ABCs of Art - B is for Blots and Block Printing

ABCs of ART

This past week several blogs I visited really stressed the need to play at one's art, to have fun.

Today's focus allowed me to do just that.

Blots

I first played with acrylic paints. The term blot painting, blotto art, and even blotter art have all referred to this process.

Creating blots with paint is something I have always done with children. A simple process really - fold a sheet of paper, drop or squirt different colours of paint on the paper, refold the paper and spread the paint around. No two blots are ever the same and you never know what will emerge.

(I used this process for one of the "Wreck This Journal" pages last year. Great fun!)

I used two different types of acrylic paint but wasn't as happy with the first as it was thicker and really didn't blend or spread.

The second blot I made with a more liquid paint (folk art paint) and used a bit too much paint but I did like the effect in the end.

The third blot began with much less paint and then I kept adding until I was reasonably satisfied.

I plan to use these as backgrounds for a new project - The Deck of Me. (See here for more information. Sounds like it will be a fun project.)

Block Printing

I have not used lino blocks to print but would love to take a course to study printmaking in depth.

I usually use syrofoam - plates and trays to do simple printmaking with children. I created a couple of simple designs to show this process. I do enjoy seeing an image appear from a block that I have carved.

ATCs

I created more ATCs this weekend as well. I signed up for a large number of swaps and now I am trying to get them done asap.

Hearts and Flowers:

Dragons:

Shadow Shot Sunday

It is time once again for Shadow Shot Sunday - where shadow sleuths around the world hunt for shadows! It becomes addictive as you seek those shadows.

We had a few sunny days this past week so it was a bit easier to find shadows.

I grabbed my camera one day as we were driving and found some great tree reflections!

Be sure to visit the other great shadow chasers at Hey Harriet!

Thankful / Thoughtful Thursday

Today has been a day to restore myself - to rest, step back and recharge myself. I have let myself get rundown and am now fighting fatigue and a cold.

Sleeping in, hot packs on my neck, reading inspiring words has helped.

Several blogs have appealed to me this past week and have had me thinking of ways to incorporate what they expressed into one idea for a weekly post.:

"Thanksgiving Thursday" (from Amanda at Persistent Green", "Weekly Gratitude" and "8 Things Thursday".

So I have decided to focus on the sharing of what I am thankful for and what has struck me this week, what I have learned or experienced and am calling this:

"8 Things for Thankful/Thoughtful Thursday".

1. I was overjoyed and thankful recently to have won several things:

*a course from Collage Diva which I started today (Personal Retreats). I am so looking forward to it.

*a beautiful necklace "Power of Positive Dreams” from Erin of Treasures Found

*a spell bottle from Suzie Ridler

Thank you so much to all three of you wonderful ladies.\!

2. I was extrememly thankful to have been totally surprised with a birthday dinner last Saturday by my husband, three stepchildren, and their families. What a lovely surprise!

3. I am thankful for my students who did not want me to leave yesterday at noon when I wasn't feeling well. I do have some very sweet kids.

4. I had a health scare Tuesday night and it really got me thinking about my mortality. The next day I came across a blog that asked: "If I had to write an autobiography now, what would be missing from it? What are the things I will need to get done before it takes shape?"

There were a series of questions to answer and I am slowly working through them. In this year of YES, it is very appropriate and timely!

5. I am thankful for Mary Ann (xstitcher) who turned a postal problem into a new friendship and a great ATC swap. (I had spent $13 to send my cards xpresspost to her and was told it would take 5 days to get the cards there. It took 19 days! Needless to say - the cards did not make the swap in time, but Mary Ann made one for me and included 2 other cards so that I could have some! What a generous person! And we had fun trying to track the cards and writing back and forth!

6. I am so thankful for all the bloggers who have visited my blog and left such encouraging comments, especially this week.

7. I am really enjoying creating the ATCs. The swaps are enjoyable and it is like Christmas everytime a new batch arrives.

