Hello and Happy Monday,
Just a quick note to let you all know that Liz and I are taking a little summer break for the next two weeks. A chance to focus on family and our own personal journeys.
Have a wonderful couple of weeks and happy Fourth of July to our USA friends! See you back here on Monday July 13th!
We will still be twittering away during our break, so join us there...ISTweet
The last couple of months have been a roller coaster ride in the Wood household. I have been gone more than I have been at home, I have been a mom more than an artist, I have been in the garden more than the studio and I have loved every minute of it.
I really believe that we go through our own seasons throughout the year. Fighting those seasons is so exhausting and never produces anything but frustration, so I am learning to enjoy the season that I am in.
Then something happens and signs of a new season pop up, like tulips pushing through the ground I get sparks of inspiration and I am pulled into a new season of creating. I am just beginning to make a mess again in the studio and am having so much fun with some new projects.
This first project, I am beyond thrilled with. Not necessarily because of the outcome (although I love it), but because the process was so new and amazing to me. The idea, planning, shopping, designing, creating, tweaking, and display all came together in a 24 hour period of time. That is crazy for me, I never work that fast. I usually toss an idea around for awhile, play with a concept, then start it and may not finish it for weeks or months or in some cases even years.
The big canvas is 24" X 24" that I dripped fluid acrylics and india ink all over. Separately I painted the red rectangle piece which is actually an 11" X 14" canvas board. When everything was dry I glued the canvas board onto the bigger stretched canvas. The photo is printed on canvas as well. The photo doesn't show all of the texture, but it all has quite a bit of depth. A little something to see when you walk in our front door.
This next project is taking a little more time to work through, but hey not every art project is built in a day!! This is a 9 1/2" X 7" canvas journal. Have a thing for canvas right now. It is just in the beginning stages, but I plan to add fabric, canvas, and paper pages as well as some fun decorative touches throughout. Right now I am working through the function of the journal, then the decorating can begin. I will share more pictures as I complete the journal and they will be popping up in one of our new stores soon!
Off to enjoy the season!
We just added a new collection to Digi Capers. Want to know when we update the store? Subscribe to the store feed and catch all of the latest updates!
Two weeks ago, I painted several watercolor papers (above) and decided I would use them three ways: Make digital kits (naturally, heh-heh), make prints from them for use in journals, and create a personal photo journal with the originals. However this week, there's been a change of plans. The digital kits and prints are still in the works, but the journal is going to be a memory book devoted to my husband's grandmother.
This is how it is for me: Life happens and my creative intentions ebb and flow with the cycle of it. So, when we heard the very sad news that Grandma Frances had passed away, I knew for certain that the journal needed to be about her; that it needed to celebrate her memory. Sure, it will still have photos, but the photos will be of her. In addition, it will contain memories of her -- shared stories, illustrated. Finally, it will hold a lifetime of love for her. Truly, I'm so grateful for the blessing of having known her (she was so kind and encouraging to me).
So what about the photo journal I intended for myself? Well, I haven't forgotten about it. It will happen -- once this somber phase of life transforms. For now though, my heart needs to spend a little time thinking of Grandma Ness while taking in the company of her amazing family. For the moment, my life is all about embracing those I love and remembering. And, so it goes.
Today, I'm happy to share my interview with Kerri Posson -- another awesome friend from the blog world. But, Kerri isn't just amazing within the terms of her blog, she is a caring, fun, and amazing story teller, too! Then, there is her fantastic art which has been featured time and time again in a variety of magazines like Artful Blogger, Somerset Studio, Take Ten, etc. Her creative credentials go on and on! Still, it is her humble, giving, soul -- full of heart -- that I love most. Well, that and her "Ta Da!" list. What a great idea to celebrate what you've done rather than focus on what you haven't!
Yup. She's pretty cool and I'm so glad we're friends. Likewise, I'm glad to have the chance to share a little of her story with you.
IS: Everyone leads an interesting life, shaped by a variety of things. What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Kerri: In addition to my art, of course, I love gardening in the warm months (in upstate NY). Connecting with the earth and the outdoors just feels right to me. Once my perennials are weeded and trimmed for the season, I maintain a container garden on my deck, where I plant herbs and seasonal vegetables. I also love to cook, particularly soups and comfort foods in the fall and winter months. And I enjoy nothing more than entertaining friends and family in my home. And I'd certainly be remiss if I didn't include dog-walking. My mini schnauzer, Max, gets me out of the house twice a day -- every day -- in all weather. That may sound awful to some, but in addition to the benefits of fresh air and exercise, I have met some of the best friends and neighbors.
