Mood Board - Springtime

 Springtime is here and our yard is full of white blooms on the star magnolia trees, the hyacinths, our fruit trees, it is simple beautiful. So to keep in the fashion of our wonderful yard, I have gathered items of white that show off the season for me. The deep fabric background with all the dreamy hues of coral, robins egg blue and fawn really helps accentuate all the wonderful light elements. Of course, springtime wouldn't be complete without a nest so I had to put it in as a dark accent. I love the way the composition turned out, hope you are inspired to create your own springtime mood board!

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

Word - Bravery

The word for this week is bravery.

Its noun meaning - courage.

I am usually a jump first, think about it later kind of person in my art career. I put my name on the waiting list for a booth before even designing one thing. I sent off a book submission with the first 3 things I had designed. I traveled across the US for years by myself exhibiting and teaching my art. I launched my first e-course before even knowing if I could videotape. Why would I put myself through this? Well, I had to. I needed that deadline to get me moving with motivation, purpose and an end goal in mind. I knew it would work, I would succeed, I just needed to set the wheels in motion and take action. This week I am being brave and asking teachers to join me for another online e-course. Is it scary? Sure. Will there be rejection? Sure. Will it happen? Of course. I am taking a leap of faith and reaching out to fellow designers some I know some I do not but I have already succeeded because I found the courage and asked.

I did this art to express who I am and the text reads...
on the edge, clinging, hanging on, can you feel it? life.
on the verge, tight grasp holding, is is real? life.
on the cusp, dangling, moving on, are you ready? life.

So, how will you show your bravery this week?

Dreaming BIG in 2014!

2014 is here and I am going to dream BIG this year in many ways. I have chosen "freedom" as my word representation and couldn't be more excited! I want to play in the studio more and worry less about perfect art. I want to just enjoy the moment of today instead of always worrying about what is next on the list. I want to take more photographs, I missed being with nature capturing a delicate moment or two. I will read more, it enriches my soul and sends me to faraway places. I want to grow and expand this year heading into new markets and not letting resistance stand in my way. I want to reach beyond what I think I am capable and embrace any possibility that arises. And this year, I want to visit the place I have been dreaming of since I was in 8th grade, the magical world of Paris. As you can see, dreaming BIG in 2014 is exactly what I am doing. How are your dreams shaping up for the New Year?

Join Me for 52 Cards

This year I will do art as a fun, play thing to do. 52 weeks, 52 cards. I have picked the size and will be using flash cards as the surface of choice. I can hardly wait. there will be a weekly word. How you choose to render it is totally up to you. Just the word, calligraphy, artistically, your choice! the fun part is you get to do what you want and each week can be different. How exciting right? Well, if you would like to join my free facebook group "art aMUSEment" and get in on the play time i would love to have you there, here's the link  https://www.facebook.com/groups/409056572490404/

Join me Today for Life Book 2014

Life Book 2014 is now open for registration. I am so excited to be a part of this artistic journey once again and can't believe the incredible line up gathered for a year of creative adventure, it is truly amazing! The piece shown was my favorite lesson from 2013 and what I have planned for January and December 2014 is just as fun and a great learning experience. Life Book includes 23 teachers and 52 weeks of creative inspiration brought to you weekly. Really, where can you get that for such an incredible price of $109? Did I forget to tell you that each lesson is also downloadable and yours to keep too.

Since it begins on January 1st, this is a great time to register and start collecting supplies. Your favorite mixed media paper (watercolor, bristol, mixed media) in a 9x12 size. Tam shows you how to turn this into a lovely journal/book so you can keep all your work together for the year, really a brilliant idea to have one place for your 2014 arting I must say! Your favorite mediums - acrylics, watercolors, crayons, glues and pens, whatever you are used to using. A couple classes will call for a little extra but most encourage you to use what you have.

By using the "Life Book 2014" button on the top left of my blog, you will be linked directly to the sign up page which includes more information about the program. When you click the button through my site here, you will be helping me earn a percentage of the cost of the class. It is greatly appreciated and I wanted to say "thank you" for helping me make money at a job I love, doing art! I look forward to seeing you in class next year!

Exciting News - Life Book 2014

I was incredibly blessed to be a part of Life Book 2013 sharing three projects along the artful journey. Not only were the students art pieces remarkably beautiful, but I love how the lessons just opened the door to creativity beyond my imagination. The supportive community was another item I was impressed with. The way they shared comments, encouraged others, helped when needed - it is truly an amazing journey into your art process and I do hope you are joining us for 2014.

I am once again teaching *yes, I am pinching myself* with 21 other brilliant instructors of all mediums. I am able to give away one spot for Life Book 2014, so leave me a comment on "what winning would mean to you" and you will automatically be entered. I will be drawing the winner randomly on September 30th, good luck!!

