Daily painting

Most of the time when I sit down to review a book I have limited time so I post reviews of multiple reviews on one post. Today I wanted to post a review of a book that arrived in the mail before Christmas. The book is only 182 pages including the index so not too overwhelming on first examination. It is soft back and a nice handheld size, but upon further examination I realized I had stumbled onto a real Gem. I wavered back and forth wondering if the author had tackled too many topics and chapters for one small book and wanting to just reach out and give her a hug. Seriously. If you've been reading my blog for long you know I'm an artist and that it's a real passion of mine. I just struggle with so many other things that come along if you really want to be successful at being a " real artist". Those things for me include, pricing my artwork, scheduling my painting time with a little one and not fearing the blank piece of paper. Last year I started the year off with a bang and was intentional about my art. But I let things get in the way and settled back into old habits. 

Some of the topics covered in this book are choosing materials, subject matter, art basics such as value and color mixing, composition, fighting artists block and finding community and selling your work. 

If you are an artist and need a boost I suggest purchasing this book. You won't be disappointed. Thank you to Blogging for Books and Watson Guptill for the opportunity to review this book. This is mmy humble opinion and I was in no way compensated for this review. 

Edited to add: I just found this review in my list of posts and never clicked post or shared my review on Amazon. I'm hoping someone still reading my blog will find this post and it will be just the book they need to add some umph into their art career. 

Since I am editing this post I thought I would throw in a photo or two.

This is our first grand baby. He is just so beautiful. I'm head over heels in love.

Here is our sweet Lil G. She's not so little anymore is she? She is leaving the hospital with her favorite guy...... She is an aunt. Life is good. Very very good.

Ink stains

                                

                      

                    

                      ( my "studio" in shambles so creating on the couch)

If you were to visit my home today you would find.

Chaos.

In the middle of renovations/ repairs from the recent flood.

The remains of my tenth year old sons room are in the living room,

And homeschool room.

Drywall dust.

Paint swatches litter the desktop

Searching for just the right color.

The sewing machine piled high with brightly colored fabrics

A path through the piles

Piles of art studio misc 

So that sewing can be done.

You would find all the contents of the laundry room in the living area,

Because the washer is not working,

Since the washer and dryer stack and are in a small space,

Chaos

The ink and calligraphy nibs with knitting projects and a quilt in progress

All piled high within reach.

Call me Someone with ADHD

I call myself an artist

Trying to survive the mayhem 

Floods and little ones seizures returning within days of one another

They may try to break me

But I know what lies within

I was born to create,

I was made to " see" with the eyes of my heart.

        ( quilt is done and someone is grouchy about getting out of bed!)

                             

               

                                                Seeing beauty in the mess. 

                                 I guess the hydrangeas loved all the rain and water.........

What's going on in my studio?

                        I made a commitment,

                       "Paint just one hour a day."

                         

                                                         Little did I know,

                                        That commitment plus sharing photos

                                           Would open up a big can of worms.

                          

                        I've had requests each day for the painting or one like it.

                                             This is not what I had intended. 

                                       It's quite overwhelming for this introvert.

                           

                                           I dreamt of being an artist one day.

                                           I wanted to illustrate children's books.

                                   (I even have one written and the ideas sketched out.)

                                                  But how to sell a book? Ugh.

                             

                                                         I  just enjoy painting.

                                            (Of course Id love to support my habit)

                                                          Money for supplies.

              Maybe have some tucked away for Graces needs not covered by insurance.

                                       I'd like to know,how do you make it work?

                                                            Business cards?

                                                             Etsy? Pay Pal?

                                    Business website or a business Facebook page?

                                                         What works for you,

                                                          and what doesn't?

                      Linking up with Jen and the ladies at " what's in your studio" 

                           

What's going on in my studio

I used to belong to a group of sweet artists that would link up on Fridays,

We encouraged one another in the creative process.

Just a bunch of sweet ladies.

I loved linking up and sharing what I had been creating.

Well fast forward and I've dusted my drafting table off

And I am painting again.

                        Between everything else I have pulling at me for attention

                      I've decided I would set aside at least one hour to nurture my creative self. 

