10,000 Hours & A Journal Page

My daughter is a dancer. She has been dancing since she was four...just an itty bitty thing then. Now, she tells me that her dancing will help her when she is an actress and singer. She is 7. Watch out Hollywood! ;) It is an amazing thing to witness the seed of a dream. You know what I mean? The first time someone starts to really speak of what they want. Of course over time things can change - but, the beginning is truly breathtaking. 

We recently switched to a new dance studio, and my little performer is having to work her little tail off to "catch up" and train differently.  We have had many talks about dedication, time, and effort. I think the key to it all is finding what makes your heart soar... your passion. Then it doesn't all seem like a chore. You should have seen her little determined face as she practiced turning over and over again last night down our hall. As she worked and worked, I could slowly begin to see her face fill with joy. Not because she was doing the turn "right" or "perfectly", but because she was trying her hardest and getting better. It was joy sprinkled with pride and accomplishment. 

 Recently my hubby said that in the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, he states that is takes 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill. 10,000 hours! Seems like a ton of time and it is. That's a lot of dancing or painting, gardening, singing, cooking, snowboarding...or whatever it may be. It reminded me that I need to show up at my studio table. Just get there and paint. I need to make time...every day. If I am going to get those 10,000 hours in I need to get busy. Lol. I surely don't want to become a master of blog surfing or pinning. Ha! I am not really serious about that, but you get what I mean. Time management! :)

With all this dance on the brain, I painted this sweet little dancer last week. Obviously inspired by my very own darling twirler made it very fun for me. Just a quick sketch, a layer of gesso, and some acrylic paint. I used watercolor crayons too as usual.

 I found these word/phrase stickers that I thought would be fun for my journal. They have a very artsy, creative theme. Super fun! The company that made them is Cosmo Cricket and I spotted them in the scrapbook section at Joanns.

I added the words, "follow your heart" along the side of her dress. 

That's what I want for my little Sugarbean - you and me too...

No matter what it is or where it may take you...follow.

AND dream...dream BIG! 

The journey will be worth it! :) 

Alice Journal Page

I love Alice in Wonderland. Don't you? I  have always loved the Disney version and the book. When my daughter was younger with her long blonde hair...I always thought she looked like Alice. Plus, with a total obsession with all things Disney as a little girl, she had the CUTEST Alice costume. The other night Alice in Wonderland was on TV, so I snuggled up with my kiddies and watched it. So much color and interesting shapes in that movie!

So feeling very Alice inspired, I painted this journal page. I thought it would be super fun to paint one of my girlies like Alice. I wanted it very whimsical and sweet. I started with a pencil sketch...very loose and quick. I work best that way. Quick, so I don't get carried away thinking too much. If only I could expend that thinking energy towards finding a way to make laundry disappear in this house. Ha!

After a thin layer of gesso, I worked on the background with watered down acrylic and inexpensive Artist Loft watercolors. I used more acrylic for her body and the groovy purple shape going vertically up the page. I used watercolor crayons and more gesso for her face. As usual I added detail with pen and my Faber Castell PITT pens. Finally the stamped words and some purple sparkle.

The rabbit makes me laugh. His expression is too funny. He is like, "Um, WHAT do you think you are doing?" I am hoping to find a little metal clock to glue to his belly. Don't think that would be cute? I think it would be a fun addition. I guess I will have to go hunt in the scrapbook aisles of Michaels. Oh Darn! :)

 

 Well, that's it. That is my whimsical, little page. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you enjoy the coming weekend (TGIF!!). 

But, before I go... my heart is melting...

Happy Creating! :)

Juicy Bits of Life

The last six weeks flew by. I can't believe that this week is the last for Summer of Color 2. It has been really fun each week to use  ice cream flavors for inspiration...something a little different and I can't wait to see what Kristin has coming next summer. Not only is she a fabulous mixed media artist, but a super sweet hostess as well. You know each week as we link up, there is a chance to win a fantastic arty prize! Now you know I love to add to my supply hoarding artsy collection...well, this last week I won the giveaway!! I am SO excited to play with my new goodies when they get here and thank you Kristin (again!).

This last week's flavor of choice - Watermelon Ice.

I had a hard time with this one at first because I don't typically use a lot of red. I like the way it looks when other people use it. But, it is not a color I naturally reach for.  It sure does look good though! :)

 

First, I looked through all my stuff and collected things I thought I may want to use. I do like limiting myself with only a few colors. Using a different color, like red, gave me a chance to pull out some things that I normally would pass by. 

