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! 

Cottage Love...

6 x 6 canvas

One of the pieces I had finished before I got sick.

I went back to the  Neuro Ophthalmologist yesterday and had more tests done. My vision field has improved and there is no damage to my optic nerves  however my vision is still impaired. She agrees with the Neurologist that the vision issues are a result of the stroke rather than the disease. It affected the area of my brain that controls my vision. Getting new glasses that will help with some close up vision however probably will never drive again. I'm ao thankful for the healing that has occured and will learn to live with my new limitations however I am in the process of seeking second opinions. It will be a slow process to create again but looking forward to doing whatevere I can once I get my new glasses.
The journey is still on going.

Home...

there's no place like home

8 x 10 canvas

Minor surgery on Friday and healing has begun although it's going to be a longer process than planned. Just not getting back to normal as quickly as I would like. Spent Sunday night and all day yesterday in Fredericksburg awaiting the arrival of our 7th grandchild. Jayden Scott Haun arrived yesterday at 2:16pm, 7lbs, 4oz and 19 inches long. He's beautiful and we are so thankful that he arrived healthy. He has been in the NICU since 5am this morning for reflux issues however this afternoon he finally ate without any issues, he's doing great and they should all go home sometime tomorrow. There's no place like home.

I would have loved to stayed with them longer but really needed to get back home so I can get myself well and feeling better. Truly, there's no place like home.

Have a great evening.

Enjoy!

Life is beautiful...

Life is Beautiful
8 x 16



A couple of close ups, lots of fun.
Just love creating this type of art, lots of color, texture and fun.
Life is beautiful!
Enjoy!

Art...

Red Flowers
12 x 12 canvas
This was fun, challenging myself to work with larger pieces of canvas.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
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!

Life is good...

Yes, it is.
This is one of the pieces I just finished, totally loving it...

Life is good
8 x 8 Canvas panel
I continue to be inspired by the art of Christy Tomlinson.
Enjoy!

A little bit of art...

Enjoy
3 x 5 canvas panel
A few weeks ago, while in Raleigh, I visited a Jerry's Artarama store...I was in heaven. Paints, papers, pens and canvases galore. I could have stayed all day, it was the most wonderful art store and I cannot wait to make a trip back. My main purchase was an assortment of canvases, 3 x 5, 8 x 8, 6 x 12 and 8 x 16...35 total, guess I need to get busy!
Have a fantastic 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.

Art & Thank You

She loved the everyday

8 x 10 on watercolor

Love her feet, can just see her walking through the grass or on a beach.

When I find comments on my blog, it just makes my day. A great big thank you to every one that takes the time to leave them, they are so appreciated.

Enjoy!

Having fun...

After several weeks of working through the SheArt workshop, I decided to venture out and do my own thing. I knew early on that my favorite part of creating this type of art was making the clothes. A couple of weeks ago, I found the book, Collage Couture, Techniques for Creating Fashionable Art by Julie Nutting and fell deeper in love.

Although I still have a ways to go with these, thought I would share...

Amy

6 x 8 on watercolor paper

Blair

5 x 7 on watercolor paper

Still working on their hair, then will add a quote and an embellishment or two. I like the girls barefoot but shoes are fun too. Playing around with several others, just having too much fun.

Have a fantastic weekend!

She was grateful for everything...

12 x 12 canvas

Yes, another girl, my first with a background scene.

Have a great week!

Girl No.3

She lived the simple life
Just couldn't resist, had to post another girl. Just having way too much fun with this workshop. I've just begun to watch the videos for week two and am excited to get started. Christy also offers several other workshops including She Art Girls Part II. She's a fabulous instructor.

Another busy day ahead, lots to get done before the big game this evening.

Have a fantastic day!
Note: She is my Girl No. 3 however she is actually a second girl 1 from the workshop.

Girl No.2...

She was happy just where she was

Still in week 1 of the SheArt workshop and this is girl #2. My first attempt at blonde hair, think I like the darker hairs...easier to do. Love this phrase, it speaks volumes about me and my life today, guess it's only fitting the she is blonde.

I find that my favorite part of the whole process, of creating these girls, is the clothes. I love making the little outfits. Interesting since I'm not a big fashion or clothes person, my style in comfortable and urban thrift shop, prefer blue jeans, tops and cardigans. Only own 5 pairs of shoes. I think it's just my inner child that takes over when I am playing with these, just as I played with and made paper dolls when I was young girl. Having so much fun.

Have a wonderful day!

SheArt Workshop...

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm taking an online course and I have to say that is is one of the best I have ever taken. It is hosted by the very talented and creative, Christy Tomlinson and it's called the SheArt Workshop. Still in week one, here's what I've done...

I covered several canvases with vintage papers, sewing pattern pieces and patterned papers.

You can see the sewing pattern pieces behind the paint. I then began adding layers of paint.

Here it is with more paint, some rub ons and a stenciled bird.

Fast forward several hours and more paint, rub ons and a girl...

She made today count...

Okay, so I'm totally crazy about this entire process and have a second girl in the works and another that I'm starting today. Love this workshop!

Friends...

hold a true friend with both your hands

Image courtesy of Pringle Hill Studio

I've had a number of close friends over the years but only one true, best friend. Not only was she my best friend, she was the sister I never had and she was my stepmom. We became even closer in 1998 when she and my father relocated here and we saw each other almost every day. Next month is the 3 year anniversary of her passing, she was only 54 and I still miss her very much. If you have a special friend in your life, make sure they know how wonderful they are.
Have an opportunity to have my mixed media work in a new gallery that is opening in Bedford and in my spare time have been working on several pieces on canvas. Also, played a bit with watercolor last night and have a long list of challenges that I'm working on. Never a dull moment!

Hope your week is going great!

Imagination...

Is more important than knowledge.

6 x 9 on watercolor paper

I am quite fond of the colors I used for this piece. Layers and layers of paint & ink. I even added a few rub ons to this one.

Look closely at her crown.

We have frames and photographs scattered across our living room and kitchen...a day of assembly ahead.

Hope you have a beautiful day.

Love...

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
May your days be filled with love.

Shine...

May you live every day of your life. Jonathan Swift
8 x 8 on watercolor paper
A favorite color combination, perfect for Summer.

It's been a lovely Summer weekend, not too hot and the humidity is down. A bit cloudy this morning yet perfect for sitting with our coffee enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. It doesn't get any better than this!
Have a wonderful day.

The guys...

Alone we can do so little,
together we can do so much.
Helen Keller
5 x 7 on watercolor paper

My husband loves this one. For little boys, they look so serious.
Hope you are having a great week.