Art Journaling My Pants Off!

my happy place

Although I fully intended to begin Volume II of my Book of Days* on January 1st, it seems my journal had a different plan! In a last-minute rush to complete Volume I at the end of December, something-? made me decide NOT to tear out the last few pages of my altered book and let things unfold, organically. 

8 single pages and 3 double-page spreads later..

I finished almost exactly at  MIDNIGHT on January 31st. Ha!

So on Feb 1st, I began another fabulous journey to lose myself and find myself, through art, by just LETTING GO  

* current Session #1 with Effy Wild ends march 31, next session #2 runs: 1 Jul - 30 Sep. For more info, check out  bookofdays.org. You can also sign up via her NING commuity, theglitterhood.org free of charge and discover all sorts of fabulous art journaling FUN! 

Gratitude & Little Henry

After somewhat of a drought this summer, I'm happy to report I've felt a :: RUSH :: of creativity over the last week or so, and have been busily working in my art journals, being open to the process and letting the creativity f.l.o.w.

I also attribute my continued affection toward art journaling to the amazing wealth of inpiration I find in my artist friends:

• Effy Wild
• Samie Kira
• Stephanie Gagos
• Tamara Laporte

..spending time catching up on their amazing work through their blogs, facebook groups and social websites on NING. Please take a moment to see the WEALTH of information, classes, youtube tutorials, workshops & private coaching that some of them offer!! 

And here's my latest spread about my 17 year-old father's favorite photography subject: his littlest brother, Henry and their family dog circa 1937 ~

Art Journal page 10Jun11

From an earlier blog post about counting my blessings with 3 of my flower photos, I was inspired to write a little "poem" in my written journal. Next, a prompt from Tee Thompson of green isles crafts inspired me to re-create this on a page in my ART journal and it felt like a FULL CIRCLE moment to me! Maybe YOU'LL be inspired by a word or an image here so that I can "pay it forward."

Holly Jolly Christmas

Flickr is one of my very favorite websites for several reaons. TALENT. I am constantly amazed at the talent pool and learn something about photography, every time I visit. INSPIRATION. Just try to walk away without taking a fresh perspective with you when you leave! VISUALLY RICH. The time I spend there is always uplifting. Sunsets, bridges, snow, misty mornings, nature's bounty. EASE OF USE. Searching groups and tags is always easy. A few recent searches: Antique Christmas, vintage santa, tinted postcards, home decor, interior design and that is what inspired me to create this mosaic today for your browsing pleasure!

I even found an idea for a beautifully, simple frosted candle holder here.

Just brush a wash of egg whites over the outside of a (vintage) jar and sprinkle with sugar! Tie a festive bow and voila, instant atmosphere! They used peppermint striped baker's twine.. i may use a swatch from my (vintage) mini-tinsel garland.

Holly Jolly Christmas
Originally uploaded by cookievf

Baby It's Cold Outside

Last week I compiled my first two "treasury" lists on Etsy. Treasury is their ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery and a FEAST FOR THE EYES! This was my first one and there will be more to follow.

Now here's what makes it special: that by giving, you can receive, as well... which is a perfectly lovely idea! If you own a shop and decide to take the time to come up with a uniquely beautiful collection, and a catchy title helps, you not only bring exposure (and sometimes SALES) to 16 different shops but you are also introducing your shop to 16 new colleagues. Brilliant.

Visit the link below to see ALL the pretty things!

be inspired

be inspired! Originally uploaded by cookievf

Have you noticed?

There is such an amazing array of talent on flickr.com! Please take a moment, click on the uploaded "photo mosaic" I've created to

• view all of the stunning details in a larger format
• find 18 individual links to learn more about some of these amazing artists!!

I promise you'll be inspired to
make something beautiful today.

1. Conscious Freedom, 2. Willkommen Oktober, 3. sparse. one, 4. Angel Of Grief, 5. White Building, 6. Stacking rings, 7. Untitled, 8. Glass and green, 9. monday worries, 10. Shortbread with Pistachio, 11. Bench Monday - Hibernate, 12. ..., 13.WINTER BOKEH 1, 14. White Ceramic Star Decorations, 15. antique chandelier, 16. ashberry, 17. Kitchen moment, 18. Where Angels Nest

Notice: Although FLICKR is a photo-sharing website, please realize it is by no means my intention to offend anyone. Please leave a COMMENT on FLICKR if you would like me to remove your picture and I will not hesitate to do so!

sad but true!

