ZoranaLand

Visitor

2012-02-10T17:11:00.000-08:00

I knew you couldn't guess it... it's such a random animal that I would have really been surprised if anyone thought of it. Thank you for trying! It was fun to read your comments.

Remember the cartoon with the black cat and a skunk in love?

Look what our camera captured in the backyard.

The black cat is our neighbors.... I thought that it was funny that she is black and seemed to know that we have a 'visitor'. The darling skunk has left our backyard and we closed the way it came in. I think that it is completely adorable and wouldn't mind holding one just like the girl in THIS movie.

It is not allowed to have skunks as pets in California (not that I would really want one, but I was intrigued by the thought), but it's very much allowed to quickly paint them in the journal.

Happy weekend!

Bird painting #4

2012-02-09T17:40:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I will show you a different animal... Can you believe it, I painted an animal in my journal and it's not a bird!!! Do you want to try and guess which one? There will be a present (painting) for you if you guess correctly...

Bird painting #3

2012-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Bird painting #2

2012-02-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

I didn't clean my table after finishing the first painting, so I used the same supplies for painting #2.
It turned out to be a good thing, I think.

Early spring

2012-02-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

I skyped with my parents this morning and they showed me the scenery around there home. Deep, fluffy, white snow and only 10°F. Really cold... Then I stepped in front of our home to show them what is surrounding us. Spring came extra early this year.

I played in my small journal, quickly trying to capture the purple, orange, yellow and green tones.

Bird painting #1

2012-02-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

This is the first thing I painted in 2012. I remember that the thought of a series of bird paintings just landed in my mind. I wasn't even thinking about art, but suddenly I knew that I need to decide on a format and allow myself to paint birds in whatever style I feel like. Isn't that weird?

I also didn't think about the word for the year because I don't do that (except one year when I made up a word and it really didn't mean anything). This time a word planted itself and it's just there...
I don't even have think about it, it makes me aware of itself.

I wonder if this year will bring other surprises like that...

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you very, very much for welcoming me back.
I had to laugh while reading comments and emails. because it seems like no one thought that I will really stop blogging... except me.

I guess I should learn not to be so black or white, and put more color in my life decisions. It is not the first time that I said or did something that I believed was the right thing, just to see it from a different perspective a month later and change my mind... Sometimes there isn't an "undo"...

Back to art. I have a lot of things to show, so I might become annoying with frequent blog posts for a while. I started a new series of paintings on January first, and am going to continue with it through the year. Can you guess who or what is the main character in the series?

You don't have to, I'll post the first painting tomorrow.

Happy weekend!

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Happy February!

Can we pretend that I didn't write the previous post?

The one where I said I will stop blogging?

Can I just sneak back in? Maybe no one is listening, so I can...

I missed my blog.

I missed you.

I'm back. I hope that some of you are here too.

2011-12-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

In the vast ocean of blogs I thought that no one will notice if mine disappears. It is sometimes difficult to know and understand that real people look at our art and read our words. After receiving several warm and worried emails, I thought about it and felt bad for leaving without good bye.

I have been blogging for six years, and in that time had a privilege to meet many amazing people. I learned a lot from you and benefited from your feedback and kindness so many times... I am deeply grateful for it. I am not sure what happened, but at this point I feel a need to pull back, to go inside, to think. I have always been an introvert and I guess that side is pulling strongly right now.

I will continue to create, and will keep both of my etsy shops open, but will not post any more.

I wish you all the best.

Thank you.

Zorana

I attempted...

2011-11-06T19:02:00.002-08:00

I attempted to paint a self portrait... And it didn't work. Whenever I try to put the lines and dark circles where they are supposed to be, they turn out too harsh and completely unnatural.

Still, it was interesting to paint because I experimented. I wanted to paint on a base of gold gesso, which I don't have, so I painted a layer of gold and transparent gesso over it. I used burnt sienna, raw umber, titan buff, white and a touch of red for skin colors and it was interesting to see how they look on top of a warm gold background. I left a lot of gold showing through.

Is it still considered a self-portrait if it looks nothing like me?

Have a great week!

More of the same

2011-11-05T18:34:00.002-07:00

I painted both birds at the same time, but didn't have time to prepare photos for both,
so I'm showing this one now.

And because I usually love the close-ups as much, or more than the paintings,
I can't resist to post them too.

All colors again...

2011-11-02T11:45:00.002-07:00

It was nice exploring a limited palette, but I can't stay for long from using all crayons in the box at the same time :-)

In my journal...

2011-10-31T18:51:00.002-07:00

While I'm waiting for little masked creatures to knock on my door, I thought I might finish this journal page and post ih here. Reminds me of my sister and me, except that she never had that weird hair style. On the other hand, I did..... yikes!

My new favorite color

2011-10-28T13:11:00.002-07:00

So, here it is... my new favorite color:

I used it here only with Payne's gray and Titanium White, but it woks so well with all other colors. I love what it does when used as a transparent layer, and will probably be exploring it in everything I paint in the following months (or days... I might find another 'favorite' very soon).

Anyone else that loves this color?

I'm about to go and check what's been posted on Paint Party Friday. It's a great way to get introduced to blogs that I haven't seen before.

Happy Weekend!

Painting big

2011-10-26T20:00:00.002-07:00

I wasn't feeling very talkative on my blog this week, but that doesn't mean that I was not painting. I worked on several big canvases (36"x24"), mostly enjoying the splashes of color and their interaction than anything else. I didn't even listen to music while painting... it was just me and color and brushes and I really loved it.

I hope you enjoyed my mostly blue-green paintings...

This last one is an older painting. I don't think I showed it on the blog, and it goes well with this series so I included it.

I have a new favorite color (not blue or green). I think my big journal is calling me... so in the next couple of days I hope to explore the "new" color and share the results.

Happy place

2011-10-20T17:45:00.002-07:00

Maybe inspired by my recent dreams of ships and sea, last Sunday my favorite man in the world suggested that we drive to the end of the world.

And we did.

The day was perfectly gray.

The line between the water and air almost nonexistent.

I loved seeing him:

I wanted to be this bird:

I saw this tiny place... I don't know what it is, probably not a house. But it looks like a little house, and I immediately thought that I would love to stay there. I don't think that I could tire of looking at all that huge space. I felt like my lungs could breathe twice as much as normal and my heart was happy.

Actually, my heart was not happy at all while I was climbing the steps. 308 doesn't sound like much, and maybe it isn't, but I am so out of shape that my heart was pounding so much that it felt like it will burst out...

Since I can't live in that little house, I can imagine it and I can put it in my journal so I never forget.

I was cutting the words from a book that reminded me of what we experienced and randomly placing them on the page. My plan was to cut the edges with more care later, and to find just the right place for them on the page. But when I stopped to look at it - I actually loved it just the way they fell, so I left them like that.

The week is almost over, but in my mind I'm still there...
I think it's my new "happy place".

