Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

This week has sped by, in a haze of heat. Even though I did not venture far, due to the heat, I concentrated more on other things rather than art. I have been working a lot on scaling back of my school books and units. I have been reading as well.

I have also started a writing course online through University of Waterloo.

Monday I start a journalling course called "She had Three Hearts" offered by Christy Tomlinson. I love the whole idea of a woman having 3 hearts.

The Artist's Way

I must confess I did not work much on Chapter 2 of the Artist's Way. A group of us are working through the book with Paula hosting.

As I worked on my writing course, the section on "Separating Your Creative and Critical Sides" really resonated with me. By writing the morning papers (they called it free writing), we are able to get rid of most of that critical chatter. The course stresses writing with your creative side totally and then to go back with the analytical/critical side to edit and revise.

I had a wonderful hour in Michael's today - which was my artist's date this week. I spent way too much, but had fun looking for stamps and paints and items on sale.

Colour of Summer

This week the colour purple is what we were to create with.

I worked on my usual magazine collage and the tints of purple.

Then I had fun with paint and different tools. One piece was just paint and a scraper on paper. This will be used for ATCs.

The second piece started with different papers collaged onto a canvas. I then scraped on paint, used stamps. Later I will create a mixed media piece.

Photography

I had fun this week trying to capture the baby robins. They are all neck and beak now! It won't be long before they are on their way. They are so ugly they are cute!

Skies and flowers continue to be my favourite subjects as well.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! One more week! Check here.

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

Time to share artistic endeavours from this past week. I joined in two more challenges and had fun with both. As well, I worked more on Chapter 1 of the Artist's Way.

The Artist's Way

Paula of "Happy Snappy" is leading a group of us in working through the Artist's Way. I much prefer this slower pace. The past 2 weeks we have focused on Chapter 1.

Rereading it this time, I was struck with the affirmations more this time and less on the negatives.

I chose these affirmations to hold onto when those negative beliefs rear up:

I am willing to learn to let myself be creative.

I am allowed to nurture my artist.

Creativity is the creator's will for me.

I am still not writing morning papers every day but I recognize the need for it. When I do, I really feel the negativity being released.

My artist's date this week was by accident. I had to wait for my husband to pick me up downtown and as I wandered around the block, I discovered a new gallery. I had a lovely talk with the owner and she stated that she is always looking for new artists. I loved many of the pieces there and fell in love with, and bought, a gorgeous ornate cross necklace. I will return, maybe with some of my own art.

I did several of the exercises - champions, enemies, imaginary lives and they proved interesting, if a bit of a challenge.

I am looking forward to Chapter 2.

Summer of Colour / GPP #53Exploring colour through the "Summer of Color" has been fun and a learning experience. This week red was the focus. It is one of my favourite colours.

I completed a colour collage with pictures from magazines:

Then I did the tints of red - I loved the colours created.

Michelle Ward's GPP #53 challenge was termed "Mad Scientist and I have been creating colours through the "Summer of Colour". This week I took one of the pinks I created and named it primrose pink:

I also created a small abstract using red, gold and a bit of blue. Really enjoyed this. I'd like to try a bigger piece next.



Inspiration AvenueI have seen this challenge site a few times but hadn't participated. When I saw the theme was Picasso, I knew I wanted to take part.

The flowers are one of my favourite Picasso pieces. All through university I had this work on my wall.

This couple I based on my husband and myself - note the beard, not in the original!



 

 

Photography

This week flowers and skies were my favourite subjects once again.

During my walk downtown, I got a shot of the river.

Sunday Wrap-Up: Summer of Colour, Calendar, ATCs

With the end of school, I have been able to spend more time with art and photography. There are so many challenges and projects I want to take part in this month and all summer for that matter.

The Artist's Way

I am taking part in a reading/sharing of "The Artist's Way". For the next 2 weeks we will be focusing on Chapter 1. (see Happy Snappy for more info).

Morning pages are sporadic still, but I hope to start new routines with the first full week of my holidays tomorrow.

My artist date this past week has been giving myself more time with creating art. We also visited a nursery and I had such fun photographing gorgeous flowers.

Summer of Colour - Yellow

This past week the colour yellow was the focus at "Twinkle Twinkle".

I did the usual colour collage, but with the colour paint strips, instead of adding just white to each row, I added different colours to create new colours. Lots of fun.

I also did a small painting from a sunflower photo I had taken. I am going to do a whole series of these this summer.

Calendar Challenge

I finally completed the July calendar for the challenge at the Kathryn Wheel . I used a lot of yellow!

ATCs

With the postal strike over, I had to quickly finish ATCs for several swaps.

 

Zentangles

Book backgrounds

Photography

As usual, skies and flowers predominated this week:

Have a wonderful week! Happy Independence Day!

Summer of Colour - Pink

This past week has gone quickly and busily. Last full week of school! Now only 4 more days to go!

I worked a bit on the "Summer of colour" challenge this weekend - pink was the week's colour. I do love this colour but was a bit surprised that I did not have many pinks in acrylic paints.

I did my usual - colour collage of different pieces cut from magazines and then playing with paint. (the colours are off - these really are meant to be pink!)

(adding white paint a bit at a time to the strips at the right)

(with acrylic paints and an old credit card)

(this was with watercolours - and it really was pink!)

Be sure to check out the others at "Twinkle Twinkle" for their responses to the pink challenge.

The postal strike is still on and so I have not been working on ATCs. I seem to need that deadline!

The gov't, in their infinite wisdom, passed a bill on Saturday ordering the postal union back to work, but with conditions that are less than were offered by Canada Post. The unions in this country will not be pleased at this blatant attack on unions. Harper has his majority - he is determined to steamroll what he wants through parliament. (Sorry! This is a bit of a rant! - I have been writing several letters to the editor this week!)


Photography

I have been out with my camera - the flowers are gorgeous right now as are the skies. I love the drama of clouds and there have been plenty!

(Flowers from our gardens)

Summer of Color - Blue

Kristin at "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" is holding a 10 week celebration of colour. Week 1 had us share what we hope to create with each of the colours. This past week has been a focus on the colour blue, one of my favourite colours.

Over the course of the week I tried different things.

My first project was to create a collage of different blues, cut from a magazine.

Next, I created blues by adding more and more white to my blue. (I have my grade 3s do this every year and they love to see the colours change.)

I next played with paint and materials to move the paint around with:

just with a credit card:

with a credit card and paint brush:

and finally with fingers, brush and stamping. Finger painting - what fun!

I will probably use these last 3 for ATC backgrounds as well as postcard backgrounds.

It has been fun playing with colour. Be sure to join the celebration of colour at Twinkle Twinkle!