Something I've become very interested in lately is contemporary still life. I have tried my hand at a few practice sketches in my studio notebook, with mixed results. I need to practice more and spend some time setting up some compelling still life images to draw. Like I've said before: art is a practice. As part of my interest in contemporary still life images, I've been collecting work that I like on a Pinterest board. Here's a peek at that board: The images I'm drawn to are busy and full of pattern and color and movement. I find that this... Read more →

This is a very special episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast. We turned on the video cameras while we recorded the podcast and streamed a live video version to facebook and youtube. Mom wasn't sure about it, but she did a great job and we're definitely going to do it again! You can either listen to the podcast recording, as normal, or you can watch the video! This episode focuses on my recently finished 100 Day Project: 100 Days of Art Botanical. The 100 Day Project is a world-wide phenomenon. People across the globe challenge themselves to do some... Read more →

The 100 Day Project is done! Whew. Here's a look at my last six pieces -- which I think show a lot of growth (no pun intended, given the botanical theme). I have to say, I'm really really proud of the work that came out of this project and of my fortitude. You may recall that I was really struggling back in February. Floundering around and making stuff I didn't like and that wasn't fun to create. But I kept pushing and experimenting and trying new things. I gave myself permission to fail. I gave myself permission to quit. And... Read more →

We are deep into the home stretch of the 100 Day Project. I don't think I'm quite ready to talk about all the things I learned. But I can see that I'm getting better at making this particular style of mixed media collage and I find that extremely exciting. Take a peek and let me know what you think: I'm excited to keep exploring this type of mixed media collage. In the remaining few days (and past the end of the 100 days) I'd like to work on the following things: Using more uncomfortable-for-me colors. Pushing at my composition comfort... Read more →

This year's 100 Day Project has been challenging, fun, exasperating, exhilarating, and everything in between. Take a peek at my most recent pieces of "art botanical." You'll see layered printmaking, mixed media collage, acrylic painting, and more! I counted the stencils and prints I shared earlier in the week for days 78 & 79: And then it was back to mixed media collage: I'm enjoying mixing up my media, substrates, subjects, and more. However, I do see some similarities across many of these pieces. Do you? Here's what I see: Green, green, green, green! Also lots of purple, pink, and... Read more →

These mixed media collages are changing a bit now that I've left the art journal behind and I think that's a good thing. Evolution is an important part of being I did pop back into my art journal for day 62: And then back out again: Monthly Members can see the real-time process video of the piece above in the online classroom. I think I prefer the pieces without the white margins. What do you think? Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

I love the work that I'm making for The 100 Day Project at this moment. It feels good to be so in love with my own work. I have definitely gone through phases where I feel apologetic about what I've created. Not right now. I love this work. And I'm so excited to explore where I might be headed with this style of work. Yay! Also: I don't know who needs to hear this, but here it is: no one else can tell you whether or not your work is good (or bad). You have to create for your own... Read more →

I read something last week that strongly resonated with me: "New goals don't deliver new results. New lifestyles do. And a lifestyle is a process, not an outcome. For this reason, your energy should go into building better habits, not chasing better results." - James Clear I LOVE, love, love these mixed media collages. They combine so many of the things I love to do: gelatin printing, stamping, stenciling, drawing, painting, collage, patterns, and art journaling. But I don't think that I could have gotten to these without all of the years of working on each of those skills individually.... Read more →

We are almost half way through The 100 Day Project and I think that I have finally found my way. What I'm creating right now is not anywhere near what I thought I'd be creating for this project. Through experimentation, failure, frustration, and play, I have finally found something I'm delighted to be exploring: abstract art with botanical elements. You can see the evolution of that concept - in fits and starts - over the past week: I love, love, love this final piece. Like...LOVE it. I'm really excited to keep exploring and trying new things. I'm less excited about... Read more →

We are 36 days into The 100 Day Project. About one-third of the way through the whole thing! Woo Hoo! Here's a peek at what I've been creating: I decided to count my mural painting towards this 100 day botanical art project: Thoughts: The little art journal has been working for me! It's a great size for getting something done in one sitting. Each double page spread is about 11" x 7.25." That said, I rarely actually finish a spread in one sitting. When I finish a project, I clean off my brush on an empty page or I throw... Read more →