The Versatile Blogger Award? Pour Moi?? yay!

Wow how cool was it when I saw this awesome award posted on my facebook wall from one of my artist friends Fher Ymas Visual Artist ( who in my opinion is a very talented artist )  I have never received an award for blogging before so I am very honoured that my little piece of the blogosphere was found interesting enough to be given one.  So thank you very much Fher Ymas Visual Artist It is very much appreciated :)
  Sharing the Award...

   In the tradition of the award, I have to pass it to 15 different bloggers and reveal 7 random things about myself and  paste the picture on the post. Soooo here goes....

1.  I find myself quite funny.... my children do not

2.  I could spend the entire day in art supply stores... love the smell of paper! 

3.  I read every night before bed

4.  I am afraid of heights and hate spiders

5.  If I could be anyone I'd still want to be me.... but a little taller and maybe a rockstar.....

6.  I believe our spirit lives on after we die and believe in Karma

7.  I believe that things always happen for a reason

So now that you know a little more about me I will get on with the business of announcing the 15 bloggers that I find very inspiring and uplifting.  Please check them out and continue to be a part of mine xox

http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com  I've been a fan of Elsie Larsen's forever!  ( Before she was a Larsen! )  Love, love , love everything about her and her blog and business " Red Velvet Art" 

http://redvelvetgirls.typepad.com/myweblog/ The sister blog of Elsie's featuring whimsical photos and fun flirty fashion ideas!  LOVE!

http://bethquinndesigns.blogspot.com/  I absolutely love Beth's jewelry designs very beautiful and inspiring posts!

http://sallyjean.typepad.com/sallyjean/  Sally Jean was the first blog I have ever fallen in love with.  Love her gorgeous photos and delicious jewelry pieces!

http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/  If you don't know Kelly Rae Roberts you've been living under a rock!  Her blog is not only loaded with her own art and inspiring stories of her success, but also those of other artists.  Check her out you won't be disappointed.

http://gunsinger.com/archives/665/you-are-a-unicorn-now-get-back-up-and-start-again/  Cynthia Gunsinger Coaching is a very inspirational blog/ site which can help you realize your goals and dreams.  Love ya Cynthia :)

http://thriftycollageartist.blogspot.com/  LOVE Suzan Buckner's use of vivid colour and funky design in her pieces

http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/  Timothy Adams gives outstanding advice for selling your artwork on-line and is a metal artist himself, check him out!

http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/  Very informative blog with great advice and creative courses.  Great eye candy as well.

http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/  Sketch book beauties with vibrant colours,  family life and cool ideas . Awesome Alisa!

http://www.oneartsychick.blogspot.com/  Joella's blog has beautiful photos of her art and jewelry creations, and of her home and family.  Very beautiful and uplifting. xo  Plus she's my sister-in-law and I love her!

 http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/  I love Connie's fearless approach to her art and her blog screams positivity!

http://journal-addict.blogspot.com/  Big fan of anything "art journal" and this blog is great for inspiration

http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/  Cathy Johnson is a talented artist and her blog shares ideas on art supplies and journalling.  

http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/  Anyone who is crafty knows and loves Tim Holtz and all his distressed ideas and art products

A Work In Progress!

  Been working on this non objective piece and feel good about it.  Better than the last one I was working on which now sits sullenly in the corner of the room.  ( Dreamscape)  I swear it gives me dirty looks!   Maybe it will grow on me one day , maybe I will figure out what was going on in my head while I was painting it.  Until then I will keep you all updated on other Pretty Little Messes I am creating like this one.  Stay tuned! xo

I Lost My Mojo.... Oh there it is!

This is the abstract painting I was working on .... and working  on....  I still don't know what it is or what it means but I enjoyed the process and it felt good . The painting began with an underpainting of greens yellows and soft blues and then I added layers of dripping paint letting it go where the water wanted to take it. After it sat for weeks... and after I stared at it for another few weeks... I decided to just go for it and paint with feeling rather than plan .  Everytime my brush touched the canvas ( which is also warped by the way...)  I had no preconceived idea what was going to transpire!   I don't even know if it is finished!  Oh well for now I am calling it finished and gave it the title "Dreamscape"   because I have these bizarre dreams with strange landscapes and buildings and while painting this it started to look like a strange world with distorted trees, water and sky.  What do you see it it?

This painting was another one I started about 6 months ago or so, in the same way.  I began with an underpainting of soft red washes and slowly built it up with blues, oranges and greens.  I let the paint travel across the canvas , stopping where it would and then came back to it days later with a fresh pair of eyes.  Some of the negative spaces looked like words and symbols and I pulled these out with the paint and just continued to play with it until I was satisfied with it.  It was meant to be a fun spirited piece with a positive message.  Therapy??  You bet!

Having creative blocks is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to an artist.  I have been struggling  trying to find inspiration and find my mojo....I struggle with trying to be original , making a statement and remaining true to myself.  I work through these little crisis by just simply walking away from my paints or beads and pick up a book or go for a walk.  I drink a million cups of coffee and eat way too much chocolate, listen to my favourite songs, pluck my eyebrows, play with the dogs.... and when that doesn't work... red wine.  It is really a horrible feeling when I have this primal urge to paint and I go in my studio surround myself with all my delicious art supplies and then I sit... and stare at the canvas ... waiting.   I know it will come I know I have to be patient but it is oh so frustrating!!   Maybe that's why I put on the Viking hat... maybe I thought it would help?