... Shhhhh! Don't tell the boss! I am posting from work because MY PC HAS BEEN DOWN FOR 3 WEEKS!

Ever-anxious to share my art, tips and techniques, photos from my adventuresand to remain in touch with so many lovely friends in this online community..

I will be posting again soon, estimating just after this weekend, or around August 18! Please be sure to check back ~ we've got alot of catching up to do!!!

July trip to Portland, Maine

come on in!

day one in my side garden

Authenticity

Truthfully, no two of us are alike!



Whether you've attended Art School, are self-taught or consider yourself an "outsider artist," each one of us has come from a very VERY different place. And because we come from totally different places it is natural to produce totally different art.



Creating art, in any form, is also an act of trust. It takes a "leap of faith" since making art is the act of BARING YOUR SOUL!

There truly are - NO RULES - that define where art can or should come from. The important part is that we express our own authentic individual experience.

Release the bird from your caged mind. Let your art (and your heart) S.O.A.R.

You have a story to tell!

Web Surfing (for a change)

Undine - 1872 Ophelia - 1910

Juliet - 1898 Boreas - 1903

A small sampling of the amazing artistry of John Williams Waterhouse (English painter, 1849-1917)! Have I been under a rock?? Although I've seen (and adored) the painting, "Boreas" I never knew who painted this masterpiece, until tonight. Which brings me to admit.... not only do I enjoying researching images, I seem to suck up the accompanying details LIKE A SPONGE! LOL! (You can view hundreds of his paintings in the online gallery here.

And if you can't tell already (based on the wide range of topics I enjoy)... I'm an information junkie! Geez, I'm always poking fun at myself by saying, "I'm on a need-to-know basis!" I would've made a top-notch detective, research scientist, or game show contestant. Ha!

Please share YOUR image resource faves & here's a few of mine:

• Time Tales
• Wikimedia Commons
• Library of Congress on Flickr
• Google Image Search

To use any of these in your artwork, it's important to become familiar with the complex subject of Copyright Law and know how to locate "copyright free" images, which are in the public domain.

(Flickr) Love Is In The Air!

love is in the air!
Originally uploaded by cookievf

A heARTfelt thank you to the artists of flickr for the images combined here in my newest mosaic! Valentine's Day has always been a favorite of mine since it represents so many of my favorite things ~ hearts, the color RED, romance and L.O.V.E. - !

On the rare chance that I can really sit back and browse this A.M.A.Z.I.N.G site, it is always a "vacation for the eyes." And, now that I think about it, just when WAS the last time you took a look around? Please take a MOMENT to click and

BE AMAZED....

Search on a favorite flower (I tried: "black rose"), favorite bird (check out "hummingbird") or how about the word "macro" (almost 3,000,000 images are tagged with "macro)!

Here are a few interesting places to land - what are yours?

-The Commons. Your opportunity to contribute to describing the world's public photo collections.

-Rural Decay

-Craft Rooms

-Vintage Photo Sharing

-Arts and Crafts Tutorials

-Rusty and Crusty

-Corners of My Home

H.A.V.E. F.U.N. ~ be inspired ~ a great way to unwind!

2009 Outlook: Delve Deep!

Art Journal Page - "the time is now"

November 2008

(made for an Artist's-Way-style challenge on NING)

As we turn the page on 2008 and prepare to begin anew,
~ allow me to share an uplifting thought ~

The economic downturn has effected each and every one of us, if not personally then it has most assuredly impacted someone that we love. Housing foreclosures, unemployment, sacrifice and loss. Life lessons have been learned and we will be forever changed. And that is not always a bad thing.

We are reminded that it is our relationships, not things, that are important.

Now is the PERFECT TIME for:

~ reflection
~ learning
~ delving deep

~ self love

~ patience
~ finding creativity
~ adaptability

~ resourcefulness
~ discovering strengths

and most of all,

~ reaching out to uplift a friend because
a trouble shared is a trouble halved

I have earned an MBA and a PHD in the "school of hard knocks" over the course of my lifetime. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing since it has shaped me into the person I am today.

If you have major obstacles in your life right now, I want you to know that I care. You are in my thoughts and I believe in you!

“Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you." - Mahatma Gandhi

Join me, Suzi and 1,250 OTHERS

First 3 Dolly's - by VICKI

(sketched then colored, digitally

... collage is NEXT!)