Dream Voyage

2011-10-14T19:28:00.002-07:00

"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight,
and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.'
~Oscar Wilde

I painted this like I usually do my journal pages.... adding texture and mixing medias where I want to. The stars are scratched, and drawn with color pencils and oil pastels.

I'm in love with everything crackled, so I bravely crackled the whole surface.

I wasn't sure what will happen, so I was really happy with the result.

I finished it with layers of cold wax, which gave everything a dreamy feeling...

Most of you said that it feels "big", and you were right. It is painted on a 24"x36" canvas!

Biggest journal page ever!

Do you know about PPF? Check it out!

Happy weekend!

Evolution of The Voyage

2011-10-13T20:59:00.002-07:00

It has been a while since I painted on a black background, so I thought it was time. I painted a layer of black gesso and with a white crayon sketched what I thought I wanted to paint.

It didn't take me long to stray from my drawing. A ship showed up, a tree, and moon.

Colors, shapes... I didn't have a color scheme, so I just played.

Suddenly she looked like her right side of the face was

swollen, so I changed that. Wings covered the tree.

Wings for me simbolize safety and everything good, so I paint them often.

I tried changing the color of the house and girl, but it didn't work.

At this point I think I realized that I am painting the scenes that have been happening repeatedly in my dreams lately, so I just covered the girl and the house and went with it.

Almost done.... A thick layer of crackle paste, and umber glaze.

Almost done, but not quite there yet. I hope to show the finished piece tomorrow.

Can you guess what size is it?

Watching over

2011-10-09T18:20:00.002-07:00

Thank you for the sweet comments on the first third of the painting. I'm so glad you like her!
I hope that you will enjoy seeing the full painting.

I don't know why I have to use every color on the color wheel... I think I would like to paint a similar painting in muted, almost monochrome colors.

You should see me painting a triptych in my little studio... I have one easel that will fit only one canvas, so I keep moving the canvases on the table (they are too big for the table), then on the floor... very often it seems like I'm playing that game (I forgot the name - the one with the colorful circles on the floor). Exercising while painting :-)

One third

2011-10-09T00:01:00.002-07:00

Sometimes I think that it is easier to paint than to take photos of paintings. It is definitely more fun...

This is a 12"x36"canvas. It is one third of the whole painting.

I couldn't find good light today (too sunny). so I scanned it and pieced it together in Photoshop. I didn't have the energy to do the same with the other two paintings, so hopefully tomorrow I'll have more luck with my camera.

I hope that you are enjoying the weekend!

2011-10-03T22:28:00.002-07:00

A weird journal page

2011-10-01T20:44:00.002-07:00

I painted a face.

I played with lovely, thick colors.

I added a boat, because of a recurring dream that visited me once again.

I needed some witnesses...

So, why is it weird?

Because I had the best intention of continuing it on the second page (lengthwise) and making a long spread, but I didn't have the time and later when I did have the time - I didn't feel like it.

So now it's a head on a boat with scary ladies watching...

Weird.

At least the words make sense...

Happy October!

She loved roses

2011-09-21T10:21:00.002-07:00

I don't paint commissions because I have a difficult time painting "on demand", but when a lovely lady contacted me and asked if I could recreate a painting she saw me show on YouTube I immediately agreed. She asked me to change the color of roses to red and yellow, and to add an angel wing.

I agreed because there was a story behind it, she had a reason for wanting this painting. It touched my heart, and I couldn't wait to transfer the emotions into paint. The whole process left me feeling fulfilled, and happy with knowledge that through our art we can sometimes connect to people who need it and help them in a very small way. A good, humbling feeling.

Guardian

2011-09-19T13:26:00.002-07:00

What is she guarding? You'll see... a little village.

I used layers of peeling paper and paint for the background, acrylics and oil pastels for the angel, but the real inspiration for this painting was a collage sheet with little houses from my digital kit. I saw it peeking from a pile of collage material and wanted to see if I could use it on a bigger piece.

When I created this collage kit, I used it for ATC cards (2.5"x3.5"). Cutting different elements and combining them worked fine and was fun.

If you purchased one of my collage sheets before, try looking at them with a different mindset. Cut some shapes, leave background peeking through, change color by painting transparent layers over... it can turn into something completely different.

Her Own Song

2011-09-16T21:25:00.002-07:00

-mixed media on 11"x11.5" watercolor paper-

Thanks for visiting!

Have a happy weekend!

Feelings shown

2011-09-14T16:10:00.002-07:00

I am enjoying my big journal very much!

So many things fit on a big page... it's like all that space allows the story to unfold.

This page started with a tiny torn out piece of paper. I found that little scrap on a street at least two years ago (probably more) and it kept showing up on my desk. I decided it was time to use it.

I don't use faces from magazines, but sometimes I use other, unrecognizable parts for color or texture. The girl and boy were in my throw-away pile. Something about the way they were accidentally cropped (while I was tearing paper around them) made me like it, so I added that piece to my page. And the one above it too.

After that it was easy to add found words from a book and form some kind of a story...

Speaking of stories, two amazing story-tellers are sharing their knowledge - Katie Kendrick extended sign up for her online workshop, and Lynne Hoppe is generously sharing how she paints her magical people. So much inspiration...

A day for angels...

2011-09-11T17:34:00.002-07:00

Over and over and over...

2011-09-09T13:41:00.002-07:00

What do you do when are not happy with what you painted?

I paint over it. In this case maybe it wasn't that smart, because I'm fighting with her (or she is fighting me), but I'm taking my time and hopefully the result will be the way I want it :-)

Happy weekend!
P.S. Can you tell me, please, does the video show up in google reader?

Preserved Memories

2011-09-08T10:22:00.002-07:00

I wanted to preserve some memories in a little book.

I made darling pogo prints of photos that captured some of my favorite moments.

I gathered some of the supplies we used and splashed them fearlessly on pages.

I picked an adorable photo of her.

Wrote a delicious recipe that she made (not from the adorable creatures in the photo bellow).

And I wanted to show it all to you, but I can't.

In my hurry to send the little surprise, I forgot to scan or take pictures of all pages...

I was sure I did it and confidently opened my scans folder today to prepare them for this post.

Imagine my surprise when I saw only 4 images...

Oh well.

You get the idea.

Pogo prints, tons of texture and paint, and memories preserved in a little book. Fun project!

Untroubled

2011-09-04T17:59:00.002-07:00

I have a BIG new journal. So does she. It is really a beautiful journal, right now - my favorite. I love working in this big format (11.75x16.5"). This is the second page I did. I'll show the first one soon (as soon as I get photo of Sharon's page, so that we can all see how different they turned out).

I loved making up a story on this page, two girls thinking completely two different things.

Or it could be just one... conflicted about something.

Notice the word "But". When I was cutting it from a book I was obviously too impatient to be careful, so I cut it in half... Does that ever happen to you? Rather than looking for a new 'but' word, I decided to glue down both parts.

While the left girl is obviously worried, the other one has no care in the world...

