"Orange" You Glad it's Wednesday?

Did you know that my favorite color is orange? Yep. Yummy, citrus, tasty orange. Here are a few favorite images where I let my love of orange take over!

And today I am thinking orange flowers and birds are in order. So what's your favorite color?

My Sleeping Aid

For Christmas my husband bought me one of these:It's a Nook. I really, really love it. I am an avid reader (betcha didn't know that about me!). However, it's only at night that I read because I have a very difficult time going to sleep. I've been this way my entire life. It's the daydreamer in me and the constant creative brain activity that makes it very difficult to get to sleep. Now once I fall asleep, a train could run through the house and I'd not hear it! I am scared to death of sleeping pills. So this is my natural sleeping pill.....a great book. And last night I finished this:

All 1500 pages. Geez louise it was long. But good. I tell you this because I mentioned I was reading Dan Brown to a gentleman who said, "Is that like his 3rd book?" Yeah...NO! He has written several others and in fact one of my favorite books to date is Deception Point. It's about the government. Ooooooo...It's a good one. So if you are having difficulty sleeping put down the Tylenol sleep aid and pick up a good book. It helps the dreams flow and promotes a restful nights sleep!

So today I am hoping the weather holds out for some plastering. I really do not want to dirty up this house I cleaned yesterday. And my body could really use some sunshine. I set up a table in the driveway yesterday for the base of the birds......today they take a little more form....and then I paint and add loads of personality. In Stephanie's class the birds were the most intriguing of the projects to me. Gosh I wonder why? hehehe......So have a great day. Probably won't be back until I finish up some projects to show.

And the Winner Is.....

We did this the very old fashioned way, put all the names in a hat and Mailey pulled the lucky winner. And that winner is......

GAY DENESSE

Yipeee!! So, email me your address so I can send this little necklace on your way.

The weather has been amazing the past two days here in Newnan. I've been a busy beaver today with house cleaning and making some super fun bird head sculptures I learned at Art and Soul. The insulation foam kind of went everywhere, so I am definitely going to need to practice.... but in the end I am going to be super excited to show them off! They are a little flock of fun.

I'm Giddy with Anticipation!

So have you ever felt so much anticipation that you could bust? Well that's me today. Because last night, or maybe it was really early this morning, I woke up and decided that yep.... I'm going to do it! Yipeeeee!! What you ask? Apply to be an instructor at Art and Soul in Portland, Oregon for 2011.
Now I know it seems like ages away, and perhaps I won't even be accepted, but there has been an underlying urge in my creative journey to share lately. Since being published in Somerset Life I've had an overwhelming response...people have emailed me their stories of inspiration and their stories of overcoming hurdles to create after seeing my work. Last night in particular I had a very personal email from someone about my art and how they were inspired to try again. So of course this was on my mind as I slept. So when I woke at the weee hours this was my thought process on the matter.

I think people are drawn to different types of art for various reasons. My work is very simple. I know that. It's what is in my heart to paint. At vendor night in Las Vegas several people asked me this very question, "How do you know what to paint?" And seriously I can't answer that in simple words. It's just in me. Does that make sense at all?

So what am I going to be teaching? I have to mull this over a bit more. But in Lisa Kaus's workshop series I noticed that the common thread was her technique, the subject just changed. In fact I used my own subject in her class. I do have a unique technique with the texture....my problem is drying time. I have been working on a new technique though using Golden paste instead of joint compound. It dries faster and could work. I have to work all those kinks out before applying obviously. I just was so excited when I woke that I wanted to share....and possibly get some feedback on if you were to take a workshop with me, what would you like to learn? Because I think one of the biggest common questions I am getting in emails and through contact is basically how do you find the subject....how do you know what to paint? So maybe I need to work on the idea of guiding you towards finding your own creative voice. There are a lot of workshops out there where you leave with a clone of the artist's own work. I am not sure if that really helps you to find your own voice, although it does allow you a chance to explore your creativity. Like in the class I took with Lisa I LOVE that everyone created something so different in subject matter, we were just using all the same materials. Anyhoo....I have some things to mull over, and perhaps will ask your opinion again. Living where I do we do not have a large community of crafters (not that I know of anyways and I've been teaching 14 years in this area more fine art skills than things like at Art and Soul). In fact, while having coffee with some creative friends the other day we decided that our area is more artsy snobs. What? Yep I said it. It's all about fine art, large price tags and fancy galleries. I yearn for a slice of just good old making art for creative sake and not having to worry about what the gallery wants. OK...tangent for another day. Sorry about that. So feel free to comment your thoughts on what you'd love to learn. I know that teaching is at the core of my creative journey. I just can't help it. I love to try new things and am never afraid to say this is not for me! But at least I try and know in the end that it is my authentic self that made the effort.

