Friday, May 23, 2014

Sunday Mornings and More

  A few posts ago I mentioned a free five week class being generously offered by Mindy Lacefield.  I believe you can still sign up if you're interested. These classes are a way to combine faith and art, and each week there is a video along with a new journal page prompt. For this past Sunday, our first, the project was a "Prayer Portrait".  I can't begin to tell you all I learned in just this one video. I'd never done a face painting like this. Nor would I ever have thought about the colors and technique used for shading. But I dove in and am thrilled with the way my page turned out! Here are two versions of the same page. I added the words digitally. These were both going through my head as I painted my girl.






 The stencil in the background is  Balzer Designs, recently purchased and used for the first time on this page. Acrylics were used here but now I am dying to try out the same techniques using oil pastels!

 The next project I want to share involves continuing practice with abstract art and using my deli paper prints.
It started like this:


  And here are some tips I wanted to pass along in regards to using the deli paper:
  When using a punch to cut shapes of deli paper, first layer a plain sheet of paper (like printer paper) behind it and punch thru both layers. This prevents tearing along the edges (you can see a few here although it didn't bother me for this project, and you can clearly tell which ones had a paper under the deli paper). Save those plain paper shapes for another project.
  Gluing deli paper: I used Collage Pauge Matte. What ever your glue preference you want a glue that's very thin so the deli paper doesn't tear.

 This is my completed canvas:

                                                     Infinite Possibilities  ( 10" x 8")


  There are layers and layers of acrylic paints and glazes. The circles were outlined with India ink after the first yellow layer of paint. Oil pastel was then used after the final layer of paint. I penciled in " the world's possibilities are infinite".

  One more note about Sunday. Last Sunday afternoon I went to a drumming/ yankadi/ makru workshop. I've been going to a drumming circle held the first Wed. each month and really enjoying it. The leader and teacher Moe mentioned this workshop. I didn't sign up immediately but it kept coming to mind and my intuition kept telling me to just do it. So I went after looking at these two You Tube videos:





  It was a small class of 11 of us different ages (23-65) and let me tell you that I LOVED it even though I worked my a** off trying to keep up with two hours of dance and choreography!! The instructor teaches all over the US, including at the local university our son went to. She often goes to Guina and other  West African counties to learn as much as she can about the culture and traditional dance rituals. (Mind you, I never had any kind of dance class in my life). It was a fabulous workout. I was half afraid I wouldn't be able to get out of bed the next AM, but aside from some muscle tenderness here and there I was good to go :) I only wish there were regular classes like these to whip me into shape and have fun at the same time. Despite hubby not getting it -at all- I did it for myself and am ever so glad I did. Perhaps age is making me a bit more fearless? How about you?

 I am linking to the Art Journal Journey challenge blog hosted by froebelsternchen Susi for this month's challenge "what goes around comes around-circles".  Also linking to Paint Party Friday, Art Journal Every Day and Creative Every Day.

 This Monday is our Memorial Day holiday here in the US, and besides having a long weekend and picnics it is especially a time to remember and honor those who gave their lives for our safety and freedom. Hear my prayers.

   " The journey between what you once were and who you are becoming is where the dance of life really takes place." Barbara DeAngelis


 






31 comments:

  1. Love your circle canvas, very effective use of shapes and colours. Your portraits are lovely too. Glad you enjoyed the drumming workshop. Valerie

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  2. I love this post Linda. It inspired me to do something new this week. Your girl has an adorable face and your abstract is wonderful. It was fun to watch the videos. I think I would enjoy doing something like that. My husband doesn't quite understand the new things I am learning but it does make for interesting conversations. Enjoy this important holiday weekend and thank you for the inspiration.

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  3. Love your pieces! The circles canvas is amazing. And that drumming workshop looks interesting! :)

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  4. Loving your work and post this week Linda. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  5. Sounds like an interesting class you're doing. The result is great and I love that stencil. Love your abstract circle-canvas too! And that dance workshop sounds like so much fun. That's the best way to get fit: find something that you really enjoy....

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  6. Love both projects and it is so cool that you are dancing and drumming! Way to go!

