Monday, February 28, 2011

Color Palette

My mom is having her annual women's retreat for the women of her church this weekend.  Almost two years ago, my mom asked my sister's and me to be the speakers.  We've been talking about it since then. 

Lots of cools ideas, we finally came up with topics and so forth. The theme: Palette of A Woman's Life.

Then, just a couple of months ago, I found out that the only contest I take my art students to all year long was that same Saturday.  Total Bummer.

So, I am trying to get my virtual presentation together while also getting 78 pieces ready for contest!

Below is a sneak peak of what I'm introducing... :) 

And if you want more information about this awesome retreat.. click Cottonwood Women to go to my mom's blog.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:
 

My goal is to get this uploaded asap!  Well, I have to video it first.. But those are just details. Right?


Saturday, February 26, 2011

Shoes... Shoes.. Shoes

Kylie lives for shoes.  This is my inspiration for my week 4 painting.



I tried to post about Maddie's latest doctor visit, but the post wouldn't work.  Hopefully I can do that soon.

Today the girls and I are going shopping with my mom, 2 of my sisters and 4 little girls.  My girls are at their finest this morning, complete with meltdowns, tantrums and more. 

JOY.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Get Your Paint On Week 3

This week for class, we had to choose four colors and paint something. We were to only use those colors. Well, I tried. I really did. In the end, I layered the four colors chosen from my bathroom towels and curtain and did lots of sanding and texturing.



I’m pleased with the results given the assignment. I don’t love the painting, but am happy to have completed the assignment within the timeline.

In the close up below you can see all the layers of paint. I really love the bottom left hand flower. If I could just cut that one out and use it I would.. and I might. :)

So there you have it, another painting!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Go Big or Go Home

This week in Get Your Paint On we were challenged to focus on color.  I am still working on this week's painting, but I ramped up last weeks painting with color so I thought I'd share.


I have decided that I like the idea of Impressionism, but I like some crisp lines as well, so I am developing my own style.   I also really like the green chair.   In the picture below you can see my going big  this week!  I think it's 2'x3'.

At school we are hard at work getting the art pieces ready for contest.  I have more than 40 students attending and we are taking 78 pieces.  I truly believe that there are days were I must be certifiably nuts and I have to say a small program like mine taking that many kids with that many fine art pieces on a bus more than two hours away from the school is nuts. 

My painting this week is an abstract-ish one of the roses I got for Valentine's Day!!  I've got to get it finished and posted by Sunday.. so I better go get my paint on!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Classes, Modems, and Life

Emily's randomness for the day:

I am enjoying my painting class tons.  I wish I had more time to paint, but am thankful that I can dabble here and there!  One day, when my kids are grown, I'll have lots of time to paint and will wish I had my children at home.

My modem died on my home computer.  So I upgraded my iphone to tether to my laptop and I can cut my home DSL, which saves money!  I'm hoping to figure it all out soon.  Until then, my computer usage is limited. I have pictures I want to show you, but I'm still working on that.

We are taking Maddie to Scottish Rite next Friday for an orthopedic evaluation.  She has scoliosis and is in a lot of pain, so we have been sent there.  Another set of doctors. ugh.  But if they can help, we are thankful to have the hospital and their resources.

Don't forget about the kidney walk!  We need walkers and virtual walkers!!

Click here to join!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Maddie's Team for the Kidney Walk

It's time for the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Walk. 

Maddie wants to have the largest team, so we've got to get on it!

Date: March 26, 2011

Place: Fort Worth

Register to walk with us, or donate dollars!!

Thanks!

Sources of Inspiration

So, I'm taking this painting e-course.  It's great!  I'm telling my students about it at school and they are impressed that teachers still take classes and learn.  They are shocked when they find out that I'm doing it because I want to, that no one is making me and that I even have to pay for it myself!

This week we are suppossed to find a painting/artist that inspires us.  Man, this is hard!! I love so many different styles, periods and techniques.

I've got to decide and then paint something by Sunday!

So, after really pushing myself to look for someone new, to break from a classic and all that, I go back to Monet.


Yeah.  Boring. I know. 

It's not experimental, cutting edge, trendy or anything.


But I love Monet. I love the colors, the landscapes, the technique.

I wonder if I love Impressionism so much for the art, or for the memories of walking through the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. I think they are intertwined.  All I know is that even though I push myself to move beyond Monet, something about his uneven horizons and bursts of color continue to call to me.

So I guess I better translate this into a painting!

Friday, February 4, 2011

More Fun

done.

Getting My Paint On

 Hmm.  I like these a lot better in person.  I'm gonna have to find a way to take better pictures of my work at home.

But here is my homework from this week.

We were told to work in blocks of color. 
The nonconformity and uneven lines were purposeful.

And then I had more panels just sitting there, so I did this below.  It's not finished yet. 
I'm going to do something whimsical with numbers or letters with it I think.

Nonetheless, I'm enjoying the creative process.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Getting My Paint On.. Part1

I am so pumped about my ecourse I'm taking.  And I'm very proud of myself for taking the time to gather supplies before I left school yesterday!  Cause today, SNOW DAY!!! 

So, I decided to make myself a painting spot in the laundry room.  Yes, I have a craft desk in the den.  It happens to be the perfect height for one year old hands.  And is currently the home of  Lexi's oversized dollhouse.  My spot in the laundry room is great for standing and working and is tall enough that little hands and eyes are not intrigued.

Here is my spot.  Please don't look at the dust :)



And here is my painting in progress.  I tell you, I am so leaving my comfort zone by showing something in progress.  eek.  please no snide comments!

But I do want to mention something, for those of you out there who don't like to paint because you can never mix a color the way you think you should be able to and you get all frustrated and all that... well.  Let me tell you something.  It is NOT YOU!  It's the paint.

It is.  I used to hate to paint becuase my colors were always muddy and icky.  And then I learned about GOOD PAINT.  And a whole new world opened up!  I use Golden Acyrlics and their mediums.  They are FANTASTIC!!  So, give yourself another chance.  Go buy a sample size of a couple of colors and play. 

In fact, Golden has a wonderful color chart that you can get that teaches you about color mixing.  And no, this isn't a paid advertisement :)  I just get frustrated with crappy paint and the disappointment that it leaves you with.


So there you have it.  My handy "studio!"

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Snow Day!

It's currently under 20 degrees here in central Texas.
Winds are more than 20 mph.

And what are we doing.
Yup.  Playing in the snow covered ice.

Crazy.


 

  

Don't you just love Snow Days!!