New Pages for my Danger Danger Sketchbook Project Theme

I know there are a number of pages here... I have been busy. For some reason Blogger and Yahoo would not let me post the photos last week. So... you get them all in won bang!!! What can I tell you about these pages... First of all... the cover. The cover was completely out of my comfort zone as those who know me would agree... I am pretty much the last person to care for skulls! I think they represent death in such an ugly way in this world ~ but to me death isn't a skull, it is our soul being released to our Heavenly Father. It's not an ugly bone that encases our brains!
I chose the skull however after much pondering on my theme from the Sketchbook Project: Danger! Danger! because it seems to represent danger in this world. I think anyone who is an 'adrenaline junkie' more than likely owns some sort of clothing with a skull printed on it! Not that you have to be an adrenaline junkie to wear things like that! For the cover I found a skull rub-on though I did not like the way it looked, it wasn't representative of what Danger is enough... so I added glue to it, then added red glitter, then I added self-levelling gel, and on top of that I painted it with 'Poppy red' Twinkling H20's. The effect sort of looks like blood and blood is dangerous right??? (This theme is so not me... but in good sportism I continue on to finish).
The dark blue page I have used a number of techniques here... I painted it first with a matt watercolor, then over that with a twinkling H20 dark blue. For the border I painted a magazine page with a lot of text on it with twinkling H20 in blue and cut out the round shapes. Then adhered it to the edges of my page. For the envelope I used a 'coin' envelope and covered it also with a painted text page from a magazine, then added the skull stickers, beaded a rope to lift the lid of the envelope. Inside I am still working on... I am going to do a few "adrenaline junkie" paper charms. This page is on all the extreme sports people do for an adrenaline rush. In researching this idea I discovered that people do a lot of CRAZY and I mean CRAZY things for a rush! And I have to wonder... WHY???? What are they looking for??? And what will happen when they have done every adrenaline rush they could think of? Where will they be then?
The Twilight: New Moon page is pretty much self-explainatory. I went to see New Moon on the premiere night and was almost run down by a bunch of teenage girls getting to my seat! LOL.
The Red page with the woman walking down the street... I completed the page one way and then my son Ben said, "Mom, you wanna know what I would have done for that page?" and so he told me to make it darker so it shows that it is night and not put all the journaling down the middle of the page. He is one smart cookie with a great eye as his idea is much better than mine. The poem I wrote about four years back while reading the Bible. I remember reading on how much evil there is in the world and that we need to be wise in what we do to not be entrapped by it.
The Green page is from a writing technique I have learned called 'word-webbing'. It helps you to think through your ideas and possible connections to your ideas. The main idea on the page being Danger, it stems into all sorts of other ideas that I can use with this project. I thought it would be interesting to put my thought process down on paper for others to see.
Well, that's about it. I hope I haven't forgotten any pages.
Happy Creating Everyone!

Sketchbook Project: Danger! Danger! Theme 3rd Page

My third page for the Sketchbook project: Theme: Danger! Danger! is done! I did this page on "Family". Why? Well, I think many families are lost in 2009. The idea of 'family', two kids, a dog, a happily married couple... white house picket fence and all... Is there a family today without some sort of dysfunction? Are families getting worse or better? I think Families are in Danger of being molded to the world. We text back and forth and have no human contact between each other, we are busy busy busy doing all sorts of things but where is the quality time? It is pretty sad actually.
I love my family. My hubbub and my two sons - the family that God has blessed me with. We try to be strong in the Lord and not be 'worldly' in our wants and needs. It is hard to stay strong though. We all know families who are broken and it is sad for us to see. We pray for God to strengthen our families and to bless each and every one. We pray for those families that are broken that they might find wholeness again. Amen
Happy Creating!

Sketchbook Project: Danger Danger Next entries

Well I have had a little bit of time to work on my sketchbook for my Danger Danger theme. My book has arrived with the due date for December 1st. That gives me 10 days to work on 20 2page spreads. I have finished four pages. This particular page I was able to work on while I volunteered for the program "Inn From The Cold". My Church hosts one night for this program to house 15 homeless people. My hubby and I volunteered for the first time the other night and I had the first part of the night to stay awake for five hours. I was able to work on this page during that time.
I set up the page before I left by painting it with my H20 Twinkling watercolors in Green. Then I cut out the border from a magazine with a lot of text on it and painted it with blue H20. Once dried I outlied the border in black sharpie and adhered to the green page.
I used a white and a black poster paint pen for the lettering.
This was a very mind numbing but fun page to do as I practiced my lettering styles.
Hope you enjoy.
Happy creating everyone!