I decided I wanted to draw one of my girlies holding stacked watermelon. I really like how my rainbow sherbert girl had turned out, so I thought I would make another. I drew her using a cheap mechanical pencil (hello, Dollar Tree) and gave it a spray of Workable Fixative to keep the pencil in one place. (Sometimes I use the spray and other times I don't. If I paint directly onto the surface without spraying it first, the graphite will move around quite a bit.)

I wanted a smooth, even texture so I covered the page with gesso. I use gesso a lot - not just for surface prep. Do you use gesso a lot? I love that I can prep a piece with it, blend with it, push color back with it, soften collage lines, add texture, and mix color with it. I have heard, "not all gesso is created equal." What do you think about that? Do you have a favorite brand?? I love my Liquitex. :)

Sooooo, my little Watermelon Princess is done. I added a third color. It is NO big surprise that I snagged turquoise. My gosh, I AM a creature of habit. But, hey...I am using red! I also added the phrase...Savor the juiciest bits of life. I love that. These words are a great reminder to me. Life is full of yummy bits and pieces...so many times I overlook them or maybe I don't see the beauty in them until they are over.

Now, I have started a larger abstract using red, black, and white. I have just laid down the foundation... old bible pages, pretty black & white damask scrapbook paper, sparkly paper flowers, a flower border from a Brave Girls letter, some stamps, and of course some paint. I am not sure where it will take me...but, that is half the fun!

Have a beautiful beginning to the week and come see all the red happiness right here!

XO,

Rainbow Sherbert - SOC 2

Happy Monday!

It is pure happiness in the Randall house because it is officially summer vacation. Yiiippppeee!

My daughter's last day of school was Friday (after a whirlwind of a week)!

I am really looking forward to slower mornings, lazy summer days, and family fun over vacation. How about you? We are just waiting for my Hubby to finish two more weeks and then he has a month off. Serious party time! :)

The weekend was fabulous and started with a little celebration on Friday for my Sugarbean's passage into second grade. She thinks she is all gown up now. Lol. Then we had dance pictures on Saturday in her new costume for her July recital. Absolute pink cuteness! I am not a fan of the studio pictures so I took her down to the lake for a mini photo session. LOVED the outdoor pics so much better! I had a date night Saturday with my cutie husband and saw Snow White & the Huntsman. Sunday was all about church, art time, frozen yogurt, and a lost tooth. Yep. We had a visit from the tooth fairy last night!

Now...a perfect summer kick off - The Summer of Color 2 hosted by Kristin.

Like I mentioned before, the theme is Ice Cream Inspirations and the first flavor choice is rainbow sherbert. The color inspiration is a bright combination of pinks, oranges, and yellow. On my last post I shared the backgrounds I had created with paper towels for texture. Using Mystele's pulled art technique, I had a quirky cotton candy haired girl pop out of the background. It is pretty amazing to see what images or shapes you can find hidden in your background creations.

The texture is really yummy. I used acrylic paint, watercolor crayons & pencils, pen, and typed up the saying on the computer. She is not perfect and I can't seem to make eyes that look the same. One eye is always a little wonky. But, I am totally OK with that. My mantra - Perfection is boring. :)

Then, I couldn't stop using these fabulous colors, so I painted one of my little girlies in my portrait journal. I usually create these sweeties without faces, but today I felt like giving her a face. That sounds pretty funny. 

I think she is adorable.

Same supplies were used on her except I added some scrapbook paper for the collaged flowers and the Welcome Summer "sign." I am obsessed with headbands and flowers in the hair.

My daughter loves to wear headbands. I usually have to talk her into clips, ponytails, or pigtails. So I think that is where my inspiration comes from.

I hope you enjoyed my rainbow sherbert creations. I know there is tons of arty inspiration over here. I can't wait to look around. Come take a peek! 

XXOO,

Moments

WIP

 I had to find little bits of fleeting moments to create this week.

My "studio" is in an upstairs loft area in our house.

There is no door to shut, so every time I walked by, 

my gorgeous art supplies kept calling to me.

"Come play with me."  :)

I promise this week I will carve out more time to play.

I did get started on some pieces. I used some wooden plaques that I picked up from Michaels this summer. I love that it already had wire for hanging & a frame. Plus, I really LOVE painting on wood. Do you?? If you do, what kinds of wood do you use? I don't know what it is about the wood, but I think it is my favorite thing to paint on.

WIP...not sure which word to use

I am very excited to be working on lots of little goodies to restock my Etsy shop too. I am a little rusty with Etsy so any prayers would be greatly appreciated...lol. If you have any suggestions - I would love it!!

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend!

