Cinnamon Pink

Happy Halloween!

Image from The Graphics Fairy

Happy Halloween!

Enjoy the day - no matter how you celebrate it - whether you attend Halloween Parties - go trick or treating - binge on candy - watch horror movies - or just veg!

This adorable Cat Image comes via The Graphics Fairy. I believe this cute black kittie could only bring one good luck.

 

Ten Handmade Art Journals from Mindful Art Studio

Via the Mindful Art Studio blog, I discovered this resource: Ten Handmade Art Journals You'll Want to Make.

Check out the article and the other creative ideas on the blog too. Then create your own personalized art journal.

What is Scumbling? - from Painting About site

Do you scumble when you paint? Via the Painting About site, I came across a good explanation on What is Scumbling?

According to the article, "Scumbling is a painting technique for adding a layer of broken, speckled, scratchy color over another color. Bits of the lower layer(s) of color show through the scumbling. The result gives a sense of depth and color variation to an area."

"You can scumble with a brush or a crumpled-up cloth.....The key is to use a dry brush (or cloth) and very little paint. It's far better to have to go over an area again than start with too much paint."

For more details on this technique, check out the complete article.

 

2015 Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) Challenge - Registration is Open

Image from Tara Lazar's Blog

I signed up for the 2015 Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) Challenge founded by Tara Lazar, children's book author. 

According to Tara, "The challenge is to create 30 picture book concepts in 30 days. You don’t have to write a manuscript (but you can if the mood strikes). Daily blog posts by picture book authors, illustrators, editors and other kidlit professionals will help inspire you." 

Registration is open through November 5th. I'm looking forward to the challenge. Why not join in?

Madonna Fabric Book Page

My inspiration for this art piece is the painting of a Madonna by Fra Filippo Lippi, an Italian Early Renaissance Painter (1406-1469)

I plan to add this piece to my Fabric Angel Book. I used DecoArt Media Crackle Paste on the page edges. Then I painted the dried crackle paste with a mixture of yellow, brown and gold acrylic paints.

 

21 Free Art Journaling Courses from Irreversibly Moi

Image from Irreversibly Moi site

 In case you haven't seen this resource on the Internet: 21 FREE Art Journaling Courses to Check Out Now! This link comes via Irreversibly Moi.

Visit the site. You may find some new art techniques to experiment with this weekend.

 

Document Gift Wrap Paper arrived from Ballard Designs

My three rolls of Document Gift Wrap Paper arrived from Ballard Designs. The paper is light beige with brown text. The paper's texture is smooth and heavy weight. A great quality product!

The paper was on sale for $12.99 - regularly $25.00.

I plan to use it as background paper in my paintings. I may cover some boxes with it too. Check it out!

NEON District in Norfolk Virginia

Yesterday, Ron and I went to the coming out party of the NEON (New Energy of Norfolk) Festival. In celebration of the new arts district, artists painted eye-catching, colorful mural on the walls of buildings. What a great way to bring new life to bland buildings.

This is Part One of my favorite mural. The latter is so huge that Ron had to take the photo in three parts.

Part Two of Photo

Part Three of Photo. I just love the artistry of this mural.

This is called the Fang Mural. The white areas are the fangs. We also visited the Chrysler Museum of Art which is featuring the exhibition, Saints and Dragons: Icons from Byzantium to Russia. If you live near the area, check out the NEON District.

 

Drawing Themes from the Sketch Book Skool Blog

Via the Sketch Book Skool Blog, I discovered this inspiring list, 50 Themes to Brighten Up Your Sketchbook.

Here are a few of the themes that caught my interest:

• Handlettered Quotes
• Black Ink Only
• Buildings & Architecture
• Chairs
• Grocery Lists
• Drawing Memories
• Drawings from (Old) Family Photos

Be sure to check out the complete list

Young Angel Fabric Book Page Complete

I completed another page for my Fabric Book. This is a vintage image of an angel which I tinted with watercolor crayons and acrylic paints.

I then covered the page with gesso, blue acrylic paint and stamped flower images into the wet paint. I still need to add some accents with graphite pencil. I'll then paste the page into my fabric book.

These fabric pages take a long time to complete but I enjoy the process.

InkTober Challenge from Jake Parker

 

Image from Jake Parker's site

I just discovered Jake Parker's InkTober Challenge. Here's a description of the challenge in Jake's own words:

"Every October, artists all over the world take on the InkTober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. I created InkTober in 2009 as a challenge to improve my inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year. Anyone can do InkTober, just pick up a pen and start drawing."

It's not too late to join. As Jake says, you can participate daily, every other day or weekly. Check out the InkTober Rules for more details.

As many of you know from reading my blog, I draw on a daily basis. Now all I have to do is add some ink to my sketches.

Great Artists Write from 99u

Via 99u, I discovered an interesting post entitled Great Artists Write written by Paul Jun. Here are two points that caught my interest:

 Writing Provides Us Space to Think:

•  "We don’t spend enough time reflecting and introspecting. Writing then becomes a kind of meditation where we talk to ourselves about who we are and the kind of work that we do. We put ourselves in a position to ask ourselves what we are currently doing, and how can we do it with more meaning, impact, and intent."
• "We need moments in our day to think about our thinking—we don’t find these moments, we create them. Writing, then, is not a mere act but an opportunity to think. Students had trouble acknowledging certain doubts or fears in a project, but when they sat down to write, it spilled out. Would that insight have been available without writing?"

Make sure you check out the complete article for more inspiration. Then grab a notebook, pen and start writing today. In fact, make it a daily habit.

 

 

Butterfly Fabric Book Page Complete

I finally completed one page in my Fabric Angel Book that I began at the Art & Soul Retreat 2015.

The Butterflies image is a transfer. I then applied plaster to the page and stamped flowers into the wet substrate. When the plaster dried, I added the blue paint and trim. I may accent the flowers with white acrylic paint.

Expanding Your Horizons Workshop: Art & Soul Retreat 2015

Wan Marsh Painting from Art & Soul Workshop

I took an abstract painting workshop entitled Expanding Your Horizons with Wan Marsh at the Art & Soul Retreat. The class was fun and fast-paced. I love the depth that Wan achieves in her paintings which you can see from these posted photographs.

Wan Marsh Painting from Art & Soul Workshop

Wan shared all her secrets for abstract paintings. I highly recommend her as an instructor.

Wan Marsh Painting from Art & Soul Workshop

I'm still working on the paintings that I started in class. I tend to be a plodder when I paint. When I complete my paintings, I will post them. I do see many abstract paintings in my creative future.

Fabric Angel Book Workshop: Art & Soul Retreat 2015

Kate Thompson Demonstrating on Fabric Angel Book

I'm back from the Art & Soul Retreat 2015 in Virginia Beach. The entire event was so inspiring. Many of the members in our Tidewater Artist Group (TAG) also participated in the retreat.

I took the two-day Fabric Angel Book Workshop led by Kate Thompson. I also took a class with Kate last year. She creates such a wonderful learning environment and is so patient and supportive to her students. I highly recommend her in-person and online workshops.

Kate Thompson's Fabric Book Covers

I absolutely love the ancient, Fresco-like look that Kate achieves with her paintings which you can see in the above photo. I'm still working on my Fabric Angel Book. After I make more progress on the book, I will post photos.

On Tuesday, I'll blog about another Art & Soul workshop which I attended last week.