A Fantastically Flowerful Post

I think I've been on a flowery kick lately. Sometimes bringing beauty into your life is done by birthing it on canvas and paper. I made these items for some friends who I'm exchanging with. These three above are ATCS, artist Trading Cards, about 2 1/2 x 3 1/2" each.

I've also been experimenting with my drawing skills. I believe the more you do art the better you will get. But I do believe you need to push yourself. I always tell myself I can't draw. But in reality, I'm not the best at pulling from imagination. Drawing something I'm looking at goes much better.

Between these two below, the daisies I looked at pics of daisies, the poppies I tried to draw what I thought they would look like. So we'll call them more inspired than actual.

I also think it is good to know your skills and where you need to improve even if it's only for yourself. On these two pieces, made on watercolor paper about 5 1/2 x 7", I tried to recreate vintage tablecloth flowery patterns. I love vintage tablecloths!

Besides, flowers just make me happy!

Posted with Love from Contessa

Be Still Painting

I went out to dinner with a friend recently. She's struggling, I'm struggling, commiserating and encouraging each other was the goal. It's such a blessing to have that friend who challenges you, admonishes you to pull yourself up by the bootstraps or just offers to come over and help you catch up on laundry. That's a true friend. Especially a good friend who puts on rose colored glasses when looking at the semi messy house. When that happens you know you've found 'the one'.

I was complaining, feeling overwhelmed and she told me, 'you're not being still. Just be still, God will take care of things.' I was full of buts and complaints and dispair but she insisted I remember, God has me. I need to let him. I went home that night and crawled into bed. I eventually crawled right back out because I couldn't sleep. Went to check the mail and saw an empty canvas. (Mail slot comes into my art room). It hit me what my friend said, so I grabbed that canvas, holding the mail between my teeth for what I thought would be a quick jotting down of the verse 'Be Still and know I am God.' It turned into much more.

All the time God is good, and knows just what I need, a nudge from a friend, a verse that speaks to me, a paintbrush in my hand.

Sometimes we just need to let go.

Over the next few days this piece evolved. The flowers changed, the background was defined, the piece came together. And I was still. Before God. Just where I needed to be.

 

This painting is for sale on Etsy right now.

Posted with Love from Contessa

Handmade Art Journals

I've been playing around with paints and papers again. Papers and paints just go together like peanut butter and jelly!

A few years ago I made a couple journal covers and then there they sat on my shelf. I used up wrapping papers, vintage music, library cards, buttons, invitations and more. I sewed them up on the sewing machine and added a pile of various papers for the insides.

Until this week when I added a flower to one.

I also worked with a new size, making front and back covers from a children's dictionary book. I added paints, various scraps and a piece of netted yarn to close it. This one just has watercolor papers inside. I used purple, which is a color I don't prefer but I think it was perfect for this particular piece.

I watched a youtube video to learn the coptic stitch. Part 1 and Part 2. It wasn't too bad if you follow along. A few places I pulled too hard and it ripped just a bit but is still attached fine.

These two I completed for some friends but I think I'll finish one the other square ones for myself! So fun to play and sketch in. The others will be heading to Etsy.

 

Posted with Love from Contessa