Peace Art

I did these frames for Painting Magazine a couple years ago but love the message and creativity they share. Simple yet to the point, a perfect combination in my book.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

Bit of Charm

This is another section of the large still life I set up and wanted to share its vignette with you. I tried to keep the colors all alike so you would concentrate on values more than anything. The shapes are interesting, the subject textures and proportions are varied and to me it has a certain bit of charm to it. I think it would make a great picture for my studio with the word imagine under it all. The blank lamp shade gives you an opportunity of creating what you would like to see on it. You could add your name to the star and make it look carved or painted on. The possibilities are endless when you start breaking down the elements one by one and create something personalized. Let it inspire you to let your artistic freedom out and about - enjoy the ride!

Warm and Tender

Some Thesaurus words for "warm-hearted" - benevo-lent, charitable, friendly, generous, gentle, gracious, kind, merciful, neighborly, pleasant, polite, softhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted, thoughtful, warm.

This was a little part of a still life I set up for a drawing class and I find it very warm and appealing. Not only with the rich colors but the subjects also bring a smile to my face. Now, who could resist the little stuffed puppy?

Word - Warmhearted

The word for this week is warmhearted.

Its adjective meaning: marked by warmth of feeling; cordial.

After spending Christmas with family and friends I thought this would be the perfect word for the end of 2010. I started this blog with the intention of sharing my creativity and wanted to thank you for joining me on this inspirational journey. I hope you had some laughs, saw some great photos and was sparked with artistic imagination along the way. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the creative adventure 2011 promises to be...

Merry Christmas

The decorating of the house, the baking of the cookies, the shopping for the presents not to mention the wrapping - a build up like no other.
The day is finally here, enjoy it - Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

I've decked the halls, walls and windows - fa la la la la, la la, la la.
The presents are made, wrapped and labeled - fa la la la la, la la, la la.
Off to share with all of our loved ones - fa la la la la, la la, la la.
Enjoy the moments, laughter and hugs - fa la la la la, la la, la la.

A time to treasure, a year to remember - have a great Christmas Eve!

Frozen Bittersweet

It snowed yesterday then rained on top of it all creating wonderful little ice sculptures everywhere you looked. I remembered the bittersweet vine on the neighboring street and just had to go take a look. The results, frozen little red orange blossoms surrounded by winter white - just spectacular!

My creative senses were on overload because I wanted to capture it in all its beauty. The entwined vines climbing up a utility pole making a tangle arch that I'm sure the birds just love. The round berries escaping from the wonderful pods making a seasonal gem for all to treasure. The cluster frozen together with ice, snow and a little magic - what a wonderful sight!

Childhood

Some Thesaurus words for "merry" - amusing, blithesome, boisterous, carefree, cheerful, comical, convivial, enjoyable, entertaining, facetious, frolicsome, funny, gay, glad, gleeful, hilarious, joyful, jumping, larking, lighthearted, lively, mirthful, perky, pleasant, rollicking, sunny, unconstrained, uproarious, vivacious, wild, winsome, zappy.

As you can see, a lot of happy words to add to your vocabulary. I chose this picture to represent the child in all of us. Can you remember riding your bike for hours on end? Mine was a purple Schwinn with a flowered banana seat - ahhh the carefree memories...

Word - Merry

The word for this week is merry.

Its adjective meaning: full of gaiety or high spirits; marked by festivity; brisk; blithe, jocund, jovial, jolly, mirthful.

Now how could you pass this sign and not smile? I have passed it for a couple years now and finally remembered to take a picture. The bright red hue on a seemingly colorless day really did make me laugh out loud :) The bonus - if Santa's sleigh gives out, the roadster looks ready to go...

Snow Piles

Having John stop along the roadside so I could take pictures of snow piles - priceless! Just imagine your significant others face as you ask them to do this. Yep, that was exactly what I saw :)

I just loved the intense blue of the day combined with the random plow stacking. It does make for an interesting photo and would be a great background on a number of pieces. Although this pile came up to the car window, it looks much larger don't you think? The various layers and chunk sizes all contribute to that illusion as well as there is nothing to reference it against. Remember that when doing your art, it's easy to make something appear larger besides looking in your cars side mirror :)

Moon Mystery

It is just so weird when the sun is behind you and the moon is in front of you all at just 4 pm. I couldn't resist taking this photo, the serenity is just awesome and perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

Did you happen to notice the tall barn in the back? The cupola (a small structure on top of a roof or building) is falling down and at such an uncommon angle it looks as if it's leaning forward ready to fall any moment. Aahhh, aged barns are a thing of beauty, wouldn't you agree? When I was in college one assignment was to go an take photos of barns. And, of course, all of mine were at the falling down stage with missing boards, caved in roofs and no windows. The teacher actually asked if I had seen any barns that looked good? My reply, yes, I photographed them! So see, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Ornamental Setting

This tablescape photo is from Nell Hills in Kansas and I just loved the way it brought the outdoors in. Wouldn't it be a great gift for your family and friends to send them home with. Not only are you helping the environ-ment by planting trees but you are sharing your love with them as well contributing to a greener cause. I think the juxtaposition of the rugged burlap bag set on fine china with a linen napkin is absolutely breath-taking. Now, how can I set the Christmas table this year - hummmm...

Picturesque Pinecone

I love this photo because of the prismatic colors of the pine cone - they are almost unnatural. Did you notice the bright red orange hue, the striking peach highlights or the deep blue violet shadows? And let's not even talk about the pale, unobtrusive greenery that surrounds it. Beauty by composition, isn't nature great.

