Mt. Hood, Inspired by Lavender Fields

Mt. Hood Lavender

Inspired by the fields of lavender in the Hood River Valley during my painting trip, Mt. Hood Lavender is a miniature watercolor painting.   It will be in the February small works show at the Red Chair Gallery. The requirements for the miniature paintings for this particular show were that the size was to be no larger than 10" x 12" framed.   Painting small paintings like this one is one of my favorite things to do.  Do you like to paint large or small or both?

Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine Issues a Special Edition - PAGES

I am excited to have my article: Flip, Flaps and Fold-outs, Adding Dimension to your Art Journals, included in the special edition of Cloth Paper Scissors PAGES.  This is created especially for art journalers and book artists looking for new techniques and inspiring ideas. This 148-page first issue features projects and galleries in general bookmaking, book covers, book binding, inside page decoration, and art journaling.   

 PAGES is avalable at our local Barnes & Noble book store.  It can also be ordered online as a digital file or hard copy at the Interweave online store.  

Here is an excerpt from my article in PAGES: 

Artists are very tactile.  Inserting dimensional objects such as flaps, dividers, pockets, ribbons, or tags in our art can add an element of mystery and engage the viewer.  Index-card dividers open up to reveal photos or journaling, adding intrigue and a desire to explore beyond the flat dimension of the page.  I often include favorite lines of poetry, photos of my family, and little treasures of love inside library pockets.  Shipping and marking tags become the holders of meaningful words and little on-the-go sketches.    

Welcome the New Year with Art!

Well, I just felt like I had to take a little time off from my blog and other things to help get through the festive holidays.  Our activities always linger on into the New Year as this year was my husband's 60th birthday on New Year's Eve day and then of course my reoccurring birthday on New Year's Day.  

For some odd reason, David wanted drumming and low and behold a lot of our male friends had drums!  I got David a drum as a b’day present.  He set up a big tent in the backyard for the drum people and that was a big hit.  We also had fireworks and lots of dancing!  

Yesterday I finally got back out to my studio and feel rejuvenated!  

Will you find time to do more art in 2012?  I hope so!