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Saturday, January 19, 2013

Grow Your Blog Party

Dancing Swan

Today I am joining the Grow Your Blog Party hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full.   I will begin by telling you the obvious.  I am Elizabeth Johnson of Wind and Honey Creations and Creative Pencils.   Wind and Honey is the name under which I create my own personal art.  I have used that name for almost 25 years now.  --I was but a toddler when I started.  Hahahahaha!!!!!


This has nothing to do with anything.  I just thought is was pretty.


 I have created a variety of types of art.  But in my wanderings, I always end up coming home to my first love, artist's pencils.  The sparkle and excitement of paint and glitter call to me.  But bringing life to a blank piece of paper with nothing but a simple pencil is what makes my heart sing.  Somehow when I've drawn something I love, it feels as if a part of that subject is then in my heart in a way that cannot ever be removed.   My passionate first and forever subject of choice is animals.  I love them all -- domestic and wild.  I strive to capture each one's unique personality and show it to the world. 


Just some of my pencils


Mattie
Creative Pencils is the name under which I teach drawing 
workshops.   I first began teaching in my local community 14 years ago.  I started with children and eventually grew up to adult classes.  I have taught almost as many media as I have experimented with.  But, as with my own art, I always return home to my pencils.  I have taught many students my right-brained approach to drawing.  And it has been a delight to watch them blossom and discover they could do something they thought they could not.  I love watching the look on their faces as they begin to realize they are actually drawing.  Last year I opened an online site called Creative Pencils where I teach online with a video format.  That has been quite an adventure.  


Lydia
I began blogging when I had a shop on Etsy some years ago and it was suggested that it would be a good thing to do.  Oh my!  I had no clue what I was doing or what to say or what to do!  But I stumbled in anyway.  Through visiting other blogs and basically following what I saw in others, I found this to be an enjoyable place to be.  I much prefer blog hopping to spending hours on other social media.  When I visit blogs I feel I've spend time in someone's living room or had tea in their quaint gift shop.  I hope my blog communicates that kind of warm atmosphere too.  And, although I do brag on my students here, and I do show my work here, my blog has become much more than just a place to promote my business.  It has become a place to visit friends and share my world.  


Kenya
As to my personal life, I have been married over 30 years to a man that spends his free time writing poetry.  And yes, ladies, some of those poems have been written to me.  I have to say, its pretty nice. 
I have 2 grown children.  My son is a chef and my daughter is a sculpture artist.   They are the delights of my life. 

I have 2 cats and a Great Pyrenees who grace my home with warm snuggles, lots of laughter, and constant studio supervision.  


Thank you for visiting me here today.  I am giving away a prize!  Fun, fun!  And anyone can participate.  I will hold a drawing on February 1, 2013 using the names of those that comment here.  The winner will receive a Giclee fine art print of my Dancing Swan created with mixed media pencils.  It is the image at the top of this post.   It is 10" x 8" and will come ready for you to mat and frame as you wish to coordinate with your own personal decor. 

 
Wind and Honey Creations

66 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Elizabeth, I'm stopping by from Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party! Great post and one of these days if you find me that time fairy I may have to take a class, then I would make Zinnia proud, lol.
Hugs, blessings and love sent your way, Marilou

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Elizabeth, What a lovely blog and what a very talented artist. I love Bunnies. I can not even draw a stick So I always greatly admire you kind of artistic talent. Hugs Judy

Patty C. said...

Glad you joined the party! Your dancing swan is just gorgeous!!!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Elizabeth! You will not believe this but we have been married 30 years and 31 in March! My husband as well writes poetry, as I too am attempting to do! This was a great way to get to know more of you! THAT BALLET GOOSE IS ADORABLE!!! Happy weekend my dear! Anita

Jan Hermann said...

Hi Elizabeth,

I love your ART! It's gorgeous! I'm visiting from the GYB Party and am so glad I did! I'm a new Follower and hoping you'll stop by my Blog, too!

Jan ♥

Carolyn ♥ said...

I've always dreamed of being an artist... it's not in my genes. But I do appreciate good art! Your sketches are lovely. So nice to 'meet" you!

Sandra Kaye said...

Very lovely Blog....and art work!!

Magdalena said...

Hello Elizabeth, what a talented person you are. I certainly will come by again - thanks to Vicki's idea.
xxx
Magdalena

Laurie said...