Sketchbook Project: Danger! Danger! Page 1

I have yet to receive my moleskin journal from "The Sketchbook Project" that is due the beginning of January... so ... I decided to start on the pages myself and I will add them as tip-ins later. My theme is Danger! Danger. I have had about a month to digest my theme and I have pondered upon many ideas. This page came to me as I was watching the movie Lethal Weapon. Not that the movie had anything to do with my page, however, there was alot of violence and drugs, alcohol, murder, immorality etc., in the movie... so... maybe it had more influence than I give it credit for.
I started by simply drawing the words, "Losing Ourselves" as I thought about our world and how we as a society, as the people of this world, truly are in danger of losing ourselves. I thought about the state of our world and how dark it really is, how there is so much violence, anger, hatred, depression, pain and suffering... I realized how easy it is to lose ourselves in this world. Like I say on the page... the world has kicked God out of our schools, government, marriages, even out of our minds as it is being made clear that we are not even allowed to speak our religion to others in some places... we have created a world without protection from God because we have insisted that He not be present in this world! What a sad state of affairs our world is in! I am going to be doing more pages on this as I feel our world is in danger of many things.
Stay tuned...
Happy Creating Everyone!

New Journal Series: Past/Present/Future - My Past

I am going to try and teach art journaling classes at some different Churches and so I am coming up with different prompts to try out. This first one is a prompt from a series I made up called: Past/Present/Future. This page is the first of the series from my past.
I divided the page in half from one corner to the other and drew an outline of my hand in each space. The top space I used for things that I liked in my past. The bottom was for things I disliked about my past. I used the hands to represent myself during that period. As I was doodling I asked myself questions about my past... what were my personality traits? What was most important to me? What did I think? How did I feel? What did I love about being young? What did I hate about being young? What were some things I conquered from my past? (eg. fears, personality traits I didn't like about myself)
I doodled things that I felt were pertinent to myself during my past such as a web because I felt stuck in the "role" I was playing. I didn't know myself back then. I drew a border that was like a movie clip because that is how I see my past ~ in pictures etc.
I think I am going to have to do a less detailed page to teach as I know that not everyone is as detailed as I am. I LOVE detail as I am sure you can tell from my previous works. I think I will do a simple one with suggestions of what to right about or doodle about for those learning for the first time.

Hope you like it!
Happy Creating!

Over The Top Award

My dear blog friend Tammy sent me this award and so I now forward on the joy of receiving it.

The rules are:
I need to pass this award on to five people, post on their blog to let them know I left this award, and then I need to answer a list of questions.
So here we go:

1. Where is your cell phone?… I think it's in my purse.
2. Your hair?… Long, brown with blonde highlights
3. Your mother?… hmmm... she's probably at her home
4. Your father?… with the Father in Heaven
5. Your favorite food?… hmmm? Do I have a favorite? Stuffed Peppers
6. Your dream last night?… Wierd, bizarre, freaky... something about a grocery clerk coming after my family with a bunch of vikings????
7. Your favorite drink?… OrGano Green Tea
8. Your dream/goal?… When I get to Heaven God will say to me, "Well done good and faithful servant!"
9. What room are you in?… Currently the basement
10. Your hobby?… Art... but it's more than a hobby to me
11. Your fear?… future pain in my body as I get older
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?… Sitting in the sun in Arizona
13. Where were you last night?… My girlfriend Kelly's visiting
14. Something that you aren’t?… Extremely adventurous
15. Muffins?… zuchini cranberry (low fat of course! lol)
16. Wish list item?… More art supplies always.
17. Where did you grow up?… Richmond, BC
18. Last thing you did?… helped hubby with expenses
19. What are you wearing?… Jammies
20. Your TV?… Off usually (no cable)
21. Your Pets?… Mila (toy poodle papillion)
22. Friends?… Wonderful
23. Your life?… joyful, loving, fun, full of surprises, always searching and seeking God.
24. Your mood?… currently... fair... usually rollercoaster
25. Missing Someone?… my Dad
26. Vehicle?… Volkswagon Jetta
27. Something you're not wearing?… Shoes
28. Your favorite store?… Scott's Christian Parable Bookstore in Red Deer
29. Your favorite colour?… Green/Pink
30. When was the last time you laughed?… lastnight - I did something very foolish trying to balance my feet on a tilting table and I fell out of bed directly hitting my butt on the hard surface! What was I thinking?????
31. Last time you cried?… a few weeks ago... looks like it's time pretty soon!
32. Your best friend?… Jesus
33. One place that I go to over and over?… Definitely inside my head
34. Facebook?… Yes, but cautiously now
35. Favorite place to eat?… at home.

