Snapshots of my future

I've been processing nature photos I've taken since the first of the year for an upcoming encaustic photography project. To my surprise I have quite a few that interested me for this medium. Randomly snapping shots in the moment have proven reliable when I need to draw from a creative source. Being that they are my own makes the process that much more fulfilling. If you click on them you may be able to see them in a larger format. The top shot was taken in my home town. It is the top of a cement barrier that is intended to protect our water treatment plant from a potential flooding of the adjacent creek. The majestic walnut tree has yet to sprout it's leaves and is the perfect hang out for red breasted robins passing through on their seasonal road trip home. My kayak made for a great vantage point when the winter waters were serene. It was 44 degrees out with zero wind and you would of never known it in the last photo. Currently I am waiting for paint to dry. I've chosen to spend this day adding a second layer of black paint to my tub room's built-in cupboards. It's only been a year and a half in between coast. Geez. Something to put a bounce in your step today [click here]

Crafty vessels for my stuff

Thank God for public school clay & ceramics classes! I would be hard pressed to find such stunning functional pieces to house my art supply odds & ends. Nestled amongst my mixed media extravaganza are tiny vases, boxes and one of a kind masterpieces. There are even a few candles I received several years ago as Mother's Day gifts that I can't bring myself to melt. I will forever appreciate and treasure these items. I also don't see any less trinkets in my future and am relieved I have one more child left at home with a sculpting future ahead. If you click on them you can see them up close and personal. How do they do this?? [click here]

Lucid. Quiet. Peace. Lullaby.

Some China Town shots in Portland. The Chinese Gardens [click here] is my all time favorite place to be in the city. If I could have any side or backyard landscape it would replicate this space. In the summer months the multi-textured stone floor surfaces are warmed by the sun and taking a stroll through the garden barefoot is something I think is a bit unique. I have yet to experience it at night but the photos are spectacular. The last pic was my view every Monday for the last 11 weeks. I would do the bulk of my homework reading in front of the fire, sometimes even dosing off when the material got monotonous. Perhaps that's an age thing? None-the-less it was an amazing way to get through my studies. I now have a two week break in between quarters and am a bit closer to my Art Therapist degree (of which I still have a long road ahead). I am craving some photo shoot time and need to prepare some mixed media art for the submission process for a show in November. I just realized the book I'm reading in the photo is The Artists Way, not home work at all. Hmmm...I must have snuck that in. I'm at the part where writing a letter to "Sister Ann Rita" telling her to stick it, then mailing it to yourself is a gesture of freedom. Shhhhh...I need another nap...[click here]

Blue Sky, Grey Sky, White Sky, Sunshine.

I began my Saturday with creative journal writing on my chaise in front of the dormer window in my designated art space. The sun broke through the thick flannel blanket of clouds to blind my eyeballs. I had to hide under my afghan to escape the intensity. Of course I had my camera handy, doesn't everyone?? This shot pretty much captures how I felt in that moment of warmed comfort. This is the song that was playing in that moment [click here].

I then went for a walk. The sun was covered in the beginning. The wet ground made for a sound protection of sorts. Once a noise flew by it was sucked into the wet earth. The snow on the mountains must of been beamed with a ray of sunshine for they are blown out of my photo. Either that or I was so memorized by the rest of the landscape I forgot to include it in my focus.

The foot bridge leading to the cove is always of interest to me. It's architecture is never boring. It's an extra special treat to encounter someone on horseback while passing through. Come summertime it is a popular housing area for massive spider webs as big as your face.

The blue sky began to open up just as the wind began to chill my neck. I walked faster after snapping this shot. These trees put on a magnificent show throughout every season. Beneath them lies a popular camping ground for summer festival campers. I can't say that I've noticed them getting any taller in the past six years I've been walking by. It's almost like they are preserved in time. The sky put on a good show during my brisk end of winter walk. I'm glad I decided to go. I still can't figure out how to do spell check with the new blogging format, I am now exposed for my spelling imperfections!

