Where Bloggers Create 2015

 

 I thought I was going to miss the Where Bloggers Create Party for this year. My studio was a mess and I didn't think I would have time to clean it up. But I ended up with some surprise time. So, I'm just a bit late but I'm scooting in here in the last minutes. Yea!  Thank you Karen Valentine for letting me sneak in.  **After writing the previous words last night the breaker broke for my studio.  I only had one light on so don't know what the deal is.  But the problem seems to be more complicated than just flipping the switch in the garage.  So I was waiting until morning to take my pictures but have found they are still fairly dark.  I've used the ones that are less dark and tweaked them in Photoshop trying to get a bit more light.  I do apologize for their lacking in quality.)

If you've followed this event for a while now you might remember that I used to have a large sunny room for a studio. (see that studio here) Then we moved and I had a room that was much smaller. (see that studio here) Well, we are still in that same house but I found I couldn't work in that room. I needed sunshine. So, I've moved to an even smaller room with only one window.  What in the world?!!   But, at least the sun shines in!

It has been quite an adjustment and I have had to rethink pretty much everything.  For one thing there is very little room for fluff.  You have to start thinking about just what is necessary.    But I do love that sunshine.   The view isn't amazing but I need to be working and not staring out the window anyway.   In this room, where space is of a premium, the cats have bunk beds. 

I do find that at least once a week I wonder if I couldn't find a way to fit my larger work table into this room. I get my trusty tape measure out and check to see if the walls have gotten any longer since the last time I measured. And, once again I see that there is no way to fit that large table in here. Actually, the truth is that I usually have a messy table with only a small workspace -- whether the table is large or small. A lot of the larger table was filled with the cat's baskets.  And if you can see Rose the black cat in this dark photo you will see that she still prefers the table to her bed.

My antique dentist drawers had to go on the lower level.  (You can see more about them in better light here)  When your space is small everywhere is potential for storage.   I can still use them here.

I kept one of the 2 teacher's desks from the previous room.  I love how the typing table in this desk works to keep my sewing machine. And then when I'm finished, it just tucks right back where it came from.   If I did not use this large desk, I could fit my large work table in.  But I'd lose that way cool sewing cabinet.  So, we make choices..... and then we live with them.   (This picture is from the last time I shared.  The light wouldn't let me get a good pic today of the sewing machine out.)

 

My daughter made this chair that the tv sets on in college. It was a sculpture class and they were supposed to make a chair that represents themselves.  So, I guess this is a portrait of my daughter that sits beneath a painted portrait of her on the wall.  I never realized how redundant that is until I typed it here. 

 

And then about every other week, I think I might want to bring my drafting table back. But I use a tabletop drawing board that works quite well and the drafting table is only sentimental. So, I guess its really about learning to be content and making things work, making them enough. I have several creative decorating plans for this room. That will give us something to talk about next year.   And hopefully we will have light next year!!  

Thank you for joining me in my little studio today.   I've loved having you here in spite of the complications.   By the way, the lovely design for my blog background was created by Karen Valentine using my art.  Its been a few years and I keep thinking I should have her redo it.  But I really like this one so I just keep it.  She does professional personalized work.  If your blog needs a little boost, I recommend Karen for blog design.   

 
Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

New Faces and More

This winter has been one of pondering and looking at old things with a new eye. I am moving in a slightly different direction with my art and it has brought about some necessary introspection.  Now, in the description of this blog I say that my art focuses on the delights of life, mostly on the relationship between children and animals.  And that continues to be true.   And in recent years I have spent much more time creating pencil art than painting or working in collage.   And that continues to be true.   The truth is the changes stirring now may seem much bigger to me than to the one viewing the art.   We'll see what you think in time.   As my pondering has been on a very personal level, I've not shared the process.  But soon I will begin sharing the artistic results.

In the meantime, I have completed two more faces for the 100 Faces in 365 Days project.  These faces are quite imperfect as they are journal faces and not polished completed portraits.   But as I perpetually tell my students, journal pages should be fun and free from the confines of perfection. And so I share them here.

