Art Journal - January 3rd - Front Cover

The challenge today was to do the cover.

I created mine using collage and beeswax, having been inspired by Suze Weinberg. Her video is here

I prefer the back cover to the front. The photograph makes the white appear brighter than it is in real life.

Willowing Girl

I have just painted this picture as a result of viewing Willowing's you tube video on face shading.
She is starting painting classes on feburary 28th 2009 and registration opens in mid January. Pop along to www.willowing.ning.com for more details if you are interested.

Cirencester

We took a trip out today to visit the Brewery Arts Centre in Cirencester, in England. We saw the Winters Tale Exhibition which had some wondrous exhibits.

• Wire sculptures showing wonderful movement. One was of a lady combing her hair and another was of a woman cutting her hair.
• Wire scupltures of a Raven and a wren.
• Plaques made with drink cans.
• Tiny tiny shoes
• Tiny tiny full length gloves
• Shoes created on wooden lasts
• Amazing sycamore furniture

We were lucky to find a space in the car park, and as we were walking to the arts centre we saw a Rag and Bone horse. It is nearly 40 years since I last saw one.

I don't know what the sculpture symbolises, it is on the outside wall of the art centre and I think it is rather wonderful.

Cold Weather in The Forest of Dean

It has been very cold here in the Forest of Dean (in England) for a few days now. We haven't had any snow but the trees have been very frosty.

Art Journal - January 2nd

Millande has been inspired by Misty Mawn to create a journal page for each day in January. I have decided to join in. If you want to play then click on the art journal image below



The prompts for today:
Directions - Pathways - Choices
I can look at myself, I can look at all the difference forces that are me. The faces of the Artist, Mum, Ponderer, Traveller, Seeker, Facilitator, Witness.
Which "you" are you really going to try and nuture and let out to play in 2009?

I decided to draw pathways from January to December.

As for my January 1st page, I have verbalised the detail

Artist - a constant path to be travelled (it goes from January to December)
Mum - I don't have children and I am 50, so there is a no entry sign on that path!
Ponderer - I need to concentrate on other faces.
Traveller - I am going to Germany in January, South Africa in May and Budapest in October. I could of course look at other sorts of journeys, but this is enough for now.
Seeker - as ponderer.
Facilitator - this is a major part of my job. I manage a team of software developers. In the past I have also been able to do some development, but this is no longer possible. I need to recognise that my role is to facilitate the members of my team.
Witness - as ponderer.

Art Journal - January 1st

Millande has been inspired by Misty Mawn to create a journal page for each day in January. I have decided to join in. If you want to play then click on the art journal image below



Millande's is expending much more effort on her journal than I will be on mine. My drive isn't to create an art journal but to do a piece of art every day, and this seems to be a good way to do it. I work full time and also work away from home so I need something quick and easy. I have decided to take an existing journal which has had backgrounds already created and to draw in it daily. I can take the journal and a pen to work and away with me.

The prompt for January 1st:

An old year has closed its doors and a NWEW year has just opened its doors wide for me to play.
What do I leave behind the closed door? What do I hope to play with when entering the new door?



I have had to add verbal prompts in order to remember the detail! I need reduce my alcohol and cholesterel intake. I could do with doing something about work but that won't happen so I haven't included it.



In 2009 I want to:

• Create a you tube video on creating boxes from hard backed books
• Create some artistic cloth dolls
• Do some whimsical drawing
• Give a workshop on altered books
• Do some more drawing
• Exercise on my recumbent tricycle
• Complete the Suzi Blu Drawing Course

I think these are achievable.

Les Petite Doll number 1 is complete

Although I lit the picture using a daylight bulb, the colours are wrong in the photo. The picture in real life is a lot pinker and yellower.

I'm going to do another Petite Doll when my birch plywood has arrived.