Shopping and some art

I can't help myself when it comes to art supplies, no matter how many I already have, there is always something I must have! I went to Michaels the other day to pick up some of their greeting cards, and wouldn't you know it, that had a big sale going on. This is some of the stuff I picked up, I also got a couple of canvases for 60% off.  You may want to take a trip there if you want to stock up on art supplies. The Strathmore journals are also on sale but I already have a lot, so only bought a small pack.

This gorgeous scrapbook paper was $10 - keep in mind I'm in Canada so our prices are always higher than the US.
I got some washi tape which I love to use in my journals, and some embellishments- the butterflies and flowers. I have an idea to use in a mixed media painting, so we shall see...I may go back and pick up more.

The last couple of months I have been making mostly ACEOs, rather than larger paintings. Trying to get back into the swing of things after taking over a year off, and only creating a minimal amount. Boy it sure is tricky painting that small, lol! I need glasses to do them now! 

I've been wanting to restock my Etsy shop with more of these illustrations on vintage book pages...Below are a few of the ones I have, and normally they will be fastened to black cardstock for easy framing.

I have way too many ideas for art, that I can't seem to focus on just one, that's why you see such a variety of artwork on my blog.  I can never be like those artists that finds a niche and sticks with it...oh well, at least I won't be bored!  

that's it for now.....thanks for reading!

betty

Mermaid art and new art goodies

Hello all, This is a whimsical little mermaid I finished a few days ago...rather than printing out the words like I normally would, I thought I'd embrace my somewhat messy handwriting. It seems to work in this case

What do they say about best laid plans? well, after finishing her, I was eager to continue with a little flower fairy. I was so excited to get home from work and paint, and then life happened. One of those unexpected things that you need to take care of, which took my entire night and left me mentally exhausted...unfortunately it carried on throughout this past week. It's so easy to want to give up sometimes, or to just sit in front of the tv and relax after work. That's the easy way out. I'm tired of taking that road, because I have very little to show for last year, and I'm still pissed at myself for my lack of discipline. This year must be different, I need to push through the distractions, and the lack of motivation, and at least do something every day.
Otherwise what is the point? I know I'm not alone in this, as many artist suffer from the same thing. I feel for you working moms out there, it must be hard fitting in time for yourself when everyone else is screaming their share.
So, I will paint, tonight, don't care how late it is, but once I finish this post I will work on the fairy- or whatever else may show up. You can't always choose what characters will appear in your art!

On a happier note, I am a certified art supply junkie, I love supplies, can't get enough! and now that Amazon has a really good selection of stuff, it's very dangerous for someone like me, especially when I'm bored and wasting time on the computer, lol! someone on Facebook happened to mention some Posca paint markers at a good price, and there I was, clicking 'buy now, lol!

These beauties in this pic were just delivered to me, most of them are Ranger products I got on sale, and being absent minded I ordered the same color ink pad! oh, and I thought I was getting a bargain with those distress ink pads in front, but note the size of them, they are munchin sized!! hey at least I didn't pay much for them, that will teach me to click without reading the small print.

 If you have a Michaels close by, they have the spring bargain section out, and I got those two cute writing pads in the back right side of the photo...the new spring line is adorable! I picked up some greeting cards as well, and of course more scrapbooking paper as you can never have enough.

I'm off to play with my new paints, thanks for reading!
stay creative!
betty

Happy New Year!

 Hello fellow bloggers! it's been a long long while since I updated my blog. Been thinking about it lots, but never got around to it and I want to change that and be more consistent. Last year was wonderful in a lot of ways, but art wise, I would call it a failure. After starting the year off strong, I slowed down, until months were going by with barely touching my paints. Near the end of the year, I did a 30 day painting challenge to kick start myself into creating daily, and it worked beautifully!
The above painting I think, was created during that time.

 This year will be about art for me. I haven't chosen a word yet- I know a lot of you like to pick a theme/word for the year, but nothing has come to me yet.
 I think last year's was 'discipline' for me and that obviously didn't work out well, lol!

...So, the problem with letting so much time go by is now Blogger seems awkward....and I am afraid to sign out because I have no idea what my password is :-D
I will also have to  figure out how to change the look of  my blog, and find something that works...oh, I hate that sort of thing! I just want to paint and write and forget all that other stuff!

It will take a bit of time to get re-acquainted with blogging, and to start reading my favorite blogs again, but I am really looking forward to it!
I will leave you with my first painting of 2016.
thanks for reading!