cheer up!

In the class I taught today we looked at the art of Teesha Moore, the amazing artist who introduced me to art journaling over 20 years ago.  We talked about what we observed in her style and these are the notes that I made, highlighting the things I want to remember...

It is not a great photo but you get the idea...I used a craft tag...created little journal boxes for the different points that I wanted to note...used a variety of "fonts" to letter in my notes.  (I used my trusty Sharpie Pen for this.) Then I added a bit of embellishments with my Prismacolor colored pencils. Finally,  I added little pops of color with the Sakura Gelly Roll gel pens in fun neons.

Then this is one of the pages that I created Teesha-style...
(watercolored background...plain and simple since I knew I would be adding lots more to this page...)

Then came the collaged borders...and the girl (I couldn't resist her cranky little face!)...and her autumn dress...doodling...shading...and journaling...

So, so much fun!!!  It is so good to look at other artists and their work...really study them...find out what resonates with you, and then experiment, play, and learn new things!

Thank you Teesha Moore...for sharing your authentic style and for so much inspiration.

a day at the museum

One of the items on my summer bucket list was "visit a museum."  With all the busy-ness of life, I had all sorts of "good" reasons why I shouldn't go...BUT with Labor Day marking the official end of summer, last week I decided it was now or not...and so my daughter and I ventured downtown to The Crocker Art Museum.

As we wandered and talked about what we saw...what we liked and didn't like...I made a few interesting discoveries...I mostly liked works of art that include people...there is something interactive, engaging about looking into the face, the eyes of a "person"-even a painted person.  wink

Some of the other pieces I enjoyed...
Abstract is not usually "my deal"...but I think I love these colors...

This (flat!) painting was totally engaging...the dimension was so "real"...

This was HUGE so its size alone got my attention...and it reminded me of a mixed media piece...duh, no wonder I like it...  :)

It was a super fun outing!  I can't believe I almost didn't go. It really didn't take a long time and wasn't very expensive...it was SO GOOD  for me (and such a fun time with my artsy daughter)...my art-heart got all full...AND the discoveries I made have been thought-provoking, probably not life changing or anything but I think that they will definitely inform my art...kinda cool!

Soooo....I encourage you...make time, take time to work on your bucket list...every now and then do some/one of the things that fill your heart...