Spring

I’m really glad spring is here--and more sunshine. I’ve been playing in the garden sweeping away the last bits of fall and winter, cleaning up the canvas so Mom can paint it with pretty flowers. Since the days are getting longer, I feel I have more time to be creative both in the garden and in my studio.
Taxes and boring organizational tasks out of the way, I can focus on fun. I have painted once since working with Charlisa; I’ll post pictures of the additional work soon. Since I completed quite a bit, I’d like to push and finish one of the panels this weekend. I also need to get caught up on cards since there are a couple of birthdays I’m about to miss. I can’t quite figure out where I lose all my time. I feel rather inadequate I’m not producing more art when I have so little to show for my time. I see so many tremendous artists who have children, husbands, jobs, and other responsibilities to steal away their creative time yet they produce so many beautiful things. Is it that I’m too easily distracted or just too lazy? Spring is full of fresh growth and new beginnings so I’m hoping to inject my all projects with spring fever.

Treasures

Yesterday I received treasures in the mail--Charlisa sent me two very lovely domino necklaces strung on beaded wire. Even though I picked out the dominoes when I visited and knew Charlisa was planning to mail them, I was completely blown away by their arrival. Both necklaces were packed in a pretty, red organza bag but the real surprise was how much the beading changed the look of the dominoes. I was expecting more casual looking pieces but instead each piece is refined, delicate, and very elegant. I will post pictures soon to share the alluring alcohol-ink abstracts adorning each piece. In the meantime, you can check out Charlisa’s other creations on her new Etsy site:
Remarkably Red

Progress

Here is the progress from Friday night's painting frenzy. Thanks Charlisa for a fun, inspiring weekend!

All done

My butterfly is finished after much fretting over the wings. I finally achieved the look I wanted using tee shirt transfers on tissue paper. I coated one side with white glue to add a little stiffness and attached a wire using super glue. I then drilled holes in the butterfly's body and glued the wires supporting the wings in place. The original technique using liquid polymer came out more like the texture of a bat wing and the resulting wings were too heavy to stand up under their own weight. These are much more delicate and still a little translucent.

Art therapy

I’m a collector of unfinished projects. I have everything from a tri-fold room divider I’ve been “painting” for about 10 years to an unfinished car restoration I embarked on 6 years ago. Working to squelch my tendency to procrastinate and start a new uncluttered life, with fresh eyes I’m beginning to sort out what still fits and conclude everything that doesn’t. The Spitfire is a prime example of a project that no longer fits my life. It only serves to remind me of the past and money wasted. Even if it were magically finished, it is an unwanted weight on my shoulders. That project goes in the discard category. A few of my unfinished projects I’d still like to see completed. One obvious reminder of often started projects I’ve failed to follow through is the painted screen standing quietly unfinished and forlorn in my living room. Completing this visible reminder will be a huge victory in overcoming procrastination and a symbol of accomplishment. My friend Charlisa, who is a very talented painter, has volunteered to provide motivation and lend me a hand in finishing the project. After this emotionally difficult week, I’m really looking forward to some carefree time spent doing “art therapy” and sharing lots of laughs. Even if we don’t finish, I will make real progress toward a goal—and get a chance to catch up with Charlisa.

Hatching the butterfly

Well, I'm nearing completion of my creation for Eggshibition. The only remaining element is the wings. I'm excited about trying a new technique to make nearly translucent wings but a little nervous, too. If they don't turn out right, then what? Here's a picture of the wingless version.

The marabou really adds movement to the piece--and a mess floating around my studio.

Messages from a distant friend

My South African friend, Juline, sent me a couple of e-mails this week. It was so nice to hear that she received and enjoyed the package I sent her for Christmas. I've been watching Supernatural season II on DVD, which was a Christmas gift to myself. Juline introduced me to the show and I must say that whenever I'm watching, I am also thinking about Jules and remembering hanging out on Thursday nights. I'm so grateful that even though Juline is a world away instead of across the street now, we still have ways to connect and continue our friendship.

Just before Juline returned home to South Africa we had the thought to start a project idea book as a way to teach each other craft techniques. So across the ocean using e-mail and recently videos, we are beginning to build our books. I’m taking part in Kimberly’s Creative Card Challenge 2008; I'm sure to have many exciting new things to send Juline this year. If the other projects are as fun as smackin' acetate, she's sure to love them. My project book is also going to be a repository for my collection of scraps of paper--ideas from magazines, photos, and such. These things will be a visual reference library of sorts. Getting my book together in a usable format is another of my many organizational resolutions for the year.