Sushi Swirls

This is my interpretation of the current Different Strokes challenge. It's a more abstract approach than most. This was my second version. I'll post the first one when I get a chance.

IMT - Coffee Break

I love this topic! Maybe because I love coffee? Not sure how much time I'll have to paint something on this topic, but it's for a good reason! I get to spend all weekend painting with Brian Smith (http://www.drawn2life.com/). He is also "Mr. November" in American Artist. Can't wait!

Anyway, I did snap this photo of my coffee break...may even do a painting out of this....

IMT - Carve

Print from carving a styrofoam meat tray:
















This print was made from carving into a sheet of children's craft foam, printing with acrylic paint and then colouring lightly with coloured pencils:

IMT - Nervous Cat

The theme for this weeks Inspire Me Thursday is "nervous". Have you heard the expression..."as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs" ? Here is my interpretation. It didn't make me nervous to do this but it did make me laugh.

OK, so it's not exactly a hang on the wall piece of art, just a page in my sketchbook, but it was fun and I learned that I could quite easily paint and collage a room that looks like it has some depth.

What does make me nervous is putting my art out there for people to see, especially in a show or something. It's easy to second-guess yourself when you're surrounded by "real" artists. But, you know what...I'm starting to figure out that I am a "real" artist too. It took me months to finally jump in and create an ETSY shop, but I'm glad I did.




P.S. No cats or other animals were injured in the making of this image. :)

When the soul lies down in that grass

This week's Inspire Me Thursday is a poem by Rumi:

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language - even the phrase "each other" - doesn't make any sense.
- Rumi

These are my fields. I think my soul would like to lie down in this grass:

Shrink - Days 4 & 6

Heres buddy on day 4:

Here he is on day 6. Unfortunately he's starting to grow on the inside where I cored him out, so I don't think I'll be doing too much more with him. Say goodbye to Buddy!

Shrink - Day 2

Buddy's not looking quite as friendly today!

Polka Dot

Here is my Polka Dot entry. This is actually a 2-piece object and I just need to join the front and back with hinges. When it's closed, you can see the little girl through the window. Too bad it doesn't scan well!

Outside front:



Inside Front:Inside back with door open:
Inside back with door closed:

Beauty in Everyday Things

I think the beauty in everyday things comes alive when you take the time to look a little closer. Who would have thought that coals in a fireplace could contain such a variety of textures:

Some see a beat up pair of shoes...a runner feels the freedom, the fresh air, blood pumping, life: