I realized two things when I came to post this morning – firstly that I DIDN’T press ‘publish’ last week when I posted AND – my post read like something that is probably rambly introspective trash that people imagining themselves to be insightful (minus an editor) writes. (also a hazard of posting infrequently – you don’t know where to begin to catch up your readers – if I have any of those any more!)
In several forums of my life at the moment, I am being encouraged to thankful and there really is LOTS…………one of the significant things that kept coming up on my lists were my ONLINE art friends & forums that I belong to…….you all have made such an impact on my artistic journey. SO – my list is at the bottom of this post – but to start with a THANKYOU – I wanted to gift you some of my ‘altered’ images – to use in your own art work. I retain the copyright, they are images I have taken myself & altered – however, I release them to you to use in your own work & your own work for publication (BUT NOT for redistribution or resale).
Unfortunately – they are not very big as I have used iphone apps to alter them, and it kept crashing the larger sized files. They print up nicely at 6 x 4 & 5 x 7’s or even better sized as ATC backgrounds. They will increase with a double click – then right click to save.
For those that don’t know – I am participating in Misty Mawn’s Open Studio Workshop. There are many adjectives that could be used to describe it (I COULD write a list!!!) but in short its the best I have ever been exposed to. She has certainly sorted ‘the men from the boys’ as we say here in Oz and set the bar high for online courses. It is affordably priced, content rich, beautifully presented (name me one thing of Misty’s that isn’t!) – both challenging & achievable………..and YES – I am in love with her all over again!
The course covers both anticipated & unexpected inclusions like sculpture with paper clay, writing poetry, mark making with interesting mixes of materials, & other fun things. You can certainly notice the difference between someone formally trained in art & and those that are not in the depth & intensity of material included. If you have the chance to participate at some point – can I highly recommend it?
Having said that – and noting my post from a few months ago about ‘soooooo many faces’ – I am back to painting faces! Of course I have returned to my first love (the start of my ‘learning to draw’ adventure began with faces in July 2008) HONESTLY – they are 100% better than where I started……BUT I am not sure that I’ll ever get really good at this – even IF I paint them forever! LOL! (although, I must admit when ‘altered’ with my iPhone apps [as above] they look better) here is some of my work I have done throughout the 5 week course.
3 lino cuts (bud, blossoming, bloom) printed on vintage text. Pen & ink & watercolour drawings on page
inspired by summer beach trips to 90 Mile Beach, Victoria. Pen & ink w. watercolour
GHOST GUM - a linear abstract
myself - as a shape
i AM grateful…………………
for healthy children & grandchildren
for sky canvas set out before me daily (any one who has read my blog for any length of time will have seen one of our beautiful sunsets – for new readers – I have added one below as a treat! Taken a week ago from our front verandah)
for freedom to worship
for my home
for the gift of creativity
for pristine beaches
for the clean environment we live in here
for dear friends
for the online art community
for accessible, affordable education
for the wonder that is creation
for the smell of newborn babies
for the joy of a toddler laughing
for the wonder of childhood discovery
for the pleasure of sharing a life
for the privilege of growing old with someone you love
for the freedom to choose
there are plenty of other things…………..but they will be for a list…..another day
THE COLOURGURU 