Seriously. What was that?? Wow. Yesterday was a pretty cool day all around. Not only did Ali Edwards link to this blog, but so did Donna Downey. Seriously! That was some pretty amazing coincidences at work. I don't even have enough words to tell you how much it totally overwhelmed my poor little heart. Lots of new visitors here. LOTS. About a couple of thousand new ones. Wow. Wow & welcome.
Pencil crayons were the hot topic yesterday. I use them a LOT. I use them for everyday drawing - see here. And here. And here for a couple of examples... I also use them to add a soft and unique texture. As above & below. Above: shadow box from Claudine Hellmuth's class. I like the contrast of chaos & control in the background and foreground. I like roughing up the perfect stuff. I like just letting the pencils do their thing.
In Ali's class - for our Evolution journal - I used pencil crayons to mess up the pages and add some detail and interest. I LIKE craziness. I LIKE imperfections... It took me a really long time to realize and sink into just letting what happens - HAPPEN. In my paintings and in my moments. Whatever happens is whatever was supposed to happen. I like the colour and vibrancy of pencil crayons. Triple Arm Pump to everyone who wrote in saying they love and use pencil crayons too. What is the difference between Prismacolor and the rest of them? The "feel" and blend-ability. Haven't tried them? Try it. Go crazy.
I've started experimenting with scrapbook papers and colouring on top of them. Taking their structure and perfection and adding my own fingerprint. I'm big on that: leave your mark. Make yourself unique. In whatever way feels good to do that... Be yourself and add yourself to whatever you do.
Yesterday was also very cool because I got a surprise package in the mail from Frank & Joci in California. They sent me a box of shells as a thank you for me sending them a batch of LoveLife magnets that they were looking for. I love, love, love shells. Especially abalone shells. Thanks so much you guys! I love them all. The textures, the colours, the coolness of it all.
LoveLife magnets are kind of cool, too. They are available at select giftstores throughout North America and are produced and distributed by a company called Cedar Mountain Studios.
Dan and I did a little shopping for spring. He's a great dressin' man - but he wanted a little refresher. When we got to the ties - he wanted help and I was a little scared to give him advice because I like unique and colourful and I like to make a statement. I didn't want to send the poor guy into work looking like he had a circus around his neck. The ties looked so much like scrapbook papers I was taken with them all. What's your take on these ties? Which one should win the Tie Poll?
While at the store - we found a VERY cool knight's helmut or metal hat or whatever they might have called it back then. Noggin' Protector. Dan put it on and we had a few laughs.
Ha. But, not nearly as many laughs as we had when he couldn't get it off. Seriously! It nearly came down to scanning his head for the price and wearing the contraption to the nearest metal cutter. Or butter shop! HA HA. Too funny.
Today: I have some work to do. I am also working on a pencil crayon/mixed media piece for the draw on Friday at 9am. I also want to PAINT. I should put away my art supplies from the weekend... Looks like a smooth day ahead.
Happy Birthday Susan Fehr & Dean Leith. Celebrate!
COMMENTS: OH. MY. GOODNESS. You all rock so much it's awesome. Yesterday's comments were so fun! Every comment left between now and this Friday at 9am (left on any post from this week!) is entered into a draw for a piece of my original art. I'll even ship it out to you at my cost! I love the comments. I love hearing from people. Let's connect and be interactive. I will reply to each and every one - just give me a little bit of time. Thanks for visiting and thanks for posting and just plain old THANKS. I love it.
And one more thing... Ali, Donna - THANKS. Really. Thanks.
Let's GO.