It's lovely to "see" you again, Elizabeth! Thank you for the chance to win your generous prize, and I hope you enjoy the blog hop -- I already am enjoying it!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Yes my dear, we DO have much in common! I hope your day is off to a grand start. I am going to draw today, I think...yes, I will! It is a cozy and chilly day out here in Minneapolis! Anita

Barbara F. said...

Your swan is beautiful. I was more artistic as a child and preteen than I am now......I miss the creative side of my nature. Blogging has awakened some of the old spirit, though. Nice to meet you and this is a wonderful giveaway. xo

EvalinaMaria said...

You have a lovely blog and I'm a new follower! Have fun at the 'Grow Your Blog' party!

Evalina, This and that...

Shannon Meyer said...

Your art work is beautiful as is your blog. I'm visiting from the 'party' and would love to be entered into your drawing.
mrs_meyer@yahoo.com

Patrice said...

I'm visiting from Vicki's blog. I can't wait to show my daughter (the artist) your incredible drawings.I visited you art websites- Wow!!!

I have followed your blog and hope you will come visit mine. I was an art major, many moons ago. I still keep my hand in art, but my daughter (17) is turning out to be the family artist. She does amazing graphite work and watercolor.

I will be back to see more of your blog. It is a visual treat.

Cache-Mire said...

Elizabeth, your blog and your work are spectacular! The animal drawings are beautiful. I will need to contact you later about doing one of my beloved dog, Beau, who went to Rainbow Bridge last year.

You visited me VERY early this morning! Oh my! Did you get any sleep? Thanks for coming by and for the nice comments.

Hugs,
Terri

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Vicki's meet and greet has been so much fun, and I could tell right away Karen designed your blog.
Your drawings are lovely and I hope to come back to see more of them.
Judith

kathyinozarks said...

Hi, I found you thru the blog party-I love your art very much. I am retired in create things mostly with fiber-quilting, weaving etc. I live in the woods in Missouri-so lots of wildlife critters here to amuse us-Kathy

Anonymous said...

Here from GYOB. You do fabulous work with those pencils.

Bamasphynx said...

I love your blog and the drawings you do. I would love to win the Swan. I use to draw a long time ago and you are making me think I would like to do it again.

Maureen said...

Hi again Elizabeth! I have visited before and have you on my blog list as I think your work is jaw-dropping. I adore your drawings and think your fur babies are too cute! Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I will be back to be amazed by your talents again! (Oh and I am your newest Follower too!)

Tammy said...

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for stopping by my corner of the world. Gosh ! Your drawings are so beautiful! I used to draw and doodle all the time -- and really was so creative when I was teaching kindergarten, but now I find it doesn't come so easily to me. I crochet and cross-stitch and sometimes papercraft. Would love to do the art journaling I see out there. I definitely have found blogging to be so inspiring -- I've tried so many things I never would have imagined myself doing. Wishing you a wonderful rest of the day. Tammy

Socrates said...

Found your blog from Vicky's party as well. Your art is wonderful. And your furry buddies are great. Come by my blog too, I'm giving away a vintage lace book. See you soon!

Jade said...

Hey Elisabeth! Your family sounds really artistic and your drawing is lovely. I'm glad I stopped by!

-Jade @ www.muffinteahouse.com

manomij said...

I am one of your fans Elizabeth and already had the pleasure meeting you before this blog party. Your art is fab and I have to say my pencils are my favourite too. I just wished I had as many as you. So lovely to hear a bit more about you! Manon x

Jessica @ A Humble Creation said...

Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for visiting me! You have quite the artistic family. I am always so impressed by people who can draw as it is not one of my talents. I enjoyed getting to know you today!

Anonymous said...

Oh Elizabeth! What a lovely blog and I love all your colored pencils! I have just become your newest follower and don't be surprised when you see me signed up for some of your online classes!
Off to visit more blogs from Viki's Grow Your Blog Party but I will be back for a proper visit later.
Hugs,
Beth P

Jocelyn said...

Your art work is beautiful! You have a very lovely blog.

Jocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Di@Cottage-Wishes said...

I love your dancing swan. I am drawing and love mixed media but just learning. Love your work. Di@Cottage-Wishes I hope to win!

The Sage Butterfly said...

Your pets are so adorable. We have two Siamese cats. So nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog party. You have a lovely blog. I love the drawings on the margins.

Veronica Roth said...