For the Valentine Zentangle swap

Misfit Toys Swap

8. Thanks September Mom for sending the five words for the word association meme (You write about the first word that comes to your mind when you hear the "trigger" word.) (I discovered Sunday Citar from her - it is a lovely place to visit each Sunday).

refreshing - Water - whether it is to drink, swim in or soak in, it is refreshing!

escape- Books - Books have always been my escape. I am hoping this year to read much more!

color- Red. I love the colour red and feel so good in it.

open- Door. I want to open the door to new things and new people this year.

chocolate - Lindor - These are my favourite chocolates - melt in your mouth!

(If you are interested I will pass on the favour and send you 5 words!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I am feeling better now (this post has been ongoing all day!)

Just recognizing the good things that have taken place this past week really does gladden the heart and lighten the load!

Wishcast Wednesday

Today is Wishcast Wednesday and Jamie Ridler asks us another piercing question:

How do you wish to shine?

Most times the question an answer to Jamie's question comes easily. This time I struggled with an answer. I am not one to push myself forward, to be the centre of things. I like being behind the scenes.

I would like to shine as a teacher. I plan to retire within the next 3 to 4 years. In these last few years I would like to be a beacon for those children under my care. I would like to shine bright with caring, knowlege and a joy of learning.

As Jamie says:

"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. Support wishes by visiting other participants. There is great power in wishing together."

Visit the other great wishcasters here.

ABC Wednesday -Z is for Zentangles

We have come to the end of the alphabet for Round 5 of ABC Wednesday!

This week the letter of focus is Z. An art form I have had fun with seemed the perfect choice for this week - zentangles.

Squidoo describes what a zentangle is and the origin:

"What is a Zentangle? In a word, a doodle. A structured, contained doodle. The term 'Zentangle' was invented by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas when, one day, Maria described her experience, as she created her art, as feeling timeless, free and engendering a sense of deep well-being'. Rick recognised that she was in a meditative state and so Zentangles were born."

The official website for zentangles has a great description of the different techniques/strokes. You can even sign up for a newsletter.

I have created a number of ATCs for zentangle swaps and thoroughly enjoyed it. Try it out - you might find it becomes addictive!

Be sure to check out the other great participants here.

ABCs of Art - Architecture

A B C s of Art 2010
Second week of my challenge - to look at art and create art - alphabetically. Each week I focus on an idea, a style, an artist, a medium and then, create with that as the focus.

This week my focus was Architecture.

(Next week's focus will be block and blotto painting.)

I wanted a definition to begin with. "Discovering Canadian Art" by Bennett and Hall had one easy to understand:

"a form of art that includes the planning,designing, and construction of buildings for public and private use"(pg. 93)

I then began an internet search - lots to find and some interesting sites. Here are a couple I enjoyed:

"Is Architecture Art?" Architect Richard Meier answers this question. He believes that architecture is the greatest of the arts.

Great Buildings looks at many buildings around the world, past and present. 3d images are also available. I enjoyed checking out Notre Dame, Chartres, Stonehenge and many others.

I had been out yesterday and this arch in downdown Cambridge struck me as a great piece to sketch.

I started a sketch but I want to take it further this week. I love stone - such textures. to found.

I checked out Van Gogh's site and there were a number of buildings, churches and villages that he painted. Check out his site here.
I attempted a simple church - just for fun.

Drawing buildings has never been a favourite of mine. But exploring the buildings and looking at architecture in others' artwork was a fun exploration.

Exploring arches, old stone ruins, and odd buildings as well as abstract designs was interesting and I hope to do more sketches of these.

ATCs

Today I worked on a set of ATCs for an undersea swap. Fun cards to make. I find that it is very relaxing to work on these set of cards - 3 for the swap, 1 for the host and 1 or more for me. These were my 2 favourite.

Shadow Shot Sunday

This week the weather was cloudy - not a great week for shadows. But this morning the sun was streaming in - so bright and sunny.

So I grabbed my camera and before the batteries died ( ugh!), I was able to capture a few shadows for Shadow Shot Sunday.

Shadow of our huge tree at the side of the house.

Shadow from our tree at the front.



This is shadows from our angel.

Be sure to visit the other great shadow chasers at Hey Harriet!