Been in a funk lately...

Got a few more pictures of my art journal, but I haven't put any effort into canvases or other media lately. I've been in a funk, but on the good side I have to say I'm working on a book (I used to be a writer until I took a looong hiatus,) and that feels good. It's not as rewarding as seeing paint on paper, but you always wonder where the words come from that paint those pictures on the blank computer screen. The words come from the same place as the inspiration to my art pieces, just different media and more like "hard work."

Check out my picture of a Southern Magnolia blossom. Isn't that just the queen of flowers? They are gone now with the heat. The flowers last about a day on the tree. Then there's a picture of my neighbor Becki standing next to a nine foot thistle--the king of thistles. When the flowers came, it got so top heavy we thought it was going to fall over, but it didn't. Downy seeds flew everywhere.... Then the plant said sayonara; it was done with its mission here. :) We marveled at it for weeks, and it was right by their back door. A nice prickly guardian. Keep creating!
xo
Maria

Art Journaling...

Art journaling is a great way to spend time creating. Sometimes I don't want to face a blank canvas. My art journal doesn't demand much. There are no expectations of greatness, just a cluster of painted pages, some paint pens, some pretty pictures, some doodling, and voila, you have something out of nothing. New ideas pop up, things I might want to use in my more "serious" art, so in a way, art journaling is an idea factory. And you can be sure that the art is YOURS, not some lofty expectation of what art should be that I try to implement. I'm getting more and more hooked on art journaling!

Copper wire rocks!

I made a simple bracelet with copper wire and red coral beads. I just love the color combo they create. Check out the rock upon which I placed the bracelet for the photo. The rock is from Cayuga Lake in the Fingerlakes region of New York. I used to live by that lake and seemed to have a knack for finding rocks with holes in them. Ages and ages ago, there were creatures that got trapped in the forming rock and the softer part they presented got soaked away by water and time. That's the "scientific" explanation, but some believe the holes are magical. I've never had a magical experience with them, but they sure are beautiful! That's enough for me. I have a few I brought with me to Florida, where there are no REAL rocks, only soft sandstone.

Bailey was sitting on my table in my studio trying to get to this crazed bird that was pecking on my window every 20 minutes for the entire day. It's a Summer Tanager, native to Florida. I got a picture, but the quality is not good. It's been coming back now and again, pecking, pecking. I especially don't like the early morning pecking!

Another day in paradise...

...as Tom Selleck used to say in Magnum P.I. Sometimes I watch the reruns and enjoy some the shenanigans they got into. I especially liked Higgins and the Lads. :)

I've been working on some collages, but not being very productive right now. Here's one, another inspirational "Living from the Heart." 'Tis the only way to live, isn't it? I sold the two previous collages here locally to a woman who saw one of them on Facebook. You never know where you might find potential customers. I always post photos on these online venues.

Mixed media is lots of fun, and selling them is GREAT!

xo

Maria

steampunk jewelry...

Found an old pocket watch and took out the gears inside. Then I did a collage paper/paint and put it inside with a reminder that "time flies, breathe deeply." I added some watch gear and charms for more interest, and a heavy chain. I've been on a kick to honor the woman within, so that's why there are so many women in my art right now. We've got to honor ourselves...

Friendship angel painting in the series...

In the series of Living From The Heart, I made another collage with paper and paint. This one is called Friendship. I don't know what I would do without my girlfriends who are always there for me. This is to celebrate you all!

Maria

Another Live from the Heart creation...

Living from the heart is the only way to go in my opinion. Everything else is exterior fluff and busy-ness. It's a bit of a challenge to live from the heart but well worth the effort (or non-effort really.) When we let go, we go with the flow...

This is a mixed media collage with layers of paper and paint. The hearts are made from polymer clay and painted. Can't have too many of those! :)

It's a 12x12" canvas with deep gallery wrapped edges. For sale on Artfire. (Click on my artfire icon in the sidebar.)