Awash in nature's watercolor magic

Awash in the watercolor magic of nature... I have already filled my first little nature sketchbook...  With my obsessive personality, I find myself totally immersed right now in simple little sketches on gessoed book pages, watercolored and mounted in this old book.  

In most recent days, I have been sketching my ever-favorite birdies...  I collect pictures of these magical creatures and I love trying my hand at sketching them.  The birds are more of a challenge for me than the flowers... but I am forever drawn to them and all they symbolize.

The lesson of being the early bird is one taught me by my mother.

Listen to the music~ nothing like the sweet songs of the birds.

My final spread in the little nature sketchbook holds a thought I love...

As I write this post, I'm waiting for some summer sketches, freshly watercolored, to dry, so that I can do my pen and ink work on them...  A vintage book, in softest "Baby Jane blue" is waiting... ready to hold these fun, new summer dreams...  I hope your summer dreams all come true... 

Enthralled with nature and watercolors

Lately I have been enthralled with sketching natural elements and watercoloring my sketches~

The cover of my nature sketchbook features a rusty slide mount, cut out words, and flower sketches on watercolored canvas.  The thrifted book is the perfect home for all my splattered sketches and other elements.  

One of my favorite things is to cut out random words from a discarded large print book.  I keep a stash of those words in a box and when I'm ready to create... I spill out words and see what speaks to me... what connections I can make... almost as much fun as the sketching and coloring...

Another way I find inspiration is from wonderful, meaningful quotes.  I adore matching those favorite quotes with my art elements. Thumbnails of my photographs are a natural compliment to my drawings.

The photographs are of flowers and plants from my very own garden.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature."

"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart."

"Seek not outside yourself~heaven is within."

My fern sketch from last time is now colored and splattered... with a message for you~  CELEBRATE-

My new nature journal/sketchbook

I'm taking a wonderful online class with the delightful Junelle Jacobson~  Her authentic passion for the playfulness of art is absolutely contagious... and I definitely caught the bug!  I have repurposed a yummy old book, altering it with torn out pages and slathered gesso... I hope not to offend any of my book-loving, purist friends, but it is such fun to give new life to an old book... I just love it~

My sweet pal Kristi and I had a blast plundering through the stacks of old books at our local thrift shop.  Kristi, with her good eye, helped me find four "jewels in the rough"  to transform into new avenues for art play...

One of the books had tiny little flowers on it in yellow and orange... the perfect backdrop for my nature sketchbook. 

My title page inspiration came from a newly fallen oak leaf from my yard... sketched and colored, with touches of "baby jane" colors, of course!

Everything I see on my walks outside with Buttons causes me to stop, look closer and perhaps bring in  tiny specimens from the yard to observe, sketch and watercolor.  That practice, in and of itself, has such a calming effect on my spirit... Being one with nature is such a spiritual experience for me.... helping me always to be grounded.

Before the pounding rains of earlier in the week, I had cut a few roses, placing them in a darling vase given to me by my sweet friend, Ille.

Looking at them in my garden window gave me the inspiration and courage to get out the sketchbook... a bit rusty for sure... and just start sketching and coloring...  what fun it is... imperfect, yet rewarding...  sketched and painted right atop a gessoed lunch sack...

Photos I snapped during the peak of our azalea season gave an unexpected "pop" to my book, too.

My ever-favorite crape myrtles are budding with tiny tinges of red on the ends... so sweet and tender...

New growth... what we all need in every season... in every year... I know I need it, for sure...

Art is a journey that truly helps me find my new path of growth... I'm always looking for it... and when it comes, I am deeply grateful... always grateful... 

That little fern frond is calling my name... I have a penciled sketch, just waiting for the watercolors to dance upon it... ahhhhhhh..... art bliss...

Back to some creative play~

I've been in a bit of a creative lull lately... I guess we all go through those times now and then.  The last few days I have been back to the art table, thanks to a new class I'm taking on collage.  My art table started out with a pile of papers, stamps and paint~

One of my favorite things in all the world is to escape slathering layers and layers of gesso, paint, stamps and rub-ons... Oh, Be still my heart!

The papers I chose dictated my color palette... all the baby jane colors... I just fell in love with the effect.

This may very well become a journal cover or another piece of art that I will enjoy for many days to come.  

The quote is a special one for me.  How fun printing on my Ingles grocery bag!!!  

Do something out of the ordinary this week.  You may be surprised at how it will perk up your day~

A Victorian German Doll Head Pendant...

