Category Archives: Abstract Art

Create Some Magic Art Journaling

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This was one of my very early art journal layouts. I’m not totally thrilled with it but there are things I like about it. I love the bright yellow background, it’s just very happy. The stamped watercolor flowers turned out pretty nice too. Looking at this I probably should’ve added leaves to the stems but it’s okay the way it is and I do like the green against the yellow. I also love the quote “create some magic.”

I remember when I created these pages I was trying out a new stencil and modeling paste. I like the stencil but not the modeling paste. The texture and consistency wasn’t the best and thankfully I’ve found a much better paste to work with. So even though this isn’t my favorite journal layout I did learn new things in the process.

Journaling doesn’t always go as planned and that’s okay. It’s a fun place to learn and try new techniques and to let your creativity run wild. My advice is always find the silver lining in the clouds that may visit you from time to time. Most importantly, enjoy the creation process and have fun😊

Hope this inspires you today, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” ~Edgar Degas

Happy Easter Mixed Media Canvas

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This was a fun and colorful mixed media artwork I created a while ago on an 8×10″ canvas. I used a lot of different techniques in this, so there are a lot of interesting elements to catch your eye.

I started this canvas by collaging torn pages from a book along with paper doilies and any other paper I had on hand. Once that dried, I painted the background in bright, fun Easter colors using acrylic paints. Next, I used a stencil with modeling paste to create the yellow flower and stars. I also added stamped images of script, butterflies and an Easter bunny.

I cut out Easter eggs from five different pieces of coordinating cardstock and glued them to the canvas. The basket was made with crumpled tissue paper that I collaged on top of the eggs and later painted. I added shading, highlights and a bit of glitter for a little bling.

I had a couple of crocheted flowers in my stash so I thought they’d add some 3 dimensional texture and more interest. Last, I printed the “Happy Easter” from my computer and glued it to the canvas and it was done!

This is a beautiful Easter decoration that you could even make with kids and treasure for years to come😊

Hope you’re enjoying your Easter weekend💐🐇💐

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Art Journaling

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Art journaling is a fun and easy way to connect with your inner muse. It’s a great tool to help you to relax and unwind after a stressful day. The best part is there are no rules!

Dedicate as much or as little time as you like to journaling; and all you need to get started is a pen and notebook. Then create whatever your 💖 desires. If nothing comes to mind just begin by drawing squiggly lines and use your imagination to take you on a wonderful adventure.

I like to keep multiple journals going at the same time. Some have a theme while others are completely random. You can write your thoughts, sketch, doodle, collage, paint and do pretty much anything you can think of! It’s your personal space to express yourself with no rules or judgement. Just have fun and enjoy the process.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a notebook and pen and have some fun today!

Hope this inspires you today, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

Expressions of Love Works in Progress

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I’ve been busy in online classes learning new skills and taking breaks in between working on my canvases for the Expressions of Love Collection. I love how the colorful backgrounds make the hearts pop!

In talking with others I find so many feel unappreciated and taken for granted. No one likes going unnoticed for all the work they do. Sometimes a simple “Thank You” can have a huge impact on their day. So make sure to say “Thank You” to those who brighten your days.

The four paintings shown here are a work in progress so stay tuned. They’ll be available in my Etsy Shop soon. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for stopping by!!

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“Love is forgiving and love is for giving.” ~ Wayne Dyer

Watercolor Dreams Workshop

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I’m working on a sketch which I’m getting ready to paint. This is part of an online workshop called Watercolor Dreams with the very talented Katrina Koltes who lives in Italy.

Katrina’s portrait paintings are more realistic and have a real dreamy vibe which I love and long to create. Getting this sketch just right seems to have taken me hours to complete. But that only means that I need more practice. So I’m showing up to learn more and improve my skills as an artist.

The portrait below was my first taste of Katrina’s surreal style of painting and I was hooked. I won’t even tell you how long this sketch took me to complete 😅 But it was one of the best realistic paintings I had ever done up to that point.

