Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year!

I'm about 9 hours early but I thought I'd wish everyone a happy and safe new year from my girl and I.

We've had a great year, filled with ups and downs and joys and sorrows. We're looking forward to 2012 with new ventures afoot. My girl is going to join the school marching band and choir, while I'm going to branch out into some many and varied artistic pursuits.

We live a blessed life, and are thankful to the Lord for all that He provides us with.

Happy New Year everyone! God bless, Paula xo

Saturday, December 24, 2011

'Tis the Season...

For me it's the season to celebrate the birth of Jesus. To remember that over 2000 years ago a young girl gave birth to the man - the only man - who can save the world. Whatever your beliefs are, please enjoy this season of love, giving, family time, sharing and celebrating.


Christmas Greetings, and much love!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

What is Your Dream?

I've entered a giveaway on Tracy Verdugo's blog and had to say what my dream for 2012 is. This is it:

"My dream for 2012 is big! It includes developing more as an artist and finding a niche (or remaining eclectic...whichever!), selling more paintings, starting art classes for kiddies, offering one-on-one tutorial sessions and opening a stall at a new market starting up in Feb. Big dreams that will all come true!"

I believe I can achieve all this, as well as take up some study through work, and, God willing, continue in the new role that I start on Monday as a Team Leader.
It's taken a while, but I feel that I'm finally moving forward after two years of depression, anxiety and nervous breakdowns (yes...plural).

Art is a healer. God has given me my artistic talent. He sure is looking after me.

So...in saying all this, I ask you:

"What is your dream for 2012?"

Paula xo

Friday, December 16, 2011

'Red Tree'...

Tonight I finished off "Rustic Moroccan Mystique" (yay!) and worked on my second commission, which I got paid for today...thank you very much! I also started two new painting projects (both under wraps for now) and ended up with a palette dull of bright colours. The end result of using said colours is the painting above - "Red Tree".

I started painting roughly with the canvas board sitting in landscape view. After doing some painting, wiping, splattering, more painting and wiping and some finger painting, I turned the board to portrait view and found this tree.

It's a tad odd but I like it! It's here to stay!

Paula xo

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

And Now For Some Mixed Media...

Tonight Miss7 and I sat down together in The Blue Room and got creative. She did a delightful bird painting (mixed media, of course), which I am going to get her to expand on tomorrow night. I created the painting above.

I had some yellow oxide leftover on my palette after finishing "Rustic Moroccan Mystique" (finally!) and needed to use it up. Miss 7 had a lot of fun rubbing down the canvas after I roughly applied the paint. I really like the effect on the background.

Anyhoo...the dragonfly came from a homemade greeting card that my sister-in-law made me before Miss7 was even thought of! I knew there was a reason I kept it, and tonight's painting was it. I'm looking forward to doing more dragonfly paintings too.

The media used for the painting includes acrylics, oil pastels and markers. I've never done a mixed media painting before, so to experiment (carefully!) with it tonight was fun. I can't wait to do more now!

Paula xo

Friday, December 9, 2011

Yellow Ochre Love...

One of my favourite colours is yellow ochre. I did some work tonight on "Rustic Moroccan Mystique" (yes, I'm still working on it!) and had some paint left over. So, into my journal it went and out came my permanent marker.

Yellow ochre is one of my favourite colours. If I could put it in every painting I that I do then I will be happy. And in fact, looking around my creative space, I already have!

Do you have a favourite colour that you like to use in every - or most - paintings?

Paula xo

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Need to Create...

I was supposed to go to bed an hour ago. Instead I popped my head into The Blue Room "just for a minute". The end result is the creation above.

I've only been doing this art gig for about seven weeks now, but every day I feel the pull to paint. I know it has been etched into me by the Art Every Day Month challenge. The premise is that it takes three weeks to create a habit. That is definitely true in my case here.

Underneath this finger painted creation is a thick lashing of white paint. Underneath that is something else that I was creating for Christmas. And I hated it. I have another one too. And while I don't hate it as much as the one that I erased tonight, I'm going to make some changes on it.

However, I do need to stop thinking, "oh I hope they will like it", when I paint for others. I must just remember that I am giving them part of me. My finger painted creation is me.

So back to the drawing - or in this case, painting - board tomorrow night to whip up a couple of new creations, and also work on commissions!

I'm sad that the AEDM challenge is over but I am very happy I participated in it. I've met lots of new arty friends and have some brilliant ideas to work with, plus I learnt a thing or two along the way.

So, now it's officially sleep time!

Happy creating, Paula xo

PS: Thank you to my regular visitors and commentors. Your words have blessed me. I apologise for not visiting or commenting more! Xo