Thursday, October 17, 2013

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

40 comments:

  1. Fabulous creations, Linda. I'm so happy that you were able to attend the Celtic music event - I know how much you enjoy that!

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  2. Beautiful painting and page, love the colors and designs!

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  3. Great post Linda. Love the hearts :)

    Healing thoughts to Tracey. She has been so amazingly positive and strong.

    Karen x

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  4. Lovely work Linda, will stop by and visit Tracey!

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  5. Love your creations. Very nice work.

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  6. Love your use of stencils on your cards! Really striking!
    Nice shout out for our Tracy. I too send healing vibes her way.
    Thanks for your nice comment on my blog today. Glad my soldier moved you!
    xo

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  7. Love the stencils, love the fullness of your post and love Tracey.......................Happy PPF. xx

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  8. Linda I love your canvas and your Art Journal page-spread ...
    Have a wonderful weekend..Happy PPF...

    I think the Serena Barton book is also a must have for me... still on my list wish...lol!

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  9. My post seems to have disappeared into thin air! Or maybe waiting for approval- so will write again- love the stencils and the joy of your post and love Tracey too. Have you got her address- I would like to send her a card or something my email is: jossross@yahoo.com

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  10. What a lovely post Linda. Your tag is very engaging! I love the joy in the way the figure is jumping a and the lovely colours. Your canvas is lovely as well. The heart flowers are so sweet! That was so lovely to mention Tracey and I will definitely be sending her healing energy and light to fight back to full strength.

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  11. Gorgeous art..love that word..very powerful! Great color too! Also love the piece with the lovely hearts..very moving and inspiring! Thanks for sharing ...wonderful ..and yes many hugs to Tracey a very special lady!
    PS: thanks for your wonderful raven story, so beautiful, special and deeply sacred! Hugs

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  12. Beautiful post Linda and wonderful tribute to Tracey....there isn't a day goes by I don't think of her in my day and say a prayer. Your artwork is so heartfelt and pretty... Glad you had such a lovely time at Celtic Thunder.... I would play the video but but my Sil is playing Avett Brothers in the house right now as they went to the concert last night... I will be back to listen to it though!

    Hugs Giggles

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  13. Lovely and colorful artwork as always and so creative ~ thanks for 'keeping in touch' ~ also for letting me know about Tracey ~ Have a wonderful weekend ~ carol, xx

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  14. Linda such a gorgeous piece of wabi sabi art, I absolutely love it! So sorry for Tracey, it's great to all be behind her with our healing thoughts!
    Hugs Kat xx

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  15. A beautiful tribute to Tracey and some beautiful art.

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  16. Wonderful composition , beautiful hearts , I love how you prepared the texture !

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  17. Beautiful artwork, that wabi-sabi book has clearly inspired you - as has the rather handsome Keith ;)

    Tracey is such a special lady and she has been in my thoughts.

    xx

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  18. Love the song....gorgeous piece! Very inspirational!

    Hugs Giggles

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  19. Lovely, the texture, the simple statement from the song reproduced so perfectly on canvas & looks like you had a great outing too! I'm sorry to hear about Tracey and will say a prayer, she is an amazingly talented artist and hope she heals soon x

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  20. What a wonderful post! I love your shared artwork (great journal page!) and it was so sweet of you to reach out about Tracy. You are such a sweetheart! xoxo

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  21. Ohhh! Love the texture on your canvas! So delicious and arty! Very pretty.

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  22. what a marvolous canvas...so yummy texture and I so love the title of this one, it fits so very well :) ♥ Conny
    Piaroms Art Journaling

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  23. Beautiful post Linda, I can hear your joy in all you do : )
    Yay!
    Tag art wonderful, and your canvas art inspired by song is really heartfully inspired!
    I heard from the "tea" people and you should be receiving your tea soon : )
    Yay!
    My healing thoughts are with Tracy.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  24. Lovely art work! so fun to see them step by step. :)

    I'm so sorry to hear about Tracey F. K. I'll have her in my minds.

    Stay safe and thanks for your comment! :)

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  25. Lovely artwork! :) and so wonderful to see it step by step!

    I'm sorry to hear about Tracey F.K. I'll have her in my mind. and hope she's getting well
    again.

    Take care.

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  26. Linda thanks for the shout out... it has made my whole day and I am walking around with a big smile on my face... you are a such a generous soul and an absolute sweet heart... xx

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  27. Wonderful art, Linda! I love the description of the layering - it takes time and gives it depth right?
    Seeing Frida Kahlo art was amazing, really. I walked around and around again and again, I loved it!
    Thank you for having Tracey on your blogpost as well!
    Happy PPF
    Ilona

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  28. I love the energy in your art journal pages, and your hearts are really sweet. It sounds like you had a marvelous time at the concert. Blessings!

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  29. Love your pages and those hearts are so so sweet! Thanks for the update on Tracey and I will definitely add her to my prayers . Great work again :)

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  30. Your heart canvas is just gorgeous. All that layering adds so much interest.

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  31. dear Linda, what a lovely, cheerful and uplifting post. Your canvas is certainly full of love. thank you for sharing and have a great week.

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  32. I very much like your vibrant tag with your journal page, pink, orange and lime green, a wonderful combination.

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  33. Great texture Linda. Tracey is such a strong girl..still blogging during her chemo. I will be sending healing vibes her way.

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  34. I love your wrapped canvas...so pretty! And your "Engage" page is wonderfully vibrant & uplifting!

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  35. Your journal image is so energetic! I love your canvas painting too, so sweet!

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  36. love the tag with the jumping figure and the bright colors and shapes in your journal pages!
    Thanks for the visit:)

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  37. Dear Linda ♥
    Sitting here misty eyed after listening to Keith sing and play guitar...sniff sniff
    SO Beautiful
    No wonder your beautiful canvas emerged...
    Tracey's battle also touches my ♥ and leaves me quite speechless...
    what you wrote is beautiful
    Thank you for engaging us with your heART always
    oxo

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  38. Great images and inspiring post. Thanks for sharing on Mom #64:)

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