Check This Out!!! Artist Michael Shapcott....Drawing A Drawing 365

I think I'm on a roll today for posting to my blog!  Another artist who inspires me is Michael Shapcott.  I've posted about him on my facebook page, but I don't think I have here on my blog.  There are no words to describe his portrait art for me.  It's that good.  Looking at his portrait paintings stirs up emotion in me every time.  He has a unique way of capturing the human spirit.  It's all in the eyes!

Anyway, he's trying to fund a project, which I just pledged a small amount to help support.  Here is the information if you wish to find out more!



And here is another video of him painting

And finally...you can learn more about Michael Shapcott and see more of his art here on his BLOG. Check it out, his work is beautiful, his blog is full of great stuff! You won't be disappointed!

Great Video on Creating Backgrounds for your Paintings...

I stayed up late last night, searching for youtube videos that sparked my interest, and I have another 2 videos here to share with you.  I often get questions about how I do my backgrounds, and as I haven't had a chance or time to do a video tutorial of my own, these videos, and the background technique that she shows is very similar to how I usually start my paintings and art journal pages.  There are a lot of ways to create a background, but this is a great representation of how to start! These videos were provided by Michael's Craft Store and the artist is Kathy Kromer...



I really like how she explains hiding the edges of the paper, and how to use darker colors to make things "receed" and lighter colors to make things "pop".  I have never used alcohol inks in my paintings either, so that's something new I learned from her and will have to give it a try soon!

I can't remember if she mentioned this or not, but something that's really important for me when building layers is to use more transparent mediums so that parts of your layers show through one another.  Some of my favorite supplies for doing this is Golden Fluid acrylics, Tim Holtz distress inks, and Golden Glaze Medium for using with my more heavy bodied acrylics.  I almost forgot about my InkTense colored pencils...they are a watercolor pencil that turns permanent once dry.  They are a great alternative/addition to using fluid acrylics if you don't have them.  You can also use any watercolor pencil or crayon, and instead of using water with them, just dip your brush in a glaze medium to spread the color and it will dry permanent...

That's it for now I guess.  My head is swimming with ideas at the moment, so I can't sit still any longer!  Hope you enjoy these videos, there is a lot to learn from them!

Love this Video!

I really wanted to share this video with all of you, as I'm finding I'm inspired more and more by watching how other artist's paint.  This is a beautiful mixed media piece and I just LOVE watching it all come together.  It's absolutely amazing and gorgeous! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

This is done by an Italian artist by the name of Agnes Cecile (hope I got that right!) You can see more of her art and learn more about the artist here at her SHOP.



I just subscribed to her Youtube channel as well.  She has 15 different speed painting videos similar to this one.  I can't wait to watch them all!

Have a great weekend everyone!  It's Spring Break for us, so I may not post much over the next week, as I'll be running around with the kiddos!

Other Pendants I've been working on...

Glass Beads, Antique Silver Charm, Silver Wire

Pewter Base with antique silver beads & Findings

Beach Rocks & Sea Glass

Beach Rock with Vintage Dictionary paper

Beach Rock with Tree of  Life

Don't Resist! Just Roll with It....the Unique You in all your Splendor and Imperfections!

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I often struggle with procrastination, impulsivity, racing thoughts, disorganization, chaotic lifestyle and wondering why I have to be the way I am.  These characteristics to the "normal" people out there are considered a negative, but I say, at least for me in most ways, they are a positive.

Now I'm not saying that I don't WISH I had a more organized set of thought processes, or that I was one of those people who can get everything on their agenda done in a timely manner.  I REALLY admire people who can work full time, be involved with their children and family, and maintain their sanity all at the same time!  I find it stressful just getting dinner on the table, keeping my house semi-organized (that's the best I can do!), getting the laundry done....etc...you get the picture I'm sure, because even if you are not like me, I'll bet you know someone who is!

“It’s like being super-charged all the time. You get one idea and you have to act on it, and then, what do you know, but you’ve got another idea before you’ve finished up with the first one, and so you go for that one, but of course a third idea intercepts the second, and you just have to follow that one, and pretty soon people are calling you disorganized and impulsive and all sorts of impolite words that miss the point completely.

Edward M. Hallowell [author of the bookDriven To Distraction] 

And let me tell you, at least from my own experience, people like me feel guilty for not being able to "keep it all together", like everyone else.  This "guilt complex" is the downside, because it creates all kinds of anxiety inside and I worry WAY TOO MUCH about what other people think and how they might judge me, before they really know me.