SEEM + ED. Again a found word thing... Much easier to find word seem, than search forever for the correct tense. I do this often - cut a word and add 'ed', 'ing' or whatever is needed from a different word. Makes things easier.

Speaking of easy and untroubled - how easy is it to enjoy the long weekend? One more day!!! I hope you're having fun!

Four men

2011-09-02T07:22:00.002-07:00

This is how I spent time on the airport - making 10 second sketches. You really can't stare at people without them looking back at you, so I found a spot where I could glance at people passing by, then quickly scribble something in my journal. They never noticed and it made my time go faster...

New art supply

2011-08-31T09:32:00.002-07:00

Before the visit, I told Sharon that I am bringing an art supply that I never tried before and would like to explore with her. I also said that it's nothing special and that she probably worked with it before, but for me it was new...

I brought out my new, unopened box of gouache paints. Sharon smiled, without even looking reached for a place in a drawer and pulled out another box of gouache. She said that she painted with them a long time ago and wanted to try them out again with me. Don't you love when things like that happen?

I enjoyed painting with them a lot. It was different, I think they made me paint slower, which was good because we chatted all along. We started with the same inspiration piece to look at, but finished with completely different results. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of Sharon's page, but hopefully she will post it on her blog soon. This is what I painted in my little moleskine watercolor journal.

Visiting Sharon and her muse Norah...

2011-08-26T16:34:00.002-07:00

I'm back from Texas... I blinked and the week was over.

For the last couple of hours I've been looking at my collection of photos and thinking how to put it all in a post and try to describe the time we spent together. And since I can't figure it out, I guess it will have to be spread out in several posts and I'll just start with the beginning.

My trip started very early in the morning. That is good because it took me three planes to get to Ms. Sharon... and - I got to see the sunrise from high above, which is always cool. It was really great!

We walked and talked, she cooked, I ate; we watched birds and bunnies, talked some more, and more, painted, soaked in the amazing views of her property... days were too short.

We also made jewelry! I was very lucky to have a private workshop with a very talented lady:

She patiently led me through the complex and very fun process of working with metal and resin. There were moments that camera couldn't capture but that I know we'll remember forever (I don't think that Sharon will ever trust me with a Dremel tool again, although she will with the torch because I'm the master of fire! /in my dreams/).

I used my digital collage sheet for my pendant (it was just the size I needed), while Sharon made a print of a detail of one of her new amazing paintings for hers. Now all I need to do is attach the pendant to a ribbon, leather cord or a chain and I will have a one of a kind necklace. Except that I don't want to, because I need to hold it in my hand for a while and stare at it... Sharon's pendant is on the left, mine on the right.

We both wished that we had more time to paint together because it was really a fun to do, but there are things to show... so, the story will continue.

Have an amazing weekend!

Angel and her papillons

2011-08-21T06:05:00.002-07:00

If you look closely you will see that this angel has more than one set of wings. It because right now I am probably in a plane. One of three that will be taking me to a fairyland far far away to meet a very special, dear friend for a week of art and fun... I will be back with stories and pictures and I'm sure a ton of art to show. In the meantime - stay well. I wish you a happy week.

:-)

Through someone else's eyes

2011-08-17T19:40:00.002-07:00

$50, 8"x8" on canvas

From this to that...

2011-08-16T18:03:00.002-07:00

From this lovely, rock-like, weird succulent to a rock plant with a pretty flower.

From red peppers and eggplant to yummy roasted veggies.

From an unwanted box to art.

I cut out a side of the box and spent some time with it in the studio.

11"x10.5" mixed media on cardboard

$50 (including domestic and international free shipping)

Summer art camps

2011-08-14T10:18:00.002-07:00

Look what I painted!!! A silly creature!

And another one:

And more...

Actually, I painted dozens of "imaginary creatures" and can't wait to make more.

I also had fun quickly creating exactly 101 faces!!! Of course, they are not as small as shown here...

And although you might not think so (by looking at my scribbles), I learned several techniques that I know that I am going to incorporate in my journals, and probably on my canvases (not to mention that I found out that I love to draw bald guys and male profiles - funny!)

I've been having fun in Carla Sonheim's summer camps, and thought that someone else might enjoy them too, so I'm sharing the information. I had very limited time to play, but it fit just fine. I enjoyed every minute of both camps, couldn't wait to wake up and watch the daily videos. I am looking forward to the third one (starts tomorrow). Let me know if you join!

xoxo

Imaginary Place

2011-08-12T20:22:00.002-07:00

Don't you love that with paint we can create places from our imagination?

This is where I wanted to be today...

- 16" x 20" -

(available in my etsy store)

Happy weekend!

In the deep

2011-08-11T12:13:00.002-07:00

I finally finished something... I used whatever time I had to add layer after layer of transparent acrylics and textures until it was time to stop. I had Jamaica on my mind, and all the amazing blues and greens that I cary in my memory and since I can't go there, I was happy just to add the colors on three canvases.

It is very difficult to present canvases when they are so big (48"x20"), that is why I prefer the close-ups. This is not my room... I don't think that I would be brave enough to paint walls with such a dark color (although I love the way it looks).

2011-08-04T09:03:00.002-07:00

Hi! Hello! How are you?

Life suddenly became more full with non-art related stuff so I stepped out of my blog for a while. I'll be back to painting, posting, visiting blogs as soon as I learn how to rearrange my time once again.

In the meantime, I'll share a new (for me) blog. If you click HERE you'll see it.

My painting was featured on it today, but if you scroll down you will see a lot of amazing, inspiring art.

Hi!

2011-07-22T17:55:00.002-07:00

Just dropping by to say hi!

I don't have much to show except this little guy. He is a part of my future workshop and I thought it would be better to post him than leave the post without pictures. I have an almost finished painting on the easel so hopefully there will be something more colorful soon.

Until then - have a happy weekend!

Create the Moment

2011-07-18T18:04:00.002-07:00

Thank you for the lovely comments and emails about my video. For all the ones that shrieked when I painted over faces - this one is for you. I am not going to paint over her :-)

8.5"x11" on watercolor paper
- SOLD -

I Choose to be Happy

2011-07-15T14:36:00.002-07:00

I haven't seen sunshine in a week and it was really starting to change my mood dramatically, so I had to make a conscious decision to be happy. What better way to do it then with a brush in your hand. I recorded the whole process, sped it up and posted on youtube. If you are afraid of painting freely - this might give you a nudge in the right direction. I hope you'll like it.

Here is the final painting (9x11").

$50 (including shipping)

Painting on tea bags

2011-07-06T09:54:00.002-07:00

Isn't Mrs. Duck adorable?

She tolerated my camera for a while and then told me what she thinks about me...

I just love her hair style!

I sketched the duck lightly on 4 tea bags (read how Lynne Hoppe does it here), painted with watercolors and glued over dictionary pages in my journal. I didn't have a lot of control over the color, as tea bags absorb the water easily and make it spread in random splotches, but that made it more interesting.

Painting on tea bags! Try it - it's fun!