I was supposed to answer in one word but I didn't realize that until the end so it's more than one word! lol.

I'd like to pass this on to some bloggers who not only leave me wonderful comments but are truly genuinely loving and generous people who I have really enjoyed getting to know.

1. Fadwa 2. Tammy 3. Michelle 4. Shelley

Teesha Moore Inspired Journal Page

So... after following along the conversation on Blissfully Art Journaling I went to the Teesha Moore Website and watched her recent video postings on how to create her fabulous art journaling pages. Her videos are easy to follow and she gives very clear directions and tips as well as revealing which products she likes the best. From watching these videos I was able to create this page and had a great time doing it!
I always wondered how she created her beautiful pages so full of bright colors. Now everyone can know. I highly recommend checking this out! She did a great job! More video tutorials are coming on how she does her lettering! I can't wait!
Happy Creating Everyone!

My Community Pumpkin Walk

Last night the community where we live held a 'Pumpkin Walk' and it was very beautiful and such a fun experience. They gave out free hot chocolate as everyone walked through the aisles of lit up pumpkins donated from the people in our community. There were some amazing pumpkins as you can tell from the selection of pictures. My favorite was the face of the cat. The intricate carving of the skeleton coming out of the pumpkin left me baffled as I had no idea pumpkin carving could be as elaborate ~ same with the skeleton eating the mouse.
Next year my family vowed to take part in the walk and carve some pumpkins too. We don't do 'Halloween' so we don't usually carve pumpkins - but next year we will be sure to have some fun with it!

I hope you enjoy the pictures. Let me know what your favorite is?
Happy Creating!

Just Another Alien...

Just Another Alien In This Foreign Land

A sorry place where my body dwells
Living in this world inside my shell
My eyes as the window to my soul
And what is seen within me holds.
Just another alien in this foreign land.
In this world but ‘of it’ I am not
Though here for awhile to cast my lot.
To build up treasures above my eyes
For the next place I go, and so wait in disguise.
Now here I observe and learn as I can
How precious every life beheld in His hands,
I watch and I ponder as I see darkness and light
discerning the battles of spiritual fights.
Not seen with the eyes but felt with the heart
The struggles of others until sorrow departs
Compassion and sadness fills me to despair
As I wait for our Saviour as His Word declares.
Praying through tears that the others will come
To know Him and love him as we have done.
We wait… and continue to stand firm and strong
In this world… in this sadness… where we do not belong.
Just another alien in this foreign land.


By Kelly Lynn Watts
October 29, 2009

Well I've done it! My first return "Happy Mail - my version of Mail Art. I had a blast puting this piece of mail together. I don't know why I haven't done this before. I didn't even know about mail art until Shelley contacted me and sent me her mail art which excited me very much.
I went to the dollar store to purchase all the cheesy fun letterhead I could find and I found a number of them. One of them had houses on the top and I cut them out and put them on the bottom. of the 6x6 page of the front of my mail art. For my envelope I used a 6x6 scrapbook page protector and taped down the side with the holes. This made a protective cover for my art sheets. After placing the houses on the sheet I then began to doodle around them.
I plan to continue to create some mail art so if you would like to exchange some please leave a comment and we can set up a trade.
Happy Creating Everyone!

