NaNoWriMo Time!

Sometimes I am shocked at how long it has been since my last post! Have not been blogging much lately and I am not sure what that is about.  However, I am back today to share something exciting with you!  

I finally decided to sign up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) after being encouraged by a good friend (2 years ago! lol)  I have had a novel spinning around in my head for about 2 years now.  I have even shared some excerpts of its beginnings.  The working title is "Snow Sign".  Here is a little synopsis . . . 

"Carly is a young woman trying to pick up the pieces of what's left of her life. Just as she feels as though she is ready to move on a startling phone call threatens to change everything. Will she be able to put the past behind her and open herself up to a once in a lifetime moment? Or will she choose to live with the regret? Guided by the love of her late husband she embarks on a journey into her past. A journey that will ultimately lead her back to herself. Her story is about the most basic of human needs . . . to love and be loved."

I even worked up some cover art yesterday using on of my photographs of a snowy walktrail.  Once I finished the image I got super excited!  I am nervous about the challenge of writing a novel in only 30 days but I am gonna give it my best shot!  This story has been playing in my head for too long.  It is time to get it out!  

I will keep you posted on how its going!  

xo

One Of 8 Great Paintings . . . .

I started this 16 x 20 canvas yesterday and am loving it so far.  These are new techniques for me but one of my favorite color palettes.  I am using payne's grey, raw umber, titanium white and buff.  The titanium white is one of  Golden's new OPEN paints which is giving me extra working time. 

The techniques I am using to create this piece are from a great online class with Julie Prichard  titled  "8 Great Paintings".  If you have never taken a class with her you need to put it on your "to do" list!  Julie and Chris Cozen host a network where they teach multiple classes in mixed media techniques and have also just released a new book "Acrylic Solutions: Exploring Mixed Media Layer By Layer"  also fabulous and a must buy for your collection!  

I have taken many of the classes Julie and Chris offer and have yet to be disappointed.  Actually of all the online classes I have taken (and believe me there have been many) in my opinion they offer the best.  A couple of the things I love is that you have unlimited access to the content (not an easy find these days)  and instructor support and feedback on your work.  Within 24 hours there is a response.  It is truly an interactive learning experience.  The classes are super affordable as well.  

For more info on all the classes they have to offer 

CLICK HERE.  

I will be sure to post the finished piece soon.  I was not sure where to take it next but thanks to Julie's feedback I will be stepping it up a notch and creating more contrast!

See you soon!

xo

My Latest Article Published!!

Back in the early spring I was contacted by the editor from Somerset Apprentice to write a technique article for one of the pieces I submitted for publication.  This is my first time writing for Apprentice as I have published articles in Somerset Studio twice before.  I was so excited to have another great opportunity to share my writing and my artwork! 

The piece that was published is one of my favorites.  It has lots of hearts!  If  you follow my blog you already know of my love of hearts.  That is one image that always shows up in my work!  The title of my article is "Gotta Have Heart".  

Here is a little sneak peak!

Somerset Apprentice is on newsstands now so go pick up a copy!  

Feeling grateful 

xo

Texture Tuesday And More Grunge :)

I am having so much fun combing my photos with mixed media paintings.  For this image I used a texture I created with a piece of my latest mixed media painting (will be sharing the original soon!)  and a photo I shot from the top of the MET in NYC overlooking Central Park.  

I love how the purple tones work so nicely with the sepia in the buildings.  I could play in photoshop for hours!  

Fine Art Grunge is truly an amazing class!!  

Sharing this image today with the lovely peeps over at Kim Klassen's blog!  

Come join us HERE!

Fine Art Grunge . . . My Latest Obsession

"The Path"

Is it really September already??  I seriously can't believe the summer is just about ending.  I think this is the longest I have been away from my blog.  And its not like I was away on vaca anywhere but I have been creating alot.  So I have lots of new work to share!  

Currently I am enjoying an amazing online course with Sebastian Michaels.  Its "Photoshop Artistry: Fine Art Grunge".  Its all about creating cool grungy photo art.  Seriously he has put TONS of content into the course and you have lifetime access to it which I think it great and not an easy find these days with online courses.  Click HERE for more info. 

The above image I created in Photoshop Elements 11 using one of my mixed media paintings and my image of the walktrail near our home.  I loved creating this!  It has been awhile since I have done digital collage.  I layered these images together and played around with filters and brushes until it felt "done".  The last time I was creating digitally I did not yet have any of my own abstract paintings.  I think now its gonna be really cool to use my own paintings for texture over my photos.  

