Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Arty Adventures

 
This is fast becoming an incredibly busy week and so I'm combining my favorite linking haunts all in this one post.

 In my last post I mentioned some exciting news and now I can share:)

 This arrived in the mail on Saturday!

 Serena Barton's newest book-one I have been dying to get-and guess what?? She graciously sent me a complimentary copy!!! And not only that but she left me this wonderful message inside:


 Well, I have been doing the happy dance every day since!! I cannot wait to get started on my latest adventure using cold wax and oils which is new to me. I  imagine that many of you who know me know that I can go in many different directions with my art and I don't think it's a bad thing because I can explore so many avenues, techniques, and mediums and learn from all of them. And who doesn't LOVE an art book?? That said, Serena's first book changed my approach to art in a way no other compares! And I will also say that if I could only choose one style of art to make forever-it would be wabi-sabi style mixed media. It gives me everything I could want because it embraces nature, imperfection, and mostly, it comes from feeling and from the heart. I know it won't be long before I will have projects to share using inspiration from this book:)

 And what about you? Is there a book or someone who has forever changed your approach to art? Is there one medium/style you could use and create with forever if you had to?? Please share!

 In the meantime I am still working with my watercolors and journal using techniques from the book I mentioned here.

 This is my table and the page I was working on just yesterday:

                         For my T Stands For Tuesday gang (sharing my trusty large water bottle!)

Here's the first part of the page with only the watercolor "blotches":


And this is the completed flower page:


  Just a fun exercise page with doodles in graphite and white pen-sorry it's difficult to see all the little doodle marks-it looks so much better in person. I had such a hard time getting the true colors and essence of this pg.

 Remember this sketch? Well, she transformed into this face and page:


 She's from the "Tutu Girl" lesson but it appears I was still channeling the ocean/beach theme:) So perhaps she's a "water girl" instead, and I love her wild hair!

 Linking to Art Journal Every Day, Art It Friday-Show Your Face, Mixed Media Monthly, and Paint Party Friday! As always I so appreciate your comments but can't always respond, especially if it comes to my email as a "no reply".


"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes! to your adventures."  
                                                                                                              Joseph Campbell         























47 comments:

  1. Love your water girl, with the ocean colours, just beautiful. That book was a wonderful surprise for you, enjoy, have lots of fun with it. Have a great week, happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh love how your 'doodle page' turned into this wonderful creative female! She is precious and all are very creative ~ I agree the only way to learn and grow is to explore ~ I am exploring with an online art course with Alexandra who does Sunday Sketches that I have a link to on my blog ~ I love simplicity and she seems to make beauty with simplicity and paying attention to the details within ~ have a great time with your new book and look forward to your creations! xox

    Happy Week to you,
    artmusedog and carol

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wabi-Sabi is just my style too Linda.
    Your newest book looks fascinating and how special to have the author send you such a nice message too!
    Your water girl looks blissful and right at home among those lovely waves ♥
    Really fun to see your watercolor play.
    Happy T Day my friend.
    oxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can understand that you are so happy with the book! Wabi Sabi style is just gorgeous!
    And so nice from Serena !
    You are so creative in so many ways- fantastic pieces this week dear Linda!
    Thank you for sharing with us!
    Have a wonderful rest of the week and happy T-Day!
    oxo
    Susi

    ReplyDelete
  5. "Wabi-sabi painting with cold wax"? lol It sounds like a foreign language to me, but I'm always in favor of something a little different. Happy T Tuesday!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I need to be a looser woman--with art--LOL! Sounds like a good book for me to try one day. A watercolor art teacher at a short series of classes at an art museum in Fargo I attended had the biggest effect on my creative confidence. Since I previously had zero, my first baby steps felt like huge leaps. I envy your free style and your blonde girl with the curls. Happy T-Day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wabi-sabi is not something that I am familiar with, but I will do some exploring when I return from Sweden! Of course, I'll be keeping my eye on your blog to see where your explorations take you.

    I so appreciate your very kind words and visits to my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've never heard of Wabi-sabi but am going to check it out. Love what you did with the water girl.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love your water girl with the wild wild hair!! I guess i would have to say The Art Sherpa, Cinnamon Cooney.... has really changed my artistic life.... Happy Tday my friend! Hugs! deb

    ReplyDelete
  10. LOVE your ocean girl. I've not heard of Wabi-sabi art either.

    Happy T-da

    ReplyDelete
  11. wonderful post Linda! love the sweet 'water girl' and can't wait to see some wax creations! happy T day!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is SO, so serendipitous, because I have been exploring cold wax techniques. I even have a recipe for making my own, but am waiting till it's cool enough to make it outside. You are SO lucky. I would love a chance to peruse that book, because I think I saw it on Amazon awhile back.

    Of course, your watercolors are still looking wonderful and your lovely girl is adorable. Thanks for sharing your latest art, you new book (LUCKY GAL), and your water with us for T this Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love the art today Linda ♥ I like to play with different mediums and techniques too. I think the "Layered Impressions" class with Katie Kendrick in 2011 was the class that woke up my creative spirit in a whole new world. I've been thinking about working through the CD again and see just how different the art is from the first time around.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have really enjoyed my visit Linda.... I love the variety on your blog :)

    I can feel your happiness with your new Wabi Sabi book....

    and I can see the inspiration from Danielle Donaldson.... I loved her Life Book Lessons this year so I treated myself to the book.

