task of clearing my work table, and letting go of the bits and pieces that seem to get left behind after each and every project.  I think that last over-haul was perhaps last fall when I was working on the greeting cards for the church.

As an artist it is easy to get lax, I find that I need to challenge myself to step outside the box, much like with my writing.  I can get very motivated, the ideas spring endlessly past my gray cells, yet I’m not smitten enough to take action.  Then out of nowhere, I know the time is right.  Since last week, I’ve noticed a lot “gemstone” colours, spring colours mainly, I’m rather excited to see what is around the corner.

I got knitting needles today, I’m not keen on knitting, but I found myself looking at square in the Michael’s’ store, they ask for donations of 9″ squares, they are put together to make colourful blankets for one of their charities. Who knows.  I do know how to knit, it just doesn’t appeal to me.

PL Precept #18   Each moment is a turning point

There was more than one face in the above painting, but I pulled the one out.. because she was watching … =^_^=

Oyashikiri

PL # 2   To live is to Express One’s Self.

 

Thursday Doors 3.10.17

door 2 march 9.17

drums beating a steady rhythm

a deep droning chant

accompanied the talking drums

somewhere within the lush vegetation

there would be a path

leading towards the origins

of the mesmerizing communication

behind each door

is a the total sum

of what “Nature/Universe”

has in store for us

find the door

open the door

and walk through

for all you do

each passing day

if look to find the door

meant for you.

Q

Oyashikiri

Mother 1921-2017

Mother passed 3.6.17

Mother’s life was like an abstract painting, she lived creatively and managed to  keep all the  assortment of unique personalities that she loved  on one mosaic canvas.  She had an inner strength and resolve that kept her going for 96 years. Pansies were her favourite flowers.  She loved colours, when she set her mind to something, it got done. In later years, she loved to , crochet and knit in quiet times, but she dedicated much of her life to volunteering and working for the good of others.  She remained actively involved in all her charities and “projects” till well into her golden years. RIP Mother, your unconditional love and tenacious spirit, will always be with us.

PL Precept #1     Life is Art

Oyashikiri (blessings)

 

 

aggh -wot is the problem

acrylic-and-stencil

While my latest card says to Dream and Be Happy… I’m trying to find the balance between discomfort and ”darn that hurts”  It is distracting. On talk show radio today while driving around from errand to errand… (I was being productive) there was a feature on how Emergency rooms are having to deal with dental emergencies, and are not equipped for the problems they are seeing.

It seems there are many people for one reason or another don’t go to a dentist, and then suffer terrible pain at some point when they encounter a severe tooth problem.. ie. they need a root canal etc.  They are in so much pain, the doctor says they can’t answer a question properly the pain has distracted them so much.

As I listened, and wondered, hmmm is the pain subjective?  I myself was caught by a sudden burning sensation in my right ear.  Ooohhhh that hurts as I put my hand up to the ear, trying to sooth it with some warmth from my hand.  Then I remembered that the dentist had told me that I had the equivalent of a sprained ankle in my jaw.. and I was to rest the jaw, not chew down on foods that would stress the jaw.  He said “it is a warning sign” that if I didn’t take care of the situation now.. it could lead to bigger problems.

Even suggested a mouth guard.. yes … a mouth guard… and he gave me an estimate of the cost for such an appliance. Oh dear… I recall making a mental note, to **try to talk less =^_^= **  ** refrain from eating pistachios for a while** and try to eat foods that were easy on the jaw, like soups, etc.    The discomfort was an instant reminder that I have not been following my “good intentions”

Even the finding of great fancy scissors that another crafts person parted with and a wonderful discounted bargain price failed to take my attention away from the “raging” ACHE in my jaw.. which shows itself through the ear.

So.. my obvious lesson today, is to stop being lazy .. and stubborn.. lazy, not taking the time to make and eat homemade soup that is nourishes and soft and easy on the jaw.. stubborn, thinking that I did it for a few days and that was enough, I knew better??? Wot! So if I have a discomfort, whose fault is it??………………….MINE

It is called owning the decisions we made and the results of……

Oyashikiri

back-of-book2-21-17

the results of cleaning my brushes on the back of a book… liked it so left it that way the black is gesso

silent voice

lemur-begining-of

Sometimes when I’m driving, I get half formed thoughts, inkling of ideas, nothing really pithy, just thoughts drifting in and out as I wind my way through the traffic along the highways and side roads.

Sometimes there is a particular sentence or catch phrase that will stick with me, today it was “silent voice’  I was coming home from church, its been a busy week with my Mom having to be moved to long term care, (all this in a very short period of time)  So I’ve not had the quiet times I usually have on a daily basis to regroup.

If I try to focus on one particular task, I get restless, and I need to find a way to slow down, “chill” as we used to say.  I was cleaning out a box, sorting the contents to get it ready to recycle, when I found an inexpensive canvas I got somewhere, with some kind of print all over it.

Without really thinking about it, I got out some of the old paints that were in the box, and threw some on the canvas .. using the brayer, which of course, didn’t work well, the canvas was not well-stretched over the frame.  The paints were a lime green and a fuchsia type pink, old enough that they were not well blended.. but I didn’t seem to care, I just persisted with the brayer till I covered the canvas.

You can see, I then began to wipe some of it off using an old brush that had a dry tip… somehow the silent voice saw a pair of eyes .. and that is what I tried to find.  when the voice stopped. I stopped.  that is the way it works for me.  I feel much better.. my Lemur called so, because that is kind of what it reminds me of, is sitting there, content to watch me as I type.

Life is what it is, isn’t it.  We all have a silent voice, we just don’t always hear or listen to it.  I’ll see what I think when I wake and visit with him tomorrow.  Yes, I feel it is a “him” or would that be hymn  =^_^=

Oyashikiri

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