But the struggles aside, I think to myself...the people who really matter will get to know me, will love me for who I am, and will admire me for what I do well.  And I do MANY things well.

I read an article today that really spoke to me, and I think could help other's, so that's why I'm sharing this link

Celebrate and Embrace your ADHD

I am a classic ADHDer, and whether you are or you aren't, if you suffer from any of the issues above, this brief article will give you more of a positive way of seeing yourself.

I thrive on creativity, my brain can spew ideas all over the place and when I finally pick one of those ideas, I can "hyper" focus on it and accomplish some really unique and creative outcomes.  I happen to like this about myself!  I have an enthusiasm for learning, doing and creating!  I never get bored because there is so much to do!  I can be an inspiration to others, and I have a lot to share and offer!

Sometimes I think that I need to find my niche or a specific "style" that defines my art, so that my art will be recognized as "me".  But I have to tell myself that there is nothing wrong with trying it all!  Experimentation, and ART PLAY will eventually lead me and I just need to go with it.  I might feel like making jewelry out of bullet casings one day, mixed media painting another, playing with clay the next etcetera....I want to try it all...AND I WILL!  And the best part is......IT'S OKAY!  Just roll with it....and embrace who you are in all your splendor AND imperfections!

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get!"  Love that quote from the movie Forrest Gump.  It's the perfect description for my day to day existence.  No wonder I am a chocolate lover, especially the really chewy kind!  You get to chew and chew and savor the flavor! (don't know if that makes sense to anyone, but it does to me!)

Is My Art "Good Enough" ? Have you ever asked yourself this question?

If your answer is yes, than this little gem is a "MUST" see.  I discovered it at just the right time in my journey.  This question "Am I good enough to be an "Artist"?" has been pestering my brain for a while now.  When I first started to create, I was excited and so inspired...but  as I have continued to create, I find myself having a lot of self doubt and questioning whether I deserve to call myself an artist.  My message to anyone who experiences the same bullying from their inner critic, is to WATCH THIS VIDEO and continue pushing forward and doing what you love to do!!!!

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

YOU and your art are more than "Good Enough".  You are an inspiration to those around you and following your passion is what you must do!  I hope in sharing this video you will find the courage to continue on your quest, squash that inner critic and if you found this post to be helpful... pass this message on!

Playing around with Spent Brass Bullet Shells...

I have a whole bunch of brass bullet shells (all ready been shot, no danger involved) that I'm dying to use in my art jewelry.  I am wondering if anyone can tell me how to cut through them?  I've tried a dremel, but it doesn't give me enough control.  I've also tried a jewelers saw, but I keep breaking the blades.  If anyone out there has any advice or ideas on how I can cut these babies, please...let me know.  They have so much potential.

Here are a few more photos of what I've done with them so far.  I have many more ideas and would love to hear your ideas as well!  What do you think?

Today's Little Painting

Here is today's painting I did this afternoon.  I love the colorful face!  I went a little overboard with the markings on her face though. 

50 Pieces of Art in 50 Days...

I have a friend who has challenged herself to create 50 pieces of art in 50 days....Wow!  She asked if I would also join in on the challenge.  I have a lot of catching up to do!  This is a small 5.5 x 8.5 piece I did today.  It needs a little fine tuning, but it's pretty much complete.  Tomorrow I'm going to try to do a Pear painting to go along with it!  I'll post that when it's done.  Hopefully I'll have enough time!

What about you?  Have any of you ever done something like this?  It seems overwhelming to me, and I have to keep telling my inner critique to "SHUT UP"!  I hate that self-defeating dialogue that goes on inside my head.  I didn't have that when I first started painting, maybe because my expectations were lower?  I don't know...but I do know I'm really struggling lately to produce a finished piece of artwork.  So today's little painting makes me happy!

Works in Progress...

Still working, or mainly "practicing" because I have so much to improve upon and learn!  Here are the products of my latest practice session.

Domino Pendants...Alpaca Style!

These are a few of the items that I made for a friend to sell at her booth at the Fiber Fusion Northwest event.  I really enjoyed making "alpaca" art!  Alpacas are something I never would have thought of drawing or using as a subject for my art projects....but they are just too cute!  Don't you think?  These pendants were made using my original art prints and old domino pieces.  The last picture shows 4 cute little "mini" domino necklaces...I just discovered these tiny dominos at our local dollar store, and they are  perfect for making child sized pendants!