Illustration Friday - Worn

I've been wanting to join 'Illustration Friday' for a while now, and finally did. The word for this week is 'worn' and this is my interpretation. It is a small mixed media drawing in my art journal.

The first idea that came to my mind for this weeks topic was a young woman worn out by life. It was only after I finished, that I noticed what the collage paper used on her dress said. Very appropriate :--D

Back to Art

Hello everyone! This is just a quick update. Shining Star is one of my last folk art paintings, finished a couple of weeks ago. The second one, is still unfinished as I can't stand her face! so will have to redo it.
Tonight I finally got off my lazy butt and attempted to finish a background I am working on in one of my classes. I'm already behind in the lessons! (I'm taking Julie Prichard's Layer love to improve my backgrounds, and because it's fun!)

I just finished a coffee and the biggest biscotti you have ever seen, so I feel a bit sluggish. Darn those sugar cravings! I couldn't just have half, no, I went to the freezer and removed the other half. This is a short update because I am going to be walking my parent's beagle tonight, they are on vacation for 2 months, so I am the lucky one who gets a very energetic 8 month old puppy. Maybe I can burn off those calories, lol!

Thats it for now, I'm putting on my running shoes, and preparing to be dragged behind a super hyper dog, help!!

Sweet Caroline, the Raccoon

Last night me and a friend went to visit one of her relatives, who had raised a raccoon by hand since it was a baby. Of course it now lives in the wild, however,Caroline the raccoon comes by the house every night after dark, to enjoy the treats left out for her. She is a playful little critter, and after she ate her peanuts, she proceeded to wrestle with my pant legs, play with the dogs, and stuck her face right up to mine! I had this tiny fear in the back of my head saying what if she bites my nose, haha! but she didn't. We fed her marshmallows that she loved, and I got to snap a few photos as well. What an interesting experience! Her hands are just like a human's and she showed no fear when she saw us strangers.


She loves to get belly rubs :-D


Then when driving home a little after midnight to the city we live in, would you believe a raccoon ran across the road in front of us? what are the chances of that?

I thought I'd mention that some Etsy sellers are having a Treasure Hunt on Monday, in which you may be able to win some ACEO cards. I am not part of it due to timing issues, but I think it's a great idea. Take a look at Pam's blog here on Monday: http://alwaysartistic.blogspot.com/

Red White and True

Here is my latest little yankee girl. I think I am still sad at selling the one I did last year, lol! or maybe it's the fact that I love all things Americana. There is another one coming soon, that I planned out in my sketchbook. I find it strange that as much as I may love an idea I have sketched out, it could take days or weeks to sit down and do it. And yet, the minute I put paint to canvas, I don't want to stop until it is done. I wonder why the resistance?

Maybe I should re-read 'The War of Art' by Steven Pressfield , which I would highly recommend to any of you artists, or writers who may find yourself blocked. He said something that rang true for me, that the thing that you most need to do is the thing you resist the most. I know exactly what that is for me: anatomy. I dread studying this, and keep postponing it, even though it must be done if I expect to become a better artist. I made a promise to myself that as soon as the weather gets better here, I will take my sketchbook and instruction books outside, and get to work.

I will never be a realistic artist, it's not my style. I love whimsical and folk art too much! But any time you improve yourself, it can't help but show up in your work.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this, as I have discussed it with a fellow artist and friend. She disagrees with me, and says to throw away the books and learn by doing.
Do you think it is better to jump in, paint, and let your art go where it wants to? Or do you like using books and classes to learn new things?
I believe your style evolves by 'doing' however, I also think it is always a good idea to be aware of certain techniques that you will only learn from other sources.
What do you all think? Feel free to share your favorite books too :-)