                              

Things have been a little out if balance so Im going to put forth some effort.

I also made a comment about taking care of my physical being

My husband took that little mention

And ran with it,

I am now signed up for yoga classes.

Yes. Me. Shaking in my shoes.

No turning back.

The hours, days, and weeks add up.

I have to start somewhere.

                             

        This little bird paid a visit while I was reading over at Incourage with Ann Voskamp today.

                                       I  thought this might look sweet behind it. 

                                                              Matthew 6:25,26 

                                 a photo of Little G in case you are wondering how she is

                                 We braved the Fl cold and went to her Yearly physical.

                                                                  We love her Dr.

                                  

                                     

                                                      We then got her glasses fixed.

                                                              Quite a productive day.

                                                            Of course if you are little G 

                                    no stressful day would be complete without French fries.

                                      

                                             I  hope this finds you and yours doing well.

Studio Sneak Peek!

Summer is just flying by!

I have been savoring the moments 

Play date ......

Quiet moments with family......

Vacation Bible School

oh how I wish this hadnt been impossible for Lil G

But we were showered with love

and everyone knew her name

and lots of hugs and happy dancing......

focusing on the good.

Music in the park on Thursday evenings.

If you really know Grace this is her 

over the top squeal for joy.

Its the best of all the photos I took

camera strap and all.......

Gender reveal shower for the first grand baby of friends-

this next generation.

Its a GIRL!!!

My birthday......

(annoying big brothers!)

 Deep sea fishing trips for big brothers-

and gifts for little sisters.

(the guy driving the boat felt like she needed a 

"blue hat" of her very own)

Last but not least,

Artwork for daughter

A poem we both love

by e. e.Cummings.

the background didnt turn out quite the way I envisioned.

but she loved it

and thats what matters.

I wrote the poem in my own script.

I felt it would be more personal that way

I hope that when she sees it,

it will remind her of me,

of the beautiful times we have shared

and the future moments we have to look forward to

even though many miles will separate us

I carry her in my heart.....

 “I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)

I am never without it (anywhere I go you go,my dear; 

and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)

I fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet)

I want no world (for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

 and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root

 and the bud of the bud 

and the sky of the sky 

of a tree called life; 

which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)” 

― E.E. Cummings

Nap time- and a sneak Peek

Presently, I am holed up in my room.

 Door shut. Light off.

 If you were to be in the room with me you would see with your own eyes. 

That I, in fact, am not napping. 

We started the day off with seizures.

 Again.

 I had been so thankful that the medication seemed to be working.

You know I've been sent for a loop when I take Lil G out for lunch, and barely eat. 

The company was good.

 I was able to give a dear friend a requested piece of artwork. (yay me!) 

I did my first "word art ". 

Plus I was able to get this piece done......

 Do you remember this? I started with an old painting and tweaked it????

Well it was a secret-

In my rush I dont think I signed it, and forgot to get photos! Ha ha!

 It did my heart good.

 She has been the truest of friends.

I know I couldnt have pulled off the rehearsal dinner without her help.

            (art my daughter and I have been working on together this week. pinspiration .Where credit is due.)

The week Lil G was hospitalized and got a diagnosis was hard-

 My oldest daughter was on a road trip to Kansas. 

The beginning of a harsh reality that I stand toe to toe with. 

 Each day, week, moment..... 

They add up to days, weeks, moments.... 

Closer to her actually loading up as much as we can fit into a trailer, the back of the truck, and her car. 

A trip to deliver her to the next leg of her journey.

 It is not my own. 

She belongs to God.

 But she is my firstborn. 

I carried her under my heart, labored 24.5 hours and have been her mother..... 

I cannot separate my heart from what my head knows is good.

 Ive wrestled with anger this past year.

 I've never had anger as an emotion I let stay very long.

 I cannot say that in this year I have gotten better at it.

 But I have given it a name and can call it out. 

Much better than shoving it in the closet. 

When packing your oldest daughter to move, if you are me, 

you find boxes of baby items that had been stored a few long painful years ago

 in hopes of the first grandchild. 

If you are me, you will wrestle with the anger

 that without even a marriage this is not in the near future. 

