Stretching Out of the Comfort Level.

“Creativity takes courage.” 

~Henri Matisse 

Have you ever worked on a piece that caused you 

to stretch a bit out of your comfort zone?

Don't laugh... but initially, for me it was the use of textural products...

unryu rice paper, gesso, modeling paste and more. 

I was so accustomed to how my paints worked on a flat surface... 

on what I was most comfortable with.

It took quite a bit of trial and error to get my color to look pleasing over texture.

It was such a stretch in the beginning... 

and yet it became that gentle reminder 

to be brave in the "process"...

because that's where the

magic 

happens.

I chose to share this piece because it was based on one of the projects 

from Junelle Jacobsen's Wild Art Summer

I know I mention Junelle a lot here, 

but I am a big fan of her online classes.

I've come to know the comfort in her style of teaching.

She has a way of connecting, sharing, and teaching to everyone.

from the beginner to the seasoned artist...

from the "baby lamb" to the "mature ewe"...

(she's a little cray cray for sheep)

all from her overwhelmingly big heart

and her most grounded soul.

If  you are interested in working with watercolors,

stretching your wings,

while learning some fun and playful techniques, 

that will free your soul to create beautiful art...

I highly recommend her Fall/Winter class online.

It starts October 22... with a warm & welcoming 

Open House on October 15th.

sign ups going on now...

Can't wait to see what she has in store for us.

I give it 10 hearts up!

the Art of Holiday Goodness by Junelle Jacobsen

2013... a new word... a new year... another journey...

 The word for this year... 

A D V E N T U R E...

with an emphasis on the word 

"V E N T U R E".

In order to adventure, 

you must be brave.

You have to be willing to step out...

try something new...

something exciting... something risky.

Last year was spent learning, exploring and developing.

This year it will be about

V E N T U R I N G off...

into unknown territory"

with a plan.

(Always good to have that map when you go on an adventure!)

Painting will be predominant. 

There are plans for local workshops and kids classes 

on my map of 2013.

I learned how to make a video

 through the beauty of Vivienne McMaster's ecourses,

(which I highly recommend)! 

Making video tutorial's and/or an ecourse 

in watercolor is also on the map.

All based around "color" 

(my favorite thing) 

and learning to "see".

... and lastly...

I'll be posting an idea for a painting challenge.

Stay tuned for the first posting in February. 

It will be fun, inspiring, and have an end result, 

that's advantageous to all!

oh- yeah... and there's that website that I need to finish up...

(It's on the map of 2013 as well) 

In the meantime, I just cleaned up my blog space to prepare for new things ahead.

I hope you'll join me 

as we journey through 2013

A D V E N T U R I N G

together.

Bring your own map and check back often...

I am sure our paths were meant to cross.

Where we've been... Where we're going...

Blink... and it's gone... 

October... seriously... poof... gone...

I got to thinking about 
T I M E..
and how,
as much as  
I T  
leaves us- 
IT  
shows up again
leaving its mark 
in the
"where we have been"
and 
"where we are going".

Where I have been this past month, is working my tail feathers off 
towards a few goals and possibilities...
Where I am going... is on that same path of 
putting various forms of my artistic soul 
out into the world.

...gulp!

With that, I am so pleased to be included in a group show starting November 9th. 
A first time- out of state, gallery show! 
Six of my original mixed media pieces will be on view 
and available for sale at LEDE Gallery, Wake Forest, NC. 
They are part of a show called "Taking Flight, a journey of extraordinary women." 
The exhibit is comprised of a group of artists, 
who participated in an e-course 

together with "Kelly Rae Roberts", 

a well known mixed media artist, and "possibilitarian". 

This show, was born out of a dream that Dani Keith, 
an artist, metalsmith & jewelry designer had...
 to bring together, the art and passion of this group in a curated show of work.
The first part of her dream, and the dream of other's 
will be realized this week at LEDE Gallery.
The second part of the journey involves a show 
at Reston Arts Center, Virginia. 
If you aren't in the NC area, and want to check my pieces out, 
they will be available on dailypaintworks, as well. 
(a few shown above)

Looking forward to being part of some wonderful-ness
with much gratitude!