Quick journal page

2011-06-30T19:21:00.002-07:00

I love Jason Mraz. Do you?

Earlier today I read his blog post (this one) and the words "Lean into the discomfort" stayed in my head. While I was suffering in the dentist's chair those words were running through my mind like a mantra. I guess they helped a bit, so I wrote them under this quick painting in my journal. Art journals are perfect for keeping little memories like this...

From a photo

2011-06-28T17:30:00.002-07:00

Sharon wrote in the comments that she knew who I painted yesterday. I thought it might be interesting to show the photo of my daughter that inspired me. I started playing today with some blind contours in my sketch book. Isn't the resemblance remarkable? Just joking. This was the best of several.

Then I experimented with conte crayon (I have only one color). I never used them before... So much fun! I love things that you can smoosh (pastels, graphite, this crayon).

Here is the painting from yesterday, I added it so that I can have them all on one place (in one post).

And finally a color explosion portrait. None of them really look like Hana, but I can't tire of her face, so it's just plain fun for me to try and recreate it with art materials.

And just for something random - this flower made me extra happy today. I planted the seeds two years ago, and several times a few leaves would show up and then wilt and dry. I couldn't believe when I saw the flower this morning! So close to the ground, still only two weak leaves behind it; but obviously fighting so hard to survive. I hope my morning glory makes it this time...

Journal page

2011-06-27T18:46:00.002-07:00

I proclaimed this week to be an art journaling week, which in my case simply means that I will paint in a journal, not on a canvas. Painting in a journal means more play, more experiments, more relaxing... Here I painted looking at a lovely photo, but even in a journal was not brave enough to make the darks really dark, and lights really light. Maybe next time. Maybe tomorrow.

New Protectors

2011-06-25T08:06:00.002-07:00

As my previous set of angels are sold and they left an empty space on our walls (that's where they live before they find a new home), I spent busy days painting some new faces to grace our hallway.

I was so happy to see all three of them together, outside of my little studio, in full California sunshine that I did a rare thing - allowed my daughter to take a picture of me with them...

And then I realized that she continuously snapped more pictures (like me gazing at my paintings like they are newborns), so I got shy and ran away. She took pictures of me running away too... giggling all the way.

Here are some close up pictures.

Many different textures, this is one of them.

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom that springs from the soul." - Henry Ward Beecher

Happy weekend!

Beautiful SunDay

2011-06-19T20:19:00.002-07:00

Fixed :-)

2011-06-16T19:12:00.002-07:00

On my easel

2011-06-15T19:15:00.002-07:00

Can you guess why is her face painted black?

This is an unfinished painting. The faces have some color thrown on, just the beginning stages. On the one on the left I worked for a long time. I painted layers, looked at her, painted some more, looked again... and when I thought she is almost done I noticed that her eyes are so out of line that it was ridicules. How could I have looked at her for so long and not seen that? I couldn't believe it. I realized that there is no simple way out, so I just grabbed a jar of black gesso and eased my frustration. Tomorrow I start again...

Speaking of eyes that are not in line, guess who's work I've been privileged to look at today? No need to guess, you read it on the photo. I spent hours here trying to soak in every brush stroke and line and color I could. Amazing! Amazing is also the man that took a day off work to spend it with me, and who thought that I would love to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary by going to a museum. Such a smart man. A definite keeper...

Show your colors 3 & 4

2011-06-12T20:08:00.002-07:00

Last week I mentioned that I want to paint another bird with a colorful tail.

Well, I painted not one - but two birds on 24"x24" canvases.

I enjoyed every long, curvy stroke and I went over them many times.

There was something very soothing and therapeutic in it.

For now this series is over. I think some new angel/protectors are brewing in my head...

Both paintings are available for sale. Inquire by email if interested.

Blue

2011-06-08T10:50:00.002-07:00

I'm so glad you enjoyed my photo-collage. I think Marja said it so well "When we hold our eyes open and look around, what beautifuls we can see." Exactly. l think that following many blogs over the years opened my eyes to so much beauty that I didn't recognize before.

Maybe you noticed a snipped of a new painting. It's teal and blue and purple cascading over a 20"x34" canvas. Maybe I'll revisit it in the following weeks, but right now it feels finished to me. A lot of yummy details that just don't translate well on the screen. Next painting will have red, gold and black and just tiny hints of blue...

Around me...

2011-06-05T15:34:00.002-07:00

Bird with tentacles?

2011-06-04T07:35:00.002-07:00

I've spent many enjoyable hours painting this huge, colorful bird (30"x30"). The moment I finished this canvas I wanted to start a new one and I can't stop thinking about it. I guess the only way to get it out of my system is to paint another one... So I'm predicting a new chaos of colors, textures and shapes in the nearest future. I hope you'll find the time to paint whatever your soul needs this weekend.

Journal page inspired by a book

2011-05-31T12:12:00.002-07:00

Did you receive your copy of Misty Mawn's book "Unfurling"?

I did. And I read it cover to cover and will probably go back to soak up some more of Misty magic.

I took my journal; played with texture; quickly carved a stamp; tried not to use all colors in my paintbox; added some found "poetry" and finished happy.

Misty was always a huge inspiration to me and I'm really happy that now I can reach for her book whenever I want to.

Let me know if you have the book too.

On Bubble Top Trees

2011-05-28T08:41:00.002-07:00

Thank you for the comments on my previous post. This is not the first time that my blog helped me realize that I am not the only one in the world thinking the way I do... I appreciate the support and 'permission' to explore and stretch and change and be. You are very cool!

Thank you!

On Bubble Top Trees - 30"x30" (3 canvases 10"x30" each) -

Can't make up my mind

2011-05-25T17:35:00.002-07:00

They say it is very important for every artist to have their style, a body of work that is connected, that is immediately recognizable... I've been painting a good number of years now, and it hasn't happened yet. I wonder will it ever happen, will I ever be able to make up my mind.

I painted this extra busy, highly textured, colorful abstract yesterday,

and this calm, light toned, simple painting today.

I wonder what does it say about me...

One interesting thing - I finished this painting and placed it in front of the TV so that I can look at it (and see if I want to change anything) and watch the final Oprah show at the same time. Can you imagine my surprise when she walked out in a dress almost the same size as my painting? It was cool.

Random

2011-05-22T12:12:00.002-07:00

I made these and I was extra proud of myself. You can make them too, it's really easy.
Just click here and here for the recipes.

These are a new favorite - jalapenos stuffed with cream/feta cheese, prosciutto and a hint of garlic. I forgot to take a picture of them after grilling...

Love this flower.

This one too. It was such a tiny rose plant when I received it two years ago.

I don't think I showed this before. A happy place...

I might turn this elegant guy into a crazy, colorful creature in my journal later today....

I hope you're enjoying the day! xo

On the top of my head

2011-05-17T12:43:00.002-07:00

Breathe in

2011-05-13T19:46:00.002-07:00

I opened a favorite word book to find words for this painting. I love that process.... sometimes it takes me a long time to find words that feel right, but not this time. On the first page these words "Breathe in

every joy of the world" from three different places on the page - just jumped right at me.

