Go where you are Celebrated!

You deserve to be celebrated as the special person you are. 

If your friends (and family) don't treat you that way, go find people who will! 

We Stand With You #artistsforlove

We have a voice. We will be heard. 

Inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts through Effy Wild & Sarah Trumpp at Journal52

Find out more about #artistsforlove here. 

Take Action

I have not felt such open grief since my daughter died. I wake up each morning with an almost dread-like feeling. It’s quite unlike anything I've ever felt before. And I'm a straight white 63 year old woman.

I felt a similar grief of betrayal many, many years ago when I discovered the father of my children was unfaithful with my best friend. It’s something that rocks your foundation as a person and causes transformation. And nothing is ever the same.

This election has rocked my foundation. Hate has been openly unleashed on our country, on our children. Our environment is in peril. This is unacceptable for us as individuals on a deeper level than ever before. It calls me to action. It calls each of us to action.

Those issues you are most concerned about? Get involved. Speak up. Make our collective voice heard. Take action now!

More people in this country (USA) voted for someone other than the current president-elect, than voted for him. By a few million. Not just for Hillary, but for Gary and Jill. We will not be silenced.

This is a time of transformation. Speak up! Take action now!

God help our children. God help our country. God Bless America.

Make me an Instrument of Peace

I am horrified at what has been unleashed in America as a result of this election. Hatred, bigotry, nonacceptance and marginalization appears to have been reinforced; it is openly showing it's ugly face again in so many parts of the country. 

In the numbness of despair, what I can do is to fight for justice and acceptance; to do all I can to make sure those hard fought for freedoms are protected for all Americans, and all humankind.  

God help us all. 

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 

where there is injury, pardon; 

where there is doubt, faith; 

where there is despair, hope; 

where there is darkness, light; 

where there is sadness, joy.

St. Francis of Assisi 

Art Every Day - Nov 8 - Falling Leaves

We have been working in the yard this unseasonably warm afternoon, and the variety of leaves on the ground inspired me to spend some time this afternoon doing an easy and relaxing art project - fall leaf rubbings. With windows and doors open, I might add. (A rarity in November in NW Washington state) 

I used Caran D'Ache Neocolor II Crayons, rubbed the backs of the leaves on 65 lb cover weight paper, and used my water brush to meld the colors. They need more work, but this is the start. 

Check out these weeping beech leaves. Listening to them rustling in the breeze can reduce stress, much the same as ocean waves at the shore. Most of these guys hang on until the new leaves begin to bud out in the spring. They'll turn a deep brown, and hang on. 

The perfect thing to relax on this election day. We'll hang on and all shall be well. 

Art Every Day - Nov 7 Choose Happiness

I have been doing #100happydays since July 10, 2016. A friend started doing it, and because I think it's good to focus on HAPPY things (law of attraction), I decided I'd play along. Because, seriously, I get to choose how I feel (so do you!), and I choose to be happy! 

My "100 happy days" actually ended October 18th but I had decided to keep doing it through election day. Well... we're almost there! I'll still focus on happy; it's become ingrained in me. 

Coincidentally, Sunday's Story People was on happiness - which pretty much sums up my thoughts as well. 

The bottom line is, life is all in your attitude. Find the happy thing in whatever is going on in your life... there's always SOMEthing to be happy about. Look for that silver lining, and you're sure to find it. 

Choose Happiness! 

Art Every Day - Nov 6 Teabag Found Poetry

 Playing around with teabag art... as in using a "used" teabag to create some type of something upon.  This is not what I thought would happen, but it was a fun learning experience. 

I stamped the image on the teabag, and added the found poetry cut from an old book page. 

I placed a textured paper towel (with paint from a gelliplate off print) cut (mostly) to size, to add texture and interest. Then I applied beeswax, using my mini iron, to meld together. 

It didn't quite work as I thought it would, but I still kinda like it. I'll play around with this a bit more. Stay tuned.... 

Art Every Day - Nov 5 Golden Ginkgo

Sharing a photo today of a stand of Ginkgo trees, discovered near our grocery store. They've been there for some time, and I just noticed them because of their brilliant yellow leaves and the fact that they were still attached after our recent winds! 

Aren't they gorgeous? 

Art Every Day - Nov 4 Hummingbird

Hummingbird - Watercolor pencil and pen sketch. 

It's too stiff, I obviously need more practice, which I intend to get this month. :)

 

Also sharing with Paint Party Friday 

Art Every Day Month - days 2 & 3

Art every day! That part is fairly easy, it's getting it posted that is the challenge. :) 

I have so many partially finished projects I hope to get closer to completion this month! One is a tiny journal I've done bits and pieces in for the past year. Yesterday I worked on this spread. I think is needs an old postage stamp or two. I'll share the complete page in a few days.

aedm Nov 2

Today's art is this sketch I drew last night while watching The Cisco Kid (that was a hoot! I adore Gene Wilder) - and finished painting this morning. Watercolors with ink. 

aedm Nov 3

Mushrooms - AEDM #1

Art Every Day Month - for Nov 1.

This was an already in progress painting using water color layers like collage - using stencils and inks. Tonight I added the butterfly, layers to the mushrooms, and ink details. I may add more details, but this is where I left it tonight.

November - a month of promise and a month of art

Today is November 1st. While I'm still not sure where summer went, I am ready for a new month filled with PROMISE! And it's Art Every Day Month, hosted by Leah @ createeveryday.com. Luckily the rules are "lax" and can include photography. I don't know if I can keep up with posting here daily. but at least I'll share what I create daily a few times a week. 

So, since I have yet to create today (other than a stew in the crockpot) I'll share a photo to celebrate our sparkly new month. 

This is a close up of alyssum still blooming in our garden, amid the falling leaves. It was a heavy dew morning a couple of days ago, and I just got to editing the photos today. 

I look forward to sharing my Art Every Day Month with you!