The Summer heat has made me goofy!

Hello all you creative geniuses!  I know it's been a while but I've got a good excuse.  The heat has has finally pushed me over the edge, waha, ha, ha!  My art work has been so bad I can't bear to look at it let alone post it!  I swear, everything I try turns into a miserable failure lately.

There is another reason too.  I have a confession to make... Instead of taking a vacation and buying new summer clothes, I have treated myself like a princess and stocked my studio to bursting.  Obviously the added supplies have not helped my creativity and as I'm slower on the upswing than I used to be, the learning curve on those supplies is tripping me up a bit.  That's what happens when I get greedy and want all the new cool stuff.  So, it's back to the drawing board for me.  I was so anxious to use all the stuff at once I really made a mess.  It's hilarious actually, and proves a very good point.  You don't need all the fancy supplies to create good art!!!

So anyway, this is the best one of the bunch and as you can see, I didn't know whether I wanted to draw, doodle, paint or put my finger up my nose... YIKES!

Indian Summer Faerie

Or, fright night, I'm not sure which! LOL!  She is a hot mess but I had fun messing her up anyway.  I used so many different things.  Water soluble graphite, watercolor crayons and pencils, ink etc., etc...

This summer has been incredibly busy for me and I cannot wait for fall already.  I need some cooling, calming creative time in the studio and some time to rest my jangled nerves and get back into the artful bliss groove I love.  I'm pretty sure a lot of you are feeling the same way too! 

I am working right now on re-arranging and re-organizing the studio to accommodate the new addition of supplies, so when it's finished I will share photos with you.  I'm not re-painting, just re-doing the tables and storage and moving my desk and computer in as well.  I'm very excited about it.

I sure hope all of you are staying cool or warm - whichever time of year it is for you.  Keep that pencil, paintbrush or marker moving and we'll get together again real soon!

Music in the studio was oldies but goodies -  Credence Clearwater Revival, Journey, Fleetwood Mac.  I didn't make it to Duran Duran so that will be next week, lol!

Forever in art,

Jessi

Happy Spring!

Hello and Happy Spring!  It has not been very spring-like here but at least some of the trees are starting to bloom.  This will be a short post and may seem like a repeat 'cuz I haven't not been doing much recently.  I'm just hanging out with my kitty and puppy and trying to relax after the last 2 harrowing months and doing my P.T. for my injuries.

                           
A photo of the cherry plum tree again for Spring...

I am still limited on my typing and my art in the studio due to my hand and back.  Here is a recent progress photo of the Princess of Tides - slow going but another layer has been added to her.

The colors are not coming out quite right in the photo.  The background is an intense aqua green-blue with many layers and glazes.  The moon is pearlized and so are some of the layers of scales on her tail.  This piece is turning out to be a lot of work!  I will work on smoothing out her skin and adding her brows and more shading to her face along with more detail on her hands etc. Then her fins and finally her hair.  Still a long ways to go!

This piece is all about building with many layers.  I've used mostly white acrylic with the golden fluids for pigment color and some caran d'ache crayons and a lot of golden's clear acrylic glaze in satin finish.  The golden fluids are expensive but I use only tiny amounts along with the heavy-bodied acrylics so they last forever.  Oh, and have I mentioned I hate working on the wood?  As I wrestle with the awkward size, the sharp corners scratch my arms over and over.

I will take a break now from the typing and steam my yummy organic baby asparagus I got at my new favorite store in Eugene, Market of Choice.  It's a Spring-like thing to do...still too early here to buy flowers to plant.

Thank you all for your fun and lovely comments and chattiness!  I love it!

So, even though it may be raining, snowing or gray outside, you can always follow my lead by breaking out that wonderful bright color and painting something for Spring!

See you soon my little art fairies (and mermaids of course)!   Jessica

Outrunning the Storm

Hello to you all in Artland!  With all the storms that are transpiring my my life, I realize I need a day away.  Anticipating beautiful weather, I hop in the truck and drive to Eugene.  My first stop is the U of O art store.  It's been over a year since I have been there so this visit is long overdue!  The U of O is my favorite place to stock up on all the cool stuff I would normally have to order blind on Dick Blick.  My Copic liners (I don't use the markers), Caran d'ache w/c crayon open stock, Fabriano Artisicto hot press w/c paper, Golden interference colors...all the stuff I'm using in the M3 class.  Their prices are fantastic too! 

I find it uplifting to mingle with the young creatives that are hanging about as we chat about this and that. Then I trot on over to Starbucks to soak in a little campus life.  My spirit soars as I feel younger and more carefree if only for a couple of hours.  Feeling more myself than I have in months, I motor to the Borders store to use my coupon.  I find just what I'm looking for, a book, "Graffiti Women, Street Art From Five Continents".  While I am there, I sit my butt down and thumb through all the cool fashion and make-up mags along with Somerset Studios' publications.  I choose my latest passion, "Art Journaling", and I head out to grab my favorite healthy burrito at Mucho Gusto.

After my revitalizing interlude surrounded by happy chatty people, I decide to head for home.  There is some serious rain coming down and everyone seems surprised.  Well, it gets a lot more surprising as a few miles out it begins to snow very hard.  Wow, where did that come from?  Now I'm worried but thankful I didn't bring the rental SUV as the truck is equipped for snow.  It snows heavily for about 40 miles and thankfully the big rigs help keep the freeway clear.  Then it tapers off to rain and by the time I'm home, it is dry.  

Twice in one day I have out run the storm...

 My new book and magazine...

   

Winter Pond

   

 Robins on Winter Pond

If there are any storms on your horizon, I wish you luck on outrunning them.  But if you happen to get caught in one, take cover in your art. :)

Goddess Update:  I've decided to give my Goddess a break until I am able to wrestle with that large canvas again.  I just have a few details left to do and then she will be hung in her spot on the living room wall.

Angel update:  She's comming along slowly but surely...

My sincere and grateful thanks to all of you that have left comments, suggestions and words of encouragement.  You are greatly appreciated!!!

Forever in art,  Jessica