Art Every Day---DAY 17

As much fun as those journals were to create, I am glad that they're behind me and being loved by those they were created for.

Now it's time to focus on Christmas gifts!
We traditionally create most of our family's gifts, but this year's circumstances dictate that we make as many of our gifts as possible. Fortunately most of the recipients appreciate handmade!

I was just interviewed by a writer from the Athens paper yesterday about "artsy/craftsy Christmases", or How an Artist and Her Family Enjoy Christmas. We've been making ornaments since the first three kids were just toddlers, and have now for many years aspired to gingerbread house building. I'll share some photos (and hilarious stories) later on in the season.

Though I need to make gifts and work on that mural that is waiting, my heart wants to sew....
I feel a strong pull to create something just for me. And of course, my body is screaming "are you crazy???"
We'll see what happens....

But for now, for Art Every Day, here is Phase 3 of the secret Christmas project


I think I liked it more with just the black stamping; what do you think?
I'm also thinking I might enjoy making something to wear from this, painted on a softer fabric, of course.
Ahh well....the next phase of this project involves cutting and sewing, so maybe I'll get my sewing fix there.....hmmmm......We'll see, we'll see.

What Do We Wish to Dare?

Raquy

From Jamie Ridler--

"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

Today's Wishcasting Wednesday prompt--
What do you wish to dare?

Wow Jamie!
Do the wish prompts always have to bring up so much stuff?? :D
All the prompts over the last few weeks have brought up lists of wishes, from which I'm never able to pick just one.

Today's is no different.
There is much that I wish to dare. But having been practically an invalid for the past year, and ill for many years, even the small dares are huge to me.
Starting my blog, participating in Wishcasting Wednesday each week, producing my own Halloween art show, sponsoring what promises to be a gigantic community art event/fundraiser, and now being involved in Art Every Day month.... All a big, BIG deal for me!

Tonight, I'll be living a huge dare (for ME).
Tonight I'm going to a concert, probably all by myself (that's how badly I want to go).
Sunday I discovered Raquy and the Cavemen (thanks Christine!) and I re-discovered how great it feels to move my body! Lupus and fibromyalgia keep my body pretty well locked up, so it's been years since I've gotten up and moved like that. I danced around the house all afternoon; I cleaned and danced on Monday, and yesterday...well, yesterday I realized that I didn't feel too bad!

Yesterday I discovered that this group is playing just 20 minutes away, TONIGHT!
Coincidence? I think NOT!

My ticket is in my hand, and I'm ready to go. I may not last for the whole show, but I am so excited to hear this drumming live and witness the beauty of belly dancing, and actually feeling it all in my body. I'm excited to think that this is something that can actually help me to feel well again.

Thank you friends for all your sweet wishes, sending healing my way---they're working!!

AHEM....
I am hereby amending this post.
What I wish to dare really, truly----to be ME, to just be ME.
I think that just might fix everything.....

Art Every Day--Sharing the Spotlight on Day 10

Since the Canadian was kind enough to run out and shoot the purple berries for me yesterday, I think I'd like to share some of his art this morning.
I'll share more of mine and my girl's work later today.

Those of you have visited this blog before might be familiar with a friend's calendar project that we were helping out with.
Marion was having 12 artists paint 12 pregnant bellies, which were then shot by 12 photographers, all for a March of Dimes Fundraiser.
Most of this took place at the Fringe Collective Artistic Studios; one of the bellies was painted by yours truly, and at least a couple of mamas were photographed by Tim.

This particular mama had a great henna tattoo on her belly---a glorious tree of life. In preparing her photo for the calendar project, Tim has been playing around with it, creating all sorts of beautiful art. He decided that it was starting to look like a planet, and he started thinking along the lines of creation, earth mother, mother earth and on and on, until we were both knee deep in this piece.

Without further ado---the art of Mr. Timothy Schildknecht of the Fringe Collective---

Art Every Day---DAY 5

I'm loving seeing the variety of art from the participants of Art Every Day!
There were 85 participants listed there last night! 85! How exciting to think of all of us, all over the world, creating together!

More journal pages finished, ready to share this morning.
My girls, just like so many girls these days, struggle with self-esteem issues. I added a little "meat" to these skinny-minny silhouettes I used. And I chose the quotes for their journals carefully. I loved this quote from Dr Seuss--
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy (girl) who'll decide where to go."

I'm hoping to work on a long-overdue mural later today, and will post photos of it as I work.
What will you create today?

Art Every Day--- DAY 4

stacks of painted papers await embellishment

a finished spread, featuring Queen Hannah
(idea from last issue of Somerset Digital Studio)

It's still Art Every Day month at www.CreativeEveryDay.com. Or rather, it's Day 4 and I'm
still in!
Still working on journal pages, with a few digital note cards thrown in for good measure.

It is decidedly good to hear from other artists that it's ok...no, not just ok....
It's downright IMPORTANT to play, and to sometimes create really bad stuff!

I'm fairly pleased with the way the journals are coming along, but yeah, every now and again, a page is well.....just crap. :D