Bird In A Cage . . .

© cathy bueti

Here's hoping you had a good holiday weekend.  Thank you to all the supportive words on my last post.  I go back to the doctor today to see how the wound is progressing.  I have to say that I do believe I may be experiencing a bit of post traumatic stress from my cancer surgery 10 years ago.  The way I am reacting to this whole arm cyst thing is abnormal given what I have been through already.  I spent most of the weekend in a state of "high anxiety"  as my grandma liked to call it.  

I had not been in photoshop for awhile so the other day I decided to try a photo I had shared on here recently of a seagull and wondered how it would look if I used some of my scribbled artwork for a digital collage.  I layered the scribbles over the bird photo and inverted the image.  I kinda like it.  Maybe because I feel like I am trapped lately.

Scribbles and Bandages . . .

As I write this post I am hoping that all of you are having a better weekend than I am.  Most of you know already about my arm cyst debacle and that I had surgery 4 weeks ago.  I had my stitches removed 2 weeks ago and yesterday I ended up at the doctors office for an emergency visit. I am so thankful that she was home for the holiday weekend.  Long story short my incision became abscessed.   So she needed to clean it out (OUCH!!)  pack it and bandage it.  Today I was able to remove the bandage and packing.  I am so exhausted tonite from complete anxiety.  I was shaking as I was removing it and was freaked out at the open hole in my arm.  I have begun 10 days of a super duper antibiotic different than the one I took 3 months ago when this BS first began.  I go back to see her Tuesday find out where we are at.  

So, now that I got that out of the way, I wanted to share this scribbled page I did for Alisa Burke's abstract class.  I found a face in this one as you can see and went back in with my markers to bring it out.  Looks pretty weird and I hesitated sharing it.  Maybe I am not crazy about this one because it feels like my state of mind lately!  lol

xo

See Yourself . . .

"see yourself as you are"
mixed media on 5x7 watercolor paper
©cathy bueti


I was inspired by the colors used in the landscape I shared in my last post.  Its something about reds and blues lately that draws me in.  I usually stick with neutrals or earth tones.  Nothing too bold.  Maybe I need the bold colors to help get my angst out.  I may have overscribbled on this one but I don't care.  It is still my favorite part of the process when I work on these pieces.

The question mark in the top left appeared in the red paint all on its own as I was fingerpainting.  I brought it out more with black marker and the white out pen.  The words I wrote around the circle say "see  yourself as you are".  And at one point I do recall scribbling "who are you?"  Its really how I am feeling these days.  Not knowing who I am anymore.

I had a truly difficult day yesterday full of anxiety and tears.  It was mentally as well as physically exhausting.  My arm is not healing as well as I had hoped.  More anxiety over this issue that is now in 3 months of development.  I just want some relief, mentally that is.  I was on the phone yesterday with the doc again and she calmed me down.  I may end up seeing her again on Tuesday.  Apparently I have a deep stitch that may be working its way out when it should be dissolving.  I guess it doesn't like me.  I will try not to obsess over it this weekend but she assured me that she will be available by phone if I need her.  At least I have a really patient and nice doctor as I continue to deal with this arm issue.

Hope you have a great holiday weekend.  Here it will be quiet, hubby is working for the next 3 days. I will be on my own trying to stay calm and keep anxiety at bay.

I am sharing this piece today at Paint Party Friday.

Its always fun over there!  Come and join us.
xo

Arm Update and A Landscape . . .

I don't know about you but things out in the universe feel unsettled to me.  I have always been very intuitive and more so lately.  The energy feels weird.  And when I feel this way it makes me anxious.  It seems like alot of people around me are going through tough stuff and I know that kind of stuff happens all the time but lately it seems as though its all at once.  I am having lots of trouble keeping myself in the moment.  

My arm saga continues.  I went to the doctor yesterday to have her check my incision site.  For the past few days it has been getting red and I felt a lump forming.  I have never been a good healer from scars but this redness worried me.  Its not looking as good as it had last week.  So she said it was ok, just a bit inflamed.  The lump apparently is scar tissue.  I was shocked to hear that it would be forming so fast.  The stitches just came out 2 weeks ago.  I am now 4 weeks post surgery.  Anyway she said if there is any pain that develops to come in otherwise I will go back in 3 weeks for her to see how it is progressing.  So needless to say my anxiety is increasing with regards to that situation.  

In the meanwhile I have been watching a new DVD by artist David Dunlop.  He is an amazing landscape painter and I love the technique he uses.  Very different than how I have painted landscape before. He does mostly oil painting but he had a lesson dvd on acrylics.   I am following along with the lesson painting the same scene as he in the same color palette.  I feel like it is the best way for me to learn.  This piece started out with a textured background using alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue.  A new color for me is cerulean blue which I have used for the sky.  I really am liking the color and see me using in in other abstract pieces.  

