Finished Painting and Giveaway!

Last night I finished my painting. I just doodled whatever I felt inspired to add and I love the look of her. She looks serene and happy. And I LOVE those colors together!! I needed color...

I decided since I have written over 650 posts - who knew I had that much to say - and am nearing 400 followers - thank you for still being interested in what I have to say - that it was time for a giveaway!

With a Light Heart
mixed media on 8 x 10 wrapped canvas

So, I'd like to give her away to one of you if you'd like her. Just leave a comment on this blog post and I'll draw the winner a week from today on September 16. If you want to mention this giveaway anywhere else (your blog, Facebook, etc) let me know in another comment and I'll give you an extra entry for each mention. Easy peasy!

And I'll also pick three other winners for something handmade, one of which will be this cute little clutch I made. It goes with the red flowers of the painting...

And then maybe a couple of things from my fiber store. Not sure yet, but you'll like it!

With that I wish you a beautiful weekend, and thank you so much for being a part of my life!!

P.S. This giveaway is open to anyone no matter where you live. Plus, if you have trouble leaving a comment on my blog, you can just send me an e-mail (there's an e-mail link on my profile) and enter that way.

Sidetracked...

I am actually sitting on the back porch this morning writing this. It is a cool 67 ℉(19 ℃) and almost no relative humidity. What a switch from yesterday morning, which greeted us with 84 ℉ (29 ℃) and almost 100% humidity. It seems like fall is finally announcing its arrival and not a moment too soon!!

I was going to finish my painting yesterday, but then got wonderfully sidetracked by preparations for a nice dinner with a good friend. She is like family, but still I wanted to make a pretty table (love those scorched hydrangeas with the crepe myrtle seeds),

bake biscotti for a scrumptious ice cream dessert,

and then have delicious dinner and enjoy good company. It was a day that turned out very differently than planned, but oh so good!

Later today, I'm going to finish my painting and then tomorrow show you how it turned out. Plus, stay tuned for a giveaway that's long overdue!!

I feel my energy returning with the promise of fall, my favorite season!!

Wishing you a beautiful Wednesday!

Painting in Progress

And ....... I'm back!! This morning, I suddenly couldn't think of anything more fun to do than painting ... a woman ... in "my" style. I was wondering if I still could after learning so much drawing technique.

The whole time I was painting I was thinking of the classes I had taken. One thing I learned for sure is that most anyone can learn technique if they apply themselves. To me, it's fun to learn how to put things on paper so they look "real" and it's useful to know how to draw certain things. However, in my opinion that's not where the soul of a piece of art comes from. I'm not sure that is something you can learn.

And so I was wondering? Could I still paint how I feel? Could I still paint one of "my" women I would feel connected to. The answer is "yes" and it makes me very happy!

Tomorrow I should be able to show you the finished piece!

Color Explosion

Remember how in my last post I said I was craving color? Well, it's pouring out of me, but not through the paint brush (yet), but through my crochet hook.

I'm in a flower frenzy and I can't stop!! Nor do I really want to...

All of these flowers laying around, made me think I needed to reopen my Etsy shop, so I started taking pictures of all my knitted and crocheted creations I had made in the last few months.

I couldn't believe how much there was! Working with my hands like that calms me, but strangely enough the things I make are rarely for me.

I love making scarves, yet I hardly ever wear any myself.

I love knitting hats, yet again - I'm not usually a hat person.

And I love crocheting embellishments like the colorful flowers above, yet I wouldn't use them in anything I make - they bring me joy but are just not my style.

Strange, isn't it?

So, because I want to keep making things, I reopened my Etsy shop a couple of days ago and already sold one of my favorite scarves - a deep turquoise one knitted entirely of recycled sari silk yarn. It was stunning, even if I say so myself!

I've been combining fun yarns and trying new patterns - all for the sheer joy of making things.

You can take a look if you'd like. Simply click here!

Hopefully, soon I will get that same color explosion as I get back to my studio and one of my portraits. I have missed them!!

Wishing you all a color- and peaceful Sunday!

Class is done!

Today I had my last drawing class and now I am trying to figure out what to do with my one week break. 

This weeks seemed to be all about getting things done from my yearly doctor's visits (grateful to once again find out I am all healthy) to getting class projects finished. 

Now it's time to regroup! One thing I can tell you is that after working for months in shades of gray, I am craving color!! First on my agenda is to get my studio set up again so I can get working. During the hot summer months I had abandoned it because it is upstairs and it gets too warm for me, especially in the afternoons. It seems that our temperatures are going to stay in the 80's for a while. Could it be that fall is on it's way - even here?!? 

I still have more to tell you and am looking forward to having more time to blog and visit you all. I have missed my regular time in blogland and am grateful that you keep visiting me anyway!! 

Happy creating!!