A different drummer

Next month I am going to have a chance to join a drumming circle...how cool is that?? So I decided I needed my own drum. I got a plain 10" elk hide frame style drum on ebay, and arted it up. It features one of my power animals, the lynx. I am very happy with it! All it needs is a border...

The art of the Doodle, the Doodle as Art

We've all done it.
We've all doodled.
Mindlessly while on hold, trying to reach the cable repair people, the doctor, the bank. In the margins of our notebooks when we were bored in class, daydreaming, distracted.
When I was small, I would doodle on the little envelopes meant for the offering tray at church, using the provided little pencil; to my young mind these items had been placed there solely for my creative use.

It may not seem like mindlessly creating art via the auto-doodle mode would result in full pages of joyous expression, but I intend to convince you otherwise.


The key to a glorious, full-page abstract doodle is to really believe that a doodle can go places, can be more than its seemingly goofy name implies. Here now are some ways to jump start a doodle, enhance and encourage it, celebrate it and magnify it! The techniques for doodling are truly numerous, so these are just a handful of ideas.

One way to create a full page doodle is by connecting random shapes via other random shapes. If you like, practice some basic shapes on some scrap paper to see which ones you repond to: swirls, stars, leaves, eggs, circles, squares, triangles, wiggly worms, flames, teardops. Once you are comfortable with creating shapes, scatter some randomly over the page you are filling:


The next step is to build a web of sorts between these shapes. Lines and wiggles are useful, other shapes can be squeezed in, too. By linking all the shapes together, we fill that negative space with vibrant and active lines that give the whole image a dynamic energy.


Looking for a different launching point? Consider using a word. Your name, a quotation, or just one bold word like JOURNEY, or DREAM. Let the tendrils, lines and shapes grow and build of this basic building block, until the overgrowth becomes a garden of wiggles and squiggles:




The best part about a doodle is it HAS NO RULES. Any material can be used. I myself am partial to Sharpie markers (the fumes are intoxicating; some say inspiring...others say headache inducing. Your mileage may vary!) I love the bold color and the bleed factor of the markers as they soak into bristol board. I have been know to doodle with silver pens, gel pens, pencils, paint, you name it. But mostly for the outlines, I come back to the black Sharpie.

Doodles do not need to represent anything. They do not need to speak your heart or be balanced or have proper perspective. Doodles do not judge. Doodles are the artistic equivalent of humming, whistling, taking a stroll, floating on a raft in the pool. They invite you to let go of expectations and inhibitions and let the lines wander.


Once my page is filled, if I want to take my doodle to the next level, I dress it up with color. Again, I am partial to brights and bolds here, but have done these with sparkling watercolors, colored pencils, markers, even crayons. You can limit your palette to blues and greens, reds and golds, whatever feels right, or go wild with all the colors of the rainbow! The doodles that follow were done with Sharpies:



This one was done with sharpie and watercolors



Here is some doodling used to fill spaces in a collage:


So go take doodling to the next level…let the pen wander and the mind follow….

In progress

These elements are all from the same piece I am working on; it is for a friend so I need to keep any real progress pics down for now...some has to stay a surprise!
Nothing feels like creating something for someone, just because of who they are, just because you love them. That's where art and joy collide.

an introduction

Recently my inner child was invited out to play. She was hesitant at first, because she has not been out much. I think she thought there was no one to play with. Or some her her past playmates had been pretty rough with her. Teased and stuff. Anyway, there are some things about her that have not changed at all, so here is a list of a few.

Being near the ocean makes her happy. Lakes and rivers are an acceptable substitute, but she likes the wind that blows in over the surf, and the roar of the waves, and how tiny the shoreline makes her feel.

Although her bright blue eyes changed their minds at age six and turned green, her love of cats remains the same.
She likes to curl up under the arm of someone she trusts to protect her from bad stuff, like wolves, or mean people.

She believes that if you are going to ignore the wisdom of whole grains and dine on Wonder Bread, it is more interesting to eat when first rolled into litttle balls of dough.

She thinks pigtails are the best. She is proud of her freckles. She loves spontaneous hugs, and her ability to make people laugh. She is proud of that, too.
She believes in things not everyone can see, like magic, and souls who know each other through lifetimes, and she also will keep a secret for you, if you need one kept. She knows some wonderful ones.

I hope she sticks around for awhile. I kind of forgot how easy it is to make her happy. She is good company, and does not ask for much more than love, forgiveness when she messes up, someone to laugh at her jokes and kiss her owies when she falls down and cries about it.

Oh, and cupcakes. With frosting. And sprinkles. The rainbow kind. Pretty sure she will share...

We have a winner!

Happy congratulations to the fabulously talented Kathy Wasilewski, who is the winner of the mirror! Randomizer.org picked her comment number this evening on my behalf (such a great li'l program!) so I did not need to ask hubby to pull a paper from a hat!

This experince, just like last years, was an exercise in pure creative joy. The opportunity (and excuse) to visit blog after blog of heart-centered artists and creatives of all kinds was simply fantastic. Thank you all for being part of the whole process, and to Lisa for letting us in on her vision.

