Paintstik Portraits, by Lauren Vlcek: a link

I just wanted to pass this link on to any of you who might be interested in experimenting with the Shiva Paintstiks.  It's a pictorial tutorial showing how to paint a face with these great little oil paintstiks.

Have Fun!

Fabulous Faces with Shiva Paintstiks

Experimenting with Shiva Paint Stiks

I have been experimenting  with Shiva Paint Stiks today.  I had heard that they are an amazing medium.  I found them to be pretty awesome myself.  They are smooth and creamy and blend flawlessly together.  The only drawback that I found, at least for myself, is that you need to let them dry for at least 24 hours before layering over the top with other mediums.  As impatient as I am, I think they might just be worth it!  I haven't finished these obviously....but here is what I've done with them so far.

These are done on Bristol Vellum, because that's what was close at hand at the time.  I used three colors all together, Antique White, Beige and Dusty Rose.  I smooshed them around with my fingers and in the smaller areas, used a small brush.  I'm pretty happy with how these perform, so I think I'm going to experiment some more!

S-I-M-P-L-E Organization Strategy

I'm posting this because I struggle with staying organized and am always working at it.  I'm sure I'm not the only one out their with problems in this area, so I thought maybe others could benefit from this great article!

S-I-M-P-L-E Organizing Strategies


S - SELECT THE AREA

Select the area you will organize by deciding which space in your home or office causes you the most stress. This is the area you should attack first. Select one space at a time. Breaking goals down makes them easier to accomplish.

I - IMPLEMENT A SORTING STRATEGY

After you select the area, you will need to implement a sorting strategy. Use small multi-colored stickers to sort the items in the area you have selected. Designate one color for the items you are keeping, one for those items you are not sure about, and one for those items you will purge. Do not move the items--just sort.

M - MOVE OBJECTS TO SPECIFIED AREAS

Now that you have sorted all your items, it is time to move them. This step of the SIMPLE process takes the longest. If you attack it in three sections, it is easier. First, move all your purging items to bags/boxes to either throw away OR to donate to charity. Act today. Second, go through the items you are not sure about. Purge as much as possible from this group also. If you decide to keep it, then move it to the keeper group. Do not keep guilt-related family/friend items if you don't use them. The last step is to move all the items you are keeping to assigned spaces. The key to organizational maintenance is everything must have a place. Some of these items will not have assigned spaces yet. Time to go to the next step!

P - PICK AND PLAN THE SPACE

Spaces should be designed based on the needs of the individuals using them. Based on the specific space (garage, kitchen, home office, closets, etc.), there are a number of techniques you should use.

L - LOCATE AND SELECT ORGANIZING CONTAINERS

Containerizing is crucial to the organizing process. Containers come in all shapes and sizes. They help you group and separate your belongings with ease. Retrieval and cleanup are much easier when you use containers. They also limit the amount you can accumulate.

E - EXCAVATE CONTINUOUSLY

Just like archaeologists, you must excavate continuously to unearth your treasures. Time will bury your belongings if you don't get a little dirty at least once a week and throw away all unused items in your home and/or office.

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Article by: Sheri McConnell

Sheri is the CEO of Sheri McConnell Companies, Inc. and the president and founder of two global organizations, the Smart Women's Institute of Entrepreneurial Learning (formerly the National Assn of Women Writers-2001) and the Global Institute of Associations-GIA. You can visit Sheri, access her free article archive, and grab lots of free stuff at http://www.smartwomeninstitute.com
Sheri lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband, their four children, a weenie dog, and three hermit crabs.

A Mother's Love...

Mother's Love

Here's another one to share with you.  I finished this one this weekend and was a little disappointed with my lettering and spacing, but oh well!  I like it overall!

Wake Your Dreams

Many of us have dreams that we've kept to ourselves, dreams that we thought weren't possible, or dreams that other's wouldn't support.  It's time to wake those dreams from their deep sleep and start to make them a reality.  Believe that you can...and you will!

Here is my latest entitled "Wake Your Dreams"...hope you like!

The Out Cast

Here is a new watercolor I did while watching the news last night.  This was done in my moleskin watercolor art journal, using sparkling H20's and my  Koi Watercolor travel kit.  I also used Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens in black and grey, and a white gel pen here and there.

Let me know what you think!  I love to hear your comments, feedback and/or gentle critiques!

My new and improved art studio

I can't believe how much fit into this cabinet (a tv cabinet)! I was able to put just about all the art supplies I need into it! And because its a corner unit, I was even able to fit larger canvases and papers in the very back!
My laptop and lights are all plugged in with cords out the back behind the unit.  All in all I think it looks pretty good, and I can always close the cabinet doors!

We have been remodeling the house recently so there was no longer a place for my art...until now. I guess when i'm forced to be organized I really can do it!  I used an old dishwasher silverware holder to organize all of my sharpies and some other felt pens, I have also found that photo boxes are great for holding all sorts of things, in fact I use them for almost everything! Small stackable drawers hold all of my drawing supplies, colored pencils and copic markers.  I use recycled food cans to house most of my paintbrushes and the little corner shelf usually has a lot more paints in it, so they stand up better than in the picture.  I'm so excited about my new little space!

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i don't understand: An art journal page

i don't understand, a photo by Artenvy on Flickr.

Here's another moleskine watercolor journal page. I love how well the paper takes paint and wet media without buckling. This is now my favorite journal to carry around with me everywhere!

Twinkling H2O Watercolors for skin tone

i'm thinking, a photo by Artenvy on Flickr.

I discovered that using the colors nutmeg and jasper red work really well for skin tone in my moleskine watercolor journal. These paints blend so easily and are perfect to travel with a refillable water brush. I did this while waiting at the doctor's office. Of course she's not finished yet, but just wanted to share my new discovery!

Looking 4 Inspiration

Looking 4 Inspiration, a photo by Artenvy on Flickr.

Here is another watercolor journal page done with the Twinkling H2O's.

Silver Lining

Silver Lining, a photo by Artenvy on Flickr.

This is a watercolor moleskine journal page that I did using the Twinkling H2O's watercolor paints. I love these paints, they are very vibrant and have a sparkle/shimmer to them that doesn't really show up in the photo.