Encaustic

 My tree project....this tree was done on a square piece of wood, cut by my very helpful husband.
I put several layers of encaustic wax on the board. I then "carved" the tree into the wax.
Filled the space with black wax, and here it is. Not easy, but I love a challenge.
The wax gives everything a misty look. I then added an old "leaf" earring to the wire
hanger. I like the way the natural knot in the wood kinda goes with the tree. 

New Beginnings

September is just around the corner. It seems like everything new starts in Sept. Most of the kids are back in school. All the clubs, meetings, and classes, start again. I have a pretty full calendar for September already. Hope I don't over commit myself, but I hate to miss out on something wonderful. With the art class, the blogging course, and the bible study starting, I guess I'd better say "not yet" to anything else that comes along.
This quote by monk, Thomas Merton, seemed appropriate for today's musings.
"Art enables us to find ourselves, and lose ourselves at the same time."
Hope I don't lose myself totally! :>)

mandala

I am dizzy from reading and enjoying the many blogs that are streaming into mine.
 Must take some time out to learn how to list them on the side of my blog for everyone to enjoy.
Only problem is, I have been reading instead of painting. I'm afraid I will miss something wonderful.
 I will get a pretty timer and sit it here on my desk; give myself only so much time to serf the net, and then off it goes. I promised myself that I would get busy on my tree series. In looking at some of my work, I realized that a lot of trees exist. Here is a mandala that is made with trees. It is graphite on paper.

Color Challenge

Here is the composite from last weeks color challenge. My piece is in #8 place.
I can't figure out how to link to the web site. I have so much to learn about blogging.
This week is sea foam green and "in the sea". I think I have just the piece for that!

 I spent the weekend with my very creative granddaughter!
We had so much fun painting, molding clay, and beading.
We decorated a frame and we even went spelunking on Friday!
Whee, I'm worn out. Tomorrow is a new day and I will get
busy on my tree project. It is so important to spend that
 time with the kids while they still want to do it; they grow up too fast.

WOYWW

Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday? The idea is to post a picture of your desk on Wednesday, to show what you are working on. If you are not working, you had better get busy!! I know it is Thursday, however I just figured out how to put a link in the comment box. I had to learn this to take part in this challenge. I have always loved trees, and I have some ideas on making a series.The interesting fact is that my 2 sisters love/loved trees also. We all have/had rings with either a tree or a leaf on them.

The Creative Color Challenge

This is my entry for the Creative Color Challenge Flickr Group. I loved it because the challenge is for my favorite color, turquoise, plus white or black, if needed. Also a touch of gold, copper etc.
My entry is titled Doorway to Heaven. It is fun to see what everyone comes up with. 

Zen out

Here is another zentangle creation. The whole idea is to just "zen out" while you are making little black marks, (or in this case, white marks) on paper. There are no mistakes; everything seems to work out in the end. I enjoy the quiet, repetitive movements of the pen. It is suppossed to be 103 degrees today, so it is a good day to stay in, and zen out.

Zentangle

If you have never heard of "zentangle", you must head over to their web page, zentangle.com; when you are finished here, of course. My sister introduced me to it after she saw it at an art retreat. Anyway, it appealed to me right off the bat, probably because I love to use curves in my art, and I love the calligraphy hand called Copperplate, which consist of beautiful curves and flourishes. I have been teaching myself zentangle after reading the newsletters, and ordering a "zentangle kit". I would love to attend one of their classes near Boston, however it is sooo far from Texas!! Maybe someday...
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at the new Artisans Gallery in Taylor, Texas. I took my latest zentangle creation along to show the ladies there, and they loved it! I did not have any particular thing in mind when I started this, however, now I think it looks like a jester's shoe. Some thought butterfly, some thought a bat! I would like to hear what some of you think it looks like???

We finally got some rain for our parched and cracked yard.  We need a lot more, but I am thankful for what we got.
I am posting my other fish picture. These 2 little orange guys look like they are on a mission. They must be late for an appointment. I love to imagine what is going on in some pictures. Of course I wasn't thinking that when I painted them, but that is the fun of it all. Enjoy!

It has been 100 degrees or higher every day for a week or two. There is just nothing to do except grab a good book, or a paint brush, and stay by the air conditioner vent. This picture of fish helps a little; just thinking about swimming around under the water, makes me a little cooler. These fish are hanging downtown in the ScentChips corridor. Maybe it will have a cooling effect on those enjoying the art. The painting started with an acrylic background, and then collage layers of fish; then more paint, until I got it just the way I wanted it. I finished with a glaze of color to unify everything, and an acrylic matt medium to finish. I remember being amazed at the beautiful colors of coral, and fish under the sea, when we were in Bermuda.

What a desolate place would be a world without flowers!
It would be a face without a smile, a feast without a welcome.
Clara L. Balfour

Floral

Floral Paintings

Many of my floral paintings are being moved this weekend from the Cultural Arts Center, to the VA Hospital in Temple, TX. They will grace the lobby area, and hopefully give some cheer to our service men and women and their families. These florals are bright and pretty, and they remind me of who is in charge of this beautiful earth. It is an awesome thought, and we are here to enjoy, tend, and paint the beauty. Hopefully the art will give joy and healing to some, and perhaps help others reflect on life and be grateful.

Another pear

This pear is painted with acrylics. I love the colors! I have to give Robert Burridge credit; he was so inspiring on his teaching video. You can catch up with Robert on facebook.  I painted a whole peck of pears and several turned out well enough to frame. My favorites were the ones with unusual color combinations. Robert suggest that you tape twigs to the end of your paint brushes so you don't get too picky. I taped chop sticks to mine, and use them that way all the time. I took one of my framed pears over to the new Artisan Gallery in Taylor, TX.

Pears

I love pears! I love to eat them! I love to paint them, and I even like to make them into an art object.
These just sit on the shelf and look pretty. I wish I could come up with something useful; something everyone needed, and couldn't live without. How old was Grandma Moses before she got famous!?
I love Sundays, because I feel like I can do whatever I please..... I guess I'll go make some more pears!