Thursday, June 4, 2015

Facing Up To Challenges


  yes, art  challenges. And for those of you who know me through this blog understand how much I LOVE to be challenged/inspired by blog challenges involving art. Of course, I get through artistic blocks by the challenges, by books, by many other things, including online art classes. This year my goal was to work on faces- a hugely scary thing for someone with NO art classes outside of the early school years. I have been immersing myself with practice and projects which have been helping tremendously-thank you- all you generous teachers-including you my blogging friends!

 Recently I also had a health challenge. Well, to get through it I first had to accept it, then surrender to it, trust my doctor, follow directions and rest. Hard as it was for me it was the remedy that is allowing me to heal as needed and spend time creating again.

 So how do you cope/ work out both art challenges and other challenges? What helps you get through?


 This card was made with this week's sketch from Freshly Made Sketches:

  Products used on my card: white, black, grey card stock; glittery patterned papers (The Glitter Mat  Stack-DCWV); clear stamp (Papertrey Ink); rubber stamp (Magenta); black ink(Versafine Onyx Black); Slate ink (Adirondak/Ranger). Asst. buttons, thread.
 
 I am also linking my card to the Simon Wednesday Challenge for the theme of "masculine".
 
 

 This is the base layers of color for my "girly girl" face from a class by Christy Tomlinson in the Radiant Faces online class. You can see my original rough sketch in this post, and you can see the initial background page here, (the first page). This is all you will see until I have the finished portrait to show you:)

 Linking the collage page at the top of my post to ArtJournalJourney (this month's theme is masculine/feminine) and Mix It Monthly (this month's theme is the facial profile). And linking the portrait to Art Journal Every Day, Paint Party Friday and Art It Friday-Show Your Face.

 Looking forward to seeing what artsy things you have been up to!

" Nothing's too girly and nothing's too masculine. But I do love color, and maybe that's a little girly-especially pink."                       Stacy London
 


 


 

36 comments:

  1. Wonderful work again, and I love that you linked your gorgeous journal page to us at Art Journal Journey, thanks! Valerie

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  2. I so enjoy challenges as well, Linda. I've been fighting pain for a while - but with my husband's surgery beg. of April and his long recovery I have not dealt with it. Sounds that you did and you are on the mend. I need to do something soon.
    Love your art and your attitude! Making art is a must. Making time for it often a challenge but I squeeze in tiome when I can. Take care!

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  3. A wonderful collage Linda! Thank you very much for linking it to AJJ !
    The card is beautiful and I wish the best for you for this healing process!
    ♥♥♥
    The face will turn our super i guess... great background already !
    HAPPY WEEKEND dear Linda!
    oxo
    Susi

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  4. I love your journal page. They look like they really want to be with each other and can't take their eyes off each other.

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  5. You are doing fabulously with your faces Linda!
    And your Let's Grow Old Together piece is wonderful.
    I get the feeling you celebrate each and every day and it shows beautifully in all you create.
    Happy Weekend to you
    and congrats on meeting so many challenges!
    oxo

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  6. Linda, I love both the card and the portrait you created! Doing what you love and enjoy certainly shows in your work.

    I once heard a quote...."when your mind is tired, exercise your body. When your body is tired, exercise your mind." Keeping that in mind plus learning to not be too thin-skinned has helped me both cope with challenges and keep creating. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  7. Beautiful art work ! Happy Friday Linda :)

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  8. I love your journal page and your card as well. Your face is looking pretty good. :)

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  9. Your page is so uplifting and ovious they love each other! Gorgeous background that fits so well to the black and white of the happy couple!! Sending healing vibes your way! ♥ Conny Mix It Monthly

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  10. Fantastic creativity. The whole creation process is a challenge and I found that patience, trust and acceptance help to get through it! Sending you much love, from my heart to yours!

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  11. Beautiful cards Linda, glad you overcame your health challenge.

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  12. Love the background and your pretty face!

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  13. Very lovely! Happy week-end to you!

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  14. Hope your health continues to improve. Meanwhile I love what you are producing.

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  15. Interesting that you made your masculine card from neutral colours and it looks good, I always like the way you interpret the sketch.
    I like the portrait very much, and would have liked it, with its background as it is, but as you say there will be more, then I will look forward to seeing its development.
    Lovely positive picture for AJJ too.

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  16. I love the way you meet your challenges head on, whatever they may be.

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  17. Lovely work Linda, you are doing great with your challenges.

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  18. I love the blend of patterns in your striking masculine card, as well as your gorgeous portrait. When I'm having a creative block, I work through it by reorganizing my studio or playing around with materials until something comes up. Blessings, my friend!

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  19. I like that delicious female face!

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  20. Linda, you know I love challenges.And I also love your work!Gorgeous art, my friend!

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  21. A beautiful couple- inspiring words and art!

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  22. First off, so glad you are healing and able to create! Beautiful work and many prayers for your challenges!

    Hugs Giggles

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  23. this is gorgeous, linda! there seem to be such good vibrations between this couple...

    i also like challenges, but then - there are times when i have to follow my own Thing and nothing seems to fit in between.
    i do not use faces too often (and when i do, not painted by myself... it´s simply not my Thing - i know too much Frustration would be included and i have too many other interests which help me avoid this;))
    good luck with your health... i´m with you: carpe diem!
    xox

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  24. I've worked out that I NEED art challenges to keep me arting, or I flounder about not knowing what to do! I am always inspired by them. Life challenges? The support of my husband and family gets me through them - and art!

    I really like your 'Let's grow old together' piece :)

    x

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  25. Beautiful art, making art heals us.

    Happy Saturday, sweetie!

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  26. What a beautiful face with a lovely background, Linda. I love it! xx

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  27. Love the work this week! The "girly girl" is really coming along. So glad you are feeling better ♥ I was afraid to try faces until I decided to jump in to the 29 Faces in Feb. challenge. I became addicted to both doing faces and doing challenges then :)

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  28. Your work is lovely Linda. I always enjoy seeing what you do.

    I just realized I don't participate in many art challenges. Maybe I should reconsider that.
    But in life there are always challenges. I try to face them head on and then to move forward one step at a time. I also have learned to give myself credit for whatever progress I make, no matter how small.

    I am glad that you are feeling better and hope that you will be 100% soon. Have a great week.

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  29. oh, that is such a lovely collage, I love the way they look at each other.... And your girlie girl is already looking great!

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  30. Lovely work! Wising you a complete recovery and fulfilling artistic pursuits.

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  31. Fabulous monochromatic card! I love how you've let the patterns and sketch take the place of color to create and interesting and gorgeous card. Thanks so much for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches.

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  32. Fabulous masculine card Linda! The monochromatic colours look lovely and I love your journal page.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    hugs
    Mandy xx

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  33. What a beautiful face with those pretty pastel colors in the background!

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  34. Love it! I love that you are challenging yourself through the face fear! Me too! And I'm so glad you are sharing the results on Show Your Face! Kindred spirits unit :) Thanks for linking again and for shout out too. Kimx

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  35. love her face and her pretty lilac hail,so amazing girl.

    oxo jenny

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