This tiger cub is Derwent Graphic Pencil on Moleskine soft cover journal.  The paper is not the best for blending graphite and it is buckled as a layer of paint was added to the back of the page on another day.  I do like the expression in his sweet curious eyes.

This is a pretty small drawing (about 3" x 4") done with Derwent Tinted Charcoal on Strathmore 500 Charcoal Paper.  I've never been fond of charcoal paper as I don't like the grid-like texture.  I was hoping the 500 charcoal paper would have a less invasive texture than what I had experienced previously in lesser charcoal papers.  And it was better.  But the grid still shows more than I prefer.  

I usually use Vellum Bristol Board paper or Mixed Media Paper for charcoal.  It has enough tooth to cooperate with the charcoal but has no distinctive texture to distract from the drawing.  But its white and I yearn to draw on colors.  

I love the colors of the Strathmore Toned Paper.  The particular gray and Kraft brown are so pretty and they look amazing with the Tinted Charcoal.  But the paper is just a bit too smooth to work as well as I would like with charcoal, especially to get detail in shading.   I contacted Strathmore pleading with them to make Bristol Board Vellum in the Toned Paper colors.  They said they would consider it but asked me to consider their 500 Charcoal papers.  Besides the ever present charcoal grid texture, the charcoal paper colors are not the same as the nice pretty Toned Paper colors.  And so, I am back at square one.   So, that's my 2 cents on that matter.  

I am joining the bandwagon for Bloglovin'.  I know, I know.... I'm a little late on this.  But, better late than not at all, right?  I'd love for you to join me there.    Follow my blog with Bloglovin


 
Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

A Review of Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels

The Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels are a joy with which to paint.  They are very soft lending themselves to a very free creative approach.   And yet as I used them on the UART Sanded Pastel Paper, I found that I also had as much control of the placement of the colors as I could have wished.

The colors are vivid and scrumptious.  There is a wide range of beautiful colors to choose from - 96 colors in all..  The pigments are light fast and fade resistant.  And they blend very nicely.  These pigments lay down clearly and beautifully on the paper.  You will be tempted to try all the colors, as am I.  So it is helpful that the Mungyo Soft Pastels are an affordable price.

These very soft pastels may be blended with a blending stump or if you prefer to be more tactile with your art, your fingers.   Even though the colors blend well, they are also strong enough to layer boldly on top of a previously drawn portion of your painting.   For my example I have created a painting with lots of blending and layering of color.  As you can see the Mungyo Handmade Soft Pastels handled the task well.  I enjoyed working with them and will use them again.  I have already recommended them to some of my pastel loving students.

Here are the supplies I used from Jerry's Artarama for this example:
Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels
Creative Mark Paper Blending Stumps 
UART Premium Sanded Pastel Paper 
SpectraFix Non Toxic Pastel Fixative





Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

A Review of Matisse Structured Artists Acrylic Color

The Matisse Structured Artists Acrylic Colors are fun!  Plain and simple, that's the first thing that comes to my mind.  They are a heavy bodied paint formulated to naturally lay down on the canvas with some bulk.  I purposely chose a project that could be enhanced with some texture.  And I really enjoyed watching that texture appear with very little effort using the Matisse Structured Paint.   It felt like the paint was working with me rather than my needing to manipulate it. 

The tubes have wonderful flip tops making it so much easier on my hands to get to the paint.  And I believe those tops will also create a better seal over time, thereby allowing a longer shelf life for my paints.

The colors are vivid and scrumptious.  There is a wide range to choose from - 96 colors in all.  They mix nicely.  And the colors lay down clearly and beautifully on the canvas.  You will be tempted to try all the colors, as I am.

The Matisse Acrylics have a longer open working time than other acrylic paints I've worked with, allowing me to leave more colors out on my palette.  And also giving more freedom to play with my mixed colors as the painting developed.  The Matisse Structured Acrylics would be perfect for mixed media painting and for mixed media collage work.  The heavy body lends itself easily to the various techniques used in these popular art forms. 

