Just JUMP!

It's funny how you see/hear or read the thing you need to see/hear or read right when you need to, isn't it? After seeing this quote, in between packing up my townhouse today, I have proclaimed this week "Leap week" because this week I am moving to another part of San Diego County. I'm leaving the cities I've known for the past 13 years, and starting a new adventure. I always look at my life in chapters...so this is chapter number who knows what! I lost count awhile ago. This chapter will include new adventures for me personally, and professionally. I have decided to take some more art classes this Fall, as well as a few business courses. As far as me personally, all the things I am familiar with, will be unfamiliar at first. New grocery store, bank, cleaners, gas station, post office, and all those places that make your city feel like home. I will adjust, I have before. What will be unfamiliar, will soon be home and familiar to me. Like I said, this will become another chapter in my life book that I know will bring me much joy and lots of lessons. They all seem to do that. So, I hope that if you are challenged by anything new or different this week, that you will join me in a leap of faith and do it...just JUMP!

~Monica

My girl J...

So many things have me feeling nostalgic these days. My oldest and first daughter is graduating from high school in just about a month. Everyone said it would go by fast, and it sure did! I call her J, although I swore when she was born I'd only use her
full name, Jessica. Not Jessie or Jess. Those are two tomboy for my girl. So she became J-bird, which eventually became J.

Last weekend as we worked together at The Queen Bee Market, this was my 4th show, and she's helped every time. It hit me as I saw her interact with my customers, "she's all grown up!" As we tore down the booth and got a little punchy, we were laughing and joking so hard, we were crying. At the silliest things. At things that later... would not be nearly as funny! She has become not only my assistant, but one of my best friends. I must say that I'm thrilled she's staying close for college. I think I may need to change my business name to The Artsy GirlS Studio someday... Not sure what I'd do without my faithful assistant! Love you J.

All for a great cause...

This is my nephew Thomas. The handsome boy in the middle, surrounded by his beautiful cousins...

He is one of the sweetest 8th graders I know. He will always have a very special place in my heart, because I babysat him for his first year of life. We bonded. In just a few weeks, he is graduating from Middle School. His school is having a Fine Arts Gala/Fundraiser which supports the Music, Choir and Art Departments, and so they asked me to do a few canvases for the Silent Auction/Raffle.

I asked my sister in law if the teachers could give me any sheet music they had to use as a background. That way I could make it more special to the parents and children who were part of the program.

Although I kept the designs on here very simple, it was on purpose. So that the sheet music, and pencil notes on them could be seen, and appreciated. I hope they do well. The best part for me was to help out, and to have my nephew say, "my Auntie made that." It brings a smile to my face...

~M

 

How does she do it? Behind the scenes...

So tomorrow morning I'm being interviewed for a video series on www.rubyandthemoon.com I'm excited, honored and nervous...all at the same time! We are taping it, and then Danielle will do her magic, and it will be posted in the upcoming weeks. I'll be sure to let you guys know when it posts... That's of course, if I like it! LOL...

Update: Video interview...
So today I feel like I made a new friend. Danielle from www.rubyandthemoon.com was an absolute delight to talk with. We did the official interview, and then chatted just as long "off camera", as we did on! Danielle and I found that our initial common thread of having a child with Aspergers Syndrome can give you such a feeling of being understood, we couldn't help but bond immediately. We are both artists as well, and love what we do! I look forward to sharing the link to the finished/edited version of the interview soon! Stay tuned.

Have a fabulous weekend. Spring has definitely arrived in Southern California!
HERE is the link! Apologies for it taking so long...

How does she do it? The interview!

~Monica

Five Fabulous Friday Favorites....

Say that FIVE times fast!

Just kidding... I thought I'd share my favorite five things so far this month, in no particular order...just because I love sharing! Maybe I'll do this once a month, or maybe even more often! So here goes...

#1 The Shoppe at Somerset
This is a shop from Stampington and Company, the publishers of all the Somerset magazines. I love that they have their items by product type, not by vendor. I did a little creative spending there this week, and cannot wait for that box to arrive.

