ROSES for SPA

 Thought I would join in the fun over at Sunday Postcard Art- 
here is my entry for this week where the theme is Roses-

Linking up to SPA ~Sunday Postcard Art

     Hello Friday viewers!
I'd like to say I have tons of photos for you, but - I don't!

The reason for this is because, ever since I opened my Inktense Blocks from Artistcellar- I have been all over with them! I get started sketching and painting- and totally flake about taking photos!   A true artist at work??   ")

I have challenged myself by using the blocks to draw and paint with, and not using pencil and eraser- and it has really been rewarding for me!   
As with last weeks post, I have been creating with the Derwent Inktense Blocks - inspired by my  favorite  artists- 
This week is Frida Kahlo-  who is truly, one of the most-talented artists and courageous women I have ever learned about-  follow the link if you are curious for more 

This first photo is the beginning of my Frida- I was goofing around on a piece of cardstock , hence the fold in the center "(             
As I ran out of paper, I then added her to my journal-

A few things I discovered while using the Inktense:
1.) the little smudger sticks work great along side the blocks, both for blending and for removing color
2.) gesso is great for an undercoat as it allows color to be removed when necessary 
3.) babywipes work great for removing Inktense color!

This second photo is my finished version after I glued the cardstock down. I also added more color as well as some stamping to the outside of the page and added flowers to Frida's hair-

I did spray the whole piece with a matte sealer so the Inktense would not rub off, and in case you already noticed, yes, I did cheat and add gold paint to the picture for Frida's earrings!

These next two photos are beginnings of another Frida journal spread  i am working on.... with, you guessed it! Inktense Blocks!

I would encourage you to step out of that comfort zone and give something that "scares" you a try- just make it - Art related please!


I am linking up to Art Journal Journey 
#117

 I do love your comments and read every one- and always try to reply ") Jackie

Hello everyone and welcome Friday!

 Today's post is short- but sweet-

 Recently I acquired  Derwent~Inktense Watercolor Blocks from Artistcellar and I decided it was high time I gave them a go-

 What I did was just got comfy in my studio chair and pulled out a journal with a ready made page~

I drew my outline with a white Posca marker- this was difficult for me because I always use pencil and eraser!  But, I figured it was time to move out of my comfort zone-

This is a photo of my inspiration-titled "Girlfriends" circa 1916-17 , by Gustav Klimt

 

Gustav Klimt is my favorite artist-along side with Maxfield Parrish

 After the outline, I just added color after color, and because this is a set of 12 colors- I was challenged to use what I had and represent Klimt's painting in my own style and palette.

For painting in the color I used my Sakura Koi Water Brush and for fine detail I used a fine liner detail brush. 

The last thing I added was a bit of Stabilo pencil to outline and give some definition. Then gesso was added to the background ,as well as to the whites of the eyes;and Inktense color- I did this by coloring the block on the opposite page and filling my brush with the color and blending with the gesso.

I hope to have inspired you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new!

Jackie ")

The Artist within ")

                                         Another post already? 

   Why yes!- a friend of mine, Renee Zarate asked me if I would join her and other artists/writers by blogging a bit about myself and my creative process as an artist. So on Mondays, artists/writers sharing their stories through blogging has been showing up all over the globe-and we have had the opportunity to meet and learn about others we may never have otherwise! isn't the internet a wonderful place!!! 

   Renee and I came to meet by both being chosen for the Design Team for Artistcellar. It has been challenging as well as fun designing new projects each week for Artistcellar's blog as well as getting to know Renee and the other team members. 
 Renee-of Bolton House, who in my book is extremely talented and creative refers to her art as, eclectic, whimsical and quirky! I agree and will add, colorful and beautiful to the mix! Please stop by her blog, check out her art as well as the many techniques she shares!
   I am truly flattered that Renee has invited me and I am happy to share with you a bit about Me- the artist!
        Let's get to it!
   For a bit of background, I grew up one of six children to two very creative parents. My Mom's forte' was cooking- she was an artist with her Sauerbraten and Meatloaf! My Dad, he could make anything out of nothing! This is definitely where I get my recycle, upcycle, and reuse from!! And to boot, Dad could draw, and paint and even embroider. So, I guess I was bound to inherit some creativity from either or from both! 
 

 

Upcycled Luggage-turned jewelry case

 
  The earliest I can remember creating was in the second grade. I remember this as I went to a new school half way into the school year and I was scared as could be! Sister David Agnes, tried to blend me in by asking what i liked to do and I said make art- so she gave us all an art project to do for that weekend. We had to create something with an animal as the theme. Well, my Dad got right to thinking of what to do and together we came up with making a fish out of paper and gluing him to a substrate(a leftover piece of plywood from Dad's stash) Dad helped me through the whole project...I painted the board dark blue, we drew a fish on a grocery bag , cut two pieces and I painted them red. Next, we stapled the fish all but one area and we stuffed him with cotton balls,pushing them in with a straw,to give him dimension.When my fish was good and puffy, we stapled him closed and glued him to the board. Dad had already put a piece of hanging wire on the back for me. ") You are probably wondering how I remember this so well? I still have my fish and would have shared a photo, but he is in one of my bins in the pole barn under things we have not yet unpacked! 
   Stop by again in a few months- I'll have that fish posted! 
                      Okay... on to the questions at hand!

I painted this with acrylics when I was 14- copying the scene from a book.I also matted it myself as you can tell by the torn color from the sides

 
1.)What am I working on now?
Always, I have at least 3 or 4 WIP in my working area...I'll show a few bits here...

 

2.)How does my art/writing differ from others?
   I think all artists start out learning and copying from one another and go on to develop their own style. I think with my art, I tried to do as the others, and couldn't get it right , so out of that came ME! 

   As far as my art, it is all over the place as you can see from my examples...I truly am most fond of textures, layers, altered and mixed media art the most. 

    Sometimes my art is simple drawings and colored with pencils

and then other times-it's almost magical with loads of glitter and shimmer and bits and bobs! 

 

 

I guess there is no real way for me to describe my art style yet, as I think I am still discovering it myself!


3.) Why do I create what I do?

Well, this question is an easy answer- because it makes me happy and feeds my soul!

4.)How does my creative process work?
   Well, on any given day it will be different... but mostly, I like to go into my studio, and either put on some music, or if it is early enough just open the window to hear the birds with their morning songs... and I gaze about my studio, absorbing all of the inspiration there is in there. Then, I usually start pulling out mediums and paper, or substrates, and a pencil or marker and just let loose!

 
                                                                                                                           
   Other times, I might have something well thought out and gather exactly what I need and end up using none of it! heeheee 

   Truly each time is different for me and it really is hard to pinpoint- I'll have to make a video someday- then we'll both know how I do it! ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
 For me, art has really opened up my world and has allowed me to feel free and let my creativity grow and be nurtured. Through blogging, I have discovered and learned from many very gifted and talented artists all around the world- many of whom I am able to call my friends.

  We share common bonds and goals and most times this is unspoken, but when we do get to speak- it's an even greater experience! 
  I truly believe everyone has a bit of creativity in them and they just need to tap into it- pull out the coloring book and crayons and see what happens!

Thank you so much for joining me and thank you Renee for inviting me along!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would like to introduce you to my artist/illustrator dear friend Darlene Campbell. Darlene and I met via the Strathmore Online Workshops in 2011 and have become lifelong friends! We chat once a week(at least) and make each other laugh till we cry! I adore Darlene's illustrations as well as her writings- I'm sure you will also enjoy them- check her out here at Darlene-freeniebelle.

Darlene's post with her Q&A will be up on Monday- August 15th please make sure to visit- her- i'd love to hear what you think!

Jackie ")

My summer vacation...

Okay, so this is really not about my summer vacation, but it is about my summer! It has been a really busy time and therefore not much time for the art play!
and some of you wanted to know about the girls, so i thought while I'm writing,I'd give you the low-down-the whole story....not just the girls!
Hold on to your pants-this is long winded and picture heavy! 
   Just a bit of background ...Last June, we bought 13 acres with an old single wide,a pond and pole barn. At first we thought we would renovate the trailer, but as we looked further into its recesses- - not this time- too much work! 

