Entries Tagged as: creative every day 2009
Art Every Day Month Check-In: November 9th
November 9th, 2009, Comments (27)
Today is the 9th day of Art Every Day Month. Already it seems like the month is flying by. But I love this connection I make with myself each day when I sit down to create. It makes the month of November feel sacred to me. And I'm so grateful to be sharing it with all of you!
The box below is a widget that I provide each day as an optional place to share a direct link (blog post or flickr image) to that day's creation. If you don't have something to share today, don't worry about it! Share when you can. In the meantime, be sure to check out what other participants are creating! Check out the links from today's post and the links in the sidebar for instant inspiration. You can also see lots of great work in the AEDM flickr group. Feel free to share your work there too!
If you use the widget, please link to a specific blog post (or specific image if you're linking to a flickr page or other website) instead of your main blog page or website. If you want to share, but don't have a specific page to link to, feel free to use the comments section of this post to share what you're working on. If you're posting less than once a day, no problem! Simply use the latest one of these posts to share a link to your creation. For some, it's too much to keep up with posting every day, but don't let that get you down. Do it if you can and if you can't, just keep on creating, that's the most important part. If you get off track and miss a few days of creating, don't let that freeze you up either. Just pick up where you left off and keep moving forward. One foot in front of the other. You are making your life a more creative one with each step.
If you're new to Art Every Day Month, check out the AEDM info page for all the details, then send me an email to sign-up before you use the link widget to share your creations. (If that email link isn't working, you can email me at leah at bluetreeartgallery.com)
Instructions: Please see the Art Every Day Month Instructions post if you have any confusion about how to post your link or how to sign up.
Twitter: Are you participating in AEDM and you're on Twitter too? I'm on there as @leah_art and I've been using the hashtag #aedm to mark Art Every Day Month tweets. I also started a Twitter list for AEDM which can help you easily find Twitter folks who are participating. If you're not on the Twitter list yet and would like to be, send me a DM (Direct Message on Twitter.)
The call to create is a calling like no other, a voice within that howls for expression, shadow longing to merge with light. ~Jan Phillips
I read this quote in an art piece that Gina created for Art Every Day Month. I wanted to find the source of the quote and discovered it here in this article. So inspiring!
Itty Bitty Kitty Art: White Cat
November 8th, 2009, Comments (31)
I've been thinking of doing a series of "itty bitty kitty art" for so long, so I'm glad that Art Every Day Month has prompted me to give it a go! I've done small cat art before, but I'd like to do a whole bunch of them. Plus, I like saying "itty bitty kitty." Hehe.
This little white cat is acrylic and ink on a 4"x4" cradled board. Oh so cute. I needed something light today after the busy weekend of having house guests over night and hosting a baby shower. Phew! It's been busy. But I'm so glad I carved out this art time. It's amazing what we can do when we set our minds to it, isn't it?
And now to kick up my feet and relax a bit. I'm a tad behind on emails, but will return to them tomorrow.
Art Every Day Month Check-In: November 8th
November 8th, 2009, Comments (21)
Today is the 8th day of Art Every Day Month. Happy creating everyone!
The box below is a widget that I provide each day as an optional place to share a direct link (blog post or flickr image) to that day's creation. If you don't have something to share today, don't worry about it! Share when you can. In the meantime, be sure to check out what other participants are creating! Check out the links from today's post and the links in the sidebar for instant inspiration. You can also see lots of great work in the AEDM flickr group. Feel free to share your work there too!
If you use the widget, please link to a specific blog post (or specific image if you're linking to a flickr page or other website) instead of your main blog page or website. If you want to share, but don't have a specific page to link to, feel free to use the comments section of this post to share what you're working on. If you're posting less than once a day, no problem! Simply use the latest one of these posts to share a link to your creation. For some, it's too much to keep up with posting every day, but don't let that get you down. Do it if you can and if you can't, just keep on creating, that's the most important part. If you get off track and miss a few days of creating, don't let that freeze you up either. Just pick up where you left off and keep moving forward. One foot in front of the other. You are making your life a more creative one with each step.
If you're new to Art Every Day Month, check out the AEDM info page for all the details, then send me an email to sign-up before you use the link widget to share your creations. (If that email link isn't working, you can email me at leah at bluetreeartgallery.com)
Instructions: Please see the Art Every Day Month Instructions post if you have any confusion about how to post your link or how to sign up.
Twitter: Are you participating in AEDM and you're on Twitter too? I'm on there as @leah_art and I've been using the hashtag #aedm to mark Art Every Day Month tweets. I also started a Twitter list for AEDM which can help you easily find Twitter folks who are participating. If you're not on the Twitter list yet and would like to be, send me a DM (Direct Message on Twitter.)
