A New Journal with a Theme

For a long time I've wished I would keep journals by theme instead of so randomly and I've decided to keep a journal of "life" sketches. If you remember (or not) I won a lovely small leather hand-bound journal from Ricë at Voodoo Cafe in April of 2009. I've decided I can finally commit to write in it. Here is the photo of the journal that was taken back when I first received it.

I have been afraid to write in it because it is so special, but I've finally taken the plunge. This is my first entry - a 90-minute pose from the Posemaniacs site.

I am hoping to see progress as I work my way through the journal. The really nice thing about the Posemaniacs site is that I can access it from both my computer and my iPod touch. There should be no excuse for not practicing regularly.

Meanwhile, I've finally committed to 5 days/week jogging on the treadmill for an hour and a log of all the calories that make their way into this body. I found a really nice app called MyFitnessPal that keeps track of meals (with a large database of foods), calories, carbs, sugars, vitamins, fiber, etc. It also lets me track my workouts including calorie burn. For today I've completed 5 miles on the treadmill and have had a nutritious breakfast.

Miss Z is coming over later to spend the evening or overnight (I don't know for sure which) with me, so I'd best get the carpets vacuumed. She focuses in on any little speck and goes for it. And of course anything that makes its way into her hand goes immediately into her mouth.

It is 41º and sunny and the hubster is out taking the Christmas lights down.

Hope all is well wherever you are and that you are making time for yourself and/or your art.

xoxo

Arctic Blast

Boy, has it ever been cold. We have a flowing creek in the backyard and it seldom freezes across, but for the last week it has been frozen solid. The temps have been decent, but the wind chill has made it feel like single digits for about a week already and I don't see an end in sight.

So I am hunkered down in my art room playing and trying to ignore the weather. I am having fun working on a two page spread for a book swap I am involved in, but will wait to show it to you until after the intended recipient gets it in the mail.

I have touched up my bird canvas - I'm still not sure it is absolutely done, but it is for now.

I also have started a new art journal. So far it is more journal than art, but I am trying to adjust to a new size. My first art journal from last year was about 6 x 9 and felt pretty substantial. This new one is 5 x 5 and is quite small. At first I only wrote in it and then I decided that every page needed a sketch of some kind. So here are the first two pages.

The flower doodle was prompted by a lovely thank you card I got from The Philosopher Artist for sending her the origami book she won in a giveaway here on the blog. The sketch on the right was supposed to be a woman, but somehow became a boy. I'm not sure what made it so - the square jaw, the short hair, the strong nose....??

The hubster has gone to a funeral back in his home town and had to leave at 6 am, so I got up with him and made him some breakfast and coffee before he headed out. Now I have all day either to get the paperwork for 2009 in order for the accountant or get this blasted house cleaned from stem to stern before my Mom arrives later in the week. Actually, I should probably have time to do both. But that probably won't leave me any time to do art and I need to do some art to keep myself happy and sane.

I'm thinking I'll probably put on some loud music - Adele or Tori Amos or Imogen Heap or Jem or Coldplay or...maybe all of the them and do some uber cleaning. I believe the CD player holds 6. I'm thinking I could get a lot of cleaning done while six CDs play themselves out. And then I will reward myself with some art time. The tax records may have to wait until tomorrow.

As soon as I finish this and my second cup of coffee, I am on it!

xoxo

2010, A New Beginning

Happy New Year!

It feels like a fresh start this morning. My daughter and her two little girls will be here shortly. We are keeping the girls for her while she is working today, tomorrow and Sunday. I am planning not only to be creative each of those days, but I hope to have fun making art with the almost 7 year old.

I am continuing to practice my printing with my left hand. I am not sure it looks any better, but already (this is just the second time) it didn't feel as awkward. I have a feeling I am going to like this "training". I can't wait to get the opinion of my grandgirls. As for my new journal page, I have some pix. Here is the first stage of adding color. I used a watercolor pencil to put some color down on her face.

I then used a combination of colored pencils and water soluble wax pastels to add more color.

I added some background texture and worked to try to get some depth in her face and eyes. I am not at all happy with the purple "dress".

So I added some tissue paper and a thin layer of Golden Molding Paste.

Here is a close up to show the texture:

And finally, I added a few doodles and some stamping to finish her off (no I didn't kill her!)

All that is left is to outline her face and neck with a fine black marker, which I did this morning and she is done.

I am very happy with the eyes and feel I am getting better at getting layers of color on the face. I had fun playing with this one, and can't wait to do another.

My new art journal arrived from Dick Blick yesterday so I have a new small journal to begin the new year with (with which to begin the New Year) I know, I know. I don't know what my first day will look like yet, but I will definitely make time to start the new year by being "Creative Every Day".

xoxo