Happy Mail From Shelley

Two days ago I received my first piece of "mail art" from Shelley. She learned from my blog that I have been sick for awhile with Pneumonia and she contacted me for my address because she wanted to send me something to cheer me up (How sweet is that????). I have never spoke with her before, she is a complete stranger to me! My heart was touched that someone would do that for me. When I got the envelope I was amazed at it! She did such a great job I didn't want to open it (even just opening the top with a knife). Inside was 11 pages of a hand written letter, and it was wonderful. First of all, I haven't received a hand written letter in years - how refreshing it was to receive one from her. She is a great letter writer and kept me thoroughly entertained! Thank you Shelley for your mail art and lovely letter was very much appreciated. I am working on sending you one back!
Hugs to you and your family!
The ART of Hand Letters has risen again! Yay!
Happy Creating Everyone!

Look Into My Future

Look Into My Future

I have kept the drawing close to me until I was inspired with what I should put around the figure. Yesterday I read through some of my poetry... as I have tons... and I took another look at my poem called "Look Into My Future". It is about having a vision of what happens the further you give your life to Christ. A renewal takes place and this poem describes that renewal process.
I only used an excerpt of my poem because I felt it was most relevant to the image.
Let me know what you think.

Happy Creating Everyone!

The Lord Lifted Me

In all my busy-brained-mind, I forgot to load this on my blog even though I mentioned that I had on the groups that I belong too. Silly me!
So... this drawing... Vicky from Everyday Matters (a Yahoo group) posted a link to posemaniacs website and I instantly fell in love! I have looked for a site like this for a long,long time without success until now. This site has numerous poses of the human body in male and female form (not graphic besides woman's breasts) but it shows you the muscles in the body during certain poses. It is fabulous! I did this drawing from the pose "floating" female. I do not know why I love drawing people but I am truly taken with it. The human body is so complex I don't think we can ever know everything there is to know about it... only God our Creator knows everything.
I love looking at the poses and really studying the muscles and how they are formed under the skin. The site also has poses of hands which you can move around a bit to get the exact position you are looking for. I am a huge fan of drawing hands if you haven't already guessed from my work.
If you get a chance, take a look at this site and you will not be disappointed.

Happy Creating everyone!

Rejoice In The Lord Always

I took out my Bamboo Tablet today for the first time in months and decided to play around a little bit. This is the outcome of my playing around with the photoshop program and using some of my digital scrapbooking files.

The other night I was feeling really sick, finding it difficult to breathe and I couldn't sleep even though I knew and my hubbub knew that I really needed to rest. I asked him to read to me and I shut off my night lamp and snuggled into his arms (as I am not contagious anymore)... and he began to read.

Philippians 4...
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus....
whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

I was thinking about these verses and then I started thinking about the world and how people are today... it doesn't seem to me that the above things (true, noble, right, pure...) are on a lot of peoples minds these days. It takes work when we are in the world to remain pure-of-heart. With so many worldly things pounding into our brains from tv, media, radio, other people... it is difficult to stay completely focused on what is good for others and for ourselves. That is why it is so refreshing to study the Word... to remind us to keep our thoughts and our lives pure and holy.

I hope you enjoy it ~ even though it is digital.
Happy Creating Everyone!

Blog Action Day - Climate Change

Today is apparently "Blog Action Day". I received this email from Tom, one of the member of the art group I belong to called "Everyday Matters".

Dear all,

Today is Blog Action Day, an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day on their own blogs with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance. Blog Action Day 2009 – focusing on climate change – will be the largest-ever social change event on the web.

I am going to try to make a picture today about some aspect of climate change and add it to my blog. If you do the same, the idea is to then add a link to http://www.blogacti onday.org

Tom

So... here is my page on the climate change in my part of the world, Calgary, Alberta from 2002 - Today in October 2009.

It's not looking too good for bright sunny weather in Calgary like it was in 2002.

I know it is a VERY rough drawing. Just my contribution to the cause.
Happy Creating everyone!

Stuff I've Been Working On... Need Opinions

Just to update everyone on the homeward front... I still am fighting the pneumonia. Today is my last day of antibiotic #2 and energy wise I have been feeling really good today. I was even able to talk to my girlfriend on the phone without having to stop to take extra breaths every few seconds! The antibiotic is really hard on the stomach though... but I take my last one before bed tonight ~ YAY! I am hoping to be out of bed by this coming weekend as I know I have to take it slow so that I don't get sick again. I have a question for anyone out there that knows anything about Pneumonia... can it ever be a hereditary illness??? My mom was telling me that my dad used to get Pneumonia all the time and was told by doctors that he should move to a drier climate... so just meditating on that one as I seem to have a tendency towards respiratory infections.