Les Petite Dolls and Art Healing Love - by SUZI BLU

.. over at NING! And y.e.s. - ALL skill levels are welcome!
You can sign up for Les Petite Dolls, a flex-time Workshop (8 weeks of video lessons + homework and 8 PDFs of art/love support through 12/31/08), take part in her new challenge series (we're making Oracle cards this week) or just hang out and feel the love! So many wonderful, supportive, creative women ~ I promise that you will be forever changed by the experience!

Angel of Art - by SUZI BLU

Heaven & Earth Through An Artist's Eyes

Paintings by Roderick MacIver,

artist & founder of Heron Dance - a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

After a short visit to Heron Dance tonight, I learned a little bit about Rod's amazing and well documented artistic journey, his spiritual journey and was completely drawn in! I admire his life-long connection with the natural world as I, too, gain sustenance from it and have also been deeply touched by his generosity and faith! His company is unique, in that it serves through its donation to other nonprofits and direct support of wilderness protection!!

On his fascinating website, I learned that he's just published his 55th (or 56th) newsletter using a format which combines ::JOURNALING & MEDITATION:: Rod says that he has used the same technique to develop resourcefulness and survive cancer!! A must read!

He also developed The Heron Dance Journaling Project proposing that the reader write out the core beliefs by which he or she has tried to live life, and then suggested forty four questions or issues that could be considered in thinking carefully through the future course of one’s life.

You can also visit Heron Dance to sign up for a FREE weekly e-newsletter, called A Pause For Beauty, sent to 25,000 people "containing a new painting and either a short essay or a poem on the beauty and mystery of the natural world and of life itself. It is intended to be a reminder of things are often overlooked but that have the potential to add satisfaction and peace to a human life."

Lastly, I was stunned & thrilled to see this extensive list of ART DONATIONS to non-profits and wilderness protection efforts! Please take a few moments and follow the main link, above. RE-LAX & ENJOY the many talents of Rod MacIver!

~ Mr. MacIver, I salute you for not only sharing your journey but for being an example of how to live your BEST LIFE. And my most sincere wish for you is that you continue to find S.E.R.E.N.I.T.Y and I.N.N.E.R. P.E.A.C.E. along your journey "to the center!" ~

Pure Poetry

The following Artist Statement was taken from Maralena Howard's website.

"Painting so deeply the secret selves.
If found by another who claims one as their own - I am at peace.

Generally sexless, neither male nor female.
I strive for the pure connection.

That IS the ultimate goal.

I sit with empty space (canvas and non-intention).
Silence and emptiness takes its own direction.
Color finds its way in, out, over, under, through and through.
Sometimes staying until the end and other times a short visit before it leaves
or morphs into a new existence.

The works hold many layers.
Some perfect, others scratched and marred.
Harmony and discord build upon the other much like life itself.

Nothing is so simple that it loses its pure voice.
Truth presents itself without permission.
In the end, empty decides what fills it.

Now - is where this art will take us."

~Maralena Howard

... please take a moment to drop by this talented friend and artist's
website
blog
flickr

Room in Your Heart

A Place To Bark - a no-kill foster and adoption rescue. It is also a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization so donations are tax deductible. All monies and items go directly to the care of the animals!

Bernie Berlin is an accomplished Mixed Media Artist who runs a full-time dog rescue, taking in dogs that have been abandoned, abused or police confiscated. She fosters, retrains, transports with the goal of ADOPTION! Cats are also welcome at her rescue. She is drawn to the unwanted, unloved and misunderstood. Bernie hopes to educate and effect change for the animals that do not have a voice of their own. Please visit this fabulous site! Or her secure link to PayPal with a detailed list of items needed.

** Every little bit helps! **

Another great option ~ donations can be made directly, to help with medical costs for "A Place to Bark!"

• The Critter Clinic, 522 W. main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066 (615) 452-1477
• Saukville Veterinary Clinic, 303 W. Dekora, Saukville, WI 53080 (262) 284-7000
• any U.S. bank location. Just tell the teller that you would like to make a donation to "A Place to Bark, Inc." Checks or credit card donations are accepted.

ITEMS THEY'RE IN NEED OF:

Towels, blankets, toys, collars, leashes, crates, food, treats, very small baby bottles, milk replacement, bleach, 1 microscope, 1 baby scale, 1 stethoscope, muzzles, pet beds.

SHIP ITEMS TO:

Bernie Berlin"A Place To Bark"PO BOX 649 Portland, TN 37148 615-681-2631

If you have questions, are considering adoption or interested in learning more: aplace2bark@aol.com