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

One Hundred Faces In Three Hundred and Sixty Five Days

I have joined a group on Facebook where we have each committed to draw or paint 100 faces in 365 days.  Most people are drawing and painting people faces.   But, you know me....  My first face is, of course, a Siamese cat.

This drawing was created with Derwent Tinted Charcoal on a Strathmore Toned Sketch Journal.   *A note on these toned journals:  They are beautiful.  There is a grey one too.  I love the colors!  But... Strathmore, Please make some toned papers with tooth.  I suggest Bristol Board Vellum.   Pretty Please!  These colors cry out to be used with the tinted charcoal.  But the paper makes it quite a challenge to accomplish.

I have decided only to use journaled faces for my 100.  That will force me to play around with it and not use the more serious portraits I am working on.   I think this will be fun and will prompt me to draw many different kinds of faces.   I might do a camel, a donkey, and maybe some sheep.   Oh!  Maybe a rooster!  And maybe.....just maybe, I'll even do some people.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Pastel Workshop Opening

I am very excited to announce the opening of Panda In Pastel on January 15. This online video workshop is for students at any level. Even beginners can have fun with this cute guy. I used Derwent Pastel Pencils but any brand of pastel pencils can work.

I created the original panda drawing for a gift. A friend wanted a panda for her new baby's room. But when my local students saw it, many asked me to create a workshop teaching how they might create their own panda friend.

 

And so, here you go. You may enroll in Panda In Pastel at CreativeWorkshops.me. Enrollment will remain open so you may sign up when it works best for you. And, as always, you may ask me questions or show me your work for positive and helpful critique.   I hope to see you there. 

Here is a little teaser......

 


Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

On My Worktable

This week I am enjoying the process of bringing these small canvases to life. They have been sitting in my closet for a very long time.  I have too many supplies sitting in that closet.  I've decided  it is time to stop waiting and time to start using those supplies.




It is funny how the creative process goes. I envisioned one thing and they are turning out very different that I imagined.  Sometimes you just have to go with the whirl of creativity as it comes through the room.   I like the new ideas better. I bet that's how it works for you too.

These are a combination of paint, artist's pencils of various kinds, ink, vintage paper, and more.   The lion is all original on the canvas.  But the sleepy tabby is a print of one of my graphite drawings.  Then he has been embellished further with paint, pencils, and ink.  I am thinking about doing more canvases that utilize my pencil drawings.  What do you think?

 

 
Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Black Friday Weekend Sale

In an attempt to do my part to help you avoid the crowds this Black Friday weekend, I am offering my Cat and Dog Portrait Workshops at a one time amazing price.  You can enroll in the Cat Portrait Workshop or you can enroll in the Dog Portrait Workshop.  And if you are really enthusiastic about both, you can enroll in Both of Them! for an even better bundled price.  

These workshops are cram packed with information about how I draw portraits with a simple graphite pencil. 









I include all my special techniques. I will walk you through each and every step from a plain white piece of paper to a splendid portrait created only in graphite. I will teach you the tricks to create a portrait that will come off the page with depth and with personality.

And the icing on the cake is that you can email me with your questions and with pictures of your work so I can help you along the way. These workshops are so much fun and students that have preceded you have had wonderful success. You can see some of the portraits accomplished by my students here in this video.

These workshops are open "forever".  So, if you are a beginner, you can purchase the workshops at this one time amazing price and save them for when you have completed my Pencils Series.  The Pencils Series 101, 201, & 301 will prepare you thoroughly for these Portrait Workshops.

So, hurry over to Creative Workshops for more information and to sign up.

Sign yourself up, sign your friends and family up.

Just think, you could be finished with your shopping with one click. And then you can spend this hectic weekend reading a good book.

Ahhhhhh!!!!!




Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Invitation to Artful Prayer

I would like to invite you to Artful Prayer, the Journaling workshop I will be teaching at The Graceful Artist. It is an ongoing video workshop blending art journaling and prayer.  We will have discussions and the opportunity to ask questions.

We will be looking at ways to enrich your prayer life and to create a mixed-media look with the simplicity of artist's pencils.

I would love for you to join me.


 
Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

A Creative New Year, Living A More Creative Life Part 4

I thought the best way to start of a new year is with the final installment of my Living A More Creative Life Series.  What better way to plan ahead for a new year than to bring more creativity into your days.

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We've talked about the need to live a more creative life.  We've talked about ways to bring creativity into our daily lives.  And we've talked about how we might bring creativity into the lives of others.  Today, in this final Living a More Creative Life post, I'd like to talk about how the artist might find more creativity even when it seems to allude them.