Onward to what I have been working on...
#1 The Dutchess: I think this page is finished but I am thinking of adding color to her dress? Maybe using some H20's... the problem with that is that I drew her in my sketchbook and not on watercolor paper... or I might leave her the way she is.
What do you think?

#2 Lady with The Blue Border: I have been stuck on this piece for days... She originally had short hair but her face was too big so I made the face smaller and glued her onto another page... Now I don't like how brown her hair is... I added a few pink flowers to her hair though I am thinking I need to add more texture to it. I am also not sure what to do around her...
Any Ideas?

#3 Doodled High heel Shoe: I finished this one off from the ones I posted last week.

#4 Butterflies, Butterflies...: On one of these 'very boring' days I have been sitting in bed I began to draw some butterflies and it just progressed into a whole bunch of different butterflies. Now I am not sure what to do with them. Any suggestions?

#5 New Fairy: I am not quite finished this one. I still have to work on the background and add some finishing touches to the fairy itself. I added some doodling to her face and I don't really like it now and want to rub it out and draw it again... Am I being too much of a perfectionist?

#6 All Over The Place: Laying here has made my mind go all over the place with ideas and colors but I have too much on my brain right now! I drew this one and kept drawing shapes overtop of shapes and in rows etc. I am thinking of calling it "Creation" I am not satisfied with it.

That being said... I am not satisfied with much of my art these days and I'm thinking it has to do with "cabin-fever". I have been in bed too darn long! LOL. So, am I going crazy or can I work with any of these pictures? Should I put them aside until I'm feeling better before I really make a mess of things?

If you have any opinions on the above projects I would certainly appreciate hearing from you.

Thank you to everyone for all your thoughts and prayers these past few weeks. I am sure I will be feeling better really soon!

Hugs and happy creating everyone!

Woke up To Snow Covered Ground

I woke up this morning and went to put Mila pup out in the back yard and discovered it had snowed a couple inches lastnight. The one good thing about being isolated indoors right now is that I do not have to think about the snow or go out in it. I am not a huge fan of it! I would rather be sitting in the sunshine somewhere allowing the sun to penetrate my skin and warm me to the bone. I am really not complaining.

I don't think I have ever been a snow person ~ I attempted skiing once and really didn't care for the cold wet part (not to mention that that trip I almost divorced my husband because he allowed his friend to put me on the chairlift first thing before teaching me how to ski and I couldn't get off at the top... that's a whole other story), or for the skiing down a steep slope part and being out of control... y'no thanks! I am not the most coordinated individual and I think adding skiing or skating to the mix, well that just spells disaster - LOL. In fact, when I met my husband I agreed to go on a nice romantic skating date with him... I ended up falling and pulling him down with me (I also ended up tearing the ligaments in both of my ankles! LOL). I don't know... maybe I have never had the right teacher? I don't think I will attempt it again!

It is funny how God works... I know He has a sense of humor... I hate the cold and love the heat and sun. I usually get really sick in the fall and winter. My husband loves the cold and hates the heat and sun as he breaks out in a really bad heat rash and ends up having to go on steroids. Does anyone know of where we can live that is a little of both perhaps? LOL.

Well, happy creating everyone... I have worked on a number of things this week but have not had the energy nor the inclination to finish any of them. I am really looking forward to this pneumonia leaving my body ~ last day on antibiotic #2.

Dreaming of Arizona While at Home With Pneumonia

I know the title says it all... but I really and truly am dreaming of Arizona while being stuck, isolated in my bedroom with pneumonia! It is going on over 4 weeks now and I am on round 2 of antibiotics, not allowed visitors blah... blah... blah...
I'm sorry... I am not meaning to be a complainer so it all stops here. It's in Your hands God. Amen.

