Facing Forward

My journal has finally arrived for the Sketchbook Project.  Its funny how a little book with a plain brown cover can be such an exciting arrival.  Its blank pages hold potential for new ideas, thoughts, images, and creativity.  How much fun is that!?  The topic I chose for my project is Facing Forward.  Its seems appropriate to me as we come to the end of summer and prepare to enter September and Autumn.  I know most people think of new beginnings in January with the change of the year.   But to me, that always just feels like the middle of winter.  I'm sure all those years of school have affected my mindset.  September just seems more the time to face forward to new beginnings.

I found this precious little nest in the yard a few days ago.  It has been hot and dry here so there have been no blusterly storms to toss the nest out of the tree.  I choose to think its owner was also facing forward.  Perhaps her young little inhabitants had matured and grown to the point that they no longer fit in the tiny nest which is only about 3 inches in diameter.  Perhaps they are enjoying a feast with their friends on the watermelon I set out last night for the turtles.  Certainly there was enough for Cleopatra, Claudette, Miss Mae, and Goldie to share with the birds and even with the squirrels.

And as I think about facing forward, I've just come from my husband's parents house where we went through a box full of old family photos.  Some are quite old with no name.  It is sad that now no one knows who they are.  All we know is that they are family in some way or another.  Many of them are young, facing forward to their own futures so long ago.   I've included one here that I'd like to share with you for your own art projects.

Inspired by the Creativity of Children

In keeping with the theme of children's art in the last few posts, I've created an original collage for the Crowabout Challenge.  This is for week 87.  We'll just ignore the fact that I'm 2 weeks late.  This collage is entitled Through the Window and it is meant to make one ponder the creative thoughts in the imagination of a child.  I've always remembered fondly a quote from the old Muppet Babies cartoons.  Gonzo said "Who knows what weirdness lurks in the minds of kids."   LOL!   That would definitely have been true at my house.

This collage began as an original digital collage printed with archival pigment inks.  It was then hand embellished with a variety of artist colored pencils.  And then mounted permanently on a gallery wrapped canvas painted with acrylic paint.    It may be found in my 1000Markets Shop.

On another note, I've been gathering a few treasures from sales lately.  I thought I would share.   I bought this suitcase from Aunt Agnes (as her niece running the sale called her).  The others have come from various sources.

Isn't this pin cushion sweet?

There was nothing in the thread box.  But I thought the box itself had enough character to stand on its own.

Dancing Swans all in a row.

I bought the photograph of this woman framed.  It is not a print but an actual photograph in 11 x 14 size.  Is this woman anyone famous?  Should I be recognizing her?  I'd love to share her with you for art purposes. But would love even more to know something about her.  Feel free to download her and please share your work with me if you do something creative with her.

Music of Spring

This lovely young lady is sitting in the fresh air of a lovely Spring day.  The songs of the birds, the purring of the cats, and the hope of Spring create a beautiful music floating in the air.  This is my entry for the http://jeanette-soartfulchallenges.blogspot.com/ today.  The challenge was to create a piece using the image of the woman sitting on the bench with her umbrella.  I will be using this image for something nice that will be in my shop soon.

And you have seen this piece before.  It is one of my favorites. And just fits right in with the http://createdbyhandchallenge.wordpress.com/ for this week which is "My Heart Dances".  The original of this piece lives in my home.  

Mary Frances

I found this lovely young lady at a garage sale a few years ago.  She was quietly sitting in a box of unwanted photos just waiting for someone to choose her and offer her a chance to become something besides discarded.  It is sad how many people living real lives outside of photos also feel discarded and are waiting for a chance to become something besides discarded.  I want to begin this new year saying to you that you are a person of value.  You are a part of God's creation and you matter.  My wish for you in this new year is that you will find the peace that passes understanding.  And that you will live your life creatively and in joy.

The photo was signed "Dearest Love, Mary Frances '33".  Please feel free to download Mary Frances as my gift to you in this new year.  Use her in your art and give her a new purpose.  If you download her, I'd love for you to post a comment here about what your artistic thoughts are for her image.  

Wind and Honey Creations