Spring's first song..................

It gets to be this time, of year, and my thoughts surely turn to Spring. We want it to come so badly and it will soon.

This is one of my drawn and painted portraits from Misty's class. I had fun with the background transferring antique music sheets down first then adding layers of paint, etc. I like to think this woman is looking up at the birds singing their first song of Spring!

The Angel of Hope (previous post) is working hard, for us, to get to spring very soon :)

I am going to be taking a little blogging break as I have to take my laptop into the shop for repair. The clicker mouse thingie (can you tell I'm technically challenged-lol?) is going and it takes me so long to click on a link or when I'm visiting blogs to open up windows, etc.

I'm hoping the computer won't be tied up too long as I have another online class coming up soon. I signed up for Pam Carriker's journaling class through Creative Workshops. It's for a whole year! Fun! I can't wait.

In meantime, I will be working on my angel series and my own journal pages.

Luckily, my husband has his own computer; a small net book so I can still communicate via email and, last time, I didn't have my computer, I found a way where I can, at least, visit Blogs so, hopefully, I can still do that. So; if I'm quiet, for a bit, you know it's due to my computer issue.

All stay well and safe, thank you for your continued support, here, on my Blog. I so enjoy reading your comments and feedback; I never tire of saying you are all the wings that make me feel that I can soar!

I am planning on offering a Blog giveaway once I get my computer back so stay tuned okay?

Much love - Marilyn xxoo

There is always Hope :)

I am having fun with my guided path to create a series of Angel-themed works.

This is the second of my series and I call this the Angel of Hope.

Sometimes, when we think and feel that things are just not right in our lives; life, in general, offers us twists and turns and there is no way of predicting no matter how much we think we have things in line.

I happen to think good health and enjoying the passing of time is the secret to a good life. But; I do know, from experience, that life is very fragile and we must treasure our days as if they are gifts.

The Angel of Hope offers us just that! Hope for things getting better when times get bad, hope for better health if our health or the health of a loved one, has been compromised, hope for a brighter emotional state if we find ourselves getting down or blue. Hey! Maybe that's why I painted this Angel blue!!! And; she does have a sad face but - I wanted her that way. We are not always happy are we?

That's another thing I've learned in my old age....happiness is not a permanent state of being. It's all about the moments; it fluctuates with the tide of life. Our lives!

I offer you all the hope that this Angel of Hope brings. May you grasp the joyous moments, in your life, turn to the things that bring it to you and enjoy! Seize the day!

Wishing you all a joyous weekend ahead; and many happy moments!

If I'm a little "quiet" over the weekend, I am teaching a journaling workshop with my dear friend Kerri Posson. So; I have lots to do and prep and am very much looking forward to the happy moments sharing some art with some very special people in my life!

Thinking of you all! Much love - Marilyn xxoo
PS Thank you for your wonderful responses and comments to my Angel of Trust (previous post). I love reading your definition of an angel! You all are so inspiring to me!

Trust

I think creating my first angel work (previous post) has led me to creating more angels. Maybe the first one is guiding me :)

This is a mixed-media piece that I worked on yesterday. I call it the Trust Angel. I drew her and painted her with acrylics and Caran D'ache watercolor crayons.

I've never worked on a "series" of paintings, so I'm being guided into creating a series of angel works. This is my first one of a series (more to come).

This particular piece was done on an 8 x 10 canvas; I guess this is my first canvas work, too, with my own drawing. Lots of firsts! :)

While creating this, I got to thinking.........what is an angel? What does that mean to you? I'd love to read your reply, here, in your comments.

To some, an angel might have a religious connotation. To me, an angel, is someone who is kind to people, caring, and warm with a keen sense of humor. Someone we can trust, who has good character and a solid value system who treasures family and friends, loves animals, cares about the environment, enjoys helping people in need.

Sounds like it sums up all of you :)

I find I'm really, at peace, working on my angels. I'm a bit of a "shaker and a mover" and perhaps this is "my angels" way of telling me I need to slow down a bit; take life a little calmer and more peacefully. I will follow the lead and see where this takes me; another art journey - I'm loving the ride!

Thank you all for your lovely comments you leave here upon your visit. You are all my angels! Again; would love to read, here, what an angel means to you.

Enjoy your day, may it offer you peace and joy!

Love always................................Marilyn xxoo

Wings and Things............................

I had an opportunity to join a postcard exchange with the theme of Wings and Things. We could do whatever we want as long as the piece has a butterfly on it.

It came to my mind, because of the Wings theme, that I had a "little angel" up my sleeve to create this postcard with. :)

Using one of my very own images, in a piece, was really fun and altering it a bit as I chose. The background, here, was done with acrylics, transferring old music sheet, collaged torn papers, stamping; a little bit of everything. The mixed-media that I so enjoy!

I am wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead. Hope you all get some art time in so I can see what you're up to over the next couple of days. I love visiting your Blogs; you have no idea how much inspiration I get from your creative minds and spirit!

Our family has a joyous day, ahead, on Sunday. My granddaughter, Sophia, is being christened, this Sunday, and I see it fitting that it's on Valentine's Day! :)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Much love to all - Marilyn xxoo

Portrait Angel

This is my portrait angel that I worked on today. I'm honestly happy with it!

I had a bit of an "art meltdown" over the weekend where I started a portrait painting, on Friday, from a drawing I did that I really liked. I made the mistake of not copying the picture. Instead, I decided to paint right on my original drawing. What a disaster! After layer, after layer of painting, I kept losing features and details - I had to throw "her" out on Sunday night. I was very frustrated. There was no getting her back.