Here are the blogs you can visit for a chance to win a free spot in Life Book 2014, good luck.
12th Sept 2013 - Tamara Laporte - www.willowing.org
13th Sept 2013 - Tascha Parkinson – www.timewithtascha.blogspot.ca
14th Sept 2013 - Lesley Riley – www.lesleyriley.com
15th Sept 2013 - Alena Hennessy - www.alenahennessy.com
16th Sept2013 - Kat McBride – www.KatCanPaint.com
17th Sept 2013 - Carla Sonheim – www.carlasonheim.com
18th Sept 2013 - Jane Davenport – www.janedavenport.com
19th Sept 2013 - Danielle Daniel – www.danielledaniel.com
20th Sept 2013 - Jennibellie – www.jennibelliestudio.blogspot.com

23rd Sept2013 - Kelly Hoernig – www.kellyhoernig.webs.com

24th Sept 2013 - Micki Wilde – www.thesecrethermit.blogspot.co.uk
25th Sept 2013 - Kate Thompson – www.fracturedangelics.blogspot.com
26th Sept 2013 - Flora Bowley – www.florabowley.com
27th Sept2013 - Anna Dabrowska – www.tworzysko.blogspot.co.uk
28th Sept 2013 - Steven Speight – www.speightoftheart.com
29th Sept 2013 - Mika Diaz – www.mikadiazmixedmedia.com
30th Sept 2013 - Serena Bridgeman – www.serenarty.com
1st Oct 2013 - Dyan Reaveley – www.dyan-reavely.blogspot.co.uk
2nd Oct 2013 - Effy Wild – www.effythewild.com
3rd Oct 2013 - Carissa Paige – www.carissapaige.com
4th Oct 2013 - Marieke Blokland – www.bloknote.nl
5th Oct 2013 - Christy Tomlinson – www.christytomlinson.com
6th Oct 2013 - Traci Bautista – www.treicdesigns.com

Heartland Art Experience 23/30

I am very honored to be one of the 7 teachers presenting great classes at the Heartland Art Experience. This is a new "experience" and I do hope you will join me for 3 days of fun, laughter and some wonderful art! I have 3 colored pencil and 2 mixed media pieces that I will be teaching while there. This one "the nest" is my absolute favorite because of that sweet little cherub sitting in the hand made nest. To check out all the classes, go to http://www.heartlandartexperience.com/Class_Planner.htm

Heading Forward 21/30

I shot this lovely bird of paradise flower while in Florida. Their exotic ways always intrigue the curious muse inside this artist. From their shape, does it not resemble a bird? To their wonderful color combination of orange and blue violet. Add the long elegant stem and you have this interesting beauty. For me today, this one is pointing to a new adventure, heading forward, not knowing the end results, just reveling in the endless possibilities of my own imagination. It is getting quite real, this next step. I am ready, let the discoveries begin...

Linnie Blooms Design Team 13/30

I am so thrilled to be sharing my first project "InCogNitO" as part of the Linnie Blooms design team! I know you will love their products which you can find here http://linda-barutha.squarespace.com/shop/

"InCogNitO" was created to show my talents of quirky meets realism and as you can see, this one hit it spot on. I am in a steampunk kind of mood lately because I am currently designing my next online e-course Steampunk Series No. 2. I just had to use the wonderful stencil by Artist Cellar and well, I let it set the tone with all of its disappearing gear edges. The wonderful canvas bird is the Linnie Blooms shape I chose to be my focal point for this tiny 7x5" canvas but I love how it commands your attention. I decided to add a human eye instead of a birds to capture your imagination and wonder if it could be possible that it may just have one like this. Surrounded by the dark color band it is all I can see and I love that! It ignites my creative juices to the unlimited color palettes this would look good in. What would you use? It's simplicity is the beauty of this alluring piece and for a step-by-step PDF please visit their website. Enjoy my first Linnie Blooms project!

Now you can find my project on the LB blog and on their websites here

Linnie Blooms by Linda Barutha

shop: http://linda-barutha.squarespace.com/shop/
blog: http://lindabarutha.com/lindabaruthadesigns
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LinnieBlooms
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twitter: LLLCreate

Teaching 11/30

I taught this colored pencil class at my 20th HOOT Convention this past week. It really defines my career as a decorative artist. It was the first convention I ever attended, shopping at first, buying all I could carry and treasuring each aisle of goods with anticipation. I started exhibiting my own designs 2 years later and then teaching a couple years after that. I have run the gamut of classes - drawing, business, pen and ink, creativity, sketching, acrylics, colored pencils and now, mixed media. I love the enthusiasm of students, the energy they bring into each and every class and the certain look they get when they finally "get it!" It is a thrilling exchange I have been blessed to witness over and over again for the past 15 years, one I will cherish for a lifetime. If you have ever been in one of my classes, thank you for letting me into your creative world if even just for a couple hours together, I am forever grateful!

A Lush Place 3/30

I couldn't resist taking a photo of my favorite statue, Venus de Milo, surrounded by all the lush greenery that this year has grown. It is like a tropical jungle at our house. The gardens are overgrown, the woods seem to be creeping in every so slightly and well, there is just no way to keep up with the weeds. It is pure mayhem but the look is just spectacular. The sun was shining through here and there so I waited until her face was slightly dappled then snapped a shot. I am loving how the statues are aging, finally. Most have moss growing on them making them disappear into the background a bit more, just love that!

Join the fun, 30 days, 30 blogs...

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!



Hold fast to dreams.....

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly"-Lanston Hughes

Crab Apple Beauty

The prairie fire crabapple is by far one of my favorite trees come spring time. The blossoms are a fiery red magenta that are just a sight to see. Imagine a whole tree covered with this lusciousness and you have the picture, just fantastic. I love it at all the stages but in full bloom it can't be beat. I loved the way the sunlight is dappled around the branches in this photo, adds such a great bright spot of light!

Spring....

Finding Inspiration....

Dew...

Happiness is a butterfly...