So Calgary... yep... we have managed to get some snowfall and I am reading some magazines that have really got me drivelling at the possibility that this Spring I might actually plant my very first flower/butterfly garden. As I mentioned in earlier posts I discovered this wonderful little magazine called Birds and Blooms and then one more called Nature's Garden and I am not a gardener but I have to tell you I am in awe of what some people are capable of - I mean the talent it takes to grow these gorgeous flower gardens is amazing. It is nothing like what I thought where you simply plant flower seeds here and there and watch them bloom and grow... no... some of these people really know what they are doing and have planned out each section according to height and color and depth of each flower... it truly amazes me! It has made me determined to perfect this flower growing business and so I am reading up as much as I can to see which flowers and plants attract which sorts of birds and what to feed the birds (all the while remembering that I live in Calgary and everything does not grow the same here)...
That being said I have a wonderful friend who is going to come over and help me in the spring to plan out some options for our yard! Yay!

I think this pneumonia has really gotten to me because it's made me think of all sorts of crazy ideas for the spring... for my art... for my house... I have had too much time on my hands to think! think! think!
Pray for me if you will that God my bless me with healing from this illness and that I will be on the road to recovery very soon!
Blessings to all of you creative people!
... still longing for the warmth of the Arizona heat, the smells of orange trees, looking at all the birds fluttering from tree to tree... dreaming of Arizona...
Goodnight.

Redeemed

REDEEMED

She lays on the vile ground dead in spirit... earth fallen free of life, wanting desperately to be free... longing for a way out!
Torn... broken into pieces... shattered even to the point that she feels she will never be made whole again.
A presence approaches...
Laying still, silent but for the pounding of her heart... too numb to be afraid or care that she is not alone. Her head aching from the ground beneath... eyes glazed over and blurred with tears. She watches two feet stop in front of her.
So tired... so weak... 'it must be one more person coming to judge her', she thinks.
'Like they can judge me more than I already judges myself!'.
These feet do not move... just standing there in the same place before her... they do not look firm and ready to judge but soft... so soft... they are beautiful and glowing like the sun. She is confused by them. 'Why does this person of obvious great beauty stand before her?' Her... a lost soul broken... damaged...
She waits for words accusing...
Nothing!
Not a sound escapes into the gentle wind this presence has brought with it.
Momentarily forgetting who she is a small hope rises inside of her. A mysterious knowledge wakens her senses building up determination from a place long forgotten.
If only she can gather up enough strength to lift her arm... if only to touch the feet that have emanated sudden warmth from darkness hovering!
She breathes a strained heavy sigh... lungs refusing to fill with air... all strength failing. In desperation she mouths the words, 'please help me' not knowing if this presence can even see her lips.
A light much like a tiny star falls down upon her skin, she watches as it sinks through her skin feeling it flowing like rushing water to her limbs... lifting them? The upward motion of her arms is unmistakable... they are definitely lifting... reaching without effort from her failing fallen body!
The moment the tips of her fingers graze the surface of these angelic feet her body is jolted! Electric currents of living water race through her!
A love unlike any she has ever experienced or received fills her. Tears, long run dry, flow freely as they wash over her skin cleaning the grime away, thick layers becoming smooth. Strength renewed in newness unabashed by anything in the world, now more than restored, race through her as mountains of adrenaline released have made new.
Joy... indescribable joy has conquered the darkness, the bareness of her heart!
She remains still though her spirit soars within her. Eyes flooding with tears again shed heavy scales falling to the ground with lightening, thunderous movement and sound.
Quiet...
No...
Silence...
The Earth is completely silent!
Even her breathing and pounding heart... all is still as she lays waiting... waiting.
With one flicker of movement at a time her eyelids open... a brightness never seen fills her vision. She is in awe!
Lifting her head now with ease she turns to look at the beautiful angel that has saved her... revived her from death... it is gone leaving only a fading glow in its place.
She stands and looks over her body for any sign of brokenness that just minutes ago enveloped her like a dark cloud following closely... nothing! Not even the scars remain to remind her!
Her skin glitters like precious jewels. She remains in awe as a foreign movement lifts her face... something that has not occurred in decades...
...
...
she smiles!

