Planning, Painting and Packing

Hi Everyone!  I've been a bit quiet on here of late as I have been busy planning and preparing for for a number of upcoming events including the Unruly PaperArts Retreat, Packing to move house next week.  In between I have been spending some time in my studio playing with paint.  I have been enjoying creating on large canvases and large mixed media paper sheets and over the past weekend I had the opportunity to join a number of other highly creative ladies to play with paint, pastels and other mediums sharing ideas and techniques.

My latest work in progress

Here's a look at a couple of my recent creations including some from the weekend.

Butterflies in the Garden (Mixed Media)

In the Woods on a Rainy Day

Lighthouse Beach Close Up (Pan Pastels)

Waterlillies (Acrylic)

Clowning Around
 (ATC Traded for recent Art Athon at ATC's for All)

Halloween Mona
created for Mona Lisa Outtakes ATC Swap

Our theme this month over at Unruly PaperArts is called Chip off the Old Block and it is exploring the wonderful ways you can dress up and use chipboard and some other specialty papers in your work, so be sure to pop over and take a look.

Spring has sprung!

Spring has definitely arrived here at Spring Grove with our first sighting of a snake yesterday and lots of baby birds emerging from nests and flowers in bloom. It is one of my favorite times of year, as it's a time of renewal and new beginnings and I always feel energized after my hibernating ways of winter come to an end.

I have been thinking a lot about my creative journey which has been all over the place this year.  With wanting to move towards mixed media and art journaling, at the beginning of the year I signed up for Life Book 2013 over at Willowing and I have been reading lots of books from various mixed media artists, such as Kelly Rae Roberts, and Dawn DeVries Sokol.  I am loving my transition into these forms of creative expression, even though I don't share much of it with you here on my blog as its more for my personal enjoyment than anything.  Like life my creative journey is truly a work in progress.

Anyhow I was re-reading some of Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts over the past few days, as I love her work and was inspired to take paint to hand and create this canvas in honor of spring.

Supplies used:  Acrylic Paint, Gelatos, Swirly Garden Stencil, Punchinella, 

Stampin' Up Baroque Motifs Stamp Set, Various Scrap Papers, Burlap Flower.

It's only my second time painting a face, and my first time with acrylics, I struggled with my facial features but I loved the process and am quite happy with it so far, paint splatters, smudges and all.

I've been back buying more burlap embellishments at the dollar store, this time some flowers.  I have used one on my canvas, for my girl's headband.

I am not sure if it is fully finished yet..........time will tell, I think some birds or butterflies may be in order.

This canvas is a reminder of how this time of year makes me happy, it's a time I cherish and when the world around us is kind to all, full of new life and beautiful color.  It's a time we often look upon things with eyes wide open and feel like anything is possible. It's a time to look forward and to dream.