Sharon Bell is the East Texas artist that mentored me many years ago when I was discovering myself to be an artist. Once in a casual moment she made what seemed at the time to be simple comment.  Yet that comment, that she probably doesn't even remember saying, has helped me many times.  Sharon told me that every artist has times when they question themselves, when they doubt whether they can still "do" it, or if possibly they never really could.  When I am discouraged or worry that I've been off that horse for too long, I remember her statement.  In doing so, I know that I am not alone in my self doubts and that if I will just begin again, I will realize my gifts once more.  I will discover that my gifts were not fleeting fancies like a luna moth living but for a day.  Rather the gifts inside of me have been hibernating like a bear, simply sleeping for a season waiting for the warmth of Spring to reemerge.

As an artist, as an art teacher, I have made some observations of actions that can be helpful when our creative spirit seems to have slipped away into hibernation.  I hope some of you find these to be helpful.

First I would remind you that art, that is creativity, happens on the right side of our brains.  Also living on the right side of our brains are our feelings.  It is my opinion that when our creativity alludes us, there is a feeling connection present somewhere.  So my suggestions work in the direction of feeding and nurturing your soul and your feelings thereby restoring creativity to an active place in your days.

Many artists suggest going to a gallery to be inspired when their artist's self has moved into hibernation.  I would think this would be helpful if one is stifled and seeking new directions.  But if I am having trouble finding the right side of my brain, then going to a place to look at the abundant work that some prolific artist has produced will only make me feel more the failure.  I love appreciating the work of others.  But this would not be the moment for it.  I suggest, rather that we move in a completely different direction.

*Go outside!  Work in the flower bed, sit at the park and feed the ducks, drive a country road looking for abandoned farm houses, visit the beach, go camping in a tent, or walk the dog.  The point is to take yourself out of your normal environment.  Let the creativity and spontaneity of nature surround you and remind you of what you love about creating.

*Rest.  Simply rest.  Maybe you are behind on your sleep.  Maybe you just need to take a nap every day for a month.  Maybe you need to stop pushing yourself so hard and let your mind and soul be calm for a while.  Maybe you need to visit another place where you have no deadlines, no 'to do' lists, no oughta's or shoulda's looming over your heads.

*Talk with a friend.  This doesn't have to be an artist friend.  But it does need to be a friend that understands who you are as a creative person.  It does need to be someone that appreciates what you have to offer.  It does need to be someone that appreciates your passion to create.  And the confidant does need to be a friend that will listen more than they will suggest solutions.  I've found that often my mind works best when my mouth is moving.  Sometimes we answer our own questions simply by hearing ourselves speak.   

*Try something new - a new medium, a new technique.  Revisit an old technique.  Do this in the privacy of your own space and your own moments, free to make a mess because no one else will see it.  I've found that may times when we are struggling, we've let performance worries creep into our thoughts.  Experiencing creativity with no intention that this piece will ever sell or maybe not even be seen can break us out of performance fear and blocks.

*Take an honest look at what you've been making in the last year or two.  Have you gradually slipped into performing for the market?  Maybe you liked the projects at first.  Maybe they seemed fun and easy to produce.  But at some point, you moved beyond that level.  The art that really comes from within you is something else.  But you continue in the other direction because you think it will sell.  That is a sure way to find your creativity to have grown stale.  Find your heart, your creative soul.  Producing what comes from within you rather than for the market is what people will be drawn to in your art - that something special that only you can add.

*Clean up your space!  If its junky in your studio, if its crowded, you'll have too many visual messages coming into your mind.  If its disorganized, the frustration and lost time spent searching for that special object or tool or image will quickly disintegrate any right brained thoughts you may have been having.  The bonus of cleaning and organizing is that sometimes in the process you will find objects or images that you've forgotten you had.  Inspiration will come sweeping in like a fresh wind with those now refound items.

*Most of all don't panic and be kind and patient with yourself.  Life runs in seasons.  This too will pass.  If you are an artist, your creativity is still there whether you feel it right now or not.  Know that it will return.  It is a part of who you are.  It IS who you are.  YOU ARE AN ARTIST.

 
Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Quiet Tones on a Journal Page

I have been nose to monitor for 3 weeks now as I have been learning web designing.  This is not something I aspired to do.  But the Ning system is failing me and the necessity to move our Graceful Artist site became evident.  And, of course, the need arose just when it necessitated immediate action.  So, with no time to spare, I've been learning a lot.  But I am very proud of how lovely it looks.  I hope you will pop over and take a look.  The instructors are working so hard to present a wonderful and enriching experience.  They deserve a great site to feature their work.  Click here to see.

This year I have focused more on working in an art journal than I have in the past.  I've learned some ways to work around the need for paint and lots of elaborate supplies and have enjoyed expanding the thought of what my pencils can do on those pages.