I have more to show you so get ready!  lol  So much to catch up on since I have been away for awhile!  A print of this image is available in my etsy shop.  Click HERE to check it out! 

Hope you have all had a wonderfully creative summer!  Looking forward to catching up with you guys soon!!

xo

My First Digital Angel

I have been painting lots of girls lately.  Last night I created this angel girl on my iPad using the Paper53 app.  If you are into digital art then you must try this app!  you can pencil sketch, use pen, and watercolors to draw as well as paint.  I am still getting the hang of things but its fun trying something new.  

I started out with the pencil and sketched her out.  The I added colors with the watercolor brush.  The stars were done with the pen and of course there had to be scribbles.  I always love to draw eyes and this was fun to dress them up with some makeup.  lol

I think she will find her way to a canvas eventually but for now I am enjoying this digital creation . . . my first digital angel :)

Sharing her over at Sunday Sketches hosted by the lovely Alexandra from Blue Chair Diary!

Today Lou and I went to the movies and saw "Grown Ups 2".  It was great!!  So, so funny!!  If you are an Adam Sandler fan go see it!  I guarantee you will laugh!  

xo

Wordless Wednesday . . .

"don't forget to look up, 

you never know the wonder to be found"

©cathy bueti 2013

The Girl With The Crazy Red Hair!!

Ok, so I know I said this about my last painting, but I LOVE this girl!!  She is based off of a sketch I did about a year ago and as with the angel I omitted the open eye and nose.  And I think it fits somehow.  The idea of using red for her hair was very scary for me.  I went with golden's pyrrole red.  I think that shade just goes so well with black and white. 

As always  I like to show a few pics of how she came to be . . . 

First I used black and white paint very thickly applied to the canvas.  This is another 16x20.  Surprisingly I am enjoying going large with these faces.  

I use a stablilo marks all pencil in black to sketch her out and also use a faber castell gelato which smudges really well dry for the eye details.  The hair I squeezed right out of the bottle of the fluid acrylic.  Scary indeed!  It reminded me of scribbling!  

Here is an upclose shot so you can see some of the detail.  I stamped in her hair "you are loved"  which I hope you can see in this pic.  I still love stamping.

This gal is available and headed to my etsy shop soon but you can email me if you fall in love with her too! ;)

Today I flipped through my sketchbook and picked out another girl.  I started a new black and white background.  I hope to get to sketching her out on it soon!

Sharing at Paint Party Friday.  

Hope you are all enjoying a great and safe  holiday weekend.  I will be back on Sunday with some new digital sketches to share!

xo

Happy Birthday Rocky (A Day Late lol)

I meant to put up this post yesterday but somehow the day got away from me.  And I wasn't really that busy.  I am still trying to figure that one out!  lol  Anyway, Rocky turned 2 years old yesterday.  I took this photo of him when he was a puppy.  I used my big girl camera.  I wish I wasn't so lazy!  Its just so much easier and quicker to use my iPhone.  Nothing really can take the place of your DSLR.  I shot this in sepia and it was not digitally altered at all.  Its probably my favorite of him so far. Ok, note to self, get out the big camera again!

Wishing you all a nice holiday!  Its a quiet day for me.  Hubby is working all day.  The golf industry just doesn't take a break!  Be back tomorrow with a new painting to share!

xo

Progression Of An Angel . . .

 

Is it really Friday already??  lol  I have been painting more girls this time an angel.  I didnt know she was an angel when I started out.  This girl was inspired by a sketch I did a long time ago.  I think I am going to keep looking through sketches that never made it to a canvas and paint them.  

When I began I quickly painted a grey background and then loosely sketched her out with graphite.  I am trying to not get caught up in the details.  

At this point I knew I wanted her to have copper hair.  I was a bit scared to just go with it but I tried to go bold!

When it came to the wings it was Lou who suggested the patina color.  I did NOT like it at first.  But something about the patina with the copper just worked.  I used a small bottle of golden fluid in bronze to drizzle detail onto the wings.  I also lightly wrote out the words that came to me "Angels Carry Hope On Their Wings" along the left side of the canvas.  

As you can see from the first image I added lots of scribble detail and used stamps for the words.  My favorite part is when it all seems to come together.  Even when you don't think it ever will.  

Sharing with Paint Party Friday!