One of my latest projects has been a Victorian German doll head pendant on a pearl necklace.  I love ruffly, feminine, artsy clothes... oh, if I could have lived in Downton Abbey times... I swoon every time I see the gorgeous clothes worn by the women of that day.  One of the boutiques where I love to look had a "very pricey" piece that I immediately fell in love with.  It was a German doll head pendant on a very long strand of pearls... simply stunning.  I wasn't quite ready to spring for the price on the boutique display, so I went on a hunt for the parts to do my own version...  Here is my girl... love her!

Her head is an authentic German doll head dug up from the German doll factories around the turn of the last century.  I adore these sweet old babies... and this one has a hat made from an antique mother of pearl salt and pepper shaker... some lace and glitter...

One thing I love so much about mixed media art is putting together pieces with embellishments pulled from everywhere... anyone who knows me knows I can "embellish" with the best!!!  This girl has some vintage rhinestones, bouillon, tea-stained scrim and seam binding.  Of course she had to hang from a blingy multiple strand of pearls... fun, fun, fun...

Besides my jewelry fun, I love working in my visual journal.  This has been a very late spring, but as we are almost to the half-way point in May... things are finally beginning to feel a bit more seasonal.  This is a favorite time of the year for me... as I thrive off of all the blooming beauties that abound.

With all the ups and downs in life, I love this sentiment..."Stand tall and be brave and strong".

"All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today"... another inspiring thought...

"Be a creative thinker... elevating the awesomeness of everyday"... I try to remember this always...

Every step I take... every day of my life... I KNOW there is an ever-abiding FORCE that guides me...

After celebrating a blessed Mother's Day yesterday with my parents... anticipating Father's Day, too in a few weeks... I know where my "true north" is... I hope you have found yours...

Spring journal pages and a studio "fluff"

On this chilly Monday in late April, spring journal pages help warm my spirit and studio.

This "TWEET" page was inspired from a parcel received from Pam Garrison, a favorite artist of mine.

My true love and fascination with COLOR were the impetus for this page.

Keeping on the "sunny side of life" grounds me and gives me peace.  It isn't always an easy proposition, but an important goal of mine.

Whatever my circumstances are, I always try to focus on the abundance in my life.  Gratitude chases away most negative thoughts... it really works.

Songs and lyrics are another point of inspiration in the studio.  I love the verses in "Fields of Gold".  

What could be more important than LOVE??? I cannot think of anything...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this boy Buttons... what a perfect pal he is!

I was away with some art pals a few days ago.  Packing art goodies to go away always puts me in a tailspin as to what to take... what to leave behind.  What was left behind this time was a MESS!!!  So today was spent "fluffing" my little art studio... so that I could at least see my art table again...

I thought I'd better snap a picture before I get buried again!  

Buttons likes to hop up here and sit while  I work, especially at night.

 I now have it clear for him!

Why is staying orderly so hard???

Vintage suitcases are always a fav of mine....a great storage for all kinds of things, too.

Here's hoping for a wonderful week... 

take a little time to  D  R  E  A  M ...

Although a bit later than usual here in my neighborhood, spring has arrived in all its glory!  My hot pink azaleas have never been more beautiful.

 I was away for a few days last weekend, and when I returned my yard was ablaze with color.

The bird feeders have been jammed with some new and old visitors, even though the worms are more plentiful in the yard.  

They all flew away when I went out to snap some shots, but I was able to catch a few sweet birdies from inside my bay window.

I haven't had the "heart" to blog in past weeks due to the passing of my beloved cockapoo, Gabe. 

At 14 1/2, Gabe had been the dearest companion and friend... a true furry "soul-mate".

We've  been the best of pals, through thick and thin... always my sweet, sweet boy.  He had a wonderful life, and was among the greatest of gifts ever.  There truly is no greater friend.

My baby Buttons and I both miss Gabe terribly, but we are gradually moving toward a "new normal".  

B has gotten some brand new squeaky toys, and extra chewy treats!  He looks sad, but I think he is pretty happy with this new toy... just a little sleepy after playing so hard.

After a bath, he decided he was quite ready for a tummy rub from his mom. Maybe a nap would be even better...  So sorry for the lack of modesty. Ha!

Words cannot express my gratitude for all the notes, calls and messages of encouragement sent to me at this most difficult time.  The new birth of spring is an ever-encouraging reminder that there is always hope and joy to come.  My heart has broken, but I will have the sweetest memories to sustain me always.  Family, friends, faith... even art are such a comfort.  Watching the birds soothes my soul.  I got an email from one of my favorite boutiques the other day with this beautiful logo on it.  I just loved it!  I just adore birds and all they represent.  Happy spring!