By Kelly Watts

Time for Some Zentangles

Well... I have taken my last antibiotic pill yesterday and I am still sick with Pneumonia - going on four weeks now. It is not great, but it is what it is and I am certain I will be feeling better soon! I am not going to complain!
With that said, I have been rather productive artistically speaking with working on some zentangles. These are so great to work on while lying in bed not able to do much, very relaxing even though my hubbub would rather I just lay here and rest (I can't do that... I need to be doing something! lol). So... my head went to work and I decided to draw some shoes and a purse (girlie things). I purchased some artwork in Honolulu when I was there back in 2006 and they are all fish with doodles in them... so I thought to myself 'well if this artist could doodle inside of a fish I should be able to doodle inside of an image that I really love'. I LOVE shoes even though my budget does not allow for all the fancy shoes I love. So... when you are given lemons... you draw shoes! Hee-hee!
Hope you enjoy my zentangle accessories.
Happy Creating Everyone!

Smiles On Faces Award

Thank you Fadwa for giving me this "Smiles on Faces" award. This is my goal every day that I should put a smile on everyone's face that I meet or for anyone who reads my blog! Thank you so much for sharing this with me as I am inspired by you greatly.

So, as Fadwa did on her wonderful blog... I shall share 5 facts about myself;
1. I am an artist who is just coming into my own (so to speak). I am finding my favorite mediums and objects of my affection, beginning to soar on this road of creativity out into the world.
2. I treasure my friends and always look to build up and encourage them above all other things, never putting down or gossiping about them.
3. I thank God that I am His child and look forward to my eternity with Him.
4. I am a mother of two wonderful boys who are very much BOYS and I am very much of a girly girl needing my girl time regularily!
5. I am blessed with an amazing husband who loves me so much he said to me just the other day that he would move me to Arizona one day if it meant that I would have a better immune system there (as I thrive in the heat and sun) (He is highly allergic to the sun and heat)... thoughtful so much he would sacrifice his own comfort to make me happy. (I could never ask this of him).

So I am forwarding on this wonderful award to my favorite five fellow artists;
(Click on their names to see their lovely work)
Michelle
Melissa
Margaret
Lynn
Adrienne

Thanks again Fadwa!
Happy Creating Everyone!

In The Land of Butterflies and Fairies

I have been in the land of Butterflies and Fairies lately as I have been pretty much stuck in bed with this silly flu/cold. I don't know what it is and I hate it! My youngest is home with some sort of virus (not the swine flu - thank You God! as we got him checked out at the doctor). His eyes are red like pink eye and his throat is red and spotty like strep throat and yet he has neither. Strange business this is.
So being that I am confined to my bed I have managed to pull out my Twinkling H20's (which I simply cannot get enough of lately) and set myself up (like Frida) and have gone to work (when I am feeling good enough to do so).
I found this lovely little magazine called "Birds and Blooms" and the front cover had a gorgeous photo of a Monarch butterfly perched upon a burnt umber sunflower. I knew I had to give it a try and paint it. I was surprised it turned out so good as I had never before used the "China Black" Twinkling H20. I wasn't certain that it would be black like I needed it to be for the Monarch but 'low and behold' (whatever that means??) it turned out beautifully! I was extremely pleased with the outcome. I cannot recommend Luminarts Twinkling H20 watercolors enough! They are so smooth to work with and shimmer like you wouldn't believe!
I don't know why fairies have been on my mind so much... they are so mystical and beautiful... it must be that I have recently visited with my gorgeous little nieces (whom I already miss dearly!) and gifted them with some fairy crafts that have got me thinking about them. I am also reading the Twilight series (click on the list on the right to purchase from Amazon) (HIGHLY RECOMMEND AS WELL)... and the story is very mystical also, and romantic and nothing violently gross like most vampire stories! Anyway... off topic (shiny object!)... never mind... to continue...
fairies... right... I decided to draw this little beauty and name her "Autumn" (I know, original isn't it!) lol.
We have had such a fabulous September that fall has gently come upon us sweeping leaves through the parks... we have been able to enjoy the changing of season in the sunshine and abnormal high temperatures for Calgary. Our usual fall tends to happenstance upon us with a gigantic dump of snow which means we do not get to see the beautiful trees gently changing before us... it's summer then BAM! it's winter for six to eight months (depending upon the year)! Needless to say... this fall has thus far been beautiful and inspiring and the reason for my naming my new fairy "Autumn".
I hope you enjoy her!
Happy Creating Everyone!

