Painting - Day 2

This is day 2 of 'Painting Every Day in May' and this is what I came up with!

I'm using an inexpensive watercolor set I bought recently, and today I started off with a pencil drawing. I feel more comfortable doing it this way. You know, there's a certain freedom for me in painting. I'm not hunting around for the right colored paper, fabric or thread and drawing is a lot faster than cutting out pieces of cloth or paper and reassembling them into a picture. So, this is a nice break, although I'm simultaneously working on some fabric pictures for the exhibit Saturday.

Sometimes, when I'm writing my blog, I feel a bit self centered going on and on about myself and my artwork. So today I'd like to pose a question to whoever comes by to read this:

What is your favorite way of expressing yourself?

Is it by drawing, painting, sewing, singing, cooking, gardening or something else?

I'd really like to know!

Please tell about it in the comments, if you have time.

Hope your week is going well! 

Painting in May

Late last night, unable to sleep, I was cruising the internet and saw something on Anne's blog about a painting every day in May challenge proposed by Dana Barbieri on her blog. I usually don't paint - only on fabric - but I followed the link and spontaneously decided to give it a try.

I have no aspirations to become a painter, but I do have the urge to play with color. Of course, being me, I had to add some black lines with a Sharpie. I've decided not to judge myself and just enjoy the process!

This Saturday I'll be participating in an event for Kidcasso, showing some work and enjoying the festivities. So I'm rounding up another group of pictures and working on framing them this week. Having worked in a framing gallery for many years is a definite advantage in these situations! 

I hope that you've had a creative day today. It's been raining all day here - a good day to get things done!

Here's wishing you a pleasant evening!

A Beautiful Day

Saturday was a gorgeous, sunny day, and my husband and I went to a sheep 

shearing festival at the Gore Estate in Waltham, Massachusetts.  

                                       

On the grounds stands a federal period historic mansion, in front of which 

"Col. Bailey's Regiment" assembled,

with the ladies looking on.

We really enjoyed the beautiful animals

a border collie herding demonstration,

 beautiful wools and wool roving for sale,

my own personal splurge on wool roving,

spinning demonstrations,

morris dancers,

and a wonderful craft fair!

Somehow, we were never in the right place at the right time 

to see any actual sheep shearing! 

But we walked, ate, toured the mansion and thoroughly enjoyed the day!

Hope your week is off to a great start!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Exhibiting at Kidcasso

Hello friends,

Well, it has been a very busy week so far! After my ramblings yesterday, I spent the day gathering up artwork, hunting down frames, and polishing up some pieces I had created over the years. Here is the result:

This gallery wall is in one of my favorite places in town - an art studio devoted mainly to children, called Kidcasso. The owner, Laura-Marie Small, opened this wonderful space five years ago, after starting the business in her apartment! The studio is a bright, colorful  hubbub of creative activity, where kids come for classes, learn about the masters and translate what they've learned into bright, colorful artwork! In the off-hours, the space is used for Pilates classes, adult painting classes, and our own Arts Collaborative meetings once a month.

Outside, a bright sign bids a creative welcome,

and here is the OPEN flag I was commissioned to make.

The front window indicates that there is creativity inside,

and this warm painting by the owner in the entryway exemplifies the caring, nurturing spirit of the place.

If you love art and kids, take a look at this website and you'll see some wonderful photos!

I love having my work on display here, and I'm grateful for the opportunity! 

Hope you are having a creative day!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Monday Ramblings

Hello friends!

I bought these flowers at the market right after Easter, and they are still blooming! Just had to share them!

Well, I had a recent spurt of creativity, but this week I'm attending to some more practical creations! Yesterday I finished up two hand made, double-sided OPEN flags for a local business. I used duck cloth, which is hard to manipulate, especially when appliquéing small letters on large surfaces, and they took all of my attention for a couple of days. But they were well worth the effort, since the owner was delighted and they are pretty cute! In my rush to deliver them, I forgot to take pictures, but will do so soon and you'll see what a marvelous business this is!!

I have a few custom orders I've been lagging on, including a cut paper picture for a good friend. (I haven't forgotten, Julie, promise!) Meanwhile, I urge my readers to go over to her blog, where you'll see some of Julie's very beautiful and inspiring paintings.

Also, I'm preparing for a couple of small exhibit opportunities. One is a wall in a children's art studio (fun!), the other is part of an event where a few artists from our collaborative will be showing and selling their work.

Now, here's an opportunity for me to say something as to how I feel about showing my work.
Frankly, I'm a coward.
Putting what I do on my blog seems like a private thing to me, even though it is the internet!! But here I feel like I'm sharing what I do with friends, and always receive very kind and positive comments.
But when I put my fabric and cut paper artwork in an exhibit with oil paintings, pastels and hand crafted jewelry, I always feel a bit less than. That is to say, I question my worth as a real artist. Does anyone else feel this way?

I have to say, I love doing what I do, and get a real kick out of bringing a tiny bit of joy to the world with my creations. I have drawn and painted in the past, but working with fabric, paper and other media really resonates with me. I have ideas for new directions I'd like to explore, but never seem to give myself time to develop them. I'm so inspired by people who try out all sorts of new art techniques and want to do that myself. I guess I'm giving myself a call to action here!

Thanks for reading my ramblings. I'd love to hear what you think!

Have a wonderful week!!

A Midweek Visit

Just popping in to say hello ~

Hope you are having a very good week!

This is an older ATC I made a while ago.

Have you been creative lately?

I've been feeling stalled - just a bit,

but daffodils definitely are inspiring!

Time to take out some paper, scissors, pens and glue.

Hope to have something new to post soon!

Happy Creating!

Joyful

I'm wishing everyone who reads this

a very joyful Easter,

a very happy Passover

and a very beautiful spring!!

Have a lovely day!