Thursday, May 28, 2015

A Happy Return to Art and Blogging


 
  Thank you all so much for all your comforting thoughts and wishes whilst I battled an acute attack of osteo-arthritis which affected my neck. It. was. Awful. Nothing like a pain and discomfort I had ever experienced before. And it lasted much longer than I would have thought, but thankfully things have finally improved enough that I am driving, reading, typing and making art again-albeit a bit more gingerly!
 
 Here is another similar card to the one above:
 
 

 They were created with the latest sketch challenge in mind from Freshly Made Sketches:

 
 I am also linking these to - the Simon Monday Challenge (thank you theme), and the Simon Wednesday challenge (anything goes theme).
 
 That colorful vibrant floral imagery down the center of the cards....Duck tape!!!
 
In this post I shared a wip journal page of a portrait I had begun. I finished it and this is the result:
 
 
 
 This is the first time I have attempted painting a face with deeper colors and in a more exotic ethnicity other than the typical Caucasian girly-girl I have always done. I allowed the initial drawing to lead me and I have to say I am over the moon about her appearance and symbolism! This was done in a 9" x 12" journal. Linking to Art Journal Every Day, Art It Friday- Show Your Face, and Paint Party Friday!
 
 And by the way, who all is going to join the amazing Kristin Van Valkenburgh for another 6 week adventure of the "Summer of Color" blog challenge ??? Don't know about it? Well, you don't want to miss it so check this post she recently published which explains a bit about it-and includes a cool and fun little quiz about color! The challenge begins June 1st so mark your calendars and be ready for some major fun and creativity!
 
 I am so looking forward to catching up with you again!
 
 
     " I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new."
                                                                                         Ralph Waldo Emerson
 



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42 comments:

  1. Linda CallahanMay 28, 2015 at 9:37 PM

    Your flowers are lovely! Pretty cards! Glad yu joined us at FMS!

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  2. Jen BrumMay 28, 2015 at 9:38 PM

    Such pretty card! Love the bright, cheery flowers! These cards will definitely put a smile on someone's face! Thanks for joining us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

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  3. Craftymoose CraftsMay 29, 2015 at 7:35 AM

    Glad to hear you are feeling better and back to making a little art. Missed you on T Tuesday! Have a great weekend!

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  4. Kate RobertsonMay 29, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Glad that you are feeling better. Welcome back. Love the turbaned lady.

    Kate

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  5. Valerie-JaelMay 29, 2015 at 10:16 AM

    So glad to hear you are feeling better and lets hope it stays that way. Beautiful artwork, too. Hugs, Valerie

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  6. CarolMay 29, 2015 at 10:25 AM

    So glad you are feeling better and will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. The cards are very nice and I LOVE the journal page ♥♥♥♥

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  7. My name is Erika.May 29, 2015 at 10:31 AM

    Glad you are feeling on the improve this week, And you nailed that face. I find faces just take tons of practice. (I am not there yet). And thanks for mentioning the summer of color. I haven't seen or done it ever before so that sounds like fun. have a great weekend-E-R-I-K-A-aka Karla!

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  8. FayeMay 29, 2015 at 10:46 AM

    Linda, I am glad you are feeling well enough to do normal things again. Your exotic lady portrait is really gorgeous. I love the text you've put on it. I always think of my mother when I hear those words. She died at 81, but late in her 70s she would still climb up on her roof and clean out the gutters!

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  9. ChristineMay 29, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    Lovely cards and painting. Glad you are feeling better, the pain sounds awful.

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  10. GlorV1May 29, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    Glad you are feeling better. Love your art. Your lady with the turban is awesome.:)

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  11. ~*~Patty SMay 29, 2015 at 12:21 PM

    Your invincible woman is really really beautiful and I can see she has your spirit dear Linda.
    I am sorry for your pain and very happy to hear that you have turned the corner and can enjoy life again...still sending lots (((hugs))) your way.
    Happy beginning of the weekend.
    oxo

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  12. LinMay 29, 2015 at 12:37 PM

    Linda, I'm glad to hear that you're feeling almost back to normal. I enjoyed reading your post and your creations today - thanks for sharing them with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge! And I hope you'll come again!

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  13. Deborah WainwrightMay 29, 2015 at 1:31 PM

    Fab girl. Love the background too x

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  14. Frieda OxenhamMay 29, 2015 at 2:02 PM

    So great to hear you are improving and able to return to arting. I love your latest face, so lovely!

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  15. LailaMay 29, 2015 at 3:18 PM

    Lovely cards and your girl is beautiful. Glad to hear you're feeling better, and yes SOC 5 will be so much fun.

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  16. JoannaMay 29, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    Oh gosh, that sounds so painful, I'm glad you're starting to feel better now.

    I'm LOVING that portrait - love the rich colours!

    Looking forward to SOC, see you there :)

    xxx

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  17. Abigail DavidsonMay 29, 2015 at 4:31 PM

    Glad to hear you're feeling better, and beautiful creations!

