I really enjoyed creating my Butterfly Girl in the online class hosted by the very talented Katrina Koltes. I created the sketch for this painting a while ago on 12×16″ watercolor paper but it just sat. I wanted to do something different and didn’t know what for the longest time.
After finishing my Butterfly Girl I thought it would be a good idea to practice using a similar color palette. It takes me out of my comfort zone but I love how these colors blend together to create a soft and dreamy look. What do you think?
Hope this inspires you to create this weekend!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Share the Happy 💖
“I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.” ~Vincent Van Gogh
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 14th. Often we take for granted all the wonderful things that mom’s do for us everyday. Like the pile of clean clothes that magically appear in your dresser or the sweet love note with encouraging words that are hidden in your lunch bag. What about the breakfast or dinner that’s ready to go just when you’re starving, in a rush and don’t have time to make anything for yourself. Let’s not forget all the love and support they give as the biggest fan of our lives!
This Mother’s Day give her a gift that touches her heart. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Spend the day with her doing her favorite things.
Serve her favorite home cooked meal on a beautifully decorated table.
Create a themed meal from a place that she wants to visit.
Bake her favorite sweet treats and serve them up bistro style.
Plan a walk or hike in her favorite park and enjoy the great outdoors.
Go to the nursery with her and get a few flowers to plant in her garden.
Take her on a picnic and spend a quiet afternoon talking.
Go on a nice bike ride and stop for a light bite.
Spend an afternoon at the local museum.
If she has a lot of responsibilities offer to pitch in and give her the day off.
Serve her breakfast in bed or cook a morning brunch.
Watch her favorite movies with her and bring all of her favorite snacks.
Take an art class with her, whether online or in person and create something together.
Make a scrapbook filled with all of your favorite memories and photos of her.
Make her a handmade card or mini book with special photos or memorabilia.
If you’re computer savvy, create a video slide show of your favorites times spent together.
Make her a spa basket with handmade treatments (plenty of recipes can be found online).
Get creative, put a little extra thought into it and give her a special gift from your heart!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Share the Happy💖
“When you look into your mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.” ~Mitch Albom
Sometimes the greatest joy comes from the smallest and simplest of things. In filling my Simplest Things Journal which I started as part of Amy Maricle’s Challenge at Mindful Art Studios I’m finding so much joy and freedom as I create different designs with simple marks.
There are different steps in my process. For some of these I’ll start by creating small tiles, in varying sizes that I stash away until I’m ready to use them. Other pages will begin with a watercolor wash in the journal and then I go from. Really it comes down to doing what makes you happy at that moment and I honor that.
If you’re going through any kind of stress or you just need a break this is ideal and so beneficial for your heart and soul. You can check out online classes, YouTube videos or simply pick up a pen and get some paper and start playing. You’ll be amazed at how good it feels. The best part is you don’t need a big block of time, a few minutes a day is all you need!
Hope this inspires you to create some art!
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Share the Happy💖
“Color is the place where our brain and the universe meet.” ~Paul Klee
When things get hectic and crazy it’s nice to read a quote that empowers and encourages you to continue. I painted this watercolor abstract on an 8×8 inch piece of 140lb watercolor paper. It has a beautiful pearl finish that glistens in the light and I thought it would be perfect to display this inspiring quote by Rumi:
“It’s your road, and yours alone, others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.”
Really love this quote. I hope you’re having a great week!
I made this cute whimsical zentangle journal page a while ago in my Strathmore 5.5×8″ watercolor journal. It’s one of the smaller journals I like to create in. It’s also less intimidating than the larger ones because you’ll fill a page pretty quickly and you get the satisfaction of completing a new art piece in a shorter amount of time. So it’s a win-win!
I love the wonky houses and the rolling hills in this one. What’s your favorite part?
I’m not sure if you read my Thoughtful Thursday post but it was about excuses and fear. I created this sketch and got stuck. I really wanted to paint her and bring her to life but I was convinced I was going to ruin the sketch that took me hours to complete.
Long story short, I finally silenced the negative nellies in my mind and painted her. It’s funny because after she was all done I was relieved and thrilled with how soft and dreamy she looks (see image below). There are a few things I’d change for the next one but overall I love her. What do you think?
This was part of an online workshop called Watercolor Dreams with the very talented Katrina Koltes who lives in Italy. I have to say, Katrina is an excellent teacher and amazing artist. I highly recommend you check out her site and everything she offers.
Hope this inspires you to create this weekend!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Share the Happy 💖
“I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” ~Vincent Van Gogh
I was working in an online class where I created a detailed sketch of a girl with flowing hair and butterflies (I’ll share that with you later this week). But it had taken quite a few tries and quite some time to get the sketch just right.
