Tagged: drawing

Jan 19

Back to school

So I never imagined that 22 years after earning my bachelor’s degree in business administration that I would be attending school again. But here I am taking classes, prerequisites for a Masters in Art Therapy program that I will begin in 2014. After my first week of school, I can happily report that I really enjoy learning and look forward to the challenges and deadlines. I am actually excited about writing a paper in Lifespan Psychology and am ready to dig into research. I’m also jumping into my homework, reading ahead and planning my week realistically. I believe it is the only way that I will be able to balance running our own business, homeschooling our last student, and continuing along my own creative path.

While much of the artistic technique I have learned has either been by reading books, experimentation, or taking workshops, I am looking forward to the longer challenge of a semester class in both drawing and ceramics. While I have dabbled in drawing before, I have not maintained a good practice of drawing, so I’m hoping to see great improvement by May.

self portrait #1 Here is my first self portrait in some years with just a pencil. My eyes and lips are too big and my nose is too small, but when I squint, I can tell it is me. I am happy that it is still better than my very first self portrait ever drawn in 2008, yet I am ready to better learn the little tricks to drawing life-like and proportionately accurate.

Something I’ve noticed that has me excited about school is my end goal. I know I need to work through these classes to be able to do what my heart was made to do: art therapy. Although I feel quite drawn to a client base of the homeless or devalued women population, I am quite ready to go where ever God leads me on this journey. He has been known to do things in unexpected ways, so I am looking forward to this adventure.

Once I figure out the rhythm of my life this semester, I will be posting a new class schedule for 2013. I have received several requests for a new soldering class, so I hope to have the information out in a few weeks as to what will be offered. Stay tuned….

5 comments Posted in Art, Balance, Challenge, Classes, God's leading
Mar 27

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming…

for the highlights of Artfest 2012.

This year I brought a new travel companion, my illustrious dotter.
Dotter

We spent the day of registration wandering the beautiful and charming town of Port Townsend, WA. For some reason, the photos are all food related.
I had the best Americano to date here:
Undertown, best Americano ever

And this is my favorite Port Townsend restaurant, Owl Sprit Cafe, fresh, delicious, and flavorful:
Owl Sprit Cafe, favorite eats

My Artfest class line-up had a nice rhythm. I wove my way through different techniques, looking forward to something completely different and new each day.

Theo Ellsworth‘s class was a great start to Artfest. He took my mind on a journey that freed my imagination. And I actually drew for 5 1/2 hours that day. Considering most of my art is abstract or collage, this was a refreshing change. If you haven’t perused his amazing book, Capacity, put it on your list. Theo has a gift of including the reader/viewer in his book/art. When I read it, I felt very much that I was on a real adventure with him.
This is my Mind-Powered Disbelief Suspension Suit:
Suspension suit

I was very excited for Stephanie Lee‘s class for two reasons, so that I could meet face to face this artist I have admired for so long, and so I could add techniques with plaster to my encaustic repertoire. Stephanie has a way with words. I’ve enjoyed her blog for some time, and in person she is still the real deal. Authentic and a joy to be around. And the plaster techniques I learned filled my head with all sorts of swirly ideas. But then there was a bonus for this class. Stephanie had her writing companion, Judy Wise, assisting since the class was so large. Yes, I was smiling from ear to ear. These two gals have written fabulous book together, the reason that prompted me to take this class, Plaster Studio: Mixed Media Techniques for Painting, Casting and Carving.
My favorite technique that day, cracked plaster on burlap:
Plaster on burlap

My dotter and I spent our last class together soaking in stories from Jesse Reno, following his prompts, which led everyone in class to a wildy different end painting. The experience was surreal. My dotter fell in love with painting that day. Since, she has had that glint in her eyes like she’s dreaming up something juicy. As soon as we landed home, she ran to the art store and bought Bristol paper and primary color paints plus black and white. No brushes though. She’ll be using her hands.
My painting from that day: Presence
Presence

The following day, we returned to Seattle and wandered aimlessly, eating more good food and soaking in the sunshine. My favorite discovery was of Emery Carl, A Modern Day Troubadour. He emanated joy, so much so that I had tears streaming down my cheeks. He was doing what he was created to do, and it showed.
Seattle street musician full of joy

Although the next day was a long travel day, we kept ourselves entertained on the flight home by playing with washi paper. Time passed quickly.
Cranes on a plane
Lotus on a plane

And I crashed into my darling’s arms, then melted into the soft sheets of home.

