My 2016 Goals - How I'm Coming Along.

At the beginning of the year, I did a post on my "10 Goals for 2016".  I figured that since we are 1/4 thru the year already, I better review my goals and see how I'm doing.  And, the answer is......so so.

1.  Online Classes - I haven't taken the ones that I mentioned yet, but I did take Tracy Verguda's "Mini Mojo" and Jodi Ohls "Podtastic".  So, I'm doing ok with this one.

2.  Create my own videos -  Yep.....I'm doing it.....at least one per week!

3.  Learn more about color - totally failing at this one.

4.  Paint something HUGE - not yet.

5.  Be in an art show - I am going to do a very small show in October.

6.  Commune with other local artists - I have given this a try.  I planned to join the Gainesville Artisans Guild, but when I visited their location, saw all of the other artists' work, and found out that I had to bring my work and be critiqued in front of their board members, I got scared......so, I still plan to do this....I just have to achieve my #10 goal - Getting My Mind Right".

7.  Guest Blog -  I haven't ask anyone to be a guest on my blog yet - I'm going to do that this week.  However, I have been asked to do a guest blog post on a couple other blogs.

8.  Social Media - I have definitely upped my social media presence.  I joined several Facebook groups and that, totally, changed my life......I've gotten a lot more followers.  The exposure resulted in companies asking me to guest blog, being chosen for the Gel Press Creative Design Team, and being able to talk to other artists and lovers of art.......and that's great.

9.  Try new things - I did start using acrylic ink and I'm getting ready to try graphite powder (which I think is going to be really messy).  There are a lot more things that I need to try.

10.  Getting my mind right - Ah.....the never-ending quest.  (maybe I should go to the self-help section of the bookstore. LOL)

So here's the tally - 3 yes's, 3 partials, and 4 not yet's.  I guess that sounds about right since we are only 1/4 way thru the year.

Have a wonderful day!!

PEACE!

Cyndi

Ten Things I Plan to Do to Grow As An Artist in 2016

NO New Year's Resolutions for me.......I can't stand the pressure. HOWEVER, there are some things that I plan to do this year.  I want to grow as an artist and I don't think that just happens. Maybe it does for some people, but I think I'll have to put some effort forth to get to where I want to be. (don't you just hate that?)

Number One - Take some classes.

Just about everything that I have learned has come from an online class or from watching (addictively) the videos of other artists.  I learned a lot from Donna Downey, Jane Davenport, Shawn Petite, Suzi Blu, Pam Carriker, Nika Rouss, Denise Alloca and many more.  There are so many talented people that share their how-to's online.  FYI - Craftsy is a great place to find online classes!


Here are couple classes that I'm going to take:

Watercolor terrifies me, so I'm taking
Simple & Stunning Watercolor Techniques

Another issue is color.  This looks like a good one.
Painting With Color: A Contemporary Approach, with Joseph Dolderer

Number Two - Create my own videos

Hey, I've already started doing this......good for me!  I put a few videos on Youtube at the end of the year and started my new, weekly, Creative Heart Monday videos.  I love doing it and it really comes in handy.  I have made many pieces in the past, only to forget how I did it.  If I film everything I do, I can go back and look......brilliant.  (I would like a new camera, though)

Number Three - Learn more about color

This is my weakest area.  I tend to stress over colors.  I need a class.  As I mentioned, above, I'm going to take this one.
Painting With Color: A Contemporary Approach, with Joseph Dolderer

Number Four - Paint something HUGE

Most of my art is 16" X 20" or smaller.  I want to get one of those big 6 foot canvases and fill it with flowers. (I need the "color" class first)

Number Five - Be in an Art Show

We have several large art festivals in my area....I'm not ready for that.  I want to try a small art show. I need to build my inventory.

Number Six - Commune with other Artists

Online and in person.  I know that I could learn a great deal from other artists in my area.  We do have an artists guild and I plan to join ASAP.

Number Seven - Guest Blog

I would like to invite some other artists to share their work and thoughts on my blog....and I wouldn't mind doing the same on theirs, LOL.

Number Eight - Social Media

Take charge and expand my social media plan.  No one is going to see my art if I don't show it to them.

Number Nine - Try New Things

As an art supply junkie, I have lots of stuff that I've never used.  I HAVE to try them!

