Last week was all about organizing the paint and this week it is the Distress Spray Stains. I need to sticker the tops of each bottle so that I can see the colors from the top when I am searching for the perfect background colors!

I also am working on the free class with Tam Laporte, “Art, Heart and Healing”.  I mentioned in my Instagram that this is a great way to find out if you like an instructor and/or their style before investing too much time and money in instruction. With all of her experience I am sure I can learn a lot about mixed media technique – this week I was excited to learn about acrylic transfers and texture with brayers (see earlier posts on Instagram, etc.)!

Even though I have not finished Tam’s free class, I am also jumping in to a brand new offering from her, “Whimsy Wonderland”!  All geared toward creating and feeling good this holiday season and I was able to sign up for 20% off.

Also in the works this week is Alisa Burke’s “Watercolor Blooms” micro class.  I am hoping to learn some things about watercolor I did not already know and you can’t go wrong because the prices are so reasonable on these classes.  I have already done some warm up work for this class (see November 21 post on Instagram, etc. where one of my pups was helping with that!)

You can check out my progress on all the things this week in your favorite social media.

Have a happy week!

Have you heard about the idea of choosing a word of the year? I like it so much better that making a New Year’s Resolution that I will inevitably not resolve.  A word of the year is something with so many facets depending on your circumstances that day, something you can post anywhere to remind yourself to be mindful of it. A word of the year can grow and change with you.

My word of the year for 2019 is GRATITUDE.

I spend a lot of time in the state of worry and the thing is, my friends, I have a lot more to be grateful for than to worry about. We won’t even talk about how much time is wasted in worry! Why is it that negative things can take up so much more time and space than the positive things, like our gratitudes?  To help me be mindful of all that there is to be grateful for this year,  come with me while I share with you in art and writing the things that I am grateful for. Check out my post in Instagram to see how I am kicking off 2019! What are you grateful for in the new year?

Will you choose a word of the year?  I would love to know and cheer you on your journey!

XO,

Lisa

 

 

Happy July and Happy World Watercolor Month!

World Watercolor Month was started in 2015 by Charlie O’Shields – a man who picked up a watercolor brush one day and never looked back.  He created the website, Doodlewash, to spread the word about watercolor – it is fun, relaxing and anybody can do it.  World Watercolor Month is a 31 day challenge to paint a watercolor everyday.

Do you want to join in the fun?

How To Join The Celebration

1. Post artwork on social media featuring watercolors (or gouache) in July
2. Add the hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth each time you post
3. Repeat all month long!

If you have no idea what to paint, the Doodlewash website makes that part easy by giving you a daily prompt to get your creative juices flowing.

Above is my first entry – I created this sign using Dr. Ph. Martin’s liquid watercolor. I first masked off the lettering with the Molotow Liquid Masking Pen.

After it dried, I applied a watercolor wash in various colors over the top of the masked letters.  When the watercolor has completely dried, I removed the masking fluid with a rubber cement eraser.

I can’t wait to see what you create!  I can’t wait to see what I create either!

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Dear Friends,

I am so thrilled to bring you 3 new watercolor series this week – Skies and Clouds, Sunshiny Flowers and Extravagant Hues!  Each piece is no more that 2″x3″. I have been moving in the direction of miniature work for sometime but did not really realize it until recently. When I view any kind of miniature art, it immediately puts me in a state of wonder – wondering how the artist made it, why did they make it, what materials did they use and on and on and on. If I can touch the tiny pieces, so much the better so I can look at it from all angles and think of all the possibilities that each piece possesses.

When I paint and create, I go to that same place – one of wonder, possibilities and potential. It is a powerful and peaceful place and I like being there. One of the true joys of being an artist and creator is when I hear from you that my work has been able to  take you to that place as well.

I am happy to take you with me and I always look forward to hearing from you.

XO,

Lisa

What kind of things make you stop and take a moment? For me, it is something that looks like it could have an interesting texture or something very small that I need to take a closer look at to see all the details.

I believe that texture is one of the things that draws me to letterpress. I love the feeling of the different weights and surfaces of the paper. It is really enjoyable for me to hand someone a card or print created with letterpress and to see the reaction once they really start to feel the paper in their hands.

Tiny objects have always been an obsession. They spark the imagination – they make you stop to analyze them and in the process your mind goes to the questions who would use such tiny things and who would make such tiny things and how did they make that tiny thing and how could I use it? When objects and images are so small, you can take them anywhere as your pocket inspiration or give inspiration to others!