The next time you need to write a to-do-list, you can make it an art project!
I had lots of ideas swirling in my head. I wanted them out of my mind but not to be forgotten. If I write down my ideas I seem to get some relief from having to think too much!
I was in need of a good list but also in the mood to be creative and colorful! So – I did both at the same time!!
Here is my ENORMOUS, colorful to-do-list!
I will update with images of my progress as I tackle crossing out each colorful line.
Today was a bright and sunny day. It was cold but the sun was encouraging.
I took a walk this evening excited by the soft light. I was searching for inspirations.
Over the last few days our snow has been melting. I went in search of signs of spring and found only remnants of the summer and fall waiting to be reborn this spring. They are hopeful for the warmth and rebirth! I too am watching and waiting!
I have an interest to vary from my normal acrylic painting. I have been pulled in the illustration direction. I have been having fun experimenting with lines designed drawn instead of painted. With that in mind I want to experiment with oil pastels. I dug through a box of art supplies that haven’t been used in years and found an old case of oil pastels from my college days. Needless to say I need an update.
Does anyone have a recommendation on a quality oil pastel that is affordable?
If there is anyone else interested in learning more about oil pastels, here is a very informative website I found while researching.
http://www.explore-oil-pastels-with-robert-sloan.com/oil-pastels-reviews.html
Sometimes I like to wander through ETSY-land letting my mind go blank until I find an image that stuns me.
I am drawn to work that is abstract, colorful, bright, edgy, provocative, highly textured and dramatic. I love the way that a work of abstract art could inspire and move different people in completely distinct ways. Abstract work is always totally open to personal interpretation.
I was excited to get a space on the ETSY treasury so I could put together images of some of my favorite pieces of abstract art. Here are some of my favorite images that I just keep coming back to. For me, these are like eye candy for the art lover! I just can’t stop looking. These are my inspirations and a tribute to my fellow artists.
Lots of people use their computers to create wonderfully inspiriting and provocative art, yet I have never felt like a keyboard or a mouse can inspire my creative side. The screen and the numbers and letters bring forth the wrong side of my brain. I spent a month thinking about how to blog if I can’t cut and paste with real paper and a journal and real sharpies and tactile paper. Yet I have found a middle ground on that issue – see my Sharpie Blogging entries!
When I have a brush or a pencil or marker my mind moves. I don’t think. My hand flows and my mind skips. I would love to insightfully share all of the wonderful moments and memories that have been created in my intimate art space but the words don’t come. How does one describe the feeling of getting lost in a painting? Time stops. There is no plan. There are no step by step instructions.
Maybe all these challenges are the reason I want to learn how to be a graphic artist too. I could never give up my paints but would it hurt to learn something new?
Here are some of my new inspirations:
PATTERNS: www.patternoftheday.com
FABRICS: http://www.freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/galleryindex.php
I love to paint and I also love to COOK so I am extending my art blog to include the culinary side too! Sunday is always a good day to cook lots of food because I usually have time and it is great to slow down. I thought that today would be a great day to share my morning preparing baked winter veggies, a recipe inspired by my super Auntie – Karen Mae.
This is a wonderfully hearty vegetarian dish made with vegetables available during the Michigan winter. My partner, Solomon, is a big guy and a big eater. I cook for two, but this recipe will be good for dinner, lunch OR breakfast (served with eggs!) the following day and maybe a little left over to make some soup stock.
When possible I love using foods that I am able to buy locally and/or organically. Today I am cooking with some potatoes from a local Michigan farmer and Michigan organic onions and organic olive oil that I have luckily found for a reasonable price at costco.
This is such a versatile dish! You could make this with anything! AND since I never follow recipes I don’t have exact measurements to give. Just guess and have fun! Leave a comment here if you have any questions and I will be happy to respond!
Today I am using:
1 large butternut squash
2 medium onions
6 medium potatoes
1 buttercup squash
2 small zucchini
2 small summer squash
1 large eggplant
4 carrots
3 sweet potatoes
Olive oil
Italian seasoning
Salt
Pepper
Parmesan cheese
Rosemary
Garlic powder (fresh garlic would be better…I am out)
1. Wash/peel veggies
2. Roughly cube all veggies and place in a large bowl
3. Add enough olive oil to coat all vegetables
4. Stir and add your spices.
5. Dump into a large baking dish or two cake pans! (I love my big, red clay dish!!)
6. Lightly dust with parmesan cheese (if you want cheese – it tastes great without it too)
7. Cover with tin foil and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour and a half. Baking time will depend on the size of your cubed veggies. I would periodically stir the vegetables and check for tenderness with a fork. If your veggies are getting dry you may want to drizzle a little more olive oil.
8. Serve hot with some bread and a fresh salad!