I have a new girl in progress that I am excited to share soon!  So be sure to check back!  

xo

Love Just Shows Up :)

Every morning I make a chocolate drink for breakfast.  I use rice milk, unsweetened cacao powder, and sometimes a bit of hazelnut creamer.  I head it up just to warm and it is yummy!  I am not a coffee drinker so I like to think of this as my morning cup of joe!  lol

Yesterday when I was almost finished I happened to glance at the foam around the edge of my cup and low and behold there it was.  A heart!!  Sometimes its the small things.  

So I grabbed my iphone and snapped.  I couldn't resist!  I just love hearts and I love when they surprise me.  They show up where I least expect them.  And that is the best!  

Hope you find some love today in your part of the world!

xo

Painting My Girls And Going Bold !!

For those of you who have been following my blog for awhile you may already know how much I do not like painting faces.  I love to sketch faces but when it comes to painting them I get too anxious and I end up with a stiff neck from stressing out trying to be perfect!  Last week I saw a link someone posted on Facebook for an art video by artist Karrie Evenson.  I was not familiar with her or her work so I decided to check her out.  And boy am I glad I did!  Her work is amazing!  She has many videos up on youtube on acrylic painting.  She is all about being free and being bold in life and in your art.  One of the videos I watched was from her tv show "karrie on canvas".  She was painting a woman with wild hair.  

Watching her paint and not get all caught up in the perfection of it inspired me to give it a try and paint one of my girl sketches.  I am still on a black, white and red kick so I thought I would continue with that palette.  I went big and bold choosing a 16x20 canvas no less!  I added molding paste for texture.  The first image is how she started out.  I was so inspired that I took a small bottle of black craft paint and drizzled her hair on the canvas right out of the bottle.  Then I scratched into it.  I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it.  I decided to not get crazy with her face.  I drew on the face with my Stabilo pencil and smudged with a brush for the details.  She has no nose cause lets face it, they are really hard for me to paint!  lol  And besides, I kinda like her face this way.  

Here is the finished piece.  I just love her!!  Adding all the details was just super fun.  I used some new foam stamps for the words.  This piece has lots of texture.  I am so happy to have discovered Karrie and I hope you will visit her website.  I think  you will love her too!!  If you want to loosen up and be inspired be sure to check her out!  

I have even started a new large canvas with another girl, this time an angel.  I will share her soon!  She is almost finished!  

Sharing this piece over at Paint Party Friday.  

xo

Love Is Enough . . .

"love is enough"

mixed media on 12x24 wrapped canvas

available on etsy 

This is the first time I tried a 12x24 canvas and really love the size and rectangle shape.  I went shopping last week and bought canvases as well as some new foam alphabet stamps and a foam heart stamp which I used on this new piece.  As  you can see I am still on the black, white, and red kick!  I may be stuck there for a while.  There is just something about black and white.  And red just fits so well with it too.  I have been using pyrrole red instead of a crimson.  The pyrrole red is an orangy red which I like better with the black and white.  When I used crimson it looks like blood to me.  Weird I know!  Ick!  lol

I added lots of texture with scrapes into the paint and drizzling black and white in scribbles all over.  Love the foam stamps.  This time the words were in my head before the painting.  I added the lines around the words with a faber castell gelato.  Its water soluble but looks like a crayon when u first draw with it.  I liked the look of that.  I needed something around the words.  They looked so lost out there alone!

I like the graffiti feel of this piece.  Lately hearts and love are the main subject of my work.  I have been feeling very out of sorts these days.  Anxious to the point that nothing even looks the same or familiar to me.  I really hate feeling like this.  Hope it will pass soon.  In the meantime I will try to just paint and get out of my own head.  Not an easy task but a necessary one.  

Sharing with Paint Party Friday.  Is it really Friday again already???  

xo

My Girls Are Back

I startled myself when I reached for my sketchbook today.  It has been a long time.  Yes I have been doing some digital sketching, and mostly painting lately but old school pencil to paper sketching has not happened.  

I prepped a 16x20 canvas with molding paste today which prompted me to quickly sketch out this girl.  I plan to try and paint her on that canvas very loosely and with bright colors.  We will see how that goes!  Painting portraits even whimsical ones stress me out.  Silly I know.  lol

The words "she lives for love"  came to me as I finished this sketch.  And then the little heart on her face just seemed to fit.  I am loving her hair! It was my favorite part to draw in.  

