Mood Board - Childhood

The fabric and my love of game pieces is the inspiration behind this interesting mood board. Did you happen to see the little people in the dark fabric? Oh yeah, how darn fun is that!! I also couldn't resist the fabric of the spinning tops either. It just makes me happy remembering all the countless hours of seeing whose spinning top would outlast whose. The little ephemera pieces are included because I loved the library, games with the neighbors and going to school. Who knew I would collect these things as I grew older, not me for sure. The ticket is there as a reminder to go and experience things outside your area like the circus, the city, the museum or the park. They are all part of the adventure and memories of childhood for me.

Rustic Happiness

This little group of crocus just made me smile. The sunlight was enveloping them making their petals open wide to take in all the warmth being offered today. Their yellow orange stamen smiling from inside just adding the right amount of color to make it such a happy scene. Combined with the natural elements of leaves, bark and their greenery surrounded them with a rustic attitude that thrilled me beyond belief. I do hope their little magical brings a smile to your face today!

Venus Peek-a-boo

We have three star magnolias surrounding Venus in the front garden.

I loved the way she played peek-a-boo with me while taking photos. Sometimes she would vanish behind the tree but other times she just came into view just letting me get a glimpse. I always look forward to these trees blooming because it means winter is over and spring is here to stay. Welcome spring!

Art Play Date Giveaway

Come PLAY - Art Play Date is giving away 5 class spots!
This 25 week online e-course features 24 of the leading teachers in the decorative painting market and a lot of mixed media creativity and inspiration for just $99. You will receive 27 pre-recorded video lessons delivered right to your home. It fast, easy and you can watch them any time and as many times as you like until April 1, 2015. So, what are you waiting for? Visit www.artplaydate.com for more information and to see the list of incredible teachers.

Here's your chance to WIN a free spot. You have this week, March 17-21, to go visit the teachers facebook pages, their blogs even their twitter accounts to participate in this great giveaway. Leave one comment per site and increase your odds of winning! If you have already purchased the e-course, you will be fully refunded.

So, want to PLAY ? Answer my question in the comments section below.
When was the last time you had an Art Play Date?

Art Play Date

Art Play Date features 24 teachers, 25 lessons (me, twice) and one great price of $99. This online e-course combines decorative painting and mixed media bringing you an adventure into unlimited creativity and inspiration. The event starts May 5 and runs through October 20. You then have an additional 5 months to watch and rewatch the pre-recorded videos as much as you like.

Now, about this little bit of cuteness smiling at you. She is part of the March Bonus Lesson. You must sign up before Wednesday at midnight in order to get the class and well, I didn't want you to miss it. To find out more and to view the lesson schedule go to www.artplaydate.com

Life's Journey

I have been reading Liz Lamoreux's Inner Excavation and it has you put photos to a story which I absolutely find invigorating. I grabbed my camera, gathered a box my favorite things, found a couple quotes I liked and what you see is the result of my idea. I love that the car is in focus making you think of travel, adventure, exploration and where you are heading? So, my question for you this weekend, is your journey all you wanted? Because only you have the key to change it, what are you waiting for? Set the course and let the journey begin!

Happy Independence Day!

I created this little card last year to signify the Fourth of July. I put a piece of red fabric behind it to really give it the red, white and blue color scheme. I used one of my favorite stamp faces and just applied color to give her some spunkiness. The bee just buzzed around to be placed on and I so wanted to write "beeautiful" so it made sense to the design but in the end, I didn't.

I enjoyed fireworks last night and although I am much older now, it always transports me to my childhood with all the "oohhhs" and "aahhhhs" of the evening. I hope you have celebrated with friends and family today, if not, Happy Independence Day from me to you!



Keep Calm and...

Have you found your muse?

Checkers Anyone?

This is the year, I can finally show you the amazing checkerboard fritillaria in clarity. I only have one bulb that survived and it is situated right outside my studio window so I don't miss the beauty of it. This year I was blessed with four blossoms, all in various stages of blooming, just precious. Can you just imagine Mother Nature when she came up with this specimen? I bet she was singing and dancing around for days with the joy of how creative she is. I know I am very grateful for that special moment she shared with her muse!

Peep Show

I am once again sharing my peep show photo with you, couldn't resist and well it did make you smile!

Happy Easter!

Snow Cones Anyone?

Mother Nature extended our winter season just a bit with a nice heavy watery snow that stuck to absolutely everything yesterday. I loved the way it covered the trees on our road, almost like driving into a magical wintry wonderland. I couldn't help notice all the standing seed pods with their empty silhouettes piled high with bits of packed snow. When you looked around the garden, there was a snow cone in every size and shape imaginable which just made me giggle because of the silly shapes they made. When was the last time you observed your surroundings, I mean really saw what was around you? I hope it was today!

Riding in the Wind

Some Thesaurus words for "fun" - absurdity, amusing, ball, blast, boisterous, buffoonery, celebration, cheer, clowning, distraction, enjoyment, entertainment, escapade, festivity, foolery, frolic, gaiety, grins, horseplay, jesting, jocularity, joking, jollity, joy, laughter, merriment, mirth, nonsense, pastime, playfulness, recreationn, romp, solace, treat, whoopee.

