Friday, November 16, 2012

Smile

   Gotta love a Friday-especially because it's art party time!  I have a new face painting to share along with another version of a continuous writing practice like my "Eye of the Storm" page from last week. First up is my "Smile" girl.

  This is how I began:


  First the page got a coat of gesso and then a base painting of pink and peach acrylic paints. I used an off white acrylic paint to make a somewhat heart shaped face.  For me I have found this to be the best way to begin a face shape! You can see my first face ever along with details on this post. The shape was then outlined in pencil, features were also drawn in. I then mixed gesso with peach acrylic to fill in the face. Golden's Cobalt Teal and gesso were used to deepen and outline the face (sorry, forgot to take a pic but you can see what I mean in the finished page).

  My completed "smile" girl:


  The hair was drawn in with a pencil and then the sections were painted with acrylic paints. I went over the hair lines and facial features with a black permanent marker. The eyes, brows and lips were filled in with markers and colored pencils.  I doodled in the smile necklace ( as I mentioned in my "shine" girl post I plan on doing a series of girls with word necklaces). Lastly I went over the hair sections with coordinating Twinkling H2O's for a shimmer although you can't really see how it sparkles here.  Definitely a different style and approach from my first-at least this time I dared give her two eyes, real brows and a nose :) I'm linking this up to Art Journal Everyday and Paint Party Friday.

  Last week I created a lettering practice page titled "The Eye of the Storm". Thank you all so much for your comments-I guess I didn't think it as powerful as it apparently was. For the Fall Fearless and Fly challenge #4 I chose to create another lettering practice using the color prompt along with the headline prompt and titled it "Within". (Ok, I just HAD to add a touch of red :) )

 These are all three prompts of which you can choose one, two or all three:
Headline Prompt: Security: What makes you feel safe and secure? What rattles your sense of security? Where do you go for comfort and refuge?

Color Prompt:
Cool colors  (blues, greens, violets, etc.)

Quote Prompt: You can't make a place for yourself in the sun if you keep taking refuge under the family tree.  Helen Keller
 
 
  This page was begun and completed  just like my "Storm" page. The red heart and lines are glittered.The deets are in this post. I have been participating in Deepak Chopra's 21 Day Meditation Challenge which began on Nov.5th. It is something I look forward to more with each passing day and have found myself going into a "silence" if you will without thinking when I'm in a place I need to remove myself from. This page expresses the centering thoughts of each day for the meditations. So, what makes me feel safe and secure, where do I go for comfort and refuge? I go within. I believe it's all in your heart-you just need to listen to it and go with it. Going outside and being with nature helps too. And just so this doesn't get too laden with serious contemplation I thought I'd share a photo I took when spending some time outdoors in nature yesterday:




  This funky looking spider (a bit bigger than the size of a quarter or so) was hanging on the shed door and tho I was quite fascinated by it(never having seen anything like it before) I had to get my pic and scurry him along lest an encounter with my dog which would not have been good for either of them.Wonder what the appearance of this spider means? I'm going to look at the book I go to quite frequently when an animal/bird/ creature unexpectedly appears in my life. The title is Animal-Speak by Ted Andrews. Excellent reference guide to animals and totems!

  Thanks for stopping by. Now off you go to visit other artists who have linked up. Be inspired and leave a kind word or two.

         "Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof." Khalil Gibran

40 comments:

  1. I just had to smile back at her. Such an infectious laugh! And I love the new page too, that red is just the perfect finishing touch!
    The spider looks fascinating, such great markings and glad to hear he (or she?!) is safe and sound.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your smile girl is wonderful Linda!
    Using soft teal to outline her face opens it up - and those eyes are WOW! But that psychedelic hair is what gives her such a great personality!!!!
    She's a gem and you're such an inspiring artist.
    Shane ♥

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your face turned out great, and i will be interested to see what the spider means in your life!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Linda

    I really love your 'smile' girl and great idea for the word necklaces series.

    Your meditation piece is inspiring.

    The spider? I don't know what it is but he looks pretty scary to me! Those stripy legs are impressive though.... perhaps he is a tiger spider? I bet he bites! Tell us next time what you find out :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fun artwork! Very colorful post....spiders do not make me feel secure that's for sure!! Happy ppf!!

