Friday, January 25, 2013

Doodling around...

So last night around 10pm, I get the idea to start doodling a large flower. I saw an image I wanted to recreate, and so it began...as my artist friends know, when you get an idea...you must go with it...regardless of sleep!

So what began as a small drawing, I wasn't sure was even going to work, turned into a fun adventure. Yes, adventures can happen on paper with an artist...sounds crazy, but it's true... Some of my best work happens late at night, not sure why that is.

After adding paisleys, leaves, and more flowers, I felt like my creation was ready to be finished. The one thing about doodling is, you can fill the entire page. I liked the look of it being just black pen on white paper, but then of course, adding color peaked my curiosity. Below you can see it both ways, and see how different it looks in each form.



 
I have a feeling I will be doing more of this doodling. Some call it Meditation doodling, Zen doodling or tangling. Regardless, I had fun with it...who knows? Maybe it'll be something I add to my Etsy shop someday...


Have a creative weekend~
Monica

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Heart to Heart...It's the very least we could do...


26 Artists, 26 cards per artist...collected, and made into 26 sets, one for each family devastated by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conneticut.

I am so thankful for all the artists I have meet through my online class, Flying Lessons. We now have a group that stays in touch, and that is how I heard about this wonderful act of kindness. Jessica Brogan, artist and blogger, put this together, and I am so thankful to her. You can find her blog at In search of dessert

Once I finally started my cards, I found it to be such a moving experience...at first it was just playing cards, paint, and paper. As soon as I laid them all across the table after the first coat of paint, it hit me. Hard. 26 cards. 26 LIVES lost...in a senseless act. I took red paint and put a large heart on each one. All I could think about was the hearts lost, and the hearts left broken from their tremendous loss. I cried while I painted. I hugged my daughters. I had them each paint a heart on a card in honor of one of the children.


 
As my children saw me working on them that afternoon, my 9 year old came over and gave me a hug. She said, "This is a really nice thing you are all doing. I bet the kids in heaven are smiling now, that you are doing this for their parents." and tears rolled down my cheeks...and I painted some more... for the 26 lives lost...and the one I'm so blessed to have in my life. Erica Danielle, thank you for always giving me your clear perspective...Mommy loves you! XO

 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy New Year 2013...


This is for me, a very exciting time... I always love the feeling of a brand new year. A new calendar, and a chance to start anew. I've chosen my word of the year, and feel confident it will stand the test of time... 365 days, by my side. I've chosen to introduce my "Word of the Year" with a handful of creative people in what we call a Blog Hop or Blog Circle. You can follow the link at the end of my post which will share other creative bloggers and their word of the year!

 My word this year is FOCUS; which means to concentrate an effort into a particular area. Well,
my life has many areas. My first will be to focus on my daughters. Continue to lead them by example, and to show them that being focused and having goals takes not only determination, but dedication. My oldest will graduate from high school this year, and step into a whole new world, called real life. The second thing I'd like to put some FOCUS on is, my art business. It has grown steadily in the past year, and it's time to get focused on the things that will benefit most. It's so easy to say yes to everything, and lose focus on what's best for my business, professionally and personally. And last but definitely not least, is to look outside my world and FOCUS on others. I have been given the opportunity to work with a handful of teenage boys who are currently live in a group home. They have shown interest in the world of art, and I've been asked to teach. I've taught  kindergarteners, as well as adults, but never teens. I plan to explore the many mediums that art has to offer, and let them focus on whatever they find most interesting to them. I have a feeling I will learn more from them, than they could ever learn from me. I am blessed with this wonderful opportunity to share my love for the arts.

Edited late January to add this photo: My bracelet arrived. Created by My Chickadee Designs


To continue on to the next blog, my friend Chandra is next! You can find her blog by clicking HERE