Card Making

I usually have a ready supply of hand made greeting cards, however, I have been having too much fun painting other things, so last night, being in an abstract mood, and needing a lot of cards,  I decided to paint an abstract and go from there.
First step is to paint a background of color on 140# paper with watercolor or acrylic. Anything goes here, make it bright!

Second step is to glue collage material on top. Have fun! Just remember that it has to go through the mail, so don't make it too bulky. Let this dry, and then turn over and mark off into small rectangles.  Mine are 4X6 to fit on a 5X7 card.

I cut this with a paper cutter, but it could be done by hand.

Greetings!!

Third step is to glue the pieces down with a glue stick on the front of the card, and then put them under something heavy for the night. I hope you didn't look at your art and try to pick out certain parts before you cut them. It is more fun to go ahead and cut it up and then see all the surprises. If you want to add to, or touch something up, you can do that later. Now I have several cards with very little effort, and it was a lot of fun. Friends enjoy getting a handmade card; it is sometimes the gift! It is great to use one of those abstract pieces that just didn't work out, for this project. You could even use the kids paintings as long as the paper is heavy enough.  Blank cards and envelopes can be purchased at any craft store. Have fun! 

Inspiration for an abstract!

I was fascinated by the many concrete silos that dot the country side of the ranch we visited in south Texas. I am told that they are from the early 1900s. They were used to store the grain for the cattle. Now they just sit empty as a remembrance of how things used to be. Some of them still look very sturdy, while others have crumbling concrete;  inspiration for an abstract painting!

Planetary Motion

This is a companion piece to the one I posted yesterday. They hang in my studio. To me, it is very relaxing, and yet very exciting, to think about the planets and stars, and the connectedness of the power and energy in the universe. They know all they have to do to stay afloat is to "let go, and let God".

TLC

I have been dishing out lots of TLC to hubbie after surgery for repair of a torn tendon and bone spur in his shoulder. I am getting lots of gold stars!! Not much time to paint, but I want to post this acrylic I did a short time ago. I think it look like it is "OUT OF THIS WORLD". It was so much fun, and I love anything blue.
I also ordered these really cool paints that I am so excited to try; maybe this week, if my patient is better.  

More Ranch Pics

These cacti with purple fruit on them were everywhere ! They say you can eat the fruit, however they are full of fine little prickly hairs. I'm afraid that would scratch going down. :>) I'm sure someone out there knows how to prepare them. Anyway, it will make a pretty painting when I get a chance. I would love to see all of these cacti when they bloom.

Wonderful West Texas !

Just returned from 4 days in West Texas, along the Rio Grande River. The water has receded a lot, however the river is still much wider than normal. We saw lots of cacti (of course), and the purple sage was blooming all over. We watched the sun set and just generally relaxed with family and friends. We had wonderful food; breakfast tacos, carne guisada, cabritto, (my friend Sharon will shudder at that, since she raises goats. ) The area where we were, had more hills than I had imagined. I took lots of pictures and should have much inspiration for future paintings.

Figs in the neighborhood!

Well, the figs were in the neighborhood, they are now in my pretty blue and white bowl, and some are already in my tummy. We have to hurry and pick them before the birds and the squirrels eat them all. I have been looking on the Internet for recipes, but decided I like them just the way they are.  I really should paint a picture before we eat them all.

Queen of Bingo

Here she is ! The play was hilarious !  I doubt that my great grandmother ever had time to play bingo, but you never know, and anyway, I thought she would make a good queen. It is a frame, so I can replace her if I see fit.

Queens of Bingo !

Today I am going to the stage play "The Queens of Bingo". We have a wonderful theatre here in town; the thespians are top notch. I'm hoping to get an inspiration for a mixed media collage. I already have something in mind, but maybe it will all come together in the theatre. If I have success, look for it right here in days to come.

Make JOY a priority; do not leave it to chance.

Independence Day !

 We had a beautiful July 4th; no rain to spoil the fireworks.. Thank God for our independence.
Well, this evening I committed to pray every day, for 120 days, for our country. Will anyone join in ? 
I bought a new floor lamp today for the studio. It is a daylight, and has wheels, so I can position it just right. I hope it is everything I think it is going to be. Of course it should make my paintings improve, shouldn't it. I'm counting on that feature. :>)

Crepe Myrtle

Well, as you can see, I still have a lot to learn about posting a picture. I didn't want it quite that big. The crepe myrtles are beautiful though, blooming trees all over town. This one is outside my dining room window.
My e-course, flying lessons,  is officially over today. We were able to download a pdf file to I will enjoy refering to it when needed.
 Now maybe I can get back to the easel and paint.

Home Sweet Home !

It is always good to be home. Ready to get back to the studio to create. I had to catch up on my
 "flying lessons" with Kelly Rae Roberts. http://www.kellyraeroberts.com We are almost finished, and it has been wonderful !She is a generous soul !