A Work of Heart

  Thank you for all your comments last week and for sharing your thoughts on any online art classes you're taking. Regardless of the type of art class it is, I have found that they all have a common thread in that they bring such a renewed energy and excitement into our creativity! And without further ado, here are my latest installments for the Draw Your Awesome Year class.

 For this pg. we were prompted to write out a mantra, frame it and color it in. My Peerless Watercolors weren't here yet so I used Marvy brush markers (which I learned are called "felts" in Canada-thanks Giggles!) in vibrant colors scribbled onto a kraft mat then picked up the colors with a wet brush to apply the washes.

  Here we created a page around our word for the year. I'd had this word on my mind lately so it became my word.
  I mean really-MUST I grab a few almonds, eat them without tasting them while I'm taking laundry up the stairs and oh, dropping some papers on my desk, and yes, writing down an idea for a journal page??? Being mindful has already made me ever so aware of the whispers my body is telling me (which I was not paying attention to) and has prompted me to make a visit for a thorough physical and blood work up. Along with that, I am sitting and really savoring and tasting what goes into my mouth thus getting back on track with healthier food again after the holidays. Being mindful in my art is quite easy now that I have specific things I want to focus on and they do require full attention.

  My Peerless watercolors arrived-YAY! so I made  pages using pieces cut from each of the colors in the two palettes I purchased. They are on 140lb. watercolor paper and adhered with double-sided tape. The idea came from a you tube video I watched that was on the Peerless site. Now I can use the colors directly from these sheets and take them along with me. LOVE these vibrant colors and intensity-fantastic quality!!

 

                            I used the new colors here in my ongoing Jan. calendar grid.

  So does this mean I'm all about water coloring and drawing and no more just throw on the paint and play with mixed media???? H E double toothpick-NO!!! I was actually dying to do something less intensive and found the perfect inspiration. Mix It Monthly is hosted by the very talented Piarom (Conny) on her challenge  blog. This month the challenge is to use the colors orange, violet, and hibiscus along with the theme of odd hats. And here's my journal page:

 

  Oh that was fun!!! I didn't spend a lot of time on it - really just used some ribbon, images and stickers that were lying around on or near my table.

                                            And now I want to wish my very sweet hubby a 

                                     VERY  HAPPY  BIRTHDAY !!!

  This Friday he shares a birthday with his idol Muhammed Ali and also with Michelle Obama our first lady. Not bad company eh? ( I know you're reading this Bill-love you lots!)

  Please join me in the fun at Paint Party Friday; Creative Every Day; Mix It Monthly; Art Journal Every Day; and Mandarin Orange Monday!

              " Don't apologize for who you are or the art you create."  C. J. Rider