Thursday, January 2, 2014

Happy New Year!!




   I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and are ready for a fresh and exciting new year! I ended up taking a blogging break but I am back in full force with many things to share. Last year ended on a high note and the new year has begun on one too.

  I have a page of art in the soon to be released Jan/Feb 2014 issue of Somerset Studio!!






 It's a thrill to be amongst at least several blogging friends who's art I've really come to admire-this is a FAB issue!

 Other excitement included a strange weather occurrence on New Year's eve day. We had sunshine,then very suddenly the wind kicked up like mad, the sky got very dark and we were in the midst of a fast and furious snow squall!!  I just had to go out and take pics-you should have seen all the blackbirds flying overhead and making lots of noise while the snow blew every which way. Fascinating. I went back inside to put the camera away-and as quickly as the snow came-it left. The sun came out and the skies cleared immediately-so back outside I went for another two pics:


 And the latest thing I'm super excited about is that I signed up for and am taking JoAnne Sharpe's "Draw Your Awesome Life". I have been sketching and illustrating-yes, me-and having a great time! I initially signed up for JoAnne's new class "Draw Your Awesome Year" which begins Jan 6th. Then I read about the prior class. Both were offered at a special and VERY reasonable discount price so I dove in. In only a few lessons so far I am amazed at the excellent videos and teaching- so full of content! Here's my cover page for the "awesome life" course:

  First I drew a rough pencil sketch of what I wanted on the page- class title, a few supplies I'll be using, and things I love-hearts, flowers, music. Then went over it with a permanent pen. I used a combination of Reeves watercolors, Silks and twinkling H2Os. The colors aren't quite as intense as I'd like so I'm waiting for my Peerless Watercolor Sheets to arrive :):). The only other purchases I made for both classes are  a new set of Pitt Pens and a large Strathmore Mixed Media Journal (for the Jan. class)-both 1/2 price with coupons.  Look what you have gotten me into Tracey - LOL!  I'll be sharing many more pages as I go along.

  One more journal page to share, along with something cool that happened by accident.


  This pg was done in my 9" x 12" art journal. The background was created with Dylusions ink sprays. I then took a stencil  (that had leftover dried paint and sprays on it-I don't clean off my stencils) and rubbed a baby wipe thru areas and look what I got on the pages:

 How cool is that??? Some of the previous paints came off the stencil and added depth and color to the rubbed areas. I did play a little more and discovered that this only works over light colors of the background.


 We're expecting yet another snow storm and frigid temps so I'll have a nice warm few days inside taking my class, sketching, and visiting YOU!

 Linking to Art Journal Every Day, Creative Every Day, Paint Party Friday, Mandarin Orange Monday.




" We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential." Ellen Goodman







40 comments:

  1. Congratulations on having a page in Somerset Studio. I am going to have to find this issue and look for your work. This is so exciting and well deserved. It sounds like you have a wonderful year coming up. I really like the colors of your journal page. It is so much fun to make new discoveries. I also really like your quote. Such important words.

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  2. So happy for you to have been published in SS, Linda! I saw your page immediately on my first flip through. AND, you have several items in the new SS gallery that I picked up at Michael's on my last day in Colorado - congrats to you for both pubs!!!

    Have fun with your new classes and, Happy New Year to you!!

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  3. Lovely work Linda, and congrats on being published! Have a great 2014, Valerie

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  4. First, Linda, congrats on being shown in Somerset Studio! And now, I want to compliment you on that gorgeous bright piece done using the Dylusions ink sprays. So beautiful. I love the depth perception you achieved.

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  5. Oh, how I love what you have created! How amazing to have your artwork shown!! Love your work!!

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  6. Congrats on the publication. And love the new pages. That quote at the bottom too, about looking for potential...love that!

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  7. loving all the colours and big congrats on getting published..happy arty 2014 and thanks for liking my fb page

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  8. Beautiful compositions.
      Delicious way to start the year, exquisite colors!
    Thank you very much! A champagne toast and much happiness! Happy 2014! Leovi.

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  9. Congrats. On being published. Beautiful work Linda!

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  10. lovely work this week Linda! It's great to read your optimism and sense of happiness for the New Year! To be honest I am feeling kind of burned out, so this is good for me!

