I have joined a new Facebook group called "The 100 Artists". It is a challenge to create 100 pieces of art. I am up to my 8th piece. 

Here are some of the pieces I have posted. I am finding it to be a real challenge, and the support has been great. I wish I had more time so I wouldn't be hitting my tired hours when I am working on them. I had set a goal of finishing three pieces this past weekend and only managed to complete one to upload. I should be able to work more in the evenings after school but I find I am too whipped to tackle any of my "larger" works and end up working more in my journals, if anything.

New Paintings for 2015

So my New Year's resolutions this year included: start using my blog again and paint! Well, I started to paint first and here it is Feb. 25 and I have been painting and painting! Hence, I have made no contributions to my blog (sigh). Well, I can only do so much, right? I solemnly swear I will try!
Anyhow, I am loving the painting. I wanted to explore new colours and techniques and so here is what I have come up with. These are mixed media collage, inks and acrylic paints. Please let me know what you think!

Zen art in books

Hi Everyone,
I know, I know.  It has been a long time! Why would anyone follow a blog when it only gets posted to twice a year. I want to share so much of my stuff and Facebook has been the easiest, but it isn't exactly how I want to share. I will be working on this more, I promise. Today, I will share just my most recents and they aren't the best photos, but I would love some feedback. This is how I relax... i have done about 20 various black and white line arts like this which I will share soon. let me know what you think! Pin me if you are into Pinterest!

Fun with mixed media

Hey... here is my one of my latest works. It was just a fun warm-up and I have a bunch on the go right now. It is so nice to finally have time to do just this... explore. I have tons of new ideas and intend to share my exploits. Stay tuned.....

Happy summer, everyone!

Happy summer, everyone! We have just returned from camping and I have been busy creating a journal/altered book that I will use in my fine arts classes this fall. I am trying to complete as many pages as possible before the end of August. 

I was inspired for this one in part by the colors that one of our former students, Alexis Howe completed and which I purchased. I love working with these talented young artists and I was thrilled to hear that she is planning to go on to a university education in art. This is an excellent piece. By the way, good luck, Alexis.

This particular page I will use as an example for line and color as we will be starting with the "principles of art" which may take us several months, believe it or not. I will be having most assignments as projects in their “altered books”. What do you think?

Inspirational birdsong....

Today I was laying on the couch on my deck, under a vine-crossed canopy framed in the setting sun's dappled reflections on  trees, watching the birds feeding at our bird-feeders and listening to their beautiful song. At one point the feeders and the ground were covered by over 50 yellow finches! The beauty took my breath away! Inspiration is so close when we are looking, isn't it? Birds are one of my favourite inspirations, as you can see. This is an artwork I have just recently completed, again using birds. I hope you like it. Please send me your feedback! Also, visit my Etsy store where you can see a few more of my recents....

Collage HaPpY!!!!

What a beautiful summer-ish day! I feel rejuvenated and jubilant, finding out my course load for next year... I will be teaching more fine art! I am excited to work with Tara and all the kids at Neelin. I was so inspired today at the Vernissage (first annual) where students had the opportunity to talk about their work. I have my eye on one that I really want to buy!!! Good job, Alexis! I am hoping to do some projects with the students that I love to do myself, like altered books and collage work. Here is one of the collages I have done in the past couple of weeks.

Collage HaPpY!!!!

What a beautiful summer-ish day! I feel rejuvenated and jubilant, finding out my course load for next year and I will be teaching more fine art! I am excited to work with Tara and all the kids at Neelin. I was so inspired today at the Vernissage (first annual) where students had the opportunity to talk about their work. I have my eye on one that I really want to buy!!! Good job, Alexis! I am hoping to do some projects with the students that I love to do myself, like altered books and collage work. Here is one of the collages I have done in the past couple of weeks.

My new purses!

I am so excited. Here they are! The new purses. The insides are printed too! They are laminated inside and out. The "thickness" is provided by 10 layers of recycled newspaper.There are stitched patterns all around the bag.

The straps are 1/4" tubing knotted on the inside. This bag is about 10" x 4" x 8".  It would work great as a purse or a lunch bag. Watch for out matching items coming soon -- larger totes, wallets, etc.  I will be getting better pictures so you can see the stitching detail.

Thank you Laura at Flashbags® for your help! I hope my customers will love them too. We will see the reaction after this weekend! We have two shows. I will update next week. I am too tired to move right now! Gotta go to bed!

Believe in the beauty of your dreams...

What a nice sentiment. Here is one of the girl artworks I am just finishing off . This also has a bird in it -- go figure! Do you see a theme here? This one took me a while to finish, as there is a lot of fine detail work to do in a face! I am also producing card co-ordinate stickers for you to use to seal the envelopes on most of my new cards. Here is the co-ordinate sticker for this card. Watch for my postcard calendar which will be available soon. It will be a perpetual calendar you can use for more than 1 year. My next post will show you that. It is not quite finished. I hope you will like it.