Number Ten - Get My Mind Right

Last but, probably, the most important, I'm going to keep going no matter what.  I spent the majority of my career in real estate.  When you deal with numbers, they are usually either right or wrong and I had confidence that mine were right (even when they were wrong).  Art is subjective.  Some people are going to like your art and some people aren't, and neither one of those people are wrong.  Everyone has their own tastes and we all perceive things differently.  I need to get that "everyone is more talented than me" monkey off my back.  I know that it's a common for us humans to knock ourselves down and get in our own way at every turn......but I'm really going to try to limit this as much as I can.

So, that's it.  Ten things, not necessarily in order of importance.  If you have some goals for 2016, I'd love to hear them.  Now I'm going to go pick up the paintbrush.

Peace!

Cyndi

P.S. This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you make a purchase using this link.

Creative Heart Monday - You're Invited!

Do you have a "creative heart"?  Beginning on January 4, 2016, I will post a new video every Monday morning to get our creative juices flowing for the week.

I will be trying out some new (to me) techniques.....new (to me) products....new subject matter.

I will also be including a quote from a famous artist each week.  Those famous men and women said a lot of inspirational and thoughtful things.  Who knows.....maybe one of those quotes will be the spark that leads to our masterpiece.

2016 is my year to be brave and crazy.  I would like for you to join me.  All of you "creative souls" out there know what it's like to struggle with "I'm not as good as she is" or "what if they don't like my art".  It's easy to let those negative thoughts seep in, but let's REFUSE them this year!  Pick up a brush, a pen, a crayon and start creating!

SUBSCRIBE TO 

CREATIVE HEART MONDAY!

Peace,

Cyndi

Art Video #2 Flowers

I finished my 2nd art video.  I'm beginning to like this.

Heres' a list of supplies that I used for this piece:

10" x 10" canvas
Liquitex Gesso
Donna Downey Studios Scribble Script Stencil
Ranger Alphabet stencil
2 stencils from The Crafters Workshop
Golden Fluid Acrylic Paint in Green Gold, Torquoise (Phaylo), and Titan Buff
Americana Paint - Citron Green
Cereamcoat - White, Purple, Black
Dina Wakely Paint in Pink and Purple
Charcoal Pencil
Derwent Inktense Pencil in Deep Purple

I think that's it.

Peace!

Cyndi

My First Art Tutorial Video

I, finally, did it!  I've been wanting to make an art video for years........and I did it.

I am not the most computer savvy person when it come to videos, editing, etc.  My dear husband modified a tripod for me so that I could shoot straight down.  None of my digital cameras worked so I used my Iphone 6.  Most of the video is upside down because I can't figure out which way the camera is supposed to go.  But, I managed to shoot it anyway.

Our, good friend, Roberto Vally, made an album last year (I think), called "Boom. Boom, Boom". He was gracious enough to let me use one of his songs, "Latin Lounge".  I think it went perfectly with the time lapse portion.  I plan to use more of his music in future videos.

To be honest, I'm not that thrilled with the piece of art in the video.  I was obsessing over the filming so much that I kind of dropped the ball on the art.  I'll do better next time....I promise.

So, here it is....(drum beat):





Thank you for watching.

Peace!

Cyndi

What To Do, When You Don't Know What To Do!

It's one of those days.  I want to create some art, but haven't any idea what I want to do.  So... I'm doing a little bit of everything.  Hopefully, I'll end up with a finished piece of something.

This happens to me quite frequently.  I want to get my hands dirty, but my mind is blank.  I am an avid art tutorial watcher, so I'm bombarded with techniques that I want to try, but with so many jumbled ideas, I just don't know where to start.  I think it's like that in every aspect of life.  A person has so many things to do......become's so overwhelmed.....piddles (is that a real word?) a little bit with a lot of things.....and, just ends up more frustrated.  It becomes so easy to put things off until tomorrow.  One of my husband's favorite things to say is "let's get this behind us".  Whether it's running an errand, taking out the trash, or making a phone call that you don't want to make......it's always "let's get this behind us".  There's, definitely, something to be said for that "Just Do It" attitude.  Of course, it does sort of conflict with "Being in the Moment".

So, as far as my relationship with art goes, it's a little bit of both.  I love the process, but I also love looking at my, finished, piece.

This is what I have so far:

Shawn Petite used a heart made out of molding paste in this weeks, Sunday Inspiration.  I also took her Texture workshop a few weeks ago.  I used a palette knife to shape these little hearts out of Golden's Hard Molding Paste.  I, also, wanted to make some out of regular joint compound to see if one was better than the other, because joint compound, from the hardware, is much, much cheaper. Of course, I couldn't find my, gigantic, tub of joint compound, so I'll have to do my comparison another day.  These hearts will take about 24 hours to dry, so I won't be doing anything with them today.  I hope to paint them and use them on a canvas.......if they don't crack.  In the last photo, you can see that I pushed a couple, little, charms into the hearts.