IS: Please describe your creative process. How do you go about making your amazing art?
Kerri: Showing up -- even if it's just for half an hour a day, is important for me. These days, I try to fit about 15 minutes in the am -- usually to prep a few canvasses and tidy my studio from the previous evening. I find that if I have things "ready to go" when I get home at night, it's more inviting than if I have to begin by cleaning my brushes and waiting for prepped canvasses to dry. My latest series involves texturizing the canvasses with spackle, artist's cement and found objects. When they dry, I prime them and begin painting. I have found that I work best on several canvasses at once so that I can keep busy while one piece is drying by beginning or completing another one. If I leave my studio, I run the risk of getting distracted by all of the other things in a home that demand (but don't often really need) my attention. I like layering glazes of paints and adding found objects, bits of paper, dictionary words and rubber stamps. Finished works are sealed with a clear matte sealer to protect them.
IS: What key advice would you give to new and seasonal enthusiasts?
Kerri: Give yourself permission to make art. Try to make it as much a habit and a priority as other routines in your life - we always make time for the cooking, the laundry, the chores -- a lot of things that we don't even like to do, but we feel we must. I am learning that the floors can get a little bit dirty(er), because my art is more important than a clean, perfectly run household, in defining who I am and what makes me happy.
IS: What are your five most favorite creative tools/supplies?
Kerri: Right now: spackle, bubble wrap, oil pastels, nevrdull (a wadding polish found in automotive supply stores) and high quality artist canvasses (though this list changes as my art evolves)!
IS: What are your creative dreams for the future?
Kerri: I'd love to teach classes in art journaling and tapping into one's creativity. I taught for years but took some (much needed) time off, and I'm ready to get back to it. I miss the teacher/student dynamic. I learn as much as I teach, every time. And eventually, I'd love to write a book that explores the creative process and also imparts some of my favorite techniques -- I want to be sure that I have something unique to say, and an original way to inspire other artists and those just getting brushes wet, so to speak.
One of the things my son has shown me is that art can happen anywhere and at any time. For example, he'll find a muddy patch in the dirt along with a stick and before you know it, he has a tracing of the entire solar system (one of his favorite subjects). Likewise, it's not uncommon to find planets drawn in the ketchup on his dinner plate. I've even seen him draw with a stream of water from a squirt-gun! "Here's Saturn!" he'll exclaim, spraying in the rings.
However, as amazing as his spontaneity is, it is the approach that really makes me marvel. Every creative moment is a playful one for him. While he has an end product in mind, it's really about all of the fun he's having making that product; the experimentation and the discoveries along the way. I love that!
Yesterday, I thought I'd join in with some sidewalk chalk...
It was great to let go and follow the chalk where it lead. Best of all, it was fun to create alongside of Duncan, playing in the vibrant and varied colors that seem to be such a natural part of childhood. For just a bit, I felt transported back to a time when art had no goals other than play. It was a great reminder about how much joy can be found in making; how creating fosters happiness.
Thanks Little Man, I needed that!
Though I love my Wacom Graphire
One of my favorite things to draw and digitize is swirls. What is it with swirls anyway? Seriously. Anyhow, I put together the following tutorial to share how I do it. However, if swirls aren't your thing, the instructions work for any drawing you wish to digitize and use in your illustrated stories (or other art).
If swirls are your thing, then let me present you with a swirling FREEBIE (it's the one I drew and digitized for the following video and is ~192.5k). Enjoy!
This week Liz and I got back together (it had been about a month) to play in the studio. We had a great time working with stencils and watercolor paper. As usual we filmed our playtime, but something went horribly wrong and the video did not record. Sadness ensued, tears flowed, and a little "cursing the technology" happened. On a happy note, we are going to recreate our studio play and bring you the video next Friday.
For today, I want to share a new source of inspiration for me, the CRAFTCAST podcasts. Alison Lee hosts these hour long talks, where she shares books, music, and chats with a different artist every week. I have added new books and music to my wish lists, but best of all I have found wonderful excitement and inspiration from the amazing people Alison has interviewed.
Last weekend I spent my time working in the yard and listening to several of the podcasts. It sure made weeding and trimming a lot more fun. I found myself laughing and chatting back as if we were all sitting having a cup of coffee together.