These are the supplies I used for this example.  I got all my supplies at Jerry's Artarama:

Matisse Structured Acrylic Colors
          Raw Sienna
          Magenta Light
          Antique White
          Transparent Venetian Red
          Burnt Sienna
          Naples Yellow Light
          Transparent Yellow Oxide
          Unbleached Titanium
          Phthalo Blue
          Burnt Umber
          Titanium White
Colour Shaper Painting Tool
Jewel Bristle Brushes
Ampersand Artist Panel






Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

World Lion Day

 

It is World Lion Day.  And in honor of my most favorite of creatures, I am sharing this beautiful and captivating painting - Una and Lion by Briton Riviére.  The painting is an illustration of the the English epic poem The Faerie Queene.  There are several interpretations to the meaning of this poem.  None of which apply to what I, personally, love in this piece of art.  

 

If you've read this blog for its duration, you are aware of my love for lions and possibly even of the story of the little lion I cared for whose name was Daniel.  If you are new and unfamiliar with my little Daniel's story, you may read it here.  

 

Caring for Daniel was extraordinary and life changing for me in many ways.  As I bottle fed him and did his daily therapies, I grew in unexpected ways.  I am currently working on a project to tell Daniel's story more fully.  I am very excited about it.   I'm not sure how long it will take to accomplish.  But I am enjoying the process.   I want to wait for it to be revealed in its completion but I will share some sneak peaks with you along the way.  

When Daniel was 13 months old, he passed away due to the injuries he had endured where he had previously lived.  I have always believed that I will see Daniel again one day and we will rejoice and laugh together at how miraculously God used him in my life.   The first time I saw Riviére's painting it took my breath away as the image was nearly exactly what I've always pictured of Daniel and I one day.  The little dancing lamb is the perfect addition to set the mood of joy, peace, and serenity.  

I am very sad to say that lions are in great decline in the wild due to poaching and loss of habit.  Their numbers have declined in the last 50 years to a level that is frighteningly low.  Unless the current trends change, there are predictions that there will be no more lions 10 years from now.  Surely this must not happen.  

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

A Review of the Sanford Tuff Stuff Stick Eraser

It might seem odd to be so excited about an eraser.  But as a pencil artist committed to a particular level of precision in my art, I can't get along without my Tuff Stuff Stick Eraser Stick by Sanford Paper Mate.   The Tuff Stuff Eraser is a quality white plastic eraser.




The eraser stick in the Tuff Stuff is only 3.8 mm wide.  This is narrow enough to be able to erase in the tiniest of spots.  And yet wide enough to not compromise on the ability of the eraser to accomplish its task.

The fact that you can return the eraser stick back into the plastic barrel makes it easy to keep the eraser clean.  You can purchase refills for your Tuff Stuff Eraser making it ecologically friendly.  I use mine all the time but have never actually had to use my refills yet. 


I often use my Tuff Stuff Stick Eraser as a white pencil on my graphite drawings.  And I always encourage my students to own at least one.  They are always as excited about their Tuff Stuff Erasers as I am.  Their comment when first using it is usually, "Wow!"  We just can't get along without it.  I own several, keeping one in every pencil pack and drawing station I have.

 I always keep a small journal and a tiny drawing kit with me wherever I go.  My Tuff Stuff Eraser is an essential part of that drawing kit.  I love my Tuff Stuff Eraser!

Below is a video demonstration I did for Jerry's Artarama using the Tuff Stuff Eraser.

Supplies used in the video:

Conte' Crayons
Derwent Tinted Charcoal
Soho Urban Artist Colored Pencils
Derwent Graphic Pencil
Creative Mark Blending Stump
Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick
Big Triple Sharpener
Reflexions Pocket Journal
Artist Survival Book
Strathmore Bristol Board

I purchase all of my artist's pencils from Jerry's Artarama.  And I'm not telling you that because they asked me to do this review.  It is the truth.  They package those delicate pencils like they are shipping to the moon.  I've not found this to be true of all online art supply companies.   I grew weary of getting packages of broken pencil leads and that is when I discovered Jerry's.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Ketchup Day!