Hi Elizabeth, here I am from the GYB hop. Oh your pencils look in much better shape than my pencils...lol. Probably because mine are constantly being shuffled from Vancouver to Oxford and back. I do love pencils and, expecially, water colour pencils. Can't wait to show you the huge map I started drawing this Christmas. Love your little beasties too. It's such a pleasure to have pets, isn't it?

Cheryl said...

Hello, Elizabeth, I hesitated in posting where I used to live, but I'm glad I did. Thank you for stopping by my shop all those years ago, and for visiting my blog earliler today. I laughed when I saw your collection of drawing pencils. I have ten, I think! And a lady with two cats and a dog is my kind of blogger.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

hi there Elizabeth ... i am one as well.. most call me Beth for short. i wish you a good day & please enter me into your giveaway. i hope you are having a wonderful weekend. do take care. would you please stop by my blog too. thanks! ( :

sharon said...

Hi Elizabeth, and thanks so much for your visit! Your drawing is amazing, your talents are incredible! So nice to meet you, and Thanks for the chance at your prize!

Kim Henkel Creations said...

What beautiful work you create! So very lovely. I look forward to visiting another day. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Neesie said...

Hi Elizabeth,
I'm yet another party animal nipping in to take a peek at your blog.
Your artwork is stunning and I can relate so much to how you describe what art means to you.
I can see I'm going to have a great time reading back over your posts and getting to know you.
Thanks for popping over to my place earlier...I did send you a reply via email, but unfortunately it keeps bouncing back! I'm not sure why ~ maybe your in-box is full from all your new visitors ;D

Thanks for sharing and I look forward to getting to know you some more. I'm now a follower :D
Enjoy the blog hop!

Neesie ♥

AppleApricot Wen said...

Hello Elizabeth, what a lovely blog you have and beautiful art you make! I used to draw A LOT as a child, every day. So it feels kind of homecoming to be visiting your blog. And you do have a heart warming "living" room here. I agree with you that it's like really visiting with people in their lovely homes.
Thank you for your sweet comment at my bloggy home. I'll be following you too and am looking forward to seeing more of your work (your drawings but definitely also the art journaling and the collages and altered art).

Hugs and wonderful day to you,
Wendy of AppleApricot

Tammy said...

Hi Elizabeth! I'm crashing the party and saw your blog on the list-I've been following since taking your class at Artful Gathering. Love what you said about blog hopping compared to other social media. Creative blogs are a lovely safe haven!

Kay Eyles said...

Your art work is inspiring. I have a teenage daughter who loves to draw with pencil more than anything else too. I will drop by again with her later to show her around. Thank you for such a fun giveaway too.
ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

Terri said...

Hello Elizabeth, it is nice to meet you! You have the most amazing blog! I adore the header, which I know is all your art! Wow! I love seeing that you live your passion. I also enjoy seeing your beautiful furry family!
Hugs,
Terri
artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Elizabeth, Your art is so beautiful and I especially love the animal drawings. Thanks for visiting and I am now a follower.
xx, Sherry

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hi Elizabeth,

Oh what inspiration you will be for me. ♥ I've just recently started drawing and teaching myself as I go as with everything I've done so far. I'm experimenting with watercolor and colored pencils, markers, color sticks, etc.

I'm really having fun and really love how it makes me feel. Your artwork is amazing. I'm so glad to meet you and I will definitely look at your tutorials.

I want to thank you for visiting with me and for leaving a comment. I did not have my giveaway details posted or any of my drawings posted when you visited but I do now if you'd like to pop back in for a peek. Your first comment already has you entered.

Have a wonderful day,
Steph ♥

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Hello my dear!

Thank you so much for coming to visit. I would think that a fabulous artist like yourself would love nature as much as I do, but you DRAW what you see, I love to write about what I see! Oh how fun creativity can be! Enjoy your week! Anita

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

You are such a talented artist and your blog is such an inspiration. Thank you so much for visiting with me...I'm already a happy follower.

Kathy H said...

I am already enjoying your blog and look forward to reading your posts.

Shane Pollard said...

Hello Elizabeth
How lovely to meet you at Vicki's party!
A real coming together of "like minded souls"!

Your blog is enchanting and maybe it's what I've been looking for, for ages.
The sight of your collection of beautiful pencils make my mouth water.
I've always wanted to learn to draw and the way you describe your lessons just maybe you can bring out that creative side of me!

Loved reading all about you and your husband 'the poet', as well as your sweet studio helpers!

