Nourish...

 ...my word for this year! I was hoping a word would present itself to me though I was already thinking about the word cultivate or nurture. As I was paging thru an Oprah magazine I came across an article about nourishing your soul. Then I saw the word nourish on other pages two more times. There it was!
  Of course, these words are synonyms but somehow nourish really resonates with me for this year. It is such a good reminder to nourish that which you want to grow, whether it be as a person, if you want to improve on healthy eating thus a healthier body, or if you're looking to expand in the art world.
  Some other words fellow bloggers have chosen are: prioritize, love, simplify, joy, and delight. All great words to live by!

 This is an art journal page reflecting my word:

  The background is a gelli plate printed deli paper glued to the page. The image I painted was done using a technique in Dina Wakley's new book "Art Journal Courage" (pg. 28). This book is every bit as good as Dina's first and I LOVE the techniques she explains using faces and images in your art! I absolutely recommend it! I know of a few of you that already have it too and I look forward to seeing what you create from it.

  Next is another page I did using minimal  and simple shapes and colors inspired by abstract artists. You can see my first one here. It is so much fun looking up new artists to be inspired by (the theme this month -for the second time) for Art Journal Journey.

  

                                                                  " Summer Sun"

 This is the second time I've chosen an artist of abstract expressionism and minimalist art. This page was inspired by a combination of the last artist I chose, along with  Kenneth Noland. Although Kenneth is most noted for his "target" art and "arrows and triangles" this is what I came up with. Definitely a challenge for me to go minimal but I like that it really makes me think about color and placement.

 I began working on Valentine art (see my last post) and have a card to share inspired by this sketch from Freshly Made Sketches:

 This is my card:

  Most of the items are from a folder of Valentine bits and papers so I don't have all the manufacturer info. I do know the note card is DCWV, the sentence is from a collage sheet by ARTchix Studio, the red heart button is Dress It Up and the tiny buttons are from Gary Burlin and Co.

 Linking this post to : Art Journal Journey, Art Journal Every Day, Freshly Made Sketches,  Paint Party Friday, and a new to me challenge hosted by Kate Robertson - Express Your Creativity.

 It has been below zero here with a bit of snow and bitterly cold winds these last few days and continuing so I plan on staying INSIDE this weekend making art and catching up with you! Hope you are staying warm wherever you are.

" Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and NOURISH with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality."    Earl Nightingale