Tag Archives: inspiration

Feb24

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.  🌞👩🏻‍🎨☔️🕗

Feb21

Spray, Spray, Spray!

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It’s always cool to know how to create a rain effect on a canvas, or maybe an XBOX, or even something else unexpected. My son is very much into spray painting, and I have to admit it fascinates me. So far I haven’t figured out how to incorporate spraying into some of the things I’ve been working on. On the other hand, maybe I need to do some experimenting, and figure out a way to make it work!

Since I focus mostly on traditional types of painting, I thought maybe some of you might be interested in something out side the box.   Many of you might not think it’s so outside the box at all.  Here it is…

This is only the beginning, but it’s something I hadn’t thought of, and maybe worthy of experimentation!

Feb14

Happy Valentine’s Day

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This is a cute idea and while it’s cute, I apologize for not being more creative!  There may be some of you out there that may like this idea more than others.  While it’s cut and creative, it’s also easy to put together.  It’s also something that could be given to a Grandchild to put together themselves.  I like that it’s easy.

Happy Valentines Day to all of you.

Feb10

California Vibe!

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David Lobenberg nails it for me!  I love his style and relaxed way of teaching.  AND… I love the California Vibe he adds to his watercolors.  It is said that watercolors are the most difficult.  In some ways I would agree, in other ways I have to say that once I learned watercolor, the transition into acrylics and particularly abstract, were way more difficult.  It doesn’t have to be that way, but I always make things harder than necessary.

David makes it look so easy I want to take his classes, how about you?  This must be why I live in California…

Feb3

An Amazing Artist!

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I always have been excited by the look of imperfect watercolors.  So when I started painting…with lessons….the first thing I did was take watercolor classes.  Yea!    I soon found out that the perfection that watercolor artists love….. didn’t fit, and so after many years of lessons, I switched to acrylic.  The problem I’ve had for years is that after years of perfection, it’s difficult to break the habit and go abstract.  I now find myself blending everything together into maybe my style.

When I found this video, quite by accident, by Millie Gift Smith, I went crazy……I love this abstract with watercolor style!

What an amazing lady, and artist!  She has certainly inspired me, and I hope she can give you inspiration also.

Jan10

Try It You’ll Like It!

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If you haven’t discovered Shirley Trevena yet, she is an interesting artist.  In this video, she is pretty much starting in the beginning talking about the paper to use, and how water reacts with different types of paper.   Watch it and see what you think.  Can you learn something you didn’t know, or had forgotten about.  Can you use any of the information she is sharing?

My hope is that this video will kickstart your new year with new ideas, or an idea that triggers something you had forgotten.

Enjoy!