Category Archives: Journaling

Feb27

New Class/New Style

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Abstract Universe

Abstract Universe

A few years ago I took a class with Mary Beth Shaw at Art Unraveled in Phoenix, Az.  This was the best class, with carving, stenciling, using molding paste, and collage all worked into one piece.  It was very inspiring, and gratifying to complete this piece.  And for a first time, I think it turned out pretty well.  The trick seems to be to go back home and do more of the same.

So back home I went…..

Music of the Universe

Music of the Universe

and,  created  Music of the Universe.  The process took me a little longer, but when I finished it was so gratifying to have created this on my own!

I started working on another piece, and another piece, and even another piece, but the inspiration has bypassed me.  Presently I’m waiting for my muse to show up, and kick me in the pants.  Oh I will do it, I think what seems to be missing is the right subject or abstract idea.  I’ve been spending time sketching, and meditating on my back patio, so I expect before long…..BAM…inspiration will hit, and off I go!

In the meantime, I’m getting out my molding paste, papers, some acrylic paint, and a hard board.   I’m going to start playing like I was three years old, and see what little Karen can come up with!

Feb26

Thursday Time Out for Art

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I’ve been making an effort to sketch, and maybe paint each day.  It isn’t easy when it seems everyone want’s a piece of my time.  If I can take it early in the morning, I’m in luck.  I’m an early morning person.  As the day wears on, I lose all my energy, rendering me Toast!  Burnt toast at that.

This week I did this little sketch, and had to add watercolor just because…I could!  Simple, imperfect in its imperfection, and that’s what I like most.  As you can see, I was playing with mixing greens.  I love mixing my greens, and rarely used premixed greens any more.

Check out Time out for art on Zebra Design & Destination.

Feb24

The Second of Many

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Arches & Shadows

Arches & Shadows

Funny how when you’re learning something new, sometimes it turns out really good.  But, after you have been practicing for a while, you become more critical and almost go backwards.

This watercolor is the second watercolor I had ever done.  My teacher was Lola Jarvis, and she was really a good teacher.  Lola was a perfectionist, and she demanded certain things from her students. She definitely brought out the best in her students, and I was lucky enough to have had her first.

Since then I have taken lesson from several watercolor artists including Helen Shafer Garcia whom I have become friends with, and to this day love and admire her work.

Today I only use watercolor in my visual, or traveling  journals, and usually paint in acrylics or even oils.

Feb21

13636 – Whoops, Timeout for Art – Simply Drawing

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I loved this post from Zebra Designs & Destinations, and think we could all do these little exercises. It feels so good when you complete a little sketch, it doesn’t matter how good or bad it is. The more you do, the better you get!

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If many of you are suffering from cabin fever in below-freezing weather, why not pass some of your time with pencil and paper? Drawing can be very relaxing, if you can endure the first five or ten minutes of frustrations and keep working, you might be very pleased with your results.

Go ahead; pick one up and have fun! Go ahead; pick one up and have fun!

While staying at my friends’ home, I gave a drawing lesson, and after a few warm-up exercises, we drew sea shells. I worked earlier in the day on a study to lllustrate the stages of the drawing. Sometimes a simple line drawing needs few details after the dark background is added.

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Feb19

Thursday Time Out For Art

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God of Wine

God of Wine

God of Wine abstract painting I completed several years ago.  Before I even had it off it easel,  friends of ours came over for wine and cheese one evening, saw the painting, and purchased it right off the easel.

If I remember correctly, this was another watercolor, however I also use acrylic inks that look exactly the same when finished.  Somewhere off to the left are a bottle, and grapes. (This is where you have to visualize.)

Much of my inspiration comes from Zebra Design & Destination, although this time it was my muse that walked me to the finish line.