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  18. Tammy NMay 29, 2015 at 5:24 PM

    Hope you can stay healthy and pain free. Your art looks beautiful!

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  19. dentheMay 29, 2015 at 6:09 PM

    Duck tape!!? Oh, I want that one! I love the brightness and happiness of the colours. Your girl is looking great as well! Glad to hear you are joining the SOC too!

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  20. Meihsia LiuMay 29, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    It's great to hear that you are feeling better, Linda. I love your beautiful card and the gorgeous portrait you created. Both are awesome! :)

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  21. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLAMay 29, 2015 at 6:48 PM

    I like your cards, but your portrait is simply gorgeous. I'm sorry to hear you had a painful episode with osteo-arthritis, but glad to hear you are doing much better. Blessings,my friend!

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  22. Tracey FKMay 29, 2015 at 7:07 PM

    love the WIP and I wish I cold play along with summer of colour... I am just swamped... I am going to miss all the fun... I need a few hours extra in the day at the moment... but more importantly i am glad you are feeling better again... thinking of you...xx

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  23. LeoviMay 29, 2015 at 7:43 PM

    Wonderful composition, I love the sweet look !!

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  24. LeoviMay 29, 2015 at 7:48 PM

    Like, really wonderful design with flowers!

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  25. Ayala ArtMay 29, 2015 at 11:35 PM

    Oh the neck... we don't even think about it till we can't move it! Good to hear you are better! Your painting is so sweet and beautiful, love it!

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  26. Gillena CoxMay 30, 2015 at 1:02 AM

    luv those happy thank you cards, they say alot about how you feel now, and your lady has a sweet expression and she is so pretty; thanks for the summer art invitation link

    i'm happy you stopped over at my blog in PPF friendship

    much love...

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  27. Clare LloydMay 30, 2015 at 1:53 AM

    Hopped over from AJED to say super wip and love your card too.

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  28. Annette P.-L. May 30, 2015 at 6:19 AM

    Glad to read you are feeling better! Your journal page is wonderful! Really beautiful colours!

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  29. katMay 30, 2015 at 2:17 PM

    So sorry for all your awful pain, I wish you all the best and am so happy you have managed to art and create again with these lovely pieces, such pretty cards and a lovely lady full of charisma!

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  30. BLOGitseMay 30, 2015 at 3:02 PM

    I'm glad you feel better! Interesting word that 'Caucasian' because in Finland we call ourselves 'Scandinavian', never Caucasian even if we're European...
    Happy artistic weekend!

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  31. K J DMay 30, 2015 at 3:25 PM

    Really glad to hear you are feeling better... it sounds awful :(

    I lOVE your painting.... she has such a happy and positive vibe to her Linda.

    Karen x

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  32. Lisabella RussoMay 30, 2015 at 4:48 PM

    Such beautiful cards and a lovely painting! I'm sorry you've been in pain and I'm glad you're feeling better.

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  33. GigglesMay 30, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    Gorgeous work Linda...so glad you are on the upswing!! Wonderful lady love the beautiful turban...Not sure about soc yet. Still pondering it!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  34. SirkkaMay 31, 2015 at 2:04 AM

    So beautiful flower bunch cards, really nice and your painting of the face is lovely! Hope you are feeling good now, Linda!

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  35. Gloria j ZucaroMay 31, 2015 at 7:16 AM

    Hi Linda, I have been out of the loop. I am so sorry to hear about your painful episode with your neck! I am glad you are feeling better. I know how it can be, having gone through it in Feb. with my back. I love your beautiful cards and your venture into a new style of portrait. It is truly beautiful in color and spirit.

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  36. UnknownMay 31, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    Lovely creativity and I am so happy you feel better.

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  37. Emma WilliamsMay 31, 2015 at 12:29 PM

    So happy to hear you're feeling better and your cards and portrait are just beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing and for playing along with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog... :)

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  38. Julie LeeMay 31, 2015 at 5:43 PM

    So glad you're feeling better, Linda. Your portrait is fabulous. I love her head-dress and her face is so warm and radiant. xxx

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  39. Beth NiquetteJune 1, 2015 at 11:13 AM

    How wonderful to hear you are feeling better. ((hugs)) Your artwork is so very charming.

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  40. artbyjuneJune 1, 2015 at 2:52 PM

    I love your ethnic style lady! Glad you are feeling better.

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  41. Kim DellowJune 3, 2015 at 6:34 AM

    So glad you are feeling better and thank you for the great share, it is good to see her finished. lovely work both the face and the cards. Thank you for linking up to Show Your Face this week and for the shout out too. Kx

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  42. carol l mckennaJune 3, 2015 at 4:08 PM

    Glad to hear you are feeling so much better ~ Love the beauty of simplicity in your cards and your 'exotic' lady creation is beautiful!

    Happy Weekend coming to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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

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