SUMMER PARTY WEEK 3

It's the 3rd week for the SUMMER PARTY and *ARTtastic Giveaway.  Phoenix Peacock has been having a great time with her summer inspired pages. Go have a look!

There's still plenty of time to post your summer inspired journal pages on your blog and post you link to each one HERE.  Get your inspiration from my SUMMER party journal prompts, my summer music list, or your own summer inspirations.  Each time you post a link, I will add it to the permanent link on my blog.  Each entry qualifies you for a chance to win the *ARTtastic giveaway.  More prizes will be added each remaining week.  The last day for submissions is August 31, 2010.  A winner will be selected at random on September 1, 2010.

Grab the "Let Your Art Shine All Over the World" image above and post it on your blog so visitors can easily find your summer images.  Do you like the SUMMER Party but have no time to participate?  That's OK.  Grab the image anyway and share it with your friends who may be interested!  It's a party and everyone's invited for the "Happy Creating!"

Cloud Nine

Cloud Nine n informal A state of elation or great happiness

That would be ME today!  The morning started with a wonderful walk along the shoreline.  A crisp, cool onshore breeze was welcome relief after weeks of extremely hot & humid weather. The gulls and turkey buzzards happily shared the air space, playfully gliding on the currents as if they were in a giant amusement park.  Para sailors and surf boarders enjoyed the waves, and the usual "regulars", also walking their way to better health, had an extra spring in their step without the oppressive heat and humidity to which we'd grown accustomed.

I'm also still on Cloud Nine over the commission I'm working on.  My clients (and friends!) were absolutely thrilled with my concept for the 3 pieces of artwork they hired me to create for their new home that's being built.  There's always a certain amount of anxiety that goes into the proposal stage.  I, of course, thought my idea was brilliant, and fortunately, so did they!  I was given carte blanche for the project and after weeks of thought, I decided I would take a fresh approach to the Three Wise Monkeys.  My first step in taking a fresh look at the subject was not to use monkeys at all.  Here are my preliminary drawings.

"Speak No Evil"

"See No Evil"

"Hear No Evil"

I can't wait to get started on these paintings!  They will each be 3' x 4' and I plan to have them completed by November 1st.

I'm also on Cloud Nine because e-Artella Magazine used one of my blog posts as an article in their August e-zine.  They did a great job with it and I will try to post some pics of that spread later in the week.

Adding to the Cloud Nine effect are the two books that came in the mail. The first book, "Creative Wildfire", by L.K. Ludwig,  came in the mail last week.  I won this awesome book in a giveaway at another wonderful art blog, Kelly's Art Journaling.  The second book, "The Three Strategies of the Unstoppable Woman" by Britt Santowski, arrived in the mail today.  Britt, a wonderful woman and author I met on twitter,  sent me a copy of her book as a "thank you" for responding to her questions about her title. 

I'm going to continue Cloud Nine as I head to the deck in my bare feet with a yogurt, mug-o-coffee and 2 books in hand.  Taking time to relax outdoors with a good book or two is a definite pathway to new ideas and sparking the "Happy Creating!" in YOU!

And don't forget about the SUMMER party.  You still have plenty of time to enter and win the *ARTtastic Giveaway!

Lazy on a Sunday Afternoon

Today I'm feeding the well.  OK, maybe I'm just being lazy on a Sunday afternoon, but I've got to tell you - it feels GREAT!  I've accomplished a lot over the past week, and today I'm just sitting back and taking a look at things I've done and peaking at what the rest of the world is doing.

I just browsed through hundreds of photos in my picture file and realize that I need to do some organizing and editing - but not today. I found quite a lot of photos that I planned on using in a post but never did - until now!  Here are some of the moments in my life frozen in time.

How special am I that my friends gifted me with this fabulous wine glass?  When I want to feel like a queen, this is the route I take.  I used White Zin for the shot, but I typically prefer Merlot or Sauvignon if anyone's asking!

A close up of one of the many suns who live on my deck during the summer and fall

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Hot Fudge Brownie Delights!  (OK, OK, poetic license, people! :o) 

"Journal Joy".  It's possible this is a second appearance, but I don't think so.

I can't believe this is a spread that I created! So out of the box for me.  I used free Glidden paint samples for this spread.

Headlands Beach seems like a great last photo and a reminder for me that I am extremely blessed to have this beauty to enjoy every day.

Well, I hope you've enjoyed  being lazy on a Sunday afternoon with me.  It's so important to take time to relax and just BE.  I like to think of it as "negative space".  There must always be balance.  There must always be some down time.  So take some time out for yourself and just relax.  Your next "Happy Creating!" will be all the better for it!

More Summer Less Journaling

I've been so busy this week that it seems I've had little time for journaling! Lots of  art and "Happy Creating!" have been involved - just not in my journal.

One of the major things I've been creating is a "new me".  I'm trying to become more active and have started a walking program.  There are lots of parks in this area and no shortage of paths.  Here are some of the photos I've taken.

Tracks in the Sand at Headlands Beach Park

A reflection of trees in a puddle left by rain at Mentor Headlands Beach Park

Looking into the sky from a bench at Girdled Road Park

Girdled Road Park Path in the Woods

In between, I've still been creating art.  I created this painting, "When Mannequins Collide", for Ovation Community's "Nude Challenge".  Go to Ovation Community and check out some of the awesome entries in this competition.

"When Mannequins Collide"

I'm currently finishing up 3 preliminary drawings for a commission  I'm working on and hopeful will have them completed today.  I'll post photos of those in weeks ahead. 

I hope you're enjoying SUMMER, and I hope you'll get an opportunity to create at least one SUMMER spread so you have a chance to win my *ARTtastic giveaway!  Three prizes are already listed and I have many more to post.  Don't miss out!  Go HERE to find out more about it and to post your entry. 

Until next time, enjoy our rapidly escaping SUMMER months and find some time for "Happy Creating!"

Summertime Blues

Change isn't always the easiest thing for me to embrace.   When I think of change, I think of shoes.  As  a child,  getting a new pair of shoes was an exciting thing and I think we somehow hold on to that even through our adulthood.  There's nothing quite like opening that box and smelling the new shoe smell as you take a closer look at these new companions in the privacy of your own home.  They're new and mysterious yet offer the promise of adventure.  Maybe they'll become a good friend, or maybe they'll remain an acquaintance. Time will tell.

On the other hand, there's nothing like that favorite, old pair of shoes that are too worn to be of much service anymore.  You fit into each other the way long time lovers snuggle into each other's arms.  There's great comfort in the familiarity of the fit.  There are no surprises. 

"Own My Own"

So that's where I find myself this week; in the middle of change, hovered between the old, comfortable shoes and the adventure of the new, unfamiliar shoes.  And I guess that's my metaphor for what others before me have dubbed "empty nest syndrome", and what has become part of my summertime blues.  I sigh as I look down this new, uncertain path, and I feel hopeful that these new shoes will eventually become a welcomed, comforting friend on this leg of my journey. 

"Happy Creating!", and be sure to take a look at the 2 new entries by Phoenix Peacock into the SUMMER party journal spreads.  And I hope you'll be inspired to create some journal spreads and post them on your site so you have a chance to win the *ARTtastic giveaway. Find out how to submit your pages and learn more about the giveaway HERE.