7 comments Posted in Art, Artfest, Inspiring, Liberty
Nov 10

ACHOO {bless you}

AEDM Day 10

Soldered rings
Yes, soldering again today with more to come. The music is from the September 1934 issue of “The Etude Music Magazine.” The Heights ring is from a vintage book of house plans. I like to use the original vintage papers because they react so differently to the heat than copies. Although these papers are about the same age, the magazine yellowed so much more than the house plans. The surprise of the outcome brings me such satisfaction.

I’ve also been busy updating my Etsy shop.

Guess what I did. I RAISED my prices. That’s right. For the time I invest, they were really too low, but even now, still better than retail.

Guess what else. I’m having a SALE until the end of November. Just use the coupon code ACHOO (because before you know it, November will be over) and you’ll receive 15% off your order. Those of you balking at my higher prices can take advantage.

I also want to share that my Artfest friend, Michelle Allen, is having a fabulous drawing for her exceptionally funky camera straps or an original Allen Designs carpe diem clock. But please don’t go enter the drawing or I will be less likely to win.

3 comments Posted in Art, Art Every Day, Music, soldered
Mar 27

And the winner is….

In celebration of opening up my new Etsy shop, I held a drawing for the Who’s Your Sister Soldered Pendant with Marble Charm. Today my trusty studio assistant drew the name out of his hat.

And the winner is…Dena. I will be mailing Dena a lovely little package tomorrow.

Etsy ordered packaging

And thanks to all of you who have stopped by my new shop. I am adding several new pieces each week, using original collage and vintage lace. My latest just may be my favorite so far.

Bird at Home - Archer pendant1 Bird at Home - Archer pendant2

I made the collage pieces for this charm last year at Artfest in one of Misty Mawn‘s classes. The bead attached is a mirage mood bead. I used to love mood rings in the 1970s. This little bead changes color according to body heat, and the colors are so vibrant.

With Artfest just over a week away, I’ve been supply shopping and continue to make my teeny, tiny encaustic collage tile for trades.
More teeny encaustic tiles

Making these is a bit addicting.

 

1 comment Posted in Art, Encaustic, soldered
Mar 20

Grand Opening Day!

The Etsy shop is open! Hurray! That means its time for a Grand Opening Day Drawing. The winner of the drawing will receive my signature “Who’s Your Sister Soldered Pendant with Marble Charm.” The artwork from this charm is taken from a page in my altered hymnal.

Who's Your Sister Who's Your Sister Side 2

So how do you enter this drawing? You can either

I’ll be drawing the winners name next Sunday, March 27.

AND as a bonus for today and tomorrow only (March 20-21 CST) enter the coupon code GRAND when you make a purchase from my etsy shop and receive 20% off.

17 comments Posted in Art, Art Journal, soldered
Nov 13

Chaos and bravery

My desk drawer broke. I found this handsome man looking for a solution.

Handyman

He found one! But I have to wait a whole day for the wood glue to dry.

Fixed drawer

So I have one more day before I have to clean up this mess. Really most of the mess on my desk goes elsewhere, but with stuff scattered on my floor, maneuvering is a challenge. Yes, that’s an excuse.

Chaos

I’ve been admiring so many beautiful paintings lately. Jul at Flogging the Muse uses such rich color. Love it! And I am ever an admirer of Leah’s paintings. I see a story in each one. They inspire me to bravery. You see, I’ve never taken a formal drawing or painting class. Most of my art is collage and color. But I do want to learn.

My brave painting today was done quickly. I did not want to dwell on the details, but to just paint without judging my own work. Maybe I should have closed my eyes.

The beginning of a brave act

Although she is rough, I am rather fond of her because she represents a step forward. I don’t want to allow what I lack to keep me from gaining what I desire. I can’t gain experience unless I’m willing go in to uncharted territory.

Bravery

Art Every Day Month – Day 13: Bravery

To better my skills, I’ve decided to take one of Sharon Tomlinson’s online workshops. I’m wavering between Faces in Technicolor and Faces: All Norah’s. Anyone with experiential advice? Anyone want to step into bravery with me?

amanda ∞

2 comments Posted in Art Every Day, Art Journal
Feb 28

And the winner

of this Sweet & Chunky pile of ephemera is…
This handsome young man offered to help me draw for the Clean Drawer Giveaway.

