No sleeping equals lots of time to play. This is a piece of a painting I'm working on. I really like the different line qualities. I'm working on other elements in the same style, but this is the only section I'm 100% happy about. Now I have to glaze different areas and I'm not sure the paint markers will stand up to it. May try fixative before moving onto glaze. I think the "scribble" quality is due to me doing the Traci Bautista class online.

Glen came home today and we went for a ride to go pick up a delicious dinner (I had a Chicken Caesar panini)and take it down to the beach to eat. I wore a new sleeveless dress (that probably shows too much cleavage) and the weather was just perfect! I know this is optimistic, but if this holds we could conceivably have 6 months of summer!!

still scribbling..

I've been working my way through Traci Bautista's Strathmore workshop for a few weeks now. It's been slow going due to the nasty virus that invaded my body, but I'm back at it now. Her work is so "pretty" and I couldn't put my finger on why at first. It is doodling afterall, not photorealism or impressionism or any of the isms we normally equate with pretty. Well, what I've come up with is (a) her color palette is saturated and gorgeous (b) her doodling really is doodling and as such shows the energy and dynamic personality of the artist.  What I'm getting at is - if you can give the workshop a try. You don't have to know how to "draw" you just have to be willing to play. Playing is always the most important part of art for me, so this my perfect diversion.

If you fall in love with her style and need MORE Traci, her new book is out and it's G-o-r-g-e-o-u-s!!  Hubby just gave it to me for my birthday and not only is there plenty of eye candy it also is incredibly inspiring. It really compliments my method of creating which is it's all about the process. Looking at Tracy's work I don't see painstaking efforts at realism or something else more lofty. It's an immediate kind of art and that is the tyle of art that accesses the dark recesses of the mind. Those are the places we don't consciously reach very often and honestly, they need to be aired out and dusted periodically!

So, that's what's on my mind lately. I have an art supply haul I photographed, but there are technical issues right now. Maybe I'll sort it out for tomorrow.

going back to Squam...

Look at that. Who wouldn't want to return to Squam lake again and again? Coupled with the divine souls that gather for Squam Art Workshops and it really is a no brainer. I once heard it described as "finding your tribe" and I can't think of a more accurate description. A group of people gathered to make things. To create from nothingness. Humans with a need to sing, paint, write and take pictures.

About 2 weeks ago I decided to register for the Fall session before my first choice workshops were gone. It took me a few days to fill out the application as I didn't want to miss out on anything or get less than I could out of the experience. Gentle yoga down by the docks, paint and pages as well as rocks and wires. Honestly, I don't remember if these were my first choices, but I was so up in the air I let fate choose. Finally I wrote my check, tossed in some star shaped confetti and decorated my envelope. Within a week I had my confirmation in my email and a nice note about my embellishments : ) Now, there's just PAYING for the rest of it and elaborate list making (which I won't allow myself to entertain until August). Is it too early to bejewel a flashlight for the occasion?

new works in progress

Loving stencils and spraypaint at the moment. I'm coming up with loads of backgrounds and many that I like just the way they are. Also great for cutting up and using as covers on my "Potpourri Books". Ya know, if I can ever get going with the binding machine.

Glen working has been sort of strange for me. I'm trying to get "enough" done every day so he doesn't resent me. One day I slept ALL day (still struggling with insomnia) and felt terrible about it. Last night I made him whole wheat fusilli and chicken parm for dinner (plus he took some for lunch today). If I could get something NOTICEABLE done I would feel so much better. Friday I felt like I was cleaning and putting things away from hours but it just doesn't look it.

There's my sweetie <3 This is in Maine on the Kennebec river. It's fairly close to the lake house.  We usually stop there at some point as it's on the way to MY FAVORITE DRIVEIN EVER!!

painty goodness

friday = much painty goodness!
thick handmade book of art, ready for even more inspiration to be spilled
studio is too cluttered to work right now
asthma is getting better as the weather gets better
dyed hair / need to do it again!
sleep schedule is BAD / wish I could sleep like "normal" folk!
made Willow's vet appt. , that'll be a challenge!
must finish copying cds and mail
saving $ and bought a cd! (**not COMPACT DISC**CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT)
still want a new camera! HELP!! do i need it??