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Over at Focus 52, Week 13's theme happens to be "Stack It Up!"
After a visit from the flu bug, and a week of finishing up third quarter grades and such for report cards, I'm just about out of creativity.
Well, not so much out of creativity, but certainly out of energy to execute much.
So, no artistically stacked goodies, just a peek into a corner of my art studio.
And, you have to admit, that stuff is stacked!
This was inspired by Hanna, who was inspired by Michelle. Both of these women are beyond awesome.
Hanna never fails to inspire, and I leave her blog with my ideas popping in my head, just like that bag of microwave popcorn doing its thing! And, Michelle? Super talented, beyond generous, and a gifted teacher. I know 'cause I've taken classes with her, and, oh, she's wickedly funny as well.
So, restraint...not in my makeup! I love color, and I love to cram my pages full of it and texture. I'm not much for white space, so, like Hanna, I wanted to keep going with this page. I'm thinking pink lately, so I grabbed some paper, a paint swatch, and a few ripped up journal pages. And, then? Well, then, I left white, and I am okay with it. In fact, it's growing on me.
When I opened this particular journal, I found a page where I had randomly glued on bits and pieces of art table goodness, and a lot of...well, you know, ....white space. So, I grinned, and then I journaled. And, once again, I had me some fun. So, I think I'll do another quick little page when I'm done here.
Just a bit of fun, and a bit of play, and it's oh so good for the soul.
Now, pop on over and visit those two ladies!
Over at Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday, it's the pink edition. Now, I have to be honest here; if you've read my blog for awhile, you might know that my mom had designated pink to be my color, and blue, my sister's. And, oh, how I longed to wear blue. I envied blue. I wanted blue. But mom was firm; pink it was and pink it would stay. So, for quite some length of time, I shied away from pink.
But, nature? Oh, she does pink as no one else can do pink. Cherry blossoms, magnolias, and dogwoods. Glorious pink - the pink that makes my heart sing, the pink that makes me smile.
So, bear with me for one more shot of pink.
I used the following of Kim's textures:
- Grunge With Text at 100%, soft light
- Uncle Clarence, 72%, multiply
Here's the before shot, beautiful in its right:
Please be sure to head over to Kim's site, immerse yourself in pink, and smile.
Listening to early morning birdsong
Drinking my second cup of coffee in my dad's old mug; it gives me a connection that I've missed
Wearing a faded blue night gown
Feeling quite content and rested...I "slept in" until 7:30, a 2 hour difference for me
Weather: crisp spring morning, blanketed by a soft gray sky
Wanting a souffle from Panera but settling for a banana from my kitchen
Needing an artist's date...maybe to go look at goreous spring tables, full of color and texture or wandering through an antique mall
Thinking about playing with photos and working in my art journal
Enjoying meandering through blogs, gathering inspiration, and jotting down ideas!
I'm sharing this image with Focus 52, where Week 12's theme of minimalism has sparked quite a few ideas. I'm not quite there yet with this shot, but I'm on the jouney with ideas being noted for when I have a bit more play time!
Blooming outside my windows at school....
He's just too cute, isn't he? The oldest of my two grands, heading towards 4 this summer!
I've always loved the classic look of black & white, and I'm starting to figure out this texture thing as well. Once again, I got so lost in the process, playing with textures and blending modes that I forgot which texture I used.I do know I used it twice. And, since I don't have time to really sit and complete the on line class I've bought and paid for, it's all pretty much intuitive at the moment. A few google searches here and there, but more of the "Let's push this button and see what happens" approach. What does this blending mode look like? Oops, forgot to play with opacity again; let's hit the edit and undo (Undo is such a blessing; too bad it's not available in real life.), and the brush thing is also beginning to make sense. I plan to work through the course over Easter, but in the meantime I'm far too impatient and just want the magic to happen right now.
Of course, much muttering would be heard should you care to listen in, but I'm getting there, and it's fun!
This is for Kim's Texture Tuesday, where you can peruse the "Black & White" edition. Go see the pretty pictures! So much eye candy and so much to study and learn from.
Over at Focus 52, Week 11 showcased green...natch! I'm a bit behind in posting and processing, but I shot this within the alloted time frame.
I've always loved the truthfulness of this quote. "Blossoming" can be quite painful; it involves stretching yourself, courage, and taking a leap of faith. Generally, it's hard work, but the result? Worth it for sure.
This little guy is unfurling outside our back door. I noticed the small tightly fisted green bud a week ago. It's progress makes me smile, and I'm enjoying watching this hydrenga come to life.
I'm learning about blossoming, sometimes quite reluctantly. Change, even when we want it, causes chaos, whether it's in our soul, or in the world surrounding us - and sometimes, both. It often seems far easier just to go with the status quo; we know it, after all - nothing unexpected to throw us for that loop. We can manage it.
But, I'm pretty sure that I want more out of life than simply "managing it." Well, no, scratch that - I know I do!
I brought these home with me today. Lucsious, gorgeous color to greet me each and every day. Smiling pansies, feathered greens, and hardy pink geraniums.
Life is good!
They rest quietly on the studio's windowsill, waiting patiently for me to notice that they're blooming yet once again. Delicate purple faces, edged in white, stretch toward the sun, as so many of us do. A tiny little miracle occuring right before my eyes.
Breathing in literally, well, their scent is muted, but that's not fills my heart and senses with delight. I'm breathing in memories that sate my soul.
My mother could coax anything into bloom; in fact, when she had tired of the yearly poinsettia, she did her best to try to ignore it, hoping it would die of its on accord. She'd ignore it, watering only when she couldn't stand it anymore, but its red and white blooms filled our laundry room, long past Christmas, long past Easter. Flowers filled her house, her favorites being African violets.
And in my house? Not quite the same story. Cacti and I partner well, as does the quite boring philodendron. I need something that requires minimal care.
In the last few months of mom's life, her flowers began to die quietly. Taking care of then was beyond dad, his whole being focused on mom.
After her funeral, he asked us to remove her things, leaving the house for my sisters and I to do the job. We quietly packed, sharing memories. I noticed a plant in a corner of the sewing room, determinedly holding on to life.
Neither of my sisters wanted it. Dad told me, "It's up to you. I'll kill it."
But the problem was, I thought I'd kill it too. I'd bought so many of these beauties, and I killed each and every one no matter how hard I tried. I relucantly brought it home, mourning its sure demise.
Here we are, nearly 8 years later. It's outgrown several pots, and I hold my breath, figuring that surely this time I'd kill it.
I'm thinking it's mom, quietly making sure that something of hers would survive. I'm certainly not doing it on my own.
And, each time it blooms, it takes away my breath and makes me smile in delight.
This little guy happens to be the love of my life, and I may just need to steal him away from my sister.
Zeus and I, well, we've bonded, you see. He knows when "Aunt Paula" has arrived and comes running, his bell announcing his arrival. A hop up onto our spot on the couch and the love fest commences.
He's a willing model, watching me as I invade his space with a weary sort of sigh...as in, "Really?" A chin scratch would be soooooooooooooo much more the thing.
Only inches separated us here, and if you look carefully, you can see me reflected in his eyes.
I'm hooking up with Kim Klassen's "Texture Tuesday" for the first time. I'm so very much a newbie here, and I'm just playing, but having a great deal of fun doing so. I didn't even think to note the textures I used or the opacity levels. Next time!
