inspiration monday

all of us here in the USA are having a big celebration today......

the birth of our country and signing of the declaration of independence back in 1776!

traditionally, it's a time for family gatherings, picnics, watermelon-eating contests, parades, lemonade drinking, and most importantly, flag waving to honor all of those brave people before us who have fought to protect our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

the red, white and blue color palette definitely serves as inspiration to us all......

and in our house, it even made its way into my studio!
happy birthday, america!!

{artwork created using koi watercolors, micron pens, 4B pencil,
handcarved thumbprint stamp, staz-on inkpad}

cheery cider

i hope you have a weekend
filled with all things summertime!
enjoy!  :))

leap

"leap and the net will appear"
john burroughs


sometimes you've just gotta......
go for broke......put your heart and soul into it.......
pull out all the stops......knock yourself out.....
shoot for the stars......do your own thing.....
give it a whirl......stay the course......
and go for it!!


{journal page created using micron pens, pan pastel, 4B pencil.
"leap" letters were made with scrapbook papers}

inspiration monday

last week our lettering group hosted a workshop with irish master calligrapher denis brown.  it was such a privilege to watch this maestro demonstrate his skill......and i was so inspired, that at one point i felt tears start to well up in my eyes! 

{insert deep sigh and long pause.....}

but as easy as i always want it to be, it always comes back to the same message:  

practice, practice, practice.

so practice i shall.  but you know how it is......

once i get started, my mind starts to wander and i get inspired to do other things with that pen.

and before i know it,  i've completely jumped off the path.

um, or should i say, i've completely jumped off the cliff......

:))

you can treat yourself to a sampling of denis' exquisite letterforms here.....

{practice lettering and other "stuff" done with a 3.8 mm pilot parallel pen}

smart problems

a little friday-einstein-wisdom to take you into the weekend!

have a great one!

{journal page finished using koi watercolor, watercolor pencils, micron pens, 

pan pastel, 4B & 2B pencil}