Making improvements

I wondered when I signed in for my first art class that actually cost $$, if I was foolish, or if I would actually come through the experience with new understanding. Would I be able to take the info given and make it my own? Or would I just learn how to duplicate the art that the teacher makes.

 



You tell me... this is before the class. Me, on my own trying to be arty.

 

 

Same painting... trying a technique I learned.

 



 

I know it isn't there yet, but it is so much better! I'm still working on these little buildings. Someday... they will be just what I wanted to see when I started.

 

Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Chriat. Philippians 1:6

The 5x5 project

I jumped into the deep end knowing that I flail, splash and basically just roil the water. At the time, it didn't matter. I wasn't thinking about technique. There was a challenge... I had something to say... so aiming for the deep end... I flew into the air.

And now, among all the fine swimmers, there I am, flailing, splashing and generally having a good time. I may look a bit silly, but hey! You can't ever say, I hid when the pool opened.

Sunday, 11/11/12, you can see the whole thing here ... Seth Apter's The Altered Page blog.

 

Some absolutely beautiful pieces were submitted for his 5x5 project. He will be displaying every piece submitted every Sunday in November on his blog. No one is left out... every last piece will be included.

 

Take a look. You will be amazed at the talent some people can cram into a 5x5 space.

 

When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Micah 7:8

 

 

Art Gallery Tour

 

 

Imagine how many times I went here on Friday. Kind of a reality check for me, as in - did I really see my name there?

 

If you haven't checked it out, go! It's a varied display of art that has this in common... the use of techniques taught in this class. 

 

I'm quite sure I'm the newbie-est of the group shown this week. What a thrill for me!

 

Now, feet back on the ground... get to work!

 

(He) satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:5

October in my yard

Early this morning the frost was thick on the neighbor's roof.

The maple trees lost all their leaves in the wind two days ago. The courtyard is now covered with a brilliant yellow blanket... beautiful today... soon to be reduced to a mound of smoldering ashes.

I love autumn. The colors, the smell in the air, long sleeves and jeans. It's the best part of living in Michigan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I can stop feeling guilty about staying inside, playing with paint and paper. Happy days.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11

Sign du jour

Encouraged by the completion of one "sign" project, I started on another. My usual work surfaces are in the 4"x 6" neighborhood, so when I saw that the first item on the supply list was a 16"x20" illustration board, I had the uneasy sense of too big... too big...

I squelched the uneasiness and bought the board. I laid it on my work table, squashing the words that danced about singing  too big... too big...

With every layer of paint and gel medium, I worked to stifle, smother and silence those words, too big... too big...

The new sign is finished, ready to frame and present to another budding artist.

 May she also squelch, stifle, smother and silence any nasty words that whisper in her ear.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Coffee and signs

Most of my projects end up leaving our house, never to be seen again. It's a great system... I can create to my heart's content and we don't have to buy a bigger house to hold it all! But then I decided that my dear husband deserved a piece of "art" to call his very own.  

It started with Lesson 3 of my class with Julie Prichard. (Have I mentioned how much I love this class? Or how much I'm learning?) She demonstrated how to achieve the look of an old weathered sign... to make them look something like these... old, weathered, full of character.

One very important issue in life on this acre is that the coffee we make must be good coffee! Coffee that shakes you awake with the first sip. Coffee that makes your eyes pop, your heart pound, and your ears ring! In fact it is so important that Rod has taken over the coffee making duties, determined that a bad brew will never happen here.

So... here it is. A shingle to hang in his coffee station declaring him... king of the "brutal brew"!

I think he likes it. It's still hanging by the coffee pot.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might... Ecclesiastes 9:10

Reactions

One of the stark facts about the empty nest is that it's empty. It's down to just the two of us and that's not an easy place for a show-and-tell person to dwell. Show-and-tellers need an audience... someone to say, "Yay! You did that all by yourself?" (Yes, we are a needy group.)

 

So, now that the house is quiet, the burden of reactions rests squarely on the shoulders of my dearly beloved. I do love him so... but his gifts do not lie in the area of exuberant reactions. He's more a monotone "wow" kind of guy. I've learned to count on his honesty... not his handstands.

Last week was a productive week for Guerrilla art. It felt good to be working on little pieces of "art".
Assembly line production doesn't work for me. It's one at a time... piece #1 drying while I start #2... That means the show-and-tell process is long and drawn out.

I ran down the stairs to find my audience, but the house was empty. I propped the little piece against a candle holder and stood back to consider... I could see every flaw. The flower wasn't exactly what I had in mind. Maybe the colors are wrong. Do I really like that stitching?

The door banged shut. He's here!

"Well... what do you think? I'm not so sure..." I started in on all of my doubts, but stopped after just a couple. "What do you think?"

He said (in his usual monotone) "I like it. And I think you should read your verse."

"What?"

"Read the verse."

 

 

Ahh. Who needs confetti and marching bands? Sometimes you just need an honest monotone.

 

...be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 31:14

♫ Humming ♪

 

All afternoon I've been humming...

 

 

♫ Back in the saddle again

Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go my way ♫
Back in the saddle again...

 

 

 

 

It has been such a long dry summer... it felt good to work on some guerrilla art again.

 

Whoopy-ty-aye-yay!

 

... He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Acts 14:17