I love Fridays! Wishing you a happy weekend!

12"x12 on gallery wrapped canvas.

Show your colors... Bloom True

2011-05-10T17:10:00.002-07:00

As you know from my previous post, I was lucky to spend the weekend in Flora Bowley's workshop. I'm still in that special space/mood/feeling as I was over the weekend.

You know the feeling you get when you are in company of someone that is authentic and real and present? Amazing, right? That's how I would describe Flora Bowley. She teaches without trying... And as she laughingly said - these were life lessons dressed up as an art workshop. I couldn't agree more. It was so much more than "just" painting.

What surprised me the most was that while she paints intuitively, she was still able to dissect her method and teach it step by step. Intuitively... but in a way that we can understand, and learn and implement. That was pretty amazing! There were spontaneous applauses after some of her demoes because it was very relaxing to watch her paint and the results after every demo were simply great.

The workshop was held in a lovely place that recently opened in Berkeley called Teahouse Studio. It is a beautiful, spacious, artistic space that Stefanie Reneé, Mati Rose and Tiffany Moore dreamed up. All three of them were friendly and sweet and made sure that there was an unlimited supply of coffee, tea, fruit and chocolate... not to mention the amazing catered lunches that we enjoyed sitting outside, relaxing in the sun, with the view of a beautiful park...

If you look through my blog you'll notice that I love color and use it freely, so this was happy-land for me! Enjoying the process, painting to interesting music, moving with the flow.... What can be better than doing something where you can't make a mistake? Here are some of the stages of one of my canvases:

This is how it looked when I left the Teahouse studio on Sunday. I knew something was missing on the top... but I didn't know what. After I brought it home and looked at it for a while, it was obvious that it needed a bird. I know, big stretch - me and birds....

Here is the finished piece! It is big.... 30"x30" and bold and colorful and I completely love it.

So, at the end - I think I'm going to thank our dear teacher not only for painting lessons but for something else. I went to the dentist today without the usual horrible anxiety... and I think it's because I implemented some of the things we did and talked about over the weekend (simple yoga moves, breathing techniques, feeling gratitude). Now isn't that something - painting and healing at the same time... Flora Bowley rocks!

Future giveaway?

2011-05-06T18:22:00.002-07:00

I'm thinking about creating a new workshop... It's been five months since I launched "Mixed Media Playground" and I'm in a mood to play some more. I started dreaming a color scheme that I would like to use, and I have a basic plan, but don't have the full workshop thought through yet.

I wondered if you have any wishes? Ideas?

How about if we make this more fun.... like - you write what kind of workshop would you like to see, and I pick a random number and give away some of the future art that I will create for it?
Is that confusing?
Probably....
I am giving a piece of art that I didn't create yet, but I will... that should be interesting (or weird).

Can't wait to see if it will be birds, portraits, journals, canvas art... or something completely different.

You can also say that there are already too many workshops and that I really don't need to add another one to the list and that will be fine too.

I'm wishing you a happy weekend!

Colorful gathering

2011-05-03T14:29:00.002-07:00

- 30"x10" on canvas -

Anxiety (journal page)

2011-04-27T12:22:00.002-07:00

Anxiety is useless - Jillian Michaels says so...

I just finished this page trying to get that message in my head.

It didn't really work... but at least the time went faster.

I'm about to go to the dentist and I don't think it will be a pleasant visit.

I wish they made some magic potions that would heal the teeth without them having to do whatever they are doing....

------------------------------------

Intuitive and colorful

2011-04-26T10:19:00.002-07:00

Too colorful? You should see how it started.
Actually - you WILL see it if you look at the following photo:

Before this it was a bright red canvas with white flowers.... catastrophe... I was trying something and it didn't work out. Someone would say that this didn't work out either, but it made me happy to create it and it makes me happy to look at it.

I was very much inspired by the process that I think Flora Bowley uses... and I'm extra happy to say that, in a couple of weeks, I will have an opportunity to watch her paint for two full days!!! I can't wait to see what kind of cools things I'll learn and incorporate in my art.

- 24"x36" on canvas -

Simple ATCs

2011-04-22T10:59:00.002-07:00

It's so funny that there is no sense of size when you look at things online... I just uploaded these photos and they look like they are the same size as my 24"x36"paintings, but they are not. These are three little ATC cards (2.5"x3.5") and they are just pretending to be big.

I spent a couple of hours in the company of this lovely lady (she teaches zentangles, Janet you were very much on my mind) and played with some of my collage sheets. It is always so relaxing to create ATCs. Sometimes I think that whatever you combine in that little space turns out cute.

I don't think that I told you that I re-opened my etsy shop. No more original art in it, only my digital collage sheets. That's what I used to make these.

Weekend is almost here! I wish you all Happy Easter!
Our boy is coming home for the weekend, which means that I am about to happily start a big cooking production. The first thing will not be something that he or I will eat, but it's so pretty that I have to make it (actually, Hana will do the most work and she'll eat them too). I've been thinking about these colorful treats since Alice Burke posted them. Take a look here.

Trust Angel

2011-04-19T18:33:00.002-07:00

She is the last one in the series. She has the word "trust" on her chest mostly because I was fighting with this painting and had to remind myself to trust the process, to continue painting because everything will turn out right at the end.

After many, many, many, MANY layers of paint it really worked. I think she is my favorite of the three... and maybe not. I'm attached to all three.

Trust the process. Continue painting even if it looks nothing like you wanted... eventually it will.

Interuption...

2011-04-14T17:58:00.002-07:00

Interrupting the string of angels by a completely unexpected visit from a Funny Chicken... I have never painted poultry or had a wish to, but when I saw the picture here, I couldn't resist.

- 6.5" x 9.75" mixed media on paper and wood -

Not only did I paint it, I had to play some more.

This is a half-blind sketch with a Sketch&Wash pencil and pan pastels.

I just love this chicken... and I really don't know why. Inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. :-)

Another Protector

2011-04-13T19:04:00.002-07:00

12"x36", acrylic on canvas

Wish Angel

2011-04-11T10:31:00.002-07:00

This is the first thing I painted after more than three weeks. I think it took me less time to paint her than to photograph her. It is a narrow and long canvas (12"x36") and I couldn't get the image not to be blurred, or too light, or too dark, or fuzzy... Finally I scanned her in little parts and 'stitched' her together in Photoshop. Now I can see the texture and it's not fuzzy, but some of the colors lost their depth... It will have to do.

It was a lucky thing that Jane DesRosier launched her new workshop at the time I was struggling with my canvas... While I didn't use her techniques for portrait painting on this particular piece, I did play with the collage technique that did two things: 1 - covered the marker lines, 2 - made a wonderful textured background for the painting.

Another angel followed this one. Now on my fight to get good photos of it, and I'll be able to post her too.

Different views on art

2011-04-07T18:15:00.002-07:00

While my eyes were searching for art in architectural details of the old city...

