Sunday, January 27, 2008

Etchings


So here is the photo of my first two etching prints. What do you think? I can't decide if printmaking is going to be for me or not. I LOVE the etching process. The same as I love drawing and carving. It is mark making. But, I really don't enjoy the inking process and printing, except to see the final result. I want to make the etchings and have someone else print for me. Hhmm. I'll give it some more time. It's still way cool to be in an art class and around other artists. And, a different set of artists with a different set of interests and skills.

And, I had the most wonderful weekend. I went out to eat at a great place in Midtown last night, Mitra, with my 2 sisters. And, we saw The Drowsy Chaperone at The Fox. Then, they spent the night with me and we had brunch today at J. Christopher's. That's the most time I've spent with them in a very long time. And, ususally it's on vacations with the kids or birthday parties. Not much time to talk. This was the first time since our Dad died in November that we could really be focused just on us. Very nice. We didn't talk much about his passing but I was definitely feeling the presence of it on all our minds. I wish maybe we had taken the opportunity to release and do some grieving together. But there will be other times. I think we were afraid to all go back to that place right now. But, I could be wrong. Anyway, the point is, it was great to see them and be together!!!! I love you guys!!!!!! More than words could ever express. :)

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Etching Class

Last week I started my first real art class, Printmaking, with my friend Sharon Ahmed. Well, actually, it started the week before but I couldn't make it. Anyway, I really like it. We started with etchings in plexiglass. It is very much like drawing. Well, it is drawing, just on plexiglass rather than paper. I seem to be approaching it similarly to my other art projects in that I love the drawing/etching part, but find it hard to stay focused on the rest of the process (the inking of the plates, running it through the press). I'm just itching to go to the next one. I suppose it's my ADD, or just my nature. It's like magic when you finally see your first print of the plate you have made. I wish I had one to post but I had to leave the two I did last week in the class room to dry. I've made about 6 more plates at home this past weekend and can't wait to see how they turn out! I'll post pics as soon as I can.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

January 12, 2008



Today was supposed to be spent in a Laura Cater-Woods class. Unfortunately, the class was cancelled. I was really, really bummed. So instead, I went to a teacher/volunteer training day at my church. Then, drove my good friend Toniann home. I haven't had a chance to spend time with her in awhile so it was great to hang out for that little bit. If you know Toniann or have heard me speak about here you know that she is my angel on earth. After that I was going to head home but decided that because I didn't get to take the Laura Cater-Woods class (which was supposed to be my Christmas present), and I missed the first night of the printmaking class I signed up for (as my replacement present) this week (husband had to work late and I was exhausted from PTA meetings and work)... yes, this is an incredibly long run-on sentence, that I would instead head to Barnes and NOble. I got a coffee and sat with a stack of art books for about an hour. It was great! Then, I stopped at the grocery store and since it was next to a salon, I decided to get my eyebrows waxed and a pedicure (in the middle of winter with my really hairy legs!).

I feel great now. I needed some time out of the house. Time away from the responsibilities and to do lists. I wanted to originally spend it doing something creative but this was just as good.

Right now I'm really busy with planning an art event at my son's school and that is using up a lot of my creative energy as well. I was overwhelmed by the planning but a team of volunteers have stepped up to help out so I'm excited again instead of feeling burdened. I'm also starting to feel better (since my father's death) and wanting to play with my fiber, fabric and yarn again. I don't have anything completed to show just yet. I'm still also trying to organize and take photos. For now, I'm still also drawing and creating art digitally. Here is a digital painting I made yesterday. Wanted it to be playful and childlike.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Valetine's is coming and starting a Round Robin Challenge



Whew, okay, done with Christmas and 2 birthday parties. Always fun but of course always a bit stressful. My kids are now 3 and 7. Wow, where does the time go. My son had a a blast at his party yesterday.






I decided to add a few items for Valentine's day to my etsy shop. Here they are (to see pricing information, go to www.hmiracle.etsy.com)


Also, my monthly meeting of my Fiber Art Fusion group is tonight and I'm sooo excited. I missed a few at the end of the year last month and the last one I made it to I was not to into it since my Dad had just passed.

But, tonight, i'm feeling like it will be energizing to get some creative inspiration from my artist friends. We will be meeting at a fabulous shop (that I haven't been to yet but heard wonderful things about), Rubber Stamp Fantasy in Marietta, GA. And, we are beginning a round robin that will last an entire year. 12 of us have signed up to create a 9 x 12 piece of fiber art that we circulate through all of us. Anything goes. Buttons, beads, stitching, quilting, painting, foiling. No rules! Can't wait to see how this turns out.

What are you doing today to tap into your creative spirit?

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Happy New Year!





I haven't had a chance to really think about what I want from the year 2008. I just got home from Minnesota last night and my sons' birthday is this weekend. I'm hoping to get some time to really focus on what my artistic goals are (and life goals in general). 2007 was not a great year. At least the end of it. i'm hoping 2008 will be on the upswing again.

I'm sure my next posts will have pictures of a SpongeBob Cake, as that is what my 6 year old has requested.

I have been drawing goddesses lately. They always include spirals. I didn't even know the significance of spirals until my MIL told me they represent the grouse in Native American culture. And, also birth and rebirth. Isn't that strangely coincidental? I think the goddesses are to give me a sense of myself. Still working on why they are in my drawings at this time. Here are a few: