Engaging

   A huge bouquet of gratitude to Jessica Sporn for inviting me to participate in her Stencil Test Drive last week, and to ALL OF YOU for your wonderful support and comments.It meant so much to me and helped me attain one more little goal in the artworld. XO.

  Engage. That was the word/theme for the month of Sept. in the 52 Weeks of Creative Abundance online course. During the first week we create a tag around the word. I was so busy "engaging" in the beautiful weather and special happenings in Sept. that I got a bit behind in getting a tag and journal spread done :)

  Here it is at last:

  The tag was inspired by techniques in Dina Wakley's book Art Journal Freedom. The focus for the month was on engaging the creative part of ourselves and engaging in our authentic creative nature. It was about taking time to allow your creative muse to come out and play.

   Another wonderful book (you know which one-I've written about it quite a bit the last few months- Wabi-Sabi Art Workshop by Serena Barton) along with this music has really influenced my latest series of canvases. Hubby and I recently attended a Celtic Thunder Show and were thrilled to be able to chat a bit and get autographs from several of the guys-yes, including Keith!

  Earlier in the day Bill and I went to the Sands Event Center where they were going to play in the hopes of meeting up with some of them. Ryan was the only one we got to speak with and he was so gracious, taking his time to chat and sign autographs. The girl on the lower left is a new CT fan/friend Kristy (who lives not far from us) that we met along with her mother and friend Kelli. Bottom right is Keith and George signing autographs after the show, which was FABULOUS!!!

  The song that inspired my canvas:

 

  A palette knife and Coarse Texture Gel (Artist's Loft) to add the texture and mark making to a 5" x 7" wrapped canvas.

 

  I worked in a variety of reinker glazes, wiping away and allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. A wash of Yellow Ochre Liquid Acrylic (Golden) and several more layers of acrylic washes were added for the above effect.

 I cut heart shapes from artist's tissue paper for the "flowers", painted on stems using Accent Black/Green acrylic paint. I then continued to add and take away color using Caran D'Ache water soluble crayons. I flicked on some red watered down acrylic spatters on the canvas. Ranger's Distress Vintage Photo ink was sponged around the edges. Et voila!

                                          Nothing But You and I    (5" x 7" wrapped canvas)

  One more to go for this series, then I have to wait for the next album and original songs in order to make more. In the meantime, I love creating these music/ wabi-sabi inspired canvases so much I think I'll continue-maybe even sell a few?

 On one last note, a very talented artist who not only sketches and paints the most beautiful illustrations but writes on her blog so creatively as well Tracey Fletcher King has been battling  breast cancer. She has been moving forward with tenacity, strength, grace, and humor along with the support of her family and friends. You may remember my mug which Tracey painted and I shared in this post. Tracey is going through a rough patch with her chemo treatments at this time. Let's all send Tracey our healing thoughts, energy and prayers, for as a supportive community we all know how powerful that can be.
                                  Keep on kicking that cancer in the butt Trace!!!! XO!

  Linking up to Art Journal Every Day, Creative Every Day, Paint Party Friday, Mandarin Orange Monday, Glue It Tuesdays.

 " Love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it." Maya Angelou