Painting (4" x 3" chunky canvas)

Acrylic & Ink.

I have no idea what to call this.

Since watching Suzi Blu's Live Juicy video mentioned in my last post, I'm endeavouring to make a painting a week. This is my first! There was a sale going on at the London Graphics Centre, I got these little chunky canvases for only £1!! Both the cost and the dinky size helped to undo the daunting feeling that usually creeps up on me when faced with a pristine blank canvas.

It was fun making this. I had an idea what I wanted to do, but in the end, I like the way it turned out better than my original idea.

Painting

I'm beginning to understand why doing my painting course work is feeling like swimming through tar. The assignments are extremely prescriptive, the approach very conservative and traditional and doesn't leave much room for the imagination. No wonder I've been stuck.

On the other hand, watching Suzi Blu's videos are unsticking me and inspiring me to paint whatever the heck I want, however I want to do it. As Henry Miller said, "Paint what you like and die happy."

So I've figured out that there's no reason for me to stay within the narrow confines of the assignments. So they want me to sketch and then paint four different views in my house from one room into another. Would it really matter if I zoomed in on the four stripey coloured socks hanging off the radiator instead of trying to get the perspective and angles of the white walls correct? It is a view from one room to another after all. Besides, I can't really "fail" these assignments. I'm not getting graded for them. Whatever I send to my tutor, she always says the same thing. "You're doing fine, carry on." Honestly, if I hadn't paid several hundred pounds for the privelege of being told this, I'd quit. But then, that would be failing. And I'm not quitting. So I'm going to do it my way.

bluebird for inspire me thursday

I'm not really sure where this came from...

bad dreams

art journal 30.9.07

It's the last day of the September challenge. And while I'm not going to stop keeping my art journal, I won't be posting snippets from it anymore. Doing so has made me feel exposed, even if hardly anyone looks at this blog. So this is it!

As for October, there won't be a challenge as such. Because I have ignored my painting course work for a while now, and because I feel the time has come to go back to it, my focus for October will be to get my next assignment to my tutor by the end of the month. Hopefully by then, I will feel back in the swing of things enough to come back to my more regular art/blog activities. Thanks to those of you who have been stopping by.

The Blues for Illustration Friday

why are some parts of my blog now in german?!?!

Is this happening to anyone else? And does anyone know why?

art journal 28.9.07

art journal 27.9.07 (snippet)

art journal 26.9.07

art journal 25.9.07

art journal 23.9.07

Ha ha ha...

Just as I had given up on this art journalling business, what do I do but accidentally stumble onto this link at Inspire Me Thursday...

And guess what, I've started an art journal. If you think you can't do it, just watch the Suzi Blu videos. It always amazes me when inspiration comes from just the right source at just the right time. Ha ha ha! Never say never...

Whatever happened to my painted journal?

It's just not a good idea to force things sometimes. There must be a reason I am avoiding painting, and whatever that reason is, maybe it's a good one. Because trying to force myself to paint by setting this month's challenge has simply not worked. I've just not been doing it. Rather, I can feel myself slowly coming round to the idea of getting back to my painting course by myself, in my own time. I've also discovered that forcing myself to keep a journal hasn't worked either. Maybe I'm not ready for it, or maybe I'm not really prepared to share something like a journal for a challenge like this. Maybe it just needs to be personal and stay personal. So I'm sorry this month's challenge doesn't seem to be working out. But, we've still got about a week left, so let's see what happens.

ATC for Inspire Me Thursday

I've only recently discovered ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), and I love them!

For those who are new to ATCs, the only rules are that:

1) Cards must measure 2.5in x 3.5in

2) Cards mustn't be sold, only exchanged

You can use any medium, any materials, so anything goes! And the theme for this week's Inspire Me Thursday is to make one. I made this one using old newspaper, pastels, gel pens and beads.

I thoroughly enjoyed it so I may well make this my challenge for next month...watch this space!

Momentum for IF

I've been watching nature's momentum, as she tip toes towards broken blooms and falling leaves.

Autumn-Conker-Sea Urchin (in a limited palette)

I picked up this conker about two weeks ago. Then, it was green and whole. Now, it is brown and has split open, like a sort of sea urchin.

First journal pages

It's been a really busy week, went back to work after a two week break, and was also out three nights this week, so I haven't had much time to be creative. These are the first attempts at my painted journal. I can already see a potential problem with sharing journal pages. They are, by their nature, supposed to be personal and private. But I'll try and find a way around it so that I won't feel impeded in what I write, but still be able to share what I've done.

Hope you've all had a good week.

September Challenge

Because I've been avoiding painting, this month's challenge will be to keep a painted journal.

If you'd like to take part, treat yourself to or make yourself a journal that you can realistically keep for a month. You don't have to make entries every day, but when you do, make them with paint. If you're not sure where or how to start, have a look at the links on the sidebar for some inspiration and ideas.

If what you paint is very personal, you don't have to share it. But if you would like to share what you've done, leave me a comment with a link to your post(s) and I will put put them on the sidebar of this blog.

Enjoy!!