Creativity is a mindset, an attitude. Regardless of how we feel - low or high or in between - creativity is always there. ~Nikki Coulombe
Thought Ghost
November 7th, 2009, Comments (12)
This one's a little spooky! Reminds me of a Dementor (from Harry Potter.) Like yesterday, I worked intuitively on this one. The initial paint shapes took the form of a large hand on a woman's chest and a ghost-like figure. I brought them out more in paint and a bit of ink. I think this has to do with waking up with racing thoughts.
It was good to do my art first thing this morning. The hubster was even there for the beginning. He drew me his own version of a bear (a cartoon bear with a bowtie and a jar of honey.) Hehe.
We've got family visiting later today and I'm hosting a baby shower for my bff tomorrow, so I won't be online much, but I'll still be posting my art here and I wish you all a fabulously creative weekend!
Art Every Day Month Check-In: November 7th
November 7th, 2009, Comments (17)
Today is the 7th day of Art Every Day Month. Holy cannoli, a full week of Art Every Day is under our belts! No matter where you're at in the process, no matter how imperfectly it's going for you, give yourself some props today. You're doing beautifully.
The box below is a widget that I provide each day as an optional place to share a direct link (blog post or flickr image) to that day's creation. If you don't have something to share today, don't worry about it! Share when you can. In the meantime, be sure to check out what other participants are creating! Check out the links from today's post and the links in the sidebar for instant inspiration. You can also see lots of great work in the AEDM flickr group. Feel free to share your work there too!
If you use the widget, please link to a specific blog post (or specific image if you're linking to a flickr page or other website) instead of your main blog page or website. If you want to share, but don't have a specific page to link to, feel free to use the comments section of this post to share what you're working on. If you're posting less than once a day, no problem! Simply use the latest one of these posts to share a link to your creation. For some, it's too much to keep up with posting every day, but don't let that get you down. Do it if you can and if you can't, just keep on creating, that's the most important part. If you get off track and miss a few days of creating, don't let that freeze you up either. Just pick up where you left off and keep moving forward. One foot in front of the other. You are making your life a more creative one with each step.
If you're new to Art Every Day Month, check out the AEDM info page for all the details, then send me an email to sign-up before you use the link widget to share your creations. (If that email link isn't working, you can email me at leah at bluetreeartgallery.com)
Instructions: Please see the Art Every Day Month Instructions post if you have any confusion about how to post your link or how to sign up.
Twitter: Are you participating in AEDM and you're on Twitter too? I'm on there as @leah_art and I've been using the hashtag #aedm to mark Art Every Day Month tweets. I also started a Twitter list for AEDM which can help you easily find Twitter folks who are participating. If you're not on the Twitter list yet and would like to be, send me a DM (Direct Message on Twitter.)
When we open the channel of creativity we invite the flow of a greater power in and through our lives. - Dana Lynne Andersen
Red Bear
November 6th, 2009, Comments (36)
red bear
Today was frustrating, not because of art, but because of other stuff. And I'm glad it's Art Every Day Month because it gave me a great excuse to get out some of my feelings in paint. I had no clue what I was going to work on when I started. I put some water on watercolor paper and then dropped black ink onto parts which made the ink spread out like dark stars or upset blowfish.
I let that dry, then went forward with red paints, squirting directly onto the paper, moving the paint with a brush and my fingers, then a touch of yellow, turquoise, and purple. Then I let it dry across the room, looking at it occasionally while I did other things. The first thing I saw in it was a bear face at the top. I tried looking for other things, but the bear was so clear, I had to paint it. It was an angry looking bear. I looked up images of bears running to get some inspiration and then I dove back in, adding legs and belly to the bear. And claws. The yellow around the black ink spots looked like dandelions, so I gave them stems.
Somewhere along the way, I noticed a figure in the bear, just a face and shoulders, sort of like a bust (see detail above.) I could have brought her out more, but I decided to let her stay there. I like how she resides right in the spot the heart would be.
While the difficult stuff is still there, I feel so much calmer in my body. And I'm grateful to the bear that showed up today to help me out, and to myself for showing up at the page.
Elephant Love
November 5th, 2009, Comments (20)
Well, hello little blue elephant! Isn't he cute?
I drew this guy in my sketchbook a couple months ago and today felt like the right time to bring him to life in collage, paint, and ink. I went back and forth about whether or not to paint the elephant or the sky behind him in a warm color, like the bottom. But I like that the elephant is blue. I went back and forth, putting little pieces of paper on the piece to see how a different color might look and then putting the painting in different parts of the room to see it from different perspectives. And then I realized I like it for now and I can always re-visit it.
I work fairly quickly when I make art, but when it comes to processing things, I move slow. It's helpful when I get in that processing phase to let the art sit for a day, leaving it somewhere where I'll see it as I go about my work. After a day or so of doing this, I usually know what the next step is or if it's done.
If you're feeling stuck or unsure about something you're working on, give yourself permission to stop. Either move on to something else for awhile or just stop for the day and come back with fresh eyes the next day.
