the journal covers continue...

I'm having so much fun with these book covers! This is my latest..a combination gratitude journal and an idea I got from one of the scrapbooking mags - writing down both the best thing that happened to you all day and the worst thing that happened to you all day. What a great way to have a unique record of the days without spending a lot of time writing. Since I seem to be in a bit of a time crunch right now (don't we all?!) this is a fast and easy way to pick the highlights of the day.

Now I have to find some time to start working on Christmas gifts...

new glasses

I picked up my new glasses; my first pair of progressive lenses. Wow. I'm getting old! I'd heard the progressive would be hard to get used to, but so far so good. They're a little different than regular glasses, but I've been wearing reading glasses with contacts for the past few years, so I'm kind of used to the gradation thing. Anyway, they may be progressive lenses, but they look cool.

I have drawing class today, so it will be interesting to see how I do with these new specs.

another book

I've really been into altering and making books lately, when I'm not working on figure drawing. This cover is one I saw in the book, "Decorative Journals" and redid for myself. This afternoon I'm going to work on the covers for a gratitude journal. Will post the results.

a little something

Here's a little journal I've had mostly finished for awhile and finally finished today. It was just a plain tiny notebook from the drugstore, but now it's embellished and ready to enter my purse.

My little cat has a respiratory infection that she can't seem to shake, so today we're heading to the vet AGAIN (this is the third visit in as many weeks). Hopefully the next round of antibiotics will kick this nasty infection she has. Poor little thing...she's really miserable and I'm worried about her. At least she doesn't have the strength to fight me when I give her the medicine. It's just me giving her medicine for the next couple of weeks and she can be a real hellcat. When we visited the vet a few days ago, Little Kitty (yes, that's her name and it really fits her) made a snuffing noise, and the vet said "She just gave me a cougar chuff!" That's my girl!

I've been reflecting on creativity and my creative process over the past couple of days. How difficult it is sometimes to engage in that process, and what I use to avoid it. For me, it's shopping. I feel a great urge to create but get fearful, not even consciously sometimes, and think, "Oh, I'll just go shopping for this or that". I would say shopping would be my drug of choice in stressful or difficult situations. Fortunately, I'm not like some folks that have 100's of pairs of shoes in their closets that they've never worn, but it feels like an avoidance tactic at best and an addiction at worst. Something I need to work with and stay as conscious as possible about.

On that note, off to the vet. If you would, keep Little Kitty in your thoughts...

more recent drawings

Here are another couple of drawings from figure class; I really like the woman above, though I need to put more work into her face and hands. Those are just roughed in.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

what I've been doing

This is the latest in the series from life drawing class. I'm feeling more confident, that is to say, a bit more confident (long way to go!) in my structure and volume. The volume needs more work; I still tend to get lost during this part of the process. Practice makes perfect, and I plan on practicing a lot over Christmas break.

Sunday night here in Tempe there's something called "Anti-art School" going on. I think it's a social thing, where you can hang out, have some snacks, listen to music and figure draw. I'm thinking I'll check it out if I'm not too exhausted from the Thanksgiving festivities.

On the personal front, things are very much in a state of flux. My partner and I have been talking and reconnecting in a big way, and the only thing that's consistent is my feeling completely conflicted about what I want to do with my future. I have some very big decisions to make about what lies ahead for me. I'm trying to take it day by day, but can't help projecting into the future and stressing myself out. This morning lying in bed I thought about moving to Portland, OR and had a mini panic attack, but the thought of NOT going feels awful, too. I'm feeling like an oyster that's got sand in its shell; so uncomfortable that I'm doing everything I can to get rid of the sand. But hopefully by the end, like the oyster, I'll have a pearl.

everyday beauty

I got this rug last week from Target and just love the vibrant colors. Inspiration is everywhere!

more drawing...

From figure drawing class. I think I'm starting to get it, but have a long way to go. Next semester, Art Anatomy!

see beauty

This little page is in my personal reminders journal. I played with using paint on the stamped lettering and can say I'm not crazy about the result. I think I have to practice more, get the technique down.

This week has been crazy so far, and I have SO much to do! Tons of schoolwork, then one of my best friends is coming in on Friday for a weekend visit. I can't wait to see her..it's been almost 2 years since we saw one another last. That's way too long!

So, I'll keep my post short and sweet. Will try to post some art in the next couple of days again.

rubber stamps and scrapbooking

This is a set of pages in a journal I'm doing to remind myself of certain concepts I often forget in daily life. Like breathing. Trust. The basics. It was fun today to pull out my supplies and get a couple of pages done. I'm not terribly happy with the picture above. I need to get a little better with the camera. The colors are much more vibrant in person.

This morning I went to the semi-annual rubber stamp convention at the Mesa Convention Center with a friend of mine. I realized that I am SO not into rubber stamps anymore. Not that I was huge into them to begin with, but there was nothing at that show that interested me in the least. The only rubber stamps I seem drawn to are alphabet stamps. Other than that, not so much. We went to a local scrapbook store after that, and I thought, "Now we're talking!"

I've been seeing so many cool art/scrapbook things lately. I stumbled upon this site by Shimelle that I absolutely love. It makes me happy just to look at it. Her colors and fun sense of style really make me smile.

Check out her "5 Favorite Things" mini book. So fun, bright and happy!

I'm wanting to work with photos more lately. I keep thinking about new ways of journaling, capturing things I'm not right now. Hmmm...

more figure drawing

Here's another drawing from class. It looks slightly different now after the critique the other day. I changed the "halo" around his head in the background, and made the whole thing more uniform and illuminated. This morning I have a little time, so I'm going to play a bit in one of my journals.

I was looking at Anahata's blog this morning. I love her blog! It's always filled with beautiful images and inspiration. I like how she talks about all aspects of creativity. Recent posts have included ideas on interior design, which I love. I'd like to incorporate more of that into my blog as well. Am feeling a little stale lately in the posting department.

I want to fill my world with beauty right now. My big thing design-wise is pattern, really feminine pattern with lots of flourishes, brocade, sparkly things, etc. And flowers, always flowers.

She mentioned a site called Brocade that I checked out. Wow. I signed up for their free catalog.

I love the colors, the delicacy of the look, so pretty, classic.

I really like all kinds of different styles. Sometimes it's tough to pick out my favorites. There are so many beautiful looks, patterns and textures out there right now. It's kind of overwhelming! I love the ultra-feminine, girly look, but also like the clean lines of the new retro patterns as well.

The trick is to replicate some of these looks without spending the insane prices they want. Thank goodness for Target and IKEA!