Wednesday, February 27, 2008

New Drawings

I've been sick this week so I haven't had the energy to go back to some of the paintings I started while my kids were in Minnesota with their Dad last week. But, I've been drawing small ink pictures again. Still on angels and creatures with the snake like bodies. However, I wanted to try some new faces and I'm really pleased with how these turned out. Let me know what you think. Two have more realistic faces and one is a baby face. The other is more like the ones I've been drawing for quite some time now.

















What are you going to do today to be creative? I drew robots with my kids (older one home sick today but not too sick to draw). Lots of fun to try drawing something new. Now I want to try on my own sometime and put some serious work into seeing if I can create a robot painting or piece of fiber art. As usual my son has been my inspiration. He started me on aliens and I still draw them and am working on a fiber piece with an alien I hope to finish soon. On to robots!! Be watching for them!

Just a reminder to check out Fiber on a Whim here in Atlanta, GA. There are some cool upcoming classes included two by little 'ole me. :)

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Some more recent work




Hello! My creative juices are flowing so fast that I can't seem to stop them long enough to really work on one piece. I want to try so many new things and practice to get better at others while also creating completed art pieces. My mind is all abuzz. I've got bits and pieces of things laying around. I've been painting, collaging, drawing, stitching. Most are too big to fit on my scanner. Here are at least partial pics of some recent watercolor pastel drawings.

Focus. Something I wish I had it, knew how to get it. It is what I struggle with more than anything. That and completing a piece once I start it. I create a lot of art and work as much as I can on improving my skills, listening to my muses, etc. But, sticking one piece, one technique, even one medium is almost impossible for me. I get bored really quickly. Focus is something I hope to find more of in 2008. Everytime I start to set some new goals for this year, like doing more outdoor art shows, entering certain exhibits, taking certain classes, etc. I just can't figure out which way to go. I want to continue my great start in my art journey. But, how to do it?

Any of you Project Runway fans? I'm totally addicted. I've been thinking about the difference between the art and the fashion world. Whenever I hear Nina say to the designer who does the draping (Rami?) that she wants to see what else he can do and he keeps responding about staying true to his passion, etc. I think, wow, I'm just the opposite of him and what is expected of me is the opposite too. For instance, you need a consistent body of work in the art world. Galleries want to see that you can reproduce similar pieces for their clients. In the fashion world, I guess a designer is expected to keep making something new and different. And, I can't seem to stick with one medium and master it but have to keep moving around. One day I might be making felted bowls. The next day making big stitches on a painted fabric piece. the next day painting on canvas with acrylics, the next day, making plexiglas etchings or carving stamps, painting papers to collage, etc. The choices seem limitless. Anyway, starting to ramble. But I remember that I was envious of Rami and his passion and mastery of his technique and vision, but then realized that it didn't fare well for him, at least not on Project Runway with the judges.

Yesterday I visited the Alcove Gallery and Foundation One Gallery in Decatur (some of my creative juices are coming from inspiring work I saw there). I almost didn't go and thought it would be a waste of time, but it was so worth it!!! I want to go again next week!!! I've been visiting the Alcove Gallery online for about a year now so it was great to see the work of all of the artists in person. It is a contemporary somewhat outsiderish, somewhat folky kind of a place. Foundation One had artwork from one of my favorite artists, Jesse Reno, but I also discovered a new favorite, John Tindel.

Okay, here are my pics. I need to either go to bed or go back to my projects that are drying and see if I can see my way to the next steps.

Happy creating!

heidi

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Yesterday


A friend of mine came over and we played around with paints and layering. I had a ton of fun. Not sure if this is complete yet, but I was so excited with how it turned out I wanted to post the photo. As usual, I'm being lazy and just using my scanner. So, it only shows a portion of the piece and there is some shadowing from not laying flat on the scanner bed. It is on watercolor paper and we used acrylic paints, stamps, some phonebook pages. She used some magazine pages (can't wait to see her final result) for her "angel" and I used paints and my watercolor pastels. I think she is adorable. We worked with an article from Cloth, Paper, Scissors as a starting point. If you want to know the author/artist/article I can get it for you. I should post it anyway to give her credit. Anyway, on to more creating! I'm hoping to finish some projects this week!

Heidi

Saturday, February 16, 2008

More Etching


I'm getting more comfortable with drypoint etching on plexiglass and here is one from a couple of weeks ago. The shadows on the paper are just from my scanner, so it's not a great representation. But, I like the image and that I was able to achieve some changes in value more successfully.

I'm also learning to enjoy the inking and printing process. I didn't have the patience for it at first but there is a rhythm to it. Sort of like when I am drawing or stitching. It's the part I don't have to think about as much and just be. You know what I mean? I think being the only one in class this week helped with that. I couldn't just talk my way through it. I paid attention.

Okay, on to a day with my family. Driving up to Dalton to let my kids play with their cousins today and to finally visit my Dad's grave in Chattanooga. I haven't been there since the funeral so I think this will be good for me.

Have a great weekend! Oh, and did I mention I'm teaching two classes at Fiber on a Whim in the next couple of months-Wet Felted Bowls and Watercolor Crayons on Fabric? I think I did, heehee, but never hurts to mention it again! It will be lots of fun. I'm really excited!!

I still hate my hair. I can't think of any way to fix such a short haircut except maybe to get braid extensions or something like that. Then I would probably feel even less like myself. Maybe die it hot pink? I don't know. I'll give it a couple of days to grow on me.
Heidi

Friday, February 15, 2008

And, another class


in April at Fiber on a Whim on using watersoluble wax pastels on fabric. April 18th, Friday, 10-1. Can't wait!!!!

Check out the list of classes at www.fiberonawhi.com for more information.

Have a great weekend. I got a new haircut today and I'm trying to make the best of it although my husband is calling me "bro" and my daughter says I have "circle hair like my Miller" (her brother). My hair hasn't been this short since I was 3 years old. It will take some getting used to. No laughing when you see me!!

And, Paula, if you see this photo, don't worry, that's the original photo of the fish. There are beads added and it will be completed next week! It just makes a good example of the watercolor crayons on fabric. :)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

I'm teaching a class...





on wet felted bowls/vessels at Fiber on a Whim (my favorite place in the Atlanta area) in Sandy Springs, Friday, March 28, 10am-1pm. For more information, go to their website www.fiberonawhim.com. Hope to see some familiar faces! We will have a ton of fun! Here are some photos of some of the kinds of bowls we will be making.

Friday, February 08, 2008

Angels on the brain


I guess I've still have more angels to get out of my system. Here is one of my latest drawings.

I'm excited to have more time (at least I hope so) to start being creative again. The PTA project that I chair is now over for this year with only a few minor things to wrap up. It was again a great success and I feel proud knowing I helped to bring so many artists to the school for one day. Hopefully I'll have some photos to post soon. And, I'll write more about the day and the artists then as well.

I also plan to start listing some of my finds on Etsy. Just today I found this shop and fell in love with this person's free form crocheting.