So I invite you to come along with me on this fantastic adventure of creating magical paintings. Wish me luck 🤞

Thanks for stopping by!!

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PS – I found this quote to be pretty funny because that’s kind of how I’m feeling right now 😂

“I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

Thoughtful Thursday The Joys of Spring

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Photo by Alesia Kozik on Pexels.com

The first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere is coming this Monday, March 20, 2023 and it will run until June 21, 2023. You may have already noticed the warmer temps moving in, birds nesting and beautiful flowers beginning to bloom. Also, on this first day of Spring the hours of daylight and night are almost equal. It always takes some adjusting to the new longer days ahead.

On my lovely morning walks I’ve seen many squirrels busy building their nests. You can tell the difference between a bird and squirrel nest from the ground because birds primarily build their nests with twigs. Whereas squirrels use fresh branches with the leaves attached. You may also notice a lot of small pieces of fresh branches with leaves on the ground.

This was a photo I took with my phone of a squirrel nest. They’re easily seen once the leaves dry and turn brown. Squirrels can have anywhere from 2-4 babies usually between the months of February to May. They have a hefty appetite and will eat their own body weight every week which is about 1.5 pounds. I love watching them in the mornings with their high energy, it motivates me on my walks 😊

Have you checked your yard for signs of any new babies that may be coming soon?

Hope you enjoyed today’s post. Thanks for stopping by!!

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Watercolor Abstract

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I thought with Spring upon us very soon I’d share with you, this watercolor abstract I made a while ago. I used my Cricut machine to cut out the letters for the word Imagine and I framed it in a 12 inch square frame. This painting hangs in my studio because it was one of the first things I painted when I came back to my art after a somewhat long hiatus😊

I love that the flowers are loosely painted and you have to use your imagination to see them. It was also a fun way to experiment with the paints and let the colors mingle.

Our imagination is so important in our everyday lives. We use it for everything our minds dreams of and we create from that. So have some fun today and use your imagination✨

I hope you’re week if off to a great start! Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.” ~Carl Sagan

Simplest Things Journal

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I’m really enjoying filling the pages of my Simplest Things Journal which I started as part of Amy Maricle’s Simplest Things Challenge at Mindful Art Studios.

I made the 3 inch square flower painting last week and wanted to find it a home. I was drawing a blank on what to do next in the journal and then I read a comment on Instagram by an admirer about the flower and butterfly:

“The little butterfly with the trail just makes it, I love how the daisy is reaching out for it.”

So I thought lots of swirly, crisscrossing butterfly trails would make the perfect background, and there simple too which fits with the theme of this journal. It was pure luck that the trail of the butterfly on the painting lined up with the trail in the background. I mean honestly, what are the odds? 😂

But it’s a happy colorful creation. What do you think?

Hope this inspires you to create some art!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Color is the place where our brain and the universe meet.” ~Paul Klee

Simplest Things Journal

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I added another painting to my Simplest Things Journal. I’m really loving the slow drawing process. It quiets the mind and soothes the soul 😊 This was a design I made in a smaller version and thought it would make an interesting big design. But instead of painting another circle, I wanted to try a freeform design.

What I love most about this design is how the lines overlap in some areas making thicker lines that look like folds and creases. What do you think?

Hope this inspires you to create this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Art is a natural as sunshine and as vital as nourishment.” ~MaryAnn F Kohl

This was my inspiration for the the painting above 😊

Whimsical Journaling

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Journaling is a great way to have fun and unwind from a long week. This was actually a warm up exercise which is part of an online class I’m working on by the very talented Katrina Koltes.

Art journaling is anything you want it to be. It can be an abstract or a more serious painting or anything in between. You can write your thoughts in your journal and then cover them up or don’t. But the choice is yours. The main goal is to simply do whatever your heart desires and makes you happy😊 So what are your waiting for? Grab your journal and have some fun this weekend!

Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy💖

“What keeps my heart awake is colorful silence.” ~Claude Monet