I am sharing this lovely over at Sunday Sketches.  Be sure and stop by to see some great work!

I have a couple of new paintings to share. Been on a black and white kick lately.  I will share them this week!  xo

Love Never Dies . . .

"love never dies"

mixed media on 20x24 canvas

I am in love with this painting!  I have to say that it is my personal favorite of anything I have done thus far.  I used a limited palette of just black and white with some red.  There are a couple of other undone paintings underneath.  I just didnt like what was happening so I gessoed over it and started new.  

Here is the first new layer done with just foam brushes . . . 

I thought I would have trouble with all the space but I am getting used to painting larger.  I used mostly foam brushes and a palette knife.  My favorite part was adding the white drizzles!  

The words always seem to come to me as I paint.  And these words fit the piece perfectly.  Last night Lou hung it up on the wall in our living room.  It will be making its way to my etsy shop soon.  

I am sharing this piece over at Paint Party Friday.  Its always a great time over there!  

I am already planning another black and white piece similar to this except I am thinking a burst of yellow hearts this time!  I do love some yellow with grey. 

Now its time for some ice cream!  lol  

(seriously though, when is it NOT time for ice cream??)

xo

Anniversaries . . .

Our Wedding 

May 31, 2003

10 years seemed to fly by in a flash.  Lots of love, lots of loss, but through it all what was constant always was our love. 

Love is something that never dies, it transcends time and space, it lives on forever.  

This photo was my gift to Lou for our 10th wedding anniversary.  The lyrics are from our wedding song "At Last" by Etta James.  Always loved that song.  I found a nice antique looking pewter frame for it as 10 years is tin, pewter or aluminum.  I love to create my own gifts and had fun working on this image.  

Lou surprised me with concert tickets to see New Kids on the Block who are touring with Boys to Men and 98 Degrees.  I was in old school glory last night!!  Now I know for sure he really loves me . . . he sat through a boy band concert!! lol  

Yesterday also marked my 12th year cancer free!  Now if I could just let go of the fear I would be all good!   There is just no time for it anymore.  I am still working on it everyday.   

xo

My First Commission . . . Lots of Hearts :)

A few months ago a friend contacted me through facebook, interested in a journal page I had done.  It was 5x7 and one of my favorites.  I only used white gesso, crimson paint, stencils, sharpie markers and stamps.  She loved the journal page and I offered to create the same on canvas.  She wanted a 16x20 which seemed daunting to me but I truly enjoyed creating this for her.  

I am finding that I like the larger space to create.  There was a time when that size canvas would be too intimidating and while I have to admit when I started this piece it did feel that way as I quickly filled it up it felt good.

I always enjoy the final details of a piece like this.  I decided to continue the design around the edges of the canvas.  I used my palette knife to scrape the red paint lightly along the edge.  Then I used an ink pen to scribble, add more hearts, and write "love" all around.  

I really do love this piece but more importantly the buyer loves it!  It has been exciting to be commissioned and it makes my heart happy that these hearts will be traveling to a new home soon!  

I am sharing today over at Paint Party Friday.  Lots of great art to see so do stop by!

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!  The weather here in NY is supposed to be rainy so I think we will be heading to the movie theater tomorrow.  Candy, soda, and a good flick is on tap for this weekend!

A Scene Right Out of My Favorite Show

I was in NYC last week walking down 5th Ave.  One of the things I love so much about this city is the many urban photo ops there are.  You never know what you will capture at any given moment.  With my iPhone in tow I walked past the NY Public Library, the site of a scene from the first Sex And The City movie.  Its when Big ditches Carrie on their would be wedding day.  As I walked past and turned to look back I couldn't help but hold up the camera and click.  

On the train ride back home as I scrolled through the images I noticed that I caught the traffic at just the right moment.  The black Mercedes you see is very similar to the car Big was riding in when Carrie was beating him with her bouquet!  

I love the cars, the people and the timeless quality of the architecture.  Just like NYC, you have to move fast to capture moments along the city streets.  But when you do, they can be magical!

Filters were added with snapseed and pictapgo apps.  

Empire State Of Mind . . .

I hopped a train the other day to NYC.  Its only a little over an hour ride.  I was going to bring my regular camera and then realized that I have my iphone camera at the ready.  

Walking down 5th avenue I passed tons of great photo ops.  Like this slice of grandness.  I pointed up to the sky and clicked.  That was all it took to capture the fabulousness of this building.  