    Hugs Giggles

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love your pretty smile girl. Nice work. As for that spider, oh wee, don't want to know it. tee hee. Have a great weekend. Happy PPF!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love these exquisite colors. Nice smile, great composition!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful creation ~ she is very dynamic and well done ~ CArol (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Linda. Lovely post and artwork. Though not sure about the spider. Hopefully it will bring you tidyings of joy. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the smile girl. I am not too sure about the spider, they shake my sense of security.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your spiraling writing is so eye catching! I love that the heart in the center! Your smile girl is fabulous - all those colors! So glad you are a part of Fall Fearless and Fly!

    ReplyDelete
  12. loving your fun smiley girl, great colours. Happy PPF, Annette x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great smile page! This lady looks like she has something on her mind-like she contemplating something fun! And I love the colorful hair too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Linda! Thanks for stopping by my blog, and for your kind words! I love the vibrant hair on the girl, and your "word necklaces" are such a clever idea! The spider...scary!

    ReplyDelete
  15. She looks fantastic! Love her colorful hair and sparkly eyes. :) It's safe to say I wouldn't be caught alive around a spider that looks like that. :))

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sure glad you saw that spider OUTSIDE and not INSIDE your home!! Yikes!

    Vibrant colors for your smile girl and the continuous writing page is fascinating. Your art just keeps getting more intriguing, Linda!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lovely art...the spider is a bit scary, though! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. the necklace series is a good idea, and the spider looks suitably creepy... we have squillions of the things down here and they drive me nuts... lucky that wonderful lady face was there to make up for the spider giving me the shudders...xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful lady :). LOVE her eyes, giving a mischievious glance. I totally agree with looking/searching within, our hearts know it all and has all the answers, we only just need to trust and follow it through :). That is one funky spider, I haven't seen a spider for many years now. Enjoyed your post today, TFS!!. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wonderful rainbow hair and infectious smile, love it! Beautiful page, too and very intriguing spider... Happy PPF!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I was smiling until I saw the spider.... eeeek! Love the expression of your heart work too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love your smiley girl! But that spider is something I wouldn't like to encounter though ... UGH!

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a generous post! I love your word art page especially. It's just beautiful, all leading to and emanating from the bright heart within. I have never seen a spider like that, so let us know when you i.d. it! Thanks for joining FF&F!

    ReplyDelete
  24. what fun art! And that spider looks like he is taking a nap with hands crossed on his belly! HPPF!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Fun paintings. not so fun spider. :O Thanks for visiting my blog and we also have our dogs names alike. Our red Border Collie is called Annie. :) HPPF

    ReplyDelete
  26. Gorgeous colors. Love the smile girl's face. Outdoor spiders I leave outside so they can eat aphids and other harmful to plants animals. Inside, I may squash them or let them swim in the toilet. If I can scoop them onto something I'll take them outside. What you have doesn't look like it's poisonous. We only have 2 bad spiders around here: the black widow and the recluse. Both are distinctive enough that they can be avoided easily.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think the spider is a yellow argiope--they make the most amazing webs, so I'm sure it's a good omen--

    I'm having a giveaway over at Art in the Garage to celebrate my 1000th post--hope you can stop by and leave a comment!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love your smile girl. Great colours. That spider looks so creepy - but I am such a wuss when it comes to hairy things with eight legs x

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love your smile girl and her colourful hair. Not so sure about spiders thought I always give them a wide berth

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the bright colors on your smile girl and the muted greens on the second. I can't say that I have seen a spider like that - but there are plenty others around my house to choose from! ;)
    Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Impossible not to smile back at her!

    ReplyDelete
  32. You inspire me!
    Love your smile girl, so pretty. As "carlarey" said cant help but smile back at her. The second one is spectacular aswell, love the pink and thr green. So sorry for not visiting your blog, these couple of weeks have been BUSY. Plus I had a creative block. No more excuses.
    Love your art.
    And for the spider, that is one funky spider.
    Thanks for sharing your art.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Such vibrant and powerful art and thoughts. Thanks for sharing. I love Ted Andrews books.

    ReplyDelete
  34. It's interesting to read of the progress of your painting. Your page is fabulous, I like all the colors and they you built the page.
    "Animal-Speak" has been on my wish list for quite a while. Thank you for mentioning it here, I'll move it up higher :-)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Linda, I need to check out that book. I have been having lots of owl encounters in the last year. Hmmmm.!

    ReplyDelete
  36. She has the smile of a temptress I think:) I like her expression!
    And that spider is very scary!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh my gosh, Linda -- what a spider that is! I have never seen any of these around here (fortunately!!!).

    Happy Thanksgiving,
    Birgit

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love your circle of words leading to the heart within. Stimulating colors and good links, too. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Absolutely beautiful artwork, particularly 'Within', that's stunning. I'm not so keen on the spider :(

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!