...my daughter's attention was focused on a completely different art form:

This is where her interests lay her right now:

And while I'll agree that graffiti art is fascinating, and I admire the shapes and colors (although I can't read anything) - I also think that it doesn't beautify the surroundings in most occasions and do not approve of graffiti art everywhere.

Luckily, she does her graffiti art on paper and tapes it to the wall. Except in one case.

She started one on my 12"x36" canvas using markers. After the letters were placed, she decided that it's not going to look the way she planned it, so she returned the canvas. I painted two layers of black gesso over it and covered all the marks. Then I started painting a face. At first the purple (on the left side) started to seep through and I liked the effect. After I allowed the first layers to dry I was surprised to see the marker showing through. I painted a layer of heavy gel medium over it, then added more paint and yet - more marker marks showed up. How interesting! Who would have guessed that gesso and mediums and paint wouldn't work to cover it... I said bye bye to this face and solved the problem in a different way (which I will show you soon).

back

2011-04-04T17:34:00.002-07:00

I'm back.... and I'm having a difficult time returning to normal blogging. I was going through 800+ photos trying to decide what to show, what to write... thinking about making several posts, then changing my mind and deciding not to write about the trip at all.... over-thinking it to the max. Opposite of that, I had no trouble at all writing to my friend, and because I think of you as friends too, I thought the best way would be if I share the email.
______________________________________

Hello again!

Somehow I don't feel like writing a long email now.... I have no idea where to start and what to write about. The more I think of our trip the more I realize how amazing it was. I glanced at some of my photos and am getting a bit speechless.... So I'll try the short approach.

At first I thought that I love it there; I'm familiar with everything and everyone, it's home... but I don't feel like I belong there (as I never did). I also know that I don't belong here either. Now that the time passed and we returned I still feel like I don't belong anywhere, but I'm over the feeling that I don't have a "home" anymore... it's more like I have two homes (because going there felt like going home, and coming back felt like coming home too), so that's a good thing.

We were spending each day with two or three different "sets" of friends/relatives.... It was like going from one smiling face to another, from one full table to the next one. It's funny how different it is when you've known someone while growing up (childhood, young adulthood). I can't explain how "normal" it was, how there was absolutely no 10-year long gap in communication with anyone, no awkward silences or forced dialogs... just complete and total acceptance everywhere. And love. What a feeling, eh?

Going to my parents' house was like touching your childhood. My Mom had boxes that I had packed 10 years ago waiting for me to sort through. I had no idea what was in them. Treasures. My kid's first shoes, my dolls, my journals, letters, postcards, stuff like that... Touching things that belonged to my grandmother and reconnecting with my early childhood was something I'll need time to process. It just brings peace to my heart.

So did the visit to that old graveyard I told you about. Believe it or not, it was Hana's first visit to a place like this, and I was glad that she had a chance to see where my grandparents' resting places are.

I always loved our churches... Could be the fact that they are so old, or it could be the thing that you can walk in them at any time of the day, any day and no one will bother you. You find peace just by walking int. So we went to several...

Almost every home we visited had a special wine that "so and so" made or brandy from "this and that" fruit or place and they were all amazing.
Totally amazing.

And the food.... don't even start me on that.... I had every single thing that I wished for. Didn't have to search for it. It was all there. And although very fattening I didn't gain a pound from it.... weird.

We had another visit with a legendary 83-year old sculptor (Svetomir Arsic Basara) in one of his studios... (last time was 10y ago). He very generously allowed me to take pictures of whatever I wanted, said that I should feel like I'm at my own home... so I did.

I can't describe how that visit felt. They way he talks, thinks, the sound of his voice.... and the way he forms sentences. My goodness!!!! At one point I was totally hypnotized.... I think Sasha moved or something and broke the spell that I didn't realize I was under.

He was talking about the act of creating, the way he feels it, things he found out about art, things he thought about his own art. It was b e a u t i f u l!!!!

It was coming from his soul, yet at the same time it felt like it was coming from my soul and I had tears in my eyes. Unexplainable... and a once in a lifetime kind of thing. I can't stop thinking about it. It's like it was coming from the deepest parts of me, the parts I don't even know. Weird!!! Very weird!!!

I spent some time (not nearly enough) with a dear, dear friend that is very sick; marveled at how gracefully and positively he is accepting it. Please send some positive thoughts to him. He needs all the good wishes he can get.

I was glad that Sasha's sister joined us in our walk through the oldest part of Belgrade fortress (btw - Belgrade was formed by Celts, in 3rd century B.C. and had a very long history of different invaders, so it's very cool there; not to mention that the fortress overlooks the river Danube). We had a perfect spring day, ate ice-cream, took pictures and simply relaxed...

Oh my. It is turning into a long email. I'll stop. I didn't mean to sound boring, but I guess there is no "short" way about it.
I stopped.

Care to see any photos?

xoxoxo

2011-03-25T08:31:00.002-07:00

Fly little bird fly...

2011-03-17T09:51:00.002-07:00

Thank you for all the sweet comments on the previous post. I guess we all wish that we can do whatever we want... and certainly in a journal we all can

(send me an email if you try something crazy).

It will be pretty silent on this blog for a couple of weeks. Today we are flying all the way from San Francisco to here. It is a place where there are people that know me when I was little, where my feet will remember the streets, where many dreams started and some came true. Hana was a six year old girl when she was there the last time. Now she's returning as a 16-y-old teenager. I think what I'm looking forward the most is to see her reactions to everything and everyone...

As much as I can't wait to be there, I already miss our home. I went around today snapping pictures... This is how the tree in our backyard looks now:

I wonder if it will be in its full glory when we return or will the flowers fall off.

I don't expect to have time to do any art there, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't have at least some supplies with me. I thought you'd like to see what I'm taking with me on the plane. Are you familiar with Magay Ohika's (itsybitsyspill) art? I adore her quirky figures and amazing use of color. I treated myself to one of her clutches. It will house my supplies and bring me joy every time I reach for it. Inside will be my little watercolor set, several pencils, conte crayons, a brush and probably some water-soluble pencils or crayons (I can't make up my mind). Oh, and a new journal of course... I couldn't use one many that are lying around... Do you see Sharon's little card? I can't leave without my friend, so I'm taking her card with me. Her new amazing class will start soon.... I will join it when I return.

Look who's else travelling with me:

Another etsy find. Everyone knows how much I love birds, so I think this was made for me.
Isn't that the cutest ring ever? I found it here and fell in love (there is even a coupon code if you are interested - MGMBLOG).

That's it for now. Stay safe, be creative and have fun.

I can do whatever I want

2011-03-15T16:38:00.002-07:00

I can do whatever I want!!!!!

In my journal, of course.

And I guess in my dreams too.

I pretty much broke all the rules and used everything that is not supposed to go together on this page. Oil pastels, watercolors, color pencils, gesso, crayons.... I also used every possible color that I could reach without standing up and searching for it. I'm not saying that it looks good or that it's something that I plan to do always, but I can if I want to. That's the point. My journal, my art, my time to do whatever I want.