I was reminded how much more difficult it is for me to paint something this structured after doing so much abstract mixed media.  I am not sure how far I will go with this as I got pretty frustrated.  lol  The perfectionist in me goes to town and it isn't good!  If I continue with this piece I will be sure to post its progress. 

Hope you have been up to lots of good things!

xo

The Girl With Scribbled Hair . . . Sunday Sketches

I grabbed a simple lined notebook the other day and wanted to try a quirky face. I am a fan of Mindy Lacefield at Tims Sally and that is what inspired this girl.  Mindy is offering an online class called "Paint Your Story".  I have been thinking about taking it. 

The only words that came to me as I finished her were "she knows".  I shared this pic with a friend and she asked me "what does she know?" I didn't have an answer.  I guess she is keeping it to herself for now!  And since I am in full on scribble mode these days I added them to her hair.  lol  

Something about being simple that is fun.  

Sharing today at Sunday Sketches

xo

Addicted To Scribbles . . . New Clayboard Art

 

"Amazing Soul" 

9x12 mixed media on clayboard 

available on Etsy  

Its hard to believe another Friday is upon us.  The weeks fly by so darn fast these days  I cannot seem to keep up.  Haven't done much painting except this new one on the other piece of clayboard I had purchased to try.  

 I did keep to a similar color palette for this piece but added in some blue. I used a combo of water color crayons mixed with gesso and also some  acrylics.  The clayboard really soaks everything up.  But it is easy to wipe away while it is still damp.  

Nothing to me is feeling complete these days without scribbles.  I don't know what it is about it but I feel I just have to add it.  Maybe it is the intuitiveness of the process that I am drawn to.  When I grab that sharpie or white out pen everything stops, my mind shuts off and sometimes I don't even know what I am writing or scribbling it happens so fast.  I am trying not to question but to just go with what feels right.  

I am sharing this today at Paint Party Friday.  

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!  

xo

New Watercolor And A Winner!! :)

"Love forever"
watercolors, crayon, marker on 5x7 watercolor paper
©cathy bueti

I have not played with my watercolor paints in a while and I had been wanting to try the crayon resist technique.  Of course anything I can scribble on makes me smile too.  lol

I used just two colors here with the white crayon and finished it off with black sharpie.  Watercolor is more difficult for me to control so I cannot imagine ever painting something tight and neat with it!  As long as I can be messy I am good.

Now for the giveway I posted last week. .  . Since only 2 people entered I have decided to give one set of 2 prints to each person!!  So you both win!!

Congrats to Rona and Debbie!!

Short Haired Girl . . .

google images

Most of you already know that I have gone through cancer treatment and part of that of course is hair loss.  My hair was pretty long when it fell out during chemo.  Being bald was so not fun!  It was THE worst part of cancer for me.  Yep, thats right, worse than losing a breast.  I think for me it was just the outward, hard to hide sign that I was sick.  

 I was no stranger to short hair.  I have had it most of my life.  My first short cut was the Dorothy Hamill cut when I was about 9 years old.  As I grew older I became one of those girls who chopped it all off at different points in my life only to grow it long again.   It has been a few years since my hair was short and I am getting the itch once again.  But this time its for a cut that is very short!  My hair now is way past my shoulders and all I do is wrap it up in a clip.  I cannot stand the maintenance of long hair nor can I stand how it feels on my shoulders and neck.  And since the early onset of menopause at 40 (thank you chemo)  my hair has changed alot.  It breaks more easily, and I find it drier than it used to be.  I am also trying to go gray gracefully (ha ha)  and don't color my hair.  

This picture below is one I found years ago and have carried it with me as inspiration. lol  I love the style but haven't had the nerve to bring this pic to my stylist.  

google images

I also love the short style on actress Ginnifer Goodwin in the top pic.  So cute and sassy.  I like the longer length in the front at the bangs and shorter on the sides and back.  

So this is what has been  mulling around in my head for the past few weeks.  We shall see if I act on it! lol

I have two lovely artist friends who are rockin beautiful pixie hairstyles . . . Manon Doyle and
 Silke Powers!  Lovely ladies who create amazing art!!  Click on their names to stop by their art blogs!

xo

A New Surface To Paint On . . .

© Cathy Bueti 

mixed media on 8x10 clayboard

I am becoming a hoarder of all books mixed media.  lol  And one of them that I love is Mary Beth Shaw's book "Flavor For Mixed Media".  I had never heard of clay board until I read this book.  And I love her artwork so I was curious about what it was like to paint on.  When I saw that you could scratch into it and create texture I was curious.  

So I tried it the other day and I really liked it.  I used watercolor crayons and gesso to lay down the first layer of color.  And man, the clay is like a sponge!  It really soaks up the media you add to it.  I like the matte look it gives to the paint.  It was fun to scratch into the board.  And then I looked at it and it didn't feel complete until I scribbled with my black sharpie and white out pen.  I tell you I am addicted to adding scribbles to my art now! 