Happy creating, everyone!
Sleepwalker
November 4th, 2009, Comments (35)
I've been focusing on self-care a lot today, noticing when and how I can do those little things that make my day sweeter... like eating a warm lunch (instead of something cold and quick), getting some exercise, taking a break to drink hot chocolate and watch So You Think You Can Dance. It's all laying a good foundation to help carry me through Art Every Day Month.
Last night I took some time to doodle in my sketchbook before going to sleep. This is one of my favorite idea-generating tools. In my sketchbook, I just let loose, playing and drawing whatever popped into my head, doodling, and having fun. One of the things I drew last night was this sleepwalker, I think she expresses some of the blah energy I was feeling yesterday. I really enjoyed bringing her to life in collage, paint, and ink. And thankfully, I'm feeling much more energetic today.
I used to sleepwalk as a kid occasionally. Once I woke up in the hallway with all my sheets and blankets in my arms. I'd stripped the bed in my sleep and carried them out to the hall before I woke up. But this sleepwalking woman is less about actually sleepwalking and more about feeling that sleepwalking feeling when you're awake, like you're there, but not. Not a fun feeling. When I was able to check-in, I realized I needed some rest, some time to doodle and play, and some good self-care. Being able to check-in with yourself, find out what you need, and get those things (or ask for help) is so important to maintaining a creative lifestyle.
I'm glad to be fully awake again today, enjoying the creating and the creativity that's surrounding me. It's a beautiful thing!
Art Every Day Month: November 4th
November 4th, 2009, Comments (15)
Today is the 4th day of Art Every Day Month. I realized yesterday that I was totally tuckered out and needed to take some time to rest. Remember to take good care of yourself during this process! It'll help sustain you through the month!
The box below is a widget that I provide each day as an optional place to share a direct link (blog post or flickr image) to that day's creation. If you don't have something to share today, don't worry about it! Share when you can. In the meantime, be sure to check out what other participants are creating! Check out the links from today's post and the links in the sidebar for instant inspiration. You can also see lots of great work in the AEDM flickr group. Feel free to share your work there too!
If you use the widget, please link to a specific blog post (or specific image if you're linking to a flickr page or other website) instead of your main blog page or website. If you want to share, but don't have a specific page to link to, feel free to use the comments section of this post to share what you're working on. If you're posting less than once a day, no problem! Simply use the latest one of these posts to share a link to your creation. For some, it's too much to keep up with posting every day, but don't let that get you down. Do it if you can and if you can't, just keep on creating, that's the most important part. If you get off track and miss a few days of creating, don't let that freeze you up either. Just pick up where you left off and keep moving forward. One foot in front of the other. You are making your life a more creative one with each step.
If you're new to Art Every Day Month, check out the AEDM info page for all the details, then send me an email to sign-up before you use the link widget to share your creations. (If that email link isn't working, you can email me at leah at bluetreeartgallery.com)
Instructions: Please see the Art Every Day Month Instructions post if you have any confusion about how to post your link or how to sign up.
There are many accidents that are nothing but accidents - and forget it. But there are some that were brought about only because you are the person you are... you have the wherewithal, intelligence, and energy to recognize it and do something with it. ~Helen Frankenthaler
Twitter Update: If you're on Twitter (I'm on there as @leah_art), I've been using the hashtag #aedm to mark Art Every Day Month tweets. And yesterday, I started a Twitter list for AEDM which can help you easily find Twitter folks who are participating. And if you're not on the Twitter list yet and would like to be, send me a DM.
Cassiopeia
November 3rd, 2009, Comments (27)
cassiopeia
Well, it seems I took today's make bad art advice today because I made a lot of bad art today. Heh. Nothing was flowing. I just had to laugh at one point when things were looking a bit like poo...literally.
But I kept on going, playing, working, cropping, playing some more, stepping away for awhile, going in a completely different direction. And oh boy, did it end up in a different place than where I started. And that's ok. Some days are just like that.
One thing led to the next with collage, paint, and ink, and this woman appeared looking like a constellation, which made me think of a 5th grade report I'd done on Cassiopeia, a constellation named after a woman in Greek mythology. Turns out Cassiopeia was punished (for thinking she and her daughter were gorgeous) by being turned into a constellation where a majority of the year she'd hang upside-down or sideways. So, my Cassiopeia got turned on her head. I think she likes the way it makes her hair flow. And I could relate to her feeling of being turned upside-down. The beginning of AEDM is always a little tiring for me as I get everyone signed up and situated while producing my own art. Things always calm down after the first week, but right now I'm a combination of super inspired and totally pooped! (again with the poo?) 
cassiopeia twins
Later while cropping my art in photshop, I thought it might be fun to make a twin of her, right-side up and upside down. More fun play. And now, it's time to get some rest. I'm planning to watch V with the hubster. Happy creating everyone!