Filters were added via instagram.

Finding The Beauty . . .

Yesterday I was waiting for Lou at Home Depot, sitting in my car.  All of a sudden the clouds appeared and it started to rain.  It was close to the time of day when the sun would begin its decent behind the mountains.  

As I looked out the car window I noticed how cool all the rain drops looked plastered to the glass.   The sun was trying to burst back through the darkness that had so quickly consumed the sky.  It was a moment.  One that would not last long. 

I quickly held up my  iPhone and snapped a couple of pics.  This one is my favorite.  I love the mysterious little metropolis that seems to be hidden behind the wet glass.  

If we take a moment to look we can find beauty in most everything . . . 

An Exciting Evening . . .

Monday night Lou and I attended the opening of the 60th Annual Patient Art Show sponsored by The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Patient Recreation Department.  As a former patient I had the wonderful opportunity to share some of my work.  All the proceeds go directly to the artist.  Although I always hope my work sells, even if it doesn't the experience far exceeds that aspect.  

I had a wonderful surprise from a dear friend who attended the show when he showed up with that lovely bouquet of flowers I am holding!  

I chose 4 of my recent modern abstracts to include in the show.  I was very excited to see them on display!  Everytime I walked by it was hard to believe they were mine.  

This painting is indeed my favorite.  It feels so much like "me"  I titled it "Street Reflections".  I hope to create more with this palette.  Love that graphite gray!  

What a way to start off spring!  I am currently working on my first commission and writing an upcoming article for publication in the fall.  More to come on those soon!!

I hope all is well in your world!  Will visit you all soon and see what you have been up to! 

xo

Cat Eyes For Cat . . .

"Cat" is a nickname that some have called me.  I have always liked it although I have never liked cats!  lol  They just seem too independent and snooty to me (sorry all you cat lovers out there!).  They make me anxious. 

 Anyway, I did a selfie with my iphone the other night.  I bought another pair of eyeglasses online at Coastal.com and I was not sure if I could pull off the "cat eye" shape but I am warming up to this style!  The color is a nice deep burgundy, and there are little hearts on each side.   It is a more bold than I am used to wearing but with some encouragement from my husband I am trying to rock the look!  

They only cost me $30 (50%off sale)  including the lenses.  Now how can you beat that??

(no I am not a spokesperson for coastal, I just think its a great place to order frames!)

If you want to give them a try you get your first pair free.  That is how I started, and I love those frames too.

Sunday Sketches . . . Its Digital

With such an awful week in the world and so much negativity around these hearts make me feel better. Hearts and love often find there way into my work.  Somehow they bring happiness just seeing the images and words.  

I created this sketch in my iPhone using the ASketch app.  It was fun to create that way.  I still have not gotten an iPad but if I keep this up I will need too for my neck and hands.  lol  Working so small can wreak havoc on the bod!  

Sharing today over at Sunday Sketches

Wishing you a Sunday filled with love  

xo

Chocolate Fixes Everything . . . AKA Lies I Like To Tell Myself

I wish something as simple as chocolate could fix things.  I wish it could make the word safer, make everything easier.  

There are no words for the  horrific events that happened yesterday in Boston.  I am trying to stay away from the news, photos, and all the ugliness of it.  Just like in NYC on 9/11 people all came together during tragedy to help one another and that in itself gives me hope.  

The world is getting crazier by the minute.  Sometimes I don't even want to leave my house.  So what do I do ?  Eat some chocolate.  

I have been into smoothies lately.  This one is super good!  For my 16 oz serving I used 1 cup of coconut milk, 1 banana, and 1 tbsp of cacao powder.  

Hope you will give it a try.  And I also hope that you and yours are safe wherever you may be . . . 

xo

Getting Grungy With Graphite . . .

I have quickly fallen in love with Golden's graphite gray!  I knew I wanted to use a limited palette and cover up an ugly canvas I started a few weeks ago.  lol  Ahhhh, the beauty of acrylic!  I like the grungy look of this piece.  I don't feel like its done just yet.  The top may need some drips or something.  And maybe some glazing over the letters to push them back.  

I see a couple of images in there as well.  You all know how much I love it when that happens!  On the bottom in the center I see very small figures walking hand in hand near a tree.  And then up on top toward the left side I see three figures floating around.  Would love to hear what you see??  Otherwise I may think I am crazy!  lol

Sharing this piece today at Paint Party Friday. 