My dreams are never as crazy or fun as this page... Maybe I can change that too :-)

Spilling dots revisited

2011-03-09T19:29:00.002-08:00

You might remember my first "Spilling dots" post, how I was charmed by ladybugs and inspired
to paint something.

I wrote that I liked the detail of the painting much more than the whole painting.

Today was the day when I finally couldn't stand to look at it any more, so I changed it.

It's so easy to play with paint! I'm less and less scared of it. You don't like it - paint over.

This might not be the final version, but the layers of colors, texture... it makes me happy now and I had a blast painting over it.

Just a little reminder - I'm closing my etsy store in 5 days...
If you use coupon BLOGLOVE you will receive 20% discount.

Do it anyway...

2011-03-01T13:52:00.002-08:00

Earlier today I wrote to my friend that I'm sitting in my studio and have no idea what to paint. I added that I might decide to get a brush in hand and see what happens. So I did. I painted a face and hated it. The color was wrong, one eye was higher than the other (which I do almost always), her forehead was ridiculously small etc. etc. I disliked the page so much that I just grabbed a black pencil and angrily made circular marks around her eye. And then it happened... the feeling that I like most when creating. Something in me broke loose... probably because I had no expectations at that moment. I continued drawing, adding crayons, paint, markers, words... The result is not important (although I think I like her now). It is the process. I was free to play and I had fun. So yes, even if you don't know what to do - do it anyway, because you'll probably have fun as much as I did.

More birds.... new video

2011-02-22T19:50:00.002-08:00

More etsy sales, more birds.... This time they are flying to USA, United Kingdom and Australia. To add to the international feel of the day sweet Chris from Brazil started my workshop. Just to remind anyone that's interested or new to the blog - my Mixed Media Playground is constantly open and ready for you whenever you have the time. Janie recently posted on her blog the lovely book she made from my class. Made me smile from ear to ear.

Back to my birds... I thought you might enjoy seeing how I make these little paintings. It's a simple project, so if you try it - let me know how you liked it.

Bird(s) on a wire

2011-02-18T23:09:00.002-08:00

First I painted some birds on watercolor paper.

Then I cut them out.

I have a stash of painted paper, so I chose a couple of colors.

Cut them up, collaged on heavy watercolor paper, and added the birds and words.

I think this might be my first purple bird...

They are all packed now as thank you cards to the dear ladies that supported my etsy sale. I hope they'll like them. Happy weekend!

Big, big, big SALE

2011-02-16T13:08:00.002-08:00

For some time I have been thinking about changing what and how I do, and today seemed to be just the right day to make a decision. We have rain and hail and it's cold and windy, but for some reason I feel very energized... so I used the energy to make a shop announcement on etsy.

I am going to close my store a month from now. It will be closed for a while, and when it reopens it will have only digital downloads. My wish is to sell most of my art (I'm keeping a few pieces for myself), so if you are interested in original art - now is the time to look. I dramatically lowered the prices - nothing is more than $30.00, most much lower.

I don't know if I showed these birds - they are in etsy too. And so are 30 other paintings and journals

Take a look. Maybe there is something that speaks to you!

Under the flowering tree

2011-02-13T14:42:00.002-08:00

This is pretty big, probably the largest portrait I ever painted; it's on 16"x20" canvas. I experimented a bit... The canvas was on an easel, not on my table (like I'm used to).

I wanted flowers to be raised, to have a high texture without using any texture mediums.

I used this huge monster brush for the most part and a palette knife for the flowers. I had much less control than I'm used to, but a lot of fun. It's always interesting to step out of the comfort zone... not very pleasant, but interesting, so I'll try something new again soon.

Enjoying color and texture

2011-02-11T11:08:00.002-08:00

Spilling dots

2011-02-08T12:39:00.002-08:00

While walking through the beautiful redwoods over the weekend, my dh and I stumbled upon something we have never seen before.

Hundreds? Thousands?

Maybe more. They were everywhere (including my hair). It was amazing...

I immediately knew that I want to paint them. Actually, not "them" - just one.

And I did.

Too bad that I still can't learn to photograph big pieces. This is 24"x24" and here, on the photo, it looks like big mess (to me, at least). It's like the under-layers of the painting show more than the layers above them. It's nothing like the painting I'm looking at in real life. I mean, it is - but it's not. The actual painting I like, the photo not so much. I wonder why is that...

I like the detail much more.

Four together

2011-02-04T10:39:00.002-08:00

There were several kind commenters asking me to take a picture of the four angels together. So I did... I took them outside and they fit just right on the bench. An angel gathering on the bench... funny.

When placed together like this they are 48"x36", pretty big... that surface gives very different energy from the images in my journals.

Emelie wrote "they deserve to be in an entryway to greet guests and family and also to bless them as they leave". Doesn't that sound lovely? I loved the thought of it (thank you Emelie) and hopefully a person with a nice entryway will think the same thing and wish to purchase them one day. For now they are living in my art room, greeting mostly me. I put some push pins on the the door and a wall and just hung them there. And I like them there, because every day I get to see new details, that really don't show well on the pictures (and when I use a flash like on the following picture, the details and colors don't show well at all).

I was pretty busy painting this whole week, so there will be more things to share.

Did you notice that it's already a new month? I should change the page on my calendar...
Happy February!

Angel #4

2011-01-30T10:17:00.002-08:00

This is the last one (for now). Same size 12"x36", on canvas.

I haven't shown any birds in a while, so they had to make an appearance.

Thank you for all the lovely comments for the previous angel. It makes me happy to know that you like my experiments on larger format.

Blue-green angel

2011-01-28T11:33:00.002-08:00

More than a week from my last post.... the time flies. I was painting, just not showing. I noticed that when I sit at the computer to do something it turns into a many hours long session, so I just limited my time drastically for the time being.

Here is the third angel in my series. This one is a gentle soul. I painted the forth one too, but something about her bothers me, so I'm not sure if I should show her or not.

Same size as the previous ones - 12"x36". I think I am getting used to painting bigger...

Happy weekend! xo

My angel

2011-01-20T17:01:00.002-08:00

12"x36"

Angel Protector

2011-01-18T12:22:00.002-08:00

Photographing this was harder than painting... but I think I have it in a presentable shape now. There are so many yummy details in this painting that I had to make a little collage of some of them.

I think these might be my favorite and they are lost when you look at the whole painting. Can you find the word safe on the door? And protect home in the crown? Hope you like it.

Don't do this

2011-01-17T18:46:00.002-08:00

Don't place your coffee mug right next to your brush water...

I was painting this tall lady and was pretty much lost in our little imaginary conversation and before long you can imagine what happened.

I don't think that coffee with titanium white is really good for you, or tasty. And for those that might remember this... yes, I'm drinking coffee again. I don't really need it, I'm wide awake at any time I should be in the morning, but I love it... and it's a ritual, so I'm back at it.

