love lives here

in my search to add a new twist to my artwork,
i decided to begin a new series that includes only the things i love to do.
i definitely love to draw, so i did lots of drawing....

and i love to paint, so i added some happy painting.

and i love to stitch, too, so why not add some stitching....on paper!
(it's not just for fabric anymore.... :))

and the result is a fun piece of artwork that includes all the
things that are near and dear to my heart!


here are some other pieces in this new series....

if you're looking for a way to add some creative zing to
your journal pages or art canvas,
think about the things you really love to do, and then add it to
your artwork.  you never know what you might discover!

xox


you can also see other artwork on instagram and FB!

{supplies:  strathmore 500 series 140 lb. CP paper,mechanical pencil,
daniel smith watercolors, DMC embroidery floss, needle}

flowers and a smile

here's to the days of giving our mom a big smile

and a handful of picked wildflowers as a kid....

and getting a big smile and a big mom-hug in return!

wishing you a very happy mother's day, sweet bloggy friends!

{p.s.  i love you, mom!  xoxox}

[supplies:  strathmore 500 series 140 lb CP paper, 

daniel smith watercolor, .3 mechanical pencil]

griddy-girl palette number2

i took this photo a year ago when our family took a trip

to visit my little dutch sweetie's hometown in the Netherlands…..

and the memory of that fun day at the market
lives on in my heart,
as well as in my art journal!


{note:  the original color palette includes a dark green, but when i printed
the palette out, it looks like my computer saw it as a green/charcoal.
i created this page based on my printed version, rather than the
palette as shown on the computer, because i hadn't noticed the 
difference until just now!  as it turns out, the photo actually contains this
green/charcoal color, so i'm going to think of it as a "happy accident",
but next time i print a color palette, i'll check for accuracy.  :)) }


{supplies:   strathmore visual journal for mixed media 9"x12",
sennelier watercolor,  .3 mechanical pencil,  Photoshop Elements}


{read my post featuring my first palette here,
and you can find more color palettes here on my pinterest board!}

splatter-happy

this week, DLP put out the call for drips and splatters on our journal pages,
so i got busy and pulled out some "drips and splatter" supplies like
watercolor paper, a spray bottle, water-soluble inks, and a ranger craft sheet.
but if you're like me and you don't really want to make a huge splatter mess,
here's a way to "reverse" the process…..

swipe some water-soluble ink across
 your craft sheet (or other slick, non-porous surface),
and spray it well with water using a mini-mister or spray bottle.

{for this step, i used peeled paint and scattered straw distress ink pads}

now lay your watercolor paper on top of the ink
and slightly smoosh it around.

then, lift your paper off your craft sheet and hold it up
so the ink will drip down the paper.

let your paper dry, or speed things up by using a heat gun,
and then pat your paper down into the same ink on your craft sheet.
this will give your "drips and splatters" a layered effect.

you can do this process as many times as you like...
just make sure the paper is completely dry in between steps.

you can also use water-soluble markers…..
just swipe them across the craft sheet and spray well with water.
then, lay your paper into your juicy ink slurry, lift it off the sheet,
let it dry, and repeat for a layered effect.

{for this step, i used tombow markers,
and i just dabbed my paper into the ink instead of smooshing it}

once your splatters have dried, it's time to play a game of "i spy"!
look at your paper for any particular shapes that jump out at you.
then take a waterproof marker and start
outlining, drawing, and embellishing your shapes!

you can also swipe some marker onto your craft sheet or acrylic block,
then pick it up with your waterbrush……
fill in and smooth out any areas to help your shape stand out better.

when you're happy with the way your splatter-shapes look,
then, it's all about adding your favorite finishing touches….

and before you know it,
you've gone splatter-happy without all the mess!
{or at least without most of the mess! :))}

♥♥♥♥♥

i'm very honored and excited to have been invited by the
Art to the 5th team over at Documented Life Project
as this month's Spotlight Artist!!  woo hoo!!
i'm absolutely thrilled to have my artwork featured,
and i thank the Art-gals SO much!!  xox

please join me here to see my interview!

{this journal page was created for the week 39 DLP challenge.
supplies:  moleskine planner, arches 140 CP watercolor paper, 
distress ink pads, tombow markers, spray bottle, ranger craft sheet,
white sharpie paint pen, pitt pens, black permapaque marker,
graphite pencils, washi tape}

inspiration monday

hello, bloggy sweeties!
i had a wonderful little break, and this gorgeous weather
has had me channeling spring flowers!

this is the perfect time of year to add some spring-bling to
 a journal page, and to me, there's nothing better than
a spray of blue and pink happiness to brighten things up!

(and if you're going to do blue and pink, you've got to add some
purple-happy in there too, right?)

i've never had much luck growing the perfect garden outside,
so i'm very thankful that my paintbrush and calligraphy nibs
can help me create one in my journal!

enjoy this day, and have a fabulous, creative week!  xox


{this page in my moleskine planner was created for the 
DLP week eighteen challenge to write an inspiring quote.  
supplies:  fabriano artistico 140 HP paper, derwent inktense pencils,
pitt and micron pens, 6B graphite pencil, koi watercolor, washi tape}

garden of happiness {elvie-encore-post #7}

he who plants a garden plants happiness.

to all of you who take the time to stop by this little spot in cyberspace.....

to all of you who share your big beautiful bloggy smile.....

to all of you sweet-little-purple-flowers-with-yellow-centers in my bloggy garden...

thank you.....you make my heart happy!  xox

{happy may-day, mom!  love you!} 

{i'm currently on a little bloggy break...this is an encore presentation 

of a post originally featured on may 5, 2010}

inspiration monday

every year around this time, i start to get a little antsy
with all of the grey, grey, grey of winter…..

and i start wishing for some color.

lots of bright, happy, colorful springtime color…..

inspired by lots of bright, happy, colorful springtime flowers!



{supplies:  moleskine watercolor journal, derwent inktense pencils, micron pens,
derwent watercolor pencils, uniball signo broad white gel pen, 6B and 3B graphite pencils}

inspiration monday

when it comes to making a blank white canvas flourish....

all you need is a handful of creative seeds
and some of your favorite supplies.

give it a steady sprinkling of heART inspiration.....

and buds of happy color will be blooming in no time!
(hello, art garden.....bye, bye, blank canvas!)


{supplies:  walls notebook, derwent watercolor pencils, pitt pens,
pan pastel, uniball signo white gel pen}

morning walk

i really look forward to my morning walks here in the mountains because it's fun to discover plants like these tall, wispy, spikey-stemmed weeds.

and being able to look around while i'm walking up and down these crazy hills helps to serve as a great distraction to that non-stop burning in my choco-thighs-and-hips!  heeheehee

rhodies

the rhododendrons, or "rhodies" as they say, are in full bloom here in the mountains of north carolina.  mother nature has completely outdone herself by giving us delicious pink, purple, and white blossoms.....it's such a blessing to be here to see this!

wishing you a colorful, creative weekend!  xox

paint flowers

"I perhaps owe having become a painter
to flowers."

Claude Monet


{here's to a weekend filled with lots of time to paint flowers!! enjoy!}