Jen :)

I am joining some very talented artists at Studio JRU's "in the studio",   

Artists in Blogland and 

Paint Party Friday. 

I am very happy to be in the company of such inspiration!

I think you are finally here...

Welcome Fall 5x7 canvas board

 I do! 

I think Fall may have finally made her entrance.

I live in southern Cal & although it was in the 90's last week...today 

it is cool, overcast, and perfect.

I love autumn weather and can't wait for...

changing leaves

cool breezes

boots (although I am a die-hard flip flop wearer)

turtle-neck sweaters

Pumpkin spice lattes (made at home!)

cuddling up in cozy blankets

pumpkin patches

Thanksgiving

I just love it!

Fall used to be my absolute favorite season. 

Now, I love each season for their little unique characteristics. 

I can't choose a real favorite...but, I am very happy that Fall is here! :)

I am looking forward to carving out some time this week in the studio and to work on my poor little ETSY shop that has been empty for months...

I mean, months! 

I am really anxious to work in my art journal too. I was watching some wonderful YouTube videos from Roben-Marie. So fun to watch!

I hope you are enjoying the arrival of Fall!!

Do you have any Fall favorites??

  XO,

Jen

Remember...

 

September 11, 2001

Remember today.

Remember tomorrow.

Remember always.

Getting Artsy with Stencils

You know you have been bitten by the art bug when all kinds of things at Lowe's or discarded items become creating treasure. I seriously look forward to visiting home improvement stores, the dollar store, or my trash bin (don't worry...I actually get my divine little treasures before they are IN the can!) Ohhh, and I am not shy... I'll ask my friends for their trash too. :) No, I am kidding. But, I do love keeping my eyes out for things that will make fabulous stencils. They are so fun to play with and add such interesting texture to backgrounds.

Martha Stewart paper as stencil

So, today I wanted to mess with these fabulous Martha Stewart papers I found at Micheal's on clearance. Martha Stewart products don't go on sale or clearance very often, so I scooped these puppies up fast. Even the nice guy behind the counter said, "Ohhh, these will make a fabulous stencil." That's right! I used some turquoise acrylic paint mixed with water in a spray bottle and some chalk ink for the dollar bin. I like the way they turned out, although I think I'd use spray ink next time. :)

 

background WIP on cardboard

Adding some ink with Q-tips (Loving the red!)

Earlier in the week, my daughter was setting up a new board game she had. She was about to toss the chipboard sheet that the little pieces were punched from...when I jumped from my chair to grab it. What a great stencil! So, be sure to check packaging material, kids toys, games & whatever else you can think of to make your own stencils.

See that great Disney game stencil!

I had fun using the stencils and creating this little cutie. There is much to rejoice about and gratitude was on my heart today. 

I'd love to know some of your stencil secrets and 

where do you buy your favorites?

I am linking up this post with some other very creative souls at 

Paint Party Friday and Sneak Peek Friday. So, so much inspiration. Come join in or at least come take a peek. :)

Loving the Little Moments

I have been trying to spend some time "in the studio" each day this week, even just for a few minutes if I can. I feel so much better when I can actually work on something creative EACH day. Maybe just a page in my journal, a background, finishing up a canvas, working on some DIY project or craft (thank you Pinterest), painting with my little one...just something. Even for a short time, it is SO worth. I used to convince myself that if I couldn't sit down for long stretches of time, it wasn't worth it. I have learned that those little moments count. Every. single. one.

My creative time is a little "self love" or therapy for myself. I unwind, relax, dream...what I find is that sometimes I spend too much time "looking" at other people being creative. You know what I mean?  Anyone else feel that way? Don't get me wrong...I love reading blogs, watching technique videos on YouTube, and looking through Pinterest. But, all in moderation. I need to make sure that I am doing & not just observing all the creativity around me. :)

I painted this little girlie in about 10 minutes on a piece of chipboard. I have been painting lots of these little faceless girls with quotes & scriptures. I am really falling in love with them. It's funny...I always come back to art for children. I know I have mentioned that before. It is where I started (painting for my daughter's nursery & friends) and where I continually end up.

I have painted several small canvases too. I think they may make their into my poor little neglected Etsy shop. My poor little shop needs some TLC. :)

 All you need...

 So simple...but, so true. :)

I am going to link up to Paint Party Friday and Sneak Peek Friday at 

Studio JRU

Before I go...thank you to sweet Diane from Diane Writes who mentioned me on her blog. I love reading about her, her family, her beautiful country & culture. It is amazing that through blogging our small corner of the world can somehow grow larger and our circle of friends broader. 

I feel very blessed! :)

XO,

Jen