Gotta tell you the story...

Put yourself in my shoes.

My intention for working in my studio today was to "create something different".  I wanted to venture out from realistic looks.  So got out my paper and taped it to the board on my easel.  I started off by scribbling with water color crayons and blending them with gesso.  I kept some squiggly lines on each side to maybe use for hair later on,  Then I drew the outline of the features of her face using Paynes Gray acrylic paint and my palette knife.

I got out my little palette knife and worked for several hours on the details.  It is a very tedious endeavor because the palette knives aren't really conducive for fine work.  So it's a matter of making a mark and reworking that mark several times.  I happen to enjoy the process.  She was looking pretty good I thought.  Don't you?

I started to receive little nudges from my creative muse.  There were two messages I received.   #1. Although the piece I was working on was looking good it wasn't what my intention was for the day.  To "create something different" was my intention.  #2.  Out of the corner of my eyes I spotted, sitting on my inspiration shelf, my I Wanna See You Be Brave piece that I did a while back.  That was all it took to push me onward.  It's about stepping forward.

With little thought as what to do next I grabbed Carbon Black acrylic paint and Permanent Violet Dark acrylic paint and started smearing them on.  After those dried I added Micaceous Iron Oxide, which is one of my favorites.  I tried to stay clear of the features on her face.  This is the results.

I could feel my inner critic wanting to chime in but I shut her down quickly.   My muse had urged me and I was without doubt that the story wasn't going to end this way.  I couldn't deny the truth, tho, I thought she looked like a pretty werewolf.   I looked at her intently and thought what can I do?    So I laid the board flat and started dropping rubbing alcohol on her and wiping it off.  I then took my charcoal pencil and drew her a chin and one side of her neck.

"Beneath it All"

I am liking her so I titled her.   I don't think she is done but I will stop for now and look at her for a while to decide what to do.  My husband, John, will be surprised when he sees it.

Thanks for your encouragement and support.

what a transformation

Last week I extended an invitation to participate in an creative endeavor I called A Virtual Collaborative Painting.  Quite a while ago I had started painting an  18" x 18", it has just been hanging around in my studio.

So I asked people to look at the canvas and tell me what to add to the artwork.  I would paint their request. My intention was to prove, once again, that  we are all creative and there are no mistakes in art.  There were 7 ladies who joined in on the fun.  I know for certain that each and everyone had a good time and will eagerly participate the next time.  I'll admit, at first,  I thought what the "bleep-bleep"  have I gotten myself into!  :-)  I was getting requests of things I had never drawn before.  Google images became my assistant with inspiration to draw from.  Yet it amazes me how easily I drew/painted each object.  I wasn't worried about the outcome.   I just knew it was all going to be OK.  My creative muse was indeed working overtime.

Let me introduce you to those ladies and what their requests were:
     *Julie Crowe - strawberry plant with a blue/black butterfly on it
     *Jeanne Grode - dainty pink flowers with a hummingbird nearby
     *Zonie Christopher - bullfrog sitting on a lily pad
     *Zenitha Comstock - stars and raindrops
     *Brenda Huggins - clouds and sun
     *Linda Kinnaman - sunflowers
     *Darlene Kwasniewski - a hummingbird drinking from a Canterbury flower

Just six days later ...    what a transformation!

I am blown away with how it all turned out.  I would have never, in a million years, thought a bullfrog sitting on a lily pad would go with what looked like the beginning of an abstract painting.  Every item added to this piece from my seven virtual artist has meshed well together.  What an inspirational piece this has become.

Thank You, Ladies!  I am grateful for each and everyone of you who took me up on this offer to and create art with me.

Guess what else?  I am over the moon excited to let you know this piece of art has been 

and will be going to a good home.

Yes... I am doing the Happy Dance!