54x24" update

2011-01-14T17:05:00.002-08:00

Everything about painting big is so different from what I'm used to... and I guess because that was not "enough" of a challenge, I decided to paint birds with oil paints, which I did only once before. I am still debating whether to add words, like I'm used to or will it not look right on this scale. Also - I have no idea how to photograph them well. I hope the weather will be nice over the weekend so that my husband can help me with that. Until then - this is the only photo I managed to take.
I'm off bravely to a next big canvas! Pushing through the uncomfortable feeling of "I don't know how to do this". Let's see what happens...
Happy weekend!

11.1.11.

2011-01-11T18:17:00.002-08:00

When the day has so many number 1-s I guess it's a good day to start something. So I did... I started painting BIG, much bigger than I ever did. You can see me with the canvas - it is 18x24"!!! And I painted not one, but three as a group, which means that the final painting will be 54x24" which is HUGE! It's far from finished, but I wanted to share just so that I can write today's day in the title.

I hope you had an amazing day :-)

Pink bird

2011-01-10T17:33:00.002-08:00

I have painted many, many birds over the years, but I don't think I ever painted a pink bird... or thought of doing it. The inspiration for the pink bird came from a far-away place, all the way from Dubai.
Thank you so very much Sophie!

Roses and lace

2011-01-05T18:33:00.002-08:00

I didn't have too much time to paint over the holidays, so when Monday came and everyone left to work/school I pretty much jumped to my studio, found a warm spot and didn't leave it until I really had to.

I had so much fun while painting these ladies.... It was extra relaxing and probably something I like to paint the most - faces and roses. Actually, if I added birds then it would be my most favorite thing to paint.

Now I can't stop looking at them and arranging and rearranging them... this one should be in the middle... no, this one.... maybe they look better as a pair etc. etc.

Now that I have roses and lace out of my system, I can go back to reading blogs, answering to emails and the not so pleasant task of cleaning my studio. If I don't do it soon, there will not be enough place to paint even a tiny ATC...

If you need some romantic roses and lace in your life, you can find all three listed in my etsy shop.

2011-01-02T23:09:00.002-08:00

1/1/11

2011-01-01T21:13:00.002-08:00

I wanted to paint something today because the day 1.1.11 is just too cool to pass without posting something on the blog, but I procrastinated until it was late evening. I have been thinking about trees, but had no real inspiration. Finally, I did what I always do when I don't have ideas - I picked a paintbrush, piece of watercolor paper and random colors. This is what turned out.

Surprised me... not a face...

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, I whispered a lot of wishes today. There are no butterflies around, but it would be nice if they heard them and carried my wishes with them...

I hope your day was beautiful.

2010 review

2010-12-31T09:33:00.002-08:00

I did this kind of a photo-review last year and liked seeing everything in one place so much that I decided to do it again. I think that it might be interesting for some of the new readers of my blog, and maybe not so much for ones that followed me through the year. I hope you have fast web connection and a cup of something warm beside you.

January

January was so long ago... I remember how I sketched the little girl and bird while on my day job, daydreaming about my studio. I painted my first journal page ever with oils, played with our friends' dogs and dug the world's smallest radishes. I also held my breath and posted my first video on YouTube. It seemed like such a big deal at the time.

February

I enjoyed Sharon's workshop, continued painting angels, and encouraged by comments added more videos to YouTube. This one is my shortest (1:25) and I think my most favorite.

March

In March I played with rosin paper, used crackle, planted a vegetable garden, and was interviewed by Magickal Meliss (here).

April

Celebrated Easter, painted very unblended portraits, explored crackle paint and wrote about different cackle products here.

May

I picked up the biggest rose ever, purchased pan pastels, painted purple hydrangeas somewhere (I don't know in which journal and I can't find them).

June
June was super cool. Baby boy graduated from college and made us all very proud, the weather was beautiful so I sketched outside, I went crazy with all the beautiful Pan Pastel colors so I created a ton of same faces just so I can enjoy blending and combining the colors.

July
In July I painted with light from my camera, rocked my Vibram shoes, jogged 20 minutes without stopping for the first time in my life. I was unbelievably proud of myself!

August
I failed at trying to capture Hana and her red hair (not red anymore - she's black-haired now), had a little talk with a bird, enjoyed my camera. I also visited Grand Canyon for the first time, almost lost my head from all the beauty and didn't post one photo... I couldn't pick the right one from hundreds I took.

September
This was a difficult month. Not one of my faces was happy. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I stopped working at my day job and the day after painted my lion lady, trying to give myself some strength.

October
I stopped drinking coffee and mourned it (so I started again in December), painted a lot, made the best ice-cream with only two ingredients, created journals with a secret, re-opened my etsy shop.

November
In November I made many, many little ACEO/ATC cards. I had so much fun with them! I also made digital ATC collage kits and heard very nice things about them from people that bought them. I loved seeing all the creative ways my images were incorporated in someone else's work.

December
I think I cooked much more than I painted in December... I also launched my first online workshop. I should have probably waited for January, as almost everyone is too busy in December, but since it's an ongoing workshop, with all the videos readily available online I thought that any time would be fine.

Did you make it through? This was my longest post ever, longer even than last year.
I liked this year. It was mostly kind to us, and I can't wish more for the next one. With that said, I wish you a happy, healthful, prosperous and creative 2011!
xoxo

Brown-red-orange again

2010-12-30T13:16:00.002-08:00

Same colors as in the previous post, but this time all three (+ white). I think I am done with the limited palette for now. Expect to see all colors of the rainbow + texture + collage very soon.

I am preparing the world's longest blog post ever. Either prepare a cup of coffee/tea for tomorrow or just skip it... it will be extra very long. xo

Brown-red-orange

2010-12-26T17:35:00.002-08:00

Because I enjoyed the blue-brown portrait a lot and because my painting time is very limited these days and because painting with just two colors doesn't require too much brain power, I decided to try again.

This one is Van Dyke Brown Hue + Pyrrole Red (+Titanium White).

And this one the same brown + C.P. Cadmium Orange (+white)

I painted them both in my moleskine journal. Wish I had a layer of gesso, the paint would look more creamy, but I didn't have the patience to wait for gesso to dry.

Interesting how the left one seems cold compared to the right one...

I think that this is a fun way to explore color, so I'll probably continue.

Which one do you like more - red or orange?

Feeling like a kid...

2010-12-25T18:05:00.002-08:00

My daughter had a confident smile on her face while she was giving me her present. She said that it is something that kids would like, and that she is sure that I will like it too. 150 crayola crayons!!! In a fun three-tier container! With metallic and glitter crayons too! I couldn't be happier! She knows her mom well.

The boy was smiling too.... he said he thought that I would enjoy the picture of Ricky Martin (maybe the book also) and he knows that I completely adore Zelda and her wisdom. He knows me well too.

And, yes... it's not about the gifts. I need nothing more than to look at their smiling faces and they know it. Still, it's fun to get presents and right now I don't know whether to read or color first (actually - I did both already).