Olympics and art

 hi everyone. I haven't been around very much lately.  I wasn't feeling great the last week or so, then I got hooked on the Olympics,  lol! Now I wish I had seen more of the events, but when it started, I said I wouldn't be watching anything. Today is the last event, the men's hockey featuring the US and Canada. It will be great no matter the outcome. It will be nice to be back to normal after today though.

Artwise, yesterday I ruined another of my drawings on vintage paper....and believe me, I had some choice curse words about that! The drawing itself I liked, it was simple, kind of gothic, and then I went to spray a varnish protector on it. Well, I ended up with spots on the paper, and there is nothing I can do about it. I will keep it for myself since you can only see the spots close up , and will re-do it again.
So learn from my mistake folks...never use a spray varnish on paper unless you test it first!

This weekend I created a couple of ACEOs on black paper. I had done a bunch a couple of years ago which I liked, but it's amazing how much you grow and improve. These ones I think, turned out much better...this one is Caroline, the racoon we 'met' last summer which I blogged about here.

 I will leave you with one tip I discovered helps me in my art journaling... I have a very hard time working on my journal, as the whole process doesn't flow for me. What I started doing is prepping the pages in advance with color combinations I got from this fantastic book called the Color Scheme Bible.  Pick a color combo you like, and use it to put down colors. I do several pages at a time. Then I have a pile of clippings from magazines I just went through, so I pick images that appeal to me and glue them down on the page that I think they work with. Then, just journal. Write down how your day is going or any interesting thoughts you have.

I realised that if you don't write down your moments,  they are soon forgotten, and life really is lived in the moments. Why not put them down while they are fresh in your mind? Believe me, I have never consistently  done art journaling, but I will be making an effort now...I was hung up on feeling like the pages had to be artistic, or creative. The important thing is to just get your life down on the page.
Using a book with color ideas already planned out has made all the difference in the world, since color theory is not something I am good at.  The hard work is done by others who do understand color. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can...the more you do, the more confident and creative you become.

Here is a page I did yesteday, and today I will be journaling on it.

February Blahs...

hi everyone. What a month this has been! I don't know if there is something in the atmosphere, but I feel like I've been in a bit of a funk...oh well, we can't be positive and up all the time. I actually don't mind these moods, since it's part of the ebb and flow of life. I just remind myself that this too shall pass.

 At least I've been getting a bit of art done...I painted a few more illustrations on vintage pages. So far I've got 3 new ones, the one shown above is the only one I've listed in my Etsy shop so far, but there are 2 cat ones as well. Of course, my absolute favorite one is ruined! I planned out a series a while ago, and set out to make the first one to see how it was.Well, I loved the  drawing, however, when I put a gel medium over the top to protect the page, it got all warped! Don't you hate it when you work on some artwork you really like, then one wrong move ruins the whole thing? Live and learn, lol!

For those of you who know Renee from her blog, please send a prayer her way. The last post by her daughter was heart-breaking. She could  use a miracle right  about now...

And the Winner is.....

Hello everyone! The OWOH event is over for this year, and what a fantastic ride it was! I made new friends, discovered new blogs, and spent way too much time on the computer, lol!
I would like to thank you all for stopping by my little corner, and leaving a comment. I read each one, and visited each of your blogs. Welcome to my new followers too! I appreciate you joining me.

Now without further delay, I used the Random Number generator to pick my 3 lucky winners

First prize went to comment # 309  Mia J  for the original Snowgirls painting

Second Prize of a print of your choice went to comment # 97  AK

Third Prize(added after I hit 300 comments) went to comment # 207 A Pink Dreamer, for a print of your choice.

I have emailed the winners, so please get in touch with me within the next 4 days to claim your gifts.

Thank you everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello everyone, I wanted to wish all my dear friends and readers a Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you have something special planned with your loved ones. For those of you who are single, make sure you do something to honor yourself. After all, the most important person in our lives should be ourselves, right?

I have been so behind on a lot of things this year, and never got to paint a Valentine girl like I planned, so I thought I would show you an old painting I did over 4 years ago....my style sure has changed since then. It would be fun to re-do this one and see what I would do different. Her pouty look still makes me smile.

Have a great day everyone! Tomorrow at approximately 6pm I will be picking my winners for the OWOH giveaway. See you then...

Quick post for Animal lovers

I normally don't do this but I came across this story from one of the blogs I follow, and wanted to do my small part to help.
A blog called 'Thisisitcreations'  is doing a fundraiser to save 3 bulls from slaughter. If you care to, please take a look at their blog, and if you are compelled, you can either donate, or buy something you like from one of the many Etsy shops that are donating. If you scroll down the blog you will find a list of those Etsy shops, this way you get something cool and feel good about helping.
It's a small thing, but I believe in doing your part to help out whenever you can.

Have you checked out the One World One Heart event? If you haven't it's not too late to join in, and possibly win some prizes. I will be giving away one original painting and one print. If I hit 300 comments I will add another print. You have until Feb 15th to enter, here is the link to my post: OWOH Giveaway.
Good luck everyone!

Snowstorms and Sleeping Beauty

Hi everybody, have you all been blog hopping in the One World One Heart event? If you haven't, there is still lots of time to get in on the fun. You can find new blogs to enjoy, meet new people, and hey! you can even win some cool giveaways! I am part of this years event, and if you would like a chance at my giveaway, comment on the previous post, or click right here to be taken there.

I heard last night that some massive snowstorms are hitting the US and some parts of Eastern Canada. Those of you in the path of this storm, please stay safe! This is the perfect excuse to stay in if you can. I wonder if it will still be going on tomorrow during the Superbowl?
Ok I shouldn't admit this because some may think I am crazy, but I really wish it was coming our way. We have had the easiest winter ever! hardly any snow, no snowstorms, I really miss it! I have always loved a good blizzard. Oh well, on a positive note, I won't have to be out shoveling my driveaway :-)

The ACEO you see at the top had  been sitting unfinished, for probably a few months. Today I thought I may as well try and get her done. You wouldn't believe how many unfinished paintings I have lying around!
It was fun to work in such tiny details, especially on the face. Normally faces this small give me trouble, but not this one, and I didn't even have to put on my reading glasses to see, lol!
(For those who don't know what an ACEO is, it is small format  art, and the size is the same as a baseball card.)

Well, time for a bit of a break, since Sleeping Beauty took me a few hours to do. I'm now going to make a nice cup of coffee and watch another episode of Everybody loves Raymond.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!