I've been negligent

It feels like months since I've posted to my blog, even though it's only been a week or so. I had a busy week at school, and didn't get coordinated enough to get pics of the latest drawings from Life Drawing class to post before having to turn in my portfolio there.

In the few minutes I have had here and there I've really been enjoying a scrapbooking book I purchased at the scrapbook convention a couple of weeks ago. It's pictured at left.

With my graphic career training in full swing, I'm finding that I'm really enjoying the scrapbooking publications. They're full of excellent graphic design ideas and layouts. I particularly like Cathy's book. She keeps her designs very simple but graphically exciting. I'm finding my soul really fed by this stuff right now. I also like how happy and girly her layouts are. You know I love the girly stuff!

So...hopefully I'll have some of my own art to post very soon. Stay tuned...

cool photo

One of my dear friends recently came back from a trip to Oklahoma City to visit her son, and she took some pictures on a disposable camera while she was there. She gave me this one; isn't it cool? I love it! It has such a sense of mystery and wistfulness. To think it was a "mistake". Happy accidents, I love them! I will be using this photo in a piece of art, not sure what yet, but when the time's right I'll know.

I also have to put together my first portfolio for figure drawing over the next couple of days, so will post new drawings from class as well.

dressing as creative expression

I did this page as an homage to my love of clothing. For me, clothes and jewelry are another way to express my creativity. I've toyed with the idea of designing my own clothes, and may get to that yet. I really love the look of a pretty dress over blue jeans. Have yet to try that, but fall is coming!

I like this page, but am not crazy about the white pen I had to use. I need to find a good white pen that can be seen, yet isn't as thick as what I had to use here. Any suggestions on what would write on different surfaces?

I also got to use a couple of my new stamps I bought this weekend at the scrapbooking convention on my page. But before I use anymore, I need to get the proper cleaner for them. I should've bought the stuff at the show, but I thought baby wipes would work on the clear acrylic stamps. NOT! So I went on the website and ordered some cleaner today.

journal page

This page done 9/17/06

treasure

Here are some fun items I picked up from the CK Scrapbook convention in Phoenix yesterday. It was a great vendor show; just huge! And crammed with crazed female shoppers elbowing their way into booths to check out the goodies. To add to the excitement, the fire alarm went off during the show, so all the crowds had to evacuate the building. Not an easy thing when women are in the midst of a shopping frenzy! I know I felt reluctant to leave my stamps that I was just getting ready to purchase behind. We were herded across the street from the building, all of us chomping at the bit to get back inside. After about a half hour we were allowed back in. My friend and I made our final purchases then escaped to the relative peace of downtown and the car.

I love scrapbook products. The papers are luscious, and the other toys are just as much fun. I can't wait to have some time to dive in and start creating with my newfound treasures. Will post the results!

soul collage

I want to start with serendipity. I've had this book for a few years now, but never really looked at it. I stumbled across it again last night while looking for a little something to read before bed. And it's just what I need at this time in my life.

It's such a cool idea. Basically Tarot cards but using your own collages to make up the cards. It's intuitive and delves into the spirit part of ourselves, the soul. I'm getting together with a friend of mine next weekend who's also doing some soul-searching so we can each start our own decks.

It seems what I need is coming to me right now. People, books, situations are all helping me to cope with the huge changes in my life. I may not be happy, but I do have a small measure of peace here and there, and hope for the future. I guess that's all I can ask for right now.

still here

This is a scrap of some really cool paper I bought at the Paper Studio with some birthday money a couple of weeks ago. I'm going to use it for a new journal cover when the need arises.

I was swamped with schoolwork but have managed to catch up, so I should have some time to work in my art journal this weekend. I need to. I'm feeling better emotionally, but it's difficult. I need to do some art to help me keep things moving.

Also, there's a huge scrapbooking convention going on this weekend in Phoenix, so my friend and I are checking out the vendor show on Saturday. I'm not a scrapbooker, but I love the papers and cool little geegaws they sell. That will be fun. I'll post the goodies I get!

healing hands

These hand drawings are for my Life Drawing class portfolio. I realized as I drew them that these are a metaphor for what I have to do in my life in order to start healing...namely NOT stop doing art! Art is what is going to keep me sane through this. So I will continue to make art, work in my journal, cry, and piece together the broken shards of my heart.

smile

When I took the top off of the honey this morning, this is what greeted me. I really needed a smiley face today. While things are not necessarily easier, this little message from above was a great comfort.

a rough time

Last night my partner of 10 years told me she didn't want to be in our relationship anymore. This was devastating news and I'm still reeling. So I don't know how the blog's going to go. Either I will need to write a lot, or I won't post for awhile.

My life is chaos right now, and I don't know how things will end up, where I'll end up. Right now I just want to crawl into a hole and not come out for the next several millenia. But that's not an option, so I will muddle by as best I can. I will try to still make art on a regular basis. Right now breathing feels too strenous. We'll have to see.

journaling amid the homework

I spent a little time yesterday working in my art journal as a reward for spending a good deal of time doing homework. I used some new papers I purchased a little while back. It's so fun to work with new tools, new papers and the like. I may do some more journal work today before heading out to a picnic with friends.

angel revisited

I spent some time working in my art journal and this is the latest creation. I bought the fall issue of "W" magazine and found some compelling, inspiring images to get my creative juices flowing. I can't seem to get away from the angel motif. She just keeps coming to me, so I'm going with it. There's a lot of black and white photos in this issue, and I just LOVE that. So mysterious and simple. So I used those images as a starting off point. I will work a bit more in my journal this weekend along with doing homework and practicing figure drawing. I have an extra day, yeah!