I also want to let you know that I donated some of my art/photography to an art auction being held on FB this weekend.  It is to help support young women with breast cancer.  Being a young survivor myself I am always happy to give back!  So be sure to check out this link if you are on Facebook!

Live for Lauren Art Auction

The Lure of Digital Art

I have been debating on getting an iPad for a couple of months now.  I now use my iPhone for 90 percent of my photography and have been trying out some drawing/painting apps to see if I even like to work that way.  I mean, I know I love to alter my photos on the phone but painting?  

Artrage is the app I just tried out last night and created this eye.  It is a painting app that also allows you to draw as well.  The screen is really small on the phone and I was using my finger which is tricky but I was surprised at the end result.  I almost gave up a couple of times.  I suppose as with any other new skill it needs practice.  

I couldn't help but add some scribbles as a finishing touch!  I may be succumbing to the lure of digital art.  

How about you??  Are you painting digitally?  Do you love it?

xo

Sleeping Like A Human . . .

I wish I could sleep this good.  At times Rocky can be found turning our couch into a bed.  If you have a pug there is no way you will keep them off the couch or out of your lap for that matter.

I am determined though to keep him out of our bed.  That is where I draw the line! lol

I have a feeling that I may get a better nights sleep if he was in our bed because  he would be happy and more comfortable except that I would not.

If you have a dog, where does he/she sleep??

:)

Signs of Spring . . .

I took this photo yesterday in our yard during a brief lull in the wind.  It was shot with my iPhone using the olloclip macro lens.  (love!)  Processing courtesy of the new app PicTapGo.  Very fun!  

How nice to see this little crocus popping up from the dirt after a long winters nap.  Although I am not looking forward to a steamy, humid, hot summer here in NY I am glad to be saying goodbye to winter for now.  

Hope you all had a really nice weekend!

xo

Digital Sketching On My iPhone

"she was holding hearts"

I am slowly falling in love with digital art.  This new sketch was done on my iphone using the ASKetch app.  Its my first sketching app and I really like it!  ASKetch simulates charcoal sketching.  It was difficult to get the hang of it but for the small space on an iphone screen I think I did well.  

I haven't done much sketching lately with pencil and paper.  This was really fun without the mess.  I like that this girl doesn't have facial features.  And somehow hearts always show up in my work.  I miss creating these girls.  

In my last post I talked about wanting to get an iPad for the digital art apps (and more room than my iPhone lol)  There seems to be so much you can do but part of me doesn't want another device to become addicted to. 

Do you create art on an iPad??

Linking up with Sunday Sketches :)

PicTapGo And An iPad Yes or No??

I took this photo back in December at the walk trail I long to go back to.  Since I have been sick with this stinkin flu I have not been up to walking or much of anything really.  Its 3 weeks now and I am still not back to 100%.  I have alot of rib pain from all the coughing which seems to be getting worse and not better, the pain not the cough.  

Anyway, I tried a new app called PicTapGo for the iPhone.  I added the filters with that app and you can get some really cool effects with it.  It will also save your recipes and it recalls your "style" if you will.  I highly recommend it!

I have also been thinking of and resisting getting an iPad.  I use my iphone for my photography and digital art.  It is pretty small but what I can do with it is amazing.  I hardly ever go on the computer and open up photoshop anymore.  The phone makes it so darn easy!  I have been reading some blogs and checking out the digital art created with the iPad apps.  There are some cool ones for drawing and painting.  And then I thought that maybe I should just keep it old school, stick with paper and pencil.  I certainly do not need another digital device to become addicted to!  But I bet it would be lots of fun to sketch digitally.  

Do any of you have an iPad?  If so do you love it?? 

Let me know!

xo

Finding Faces And Adding Words . . .

mixed media on 8x8 canvas

I am still trying to come out from under this flu but it just doesn't want to leave.  I am much better but this is my third week and I long to feel back to my healthier self.  I have no patience for being strapped to the couch, stuck inside the house, or needing to lay down after taking a shower from fatigue.  

On the bright side I am able to get back to some painting.  Pthalo blue is becoming a favorite color of mine.  For this piece I used only that and titanium white.  No brushes, just my hands.  I tend to feel much too restricted with a brush.  I squeeze the paint from the tube right onto the canvas in a few places and then go at it with my hands.  I keep going till it feels done.  Or until I see some images appear.  

