Make your own Magic – She Blooms in Ink

I finished another segment in Tamara Laporte’s online course, “She Blooms in Ink.” This was my first dark skin girl and she was ever so challenging. Her skin kept coming out blotchy and the more I tried to fix it, the worse it got. So I cleaned it up the best I could and called it a day.

After everything was done, I thought she turned out pretty cool, even with her blotchy skin. I loved the color combination on this one, the green gave it that extra pop. I added the quote using a stencil which I just got on amazon. It’s part of a 20 pc set of inspirational quotes and was very reasonably priced. The stencils are perfect for journaling.

If you’re interested in learning more about the online courses offered by Tamara Laporte, please visit her at Willowing.org.

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Labor Day SALE

Having a Labor Day Sale in my Etsy Shop this weekend with BIG savings on my original paintings. Perfect time to get a jump start on holiday gifts or to treat yourself because you deserve it✨

Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day weekend!

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✨Studio Reno SALE ✨

While I’m busy getting the new floors in the studio I invite you visit my Etsy Shop where all Original Watercolor and Abstract Paintings are on Sale this week🎉

Hope you’re having a wonderful day!

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Stay on the Sunny side of Life! Art Journaling

I’m almost done packing up the studio and I had a lot more supplies than I thought. So in the midst of the chaos I thought it would be fun to share one of my older journaling pages with you.

I created this fun whimsical design using Derwent Inktense pencils. I love how bright and bold they are. I like that I can create and finish a journal page in a short period of time. It’s satisfying to complete a piece of art that makes you smile 😊

I’ll do my best to get back on track with my blogging now that the packing is basically done 😅 I’m very excited to get the new floor in!

Hope this inspires you in some way today.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!!!

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Believe in you Journal Pages

Sometimes I like to create small pieces of art like these tags. I normally don’t have an immediate need for them, but I enjoy the creation process. I end up putting these small artsy pieces in a box for later use. The fun happens when I go my stash box and pick out pieces to create journal pages like these.

You end up working backwards starting with the colors in your ephemera and then picking a background color that complements it. This is a fun way to create journal pages even if you’re short on time.

Hope these pages inspire you in some way today. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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Summer’s Simple Pleasures Art Journal Pages

I really liked these images I found in an old Romantic Homes magazine and thought they’d make an interesting summer journal layout. I painted the background with acrylic paint and added pieces of a paper doily, punched butterflies, glitter, doodles and whatever else came to mind.

It’s a great way to have to some and relax. Journaling is a wonderful stress reliever because there are no rules and anything goes. You simply create what you feel.

Hope this inspires you in some way today. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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Sunshine Abstract Painting

Sunshine Abstract by Maria Vidaurre

We all need a little Sunshine in our lives. I wanted to create something bright, cheery and full of sunshine.

So I thought I’d try something new with this painting and I started by collaging pieces of torn paper from a book. It was still was missing something so I added a piece of paper doily. Before I knew it, the painting came to life. What do you think?

Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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If interested, Sunshine is available in my Etsy shop.

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” ~ Anthony D’Angelo

Echoes of Mercy Angel Journal Pages

I bought these embossed angel images on Etsy from a shop called Scrapaplenty. They’re made in Germany and are quite beautiful. I fell in love with them because they remind me of the vintage images used in cards from long ago.

I created this layout in my Strathmore 5.5″ x 8″ Mixed Media Journal. The background is painted using leftover paints from one of my canvases. As I looked at this color combination, it seemed to be a perfect fit for the angels. I used a stencil to create the clouds and added the quote “Angels descending bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of Love.”

Hope this inspires you today 😊

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Thoughtful Thursday – Mandala

Inner Beauty created by Maria Vidaurre

Mandala is from the ancient Sanskrit language which means circle. It’s normally depicted as a geometric design representing different aspects of the universe. In Asian cultures it is a spiritual and ritual symbol used in prayer and meditation.

I have always been fascinated by the beauty of mandalas. There is something very magical about them. Designing a mandala, helps to focus the mind and create a sacred space within. There is an inner peace that calms you and simply lets the outside world melt away.

There are plenty of books and tutorials online to teach you how to create this ancient art. But looking at the intricate designs created by others can be just as calming. When you need a moment of peace, take the time to explore mandalas.

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“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” ~Unknown

Courage – She Blooms in Ink

This is another painting I created in my Strathmore 11″ x 14″ Watercolor Journal. She was part of the online course from “She Blooms in Ink” taught by the very talented artist, Tamara Laporte at Willowing.org.

The quote reads “Be brave, follow your 💖, live your dream.” I love the bold colors in this painting. May we all find the courage to live more boldly!

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.

Thanks for stopping by!

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