Snuck in some art during yesterday and today's nap times and came up with this creation, "Dark Night." Going with the mixed-media theme, I used acrylic paints on watercolor paper to start, and later went into it with white and black inks. I had intended to do something different, but as often happens, once I get started, I see some shape in the paint and have to go with it!

One of my favorite ways to work in mixed-media lately is with paint and ink. I think it's partly the immediacy of it. Acrylic paint and ink dry fairly quickly and the ink part is not messy, too things that have become more important to me with a baby at home.

Speaking of making art with a baby at home, I recently did a guest post about how I fit in time to make art during my first year as a mom, which you can read here. It's part of a series about motherhood and creativity, with lots of great posts, so check it out!

I'm still knee deep in grief here. But I've found some comfort in art, which is nice. I don't always feel like drawing and painting when I've experienced loss in the past, so I'm glad it can be a good way to let things out now.

The piece above was completely spontaneous and a lovely surprise. I had a pad of tracing paper in front of me on my art table, left out after making a playful Valentine's Day card for Andrew from Annabelle. I picked up some brush pens and started to draw on the top sheet. It felt a bit other-worldly. I then had the idea to turn to the next page to draw another layer, with a tree and roots. And then one last layer with a cat and roots.

Sometimes, when there are no words, thank goodness for art to be able to get out what's running through my mind.

Thank you to everyone who has left kind words for me after Sadie's passing. I really appreciate it!

Day 30! Woohoo! I'm proud of myself for getting through this month and I hope you all are feeling good about what you've accomplished.

I started to feel like my paintings were starting to tell a story recently. Perhaps if I put them all together, I'll be able to see what the narrative is.

Tomorrow I'll have a check-in for the Creative Every Day Challenge to carry us through til Monday, when I'll resume the regular weekly check-ins.

Congrats to all the Art Every Day Month participants. You all rock!

Sometimes, when working intuitively, I like to crop the page to a size that suits what I end up working on, which is part of why I like working on paper. It allows for easy cropping! This piece is an example of that. I liked the way the mermaid looked in a long strip instead of the wider page that I used.

Another intuitive piece tonight. Someone asked about the process I'm using with these pieces lately. I usually wet the watercolor paper, then drip fluid acrylic and/or inks onto the page, letting the paint spread and moving it around a bit while the paint is still wet. I sometimes sprinkle some sea salt on top of the wet paint, which creates some interesting textures. I let the paint dry, and let it alone for awhile. Later, I come back, turning the page, looking for images in it. I thought this one was going to be some kind of landscape, but when I went to work on it, I saw a distinct face I couldn't ignore! So, I went with that and one thing led to the next!

Finished this up a little late tonight, but I like the way it came out. Feels very dream like. I started it early in the morning with acrylic paint on watercolor paper and a bit of salt sprinkled on it. Then came back with some more paint and ink in the evening, bringing out the shape of a woman and trees that I saw there.

Today, I created intuitively. I started the piece early in the morning, letting some ink and paint drip on wet watercolor paper while the hubster held Annabelle. After I put her down for a nap, I came back and played. And during a second nap I played some more. This is what came out. Somehow the moon has become the first piece in a necklace of underwater pearls.

A quick drawing today, using some new brush pens I picked up. I had no plans, just started to draw and the deer came. I seem to be connecting with deer lately. I'll have to look them up in my Animal Speak book!

I hope you had a beautifully creative weekend!

A big thank you to Annabelle for taking her longest nap ever, allowing her mommy to paint away in the morning! She also had her best night of sleep ever. May this be the beginning of a beautiful trend!

This piece was created intuitively. I let the ink spread first, looked for the image, and this is what I saw in it. A woman holding a lantern with the light spilling out of it like an ocean wave.