Flowers

I don't work in acrylics very much, in fact, I haven't really painted much of late neither.  Anyhow, after watching a Channel 31 show, I was inspired to do this painting using enamel black paint.  I had so much fun using the enamel, dribbling it over the painting and highlighting areas with bigger blobs; this type of art is very "messy" for me but enjoyable.  I found the enamel gave a dimensional effect where I used it thickly.

Branching Out

The Sketchbook challenge for the month is "branching out" and it came quite easily to me. I just used the tutorial from the previous month and just altered it slightly. Drawn with watercolour crayons and ink.

Spilling Over

The March theme for the Sketchbook Challenge is "Spilling Over" http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/. The first thing that came to my mind was a strawberry plant, full in fruit, hence the sketch. I always struggle with backgrounds so thought I would include a poem by Debby Rosenberg.

Sketchbook Challenge - Highly Prized

Here is my contribution to the Sketchbook monthly theme "Highly Prized" http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/. All wildlife comes under that category and unless we take care of them and stop the unnecessary slaughtering, we will see them only in books and photos.

Cosmos

As a participant of the Creative Every Day Challenge http://creativeeveryday.com/ I wanted something rather "freeform" for my first challenge "Cosmos". Lots of yummy ink mess too (I am new to this type of style).

1001 journals

I get so much enjoyment from participating in the 1000/1001 journal project. Unfortunately it is a bit of a gamble whether the journal returns to the originator or not (I guess it's rather like an old-fashioned chain letter), but I think there would be so much excitment if it did make it home.

Here are two entries I recently completed for a journal on the theme "Things We Love".

Autumn Leaves

Something very different for me. A "messy" watercolour, titled Autumn Leaves. To add contrast I decided to attack the painting with indian ink and then splatter the ink over the finished painting.

Life Drawing

Last night a friend and I went to a Life Drawing session at Yarraville. Although very cold, it was a lot of creative fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The last time we both went to a life drawing was almost four years ago; hopefully it won't be this long next time! The lady who ran the session was very friendly and wanted everything just right for the artists and models. Details can be found at http://www.inkandlead.com.au/. The models were lovely and oh so patient, maintaining their poses for anywhere up to 15 minutes. No, they were not nudies but almost burlesque in costume. I experimented with graphite, pencil and colour. The person next to me was using ink and a brush and got some amazing results - I think I may try this next time.

Bib Necklace

After seeing Violette's amazing bib necklace, she inspired me to make one for myself. I made fabric "roses" for the necklace and added some other sparkly embellishments. All in all, it is a quick project whereby anything goes.

To have a look at Violette's blog please visit http://www.violettesfolkart.com/blog.html

Creativity 2010

As a participant in Creative Every Day 2010, this month's challenge is "Body" and I have busily made a couple of things this month (even though we are only at day four of January). I enjoy having themes to work to (although optional) because it makes me think beyond my comfort zone.

Firstly, Alice Cullen (Twilight) fingerless mittens knitted in the most glorious shades of blues and yellows. The pattern is by Nancy Fry and it took only one day to knit.

Secondly, here is a lace cowl knitted in the most lovely fibre IRL (Merino/Seacell), which can also be worn as a wind shelter aka the photo.Lastly, here is a journal entry on dedicating more time to health, learning and nuturing.

Lacemaker ATC

Guess I'm on a roll here - this is another ATC I made, this time of a lady making lace and decorated with some lace (not handmade) down the side of the card.

25 Tatting Motif Challenge - #2 and #3

This is an Artist Trading Card I made with two tatted motifs (a butterfly and a dandelion) on cardstock decorated with paper. I had a break from making ATCs but thought they are perfect for little tatted motifs.

Colour Pencil Art

Dug out my Prismacolors today and did a little more on my Cat colour pencil drawing. All in all, it should have around 30-50 layers by the time of completion (which is a way away). It's a slow process, a WIP (work in progress).

I mainly use watercolour in art as I love the "free" nature of the WC, however for something a little more intense color pencils are the right medium for me.

Creative Mojo

I think my mojo has returned. I was getting frustrated with my watercolours; deep down I didn't want picture perfect yet that was what I was aiming for (if that makes any sense at all). After all, I could use my camera for picture-perfect. I think that's why I find artists such as Frida inspirational.

Anyhow, I dug out my watercolours and brushes, my creative juices are flowing again starting with an autumn watercolour of falling leaves, and also a tree.

Here is the beginning of two pieces :-

Soul Collage cards

I have finally commenced this journey with my Soul Collage Cards. Here are four I have just completed - Abundance, Innner Child, Love My Body, and Source card.

Altered Houses

Here are some MINI houses I altered for a swap. They are just adorable and the ones I received in return are the cutest little things - now to decide what to do with them!

Amazing

Here is an ATC I made for this month's PaperArts Challenge - IO always knew old dress patterns would come in handy for something (in this case, the background paper).

Paper doll

Here is a paper doll made with scrapbooking paper and a picture from a magazine, with wire and beads added for embellishment. This was fun to make. I'm really procrastinating because I made this rather than carrying on with my swap commitments.

Heart

Here is my contribution to the Wednesday Stamper's challenge this week. A heart ATC.

Asia

Here is an ATC I completed for my Wednesday Stamper challenge on "Asia"