Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

The past few weeks have been busy with writing and tutoring. Daily art has
 not happened. But I did complete a few projects, including a fun workshop at the Arthouse Studio here in Cambridge. Karen, the owner, is a wonderful teacher and with only 3 students, we had lots of individual attention.

Stencil Course
The course was  using stencils in different ways on a canvas. Although I use stencils a lot with gelli printing (which I haven't done in ages!, I hadn't used them so deliberately in a piece, and definitely not on a canvas.
We used the stencils in several layers to create a background. Then  we added a focal point. It was enjoyable and relaxing.

Summer Vision Board
Last weekend I completed my summer vision board. I haven't made a full moon dreamboard the past couple of months, but I like to focus on the season ahead. Again, I am focusing on 3 areas: health, art and writing.
The flower background was scrapbook paper I had that I just love.

ICAD Challenge
Although I have completed a number of cards, I tend to do them several at a time. This is my latest batch. I am trying to use up my gelli paper scraps. These simple collages will eventually be backgrounds for other projects.

Writing
Writing almost daily has been my goal for the past while. I am finishing up a non-fiction course for picture books with Kristen Fulton and I love it! I am revising my script and eventually, we have all been given the chance to have it read by an agent. How awesome is that! Still have a ways to go though before it's ready.


Photography
We were in Stratford last weekend and had a chance to wander along the river and the grounds of the Festival theatre. Here are a few shots of swans and flowers:

Linking with

Inspire Me Monday

Creative Every Day

Paint Party Friday

Art Journal Every Day

Shadow Shot Sunday

Today we share our shadow shots at SSS - a fun meme that is quite addictive.Here are a few from the past week.
 We visited Stratford last Sunday, to see "King Lear" and had time to walk along the Avon River and on the grounds of the Festival Theatre,  to catch the swans and flowers and shadows!

Be sure to check here to see wonderful shadows from around the world.

Sky Watch Friday

Spent part of the day today at Puslinch Lake and had to share the skies I captured.

(Clouds reflected in the lake)

Caught this on the way home - for Canada Day- July 1st.


Be sure to check here to see wonderful skies from around the world.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Saturday morning means seeking shadows and the bit of sun provided a few shadows this morning:

This is our inukshuk before it was moved.

and after - casting a bit of a shadow.

Be sure to visit here to see wonderful shadows from around the world.

Shadow Shot Sunday

When I went out this morning to catch a few shadows, my camera's batteries died. I got one shadow, but after charging the batteries, this afternoon the shadows have disappeared, as has the sun!

Here are a few I've taken lately:

Be sure to check here for wonderful shadows from around the world!

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

Writing and tutoring continue to occupy a fair bit of time lately. I am working on a non-fiction pix book writing course this month and loving it so far. So, art has taken a bit of a back seat the past few weeks.
But I have been taking part in the ICAD challenge at "Daisy Yellow". I've been making quick collages, which I hope to use to create quote cards from.

ICAD
I have been using scraps of gelli papers to create my collages. Here are some from the past week:

ATCs
I created one set of Butterfly APCs for a swap. By the end of these swaps I will have a complete set of butterfly cards. They have been fun to do and will be a great collection from other artists.

Journal 52
This week the theme is "passion". The quote by Harriet Tubman really spike to me - as I am trying to pursue big dreams.

Photography
More flowers and skies:

Linking with:

Art Every Day Journal  (And home of ICAD)

Creative Every Day

Inspire Me Monday

Paint Party Friday

Shadow Shot Sunday

Another perfect morning -it's warm, sunny and lots of shadows!
Here are a few from our yard:

Be sure to visit here to see wonderful shadows from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

It's Monday and time to share books read the past week Jen at "Teach Mentor Texts hosts this great meme.

The following are books I have read the past 2 weeks:

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl is a  unique character and one that the narrator is intrigued by. A good read.

No More Magic by Avi
Is there a warlock on the loose? Who stole his bike???

Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

I found this quote a good read - Oppel gets right into the character of the bat.  It is a book full of adventure and danger -  a great read for boys.There are several more books in the series as well and I hope to read them as well.

The Great Unexpected  by Sharon Creech

A good read but not a great one for me. Too many diverse elements and a bit of confusion at times. It begins with Finn falling out of a tree and ends in Ireland.

The Pull of Gravity  by Gae Polisner

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am sure young people will as well. Nick joins Jaycee on the search for their friend Scoot's father. Friendship, loyalty and even redempttion are all central to this book.

The one picture book I read this week was :

When I Get Older by K'Naan
It is the story behind "Waving Flag" and it is a wonderful story to read. Loved the story and the artwork - they work well together. Love the song as well!

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

I did not create much art these past couple of weeks. I have not been very consistent with blogging the past couple of months either.
May was a difficult month. It started with the death of my father-in-law and I found myself quite withdrawn.
Today though, is June 1 - and with it, comes some new resolves:

*create daily with Daisy Yellow's - ICAD project. I took part last year during  June and July and so enjoyed creating collages.

* be more regular in blogging and visiting others. I have missed both.

*complete work on several online art courses.

* have fun with art - just spend some time creating as much as possible, using supplies I have stockpiled (!)

Journal52
I worked on a mandala for last week's prompt. I was watching a show on Maya Angelou tonight and I created a collage in her honour. The background and the mandalas are gelli prints.

ICAD14
Daisy Yellow is starting 1CAD again, for June and July. I enjoy creating these collages on index cards.
I used gelli paper scraps and chose a couple of words as a focus.

Photography

Here are some photos I took this week:

Linking with

Creative Every Day

Inspire Me Monday