Wishing you a joyous Easter filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with family and friends. May the spirit of renewal and hope brighten your day and fill your hearts with happiness.
Happy Easter to you and yours!🐰🌷🥚
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I really enjoy creating with these playful scribbles. With Easter Sunday tomorrow, I couldn’t resist making a few bunny tiles. Since I like working in 3’s these are my designs. I added splashes of watercolor paint to the scribbles and a little glitter to the tails for extra sparkle.
I’m going to add these to my stash for future use in my journaling. Hope this inspires you in some way today, thanks for stopping by!!
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“Live out of your imagination instead of your memory.” ~Les Brown
Realism, emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against the idealized and romanticized depictions prevalent in art. Rooted in a desire to represent everyday life, realism sought to capture the world as it truly appeared, without embellishment. This artistic movement revolutionized the art world, paving the way for a new era of authenticity and truthfulness in artistic expression.
At the heart of Realism is a commitment depicting the world with vivid detail and uncompromising honesty. Artists of this movement sought inspiration from the lives of ordinary people, exploring themes such as social injustice, poverty, and the harsh realities of urban life. Through their works, they sought to shed light on the human condition and provoke thought and reflection among viewers.
One of the most influential Realist artists was Gustave Courbet, often hailed as the father of the movement. His bold and unflinching portrayals of rural life and labor, as seen in works like “The Stone Breakers” and “A Burial at Ornans,” (shown below) challenged traditional artistic conventions and sparked controversy within the art world.
Another prominent figure in Realism was Jean-François Millet, whose poignant depictions of peasant life captured the dignity and resilience of the rural poor. His iconic painting “The Gleaners” (shown below) remains a powerful symbol of solidarity and perseverance in the face of adversity.
In addition to Courbet and Millet, other notable Realist artists include Honoré Daumier, Édouard Manet, and Winslow Homer. Each of these artists brought their own unique perspective and style to the movement, contributing to its rich and diverse legacy.
Despite its origins in the 19th century, the principles of Realism continue to resonate with artists and audiences today. In an age marked by rapid technological advancement and social change, the pursuit of truth and authenticity in art remains as relevant as ever. Through their commitment to depicting the world as it truly is, Realist artists have left a lasting mark on the history of art, inspiring generations to come.
Hope you found this history in art enlightening, thanks for stopping by!!
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Did you know that plans for the Washington Monument were underway even before George Washington became President? Back in 1783, Congress voted to create a memorial dedicated to Washington, recognizing his pivotal role as Commander in Chief during the Revolutionary War. However, due to financial constraints, Washington scrapped the plans once he assumed the presidency.
Congress again wanted to honor Washington’s legacy in 1799 after his death and proposed to build a pyramid-shaped mausoleum but that didn’t work out either. It wasn’t until 1833 that the National Monument Society was formed by concerned Washingtonians. The Society launched a design competition, led by Chief Justice John Marshall who ultimately selected the winner, architect Robert Mills, renowned for his work on notable buildings such as the US Treasury and Patent Office.
The resulting structure in the shape of an Egyptian obelisk reminiscent of ancient civilizations, was constructed in two phases, funded both privately and publicly. Upon its completion in 1884, the Washington Monument soared to a height of over 555 feet, making it the tallest building in the world at the time. Though surpassed in height by the Eiffel Tower in 1889 at 984 feet, the Monument remains an enduring symbol of Washington’s legacy.
Having had the opportunity to tour the Monument myself during a visit to Washington, DC, I can attest to its breathtaking views and awe-inspiring presence. If you ever find yourself in the DC area, be sure to include a visit to the Washington Monument on your itinerary – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget!
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The resulting structure, an Egyptian obelisk reminiscent of ancient civilizations, was constructed in two phases, funded both privately and publicly. Upon its completion in 1884, the Washington Monument soared to a height of over 555 feet, making it the tallest building in the world at the time. Though surpassed in height by the Eiffel Tower in 1889, the Monument remains an enduring symbol of Washington’s legacy.