But this week I enjoyed just a simple approach.  I have a Strathmore toned sketch paper journal.  I've not done much in it as the paper is so thin that it seems less than ideal.  But the colors call to me!  We had to be out of town the other day and had a block of time with no particular plan and not many options for filling that time.  So, I took along my toned journal and my Derwent tinted charcoal.  I took nothing else so I wouldn't be tempted to take another approach.

This drawing of Kenya was the result.  The toned sketch paper is not the ideal texture for charcoal but it worked and I enjoyed the process.  Now, if they would make some vellum bristol board in these toned colors, I would really be a happy girl!




Wind and Honey Creations

Winner! We Have a Winner!!!

 

I'm scurrying in here before the day is finished to announce the winner of the free Pencils 101 Workshop on Creative Workshops.  Oh!  I wanted to let you ALL be winners.  You had such lovely and kind comments.  Thank you.

But, alas, there must only be one winner.  I used a random number generator to determine the winner.  And the number chosen was lucky #10.   Which was Shawn.  So, Shawn, you can just pop over and let Gail know that you are a lucky girl and you are ready to have fun with pencils.  I'm sure I will enjoy working with you.

 

For all of you that are interested in getting started with your drawing skills, the Pencils 101 Workshop will open on October 18.  But you can sign up now and be ready to go when that fun day arrives.  Come on over and join Shawn and I in Pencils 101.

Wind and Honey Creations

A Look Into My World

On My Worktable today...

Here is a glimpse of what I am working on now.  She is being drawn in graphite - Derwent Graphic 8B.  I do almost everything in 8B.  This isn't the best copy of the image but I just took a quick photo rather than a scan.  This swan has a secret.  And her secret will be revealed when she is complete.  I'll post her here when she is ready to share her surprise.  This piece was inspired by a young friend of mine who has overcome difficulties in her life and is moving forward with joy and strength.

And this is what else is on my table.  Kenya thinks swans are boring.  He is quite sure that he should always be the subject of my drawings.  --funny.....he's yawning but really it kind of looks like he's laughing!  Can you hear him?  HaHaHaHaHa!!!!

What is your newest project?

Wind and Honey Creations

Where Bloggers Create 2011

Recently as I was engaging in one of my favorite past times, blog hopping, I stumbled onto My Desert Cottage and her upcoming blog party Where Bloggers Create.  I thought this seemed like such a fun idea.  I love looking into the studios of other artists.  I quickly added a comment that I wanted to join in.  It was not until the next day that I realized my comment had come a few days after the deadline to join.  But, to my surprise, Karen of My Desert Cottage added me to the party anyway.  Thank you Karen.  I'm so pleased to join the party.

My studio is not fancy and I do not have the freedom to rip
up carpet and go crazy with the design like I'd enjoy doing.  But it is the first time I've had a whole room just for my studio.  And I think the 2 full walls of second story windows makes up for any crazy decor plans I could come up with.

Some of these photos were taken a while back.  So you may notice a difference in a few of them like the blue cat pillow and then a pink cat pillow.  I recently created a video showing some of my studio for the Artful Gathering class that I have produced.  It is quite recent and I thought fit in here quite well.  So, I've included it too.

Our house was built in 1919.  This is an odd little room off of the larger room.  It is larger than a closet but still only about 6' x 5'.  And yet, it has a window and an old air conditioning vent.  hmmmmm.....   The only idea I have is that it was meant to be a nursery just off the master bedroom.   Any ideas?   Anyone know?

I am currently in Missouri on a trip.  I found an old wooden file cabinet at a thrift store that will replace these plastic drawers when I get home.  I am in need of these plastic drawers in the room where I teach kid's art classes.  So it works out well this way.  This window blind is usually up and the cats enjoy watching the squirrels run by on the window ledges.  But I had to close it in order to take the picture.

Again, had to close the blinds to get a photo.  This table belonged to my big brother.  When he left us to go fly fishing in Heaven, I took this table to create on.  As I use it I am reminded of how supportive he always was of my art.

I keep things that I love here....my favorite dolls as a child, children's books, a doll my daughter made by hand for me when she was only 9, and a stuffed skunk given to me by my father.  

And here is the video.  I won't even have to tell you that I am an amateur at filming.  It will be evident!  : )

And now that you've been in my studio, I will enjoy visiting yours.  What kind of tea will you be serving?  Got any cinnamon scones?

Have you ever wished you could learn to draw?  I teach drawing online through video lessons.  We are having so much fun and my students are amazed at how well they are drawing and how quickly they are progressing.  Come by and take a look at Wind and Honey Classes.  You can do it too!

Wind and Honey Creations