Tag Archives: design

Making Changes!

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Orchid in Abstract

Orchid in Abstract

Good morning everyone. Since I wrote this a couple of days ago, I haven’t any idea if it’s raining at the moment, or if the sun is playing with us. It’s been chilly here in Southern California, and since I live ten miles off the Pacific Ocean, it’s a bit damp.     Just so we’re clear, in no way am I complaining!  I’m only in Southern California….not Main or New York, or even Michigan. The people who live there have reason to complain about cold and dampness.                                                                        No, I’m not complaining.

Its been a long time since I’ve been able to actually gather enough thoughts to sit down and blog. . Today, Tuesday, I sat down with a big, warm, coconut infused Yerba Mate tea and decided I needed to pick myself up, and make some changes!

Changes come in all kinds of ways, sizes, shapes and forms. Of course the first thing I need to do is make time for you, and my blog.  The next thing is letting all of you know that KarenSamenow with StoneSoup will now be known as Karen’s Stone Soup…

Since some of the changes are to my  blog, and Yes they will be positive changes, and some changes are to my home!  As much as I love the colorful background of my blog, I’m going to replace it as soon as I can learn how to do that.   LOL   Some changes have already taken place.  Like me even thinking about changes!

Admittedly, I have lost touch with the workings of blogging, and I’m working at getting back to a place where I’m fluid at posting new items of interest within my blog.   Blogging is a full-time job, and  I also have interests in  creating my art, my family, and exploring and/or traveling. I belong to an  art group where we critique one another, explore new ideas, or sometimes just stop and relax with a cup of something good!  We support each other through great times, and sad times. Sometimes that means just setting aside creating, and being supportive.  So twice a week is going to be a standard for me, or I won’t have anything to blog about!

It is my hope you will like the changes as much as I do, and find it easier to negociate  your way around Stone Soup.  Thank you for being here, you are the people  keeping me going and giving me inspiration.  🌞👩🏻‍🎨☔️🕗

Take a Sharp Left!

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Unfinished mixed media

Unfinished mixed media

Every morning I get up, fix a cup of coffee or tea, and head into my studio.  While I’m sipping a conforting cup of something warm I remember all the dreams of creating art, and how I can impliment them into my day.  Sometimes it only includes the way I arrange a vase of flowers, or a table setting.  But mostly, I work on creating another piece of art!

mixed media..Green Man  unfinished

Lately I find a great deal of satisfaction in mixed media work, and am having fun with pieces of paper,  acrylic medium, and design!  Being intuitive is key to this process, as I always start with an idea, and on it’s own it takes a sharp left turn.
Where it goes is anybodies guess,  and I’m particularily surprised at the outcome, especially because more seems to be better on these pieces.

Finished or Unfinished?  That is the question.

Finished or Unfinished? That is the question.

Thank you for stopping to read my post, see you next time!

A Week in Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Colorful planters in Santa Fe

Colorful planters in Santa Fe

Wow,  I can hardly believe that I was once again in this magical place! Sure I was here for an art workshop, and I got to show my husband Les all the wonderful things I had previously  found. I also got to explore with him new things, and places.
Since my day included 8 hours of art, I really didn’t have much energy, or time left to explore the galleries. I was exhausted by the end of the day, and Les wanted to explore. So we explored restaurants, music, a few galleries, and even a few retail shops!  Isn’t it funny how you have to check out places like Costco, Wal-Mart, or even TJMax when going to a new place…..just to see if the stuff is the same?  Well, we did check out TJMax, and Ross.  Actually I didn’t think they were as good as here, but you know how you have to hit them at the right time, I guess we didn’t!

The first painting.

The first painting.

The workshop was given by Cathy Carey, and was the best workshop I think I’ve ever taken. I say this because Cathy is a master of color, and this was the beginning of her classes. Now, I  know  color, I love color, but not like Cathy, and my feeling is it never hurts to hear color theory, or any other theory even one more time. I learned a lot, had a lot of fun, and met some incredible women in the workshop.

Since I haven’t painted in a very long time, my first painting was stiff, and unsatisfying.  By the time the second painting rolled around, it started out stiff, and soon I was able to loosen up and have fun with color.

Magic Trees

Magic Trees

After finishing my second painting of trees, it was time to try something really new, so impasto here I come! Inspired by a clay rabbit sitting on the hearth in the living room, I created this very interesting “Magic Rabbit.”  I have to make some adjustments since I thought his nose looked more like a rat than a rabbit, but here is the abstract, rather colorful, impastoed rabbit.

Strange and Unusual

Strange and Unusual

While the impasto on the rabbit dried enough to work on it, I decided to try something really different….

I was inspired by an artist by the name of Egon Schiele, who impressed me with his strange and quirky style, so I shamelessly made an attempt at copying one of his paintings.

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By Friday when the workshop was over, I was on overload.  There is so much to think about, maybe that’s my problem, I over think so much!  I loved the workshop, the magical place I was fortunate enough to be able to paint in, and the music and wonderful restaurants.

What could be better?

Until next time, have a great week!

 

 

Thursdays Time out for Art

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First painting at workshop

This is the first painting I completed at the workshop in Santa Fe.  I admit it is stiff and at that time I wasn’t feeling it.

Thursdays Time out For Art is inspired by Zebra Designs and Destinations, check them out.

Thursdays Time out for Art

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If you hadn’t realized before, I love color!!!  The more the better, and I often get into trouble because I’m unable to edit, and soften my color choices.  I’ve been doing little sketches, and journaling like this for quite a while, but it wasn’t until I found Zebra Designs & Destinations that I realized, if Z can do it, I can do it!!!

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