    Thank you for visiting

    Karen x

    ReplyDelete
  15. So much to discover on your beautiful flowerpage! Totally love the round ones! http://mix-it-monthly.blogspot.de

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the soft pastel colours Linda and this beautiful girl bobbing in the ocean!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a lovely surprise to be gifted a copy of the book! I have to confess that I know next to nothing about wabi-sabi (other than it sounds like that really hot mustard sauce wasabi!!) but this looks really intriguing and I do love Marji's encaustic work with hot wax so will be excited to see what you create with cold wax!
    A book I love is 'Finding your visual voice' which a friend lend me and I then got my own copy as it really helps you get to the heart of what inspires you about art from the subject matter to the composition to the materials you use and of course for me the art changing moment was the workshop I went on last year which introduced me to a whole world of colour and looseness!
    Your little watercolour doodles are lovely and I am really delighted for you on receiving the book!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ha, I was already here, so will just wish you a happy PPF! Hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your flowerpage is beautiful and I love the delicate girl watercolour painting.
    Happy PPF ♥

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, that is so generous of Serena Barton, and it sounds like the perfect gift to you! I have the same thing with Flora Bowley: since I did a workshop with her my way of painting has changed so much, and I could never go back to the way it was before (well, maybe I could but I wouldn't want to ☺ ). Your watergirl is fantastic, her hair is in harmony with the waves :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love her wild hair, too! She's so cute bouncing along on the waves.

    ReplyDelete
  22. How fun to begin a new journey with a new medium. I have been stuck in my passion of watercolor your years...but due to these art links I've joined have now pushed my envelope to begin a Art Journal. "Your never to old to set a new goal, or dream a new dream" ~ CS Lewis.
    Your Ocean girl is lovely and I do love the ocean....nice work.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a nice surprise to get an art book! You will love cold wax its really fun and really messy. Looks like you are having a lot of fun in your studio :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lovely pages Linda and a wonderful gift, enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a wonderful gift to get in the mail. That is such a nice thing! I love your pages too. That girl is so cheery and sweet looking. Hope you get a chance to relax and how some fun this weekend.:)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I don't know about wabi-sabi when referring to art..so will check with Google! What a wonderful gift! I could see more of the white doodles when I enlarged your colorful flowers, Linda. Have a good week with new experiments!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wonderful surprise to get in the mail. Love the work you're doing. I have heard of Wabi-Sabi but don't know too much about it at this time. You may have inspired me to research it more.

    ReplyDelete
  28. You are so deserving of that treasure Linda!! Love to see how inspired and excited you are and can't wait to see what evolves from it!! Lovely watercolour....very pretty!! The Artists Way changed my life in many ways. Clearing the clutter with morning pages so the creativity would bubble up!! My friend Violette has always been my biggest inspiration!

    Hugs Giggles

    Hugs Giggles

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love the way she stands there in the ocean, Linda. The turquoise ocean is both wild and calming :)

    Enjoy the weekend, sweetie.

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

    ReplyDelete
  30. I do try a lot of different art materials and techniques but right now my artroom looks like an episode of Hoarders so I have to call time on this for the moment and try and use all the stuff up. I will be interested to learn about the cold wax technique though.
    Happy PPF

    ReplyDelete
  31. Lovely girl in the sea! She looks happy there. The new book looks interesting....I haven't explored wabisabi or cold wax! Sounds fun.

    ReplyDelete
  32. That book being signed like that is such a treasure... Wow... And I can't wait to watch your adventures with it... I would work in watercolour and ink forever if given the choice and for me it wasn't so much a book or person influencing my work it was when I decded to let go of all that and just draw and paint and see what happened that my work changed... We all have different triggers which is what I love about art the most!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow great post. I can feel your excitement. That book is a real treasure. Can't wait to see what you create. I too have many avenues that I travel in art. I think it is a good thing. Enjoy your day.
    Nicole/Beadwright

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a wonderful gift. Hope it inspires you. Loved your wee girl - so delicate.
    Thanks for stopping by

    ReplyDelete
  35. Linda ~ what a beautiful gift! Isn't it amazing how things like this inspire us so much and make our heart happy? I love the girl - she is the sweetest! Hugs to you! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love serenas work and don't have her books...I probably should , as I have discovered you can't have enough art books :) I love your joyful flower page.

    ReplyDelete
  37. What a wonderful surprise, it looks like a great book! I love the look of hot wax paintings, and always wanted to try that out, but I've never heard of cold wax painting. I like to experiment with different mediums, and use different ones depending on my mood, location or time available. Beautiful delicate art work!

    ReplyDelete
  38. You are special dear Linda - what a gift to receive from your favourite artist! I know you feel you're in heaven!
    Love the water girl - in the waves she is a mermaid!
    I wish you were with your Mom in France - next time?!
    Hugs
    Shane x

    ReplyDelete
  39. Lovely watercolor art and what a great gift! I look forward to seeing your wabi-sabi creations.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wonderful! Great work and what a great bit of happy mail! I've had my on her first book for a while now. I think I might have to get it :) Thanks for linking up to Show Your Face and for the shout out too. Kx

    ReplyDelete
  41. How sweet! Your work is wonderful, too. :D

    ReplyDelete
  42. The water girl is so sweet. I love the way the water is splashing around her and she seems completely OK with it all. Wonderful mail you got.

    ReplyDelete

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