Thursday 19 December 2013

A day wasted

This is an art journal page I finished off today, what with one thing and another it has taken me 3 days to finish.  Though having said that the page and other art works I did the days before that were nothing short of awful, I can see how people 'could' give up on an art journey with days like that.  Luckily I now see it as just that 'one of those days' and simply close the door and walk away, although listening to an interview by Jane Davenport it seems maybe I should have tried to work through the 'ugly' phase, it was quite a phase.

But, I am happy with this one and just love the quote, much needed at the moment.

Seems to go very quiet at holiday season around the on-line world, which is really a good thing - hopefully people are spending more time with their loved ones.  Therefore, unless I manage to create the most wonderful masterpiece I doubt I will blog again until the new year.

Have a wonderful Christmas time, and a safe New Year...

I will leave with another journal page, I was quite pleased with too - this one was inspired by Effy Wilde and her 'Moonshine' video.


Friday 13 December 2013

That Canvas

Well, its finally finished and has two coats of fixative on so far.  Due to the lack of much natural light these days, or a dry wind free day the photo is not so good, but you get the idea.  The Canvas size is 3', I think I need a stool as I did stand to do it all.  Its mostly collage and mixed media, and called 'There's a Song in my Heart'

All I need now is some free time to get on with more of the things I would like to be doing, or should I say 'Prefer' to be doing.  Life is getting in the way this week, just not enough chunks of time, I might have the odd hour but I am unable to create in that, greedy as this may seem I really need a few spare hours please.  Maybe weekend will be better, we'll see.

I cleaned off the last of the paint from the canvas on my journal page, and finished that off today, decided I wanted to draw a dragon, so that is what I did.

Other news - I am closing my Etsy shop on Monday until the new year when I hope it will be restocked with new things, and a big sale for the bags - if they dont go this time they will be off to the charity shop. Such a shame as so much effort went into each one, but like many things - either too many on the market now, or the 'cheaper' high street shops can sell them so much cheaper, even though they are poor quality and all the same there.  Of course I prefer to concentrate on my art, but need to fund that somehow - though I do think Santa is going to help me with that quite a bit.

Monday 9 December 2013

New Journal first page, and a songbird

I think my new beginnings are bringing a new lot of colour too.  I just finished this page today, but I did start it a couple of days back, one of the things I am learning is to take more time.  Also that if I am getting more serious I need better paints, so they are on the way - was a struggle to decide which to get, but I researched and found that as the research said 'if they were good enough for Andy Wahol then they are good enough for me' and I got a good bargain.  So, the new 'professional' paints will be for the canvas, I can still use all my others in my journals and course works.
Please do ignore my 'Please Can I be an Artist' words, as in my last post I was already given permission for that from my lovely blog ready 'Rasz' (thank you Rasz xx)
Here is a pretty little face I did while my journal layers were drying.  I quite like her - she is called 'songbird' as she has a song on her shoulder (better than a chip).

I am feeling quite happy in my little art world just now, as finally getting some support from family members - downside is a it is coming with pressure to try to sell, which I am NOT ready for yet, its nice they think I am good enough, but I dont............ not yet anyway.

Saturday 7 December 2013

New Beginnings

Yes, I know - new beginnings should really start in the new year, or at the very least the start of a new season maybe? not really on the 7th December 2013, but rules are made to be broken in the art world surely?
This is my new journal - its a great size 15" x 10" with just 18 sheets of watercolour paper.  I like journals to look like 'my' thing immediatly so this one had barely hit the doormat yesterday and I had started with paper, paint and ink.  The girl was a practice for the canvas I started - decided against the lace as it may not stay put so well and my hat drawings really do need a bit more practice - but as usual I have enjoyed the process.  As a result of my new founded enthusiasm and my new wonderful Art Journal, I have started a new board on 'Pinterest' for Art Journal pages, both mine and ones I love on there.
I have done a bit more on that 'Work in Progress' Canvas, not so much as I got nervous again and wanted to plan it out more - yes I know, I should have the confidence and just 'go for it' there is always another.
Still feeling I can 'almost' add artist to my name - most wonderful achievement happened today. I took a couple of the cards I had printed of my work to show a family member who rarely has a good word to say about anything I do, ready to get used to the critisism and negativity I had come to expect.... but NO!  She said I should find somewhere to start selling! wow!  I explained my first plan is to exhibit and take it from there really.  Meanwhile I have also had a new idea on how to fund myself a bit, so another new project will be starting soon for the Etsy shop, as paint is not cheap and supplies are not free - but I wont say anything more on that one till its done and I can show it.  I have decided I really do not want to sew anymore, so my 'Bags of Swank' bags will all be in a New Year sale to try rehome the stock, and let me get on with real new beginnings at the 'right' time of the year.

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Last of the Winter Girls

I have now finished the Winter Girls course, cant tell you just how much fun I have had, and how much I have learnt without even realising it - thats how good it is.  The above Elf is on canvas - now that is brave for me, loved so much it is even varnished too, still not quite sure what I will do with it, though I have had cards printed with this one and my snow queen to send out this year.  Both of these I did in my art journal first and then repeated, this one I just finished today
Not only have I learnt so much, but also built up a bit more confidence, almost enough to finally call myself an 'artist' and start work on an 'artist statement' ready for next year - selling would be great, but my first aim is to try be selected for our local group exhibition, I think that is July.  So, I have made a confident start with this large canvas, it is actually recycled as it was something OH got as a free gift, he got a set of 3 large canvas - "What on Earth am I going to do with these" he exclaimed, well that was easy...........
Here is my first 'Work in Progress' its to be a collage piece and mixed media - looks quite good like this really, but this is just the first couple of layers.
I have also ordered 2 cheap watercolour books to use as journals, to lay out some more ideas in - just not enough hours in the day, I have always loved 'trees' so going to practice painting and collage some.  I think with a few 'situations' this year I lost my enthusiasm for art a bit too, but now its back - hoping it will stick around.