Fan page Art Journal Project 2012 Week # 1 "Beaches"

Week 1  " Beaches "

Thank you to Gina Allen Botier, a fan of my art page, for submitting this word for the project.
  I have  many fond memories, as I'm sure you all do, of spending countless afternoons playing and lounging  at the beach.     As a child I lived close to the Atlantic ocean, in a small community on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia one of most favourite places in the world.  The best place I could have ever wished to live as a young girl.
 This prompt brought back some of those treasured memories .  The taste of the salty water when it was accidently swallowed, the smell of sea air, the sound of the crashing waves, and the sight of the jelly fish floating lazily around us.  The soft warm sand under my toes and the prickly seaweed mixed with smooth beach pebbles and shells made me feel at home...happy.  I also remember how small and insignificant I felt while playing near the ocean... how easily it could swallow me up with those powerful waves and even as a small child I knew that as beautiful and as exciting it was, it demanded respect .  I miss the beach.  I miss everything about being near the ocean.  One day I'll go back and revisit this old childhood playground of mine and reacquaint myself with the sea.    

Fan page Art Journal Project 2012

  In the beginning... there was a title page.  Let the games begin xoxo 

Pretty little mess ;)

We are in this together xox-

Fan page Art Journal Project 2012

  A few days back I posted on my facebook fan page an idea that I have mulling over for quite awhile now .  The idea was that I would begin another art journal project using words, themes, quotes, lyrics and ideas from the followers of my page. As I receive the words etc. I write them out on slips of paper, fold them up and put them into my trusty old enamel coffee pot.  Each week, for 52 weeks,  I will be pulling a new idea from this pot and will use the word in my art journal in any way that comes to me.
   The ideas shared will spark my creative process and force me to think outside my comfort zone.... it won't be easy but I enjoy the challenge and am very excited about this project.  My hope is that when it is completed I will have a Book filled with images and words inspired by all of those that have contributed.  I can't thank you enough for participating and helping out with this project !
  Over the past few days I have received some fantastic  feedback from numerous friends and here are some of those ideas they have shared with me and here is the first word I drew from the pot!    Please visit my fan page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Schmidt-Art-Studio/153812141326067  like it and join in the fun!  I will add every word you send my way to the old pot and I hope you follow me on this new artistic journey! xoxo

Ideas from all of you xo

The trusty coffee pot !

My first prompt is BEACHES!!

Worth The Wait...

Inside My Head...

My recent painting " Inside My Head "   lots going on in there!!

Connected

16x20 x 1.5 Acrylic painting using only 2 colours, Naphthol Red  Medium and Ultramarine Blue by Golden

Some close up shots of painting

 

 

Silent Moon

I began this painting a couple months ago with no preconceived plan other than I wanted to use  blue and  yellow paint, and let my emotions do the rest .  No matter how many times I paint like this , I am always surprised with the finished piece and have to stand back and try to understand what I have created and why.  I do notice ( as has other people ) that my artwork almost always includes circles.  Even as I look back  in my art journals, I notice that on every page there sits a circle.  Interesting.

I wanted to find out more so I found a few sites that explained the meaning of the circle in art and life .  Here is one that is easy to understand and gave me some insight on why the circle is prominent in my art.    

Circle & Self

Finding the Sacred Center

The Circle is the ultimate symbol of the sacred feminine. The symbol of the circle helps us to connect to the depths of our soul or "true self".

Ralph Waldo Emerson begins his essay entitled "Circles", with the statement, "The eye is the first circle; the horizon which it forms is the second; and throughout nature this primary picture is repeated without end. It is the highest emblem in the cipher of the world. St. Augustine described the nature of God as a circle whose centre was everywhere and its circumference nowhere."

Carl Jung studied the archtypal meaning of circles:
"The circle (or sphere) is a symbol of the Self. It expresses the totality of the psyche in all its aspects, including the relationship between man and the whole of nature. Whether the symbol of the circle appears in primitive sun worship or modern religion, in myths or dreams or in the spherical concepts of early astronomers, it always points to the single most vital aspect of life - its ultimate wholeness."

-Emerson, Ralph Waldo, Essays and English Traits, ed. Charles W. Eliot (New York: PF Collier & Son, 1909), 155.

-Carl G. Jung et al., Man and His Symbols (New York: Doubleday & Company Inc, 1964), 240.                                        

  

My completed painting aptly named " Silent Moon " as my eye is drawn first to the moon like orb and it sits as if watching over the confusion below... waiting.  This painting has taken me months to complete because it seemed I needed to be in a certain frame of mind to work on it which really drove me crazy!  I would sit for hours ( I seriously would ) and wait for it to speak to me and when it finally did I believe the result was worth the wait.   I would love to know what you see or feel when you look at this painting, there is no wrong answer, so please feel free to comment xox

Poetry... next tattoo

I. The Soul’s Expression

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861

WITH stammering lips and insufficient sound I strive and struggle to deliver right That music of my nature, day and night With dream and thought and feeling interwound, And inly answering all the senses round         5 With octaves of a mystic depth and height Which step out grandly to the infinite From the dark edges of the sensual ground. This song of soul I struggle to outbear Through portals of the sense, sublime and whole,         10 And utter all myself into the air: But if I did it,—as the thunder-roll Breaks its own cloud, my flesh would perish there, Before that dread apocalypse of soul. I think I may have found the words I want for my next tattoo....  the first 3 lines of one of my fave poems.    Now to decide on the type of script and where.   I think it will be on the back of my neck.    Yes!

Very Pinteresting.....

  Okay , so by now I am sure that everyone is quite aware of the new web sensation http://pinterest.com/ and if you are not... you are either going to thank me or hate me. 
  I have been introduced to this highly addictive site by co workers who can't stop raving about the delicious triple chocolate , smooth peanut butter, crunchy pretzel, dripping caramel, loaded with nutty goodness cupcakes! Or the fashion and decorating advice with tutorials that make you break out the Visa and hit your favourite furniture or clothing stores.  And let's not forget about the creative aspect!  Millions of photos of everything from Garden and Home design, Tattoos, Art, Music, Books, Movies, Posters, Prints, Travel, Humour, Do - It - Yourself .... everything!   I am a self diagnosed magazine and book addict and this site is heaven to me.  I can spend hours on here pouring over beautiful photographs and reading all the helpful advice.  HOURS!  There is literally anything and everything on here that you are looking for and even things you have never thought of but now it's all you are thinking about!

   That is the "interesting" part of this site..the "pin" part is where you can create your very own Board, label it according to your interest and pin images that you love to your board!!!  It's like clipping out photos from magazines and sharing them with others..... millions of others.  The images are shared from other blogs, magazines and sites and they seem to be a free for all, no permission needed.  I say this because as I was scrolling through various art boards I  stumbled upon a photo of myself holding my painting !  I know there are copyright issues going on with Pinterest but I don't know enough about it to comment on it.  I can definitely see how this could be upsetting to some artists or publishers who are not getting credit for their work.  The person who pinned up my photo is  not someone I know , I was not asked, however it was because she liked the photo and wanted to share it not because she was going to re create my art and take credit for it.... so it's all good!

  If you ask me... I say go check out the site, you won't regret it ,the photos are endless and so is the inspiration, which is why you can lose yourself and dare I say... lose hours of your life.   Oh well.... it could always be worse!

 http://pinterest.com/love2createart/  Here are some of my Boards that I have put together and share with other Pinterest Addicts xo

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?