Lucky Lucky Lucky St. Patrick's Day

An almost like spring day and I am on my way home. I stop at the mail box and heard some thumping and thudding. I open my box, and what to my surprise it is totally full of boxes, packages, and mail!
"Get me out of here, get me out of here," I hear a faint voice crying. One by one I take the goodies out of the mail box and load them on the front seat of my SUV, all the while, one of the boxes is emitting what I have to describe as sounds from a very unhappy person.
I take all the mail into the house, change my work clothes, make a cup of tea, then sit down to look at the mail. I realize, then that the noises I am hearing is coming from a brown box from LORE, who has been hosting a most interesting swap.
"Okay," I say aloud, "Lets see what we have here," as I shake the box a bit. The noises instantly quieted. I get out some sissors to cut tape and such and pull out of the box a wonderful little suitcase painted copper and silver. Oh, I think, how darling and vintage this is! I begin to work on the latch so can open it, however, whomever, is inside does not help and pushes on the lid so it is difficult, but I finally get it unlatched. Immediatly, the lid flys open and I find the case is soo full of wonderous things! I notice the lid and the inside of the case is covered in what looks to be an old letter with faded words in a lovely green. On the very top of many things I find a tag book, with pictures on the front and describing the beginning and parts of a the most lovely little creature. She carries with her supplies for me to use and healing items. I am enchanted, just from reading the book! I set the book aside. Let's see, whqat will I look at next? Well, of course, it is the owner of the voice! How wonderful she is! I am thrilled with her, and her special little medicine bag with a crystal an art supplies, and turquiose for protection. How appropriate for me. I already have learned a lesson from her! (I wish I had added more embellishments for my swap partner.) How sweet and soft she is and I fall in love with her. Her purple and colorful dread locks fit her so nicely and she looks at me with eyes and face that are compelling, some what reminding me of Mona Lise, and therefore that becomes her name instantly. She is dressed in such soft clothing, much like I prefer, with the word comfort stitched on the skirt. My philosophy is reflected from her!.
I position her next to me so she can watch me type. The next thing I pull out is a jar of magic beads and buttons, that I am sure Mona and I wll do something with together. (See next post for continuation)

Girls and Crowns

Letting My Inner Child Play

I have to swap. I get all kinds of gloomy if I don't have a project going, but sometimes I don't get a project going unless I join a swap. My intentions in swapping is to keep me doing artwork on a regular basis which keeps me happy or living the happy artists life. I love the challenge of trying to come up with a concept for the swaps. I have to consider time, what supplies I have on hand, energy required, and if it is in the realm of possibilities for me to accomplish. I didn't realize what an old fogey I had become until I started hanging out with other artists on the web and they suggested some swaps that I did not react well to. My experience with swapping was mostly with ATCs. So, when some other types of swapping occured, I was rather hesitant to join in. Too crafty, I thought. Or too childish, I thought. But, giving myself a good pep talk about being a good player, I joined a couple. I made a tea house, I made a doll, and just last week end, can you believe it, I made crowns! Not just one but four. Well, I had to make one for a swap but it turned out to be so much fun, that I made one for the car girls (my Grandgirls) I had FUN! I enjoyed it! Well, now I understand about letting your inner child tendencies come out to play! I hope the girls will like them too.

Here's a picture of the crown that will be swapped. Later I will try to add pictures of the others.

Spring Art Activites

Well, we have all been wishing and praying and doing many activities trying to hurry us out of winter and into Spring. So I thought another monthly calendar of daily art activities might help. Here are my ideas for March!

1. E.E. Cummings (whoever he is) said " the most wasted of all days is the one without laughter." I say it is the one with out doing something with art. We should "art" someway, something, everyday.

2. Look over your plans for the month. Do they always include art in some way for each day?

3. Select a graphic, and explain in writing, perhaps your art journal, what you think it illustrates, just to get you thinking about ideas to include in your artwork.

4. Look for important words, sentences, paragraphs, writings and readings, that deal with art. Words are very powerful when included in our art.

5. Keep engaged with art. We can't just switch in and out of art, if we want to live a happy artists life.

6. Stretch you limitsin your art work just a bit each day.

7. Do you have difficulties in regards to your art? Talk it over with a creative friend.

8. Always exhibit ways of showing how much you value art. Time, effort, display, writing, are just a few ways. Find your way.

9. Browse your art books and art books at a library or book store or used book store to help build your artist life.

10. Practice good time management. Break large tasks into smaller chunks. Use small time allotments to rejuvenate. Art at every opportunity.

11. Always practice safe art when arting.

12. Find something really cool from a previous piece of art, incorporate it into a new piece of art.

13. It is okay to "clown" around with your art. Sometimes these turn into something very special.

14. Make/ use multiples in your art today. Repeating themes and pictures are very powerful when used in art.

15. Try something creative you've never done...use a new media, method, etc. just for fun.

16. Develop your 'art vocabulary". It makes it easier to discuss and make art.

17. Do a green piece of art in honor of St. Patricks day.

18. Do some cartoon art that teaches an idea. Why not?

19. Invite another artist to "tea" or lunch.

20. Recall and list the most awe inspiring pieces of art you have made, and tell why they impress you.

21. Call an artsy friend just to say "hello, what are you arting?"

22. Remember to stay fit. We make better art when we are fit and feeling great. It is not impossible, but very hard to be creative when we are not at our best physically and mentally.

23. Go on a hike. Anywhere will do. Enjoy the spring like weather...whatever it is.

24. Do some body stretches before you start to art. The five minutes will help you art better.

25. Make some pre-art brainstorming in your art journal. and make a list of projects you want to do soon.

26. Laugh at your self and your art. Life and art can be fun!

27. Keep a bottle of drinking water on your art table. You will find that a swig now and then is good for you, (And besides, you might need to thin some paint or glue with a drop or two.)

28. Complete this thought: "This month has been good for my art because.,......"

29. Try to clear your life of problems. Less problems-more time for art.

30. Art belongs to those who see possibilities......everywhere!

31. Look for possibilities............

Artfully yours!

Something to Think About

I have been searching the net for art retreats. It has been a recent dream of mine to attend one of these. The workshops I read about make my mouth drool. I want to learn all the techniques! As luck would have it, one off the ladies in one of my art groups mentioned going last year to one in Nova Scotia. I wrote back about my dream. The groups founder, as it happens, has a blog where any retreats can be listed. And guess what! There is one right here close in Park City in June. So, I sent in a registration, an I am now waiting impatiently, to see if I will be, I don't know, I guess the right word is accepted. They only take so many on a first come first serve basis so have to wait for a confirmation notice. It will be three days-three workshops. One is metal smithing...looking way forward to that, one is drawing and watercolors, and one is art quilts which sounds like fun. The workshops will be held at the Kimball Arts Center. The participants will stay at a bed and breakfast around the corner. I hope they have a parking spot big enough for my car if I get to go. lol

I am revving up to purchase my new computer system. I hope to get it by the end of March. I really wish I had it now as I really could use the scanner to send some art out to sites. I did not realize how much I would miss having a scanner!

I wish I could say it is finally looking like spring around here but no such luck. The only springy thing we've seen is a nasty wind here last night. :(