I've become a follower so I can keep in touch - please do come and visit me and enter my giveaway too, i would love you to follow me too.
Your Dancing Swan art print is adorable - I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Lovely to meet you'
hugs
Shane ♥
ps

hueisei said...

Great post! I love your lovely giveaway...
Thanks for the chance to win.

Patty said...

What a delight it has been to visit you. You captured the true meaning of what I enjoy about reading blogs. It's like visiting friends in their homes. Your artwork is stunning. We have much in common, being married about the same length of time, two grown children, creativity...I would be entered to have a chance to win your beautiful artwork. Am following you now.

Lorraine said...

Always enjoy visiting Elizabeth and seeing your latest projects. Your drawings are amazing.

Anya said...

Hi Elizabeth, nice to meet you. Beatiful drawings and the subjects are beautiful as well: I love dogs and I have a wonderful red cat and a very nice dog. You can see them on my blog.
I'll come to see you again...

Bogomilla <3

http://bogomillahoppkids.blogspot.it

Made.by.Fay said...

I love your work. So glad I found you through the Grow Your Blog party.
I will return to enjoy more of your creativity.

Blessings,
Fay

Beth said...

Hi Elizabeth, How talented you are! Your cats and dog are adorable. I can't wait to explore your blog and learn more about you, and I'm your newest follower. Thanks for visiting me too!
xo Beth

Bernadett said...

Hello,

Nice to meet you in this party.:)

There is a giveaway on my blog,too.

http://petite-armoire.blogspot.com/
betikarauski@gmail.com

All the best.:)
Bernadett

Unknown said...

Hi Vicki, you are such a talented artist. So glad you dropped by my blog little putty, little paint. Your swan is wonderful.

suziqu's thread works said...

Lovely to meet you Elizabeth and thanks for your kind visit.
Your drawing is so beautiful and so is your blog.
Suzy

Anonymous said...

Hi Elizabeth,

It was a delight to read your blog. I admire your work. I wish I had a teeny bit of artistry in me. My stick people don't even look like people.

Your dancing swan is precious.

It is great to meet you through Vicki's GYB party.

If you have a chance, please drop by nonniescedarchest.wordpress.com

PS Lucky girl to receive poetry from your "loved one".

Donna Heber said...

Hi Elizabeth,

You have such a pretty blog! Karen is a fantastic designer. Your art is gorgeous and I love your cats and dog (so adorable). I'm your newest follower from the Grow Your Blog party.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful blog! And starring your pets - how precious. I think I will read back a bit now! Thank you for visiting my blog and for your comment. Very much appreciated - especially now that I see what kind of artwork do!

hula-la said...

Wow...I have colored pencil envy!!!
I'm having a great time at the Blog Party. Hope you are, too! And my ballerina daughter who danced in Swan Lake with the Ajkun Ballet Theater Company a couple years ago, would surely love your dancing swan!

Blog On...

Aloha from Vicki

lorik said...

Lovely introduction to your blog! Your swan is just beautiful -I love your style of drawing. It was good to see your colourful pencil collection - and great to meet your cats and dog:)

Sandy said...

Oh my what a beautiful blog and I am soooo happy I found you! I would love to take your class sometime when I don't have so many other things going on! I took a drawing class with my grand-daughter (lol) just so she would take it, and I learned that I myself would like to take some more classes.
The photo of your Lydia stole my heart!
I am your newest follower and thank you for following me too!

sandy
@french laundry 132
:)

pippirose said...

Your artwork is gorgeous! I've always wanted to do coloured pencil, but haven't taken the leap, yet.
:o)
Rose
pippirose59 at gmail dot com

Gio said...

It's been such a wonderful discovery your blog.
Your Art, your drawings are simply amazing !

Have a nice and creative weekend :-)

Thistle Cove Farm said...

your work is beautiful; very impressive! visiting via Vicki's GYB Party and enjoying your blog.

kareninkenai said...

I just became a follower of your beautiful blog... thank you. Please stop by if you haven't already and sign up for my giveaway. (I'm tardy because my motherboard died and went to the grave!) But, I have a replacement now! Hugs from Alaska. Karen

www.alaskabluemoose.blogspot.com

mybearsnme said...

Gorgeous art! I found you through the blog party - if you need a giggle - come and visit me at
http://leftoverchocolatestitches.blogspot.ca/
:)

mitz said...

..its been fun touring thru your blog.. what a talent you are.. thanks for the chance at your lovely blog candy..ty
mitz_zee@yahoodotcom

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