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  7. I like your prayer portrait very much. It has a serenity about it. The drumming is a mystery to me. I have 2 left feet and would never remember all the moves, but it does look like it uses all the muscle groups, Two hours sounds a bit excessive to me. One might be better for someone in their 70s, like me, only I wouldn't be able to keep up for even 15 minutes.

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  8. The prayer portrait is so peaceful. The abstract art is beautiful. Thanks for the tips on the paper. Blessings, Janet PPF (We are shoe-loose and fancy free.. .. thanks for the visit.)

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  9. great prayer page Linda and the circle work is so AMAZING as well!
    Maybe you want to link to
    ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY-CHALLENGE where our theme is CIRCLES this month !

    ♥♥♥

    Susi

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  10. Hi, LInda, wow.. the girl is so beautiful! I love your canvas, too. The colors and patterns are fabulous. :)

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  11. You've been wonderfully busy and I love the art you're coming up with, specially Infinite Possibilities.

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  12. I need to print some more deli paper. You have inspired me. The circle shapes make a great abstract composition.

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  13. Love your girl's portrait and your abstract is very cool looking. That drumming sounds like a fun idea and very good exercise. Awesome!

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  14. Beautiful compositions, I especially like the circles!

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  15. Linda I love your girl in both version...she is so sweet... I love Mindys work! Your abstract is beautiful too thanks for the tips! Your drums class sounds like fun...great videos too! Thanks for sharing! Good for you getting out there! Happy Memorial day!

    Hugs Giggles

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  16. Your prayer page is very sweet, and this week's abstract is truly amazing. I love dance, so I'm fascinated by the wonderful opportunity you've taken with that class. Blessings!

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  17. Love those circles! And what a beautiful painting - she looks so peaceful.

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  18. Mindy is really an inspiration :)
    Love your little prayer-face. So cute and the expression is fantastic :)
    Have a nice weekend - and thank you very much for the nice comment on my blog.
    Marianne

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  19. Fabulous post - so much art goodness and info on your courses. Very intrigued by the art one - will look into it. Love the description of your abstract piece!

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  20. Ohhh I loved this post. I make drums and before moving to OR I taught drum making and had a drum circle. I miss it. I really enjoyed these vids. Thank you. so glad you are able to attend them
    Think I will go drum
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  21. The 'Infinite Possibilities ' is my fav ; happy drumming . Thanks for the visit at my blog.

    Much love...

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  22. Thank you for sharing the free class news. I would love to check it. Your abstract art is beautiful Love the different shades on the circles. Happy to hear that you enjoyed the drumming workshop. Isn't it wonderful if we try out new things like this once in a while? Thanks for this inspiring post Linda
    Susan

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  23. Two beautiful pages Linda!
    I have joined in with Mindy's class too, but I need to catch up!
    Alison xx

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  24. Wow, gorgeous paintings! I love them! They have such a wonderful essence. The classes look amazing too!

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  25. Such lovely artwork. I really like infinite possibilities.. Thanks for the tips.

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  26. Your praying girl is just lovely - thenks for the deli paper tips. I have become a bit more fearless with age - but would love to just go where the Spirit leads me! Sometimes I am still too timid.

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  27. Again dear Linda there is so much to enjoy in your post from top to bottom with wonderful artwork...words and inspiration
    and
    as a friend of mine likes to say "when if not now" :)
    The drumming/dancing videos are WOW and I applaud you for keeping up for TWO hours...that sure sounds like a wonderful workout!
    Keep enjoying this beautiful dance of life...and thank you so much for sharing with us!
    oxo

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  28. Your first piece is so adorable, love the message and love the abstract and you have a great quote too ~ Happy Week to you ~ enlightened woman ~ xoxo

    artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

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  29. I'm on Mindy's class too! I love what you did with the first week's prompt / video lesson. WONDERFUL! And I just love her shading and style too. Lovely deli paper work ;) and YAY for trying new things and being brave!! xoxo

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  30. Beautiful canvas Linda, and that dance looks and sounds so expressive and inspiring. Big hugs to you!
    http://agagasiniak.blogspot.co.uk/

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