One of my favorite joyous things so far!

Heart of Joy

I wanted to share this little bit of Christmas with everyone. It's just one shelf of a built in bookcase in our kitchen cabinets, great for changing out the seasons. I hope you are all having a joyful holiday so far. I know I have decked the halls, put up 7 trees and am playing Christmas music non stop - if only the shopping was done :)

Christmas Jewel

Some Thesaurus words for "joy" - alleviation, amusement, bliss, charm, cheer, comfort, delectation, delight, ecstasy, elation, exultation, felicity, frolic, gaiety, gladness, gratification, jewel, jubilant, merriment, mirth, pride, prize, ravishment, rejoicing, solace, treasure, treat, wonder.

I painted this nativity set in the 90's and the house is not fully decorated for the holidays until it is put up. It is John's favorite thing and always gets a place of honor. This year it is in the center of the picture window surrounded by 7 trees of various sizes and ornamentation brightened by a multitude of little white lights.

Word - Joy

The word for this week is joy.

Its noun meaning: a feeling of happiness that comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being; a source of happiness, bliss, delight, enjoyment, pleasure.

I wanted to do this little guy as a colored pencil rendering only I can't squeeze it in this year, where has December gone? When setting up the photo, I imagined him up on a hillside sliding down just like I used to do as a kid. I can remember pulling my little sister around the school yard hills for hours at a time until we were both freezing and ready for hot chocolate with marshmallows - aaahh, memories!

As Pooh Says...

Today is a blustery (don't you just love that word) day!

The wind and snow is blowing so hard outside that I can barely see 10 feet in front of myself. Keep safe and warm everyone!

Now has anyone seen Captain Jack or Princess Sophie?

Snow Pods

Isn't the coloration of this photo just exquisite? I just get warm looking at it with all its golden deliciousness. Add the snow mounded on top of the yucca pods and I couldn't have planned it any better. Snow cones anyone? Just amazing what nature has in store for the creative imagination of anyone looking, don't you agree?

Something Blue

The cedar in our front yard give us pastel blue berries to ponder about during the winter months. I am always amazed at their pale color when I stumble upon them by surprise. It is such a find when all else is grey and lackluster from the dreariness of the season. This tree of wonder is one of my favorites and I was lucky enough to shoot this with the warmth of the sun on my shoulders.

Solitude

I just had to capture the magical moment of solitude in the front yard. The tiny rolling hill, the various garden pods left to bury their seeds for next year, the trees storing up to bloom in color next spring and let's not forget Venus. See her in the bottom left? She's there all year watching over our beautiful gardens whispering secrets only the flora and fauna can hear. Ah, the beauty of stillness and quiet, peace and goodness - there is nothing better for my creative spirit!

The Hawthorn

Some Thesaurus words for "enchant" - allure, beguile, captivate, cast a spell on, charm, draw, enthrall, entice, fascinate, grab, hex, hypnotize, magnetize, spellbind, thrill, wile, wow.

Now, if that isn't a list of magical words to be inspired by!

This is my favorite tree in the yard - the hawthorn. I see it from the front but can admire it from the back in this view. It captivates me because of the angle, the tiny flowers, the extremely thin thorns all enhanced by the alluring snowfall of Saturday. It has mystical powers for me and I do find myself daydreaming about it. Silly I know but it reminds me of a tree I used to climb as a kid and sit there for hours watching everything go by. I think my imagination may well have started up there in that tree - simple magic!

Word - Enchant

The word for this week is enchant.

Its verb meaning: bewitch; enrapture, fascinate.

Some nouns for the word: enchanter, enchantment, enchantress; the adverb enchantment.

I'm already excited about this word just by its definition. The words are captivating and conjure up such an image of wonder that I can't even describe it to you. Don't you love when such small things can get your creative juices flowing? I know I appreciate each and every one!

First Snow

I can't help but be inspired by the lovely gardens after a nice white snowfall. The dark of the trunk behind the little cement basket creates wonderment for my artistic eye. It was such a wet snow that it will be here for a couple days especially with the cold weather that is expected.

Snowy Visitors

Woke up to a wonderful landscape full of thick, white, winter snow - just beautiful! I always love the first real snow that covers the ground, layers the tree branches and makes funny shapes on all of the yard ornaments. It tells me winter is here and going to stay a while. Now I don't mind the white stuff but then again I work from home so it's just keeping these two out of trouble. Princess Sophie and Captain Jack were cold, full of mini snowballs and ready for a nap - cute though, aren't they?

Golden Angel

Doesn't this little angel look as if she is swaying to Christmas carols? I thought so too!
I loved the bright white wings against my red walls, just a spectacular vision of serenity. I'm getting ready to put up my holiday decorations and wanted to share this photo to get you inspired as well. Hope it helps and keeps you singing...
all is calm,
all is bright!

Serenity

Some Thesaurus words for "patience" - calmness, composure, constancy, diligence, endurance, fortitude, gutsiness, heart, humility, leniency, meek, mild, moderation, moxie, passiveness, perseverance, persistence, poise, philosophic, restraint, self-control, serenity, stoical, submission, tolerance, tranquil, uncomplaining.

I took this when the fall leaves were still on the trees and the sky a beautiful calming blue.
I'm so thankful this is my backyard! The view was just magnificent on this day, don't you agree? Now, where's your tranquil spot? You should have one to recharge, refresh and energize your creative spirit, it needs to be revived from time to time. Your goal for this week: find that special place where solitude is your friend and let your mind wander with wild abandonment!