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