Granny Prix Racer

A friend of mine who knows I collect shoe forms and stretchers found this for me at a garage sale.  For me, it was love at first sight!

Using epoxy sculpt as well as paper clay, I created the figure.  The wooden wheels were affixed by drilling holes in the sides of the form. Glue on a long toothpick stuck the through holes adhered them to the form. Springy boobies, glass bead arms and milkweed pod for helmet.

What's on My Mind...

"Almost" every day I come up with an idea for this journal.   The challenge is putting into pictures and words

 

Still at it...

 

Pencils, papers, books, etc. piled up on my workspace. Rather than put them away, I painted them instead.

The BLT things are getting old.  Thankfully, I got some help!

leftovers...

 My palette was a total mess with paints I mixed for journal pages.  I used the paint to create a small (6x8) still life.

It's freeing to slap-dash the paint on the canvas and not think too much about it.

Inspiration is everywhere...

A friend sent me this poem on New Year's Eve.  I love it.  I've read it numerous times and find something new to think about each time.

It's been cold, damp and oh did I mention COLD here!

Staying Safe at Home...

I really wanted to get out of the house today...

 

The Great Outdoors!

 It was wonderful going outdoors for a walk today.  Up until now, I've doing "laps" in the house - which is a total bore.

She Remembers...

It's a dreary day, cold and gloomy.  Time to focus on something other than myself.

 

Taking Care of Herself...

Everyday is a new experience...

Some days are good...others NOT so much!

 

Moving forward....

 If I didn't have my art journal to work on, how would I spend my time? I would be very bored.  

 My favorite way to begin the day - a big cup of coffee!

On the Rocks!

No Bending!!

 

My daily routine needed a major overhaul with NO lifting, NO bending, and NO twisting.

Let the Healing Begin...

 I'm so grateful that I have my art to keep me occupied, otherwise, I would cry all day.  I have had pain before, but nothing like this.  

My art journal continues

Honestly, have you ever tried getting dressed without bending, lifting or twisting

mirrors should be banned for at least a week after surgery

It's a joy knowing my family and friends will happily help me in any way they can

Oh my aching back!!

I’m having back surgery (complete disc replacement) in December.  I’m nervous about it.  There is a list of things I shouldn’t do in the 3 months after surgery, for example, no lifting more than 10 lbs., no twisting or bending, etc.!   I’ll go stir-crazy if I don’t have anything to do.  Since my paintbrushes, paints, and paper don’t weigh much, I will work on an art journal just as I did during COVID-19.  I’ve already started the prep work.  

Journal Cover (front)

I bought quite a few dollar-store children's books, cut books apart

and punched holes using a Cinch machine.

Sanded the front and back of each page; applied a layer of gesso on each side.

Painted the front and back of one page with acrylic paint - this will be the cover

Now the fun really begins.  

I created and painted my image using watercolors, acrylic paint, and Inktense Blocks. 

I utilized my Cricut Explore3 machine to cut a thought bubble and add the text. 

Glued thought bubble on the cover.

The pages are so thick that I must make several sections before binding. 

 I have no idea where this is going, but that's the fun of it!

Ageless

Keeping busy to not think about the upcoming surgery. Putting all my energy into art helps.

My process

Create a background in acrylics

                   

                                       

Draw figure and paint using oils

"Coneflower with Bee"

 Summer is quickly fading away, but the coneflowers in my garden are still thriving.  (Daily watering gets a little old after a while.) I was lucky enough to take a photo while a bee was gorging.

Background painted with acrylics; sketch with Blackwing pencil

Let the oils begin!

Cup Plant

 On my daily walks, I see these tall yellow flowers around Wildflower Lake and the surrounding marsh area.  They look so pretty, especially with a bright blue sky.  I decided to paint them.

9x12 (finished) oils on Arches cotton - background

I did my best to keep it loose!

This One Is For the Birds...

 I have a sweet carved bird on my bookcase.  It looked like it needed a new home, so I built one!

chipboard cut with xacto knife, taped together

First layer of plaster mesh; punched hole for a twig;

 glued roof to the house and tied it with a bow to keep in place while drying.

Another layer of plaster mesh; covered roof with Paperclay; added some paint

painted Paperclay flowers leftover from another project and glued to house; add another layer of paint

With No Particular Reason...

I really enjoy making a gift for someone special for no particular reason other than she is a nice person.

This morning I presented Kylie with "Autumn Twig" (my son came up with the name).  Kylie was delighted with her as am I.

Assorted twigs found on my morning walks

as well as angel wings made on my Cricut cutting machine

Head created using PaperClay

It was necessary to place the figure into a small bottle to dry after painting her head.

I particularly love the large acorn cap as her beret!

ApoxySculp was used to adhere all the twigs, wings, etc. together