In the three photos, above, I'm working on a background.  I don't know what I'm going to add next, but I do know that I'm going to use the word "Redemption" somewhere in the piece.  You hear the word "redemption" used with regard to all types of matters.  But, what does it really mean?  (more on this to follow.........when the piece is finished!)

And, here we have your basic drippage.  I'm not a big "dripper".  Many of my favorite artists are. But, I'm going to try some dripping today and we'll see where it goes.

Last, but not least.....I have to do something with this catastrophy.  I started a little Shawn-esqe painting a few weeks ago.  I became frustrated and quit.  Thank God that there is always more paint. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could just paint over all of the mistakes or things that we don't like in our lives. (I guess that, metaphorically, we can).

Alright, that's where I am today.  I think that my background and "drippage" should be dry so it's back to work for Cyndi!

Peace!

Cyndi

#8 of 29 Faces

Okay, it's the 20th and I'm on #8.  Wil I make it?  That's 21 more faces - I just don't know, but I'm going to keep going.  I just did this one while sitting out here watching my chickens chase grasshoppers.  

And here are the lovely slippers that I'm wearing!

What happened to my winter?  My peach tree is already blooming.

Peace,

Cyndi

#6 and #7 of 29 Faces

Now, I admit this was a quickie while watching TV.  But it IS still a face.

Here's a 10 X 10 inch painting, using stencils, delusions ink, and collage for the background.  I used acrylic paints for the face.  The hair has a little molding paste to give it some texture.  I went a little nuts with the yellow hair.

Etsy Store Sale

I started putting some of my art and re-finished creations up for sale on Etsy a few months ago.  I'm slowly, but surely, building a little online store.  I've only sold a couple things so far, but I figured that it would take some time for people to find me.  As everyone knows, Etsy is huge.

I've decided to have a sale.  I'm calling it the Beautiful October Sunset Sale.  In this part of the country, the sunsets are really exquisite in October.  The deck off my bedroom faces west, so I have quite a show every evening.

Check out my Etsy store.  It would be the perfect time to pick up something that you just can't live without.

Peace,
Cyndi

Sunday Scribble

I'm not feeling very creative this evening.  I just bought some rubbing plates to use with my Gelli Plate, but I just couldn't get inspired today.

I did mess around a little bit with one of the plates.  I did a rubbing with my Prismacolor pencils, then did a little zendoodling.  Obviously, it's not much, but maybe I'll cut it up and use it in a collage or a card.  Or maybe, I'll spray some ink on it.

 

Maybe, I'll have better luck tomorrow.

 

Peace,

Cyndi

Super Soul Sunday and Maya Angelou

When I was very little, around 4 or 5, we went to church for a little while.  My parents decided that they would be Lutheran.  I have no idea what was behind that decision.  It might have been the proximity of the Lutheran church to our house.  i also think that it was the least offensive religion - no loud gospel singing, no speaking in tongues -everyone just sat quietly.  We have continued to claim ourselves as Lutheran's ever since.  However, our "church-going" was very short lived.

About 10 years ago, my parents starting watching John Hagee on Sunday mornings.  They call that their "church".  I've never been one to be able to get into church preachers.  I think that if it heals you and leads you to honesty and truth, then go for it.  It's just not my cup of tea.

I couple months ago, I was flipping through the channels on Sunday morning and came upon Oprah's Super Soul Sunday.  Now, this is my cup of tea.  She has some of the most interesting and inspirational guests.  All of her guests are very spiritual - but in many different ways.  Today, I watched the repeat of Maya Angelou.  Wow!!!!  This woman is incredible.  She is so smart, honest, courageous.....I could go on and on.

She's 85 years old now.  According to Wikepedia:

She was raped at the age of 8, pregnant at the age of 16.  She's had stints as a prosititue and nightclub dancer.  She's worked with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.  She's written 7 autobiographies, 5 books of essays, numerous books of poetry, plays, movie's, TV shows.  She has received dozens of awards and over 30 honorary doctoral degrees.  In 1993, Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, becoming the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961.  Check out Wikipedia to read more about her.