Blessings, all!

One World One Heart!

Once again I am participating in the One World One Heart giveaway! The simple instructions are as follows: leave a comment for me on this post, and you are entered to win the mirror I created for this event!

I will be drawing a winner on the 13th of February, and will contact them either via email or via their personal blog. If you leave an anonymous comment, I will not be able to reach you if you win!

Be sure to check out the (over 130)other giveaways! The list can be seen here.
Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!


A bit about the mirror:
This mirror has a wooden frame that has been collaged with various papers, and then muted with a wash of thinned gesso. The result is a soft, antique white effect. Since mirrors are notoriously hard to photograph, I have snapped pics of some of the details for a closer look. The mirror measures @ 8x10", and can be displayed on the wall or on a flat surface with the stand on the back.

The finished rooms

At long last I can share the finished results of our addition, including the boys' rooms! Technically there are fiddly bits to tinker with yet, like staining the french doors and painting some of the trim...but I will get that done a bit at a time.

New charms

Another charm swap propelled me to give something new a shot. I have not worked with polymer clay too much, so this was a challenge, especially working small...my wrists have been particularly troublesome lately...but I made some Kwan Yin beads. At least, that is what the face said to me...I thought of Kwan Yin as I made them. She is the godess of compassions; her name means "she who hears the cries of the world."

Home Improvement

I have been focused on our house these many weeks, as we are putting on an addition. It is near completion at last so I thought I would share some pics of the new upstairs room, and the murals I did on the walls of the boys' rooms downstairs!

Happy New Year

Aside from Overwhlemed, Way Behind, and Scattered, here are are other interpretations as to

***What Nici Means*** as presented by a Blogthings Quiz

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. (Ok, how did they know that?)

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. (This thing is eerily accurate...)

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. (Consider me spooked. Everything said here is dead on. Freaky!)

How about you?

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/

journals and mirrors

I could say something trite about how they both allow us to reflect, but I will refrain. (Okay, I pretty much said it anyway!) I conjured up a couple of each for the Women's Entrepeneurial Fair I was invited to be part of this weekend. I am very excited for it!

A purple mirror is also in progress, as is an off white one.

Dominomania

Yeah, manic would be the right word. 47 domino magnets in one night? The muse is relentless, yet I am so glad she is here!

make a wish...

Was inspired to make some magic wands to sell at the craft show...styrofoam stars covered with mulberry papers and gel medium..painted with acrylics, pearlex and microglitter...stamped, sealed with varnish and bejeweled...dressed up with fibers and tinsel and ribbon.

Got a wish, anyone? Me, I wish these will sell well!

CD art

Kelli Perkins sent me a pin made from a piece of cut up compact disc last year, which I absolutely love. I finally worked up the nerve to try my own hand at it, and am so glad I did. I have made 46 of them this week; here is just a small sampling of them in progress. They are such FUN!

Playdate Payoff

One of the best parts of arranging an art playdate with a fellow artist is the sharing of goods and ideas. My friend and fellow Circus Freak, Melissa, came over to play on Tuesday and brought BEADS, which she (as usual) generously shared, plus she inspired me to do another of these beady-charm bracelets, which I am just loving lately. They are feminine but not to fussy, and have such a cool, delicious weight, they are a real pleasure to wear.
Thank you, Melissa!

To Bead or not to Bead...

Is no longer the question; I have to get busy if I plan to do the two craft fairs I am planning on. Anyone with craft fair tips, please, email me! I am a newbie!

Here are some of the latest manifestations of my bead fetish:

The skinny

I am relieved and happy to report that the skinny book pages are done, about 2 weeks ahead of my own schedule, and I am feeling quite celebratory! Here is a neak peek at a sampling of them:




Sorry about the wacky crop job in the picture, but there was a lot of extraneous crap in the background that you (trust me) would not consider eyecandy. (Note to self: Clean studio already! Sheesh!)

Worthwhile activities.

Have a few moments to make some mailart? Today you can make a piece that is truly meaningful. The Remember September mailart project is a small way to commemorate the lives lost 6 years ago. I participated last year and was honored to have my envelope chosen to be part of this years postcard announcing this years call for submissions.

I hope you will consider arting up an envie and mailing it today (so it has the 9.11 cancellation date) to add to the collection of what is now over 3000 submissions. Send your offering to:
Remember September
PO Box 793
Katonah, NY
10536


My entry this year was in part inspired by the quote chosen for the Hope Sees a Star project at ZNE. Please, also take a moment to find out what you can do to help this campaign. As artists, we have the power to support one another, as well as the power to create lasting beauty. Come be a part of it.

Skinny book pages continued

Twenty six pages cut and ready for embellishing! I feel like I am on such a creative roll! Woohoo!
I am really happy with the way the backgrounds came out; it was such a great experimental journey!

Stockpiling

Thinking of doing a Holiday craft fair here in town this year, which means I need to build up my inventory. Here are three necklaces I made last night: