A few new art journal pages!

 

Here are a few art journal pages I have done this month. I love this perky little guy! I did gel medium transfers for the backgrounds, then used inks, acrylic, watercolors and caran d'ache crayons to paint the pictures on top. 

 

A detail of the little birdie and the cherry blossom. This bird was inspired by Cori Dantini's art. She is an amazing artist and I really love her work.

 Chairs and birds are a very reoccurring theme in my work...does anyone know if there is a significance to that??

 Another detail shot...

 This is my fairy art mother! LOL! In the Lifebook class I am taking, Tamara had us make a picture of a kind and encouraging art fairy to help us when we have the horrid inner critic pop up and tell us how crappy we are. We are supposed to put in affirmations throughout the year that are the opposite of what the critic is telling us. This is a really personal and helpful exercise, and we are supposed to leave her out where we can look at her whenever we make art.

 It has really helped me so far. Just re-reading and saying positive things to yourself about your art helps bring you up, and build confidence. Make your own art fairy and give it a try! :o)

And don't forget to be kind to yourself and follow your heart! Have a wonderful day friends!
xoxo Tam

"The Mercy Seat"

 

Here is my newest painting I just finished today. I am donating this one to Dawson Creek Gallery for their yearly fundraiser. I hope it brings them some good bids. It is pretty different from the usual art up here...but I am learning to be true to my own voice and style. Otherwise the work just doesn't resonate with people and I can't be proud of it either.

 

I wish the colors could be as vibrant online as they are in my studio. I must still have spring on the brain! Blooms and butterflies :o)

This is a close up shot of a part of the top. Wishing you a sunny day friends!
                                 xoxo Tam

We will be ok...

I have been taking a year long online art class called Lifebook 2013 from Tamara LaPorte. She has gathered up 22 really cool artists from all over the globe to teach classes by video over the year.

One of the teachers this month is one of my favorites (Mindy Lacefield).

I have had an art crush on her since the first day I saw her stuff at vendor night at Artfest. I love layers and whimsy and a deeper meaning and her work encompasses all of this.

So for her lesson she walked us through a page about connection with each other.

I did the first layer of writing over the entire page. I wrote the chapter from 1 Corinthians 13 on love.

Then stuff just started to spill out about my relationship I have with my daughter. I wrote that over top of the first layer. Next she had us use spray inks and paint and stamps then finally the figures.

 

 

I didn't have a preconceived idea for this, I just started painting...but when I saw it was a bear and a girl I really knew it was about my daughter and I. I have called her pooky bear forever, and I have been having so much anxiety and worry over where we are headed. Growing up is hard enough, but when you add Autism on top of it some days I feel like I'm drowning. Drowning in worry and guilt over not being a better parent, not being patient enough or setting a good enough example. The tears just started to pour out when I wrote "don't be scared pooky bear, we will be OK..." I know I am saying the words as much for my benefit as for hers. I can't let go of my hope, and I know God wont let me down...but some days I have to tell myself "we will be OK" over and over just to make it through. Sorry for spilling, anyone who knows me personally knows I wear my heart on my sleeve, and some days my sleeve is a mess! LOL! I'll leave you with my favorite part of the love chapter...

"Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, it's hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything {without weakening}. Love never fails..."  
1 Corinthians 13: 7-8                       xoxo Tam

Is it spring yet??

You know your Canadian when.... It says spring on the calendar...and we dig through 2 and a half feet of snow to make a path to the barbecue...in a severe snow fall warning (a blizzard) and cook some steaks! All that smoke is actually steam from the snow evaporating as it hits the bbq! :o) Mmmm, they were so yummy. I can't wait for spring to get here! So until then I hope my husband will still be game to stand outside and freeze so we can have a little taste of summer. LOL!

xoxo Tam

Look what I made today!

I found this beautiful ivory rose button at the antique store last year. I didn't know what I was going to make with it, but it was so pretty I had to buy it. Then with all things that I really like, I didn't want to mess it up...so it sat in my studio for months. Finally yesterday morning I sat up in bed (EARLY!) with an idea!

 

I came down to my studio, and started pairing beads and wire. I wrapped the button with a wire nest and then found some resin flowers from my scrapbooking stash that match so well I made some earrings too! Put on the finishing touches today.

I love how they turned out...then I realized I don't own any brown or cream shirts,
so now I get to go shopping too! YAY! Below is a detail shot while I was making it.

I am longing for spring! I miss the flowers and the sun! Have a wonderful day!

 

xoxo Tam 

Owl love and online classes...

A page from one of my journals...little sweet owls snuggling close. I love their sleepy faces. Click on the picture for a bigger view if you like. I just started an online class today from my good friend (and wonderful artist) Regina and I am so excited. She is doing a post every day for the entire month on portraits!! I am looking forward to learning some new things. It's so wonderful to be able to see what other people are doing and to share and encourage each other. Go check out her class, there is still time to sign up!!  This week I am going to start a painting to donate for the Dawson Creek fundraiser. I love being able in a small way to help support local art galleries. Isn't art wonderful?? I am so glad that it's in my life :o) Hope you all have a super day!!

           xoxo Tam

Finished!!

 

Well it's done! I will only get to enjoy her for one day before I have to drop her off at the gallery. I called it "Bluebird of Happiness"

 Here's a little detail shot of the bottom. I used all sorts of mixed media for this. Acrylic paint, portfolio pastels, India ink, dylusions spray inks (my mom gives such cool presents!) stencils and of course my hands. My favorite blending tool since I took a class from Mindy Lacefield.

Hope the little bluebird of happiness sits on your shoulder today giving you some joy!

                         xoxo Tam

It's good to share...

Sneak peeks at a piece I am donating to our beautiful art gallery's yearly gala and fundraiser.

 

Had such a good day yesterday painting and listening to music. I think that what art is all about...or any type of creating. An amazing way to go beyond yourself and your life and it's troubles and engage your heart fully in something that gives of itself to those around you. Even if no one ever sees what you make, the way you feel after creating is a gift you get to share with those around you. Kinder, calmer and more present. 

 

I had forgotten that for a while. Haven't been posting because I just felt that what I had to say wasn't good enough or interesting enough for anyone to want to read about it...but a good friend from Arizona reminded me we all have our own unique voice, and its good to share it. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to share :o) So here's a little piece of my heart this week.

                        xoxo Tam

uh...so much for coming right back...

Evidently, the come back soon comment wasnt a good idea...because I havent gotten into my studio since MAY! So I am on a summer break, and I hope to be back in september...sorry guys! Off for family stuff and summer. MISS YOU and hope to chat soon!
                                                   xoxo TAM

Sneak Peek....

Hmmm...what is it??

 Ooooo! It has shinies!!

A flower too? Flowers are good.

What will I be? Check back soon to see!

xoxo Tam

Some Little Found Art Journalings...

Here's some pages from the new journal my mom helped me make. Just 5 big sheets of watercolor paper from Michael's, some Coptic stitching and Voila! An art journal. I decided that I would fill this one with "found art" images, ATC's and business cards I have collected over the last while from artists I love but had no idea what to do with my growing stash. I truly hope this is OK to put online. I am not sure of the protocol for putting my work combined and inspired by someone elses on my blog, so if anyone knows if I am doing something I shouldn't PLEASE let me know.

"The Secret of a Happy Life" 

 The left half of this page was an art journal page by Sharon Borsavage. (the white rectangle with the bird and grid paper).I was so moved and inspired by it, I loved the colors and the collage. I have been collecting images of things I find wonderful since I was a teenager. I remember cutting apart tonnes of old national geographic magazines and sorting them into sparkly paper folders. I still have them!Here's a detail shot of the page. The secret to a happy life is hope....

                                             " Me, Myself and I"

 DJ Pettitt is another artist I really love. Her work is so serene and peaceful. She makes the most incredible fabric journals. When I ordered off her etsy shop a while ago, she sent these 3 girls as a little bonus in my order. I have had them on my inspiration board for a long time, and they just seemed to want to have a home on this page.

Hope to make more pages this week. Hope you all have a splendid day! xoxo Tam

Some arty things...

I really can't believe how fast the last few weeks went. I meant to post alot sooner. Eeek! I did some last minute travelling with my sweetest friend Michelle, celebrated my birthday, had company for the week and had a Mothers day in there as well...here's a few pictures of some of the last of the Paint your Story class I have been doing.

 My sad girl. One of the beautiful things I love about art is that you can pour in what you are feeling, and be as vague or descriptive as you need to be...and after that spilling out, your heart feels a little brighter.

 Then you can paint whimsical bunnies smelling flowers that look like happy party balloons! LOL!

 It has been really great to stretch and grow in a completely different direction. That's the beauty of learning from other artists. Now I'm not sure how this will play into my regular work...but I don't want to give up the wonderful sense of freedom and play that Mindy's class taught me.