Having had the opportunity to tour the Monument myself during a visit to Washington, DC, I can attest to its breathtaking views and awe-inspiring presence. If you ever find yourself in the DC area, be sure to include a visit to the Washington Monument on your itinerary – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget!
Excited to share my latest creation with you. This is a new organic abstract using watercolors and Saran Wrap. The colors were a little too soft for me, so I added more of the same watercolor to each individual shape.
Creating these organic abstracts in my Strathmore 8×5.5″ Watercolor Journal has been an absolute blast! I really love the vibrant rainbow of colors and intricate design on this one! What are your thoughts?
Wishing this brings a little inspiration your way today. Thanks for dropping by!
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“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have, it depends solely upon what you think.” ~Dale Carnegie
I thought of a fun idea while on my morning walk for creating a new type of design with these scribbles and had to give it a whirl. I made the 3 tiles above with circular scribbles and a splash of watercolor for more interest. The scribbles are random and chaotic but I have to say creating these tiles was an absolute blast!
I’m adding them to my stash to use in my journal later. Hope this brings a little inspiration your way today. Thanks for stopping by!!
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“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I’ve been working on my Etsy Shop so to keep my creativity flowing I work in my journals. These were two pages I made from tiles I created previously and had in my stash. Scribbles bring me joy. They’re chaotic yet simple. The gold accents add visual interest to the overall design.
Hope this inspires you in some way today, thanks for stopping by!!
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As many of you know, I’ve been playing with Saran Wrap and watercolor paints creating some really cool organic abstract designs. Last Sunday, I spent a good part of my day working on this abstract in my Strathmore 8×5.5″ Watercolor Journal.
I love bright colors but the paints dried light so I used colored pencils that matched the paint underneath to make it pop. I also used a burnisher which softens your pencil lines and gives them a more fluid look. I found the burnisher also works on watercolor paints but the end result isn’t as bright. Overall I thought it turned out pretty cool 😎 What do you think?
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Florida Key Lime pie is a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes the taste buds and immediately takes you to the sunny shores of Florida. With it’s slightly tart lime flavor, smooth texture and delicious graham cracker crust, this iconic dessert has become synonymous with the Florida Keys.
There are quite a few variations to this delicious treat but one of my favorites can be found at Kermit’s Key Key Lime Shop, located at 200 Elizabeth Street in Key West, Florida. This is one of four locations with a second shop on Duval Street also in Key West, another in Deland, Florida and a fourth shop in Charleston, South Carolina. Kermit’s offers a variety of Key Lime items including candies, sauces, seasonings, cookies, jams and of course the pie to name a few. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend stopping at one of the locations!
Who invented this delicious dessert? The exact origin is still shrouded in mystery to this day. It’s widely believed that the pie was first created in the late 19th or early 20th century. One theory is it was a botonist named Jack Simmons. Another theory is it was invented by a sponge fisherman in the Florida Keys who used readily available ingredients which were easily preserved to make the pie. The ingredients included condensed milk, egg yolks, and Key limes and it was a delicious dessert for sailors. And yet a third theory gives credit to “Aunt Sally” who lived in the Key West area and was the cook for Florida’s first millionaire, William Curry who popularized the dessert in the late 1800’s.
Regardless of it’s exact origins, Key Lime Pie is an iconic part of Florida’s culinary heritage which is loved by locals and visitors alike for it’s tangy flavor and creamy texture. So, whether you’re indulging in a slice at a local bakery or trying your hand at making one at home, be prepared to savor every last bite of this timeless classic.
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“Key Lime Pie: A slice of Florida sunshine in every bite!” ~Unknown
I created a new abstract in my Strathmore 8.5 x 5.5″ watercolor art journal. I used yellow and magenta watercolor paints along with a small piece of Saran Wrap to create this design. The fun part of this technique is you’re never sure what will appear and in this one I found a beautiful deer.
Deers are said to symbolize gentleness, grace, freedom and strength. So I added a few words to the design: kindness, gentleness, open your 💖 Although, I’m not sure why this deer appeared in my art, I was very happy it did!
Hope this inspires you in some way today. Thanks for stopping by!!
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Flowing Waters Art 