The winner is Andrea A. Congratulations, Andrea. Watch for an email from moi. Having a creative son myself, I can really appreciate Andrea’s comment:

I love your ideas for storage. I, too, have struggled with an effective paper ephemera storage solution. Right now I have too many different locations for all of it so that when I want a specific piece I have to check about four different locations before, hopefully, finding it. I am definitely going to try your filing system! I collect ephemera from just about everywhere…from clothing tags to garage sale finds to papers from my childhood that the pack rat in me could never part with! My family thinks I’m crazy for saving everything but my youngest son seems to have “caught” the collecting bug as well, as I often find him saving even product or food packaging and saying, “I know what I’m gonna make out of this!” It warms a collecting mother’s heart! ; )

I hope you enjoy your Sweet & Chunky Ephemera Package, Andrea. I made an effort to find a good cross-section of my stash, a bit of everything. And thank you for easing the bursting seams of my ephemera drawer.

amanda ∞

1 comment Posted in Art
Feb 25

Spreading the word: March Art Journal Challenge

Just wanted to encourage you all to join the March Art Journal Challenge hosted by Comfortable Shoes on the Ning network. Here’s what Comfortable Shoes has to say:

Each day in March I will post a prompt of some sort in this group. The prompt could be one word, it could be a material, technique or even a quote. The challenge? To use it in some manner in your art journal THAT DAY!

The idea behind this is to jump start daily art journaling. The goal is to art journal daily but not necessarily to finish a page or spread every day, just to open the journal and work.

The challenges will be posted by their respective week in the discussions. So Week 1′s challenges will go into a discussion titled Week 1 and so on.

You are free to discuss the challenges in the forum, post pics of your results and get ideas from wherever you can!

Did you catch the FREE part? I dig free inspiration. And just in time. My new Moleskine needs to be filled with color.

I’ve gotten a page started and am loving using my Polaroid Pogo Printer I got for Christmas. I took some really bad photos, before and after, from my latest salon experience.

Next to my new Moleskine, you can see the full old Moleskine. It’s quite a bit chunkier once full. My favorite Moleskine journal is the sketchbook, although the watercolor notebook comes in 2nd. Since I write so much, I’ve found I prefer the sketchbook layout rather than the longer spread of the watercolor notebook, but I love the watercolor paper. Next I just need to take the time to make my own custom journal, but one thing at a time.

There is still time to enter the Clean Drawer Giveaway for a chance to win a Sweet & Chunky Ephemera Package. I’ll be drawing this Sunday! In the package will be a juicy mix of ephemera from old handwriting, to typewritten pages, to card, embroidery patterns, magazine articles. Yum.

amanda ∞

2 comments Posted in Art, Art Journal, Challenge
Oct 29

My Mom the Artist

My mom and dad visited last week. Mom and I had fun as she designed some jewelry pieces for gifts, and I soldered for her. I love how they turned out.
Front:

Back:

Friendship Ring:

Front:

Back:

This was her first time creating charms. I think she did such a wonderful job. Her recipients are in for a treat.

I have found that since our school year began, I have had little creative time. Although I would not change for the world how our family has chosen to live, I am longing for time in my art studio. This fun time with my mom just made me realize how long it has been since I made charms. Months! Much too long anyway.

I’ve enjoyed having my focus on drawing this month for The Big Draw 2008. This is an area I’ve really wanted to develop and grow. Since I began my creative journey, my thinking has changed from “I can’t draw” to “well, that looks cool.” My expectations have definitely changed. This has removed alot of baggage that was hindering my from learning to draw in the first place.

  • Side note: The Latin word Impedimentum means hindrance in singular and baggage in plural.

I am ready to move on from my drawing focus though. This next month is Leah’s Art Every Day Month.

Although I plan on participating, I have made a rule for myself that I do not have to post every creative thing I do. So while I plan on “doing” art every day, I may not get it posted if time doesn’t allow. As Carla Sonheim says, “Give Yourself Rules,” along with the quotes she added to reinforce this truth. Establishing this rule will give me the freedom to create without worrying about the extra time it may take to post.

amanda ∞

4 comments Posted in Art, Art Every Day, Balance, Challenge, Family Fun, Hidden Art, Homeschooling, Liberty
Oct 13

The Big Draw day 11 and 12

Day 11: very worn shell in pencil

Day 12: shell in ink

My son brought back a huge tub full of shells after an adventure with his dad last year. I find them so inspiring.

amanda ∞

5 comments Posted in Art, Art Every Day, Challenge
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