Introspection

When I was a senior in high school, I took an English class called Introspection. Dr. Amberg was the teacher and this was THE MOST sought after class. Dr. Amberg was THE MOST sought after teacher. Since I helped with scheduling (we used index cards that said either "drop" or "add", highlighters & a humongous master schedule), I got every class I wanted!

An integral part of this class was keeping a journal. Everyday we had to have something in our journal. It didn't matter if it was a poem, a quote, words to a song, doodles, a drawing, etc. I remember thinking how cool it was to have a teacher that wanted us to doodle/draw!

I found my journal from Dr. Amberg's class & I had fun reading my entries. Most of them were about boys I liked or applying to college. I was amazed to see my doodles look similar to my doodles of today. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or shows a lack of my development. Either way, I am fascinated that even back in 1989, an educator recognized the importance of journaling & incorporating art. Pretty cool I think!

And, a 100 page spiral notebook only cost $2.59!!!!!!!!!

Encaustic

Last month I took an encaustic painting class with Ahavani Mullen. She taught me so much and let me experiment in her studio. I am in love with this ancient art form & really want to set up my own studio so I can play with wax, heat & fire!

SO excited to begin my journey with The Mermaid Circus!! Jane Davenport and Teesha Moore are 2 of my favorite instructors. Hoping to get my groove going again!

Catch My Breath

I've been playing around in my journal, feeling the need to move beyond where I am. Everything I do right now still is coming out differently than how I have it in my head.

 I am dying to learn how to paint with encaustics, am on the verge of purchasing a studio kit and teaching myself. I can't find a workshop out by me and I REALLY have the bug! I think taking a workshop will push me past where I am.  I'm feeling the need to create work that is grittier, real and maybe abstract. I'm not sure. Just feel like I need something different. Something more.

I've also decided to venture into scrapbooking. I have thousands of pictures stored on my computer and in Shutterfly. I've put together albums on Shutterfly, but was inspired by my girlfriend who creates scrapbooks for her daughter. I'm almost caught up from this year and then I will work backwards. I want to have something concrete like this for my kids. They love what I've done so far and say the pages help them remember all of the "good times"!  Here are a few pages I've put together and I've used some of my gelli prints and art journaling materials.

Guest blogger

I am excited because I am the guest blogger today over at artistcellar!  Go check out my post.
Have a great weekend!

Krafty

For the 3rd year in a row, I put together the Daddy Daughter Dance for our elementary school. This year's theme was a carnival and it was last night. We had carnival games. A basketball bouncy inflatable thing. A DJ. A fortune teller. A photo booth. Cotton candy. Face painting. Frisbee spin art. Snacks. And, of course, a silent auction. This event takes up an enormous amount of my time as I do it all and then find moms, middle schoolers and high schoolers to volunteer that night. It's a lot of coordinating but is worth it to see the girls with their dads having so much fun. Last night seems to have been a huge success! However, I'm glad it's over.  I haven't had much time for anything else. Before I know it, I will be thinking about next year. I promised Gia that I would plan these dances until she finishes 5th grade. Only 2 more to go!!

While I was buying balloons and tablecloths at the dollar store, I found a roll of brown kraft paper. I have been wanting to buy some and couldn't believe I found it there! Today, I knew I needed to play. Looking at this paper made me remember when I was in middle school and my mom would cut up brown grocery bags and cover my books. I would doodle on these covers! So....I thought, why not doodle on the paper. Paint it. Color it. Anything! Then, use it as a cover for another new journal.

Out came the black ink. I doodled with the ink and a paintbrush. Free form. Flowing. Whatever I felt like doing.

Then, I started to paint in my doodles. I am going to keep adding to it. I think I will add detail with my paint pens. I love my Molotow markers, so maybe I'll try those. I can't get away from the bright neons.

Once it's done, I am going to use this as a cover for a journal. Stay tuned!

Journal Gelli

I have been going a little nuts with my Gelli plate. I'm having fun with it and I like hunting around for new things to use. It's the element of surprise that gets me!

This is one of my favorite prints ever! I decided to use some pre-preinted tissue paper and voila! SO cool.

I was at the dollar store and bought one of the rubber drawer liners that has tons of tiny squares all over it. I made a bunch of prints with it in different color combinations and I love every one.

So I have tons and tons and tons of prints! What am I going to do with all of them? Some I think will look great on their own in a frame. They can definitely hold their own as an abstract piece of art. I decided to finally cut some up and use the pieces in my journal.

This is what came out of me.  I have given up white flour and white sugar. Since my liver and gallbladder surgery 2 months ago, I decided to try this and see what would happen. You see, I am a SERIOUS sugar and carb addict. I am not joking. Seriously.  My surgeon said there was no need to change my diet, but I wanted to see if my stomach would feel better. Would I feel better because I keep reading how terrible this white stuff is for you! And guess what?  I feel SO much better. I'm not tired. No more stomach pains. I feel lighter. Cleaner. BUT...I still think about the sweets and carbs. A LOT.  

I've been doing some research and recently bought coconut flour, coconut oil and almond flour. I also bought sugar that is not refined. My husband is NOT happy about this. I'm hoping I can bake some really delicious and healthy foods where no one will really notice.  I was hoping to see more of a physical change immediately, however we all know it takes a long time.  I am eating tons of protein, fruit and veggies which it hard for me because veggies really aren't my thing. I'm trying to convince myself that they are.  I'm looking at this as a life change to be healthier!