Freedom

I have been working on this page for a few days now delighting in using my H20's by Luminart (metallic watercolor paints). I wanted to draw a whimsical drawing of a woman completely taken by freedom to let the wind blow through her hair, no worries or cares crowding her mind. I tried to get my families opinion on the drawing/painting - if I should add more to it ~ they had a hard time advising me as they are all "boys" afterall and this is a very "girlie" page! So... I am turning to YOU and requesting your advice. Should I add anything to this page... or should I leave it as it is????? I was thinking about adding words to it. My hubby says he would like me to leave some of my drawings blank (without words)... what do you think?
I would appreciate your comments.
Happy Creating Everyone.

Pure Bliss

Taking in as much sunshine as I can get today I began to sketch out the shape of a tree. I started with a "U" shape for the branches and what formed in my mind was a mother holding a baby resting on the branches. We see kids and teenagers climbing trees all the time but what you do not see are mothers climbing trees with their infants (probably because it is dangerous). However I looked beyond that point, to where it was no longer dangerous... to where a mother and babe could rest within the comfort of the branches and enjoy each others company. I wanted it to portray a lackadaisical day in the life of a mother and babe and this was the image that came to the forefront.
Becoming a mother for the first time was a dream "come true" for me. Pure bliss every morning I woke up carrying the child in the womb and pure bliss once I first set eyes upon my newborn son. The time that we were blessed with together will never be forgotten in my heart to be cherished forever.
In this painting I wanted to capture the peace, contentment and pure joy involved in sharing a moment like this with your child. Pure Bliss for sure.

Happy Creating everyone.

Artist Date - Taking a Peek at Nature

This morning I woke with great purpose in mind... I needed to find my 'happy place'! I asked hubbub how his day looked to which he replied, "I'm spending it with you!" (bonus). Picking up the phone I asked my girlfriend if I could borrow her Digital SLR and sent hubbub to pick it up. The weather looking somewhat questionable, I dressed in capris a t-shirt and long sweater and we set off for our adventure by vehicle. Twenty minutes later we were at our destination "Inglewood Bird Sanctuary". It is inconceivable to me that we have never been to this beautiful place! Living in this city almost eight years and not knowing what this 'Inglewood Bird Sanctuary' really was. I plan to make this a regular spot on my artist dates!
Working our way through serene paths we craned our necks up and down as we scanned tall trees for bird life (not exactly knowing what we were doing). Hands softly joined together by a couple of fingers, enjoying the peace we were encountering, wondering why we do not make more time like this to do what we were doing...
Ahead of us a gentleman pointing his gigantic lens to the top of rather tall tree my heart started to patter the closer we got... what was he so consumed with? Looking high above us I said to hubbub, "It's a bird, it's a large bird!!!", seeing only the bottom half of its body. Maneuvering this way and that to peer through the leaves the full picture came into view and what it beheld filled me with great joy! Not only one, but two gorgeous bald headed eagles perched high above us sitting regally beside one another. I zoomed in with girlfriends camera and was able to capture these lovelies in what seemed like such a miracle-moment for me. 'Thank you God for giving me this' I gently spoke. This was most certainly my 'Happy Place'.
Reluctant to leave the eagles, but knowing there was much more to see in this sanctuary I headed forward through the paths with hubbub pulling me away step by tiny step from my prized possessions (but I did have beautiful photos). With only the sound of my flip flops breaking through the silence we walked through the trees smelling the fresh crisp air, I chided myself for all the busyness I have placed into my life... for not taking more time to 'smell the fresh crisp air!' Why do we do that? We create so many things in this life that take us away from peace, joy and love... seriously, we do it to ourselves! Bad Kelly! Bad Kelly!
Feeling much more aware of what I wanted out of life... (more of this!) I thought I spotted another large bird on a tree across the river. I wasn't sure at first that it was even a bird due to its stealth-like stillness... I zoomed in and to my amazement I was met with a bird I had never seen wild before - a beautiful blue heron. I would have never thought to look high in a tree for this bird ~ I had always imagined it the shore of a river, but there it was in all its glory.
The entire time spent seeking my 'Happy Place' trying to take a peek at nature, and upon loading my photo's I realized nature was taking a peek at me!
Enjoy the photos, I hope they bring you as much joy as they brought me.
Happy Creating everyone!