Inspired by Misty

It is no secret that I love Misty Mawn's work, in fact I have just purchased a second collage from her - if I can bear to part with it, then a friend will receive it very soon. If not then they may receive a piece of my art work instead. This piece is 4" x 6" and there is actually not the contrast between the green of the figure and the green of the background shown in the scan. Several weeks ago I loosely followed Misty's instructions for her background technique (Cloth, Paper, Scissors, vol 7), and prepared a handful of them. This is the last, and I have so enjoyed playing 'in' her style as I journey towards my own.

Babies Abound

It seems that once again I am in a season of life where friends and acquaintances are being blessed with babies. Normally this would put me in a bit of a tailspin, but somehow since the last batch I have grown, changed, perhaps matured ... I am able to be genuinely happy for those with new children, and, at the same time grateful for the rich life I have. I look inward and realise that my overactive mind, and life full of highs and lows could probably not cope with a full time child.

Tonight I took a four year old shopping, it was delightful to hear his world views (that man who shoved in front of us should go sit on the naughty mat), to share his enthusiasm for small things (yes, seedless watermelon does exist, yes he can choose any piece he wants), to revel in his adoration (yes, I am his best friend and yes I was clever to get the chicken for half price). However, it is also nice to have come home, made a stash of note cards and a few birth cards, to have ignored the dishes for now, to be contemplating a glass of wine in a clean toy free bath, and to know that I can borrow a child, from a weary Mum, almost any time.

Ha'penny Dolls

It has been a glorous winter's Saturday. I stayed up late and began this little couple last night, and then managed to sleep-in this morning. I have flitted from one spot to another today. Morning coffee with my brother, his wife and my very beautiful 8 week old neice. A wander through a local art show and then lunch with a stamping friend. Afternoon coffee at a friends home about ten km out of town - a great place for Maggie to ramble - and then back home. I feel so refreshed and relaxed.

I am happy with the way these two have worked out, they have been in my head for a while ... and the name, from the Australian half penny in their tummy - which turns the 'glossy accents' a lovely green as it dries.

Now to be domestic, washing to fold, ironing to do .... my other reality.

In the Pink (and orange)

I am not a pink girl, and I don't usually live in a pink world, unless it is a glorious sunset ... but I digress... A group I am a part of set an ATC theme of pink and orange. My first thought was to avoid it. My second, how to make it arty? However, my current self appointed task is to push my personal barriers and try new things. The result a handful of funky, cute cards ... are they still art? ... Or just an evenings fun - and another challenge met? It doesn't seem to matter.

Puppies and Pussy Cats

I have noticed while browsing the blogs of artists I admire that we have something in common, a love of animals. Sometimes I visit a blog half a dozen times before I find the furry family member ... But always in the lives of those whose art stirs me there is a much loved cat or dog or perhaps a love of birds ... I wonder why this is?

A much loved friend, has this ATC now, as I made it I cried for the unloved domestic animals of the world. Tonight my thought again turn to the homeless animals and the thousands who are euthanased each year.

Mish Mish and the Marking

This is the page I contributed to Nat's Mostly Metal chunky book. The background was my first in Misty Mawn's style. The teaspoon angel is, as far as I know, all my own. It will probably stay that way, after hammering 30+ teaspoons flat, it wasn't just the furry people who were sure this was not going to become a popular style!! I am, however, really pleased with the way they turned out and am sooo looking forward to getting the book back with everyone's work.
Hamish has been helping me mark history exams tonight. He kindly warms each paper before I have to handle it. He also chases my pen across the page (providing me with much needed exercise), occasionally tackling it to the table and attempting to eat it! This leads to a long pat and play session, and the much needed breaks from concentrating on whether Britain has one 't' or two. Of course it also means that it is 12.38am and I still have an hours marking to do ...

Hugs to you all.

Heaven's Leaves and My Boys

These leaves are sitting on a platter in my kitchen, and each time I pass them by, I smile.
A real smile that goes deep on the inside, a smile that no other person sees.
They are so beautiful, they are free.
They remind me of primary school days - when I would throw leaves in the air and dance under them.
The leaves hold so many colours ... so much variety.
They are from my liquid amber and there is a little pride, that it is now growing in my garden - a sense of being grown up, I have a tree, I planted it.
And today they are my way of bringing the outside in.
I am so thankful for these leaves.

These are my boys, Phantom, Hamish and Charles. They enjoy some of the same foods (as they are here); they are all three years old; they are sterilised (sorry boys - I promise not to let any girl cats read this); they love their Mama and are very affectionate. They also have very different personalities, however, I will leave that for another day - it is back to the marking for now.

My Girl, Claudine's Art

This is a Claudine Hellmuth background. What a challenge this piece was, my fingers are itching to add layers, to embellish some more, to outline the bathers ... The style does not sit comfortably - I know that this piece will never hang on my wall, and yet I am compelled to try again... why ... I do not know. What do other people do with a 'failed canvas'? I think that I will send this one as a postcard to a friend, or perhaps it will sit on my desk for a week or two, while I figure out how to tweak it, without stifling the simplicity.

Maggie, my girl, has had my heart for nine years. She is emotionally challenged, a little butch and a one-owner-dog despite my best efforts. Have you read about Jem's (the son of Anne of Green Gables) dog? It died, waiting, at the railway station, for Jem to come home from war. That is the loyalty (sometimes stifling) of my Maggie Girl. We have been through a lot together and I would not swap her for the world ...

A Full Day

What a joy it was this morning to receive this jiggling art doll in my mail. The scan does not do justice to the beads as they catch the light or the glittering wings. The creator? A Mystery Muse to be revealed at the end of the month - when I find out I will acknowledge her - for now this June Doll will hang in doorway to catch the winter sunshine.

It has been a day full of sunshine, precious moments with some special students, fun with friends and lots of smiles.

Tonight I started some canvases using Claudine Helmuths contact and acrylic paint background, I am so enjoying this time of trying new things.

The Process Journey

Sometimes I despair because I have so much to learn. I am not happy with so many aspects of this piece and had so many problems along the way - and yet I learnt so much about process; about how to make paint work for me.

I think that I have also told the story that has circulated around my head for weeks now, the next story will be more skillfully executed, I wonder if it will mean more ...

Tonight I was blessed by a very good friend who came and cleaned my house allowing me to mark history exams. What a joy it is to have had company while working on a tedious chore, and to have lovely clean floorboards!

Art Shack

This faux batik paper patchwork is a class I created tonight for the Scrapbook Designs, Art Shack this weekend. I had a lot of fun playing with layers and texure; now the wait to see if anyone will want to do the class ... oh well, what will be, will be ..

A Drifting Day

Today I have allowed myself to drift, to sleep, tidy a little, read and simply be. The 'cold' which has been with me for just over a week seems to have responded to a day at a slower pace and I am feeling well tonight.

No creating but I have put some bits and pieces in to rust ready for a paper quilt. This is 'Ben', modelling the blankie I crocheted for my six week old neices birth. I have not seen her for a couple of weeks as I have not wanted to share my bug.

Now it is time to join the furry ones who sleep peacefully by the computer... goodnight

Taking the Plunge

After months of enjoying the blogs of friends and fellow artists I have decided to start my own, a place to share my thoughts and art with old friends and new.

My art journey is an evolving one, both hindered and hastened by the whims of my mood and the chores of everyday life. Part of me would like to find my own style, part enjoys the roller coaster ride of trying new ways of telling my heart's stories.