Outside My Window

Outside my window the leaves are changing, snow is on the mountains and our dear neighbors are moving away.

I am thinking how sad I usually get this time of year. The shorter days and colder weather that invigorate others only saps me of what little energy I have and I look forward to Spring.

I am thankful for my cozy home, my loving, funny family and for the first time in many, many years my husband has a full time job...with benefits. So grateful.

In the kitchen the counters are piled with produce from Black Island Farms that my beautiful friend Julie brought by. Carrots, potatoes, onions, parsnips, cabbages, and decorative gourds grown just down the street at a local farm.

I am wearing comfy jammie pants and a hoodie to keep me warm.

I am creating a journal entry to challenge my mind and get beyond a creative block when it comes to writing. I am working on a "Soul Sisters" collage for Brave Girls Art Class.

I am going to see my daughter, Brittanie, for Thanksgiving and it fills my heart with joy to think about seeing her. I miss her so very much.

I am reading "Inheritance", the last book in the Eragon series. I read the first book three years ago then had to re-read when the fourth book came out. I am enjoying it immensely and look forward to the moments I can steel away to read each day.

I am hoping to continue on my journey of creating art and learning new things.

I am hearing Zach and Mike chatting in the living room while they enjoy delicious Fuji apples that they just picked up. And we joke about "crisp apples and crunchy leaves" that some people just adore this time of year...bwahahahahaha.

Around the house there are new, soft sheets on my bed, art in progress on my craft table, fresh vegies in the kitchen, clean towels in the bathroom and the people I love surround me with love and light.

One of my favorite things is creating art. The last year of learning new techniques and trying new things has been very fulfilling. I'm still getting used to having paint on my hands and the smell of gel medium in the air but I love looking at finished journal pages and art I've made hanging on the wall.

A few plans for this week are paying bills (a blessing), getting my bike fixed, renewing my drivers license, having art class with friends and spending time with my family.

Insomnia = Art

I couldn't sleep last night so here are some things I created in the middle of the night.

I actually made this one a few weeks ago but wanted to add it to the collection. I just got inspired when I saw that cute bike in a magazine.

I don't have a link for this one but I was inspired by someone else's version of this. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Here is the link to the original that inspired me to try this one. http://elviestudio.blogspot.com/2011/06/leap.html

I printed this out and used water colors to fill it in. I'm not sure what I'll create with it yet.

It's Good to be Curious

This is my homage to Mr. Rogers. The release of the new video made me ponder his statement that "It's good to be curious about many things". I have spent the last year being very curious about art. I will never be a master or paint amazing scenes but I have really come to love the "folk art" and "mixed media" genres of art. I love the freedom of knowing that I can create whatever I want and it will be enough.

A Few Projects I'm working On

These are pages I made in a journal made from a composition notebook. I have been doing art journaling with a group of 6th grade girls at school and these are some of our projects. It's been great watching the girls as they learn and grow and make amazing art.

2012 Create Art Joy