A Little Give AWAY!!

So, do you readers remember my making these a month ago? I am down to one little necklace...woohooo...and thought I'd give it away. So here it is. A little hand woven nest with 3 white eggs nestled inside. So how do you win? In the comment section below tell me what makes your heart full. I can't wait to read all about it. I'll draw the lucky winner on Monday. So be sure to check back and see if you won!

What is Up With My Mood?

Seriously folks, my mood has been less than appealing this past week. I'm cranky, tired all the time (napping, ME napping!), the thought of being in the studio makes me cringe, and the only thing I want to eat are Girl Scout Cookies. Yep. Something has got my goat........So yesterday after working out I decide magazine therapy is in order. I headed over to Books a Million, bought a nice hot latte, and selected everything off the shelves that looked enticing. I literally can escape to magical places while reading artsy magazines. I sip and smile as page after page begins to spark my creative soul. Folks, I am here to tell you there are so many talented people out there, I just get giggly thinking about how they become inspired to make what they do. The last magazine I cruised was the latest Belle Armoire Jewelry. The first article got me all excited with her technique....solder, stamping, texture, loved it. And she mentioned Stephanie Lee in the article. And then another article mentioned Stephanie, and another, and then WHAM! There was a four page article about Stephanie herself. You see, at Art and Soul I was smitten with her jewelry. Really, like can't take my eyes off it smitten. I did take a class with Stephanie, but it was a sculpture class. She offered one on her book Semiprecious Salvage, but it filled before I could afford to register. Bummer. So I took notes from the magazine and made a shopping list. Then Home Depot and three very kind men helped me fill my cart with the needed items. On the list: wood, copper electrical wire, insulation foam, chalkboard paint, file set, and a few other little goodies that may not even get played with yet but I just had to have!

You see, I think this mood was stemming from an angst over where to start. I get like this every time a new creative flow comes into play. Something big must be about to emerge from this little bout of the moody blues.....Part of it is fear of failing, part is wanting to work my own twist into new knowledge. Does that make sense? I learned SO much at Art and Soul, and yet, the past week I've been trying to wrap my own creative voice around this new knowledge so that it becomes mine, and not a replica of Stephanie, Julie or Lisa. Also, I want it to be authentic. Usually I can feel it.....when it's not authentic that is. When it is forced and unatural. Last night I had a vision of a new nest. I love nest jewelry, I do. I don't care how done it's been, I love it. So here's what I made this afternoon with some electical wire, solder and sari ribbon.

I am not so sure about the ribbon's place. I bought this sari ribbon a while back in hopes that one day it would become part of something.

When I picked up the nest off the fire brick under it was this splat of solder. I grabbed my scissors and cut out a heart, then stamped of course, "My Heart is Full" because it is getting there. It is. Especially after what came to the door today.

On our way out the door to baseball practice tonight there was a package propped on the door. It was from Somerset. I was so excited that my paintings from the Somerset Life issue had finally made their way back home. We quickly opened the box and found the two paintings and this issue of Somerset on top. Ok. That's nice of them to send this I thought. But I'm not in this issue.

At least I thought I wasn't. After reading this article I started crying, like really crying. It was the cry that needed to come out for a week now. Knowing I inspired someone to make something really, really made my creative spirit soar. Her words were so heartfelt and humbling.

I am still feeling my way through these emotions and creative hurdles. Today I got off to a nice start though. So will you be seeing a line of jewelry with fiber, this and that? Not so sure. Doesn't feel quite authentic enough.....yet anyways. I rather like the simplicity of my nest with the tag necklaces. I am thinking of using some nests like this with silver tags as well as the brown patinaed ones. I am sure I'll find my way soon though. And hopefully have something special to share.

The American Dream

I wanted to pop in and show a new camper off to you! This is called the American Dream......wonder why?

Atlanta is being hit with snow again today. Such a strange year for us. We've seen it all now....hail, floods, tornadoes, and snow 3 times. It definitely inspires me in different ways. Does that make sense? I hope you are having a lovely Tuesday! And check back with me on Friday. I have a special surprise for my sweet readers!!