One of my classes this quarter is a Health & Wellness course. One of my assignment topics was Art Therapy, which happens to be the route I am academically on. This piece is 6"w x 18"h on water color paper. I used acrylics, water, gel medium, inks, magazine clippings and misc. ephemera. It stands for something, of which I am not at liberty to share. However...I think it came together rather well and proudly have it hanging in my studio waiting to be securely fastened to an ampersand 2" cradle box. I've labled it Heart-in-Hand. I've been working on a few smaller pieces the past few weeks and reading the book The Artists Way [click here]. I am in the first week of the book, actually the first day. It's definitely interesting and aims to do miraculous things for you if followed precisely. We'll see. I am always a cynic first. Perhaps that is something I will address in this process?

Nook n Cranny

The Anthropologie store [click here] in Portland's Pearl District [click here] consistently uses recycled products in their decorating schemes. An entire display window was filled with a floral display of plastic bottles. Refreshingly lovely.

Portland's nooks and crannies of old brick and cobblestone alleyways creates a labyrinth of treasured aesthetic boutiques and restaurants.

 

Even the electric company has artistic flare!

Once cherished prize possessions waiting to be recycled and re-loved are abundant are displayed to entice your imagination. Picture yourself in this little number jammin' to this.....[click here]

Heart Rockin' Valentine

 

 

 In my bathroom reno I siliconed locally found stones mixed with glass tiles to creatively disguise the rough edge of slate. I'm always amazed at the heart shaped stones that keep popping up in my searches.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saved by the Soul of Creativity

 

  

When a plethora of opportunistic directions all converge at once is that considered a gift? Everything seems optimistic yet a great sense of pressure and confusion lies in the decision making process. Which route to take? What is my best avenue for my future? Is there a wrong decision? If I don't chose one will I regret it? If I'm supposed to be in the now, how will this resolve the decisions I must make (if any) for my future? Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

 I felt it necessary to post these drive by photos of last months road trip when my decision making process was relaxed, content and focused with a sprinkle of whimsy. Keeping my creative side flowing allows me to remain in a much calmer state. I feel as if I need to be saved from my confusions. I'm in much need of "being still" and "letting be". This version of this song helps release the unwanted frustrations (thanks to a friend "RO" for posting it so I can share it) [CLICK HERE]. Turn up the speakers and let it out! I BETTER GET BUSY!

Stripper Shoes & A Homemade Prom Dress

Nothin' says a good time like a pair of stripper shoes and a homemade strapless lavendar-laced prom dress! A fabulous street called Hawthorne [CLICK HERE] in Portland hosts an abundance of second hand shops, boutiques & cafes. On a lazy Sunday afternoon I brought my camera along just incase I found something interesting to shoot. Voila! I am not the typical gal to have these items laying around my closet so I took interest in a mini photo shoot while sitting on an extremely uncomfortable 1960's? chaise lounger. I had a Molly Ringwald moment [CLICK HERE]. P.S. the $20 dress & $14 shoes are still available at the House of vintage, the brown & black tights with the hole in the big toe are all mine.

I mentioned in a prior post I was working with conte crayons...I stand corrected. They are neocolor II water-souluble wax pastels [CLICK HERE]. (fancy schmancy) This is a journal entry using the crayons. I have been nelecting my art journal. Spending just under an hour with no goal or plan felt pretty darn good. Lately my life has a ridgid structure loaded with deadlines and due dates. I was on a roll for about three consecutive days until I went to Hawthorne and found the shoes! My creative journalling skipped a day but of course I have all intentions of jumping right back in today ;-)

Chillin' with the Crayons

 

  

Winter photos from around the yard is the sum of my creativity lately. I've been consumed with homework and haven't spent time in my studio for way too long. Currently homework does not include art. Today I stopped to take an hour for a journal entry (a biweekly pact some artsy fartsy friends on facebook and I have made). I chose water soluable conte crayons, a stablio pencil & a white gel pen. I like-a the conte crayons. I'll post more of those colorings/paintings later. I am amazed at the tension release creating art allows me to have. Although I'm saving my school work for tomorrow, my mind is less cluttered now.