Thursday, January 16, 2014

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 

                                     VERHAPPBIRTHDAY !!!

  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!)


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

45 comments:

  1. What a beautiful flower hat and I love your watercolor paintings...especially the 2nd one

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  2. First of all... wonderful thoughts worked out beautifully with watercolors!
    Second - I LOVE your odd hat creation !
    Third -
    HAPPY PPF !
    HAPPY WEEKEND!
    HUGS!
    Susi

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  3. Happy Birthday to your husband!

    You have been having fun! I enjoyed seeing all of your colourful art.

    Those Peerless watercolours look very tempting!!!!

    Have a great weekend

    Karen x

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  4. You are really jumping in to this class boots'n'all. I'm loving all that colour.

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  5. Loving you work Linda!!!!! You inspire me to take that step into mix media. I would love to get together for tea sometime.

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  6. Awww Linda your piece is adorable!! Love that idea of the flowery big hat!! and the lush red behind her! Isn´t that fun to use some unusual things as hats? Btw I would wear your hat, it is really beautiful, maybe some day it is for sale somewhere :) Thank you for taking part at Mix It Monthly ♥ Conny

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  7. What a lofty goal - mindfulness! You have such a wonderful start on this year's journal, and I love the pigment quality of your new watercolors! Keep up the good work and happy PPF!

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  8. I love your mantra and your word for 2014! Great work to be in your studio as wonderful reminders. I also love your flower girl. She is just perfect!

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  9. Lovely work again! 'Felts' are 'Filzstifte' here in Germany! Happy Birthday to your Hubby from me too! Valerie

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  10. Happy Happy Birthday to your Sweetie ♥
    MINDFUL is a great word full of possibilities...
    your watercolor work/play is inspiring
    and
    your Mix It Monthly page is wonderful (I was so surprised when I tried my hand at using that color combo...Conny is amazing isn't she!)
    You are amazing too...
    Have a wonderful weekend dear one
    oxo

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  11. These are great! I love peerless too, the colors are amazing!!

    Happy PPF!

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  12. I really enjoyed your beautiful art in this post, Linda. I need to be mindful, too. That's a great word for 2014. In this day and age, more so than when I was young, one must always be mindful.

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  13. I do love your style - your pages are fun and bright, and also thoughtful. I think I need to be more mindful too!

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  14. Dear Linda, I love seeing what you are doing -it's so great! I do think online classes can be really so helpful in inspiring, spurring on and learning new things : ) keep up the wonderful work and happy birthday to your hubby!

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  15. love that quote!!! and your beautiful works!!! Happy PPF!!!

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  16. Lovely work this week Linda! Happy Birthday to your hubby!

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  17. Wow, your pages and art are looking gorgeous - so bright and fun and colorful :)

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  18. Your pages are wonderful. Love the colors. A very Happy Birthday to your husband.

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  19. Love your pages especially the mindful one, I need to do that too!

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  20. Loving your pages Linda and thats such a fab hat for MIM. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  21. All your pieces are lovely! Happy PPF!

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  22. Loads of creative fun Linda! I don't know if I thanked you for your comment last week and advice to check out Somerset studio. I'm going to try sort out a subscription. :)

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  23. Happy Birthday Bill, I hope it's fun!! Linda these are wonderful!! Love love love your word this year!! Wish I had used that one...maybe next year!! It's my favorite so far! Haha about the felts...thanks for the link up!! I want some of those Peerless watercolors..gorgeous colors... and love your Mix it monthly!! Have a great mindful weekend!

    Hugs Giggles

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  24. I love what you created with your Peerless Watercolors!!! Your work is fantastic!!

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  25. Your journal page is awesome - I love the colors, so bright and intense. Lovely. I have never heard of Peerless Watercolors, they seem to be brilliant!

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  26. You have been a busy little creative camper :) I like all of the watercolors you're doing... I am absolutely head over heals in love with that Mixed Media page in your Journal ♥♥♥♥♥ Your classes and challenges are working for you :)

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  27. Lovely pieces - have fun with your new paints!

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  28. I LOVE all the bright colors you worked with this week. My two favorite pieces this week are your first page and the funky hat piece. Blessings!

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  29. Happy Birthday to your Hubby! Wonderful artwork! Positive, spiritual organized and expressive. So much Inspiration!! i feel very inspired! :D YAY! :D

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  30. Lovely pages with your beautiful art, specially mindfulnes and the hat. I wish you enjoy your new watercolors! Happy PPF!

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  31. Your art looks amazing...love the flowery hat!
    Had not heard of Peerless... so much to learn from blogger friends :)

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  32. Love your new pages and the sentiments especially "Mindfulness". There is enough in that one word for us to live our lives every day. Great idea with the new Peerless Watercolours. Samples like this save so much time later.
    Happy creating dear friend,
    Suzy x

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  33. wow, i love your flower lady in red,the big flower hat its georgus,and the lady looks so beautiful.
    blessings!

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  34. Yes, wonderful color, great mantra, nice creations!

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  35. All so lovely here Linda, I love it all!

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  36. Well done on the thoughts and water colors. These colors are so vibrant I may need to get some.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  37. First off, Happy Birthday to your dear hubby : )

    Now, you are really having quite the creative fun! I am so glad to see all your creations. I think I must have missed your last post, and now I am curious...I will go look and see...
    Draw Your Awesome Year and your Mindfulness pages are wonderful! I love them so much! I am working on a "poster" of my two words for the year. There is something so effective in creating art around your personal intentions. Your new watercolor technique for travel is awesome! What an idea! And your Mix It Monthly is fab! You did a wonderful job on interpreting the prompt.
    Glad you are having so much fun : )
    Hugs
    Terri

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  38. gorgeous eye candy here! Yes - stop and savor those almonds. Love your January grid and everything else.

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  39. So pretty, happy and uplifting! Sounds like you have a great attitude for the new year. :)

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  40. Beautiful watercolor sketches Linda. Happy Birthday to your husband. My son's b'day was on the 16th. Your hat lady is gorgeous.The orange and pink combination look awesome.
    Have a wonderful week.
    Susan

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  41. Wonderfully creative art ~ rich with color and design ~ carol, xxx

    www.acreativeharbor.com

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  42. Looks like you're really enjoying those watercolors!
    And I love your lady's headdress … and the sentiment.
    (I'm a dedicated gardener)

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  43. Awe, happy birthday to your husband! LOVE those watercolors - they look like so much fun - and your mixed media piece is so cool ;0 oxxo

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