 I decided to make a painted art doll using some of that fun! Anyone who knows me personally knows I LOVE fabric. LOVE IT!! I collect it, and pet it...and maybe hoard it just a teeny bit. (sheepish grin). I also work at a fabric store, and I have been getting a bunch of scraps ad treasures from there. Sigh...so my little art doll titled "All Is Well" is using some of my stash. Little fabric Mary Jane's, and a ruffled skirt.

 A painted face on canvas and free motion stitched details....

And her crowning glory....a whole head of super thin strips of tonnes of different fabric for her hair!
     My mom was up this week, and we had so much fun making art and playing in our art journals. I am so blessed to have a mom that shares so many of my interests. She helped me make a really cool stitched journal last night, so hopefully I will have time to make some art in there over the next week  to show. Hope you all have a marvelous week friends! A little thought for the day...
"People rarely succeed unless they have fun at what they are doing." Dale Carnegie
 Go have some fun people!!    xoxo Tam

More Mindy!

So bunny Bekka is still pouting!

 I wanted to go to the carnival! I got dressed up and everything! Why do I have to stay home and do homework and clean my room? It's just not fair!

 Oh that sad face...ALMOST makes me change my mind.  Today we learned how Mindy paints her faces, so these were my first attempts. I really loved the process, who knew finger painting would be so incredibly fun and addictive! Well my 5 year old self, but I forgot I guess...

My face that turned into a moon.

 I am luna
floating, sighing through
the starry sky
inky and silent
except for...
my sisters
the aurora's
singing
always singing
with voices
throaty
windy
wild

And of course, no foray back into childhood would be complete for me unless I included a unicorn. Every day from grade one and two, I would hop on my unicorn and ride her home after school. Sometimes she had wings, sometimes we just galloped with the wind rushing through our hair. Wouldn't that be the way to come home in style from the grocery store? Yeah, on second thought, I don't think she'd enjoy the undignified way the bags of lettuce and potatoes would bounce off her flanks...
Anyhooo, after laughing my head off about that visual, I'm off to make some more art. Hope you have a day filled with sparkling ideas and magical adventures into your imagination! xo Tam

Mindy Lacefields Class

 I am taking an online class from the super talented Mindy . Its been such a wonderful, inspiring class. 

 She is asking us to just let go of our preconceptions about "good enough"and get back to the joy of creating from our seven year old selves. Oh my goodness, the fun that this has been!!

Here are my faces she asked us to sketch... some with our non-dominant hand, loose and silly and scribbly. Someone from class said she thought the girls on the bottom of this one were keeping a secret from poor little bunny. After she said that, I could totally see it.

 The bottom girl on the left loves pie!! I was surprised by how relaxing and enjoyable this exercise was. Next she showed us how to make collage papers by painting on magazine pages with our hands. I asked my 9 year old daughter if she wanted to watch an art video with me. She was interested so we both watched Mindy paint, then we excitedly went and got out all the supplies to make our own "masterpieces". Here are four of the many I made.

 We had so much fun painting together till way past bedtime. She was so amazing to watch how she had no inhibitions, just started going for it, with all sorts of color combos and marks. I made a bunch, and I am so excited to make more.

I miss my seven year old self. She didn't worry about if it was good enough, or if anyone else would like it. She just created from her heart for the pure joy of making something. Do you still listen to your seven year old self when you create?? Go find her if you haven't seen her for a while. I guarantee you will have so much fun when you paint, you won't be able to keep out of the studio! Have a wonderful creative day friends! I'm off to make backgrounds, and maybe find a unicorn or some fairies! LOL!!  xoxo Tam

Spring is coming!

Lets make our nests! Just a few pictures of some birdies making nests in their old homes.

Make due with what you have...

And spread your wings and fly when you can. Have a wonderful thursday everyone!

Pears are yummy...and fun to paint!

Do any of you just get something in your head that won't come out?? Pears are like that for me...no matter how often I paint and paint them, they just keep coming back. The above painting (a BIG brute at 3 feet by 5 feet!) also combines my love of chairs!

A fancy pear :o) She's all dressed up for an evening out perhaps? Hahaha!

Wish you could see this one in real life...the texture and fabric on the background are so yummy. This week has been wonderful. Taking the inspiring online class "Paint your story" from the one and only Mindy at www.timssally.com. Trying hard to get back to the joy of creating from my seven year old self. Its been stretching and great fun so far. Mindy also said we should use pinterest as part of our tools for class...twist my rubber arm, OK! Hahaha! So I hope to have stuff to post from that next week. May your day be filled with the things that inspire you my friends! {hugs} Tammy