I needed to paint her so I could bring her to life, yet I found myself stuck. I really wanted to paint her but was afraid to ruin the sketch that had taken hours to complete. I came up with all sorts of excuses as to why I couldn’t or rather wouldn’t paint her. Finally I thought this is ridiculous because I’ve painted so many portraits before that turned out pretty good. Then I remembered Wayne Dyer’s book, “Excuses be Gone!” and silenced those negative nellies in my mind. I painted her and you know what, she turned out pretty awesome.
But I wasn’t paying attention to my thoughts and let them run wild. So this whole thing was a good reminder for me of what I need to be doing, minding my thoughts. I had read Wayne Dyer’s book a while ago and loved it. In his book he explains why all of us at one time or another become victims of our own self defeating thoughts that can immobilize our progress in life. Wayne also describes how to silence those negative thoughts so we can move forward.
It’s not always easy because sometimes we forget to keep up with the practice. But this book was well written and quite an eye opener and I’ll be putting it on list to read again😊 I highly recommend Wayne Dyers book “Excuses be Gone!” You won’t be disappointed!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Share the Happy 💖
(Note: by clicking on the links or image above it will take to the corresponding product in your region’s Amazon store. This Affiliate link means that I’ll get a small commission when you buy through my website. Thanking you in advance!!)
“If you really want to do something you’ll find a way. If you don’t you’ll find an excuse.” ~Jim Rohn
I’m working in online classes learning new techniques to improve my skills. When I need to take a break I love to paint my canvases and I was able to finish two more pieces for my Expressions of Love Collection. The one canvas above is bold and popping while the other one below is softer.
I like to photograph my canvases outdoors in the natural sunlight; unfortunately the weather hasn’t been cooperating lately. But I plan to have these listed in my Etsy Shop later this week.
Everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated, especially those who work hard making your life better. I created this Expressions of Love Collection to honor those special souls. Visit my Etsy Shop to see the full collection.
What do you think of these two new paintings?
Thanks for stopping by!!
Share the Happy 💖
“Love is forgiving and love is for giving.” ~ Wayne Dyer
Sometimes we all need an unwind and the concept in Amy Maricle’s book “Draw Yourself Calm,” the practice of slowing down has been very sound advice. We live in a fast paced world and this is an excellent practice to help you destress. I try to create one a day. It doesn’t always work out to that but I do end up with several a week.
I like using 140lb watercolor paper because it can stand up to just about anything especially wet mediums like paint and inks. I’ll start by cutting a 9×12″ piece of paper into several sizes: 2 and 3 inch squares, ATC size, 3×4 and anything else I’m in the mood for. That way I always have them on hand and ready for some creative fun. When the mood strikes me, I’ll use my Sakura Pens to create some pretty cool designs.
I’m filling up a small basket of these little gems. Some I plan to use in my journals while others I may incorporate into larger pieces of art. Either way, I have a nice selection to choose from. Plus I have the satisfaction of creating and completing a work of art even though it may be small😊
I hope this helps you to stay inspired and create some art!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Share the Happy 💖
(Note: by clicking on the links above it will take to the corresponding product in your region’s Amazon store. This Affiliate link means that I’ll get a small commission when you buy through my website. Thanking you in advance!!)
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” ~Edgar Degas
Earth Day is being celebrated this Saturday, April 22, 2023. It’s origins began in 1970 as a way to change the public’s outlook and bring awareness to environmental issues plaguing our beautiful planet.
Almost 7 billion people share this amazing planet with 10 million animal species and 300,000 plant species. That’s a lot of inhabitants when you think about it. Plus the entire surface of the earth is a series of connected ecosystems that provide precious resources that sustain all life here on Earth. So it’s imperative that we take care of our planet.
We live a world of plastic and although it was a great invention because it made so many things possible, it may also be our undoing. Stats show that in 2021 there was 363,762,732,605 pounds of plastic polluting the world’s oceans. Plus microplastics which are tiny pieces of plastic can be found in almost all water systems around the world including rivers, lakes, streams and oceans. It is said that there is more microplastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way. These are very scary stats because where does that leave us in 10, 20 and even 50 years from now? Will this planet be able to sustain life at all?
We all need to pitch in and do our part to reduce, reuse and recycle. We need to work together to come up with better ideas and solutions to reducing our footprint on this planet. So that life will continue to thrive.
What are some of the things you do to help make a better tomorrow?
Thanks for stopping by!
Share the Happy💖
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” ~Unknown
Flowing Waters Art 