When I was teaching local children's classes, we would occasionally get behind and would have several unfinished projects stacked up.  When that happened we would have a Catch Up class day.  The cute thing was that the kids always thought I was saying Ketchup Day and they thought that was the funniest thing they'd ever heard.  I have been absent for many weeks from this blog and am behind on several posts. And for that, I apologize.  I guess that makes this a Ketchup Day!

 My weeks have been full, my moments have been full, my 'to do' list has been full, my desk has been full. But in the midst of all this fullness, I have been without many words for sharing. Do you find that sometimes when life is just full all around you, that you become quiet in self defense of it all?
I do.
But I am back today with a renewed resolve to be faithful here as blogging is much more fun and a much more positive experience than other social media, in my humble opinion.

Blogging feels more like having someone to tea and then visiting their house to do the same. Much more pleasant than everyone chattering at once.
In spite of my quietness, I have been busy. I've been working on promoting the workshops for The Graceful Artist. I've started a big project of my own art blended with art journaling. I've recorded some new workshops. I am thinking of creating a new Wind and Honey website as the original is designed in iweb. Apple no longer offers this software. When this computer dies I will no longer be able to edit my current website. And my computer is getting pretty old.

I've been doing some review work for Jerry's Artarama. I'll be sharing those with you. I do receive the products I review from Jerry's. But, as I am a terribly honest person, I only tell the truth in my reviews. So, perhaps they will help you with some new products. 
And on top of it all, I am helping my daughter Kate plan her Fall wedding. 

The orange door

Poet has been off work for a week and we chose to stay home this year.  We are working on some projects that we want done but never seem to have time for.  When we moved into this house a year ago, the shutters were orange.   Now, my fellow OSU Cowboy fans, please don't send me letters on this.  But, as much as I love our beloved Cowboys, I really am not fond of orange.  So, finally we've painted those shutters and I imagine the neighbors are breathing a sigh of relief. 

The orange shutters

 

The new shutters

The new blue door!!

Another project Poet is working on is the antique ice box given to me by his father, my father-in-law.  It was promised about 20 years ago but only received recently.  It has sat in a workshop for a long time waiting for its place of honor in my breakfast room.  I should have taken before photos but I forgot.  It had a lot of missing paint and what paint it had was chipped and rusty.  I promise to post photos when its finished.  You will love it.

And so, for now, I am just popping in to say hello again and to let you know I will be more faithful to join you here.  A review for an art supply will be coming soon.




Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Living A More Creative Life - Part 1

 

I have been thinking a lot lately about this series of posts that I did almost 3 years ago.  I have decided to rerun them as many of you won't have read my posts 3 years ago when I first started blogging.  And also, simply because I think this may be something we all should read again from time to time.

Sometimes life comes along and just sits on your heart challenging you to even breath.  These are the times when creativity is elusive.  And yet, finding creative expression can be a life saver at just such moments.  Some of you are artist by vocation or by hobby. Others may just enjoy art. For the artist, hard times can lead to a creative block.  But for all of us, hard times are, well just that - hard!

Finding ways to incorporate creativity into your daily life can be like a breath of fresh air in a heavy time.  This is Part 1 of a series of posts on Living A More Creative Life.  It is my hope that it will help you begin to think in a new direction as you come up with ways to bring creativity into your day to day life.  If this series inspires you or you come up with new ideas, please come here and share your ideas with us all.  



Creativity comes from the right side of our brains.  If you've read anything about the right brain/left brain differences, you know that scientist have learned that the left sides of our brains are our logical sides.  (My husband says I don't have a left side.  But we won't get into that!)  And our right sides are where we find our creativity and our feelings.  Creativity is a mindset.  And most certainly it is about taking risks and having fun.  If its not fun then what is the point?   

 Creativity is more than painting or drawing or pasting or sculpting.  It is tapping into the feeling right side of your brain to find a solution to a problem.  Creativity is breaking out of accepted patterns and solutions in order to find a new way of doing something.

