A Little Bit of Collage

Another Which One do You Prefer?

Which One do You Prefer?

Think it, Draw it, Paint it!

Recent Abstract Paintings #abstractart #artfail #artsuccess

Raise the Bar

 Given the choice I have mostly gone for the easier option.  I have gone for things that are easily achievable that I know I will be successful at.  This mediocrity has been in part the reason why I am always so restless and dissatisfied with much of life.  I have set the bar so low for so long it is no wonder I lose interest with what I am doing.

As most of last year was spent in lockdown it afforded me the opportunity to get out my paints and paper and get creative with painting and drawing.  I drew things and painted things that were easy for me.  It took little effort or imagination.  I was happy to be producing art but felt nothing in way of accomplishment.

This year I am spending more time learning subjects that I previously dismissed for fear of not being able to understand them.  I need to stretch my mind and stop going in a circle and never progressing through life.

Already I feel brighter and have an inner glow with my newly acquired knowledge.  There is so much that is new to me, that makes sense.  I feel like such a fool for having my head buried in the sand for the first half a century of my life!

In case there is anyone reading this who is like me and wants to fast track a new subject I would give the following advice;

• Learn from the masters if you can or at least those taught by the masters.
• Use credible sources to get your information from.
• Be non-judgmental when receiving new information.

Beyond the chattering social media outlets there is a whole world of discovery just waiting for you to explore.  Decide on a topic that you want to know more about and go for it - learning from the best and most knowledgeable sources.

February Fox

Just after a flurry of snow that evaporated before it could settle, I saw 'something' curled up outside on the grass.

 Well hello fox!  I hope your thick coat is keeping you warm this cold day.

 It gave a cheeky smile...............

 ............ before making a hasty retreat towards the end of the garden. 

*Thanks to all the responses on my last post.  It has given me clarification on some questions I had asked myself.

Tulips

There is not much I want to post about just now.  I am consumed with creating as a diversion, so I will continue showing the paper collages that I have been doing.  Little and often every day I show up to the table and paint, cut or stick.

It was fun to arrange the flowers on the paper but once they're stuck they're stuck!  I hope you enjoy seeing what I have been making.  The process is for me, a meditation.

Pansies Birds Fish

 I'm still painting, cutting and sticking.  Some pansies having a a jolly pansy party.

 Blue birds.

Fishes.

Paper Jug of Flowers

Still using up the painted papers and made even more!  Not sure about this one.  Sometimes I do things spontaneously without much thought and I didn't spend a great deal of time planning this jug of flowers and rather made it up as I went along.  I may add more detail or more likely leave it as it is and move on to something new.

Cut Paper Collage Number 2

 This is my second collage using the painted papers.

 The background substrate is white but looks a strange shade of  lilac/grey on my monitor!

It was so much fun to do and I am really enjoying the process.

Out and About in February 2019

In the name of research I spent a few hours out and about yesterday.  I walked in solitude soaking up the atmosphere in the gardens of Myddelton House.

A bank of snowdrops shimmered in the early sun.

I admired the shape and design of gold painted leaves on the intricate wrought iron gate. So often I get distracted by the detail..............

Card Making in February

This card took hours to make today!  Hopefully it should be easy to replicate now I have the formula for making it. 

I took a printed picture and then made a die-cut frame for it using an inner and and outer die.  I then put the card frame into an embossing folder and ran it through the manual die cut/embossing machine.  I die cut a few flowers.

A white card blank was stamped with flower stamps and a sentiment.  I then assembled the card and added some colored gems.

Paper Flower Bouquet

I saw images of wrapped paper cut out flowers on li.la.o instagram account and decided to do my version.  I splodged watercolour paper with paints and when dry drew on some flower shapes with a fine-liner pen.  I then cut them out and wrapped individual pieces into bunches of flowers.

It was a great warm up project for me and it has given me some creative ideas that I want to explore further. 

Three Days into February

February so far:

• a fly infestation in downstairs cloakroom
• slug trails across living room floor (and in Dec and Jan)
• breaking a mirror (7 years bad luck  - huh!)

I don't know how much more misery I can take this year.  One thing after another sent to test my patience and my sanity.  I would just like one nice thing to happen - nothing on a grand scale just something to raise my spirits.

I am upset at breaking the mirror this morning.  We have had the mirror for over 25 years.  I am having to walk out on this bitterly cold day and buy another one from somewhere.  I don't drive so it will have to be a walk into town.  My knees ache and I have a problem with my wrist and left foot so I don't think I will be staying out for long. I am not so upset about the superstition of breaking a mirror meaning 7 years bad luck because I have had over seven years of bad luck already!

Feeling down, I reactivated my pinterest account.  There are so many lovely images and inspirational quotes to see and I can quite easily while away some time adding things to my pinterest boards.  I have added a click on link at the top right of this blog if you want to take a look.

Would you like to hear some good news?  Gizmo has had all his stitches removed and been given the all clear from the vet. I am going to keep him in a couple more days though as he is still limping and looks like a case of cruelty with his shaven fur and battle scars.

The photo above is the sole clump of snowdrops I have in my front garden pushing up through the worm casts.  I think they may have come up blind like my daffodils have done for the last few years. Maybe it is time to divide and replant or replace.  Here's hoping to happier times ahead. I think that is all I want to divulge for now.

*Just got back from shopping.  Letter on doormat, open it - 'due to an overwhelming response you have not been shortlisted for an interview'.  Oh well.

** Bought new boxed mirror. Came home, took mirror out of box.  Plastic frame damaged with piece missing.  A journey back to the shops tomorrow.