   See that addition on the second photo? Riley and I had to take that off and get rid of it in one day before the mover would take the trailer...It was built with 6x6's- yeah- we were dead afterward.... 

    We sold that trailer for $1 and had the buyer come move it from the property.  
         Then,we bought and had delivered a new single wide! 
                                                 ahhh done!

                                               yeah-right!

 back to this summer... hubby, Riley, loves to garden and it has always been his dream to have a small hobby farm and grow lots and lots of veggies to sell  on a stand....
                      that brings us to the following photos...

                                              Scraping & tilling

                                        
                                    seeding and seedlings planted

 

 

                                             look at it grow! 
                                         

Pumpkins- all pumpkins!

      Now comes plucking weeds and more weeds from the strawberries, tomatos, potatos, squash ,well, you get it!
We have snow peas, beans coming out the ears.. did I mention corn too?...picking, blanching and putting up as fast as I can-
 

Beets

Yummy Watermelon!!

Sugar Snap Peas- delish!

a whole section devoted to every kind of gourd!!

                         Fresh picked- squash & zucchini .... 
                 Yikes- need to basket more up for the neighbors-

 
  and then there's the corn- coming in...Riley's little blanching stand outside- where it 's cooler and close for the picking!

I did mention corn- right? heehee

            planted every couple of weeks for continuous picking!
                              and boy is it ever sweet!! Yum!

 

  Our little farmstand is yet to be made- Riley likes to do it right the first time- he has an idea and I just go with it! He is really creative and talented ...
this is what he will use

I'll show pictures when it is completed-next year!

 

                                           .
Meantime, we have a one room Kamp that we built from scratch- by we, I mean hub and I.

2012

2014

 

Well, because it is up North and we had the winter from hell this year- trees down all over- not on the Kamp- thank you mother nature! and the Elm disease got most of what the ice storm did not...

 we were up there for awhile, cutting and moving and stacking and mowing and well...
                                     lets go back home...

beautiful Emily!

  

Our rooster,Logan, has found his voice and he starts crowing around 5:00 am

and continually through the day!heehee

 The girls are doing their duty and laying beautiful organic eggs for us! Not sure if they are all on board yet, but we are getting about three a day!  Such good girls! I love them!!
did I say we decided to arrange the back area around the deck?

Yup, removing old fence, pulling brush and non essential shrubs and trees ( some trees will be replaced) thank goodness for the tractor! 

 looks like the old dock will have to wait till next summer.

                and we needed a walk way patio around the hottub... 

 

 so,back up to Kamp to bring home all of the pavers that we used in front of the trailer- did I forget to mention that we went back up and the next day and brought the trailer home for an overhaul? 

                                                We did.
back to the homestead... 
                        did you happen to see that pile of logs?

still need to cut,split and stack for winter....

While we were working in the back,we also decided to edge my flowers with old bricks we found out back

 

 

                                       are you tired yet? 
                            Chum is exhausted...

 

Chum has even taken to walking himself!

flower shots from my garden..This lily is about 5ft tall and has the most wonderful fragrance i have ever smelled from a flower!

Oh, almost forget the first of the upcoming garage sales...
I think in an earlier post, I referred to my hub and I being collectors of sorts? teeheehee 

 

 well, time to weed it out, get rid of the big things and get selling online...more on that soon.
 Don't get me wrong, we did have fun and hit the beach with the dog a few days here and there...

 

 and went to a strawberry festival,and field days~
I even went on a spinny ride with my granddaughter Riley! 

 Then on the fourth of July we had all the grands and their parents over for a fun filled day into the evening...

                                   everybody got into the fun that day!

 

 

Calem is loosing his trousers! heeheee

 

               Even Poppa Riley played with sparklers! heehee

  
   but it has been a busy summer and therefore not as much art to show for it...
                   wait...I did start this...notice a theme here?

             yup,at least Chum has managed to get some art time in-

Stick around...I'm heading into the studio today- who knows what might come of it!

Thanks for hanging in there- hope you enjoyed it! 
Jackie")