Where Did March Go??

Wow! It's hard to believe that it has been a month since I last posted AND we're at the end of March! Where has time gone....Oh! I know, busy working on the #100 Artworks Challenge and preparing for A Perfect Piece Art Show & Sale coming up mid-April. I encourage you to check both these links out.

If you're a creative type and love a challenge - join the 100 Artworks Challenge. It's never too late! It's a great way to connect with other artists from around the world and encourage one another in the creative process...with NO DEADLINES! Simply create & share!



I've decided to work with micron pen overtop an alcohol ink background. I've chosen to draw 'girlie' doodles incorporating some Zentangle designs. Most of my pieces are 5x5 that I hope to combine into a collage of some type as they develop. I'm not certain I'll make it to 100 with these girls...may switch it up at the half-way point. Here is a sampling of a couple pieces thus far.

As mentioned before, I'm also preparing for participation in my first Art Show/Sale. Lots of framing, pricing and creating! Excited for the opportunity! Check out the link above and join us if your available April 18th!

 

 

What I've Been Up To Lately

I know it's been a few days since I've posted...keeping up with this new found adventure (and blog) really takes time! The creating side has been a little slower this past month and my goal is to return back to creating art. On the more business side...I finally made things official and applied for a vendor license. All due to the fact that I've applied for my first juried Art Show! Waiting to hear by the first part of March if I'm accepted. This too is a goal of mine, entering shows & selling art. I'm taking it slow this first year and will start small...getting my feet wet and seeing how things go! If you have any suggestions for me...comment below! I can definitely use the advise!

I'm continuing my Dreamscapes for the Dream Center of Ohio and have added more pieces to my etsy shop. See the previous post and check out my etsy shop at lcloriginalart.etsy.com for more details. Here is a sample of a Dreamscape matted and framed. Just the perfect piece to add a splach of color to any area.

5x7 Dreamscape Painting in an 8x10 mat & frame

I've also joined a 100 Artworks Challenge...will you join me? Check out Kelle Wynne Conrad at www.artistwriterdreamer.com/ to join the challenge or just follow along. The challenge officially begins mid-March so you have plenty of time to get prepared! In January, I completed a 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. This was just the push I needed to get started. This new challenge is just what I need to keep going...there is NO deadline! So don't worry!! She also encourages you to work small and concentrate on possibly a 'theme'. I'm not sure what direction I'm going yet. I do know I'll continue with the Alcohol Inks...but haven't decided on any other particulars yet! Suggestions?? I tend to draw my inspiration from photos I've taken or photos from Paint My Photo website. I love things of nature: trees, animals, insects, and landscapes to name a few. Follow along in March to see what I'm painting!

DREAMSCAPES FOR DREAM CENTER

During the month of February, I will be creating a series of Dreamscapes. While learning about the alcohol inks, I came across Dreamscaping With June Rollins® www.junerollins.com. Dreamscaping emerged out of a spirit of experimentation and play using alcohol inks on yupo. 

Half of the proceeds earned from the sale of my original Dreamscapes will be donated to the Dream Center of Ohio. The Dream Center of Ohio, a volunteer driven non-profit organization, exists to serve low-income and struggling individuals and families by providing resources, opportunities and supportive services to help them realize their DREAM of living a self-sufficient life. Check out the many ministries provide by the Dream Center of Ohio.

Here are a couple samples of the Dreamscapes available for sale. Please check out my Etsy shop at LCL Original Art for more details and other Dreamscapes available for sale. All paintings come without frame or mat. (Mat and/or frames are available at additional cost).

"Fires Edge" Dreamscape 5x7

Dreamscape 5x7

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS

Well the January 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge has come to an end! What a month! It was a great learning challenge and a definite push into creating on a regular basis again. I chose to work with (and learn how to control) alcohol inks. Alcohol inks often have a mind of their own. I think that is why I am drawn to them. As they disperse on the non-absorbent surface they spread & flow in their own way. They are an acid-free ink that is permanent and dries fairly quickly. The joy and learning process came in learning how to gain control of the inks and manipulate them in a way to incorporate representation images in the art. Below is my final collage of my 30 Paintings in 30 Days.

Peacock Frenzie

I had a request to see a peacock done with the alcohol inks. Peacocks are a popular subject for the alcohol inks because of the vibrant colors and interesting details in the peacock tail feathers. This was a fun request and resulted in three peacocks.

5x7 on Yupo Paper

6x8 tile

The purple one is probably my favorite and is done on a 6x8 tile. I love the combination of abstract/looseness combined with the detail. Satisfies both of my chosen ways of creating! I think that is why I've been hooked on the alcohol inks.

New Year...New Things

I'm not always about setting New Year's resolutions. But as the new year always comes, it's a good time to reflect and start new. One of my goals or dreams has been to start creating art again. I am an Elementary Art teacher and one would think...I get my daily dose of art. Most, if not all, of my art making is working with the students and creating projects based on what they are working on. I wanted more...

If you scroll through any social network, you'll see many challenges available as the new year starts. Challenges to lose weight, eat healthy, be more kind, etc. I came across a January challenge by Kelly Crosser Alge at Modern Ancient Glass http://www.modernancientglass.com/. Although I do not work in glass...I thought this would be a great attempt for me to be 'pushed' into taking the time to create art other than projects for school. I started the challenge with no real goal in mind, other than to create and experiment with some of my new materials. This lead me to the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge by Leslie Saeta at Slices of Life http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/.

I decided to work with the alcohol inks I had purchased a few months before. Learning this new material and technique has been a challenge, but so enjoyable. I'm 'behind' in the challenge, as I only have 16 paintings complete. But the things I've learned from these 16 paintings has been wonderful! I've come to really enjoy this new material.

In addition to the challenge, I've been stretched to share my work as well through various online sources. This has also been a big adjustment for me. Now I'm attempting to learn how to create a blog...I've ventured into a whole new world!

Here's one of the paintings from the challenge...more to come later.