On Monday I decided to take a break and not work on any art and I think it really helped.

This morning, I felt refreshed, went to my art table and decided to sketch out a drawing and turn the work into a mixed-media piece as this is what I really love to do. The face, I drew, looked peaceful and my muse carried me to turning her into an angel! I collaged her wings with newspaper, added touches of antique lace to her dress, and embellished with a little clay heart and a word believe that I had done with polyshrink.

I guess, as artists, we have to go through those times when we feel so frustrated and then the inner critic comes through. At that point, I know I have to stop, step back and start anew at the appropriate time instead of pushing myself. I get to my vulnerable point and almost feel beaten.

So; perhaps this mixed-media piece was meant to be "my angel" guiding me to a more peaceful place.

Thinking of you all; hoping you are all safe and well. Thank you for your supportive words, you leave here when you visit; as your comments, friendships, and inspiration give me the wings to want to keep flying!

Much love to all of you! -Marilyn

New drawings/paintings

I've been a little quiet, here, lately. I've been working on Misty's online drawing/painting portrait class as well as getting ready for an art show I'm in this weekend.

I thought I would post these two recent works, I did, from Misty's class. One is a black/white portrait drawing using a Stabilo pencil and Titanium White paint. The other is a drawing and then painting with Caran D'ache crayons and Shiva Oil sticks. The background is done with gesso, stamping, collaged decorative napkins, and Titan Buff acrylic.

Hope you all are well and enjoying your time. I will be catching up with your Blogs over the weekend to see what beautiful artwork you've been doing.

Enjoy the upcoming weekend; I'll be thinking of all of you!

Much love - Marilyn xxoo

Guest Artist of the Month - February 2010

It has been such a privilege, for me, to offer this Guest Artist feature on my Blog; not to mention fun :).

Some of you may already be familiar with my Guest Artist of the Month for February. But; for those, of you, who are not, please let me introduce you to Caterina Giglio.

Photos, here, are two samples of Caterina's art and the other is a personal photo! I knew she was as lovely as I had imagined.

I love Blogging and this is how I became aware of Caterina and her beautiful artwork. Please treat yourself to some time visiting Caterina's Blog.

She also has a second Blog which is called Dolce Shop where Caterina offers some of her beautiful artwork for sale.

I feel privileged and honored to have Caterina as this month's Guest Artist and here is my interview with her.....enjoy!:

M-Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you began your artistic journey.
C-My last name, Giglio, is Italian and it is pronounced Gee-lee-o, and translated to, lily. Consequently, the lily is my personal symbol and I collect Fleur De Lys. My grandparents were born in Italy and I think my personal style reflects my heritage and my love of beauty. I am primarily a self-taught, mixed medium artist, and I live in a lovely little community in Colorado. I was an Art Education major in school and dropped out, just short of 2 years, to make a living and tend to a family member. The day I turned 50, I made a decision to change careers and get back to my original intended life. I have appreciated each artful day and give thanks for this wonderful life; the creative life.

M-A lot of your art is nature inspired, which is what attracted me to your Blog (linked above). Does nature provide you with most of your inspiration?
C-Nature provides a great deal of inspiration for me. I am an avid gardener and I adore being in the garden, soaking up the beauty around me. I always think it is interesting to see how other artists respond to their enviroment. Nature is just so drop-dead gorgeous, that I cannot help but be inspired. I put the bird songs and the sound of the garden on my Blog to remind me of that beauty. One of my favorite quotes is from Frank Lloyd Wright, "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you". I keep it on my inspiration board to remind me to look to the organic way of life. Nature sustains me, and literally feeds my body and soul.

M-Your art seems very personal and your words that accompany your pieces, as well as your photography, really makes for a beautiful marriage. What seems to come first when you create? Your words or the actual art creation?
C-That is such a great question! I generally have an idea for a new body of work or a sense of where I want to go in creating some new project. Often the photograph or drawing or antique ephemera will tell me more about where we are going and I just follow along. These bits of the past tell me stories. I think of it as deep listening. So the words and the creation dovetail.

M-Your Blogs are lovely. You recently opened up a separate Blog (linked above) for selling your art. I was very pleased to view the grand opening of it and wish you much success. Are you finding this more comfortable than selling on Etsy?
C-I have an Etsy account but, I got to thinking that I wanted to create my own shop, not a small space in a huge venue. In my former life, I was a retail manager and training coordinator, so it seemed a natural thing to open a shop of my own. The other reason for opening my second Blog/Shop, is the ability to go into detail about each piece and why I created them, which seems to be of interest to others. I just recently added PayPal so that takes care of credit purchases and the only problem I have is keeping it stocked. That is the kind of problem I always want to have!

M-Please use three words to describe your artistic style.
C-Okay....how about two words? Romantic and historian.

M-Are there a couple of art goals you have for this new year you could share with us?
C-I have several! But I won't give you the whole list. I have been teaching locally for a number of years and now feel that I want to try online classes. I am going to make that a definite accomplishment this year. Another goal I have for this year is to continue to seek publication and to spread my wings a bit by entering different calls. The last goal is to return to painting. I have been slowly moving toward mixing mediums and acrylics and I am ready to jump in with both feet! Thanks so much for this opportunity Marilyn!

M-You are so very welcome Caterina! It was my pleasure......thank YOU!

End of interview.