You would also be faced with the taunts

 of the dark voice of perfectionism at not adopting another child,

 those dreams no longer a possibility when faced with what reality looks like.

  Lil G's new reality. 

Both reasons that we feel adopting again is not Gods will for our family. 

That doesn't make it easier to accept.

 It doesn't make it easier to label the things to sell, package as gifts, or haul to Go*dwill. 

It's like many dreams and hopes are dashed.

And if all this wasnt enough.......

 Add to it the fact that our beloved Great Dane is not well.

 I am faced with her reality many times a day.

 But it's either that or helping her on her journey, and I can't stomach that reality either.

It's been a hard month and I have been Savoring the moments. 

We've gone to a ball game. 

To see a movie at the ball park.

 Swimming at big brothers apt.

So many adventures.

 In the meantime, we've learned that in fact she does not sweat. 

Now wondering if there is a condition to diagnosis for all of the conditions in one?

 We've also had our first blood draw to monitor the seizure medication in her bloodstream. 

This was not for the faint of heart.

 The first day she was stuck twice. The lab decided we needed to go home and try another day. 

It was then decided we would take her to her Drs office. 

The nurse tried 3 times then sent us to go eat breakfast and return later.

 Her Dr decided she would be the one to try and was near tears when it took her four tries. 

I cried more than Lil G did.

. I am thankful that the tears that come so easily are a treasure.

 There is a verse in the bible that God stores up our tears.

 I can remember being told not to cry.

 Being told to stop acting like a baby. 

I am glad that God, who created me, treasures my tears. T

hat he understands why I am angry, 

He understands how I feel -this is unfair,

 I'm glad I don't have to "get my act all together" to be "good enough".

I'm so sad to know we have to start our 2 year count again.

 Increase the dosage of medication, the medication that I love and hate in the same breath.

Linking up with the ladies at StudioJRU Sneak Peek and Paint party Friday

After the rain

Rain is grace; 

rain is the sky condescending to the earth;

without rain, there would be no life. 

               -John Updike 

its rained here for 3 days.

lots of rain.

and flooding.

It was nice to get outside

(even tho it was like a sauna).

these two pictures prove it.

this is what happens when your camera lens fogs up.

I really love the happy accident.

Every dewdrop and raindrop

had a whole heaven within it.

                      -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I am crazy for hydrangeas.

I was so excited to get out and see what colors they were.

look at the incredible purple spots.

This red/ pink was a clearance hydrangea.

I cant wait to nurture it 

and see the show it puts on in the years to come.

Eventually I will have plants everywhere.

On a limited budget,

plus having a brown thumb.

It takes time......

My wisteria even decided

 to sprout a few surprise blooms

I woke in the night and remembered this photo.

This is going on my list of faves.

this is just beautiful,

I love what the sunbeam was doing here.....

I didnt edit/crop any of these......

they were taken on my point n shoot.

Cant wait to take classes with my new camera.

(I didnt want to get it out in the damp drizzle)

I know these photos after the rain 

might not seem "beautiful or glorious"

to the rest of us.....

But for a young man

 thats worked for what seems like forever to him

it is......

and to the mommy-person that has shared her car.

It is.....

so happy he has his first set of wheels.

(I'm not sure if he liked the fact that I called it cute?!)

whats going on in my "studio"

I wanted to share what Ive been doing with my art recently.

Im not sure if you remember but I work for VSA arts.

Ive been blessed to be able to work with this organization for ten years

Most years when I teach I work with students in the Juvenile Justice system.

This year I was able to work in a joint effort between VSA and Special Olympics.

It was so much fun!!!

I chose a great project off a blog I follow

My daughter, who also works with VSA,

my teenage son and his girlfriend

came to help.

I was thrilled for My daughters boyfriend

and my husband-along with Lil G

to be able to join in on the day.

Lastly I have a little painting I did in my new Art Journal

I was so inspired on Palm Sunday

This image would not fade away in my mind.

So on Monday I got out my paints and this is what I ended up with

I might have to do a large painting of this.

I loved the greens,

the vibrant red

and I used gold paint

with shimmer in it.

So much meaning in all of it.....

I hope that you enjoy it.......