In Part 2 of Living A More Creative Life we will talk about some practical ways to move your life into a more creative direction. 


Wind and Honey Creations

News, Party Prizes, and Fun

My Rose in watercolor pencils and graphite

As many of you are aware, I have been teaching pencil art drawing classes online through a video format for several years now.  And I have had my own site, Creative Pencils, for 2 years.  I love working with students from all over the world and watching them delight as they discover they can draw.   I am predominately self taught.  I was once a beginner too.  I know how it feels to be unsure.  And I know how it feels to be overwhelmed with laughter when I realized my pencil scratches actually looked like something real.  I love sharing the steps with new students and helping them find that same delight.  Here are some drawings by current students that all started out as beginners in Pencils 101.

Sandra Petersen

Jaffra Masad

Sandra Simpson

For those of you that are new here and don't know me, I am Elizabeth Johnson of Wind and Honey Creations.  I have created art in many mediums but my true love is pencil art.  I have taught drawing since 1999 in local settings and online since 2011.  I teach drawing from a right-brained perspective.  If you've taken any drawing classes from a traditional approach, this will be very different for you.  And lots of fun!  You can see a little more about me and the workshops I've been teaching here at Creative Pencils.

My Cat Eyes in Tinted Charcoal

The exciting news I have today as I join this blog party is that I am moving my pencil art workshops to Creative Workshops.   This decision has come with much thought.  I have loved having my own site.   But life has brought some new adventures to my schedule (see this post on The Graceful Artist).  I want to give my very best to my drawing students.  Moving my workshops to Creative Workshops will enable me to continue to do so.  I am very grateful to Gail for welcoming me with open arms.

My Portrait of Toby

The first workshops to move will be the Pencils Series -- Pencils 101, 201, 301, and Colored Pencils 101.  These are my foundational lessons.  They start at the very beginning and move quickly into rich lessons that will deepen your pencil skills and broaden your creativity.  After the first of the year, the Cat and Dog graphite portrait workshops will move.  Then the other workshops will follow as the months unfold.  

My Tulips in Colored Pencils

Creative Workshops has just moved to a brand new site.  And we are having a party with prizes to celebrate. 

Here are a few great things about Creative Workshops:

•   Available online 24/7 to fit your schedule. You can watch videos as often as you want, when you want. AND ipad access!
  
•   You get instant access with your receipt to any Open class you purchase. No waiting for u send you an invitation, no more confusing membership to join.
  
•   All video content is available from the first day a class opens so you can work at your own pace. Doesn't matter if you are a turtle or a rabbit!
  
•   Once a class opens there is no take down date to worry about so no pressure to be done by a certain date. If a teacher must retire a class (very few do) we give you 6 months notice.

Pencils 301

To celebrate the opening of my Pencils Series on Creative Workshops, the prize I am giving is one enrollment in Pencils 101.  

Pencils 101

If you are interested in starting on a new adventure in pencil art, leave a comment with this post.  The party runs Sept. 23-Sept.29. I will use a random number generator to choose the lucky winner and announce the name Monday Sept 30. 

Pencils 201

After you have left your comment here, be sure and check out the other teacher's blogs for their exciting prizes.   At the bottom of this post you will find a list of all the party participating teachers, and the links to their blogs.   Each teacher is giving away one of their classes for free to a lucky commenter!  You can follow the party trail from blog to blog, leaving a comment on each blog you visit.   This will increase your chance of winning a free class from one of the talented teachers. Fun, huh?!

Sara Naumann
Cat Kerr  
Jodi Ohl
Martha Lever
Nancy Lefko
Cathy Bluteau
Mechelle Harrison
Liz Miller
Terri Heinz
Kerr Pelto
Lori Vliegen
Diana Frey
Marilyn Harris-Mills
Nellie Wortman
Gaye Medbury
Ann Butler
Dawn Meisch
Gail Schmidt



Wind and Honey Creations