Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Thinking Valentines

  Well, it's a new year so naturally I started looking at the next big holiday-my favorite -which is Valentine's Day! Here's  the first card I made:

  Products: kraft notecard; vintage image (Retro Café Art); page from an old dictionary; white gesso (Golden); scrap of recycled dryer sheet; mica flakes (Paper Whimsy); Bakers twine; tiny buttons; sentiment (ARTchix Studio collage sheet).

 Linking to the Simon Monday Challenge blog for the theme of "something old, something new".

 Does everyone have all their Christmas decorations put away? I just finished mine and this is what I filled my tank with to have the energy going up and down flights of stairs many times the last two days:

 My favorite coffee! And I chose to begin the new year with a rainbow mug. Much needed as we have been having so many dark, grey days-some warm and now frigid temps and wind-yuck!

 I'm taking my beverage along with me as I visit Bleubeard and Elizabeth and friends at T Stands For Tuesday.

  Both Mix It Monthly and ArtJournalJourney have new themes for the month of January. At Mix It Monthly it is "colorblocking" and at AJJ it is " inspired by the masters II". I chose Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) a German artist of abstract expressionism. He used mostly bold and bright colors in block forms/square shapes. I love his (seemingly) simplistic approach and compositions but lest you think this is easy to do, try it! I really had to pay attention to color choices and composition because of the minimal applications. Fun though! Here is my interpretation of his style:

                                                               "Spring Awakening"

 I'm really looking forward to discovering more artists as I fill my journal pages this month!

 Have any of you chosen your word for the year? Finally I had some signs and my word came to me. I'll be sharing it for Friday's post, along with a journal page done using a new technique from Dina Wakley. Do any of you have her latest book??? Love it!

 We are expecting snow today-not a lot - but enough to keep me indoors and warm while I play in my art journal some more. Here's wishing you a warm and arty day!

" The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."
                                                                                                             Hans Hofmann



26 comments:

  1. Wow, I can't believe you are already working on Valentine's Day. The early bird gets the prize, I suspect.

    It is frigid here, and our snow refuses to melt. What little does, refreezes overnight.

    Love your take on the Masters II. And that color blocking technique was just made for Hofmann's art. I like that you were able to combine two challenges into one.

    Thanks for sharing your rainbow mug and coffee with us for T this Tuesday. I can relate to going up and down stairs to return Christmas boxes where they belong. And thanks for waking me to the fact that Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

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  2. It's 28F and sunny here right now. No snow in our forecast. It sounds like you'll do well to focus on your art inside in the warmth today :)

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  3. dont really have a word but more about being mindful I suppose. Love the colours and thanks for the reminder of the journal page challanges. I took all the decorations down yesterday and from the tree outside too..glad I did as its cold n rainy today

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  4. A beautiful valentine card, LOVE the mug and your journal page is fabulous. Happy New Year & Happy T Day :o)

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  5. Love your 'spring awakening' and the beautiful colours. Thanks for joining us at Art Journal Journey! Hugs, Valerie

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  6. A lovely card Linda and I adore your abstract interpretation.. gorgeous... oh yes you I agree with you .. often the things that look easy are the most difficult one...lol!
    Your mug is lovely and I think the rainbow and the "spring awaking" painting will bring sun - at least in our hearts!
    xoxoxo
    Susi
    Thank you so much for being with us at AJJ for the Masters Inspired Theme !
    Happy T-DAY!

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  7. Starting at the end of your post ...
    my 2015 word is Simplify :-) and of course you've shared the perfect quote dear Linda.
    You are so good doing some Valentine creating with that pretty card and your abstract painting too!
    We got a bit more snow than forecast and it is a winter wonderland out there but the roads are a total mess...I feel for those that have to go out in it.
    Stay warm and cozy with that pretty rainbow cup
    Happy T Day
    oxo

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  8. This is just what we all need in these wet, grey days: an infusion of bright, happy colours!

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  9. Love your first Valentine's Day card. Boy! You are on the ball!!! lol YES all my Christmas is put in boxes...now i have to figure out how in the heck i got all those boxes in the closet they came out of...lol Happy New Years and Happy Tday to you my friend! Hugs! deb

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  10. Even here is California, we are getting temperatures dropping down to just below freezing. I think our drought may be on the way out, as we haven't had winters this chilly is quite awhile. Even the winter fog is starting to return...................THAT I don't like!

    Your rainbow cup brought a smile to my face this morning.

    LOVE your journal page.

    Happy T-day

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  11. Hi Linda

    My copy arrived yesterday! It looks really exciting - I am looking forward to sitting down and reading it properly. Like you been busy putting away decorations.... my word for the year is 'Priorities' It's working out well so far ;)

    Love your rainbow cup.

    Must check out 'Mix it Monthly' .... I keep wanting to join in but never get around to it.... I must make it one of my 'Priorites!'

    Karen x

    Karen x

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  12. Your collage work is always so creative and expressive you ~ Wonderful valentine creation! ~ love the abstract ~ Happy creating to you,

    Happy New Year,
    artmusedog and carol

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  13. Yes I do I do :) Well, I ordered the book a couple of days ago and it should be arriving within a week. So I can't wait to see what you've made inspired by it! I'm in awe of your inspired-by-the-masters work. Abstract painting seems so hard to do, I just want to add more and more layers. You did a great job, beautiful page! And beautiful sweet card too.

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  14. The Valentine's supplies are always out early at the craft stores. Pretty card. Painting abstracts is not as easy as people assume it is. Great job!
    My word is going to be the angel card I chose on New Year's Eve--Love. Happy T-Day! :)

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  15. Hello Dear Sweet Lady
    I am sorry it has taken me so long to come here. It is my resolution to be better about blogging and working on concentration skills as well. ;-) I wanted to wish you a Happy 2015 and may it be filled with blessings.

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  16. Sweet Valentine, Linda! Most of my decorations are put away, except for the tree. I had friends here for lunch today so left it up for them. And, my youngest son's birthday is tomorrow and I usually take it down on the 8th - this is what I did when he was a kid and still do!!

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  17. I've already started making Valentine cards, too. I just love the colors of Valentine's Day, plus I feel like it's easy to transition from "Christmas red" to "Valentine red." :)

    Have a Happy T Day and stay warm!

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  18. Hello and Happy T Day Linda! How pretty your Valentines is and fun to think ahead. Great cup too, the snow is falling here and the temps are too. Hoping the kids will still have school, figures we didn't get any snow while they had holiday break.
    WOW, your canvas is GORGEOUS! I love the colors and have been wanting to try color blocking, so fun! Hope you will do more and share them with us.
    I do have my word: Delight... can't wait to hear about yours.
    Hope your day was fun and warm for you.

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  19. Gorgeous works! Linda, it is very hot here!I think we will evaporate!Love your quote too!

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  20. Gorgeous abstract Linda, I am struggeling with abstracts every time I try them ;) They are so difficult for me ;) and indeed I hope spring awakening comes soon! Mix It Monthly ♥ Conny

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  21. Wonderful, beautiful painting "Spring Awakening" great !!

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  22. Wonderful, beautiful painting "Spring Awakening" great !!

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  23. Love this, Linda! I'm being introduced to so many new artists through this challenge :)

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  24. Very pretty card and thank you for sharing your project and for joining us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! :)

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  25. Love your Valentine card! Yes, my Christmas decorations are up and Valentine cards made. Love that mug too! It must have been an inspiration for your art too. Both are colorful and beautiful.

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  26. Very courageously to combine these colors, but I like it! Ulrike

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