Some of the things she said on the show this morning:

People will forget what you've said
people will forget what you've done
but people will never forget how you made them feel
-----------------------------
words are things
they can start a war
they can stop a war
they can build someone up
they can tear someone down
when you talk to god, it's your words that he hears
--------------------------------------
be someone else's blessing
there are many clouds and rainbows in life
be someone else's rainbow, whether
they have a different God, or
speak a different language, or
eat different food, or
wear different clothes.
---------------------------------------------
Oprah ask Maya about her definition of GOD

She said that her definition of God is  - ALL
There is no place that God is not, in the prison, in the choir loft, on your knees.
All roads lead to God
There are many gates to God - as many gates as there are people.

Then, Oprah asked her about her definition of Soul.
She said that Soul is the spirit that longs for ALL.  Spirit uses itself to create the blues, gospel music, hip hop music, poetry.  She said "Let me tell so much truth that it leads to ALL"

She said "Art is another form of Prayer"

I like that - Art is another form of Prayer

Happy Sunday,

Cyndi

More Zentangle

As I've mentioned before, I like to Zentangle while I'm watching my reality TV shows.  This was my creation while watching the finale of Couples Therapy and a Million Dollar Listing LA re-run. 

This one was a Dance Mom's and, I think, Basketball Wives creation.

 

and, I have no idea what I was watching during this one.  It's from last week.

 

Today, while I was taking care of some, much needed, organization in my bedroom, I watched a couple shows that I'd never seen before.  These kind of strayed from my usual reality viewing subject matter.  Moonshiners -  a show about people who make moonshine.  Tickle - a show that, from what I gather, is about a guy that used to be on Moonshiners.  The cameras follow him around as he wreaks havoc, while the narrator (who sounds like the narrator from The Dukes of Hazzard) guides the viewing audience.  Gold Rush - a show about people panning for gold.

 

You know - reality TV  gets a bad rap.  Why?  Sure, some of it is semi-scripted.  Sure, the producers want to exaggerate things.  But, I think it's great that a guy driving a big-rig across the treacherous tundra can have a TV show.  An exterminator or the owner of a pawn shop can have an audience.  It reminds me of something that my husband said a long time ago.  He's a painting contractor.  We were talking about how famous people receive applause for everything.  He thought it would be great if, every time he finished painting a house, people would gather around and start clapping.  He could take a bow, perhaps, give a little acceptance speech.  Well, now with reality TV, it might actually happen some day.

 

Peace,

Cyndi

Just Doodling.

This was actually a piece of paper that I was using to clean off my brayer and stencils while I was doing some Gelli prints a few weeks ago.  I had also wiped off some spray ink on it.  So, I just started doodling and zentangling around the splotches.

Peace,
Cyndi

Should I change my name?

I'm thinking about changing the name of my blog (or "blob" as my mother calls it).  I named it Procrastination Rehab because I was a major procrastinator.  However, this blog has seriously helped to rehabilitate me.  I've gotten fairly consistent, as far as, creating something every day.

This blog is a record of my journey to become the artist that I've always wanted to be.

I've been trying to think of a name that fits me.  My first thought was LittleFeet.blogspot.com.  One of my best features would definitely be my feet. They are small (size 5 or euro 35) and they haven't gained weight as I've aged, like the rest of me.  My husband always says that he married me because of my cute feet.

I'm going to keep thinking.  Any ideas would be appreciated!

Playing with Colored Pencils

Here's the project that I worked on while watching Celebrity Appentice.  I was very happy about 2 things on Sunday night - this drawing and that Omarosa was FIRED!!

I used a black Faber Castel Pitt Artist Pen and Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils.

 

 

 

Here's the tutorial  that I watched to learn how to draw the fat squiggly things.



Blowing Alcohol Inks

There are several videos on youtube about blowing on alcohol inks. So, I tried it and it is so easy, so fast, and so pretty. I made this one in about five minutes. I used glossy inkjet paper, Ranger inks, and a straw. You just drip the ink on the paper and blow.

My Art Journal

I've been meaning to start an art journal for a long time.  So I actually worked on my first page.

You know it's funny.  All of my llife I have worked with numbers.  Right out of high school, I went to work at a bank, then moved into real estate for 25 years.  I did a short stint as a mortgage broker and an insurance agent before I stopped working full time.  A couple months ago, I left the part-time bookkeeping job that I've had for the past 2 1/2 years.  It's always been NUMBERS!!

Even though I've been surrounded by closing statements and spreadsheets most of my life, I have always dreamed of a more artistic life.  So, it's time for a change.  I'm trying to create something (no matter how simple or small) every day.  I have found, however, that I'm much more comfortable with more linear or geometric designs (it's that "numbers" thing again), but I'm pushing myself to be more free with it.