 

#2 This cart from IKEA

It's perfect for all my paints, and endless art supplies. It is on my "Must have" list! (also known as my, "must have money first" list) It's actually a great price, and in true Ikea fashion, you must put it together yourself...

 

#3 Blick Studio Art Boards

I love this option of a different surface than canvas, with the endless size options, just like canvas! Not much more to say...a current fav!

 

 

 

 

#4 Faber Castell Mixed Media Studio Caddy Gift Set

This big guy reminds me of the biggest box of Crayola Crayons when you were a kid. You know, the one with the built in sharpener? Yeah, that one! I own a few of these items, and they are a great product

 

 

#5 "I'd rather be in the studio" Book
I haven't read it yet, but it's on the way to my house as we speak. As an artist, it's tricky to know how/when/how much to promote my art and business. Like it says, "I'd rather be in the studio" which is so true. I plan to take the author's online course in 2013 as well.

Well, this list could go on and on, but since it's limited to five, I must stop. Hope you enjoyed my Five Fabulous Friday Favs!

Keep Creating~
Monica

Somerset Studio is in the house!

My second submission to Somerset arrived yesterday in the mail!

They had chosen, "She let her dreams take flight" but somehow, the instructions included with it were for the other canvas I submitted titled, "She built her wings." An easy mistake, I hadn't even realized HOW close in titles they were. Since chances are, Somerset Studio will want to make a correction to include the instructions at a later date, I am attaching a photo of the canvas they gave you instructions for! Does that make any sense? I hope so!

So, here is a photo, as well as the full instructions to create this 8x8 canvas...

 

 

Materials

• Paints by Americana: Calypso Blue, Royal Fuschia, Lamp Black, Light buttermilk, Desert Turquoise and Celery Green
• Handmade stencil for a piece of scrapbook paper, for background
• Birdcage,  from a chipboard album. (Used as a stencil on black scrapbook paper)
• Various floral rub-ons
• Tim Holtz tissue tape “imagination”
• Bird was used from an online printable
• Mod Podge
• Sponge brushes
• Various paintbrushes
• Typed out words on copy paper
• Sharpie black pen

Instructions:

1.       Paint the entire canvas Calypso Blue. Include the sides of the canvas as well.

2.       Use a swirly stencil overlay and sponge paint  with desert turquoise paint  (in the bottom left corner)

3.       Cut out the bird from the paper, and paint the bird with desert turquoise paint.

4.       Use modpodge to glue down the bird onto the canvas.

5.       Dab the fuschia paint around the bird with a sponge brush.

6.       Trace and cut out birdcage from black paper.  Before placing it on the canvas, use a dry

paintbrush and add definition to the birdcage with a Light Buttermilk paint.

7.       Take a thin paintbrush and edge the birdcage in black paint too.

8.       Use modpodge to adhere the birdcage to the canvas.

9.       Apply the tissue tape onto the birdcage.

10.   Take your rub-ons, and add them onto the birdcage, and canvas corners.

11.   Cut out your wording from the copy paper and edge with black sharpie pen.

12.   Paint the large wording on the canvas where desired.

13.   Place typed words, and modpodge them down to canvas, over the rub-ons.

14.   Add some definition to the bird, by adding details with black paint, and sharpie pen.

15.   Dry brush the tissue tape with celery green paint.

16.   Take a thin paintbrush and paint green on some of the rub-on leaves to add color. Edge the rub-on flowers with fuschia paint for definition.

 

Feel free to leave  a comment if you have any questions~

Keep Creating,

~Monica

 

 

 

 

 

It's here...

     My first published artwork in a magazine has arrived! It's been placed in Somerset Apprentice, and I could not be more thrilled, even though I have known for months about it's arrival. Because magazines work so far ahead, this artwork was submitted back at the end of last summer. I feel so honored to be amongst so many fabulous mixed media artists in this magazine. The Spring 2013 Issue is available on newstands within the next week or so. 

Psst...I just confirmed my second piece of artwork to be featured this Spring as well, but I'll post about that at a later date...

Keep Creating~
Monica