Could you really find a bunch of better words that just make you smile reading them aloud? I'm not thinking so. Which was your favorite from the list and will you be thinking of this week? I would have to go with merriment, just love the way it rolls off my tongue and puts a smile on my face at the same time. This photo is one of my favorites and yes, you have seen it on this blog before. It just makes me think of the reckless abandonment of childhood. Riding your bike like there wasn't a care in the world, just the wind in your hair and no real place to go. Loved the freedom of those days and absolutely loved my magenta pink schwinn with the floral banana seat. Oh yeah, I was stylin' in my youth :D 
What was your bike? I know you remember it just like it was yesterday when you were riding into the wind exploring your neighborhood. I saw you smiling, love that I did that for you today - be happy!

Word - Fun

The word for this week is fun.

Its noun meaning - something that provides amusement or enjoyment.

Who didn't love to put on those bright yellow rain boots and head out to look for the deepest puddles imaginable? I know I loved those streets on Garfield where they actually had concrete road gutters that trapped the water just for this reason I believe. Of course, that is my childhood remembrance and well, I'm sticking to it. This little treasure is to remind me to just let go, have fun, and stomp around in the puddles every now and then. There is no harm in it and it will give you a creative release of adrenaline and energy because you are just amusing yourself. Is there no great release than the enjoyment of you being a kid again? I can't really think of any reason not to visit fun every day, can you? Take the time, you will appreciate the effort!

Happiness

I am missing the sight of these magical creatures. I haven't seen one for months now and want to catch a glimpse of them darting in and out of the flowerbeds searching for endless pollen to feed on. I will capture as many as I can when the time comes but for now, they are only available to me through my many hundreds of photos taken over the years. Their interesting colors, the way they capture my full attention with the tiniest of movements. Oh yes, I am one with these remarkable insects and I am feeling a void without them in my life right now. So, I leave you with this great quote.

"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne



Love Bug?

Bee Mine, Valentine?

I used to love handing out and especially receiving valentine's in school. Those handwritten notes scribbled by children pledging their love, admiration and happiness just for knowing you. How I wish I would have saved them. Can you imagine a box of these little treasures to leaf through when you needed it? 

A couple years ago I bought a box of those childhood valentines and sent them to family and friends just to have a little fun. The joy it brought me with all their calls was just precious and so unexpected. So, this year when they are marked clearance, buy a bunch to send out whenever the mood strikes. Not everyone is in a relationship but we all like being told how special we are and that we were thought of today. Imagine your surprise if you received one! The little joys of everyday are what makes life special, don't you think? I sure hope so!

Wednesday Wisdom-Lucky to be DIFFERENT

 Are you LUCKY enough to have that "something different" that sets you apart from the crowd?

Free Videos

I just did this little video, okay, it's an hour long, I just couldn't help myself. I intended it to be short and sweet but the artistic teacher came out and wanted you to know all the possibilities :D

These are done on playing cards with acrylics and paper die cuts. They all just look so charming when put in a group. I also think they would be fantastic gifts for a visit to a senior center, a cancer wing or your next shower. The reasons are endless as well as the creative possibilities. Have a great time with this and I can't wait to see what you come up with!

To view these, go to http://kellyhoernig.webs.com/freestuffvideos.htm

Travel Weary

This year has been a whirlwind of conventions, retreats and travel teaching across the United States and I am weary. I am so thankful for the many, many, many students and their willingness to go on a creative journey while we explored colored pencils and mixed media. I love to challenge myself and am finding so many artists that share that same passion, it is what makes us grow as artists and not become stagnant. I am embarking on almost four months of freedom to play, explore and discover new techniques that will keep pushing my artistic envelope - I cannot wait to get started!

I have many exciting things planned for 2013 already, the most intriguing for me are the online e-courses. I will be joining Life Book as a guest teacher in January 2013, doing my own Steampunk Series at the end of January and I'm also wanting to do a 6 month Discover Your Style & Creativity e-course following that. Continuous learning and the ease of being at home is an added bonus I know I have taken advantage of with many classes throughout the past year. I do hope you will give one a try.

Where to find one you ask? Well, a great resource for finding just what you are looking for online is Creative Clearinghouse. It is a directory of what is coming up and you can search by mediums, teachers or date and there are reviews in case you want to know more. You can't beat a giant source like this at your fingertips! Have I convinced you yet to give one a try, I sure hope so :)

Fun & Games

I absolutely love, love, love games. I know it stems from those long summer days playing in the screened porch of our neighbors house with every one in the neighborhood joining in. Monopoly, Life or Sorry would last for days and we woke up each day eager to continue where we left off. Clue was one of my favorites but then again I do love solving puzzles and well, the game pieces were also quite clever. After all, who wouldn't want to be shot in the ballroom by Colonel Mustard - oh yes, my imagination was intrigued even as a child. These brought back many memories and I loved what Leslie Mullin did with the Pictionary game board, made a unique purse out of it. How could I have let that one go, right? I would have been kicking my own butt for days for that mistake :)  Hope this is getting your creativity going. If nothing else, making you want to clean out the kids room and send me some cool stuff LOL!

Random Goodies

This is a photograph of my random goodies. I found this great old phone book with adorable ads inside. It will make a great background to some of my canvases. I am also going to let the ad inspire the piece tieing it all in together. The little games pieces will be for my chunky wood items. I want to adhere them to the outside or within the art to add a little 3d dimension. I'm planning on doing collections of them so there may be a "domino" or "scrabble" collection where these little bits are continuous on each and every piece making a darling series or two. The drafted prints in the background will be lovely incorporated into the canvases as a base. I loved the blue/green coloration of the one showing. What would you do with these?