I found a face on the left and I hope you see it too.  I added the letter stencils for some contrast and stenciled on the words because they just felt like they fit.  

It is supposed to be a nice day here in NY so I am  hoping to go for a stroll by the lake across the street.  Maybe being around nature will help take me out of this funk!

Hope all is well in your world!

xo

Reeling And Healing . . .

When I checked to see how long it had been since my last post I couldn't believe it.  I thought I would share where I have been.  And believe me it was not a pretty place.  

February is "dead people" month for me.  Meaning that there are death anniversaries and birthdays of those who I have lost crammed all in one month.  On top of that I also had my annual mammo scheduled.  There was no fun to be had.  the 21st is my first husband's birthday, the 19th, my grandma's, and the 22nd my grandpa's birthday.  Not sure if I had mentioned it before but my aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer back in the fall.  This is the mother of my dear cousin who died a summer ago from a recurrence of her breast cancer (she went through it 2 years ahead of me).  

I got the call on my grandpa's birthday, 2/22.  It was about my aunt.  She passed away from complications of her chemo treatments.  She was only 68.  I cried quietly as to not wake my sick husband who was on the couch with the flu.  I cried through the weekend and then woke up on monday morning with my own fever and sore throat.  Round 2 for me with the flu this season.  I had spent the month of December on the couch sick with it already and was pretty angry that it hit me again.  Not only angry but I was left wondering if there was something else going on inside my body that would explain my crappy immune system.  Another family member gone too soon from cancer.  I am losing count at this point but what I do know is that my fear of recurrence increases as does my survivor's guilt with each person I loose to that deadly beast.  

Lou is finally feeling better and I am now just getting up off the couch for the first time in 10 days.  Not much tastes good to me so I started making smoothies.  This one has coconut milk, banana, and some baby spinach.  You can't taste the spinach at all so its a good way to get some green without the veggie taste.  

I haven't painted in 2 weeks and I miss it.  I have canvas's staring at me on my easel but I just don't have the energy.  Whatever this flu bug is it is really bad.  Worse the second time around.  These are the moments when I most regret not enjoying the days when I feel good.  

Hope you are all doing alot better than I! 

Hope to visit you all soon!

xo

Wordless Wednesday . . .

iphoneography,  olloclip lens macro,  filtered with snap seed

Scratching A Portrait . . .

I tried another sgraffito portrait.  This time I painted a layer of yellow acrylic and added black oil pastel over top.  Oddly enough I had a hard time with this one.  It kept ending up looking like the negative of a photo.  I was thinking too much.  And then all of a sudden it clicked and I was able to wipe away the lights to bring her face alive.  

Creepy as she is there is something about her I like.  There is some kind of mystery to her.  I added some scribbles and stamps to this one.  I really like the scratching and wiping away.  Its good to get some angst out!  Maybe that is what shows in her face . . . my angst!  

Sharing her today for Sunday Sketches.

xo

Hearts . . . New Painting

"Love Inspired"

mixed media on 11x14 canvas

I had a canvas with an unfinished painting.  I no longer felt connected to it so I decided to create something totally different.  And I am so glad I did.  It is pretty liberating to cover over an old idea with something new.  

My new favorite colors are magenta and blue as you can see.  I was surprised I had the patience to layer!  I am slowly learning that if I can add more layers the painting has lots more depth.  I really enjoyed creating this one.  

Here is the first layer.  I used phalto blue and phalto green.  I applied the paint with my hands and a sponge brush which I have never used but love the feathery effects you can get with it .

 I fell in love with the first layer but knew I had to keep going.  

I love to add letters so I sprayed through my alphabet stencil and also added some white circles.  

In the background of this image you can see a larger painting.  That is something I am working on for Flora Bowley's "Bloom True" online course which I am in the middle of.  (more on that to come!)

I knew I wanted to incorporate hearts so I added that next.  

I also used the magenta which is transparent to cover some of the blue.  That was pretty scary for me.  Silly but true.  I get so attached to my layers that I really struggle to let go and cover stuff up.  

Once I did I liked that I could see the white peeking through from underneath.  

Initially I was upset I covered over the letters on the right side so I brought them back.  I also added a stamp on the heart which reads "when I want to see love defined I look at you".  I felt like it was a nice finishing touch to this piece.

I will be adding it to my etsy shop soon! 

Linking up today with Paint Party Friday.  If you haven't joined us yet be sure to check it out!  Lots of great art to be seen!

xo