"A Secret Spot"

I had an opportunity, yesterday, to unload some creative energy. It's funny; if I don't create any art, for a few days, I can feel it building up; something has to come out :) Does this happen to you?

This is a 6 x 6 hard board piece that was one of the demos from my Odds and Ends workshop (as seen in previous post). I recently purchased a new collage sheet from Paper Whimsy and this background piece seemed to call out to her.

The quote I used is:

"Within your heart keep one, still, secret spot where dreams may go..." Lonise Driscoll

I always enjoy the peace and calm that comes over me, after Christmas. I loved the time with my family and Sophia certainly made it a very special Christmas for us all this year.

But; the quiet days that follow, my "secret spot", offer reflective time, for me, not only thinking about the year going by but also feeling hope for the coming new year. I'm not one for New Year's resolutions; too much pressure.

I do have some art goals, however, and a couple of them are offering an online class, or two, sometime in 2010. I have to perfect my time with my Flip video before I begin the process :) I'm getting there. The other goal is to journal more and my 2009 goal of journaling every day kind of went astray! Will I achieve these goals? Not sure but thinking on them "out loud" here on my Blog is a beginning.

I have many blessings, in my life; lots of positive things going on! One of the best things I've done, for myself, is Blog. I remember being so uncertain where it would lead. I'm so happy I took the leap!

I've connected, with all of you, and look forward to sharing more art and words, with you, in the coming New Year! Without your friendships, support and inspiration, I wouldn't have my wings!

I hope you all had a happy holiday and are enjoying these peaceful days that have followed to reflect on this year and the coming year - a new beginning.

What are some of your art goals? I'd like to read about them!

Have a great day, a safe and joyous week ahead.

Much love - Marilyn xxoo

Sophia's First Christmas 12 25 09

"JOY"

This is a picture of a 5 x 7 canvas board piece that I created over the weekend. The background was a result of my demo, for one of the projects, from the "Odds and Ends" workshop that Kerri Posson and I conducted on Saturday. We both felt the workshop was a huge success and we had wonderful and enthusiastic students. Kerri and I are already planning another workshop in the future. It will focus on art journaling; creating our own books, arting up the sewn-in signatures! Can't wait!

I wish I had some Flip videos to share with you, of parts of the workshop, but my Flip - flopped! Actually; it wasn't the Flip, it was me - the videographer! :) I am going to spend, some time, next week after the holiday stuff is over and take a whole day and practice taking some art videos. I don't think you'd appreciate watching an art technique with my finger in front of the lens :) Oh well; I'll get the hang of it. It's all a learning process.

I have titled this mixed-media piece "JOY" as that is what I wish for all of you for your upcoming holiday celebrations. May you find peace with the traditions that you follow and I so look forward to sharing more art and life with all of you in the coming new year!

Happy Holidays everyone! Stay well and safe! Love to all - Marilyn xxoo

"Odds and Ends" :)

I'm very excited about this coming Saturday. It's the date of the first collaborative workshop offering with my dear friend Kerri Posson.

The workshop is being held at Captured Moments.

Captured Moments is a local scrapbook store that we are very fortunate to have in our area. It's a family-run business that offers the most beautiful scrapbook papers, embellishments, scrapbooks, mixed-media products, and more.

The name of the workshop that Kerri and I are doing is called "Odds and Ends". The pictures, here, are samples of the background techniques that I will be teaching for a 5 x 7 canvas and two atc's. One of the atc's will be used to partner with a holiday card.

The backgrounds consist of a distressed/patchwork kind of technique, some foil treatments and mono-printing w/ acetate.

The workshop begins with these background techniques, and Kerri will then use her graphic design background to introduce collage design compositions to these backgrounds. We will be using odds and ends from salvage stores, flea markets and a lot of household materials to add to the collage pieces.

I hope to have a couple of Flip videos of the workshop to share with you in near future :)

Thank you all for your continued support with your friendships, words, and inspiration that you offer me on a daily basis.

Have a joyful day, a safe and happy upcoming weekend.

Happy Holidays! Love to all - Marilyn xxoo

Sophia - one week old

This video was taken on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. I had the opportunity to change her, hold her, and have some bonding time :)

She is such a joy to us all and has already enhanced our family beyond belief!

Love to all! Grandma Marilyn xxoo

Collaboration :)

A couple of months ago I had the privilege of spending some time with Laura Jones a very dear friend of mine.

Laura and I first met approx. 13 years ago at a local rubber stamp store. We found ourselves drawn to each other's art and felt an instant connection.

We came up with an idea of working on a collaborative project where we each had our own 11 x 14 canvas. On one side, we each created our own artwork and then handed the canvas over to each other to create art on the other side so we'd both end up with a collaborate art piece. It was so much fun and this is a picture of the finished project.

I began my art, on this canvas, on the right side and Laura created her art on the left side. It's amazing how we ended up with a very cohesive piece! That's the cool thing about friendships ya know? You can have different styles but coming together, you can end up with a beautiful friendship! :)

I took some time, today, to finish the piece and added the large silk flower petals on the upper left side as I felt like this was a present of friendship.

My thoughts went to how much fun this would be for a holiday gift with a friend. Stuck on what to get a close art friend? Why not a collaborative art project together? You could make a date, even if it's after Christmas, and the time together and your canvas would be a beautiful gift! Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

I just might have to make some calls :)

Hoping you are all having a great weekend and the hustle and bustle of the holiday activities aren't stressing you too much. I have so much, left to do, and am trying to breathe. My plan is to make a huge dent on my shopping list this week. We shall see.

All be safe and know you are all in my thoughts................Love, Marilyn xxoo

Free Holiday Image to thank you!

I am overwhelmed emotionally with the outpouring of love and well-wishes that you all sent me with your sweet comments, here, and the emails, cards, and calls I've received after announcing the birth of my granddaughter Sophia.

Her parents brought her home, yesterday, they are doing fine and grandparents are pitching in, as we can, to help. It's been one of the most joyous times of my life watching my son and daughter-in-law with their new baby.

There are two pictures, here, one is of a journal cover, I did, celebrating women. As I watch my daughter-in-law, after her long and difficult labor, bouncing back, her strength coming from the love of her new baby girl, I felt this journal cover was appropriate as an art expression.

Women are strong, aren't we? YES!! I think we should celebrate us! Do something special for yourself, this weekend, to celebrate YOU! Take some art time, go to an art supply store and reward yourself with a new tool or paint color, begin reading the book you've always wanted to get to with a cup of tea - just some quiet time for just YOU!

The other photo, here, is one of my favorite holiday images that I've scanned from an old music sheet. I love it and want to share it with you. Please feel free to use it as you'd like. I'd LOVE to see what you create with it.

Thank you ALL for helping me celebrate the birth of my first grand child with all of your loving wishes! It means so much to me to share, not only art, but life with you!

I wish you, and yours, a healthy, happy and joyous holiday season!

Much love always - Marilyn xxoo