Today was the first day that I was able to experience a bit of pure quiet. Both the kids were in school for 3.5 hours of Q-U-I-E-T. So strange, so weird and oh so lovely.  I had enough time to pull out the paint and start this painting.  Yesterday and today were a half days for the big guy, but the little guy will continue with 1/2 days until January.

I had some time this afternoon to finish my painting for the Creative Color Challenge.  I dove right into the soothing, lush and dreamy color of turquoise.  I decided to paint a mermaid and silly me didn’t actually read the new twist on the challenge. We were allowed turquoise, white and black, but also a metallic: silver, gold, bronze or copper.  I would have totally added gold to the crown had I known this, but now my paints are packed up and it’s almost dinner time. Ah, well. Just try to imagine a gold crown.

raspberry red bouquet
4 x 4 canvas

Here are my contributions for Louise’s Color Challenge. I really love how I am being challenged by colors I would not normally use. Like red. I don’t normally use large amounts of red, especially an entire painting full.

raspberry red girl
4 x 4 canvas

I find it a little difficult to paint with a limited color palette. Just red, black and white which I morphed into many pinks and grays. Still, I think it is good to stretch the creative muscles in new ways.

To get me started, first I did my usual flickr search for inspiring red ideas. It’s always the first place I go.

1. Red Raspberries II, 2. Crochet red scarf Morning Rose, 3. our red/raspberry wall, 4. Red Buttons, 5. SWAPBOT – RED WINE PC #2, 6. Study in Red – for Jules, 7. Fiesta Detail, 8. Raspberry Kiss, 9. Inspired by Red Roses, 10. Oh, Frida…, 11. i think these were salmonberry flowers, but i can’t remember, 12. White Chocolate and Raspberry Pie, 13. the angels wanna wear my red shoes, 14. A Mexican Dress Huichol Art , 15. i-scream with jam, 16. raspberry limeade

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys

I’ve been experimenting with paper and paint on wood with a layer of clear encaustic wax on top.   I like the texture and feel of it, but I’m not to crazy about the paint colors I chose for this.  I have more little pieces of wood that I am planning to work with.

So,this will be my last post until Monday. We are heading out of town, just the hubby and I, for a romantic getaway weekend to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. We are going back to Portland for a more adult version of our last trip there.  The kids are staying with grandma. It should be a good time.

Until I see you again, please stop on over Dana’s to see an interview she did with me in her Art Biz Mama series.

I wanted to share a project I made for GreenCraft Magazine. It’s a cardboard portfolio for pretty papers, important papers, artwork, or whatever you like.  Above is my portfolio before I sent it off almost a year ago. I had almost forgotten what it looked liked.

It is completely made of cardboard, cereal box board, maps and old papers and scraps of ribbon, fabric, fringe and buttons. Oh, and a bit of paint and glue.

I really love this magazine. Beautiful photographs, and so many wonderful ideas and contributors.

I am also in the new issue of Somerset Home, but I haven’t seen it yet!!  I’m hoping to get my copy in the mail soon or I may just have to go out and get it myself. I’ll wait a couple more days…

“When yellow sneaks into my day,
I race outside to jump and play,
I twirl around for dizzy fun,
And spin under the yellow sun.”
~ Julia Aigner-Clark

“There is a sun, a light that for want of another word I can only call yellow, pale sulphur yellow, pale golden citron. How lovely yellow is.”  ~Vincent Van Gogh

“Yellow is my first most favorite color.” ~ my little I-guy, age 5

I thought I’d welcome August with a big spot of yellow.  Inspired by Louise Gale’s Color Challenge, I was more than up for a go with my lovely yellows. After all, it is the color that is painted most on the walls of my home. I do love it so!

And because I am so taken by yellow, I found a lovely collection of yellow photos that inspires in the brightest and most cheerful way. Click mosaic to see credits.

Read more about the power of yellow here.

It started out with doodling on these little tags, then came the watercolors, then the words.  A really nice distractions considering I have a ton of stuff I need to be doing.  Like, maybe, clean the kitchen? Nah. What fun would that be.

Also, I just sent for my Art House Co-op Sketchbook. I’m so excited.

saw this wonderful technique over on iHanna and decided I had to play with this.  I’ve been extremely tired and needing easy and creative projects to soothe my over worked nerves.

I did four color ways on sheets of 140# cold-press watercolor paper. You need acrylic paint, a spray bottle with water and a scraper (old grocery card)–iHanna explains the how to.  I think I might try and see of the kids will like playing with this idea. Paint and a spray bottle, how could you go wrong?

I’m not sure what I’ll do with these sheets now. Cut them into something. Paint more on them. Not sure. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.

you are beautiful

I have a friend who has a birthday coming up. I made this for her because sometimes she can be a little hard on herself. She truly is an amazing, funny and beautiful person and I thought this would make a nice reminder.

Scattered Sun
(print available in my shop)

I love it when the sun scatters through leaves and branches, breaking into little pieces that dance magically all about. Don’t you?

Just had to get my paints out today. It feels like ages since I last painted. I have so many ideas in my head and my sketchbook and it feels so good to let that pour out through my paint.

My friend Louise is starting up a fun color challenge that I will definitely be participating in.  A really nice way to be challenged by color and inspired be to create.  Go check it out.

Happy Summer Solstice

“In the Sea”

“For what ever we lose, it is always our self we find in the sea.”~e.e.cummings

This painting was inspired by the Solstice Earth Spin.  I painted this using the brightness of the long day that the summer solstice brings. Inspired by the sun, water, warmth, yellows and blues. Imagining an ocean that is pure clean and healthy.