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  11. Congratulations. It always feels good to be published. I really like your painting too.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  12. Happy 2014 Linda!
    Such wonderful ARTWORK!
    Congrats on being published again!
    wonderful cards what I can see!
    xxx
    Susi

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  13. I've never seen the Somerset studio, is it only available in the US? Congratulations it must be wonderful to see your work in print! A very Happy New Year to you x

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  14. Congrats on being published. I love that page with the inks it is so full of depth.

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  15. Congrats on being in Somerset and all your creativity is beautiful here on your blog ~ xxx

    ps Storm has gone out to sea now and now it's the plowing and shoveling ~ tis Winter!

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  16. What a great start on a new Year! Hope you can stay warm and safe with your art-play while the winter is over you!
    Congratulations on being published!
    Happy New Year and PPF
    Ilona :-)

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  17. Congratulations Linda! Love your photos...how weird.

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  18. Gorgeous work! I love the colorful journal page! And many congrats on being published. That must be very exciting I think :)

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  19. Your art looks lovely as always! Especially enjoy the texture and colors of your journal art! Happy PPF and Happy New Year!

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  20. Congratulations or your publication news - how exciting.

    Your classes sound like fun.... I loved the lettering class I took with Joanne.

    What weird weather.... we have had so much rain, but no snow so far!

    Karen x

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  21. congratulations Linda on getting published, loving your bright cheerful pages and of course happy accidents. Hugs Annette x

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  22. Happy and creative 2014, Linda! Beautiful pieces, art aworks and photographs.So creative, vibrant and colourful. Congrats on being published!!!

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  23. Happy New Year! congrats on Somerset Studio. You deserve it. Happy PPF

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  24. Congratulations and your journal page is gorgeous!

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  25. Linda this is awesome...love the depth that happened with the stencil and wipes! I love Joannes work and considered taking her classes.... now I want to purchase her new book...very exciting! I think will order hers and floras! Can't wait to see more! All the very best in the New Year!

    Hugs Giggles

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  26. Congrats on being published! What a great start to the new year:) I love the effect of the stencil,which could be used in so many ways, what a great find!

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  27. Congratulations on SS! Love the bright journal page.

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  28. Brilliant quote to begin the new year dear Linda!
    BIG congrats on being published AGAIN!!!
    so very happy for you and it is well deserved...
    Sweet and special discovery about your stencils and baby wipes = Love it!
    Splendid photos you snapped...
    I realized the other day why I take so many photos...
    it helps slow down time a bit and capture some of the beautiful moments that pass all too quickly!
    Here's to another wonderful year of creativity, fun and sharing...
    Happy 2014 Dear One
    oxo

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  29. Congratulations on being published. You must feel so proud of yourself! It's a lovely way to start the New Year. Thanks for telling us about your new online workshops. Since I have not signed up for my local painting workshop I have some time. I will look them up. I love seeing your beautiful and colorful journal pages. Can't wait to see updates.

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  30. Happy New Year to you Linda. Congratulations on getting published again. Wishing you the very best in 2014 too. I am hearing so much about the new class offered by JoAnn. but have still not decided about signing up. Your journal page looks awesome. Love the colors of the Dylusion inks and the texture you achieved is wonderful.
    Susan

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  31. Congratulations on being featured in the upcoming Somerset Studio issue! The artwork looks fabulous, so I can see why you were chosen. May your year continue to be filled with creative greatness!

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  32. Such wonderful art! Congratulations on being featured and published! How very exciting, your artworks are so energetic and lovely!

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  33. I came over to congratulate you!! I loved your featured pieces and smiled really very quite big when I saw your name there ;) - high note for sure! Congrats and Happy New Year! xoxo

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  34. Thank you for stopping by, dear Lindaa and leaving your comment. Yes indeed, it is a trinity!
    Your post is amazing with a lot of wonderful works and photos. Congratulations also from me, you lucky you ! Have a wonderful and creative 2014!
    Hugs fromErika

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  35. oh how wonderful !!!! Congratulations!!!! and Happy New Year!!!

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  36. Congratulations on getting published!! I am waiting for this issue of Somerset Studio to be delivered and can't wait to see your page :)

    Your lettering/illustration classes look great. Happy arting accidents are always the best, aren't they?!

    Happy New Year!

    x

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  37. Happy New Year Linda! Thanks for coming by! Congratulations on being published in Somerset! Wonderful news! Love your journal pages too and can't wait to see more!! Stay warm my friend.

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  38. They are all really interesting - especially the last two. I think my favourite is the one you shared on MoM! Lots of depth and colour...especially orange!
    Thanks for sharing on Mandarin Orange Monday #75:)

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