Happy days...

The days that make us happy, make us wise.
12 x 12 canvas
The photo doesn't do the colors in this piece justice. It's very bright and the colors really pop. My husband did have to help me a bit with this one, he cut out the bird and leaves. Gotta love a man than helps with your art.
A day in the studio for me today, a bit worn out and sore from yesterday. I've been told that my energy and stamina will return eventually. One happy day at a time.
Have a great one.
Enjoy!

Beauty awakens the soul to act.
10 x 10 canvas
There is a lot of texture to this piece however it's really hard to see in the photo. I used modeling paste and a stencil to create a dimentional background.
Spent the day with a group of artists at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. The highlight of our day was  the exhibit of blown glass by Dale Chihuly. It was fabulous!
Hope your day was a great one.
Enjoy!

New day...

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. -Eleanor Roosevelt
10 x 10 canvas
New piece I finished up last weekend. It's now on display at the Lynchburg Art Club.
This started as an experiment with paint with the blues at the bottom. When I was finished, I liked it better with the blues at the top. Very abstract, something different for me.
Enjoy!

Laugh...

We don't laugh because we are happy, we are happy because we laugh.
8 x 10 on canvas
This is my husband's favorite piece to date, he loves the bright, cheerful colors. It's one of my favorites, too. Hope you are having a great week.
Enjoy!

Wings...

Let your heart soar.
8 x 10 on canvas
One of the pieces I finished last week. I love this piece, especially the soft colors.
We had a wonderful day at the market, sold a piece of mixed media art and several pieces of photography art.
Currently working on several pieces, hoping to finish a few by the end of the weekend. A bit of holiday decorating done and beginning to feel a bit festive.
Have a great night.
Enjoy!

A little different...

Petals
16 x 20 on canvas
Before my stroke, Pinterest was a daily addiction, I absolutely loved it. Although, not on a daily basis, I still cannot resist. My vision issue prevents me from really getting to see all the beautiful pins but occasionally I'll come across something that really stands out. Saw a piece of art, similar to this and just had to give it a try. My wonderful husband cut all the petals for me, still not comfortable with scissors due to impaired depth perception...really would like to keep all my fingers.
This was fun to create.
Hope you are having a fabulous holidady weekend.
Enjoy!

A willing heart...

Nothing in this world is impossible to a willing heart. Abraham Lincoln
12 x 12 on canvas

This is the very first piece I worked on after I came home from the hospital the last time. I got the background started at the urging of my family and then put it aside. I wasn't ready at yet and I knew if I tried to force the issue, it wouldn't be healthy. I was still very visually impaired at that point and not certain of the future. I tried to stay positive but there were days that it was harder than others. I looked at it almost everyday, even on my worst days, I atleast walked in my studio to see if the urge to create was there. Eventually, I picked it up again, added some more paint and set it aside again. When I heard this quote several weeks ago, I just knew this piece was where it belonged.  This quote sums up how I feel. I knew I needed my art to heal and when I let go of my fear and let my heart lead me, I was ready.
Enjoy!

Blooming...

Earth laughs in flowers
4 x 12 canvas
Another flower experiment, like the first one I created much better but this is still a bright and happy piece. Now working on a third flower.
Started framing my  large piece and found out it's actually 18 x 24, not 16 x 20 as I thought. So I guess that's means I accomplished more than I thought I had. Always a good thing. Will get it posted soon.
It's been a beautiful weekend, time at the Gallery, delivering orders, painting and journaling. My eyesight seems a bit more blurred this morning but I imagine the eyes are a bit tired. Need to take more time to rest them but when I get going it's hard to stop. Taking a break this morning then it's an afternoon of football, racing and art, quite a combination but it's what I enjoy.
Have a wonderful day.
Enjoy!

Friendship is a flower that blooms in all season.
4 x 12 on canvas.
I am truly pleased with this piece, it's fun, colorful, makes me happy.
Enjoy!

New me, new art...

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. 12 x 12 canvas

This is a brand new piece. I think my art is different now, colors a little darker but still a lot of them. While I was finishing up this piece, over the weekend, I thought a lot about my journey. Both as a person and as an artist. I thought long and hard about how lucky I am. There are many things I still cannot do but there are so many more that I can. It's quite a sight to watch me work, changing glasses or   using one of my many magnifiers . It's becoming habit and that makes it easier. Just the pure satisfaction of finishing a piece is worth every struggle. I've come a long way and it feels good.
Thanks to all that have sent well wishes, prayers and encouraging words. They mean so much.
Enjoy!

Flower Pot
12 x 12 canvas
I love this piece, it was a lot of fun to create. 
Enjoy!

 

Earth laughs in flowers
8 x 8 on canvas
Enjoy!

Coffee break...

Java, 4 x 4 canvas 

 Enjoy, 4 x 4 Canvas

 

I have been a coffee drinker for years however since my stroke, I cannot stand the smell nor taste. It's the strangest thing. In the beginning, I thought it was the coffee in the hospital, it tasted like dirt. Now I know that it's all coffee including my favorite treat, iced mocha. I've also found that I can no longer drink tea or eat chocolate.  It could have so much worse so I'm not complaining. 

Enjoy! 

A little bird...

 

 Yellow & Orange Bird

8 x 8 on canvas

Enjoy!

 

 



Butterflies...

Butterflies
8 x 8 on canvas
Enjoy!

 

 

You can never have too many Angels...

She enjoyed life

8 x 8 canvas

She's my third and favorite angel. Bought the butterfly paper to make my daughter's graduation card and saved every scrap, just love it.

Getting back into the swing of things, worked on a few pieces last night and have started a couple of new backgrounds this morning. September (art show) and October (exhibit) are just around the corner. Still working on my "numbers" photography art project, want to be able to begin to offer custom pieces by the first of September.

We are in for a week of rain so it's easier to stay indoors and create.

Have a great day.

Enjoy!

Angels...

Back in March 2010, I shared this paper pieced angel that I had made for my neice Emma. It was a gift for her second birthday. This was just as I was beginning to explore the world of collage and mixed media...

Her little sister, Aubrey, is turning 2 next month.

Here is the angel I just finished for her...

Isn't she preciou!

I decided to try one on a canvas and here she is...

She made today count

8 x 8

Having a wonderfully creative weekend, hope yours has been great.

Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home...

I love to travel, love to explore, love discovering new places but there's nothing like that feeling when you arrive back home.
Here are 2 pieces I just finished, Home Sweet Home...

Both pieces are 5 x 5 on canvas.

I like this size, a bit of a challenge for me.

Finished the 8 canvases I'd been working on since Sunday and have 6 more primed and ready to start but first I need to get our Home Sweet Home back in order. Worked for a while in my studio last night just trying to restore some sense of order, not an easy task.

Hope your week has gone well, have a beautiful day.

Another girl...

It's been a while since I've shared a girl, this is my newest...

She loved the everyday

9 x 12 canvas panel

I used a security envelope and another piece of junk mail to create her dress.

I've signed up to take another workshop by Christy Tomlinson, Your Living Canvas. The workshop started last week however I haven't. It's a busy time for us right now, lots of birthdays, weddings and graduations, oh, and a couple of baby showers. Right now I'm trying to get cards made for graduations this weekend and a baby gift for Sunday. Then a wedding album, more cards and another baby gift need to be finished next week. Oh my goodness...

Hope you have a fabulous week!

Enjoy.

Hope & Confidence...

8 x 10 on watercolor paper

Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. -Helen Keller

Enjoy!