Anyone else use clayboard?  If so I am wondering how to finish this piece as far as varnish etc?

I am sharing today at Paint Party Friday.  Click HERE to join us!  

PS . . . I am hosting a giveaway of my photography prints!  Click HERE to enter!

xo

Blog Giveaway! NYC Prints!!

Monday I had my stitches removed and found out that the biopsy was benign!  **Big Sigh of Relief** It feels good to have them out.  My arm is still sore but I suppose that will take awhile. 

 So, I thought as a thank you for the wonderful support through all of my trials lately I would giveaway a set of 2 NYC prints.  The set includes the above image of the Chrysler Building and the one below titled "City Traffic".  As you can see both of these images are textured which I think gives some really cool effects and kinda goes along with the grittiness of NYC.  Size of each print is 8x10 printed on 8.5x11 matte paper.  Watermark will not appear on print.  

I will be picking one lucky winner who will receive this set of 2 prints.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  If you want to increase your chances of winning then you can share this link on your blog and/or  share it on facebook.  Then stop back here and let me know in the comments.  This is not required to enter.  

I will announce the winner next week on Wednesday May 16.

Good Luck!!

xo

Writing From The Heart

That is the title of a wonderful book written by Nancy Slonim Aronie. It is one that every writer should read. I believe it will change you in many ways and not just in your writing. You see it is a spiritual journey that Nancy takes you on in both her book as well in as her workshops. Nancy has been a writer for many years as well as a commentator for National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. Nancy does not believe that anyone can really teach writing. What she does believe is that she can provide a safe place to write because if one feels safe than they can achieve many things. And as someone who has attended a few of her workshops I certainly can attest to that.


I read Nancy’s book about 12 years ago.  And I have read it many times since then.   It  takes you on a spiritual journey of what it means to be a writer. In the book she shares her own experiences as a writer but more importantly as a human being. She includes many great writing exercises throughout the book.  It is in no way an intimidating process. I for one can say that writing workshops/classes have always greatly intimidated me.  I never felt worthy enough to attend a workshop, probably because I didn’t feel like a true writer!  But what exactly makes one a writer? I believe that we all have stories to tell, stories that have the power to heal us. 


I have been feeling stuck in many aspects of my life lately and it was almost serendipitous that I ended up attending a workshop with her yesterday.  I almost did not go but pushed myself out of my funk.  I am so glad I did.  I wrote, cried, listened, and shared.  I sat and listened to her describe the difference between the brain and the heart and how it relates to writing. She described the brain as the computer and the heart as the place where you feel emotions. If you just write from your head or rather your brain you may be getting the information down on the page but it will be devoid of meaning, of inspiration. It will be missing the poetry, the rhythm that our emotions can create as we bring our words to life.


During the  workshop  you are given a writing exercise which is a lead in sentence you write for about 15 minutes and then return to the circle where you have the opportunity to share with the group.  Everyone has the opportunity to give feedback to each other. But it is all positive, that is Nancy’s rule. By the end of the day, there was much laughter, and many tears. I felt bonded to those in the room with me listening to stories of loss, and even of love. Stories of tragedy and of triumph. But what resonated throughout it all was the emotion being conveyed through each person’s words. Everyone seemed to be sharing parts of themselves that may have been tucked far, far, away. I have had this experience with Nancy’s workshop on more than one occasion and am still amazed at this environment she creates where we all feel safe to write. Where we all feel safe enough to write from our hearts……

Finger Painting And Scribbles

This week just about flew by.  Monday I go to have my stitches removed.  That will be a relief.  I have not been sleeping well and still not feeling like myself.  I feel kinda lost actually.  Maybe its from all the stress and anxiety I have been experiencing lately.  Who knows.  I hate feeling this way.  

Despite all that I was able to create this week and I love this piece.  I used watercolor crayons mixed with gesso on watercolor paper along with a black faber castell gelato, black sharpie and a white out pen for the scribbles.  I don't know what it is about the scribbling but it has become my favorite thing to incorporate into my abstracts.  I really am loving abstract work more than anything else I have tried along this creative journey.  And I like using my fingers rather than brushes which is what I did on this one.  I think I need to add to my crayon stash with more earthy tones.  These are really the only ones I have in my set.  I seem to stay away from most of the bright colors at times and need more of a selection.  

Tomorrow I will be attending a writing workshop.  I have been pretty down lately and not wanting to write at all so I am hoping this will help give me a bit of a jump start.  I will post about it and let you know how it goes.  

I am sharing this piece over at Paint Party Friday.

xo

Wordless Wednesday . . . Streets of NYC

click on image to view larger

available on etsy
click HERE