Here's the front and back of a folder that I made to hold my pieces of art.  I got the idea for this from Mary Ann Moss at dispatchfromla.typepad.com.  I've tried stenciling a few times and I stumbled upon this blog.  She offers an online course in stenciling.  The first thing that she has you do is make one of these files for your work.  Here's the link to the stencilry class:  http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com/dispatch_from_la/online-class-information-for-pure-experimentation-stencilry-.html

 And then, I had to get my fix by drawing some lines:

I'm kind of proud of my cute little leaves!

My Favorite Christmas Present

My father is very handy.  Actually, that's putting it lightly.  He has always been very talented and knowledgeable.  Having a father that can fix anything, makes a young girl feel like all guys are that way.  It's funny because through the years, all of my relationships have been with men that know how to do the dirty work.  I know that this is not the norm because some of my friends' husbands and partners don't know which end of the hammer to use, but they know how to dial a handyman's phone number, which is just fine.

Several months ago, I caught wind that my sister had asked my father to build an easel for her because she planned to start painting.  Sibling rivalry being what it is (even at 52), I immediately told him that I'd like to have one too.  I didn't say or hear anything more about it.

Then.............on Christmas morning, when my husband and I arrived at my parent's home, there were 2 beautiful easels on display as we walked in the door.  My parents had put big Merry Christmas signs on them for me and my sister.

Being the perfectionist, the wood was beautifully stained, every bolt, screw, chain, etc. was painted to match, and a pretty light was attached to the top.  I was so surprised and pleased.  Thanks, Dad!

Don't look at my messy art room!

My first paintng on my new easel - don't judge, I've still got a long way to go with it!

Thanksgiving has come and gone.

Happy Thanksgiving! I had a very nice Thanksgiving with my family. My husband and I travelled an hour north to have dinner with my parents. My sister and brother-in-law were there, along with my sister's children. My niece and nephew are in their early 20's, so it was all grown-ups.

For years I cooked Thanksgiving dinner at my house, which I really enjoyed. When my grandfather (who lives 3 hours south of us) decided he couldn't travel anymore, we started going down there for the day. My grandfather is 94 now. He has lost his hearing and eyesight so it's become difficult to communicate with him. Because he's lost two very important senses, I think it really makes him uncomfortable when alot of people are in the house. He knows that people are moving around, but he can't hear them or see their faces, so he thinks strangers are there to take advantage of him.

My mother has taken over the holiday dinners. I am very proud of her. She's never really spent a great deal of time in the kitchen. She was a young wife in the early 60's when companies decided to make things quick and easy for the modern housewife. When she saw TV dinners, frozen foods, and mashed potatoes in a box, she said "that's for me!!" I grew up eating these kinds of meals and didn't even like "real food".

Now that my mother is in her early 70's, she's been cooking. She bought a bread machine the day before Thanksgiving so that she could bake bread. She did an excellent job with the turkey. It was beautiful and it wasn't dry! She plans to have Christmas dinner at their house too. I, for one, am very happy about my parent's new holiday hosting. As far as I'm concerned, we can have all future holiday dinners at their house. When my mom get's too old to cook and my dad's too old to cut the turkey, my sister and I can pick up the slack. It just feels better there.


My, day after Thanksgiving, art project

This is an acrylic, mixed media piece on a 10X10 canvas
















Oh yea, one last thing.  My mother makes fruitcake and, even though many people do not like it, we love it.   Here's a Squidoo article that I wrote last year about my mother's fruitcake!

Playing around with stencils

My original idea was to paint a canvas with lots of different colors, then cut out paper dolls and attach them to the canvas, then paint white over it.

So I flipped thru several fashion magazines and carefully cut out the models.  Then I glued the magazine models to cardstock and cut out the dolls again.  I was pretty happy with the way that the canvas turned out.  I used spray paint and acrylic paints.  Then I made a mistake.  I started stamping various designs over the paint with archival ink - bad choice.  It seems to repel paint.  So when I spray painted the canvas white, you can see little black flowers peeking thru here and there.  As you can see, the paint got under the stencil so I didn't get the sharp lines that I had envisioned.  Even though I'm putting a photo of it up now, I'm going to do a lot more work on it.  This will just be my bottom layer.

However, I did discover that any time you cut out a paper doll, you also have a reverse stencil, so I played around with some of my citra solv papers and convolution papers that I have made and this is what I came up with.

I think these are kind of cute. Maybe I will make some small ones that I could put on greeting cards.  Sure - I'll get right on that.  See you later.