Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Art saves

Im the guest curator this week on Jen Doh's website.....reading my story might make more sense out of my recent blog absence.....life is different but its becoming oh so much better......its good to start finding yourself even if its through not the best circumstances :)



things on this blog will probably be going in a bit of a different direction. I have always shared happy things in happy times with a smile or a smirk......lately ive been feeling really emotion and that has been connected to what ive been making. Prepare for a little more real life being lived out on here..... Stories matter as much as pretty pictures and techniques in my option so sit back....relax....and prepare for the ride lol



My friend debbie was talking to me about oprahs lifeclass awhile back.....lifeclass sounded interesting....but oprah????? not really my thing. I watched an episode and i was floored. the things coming out of her mouth were literally speaking to my soul. this particular lesson was.....when you know better you do better. simple sweet and powerful. Many times through out my life i have questioned my choices and the path i was on. after watching this show i became more at peace with my previous decissions..... I did the best that i could with what i was given so how could i be mad at myself. Now i know better....I guess i should do better ;)



I wanted this quote up on the wall in my studio as a constant reminder to myself......its a really calming thought for me..... So heres my little canvas board with a swirly flower.....it seemed fitting......


Create what makes you happy :)

Monday, October 17, 2011

New beginnings

Life's a changin around here.... I just moved!!!! Super excited about that. My studio will be set up in a week.... Being with out it for 5 months was interesting!!! Here a semi step by step of the piece I did commemorating my new found independence..... All iPhone photos so bare with me :)



Take a canvas board and slap some cream paint on it




Apply collage paper with gel medium


Apply antiquing gel around the outside with a paint brush then rub it in with a rag. Water can help smooth it out



Apply more collage elements and glue down



Scribble some portfolio oil pastels



Smudge.... Add some doodling and stamps to help make everything look cohesive



Spray some color wash to make clouds



If youre stamps dont work out so well like mine.... Trace them with a charcoal pencil... Smudge.... And call it a day ;) blend in some vintage photo ink on the edges to further antique it



Add a quote and a bird... This time colored in with a sharpie... And youre done!!!!!
i looked at this when i was done and the proportions made me think of when I was a kid.... What's important is always the biggest when you're little.... Today my flowers were way bigger then my clouds..... Funny how that stuff works out ;)
See u guys soon
Create what makes u happy!!!!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Travel art journaling

Sooooo i went to Boston way back in july and since then i have planned a travel art journal post....hmm a month in the making it better be good right????? I often do searches on peoples travel journal supplies and i mostly come up empty handed......i can only find water color journal stuff.....What about the all around art journalers????? Here's what i took with me and some commentary on what worked and what didnt :)
 


Heres my airline approved quart size ziplock bag....i was amazed at how much fit!!!!!

Here are the contents....click pic to enlarge! The tiny golden bottles were awesome...i got some as samples and some i bought in a pack at Michael's i think....i brought white, cobalt teal, naphthol red light, phtalo blue, phtalo green, micaceous iron oxide, quinacridone magenta, yellow ochre, hansa yellow, and black.....I used everything in this bag(minus a few paint colors) and i was glad that i brought it all.
Heres a pic of my carry on bag(purse lol) from the return trip. 2 things were added while i was away....another journal and a travel water cup :)


Misc contents of my bag not otherwise mentioned :) I used everyone of these items.....i would like to find a smaller roll of tape...or make my own....it was bulky.....the bulldog clip is a must....

inside of my carry on was a super cool hello kitty lunchbox that housed all of my random things. this box fit perfectly next to my journal on the plane and it made it easy to find what i needed!!!
Im pretty sure i used all of this at one time or another too.....minus the stamps.....the wad of unlabeled pens and stuff are water brushes, sharpies, siglo white pen, nib pen, paint brushes, and a couple of markers



I always bring a 8 1/2 x 11 page protector filled with random bits with me....i also add random bits to  my stack while im gone. there are a few stencils in here, vintage paper, scrapbook paper, mini letter stickers, journal spots, printed words, tags, punchinella etc.......
Technology :) I ended up taking and editing the majority of my pictures on my Iphone.....which is not pictured because its taking the picture lol
Things to add next time:
paper towels.....just a few folded
a washcloth to wipe my brushes
a travel cup....which i bought while i was there
my heat gun....i thought it was bulky but im to impatient to leave home with out it
shipping tags.....totally forgot to add a few of these in
maybe a ranger spray ink or 2..... i kinda missed them.....i was thinking about filling mini misters with them
more gel medium.....that tiny container wasnt enough
things to subtract:
not sure on this one...... i felt kinda good about the variety of things i brought and i used most of it
Lessons learned:
Narrowing down what you use all the time is key.....bring what makes you happy (even if it is too much ).....make a mess on the airplane.....it starts interesting conversations with strangers....journaling with your friends in utter silence is pretty much priceless......those moments stick with you :)

What do you bring with u on the road???? what are your must haves???? I would love to see some pictures!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Hmmmm Lets play catch up shall we????

This has been a crazy summer which apparently equals me being a crappy blogger....i have lots to share and say and no time to post.....Ill work on it i promise!!!!!
My trip was amazing.....i have a million ideas swimming in my head.....Its crazy how much inspiration one person can get in 5 days :) My idea book(and my suitcase) are bursting!!!!
Saturday night I flew in to boston to visit my friend cheryl and thought my friend debbie was coming up the the next day....SURPRISE debbie was in the car at the air port.....It made me sooooo happy :) Getting in at midnight kinda sucked though.....Debbie and I art journaled until the sun came up.....LITERALLY
.....Some times you just need another person next to you making pretty things to be inspired :)



Totally loved this little cafe in downtown Lowel!!! So much fun :) The soy latte was amazing....and so was the decor.....so bright and cheery!!!!

U make me happy!!!!!
Out side the working artist lofts

Graffiti by fenway park in boston
Next post is seafood and beach time and then a lengthy post on travel journaling!!!! Almost all of these pics were taken and edited with my iphone :)

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Never dull backgrounds



This was so fun...pt 2 will be up tomorrow!!!!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Create happiness

my biggest motto in life is "create what makes you happy" I figured today I would explain what that really means to me.

A few months ago my answer would have been pretty simple. If you create it and it makes you feel good then its perfect. Not everything you make is museum worthy, AND THATS OK! I make alot more crap than i would like to admit. But shhhhhhh dont tell anyone lol

Today this statement means alot more to me. I want to do more that create THINGS that make me happy. I want to create a life and a lifestyle that makes me happy. I want to wear purple tights in the middle of summer.........I want to get hot pink dreads........I wanna travel the world......all while making pretty things that truly make me happy :)

Last week a spent some time at a friends house. Her front entry area really makes me happy!!!! It has a new orleans feel to it. The vines are sooooo awesome. I have some strange fascination with ivy......

We strung lights to make it even happier
Delilah thought it was pretty too
I set up all my journal stuff outside in this little sanctuary




I had Pandora radio playing in the background....If you like laid back happy art music type in new soul in the search bar :) Its an amazing mellow mix.....great to journal too!!!!!

My baby got tired about an hour in
Then she just crawled in my lap and i painted around her lol

 
This journaling session was one of the most peaceful times in my life. I was content....all that i need in life was around me(well except for genghis)
Ill take some real pics of the journal page tomorrow.....all of these pics were taken with my iphone :)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

reflections

Every year inspired has been something different to me. It always meets my current needs (emotionally and artistically) In the right way. I guess its strange to go to an art event and gain emotional stability??? It makes sense though..... I often feel like these people are the only people who really "get" me...... The true me straight to my soul. I don't usually share very personal stuff on here but today i feel like its appropriate.

Year one: going in to the experience i was excited beyond belief......ready to learn new things.....and scared to death by the amount of people i was going to encounter( groups make me nervous) I roomed with 2 wonderful strangers and laughed for hours. There was alot of people there with drama which was a little crazy since i was coming to leave the drama. But in the end it didn't really effect me. I played, learned some new things, and talked to about 10 people. The last day after the final dinner i met a stranger. We talked for maybe 15-20 min and have been friends ever since. In that short time I knew that we "got" each other and we have talked pretty regularly for the past 2 years. Lorrie i think you're awesome and Im glad you're in my life. You always share new things and get my creative juices flowing! Youre an amazing artist and Im glad i get to look at a pretty girl made by you all the time!

Year two. I won a free trip so i was super excited about that.....ready to learn more but not as concerned with it.......and still scarred to death of strangers. I decided to rent a car this year and somehow got the courage to post in the message board asking if someone wanted to shop with me. This was totally out of character for me......stranger danger!!! I waited outside for this lady to arrive that i knew nothing about, secretly praying that she was semi normal, not mean, and wouldnt kill me. Up walks Cheryl, smiling, bubbly, and talking a million miles an hour. "stranger danger" instantly turned into "holy crap, we were meant to be friends for life". Through out the week we shared deeply personal stories with each other. She is one of the wisest people i know and I always learn something amazing from her. We still talk all the time. Cheryl words cannot express how much you mean to me. You always help me on the right path and say the perfect thing at the time i need them. I am so grateful that you are a part of my life. This year I also got to know Donna on a more personal level. She is one of the few people i follow that fuels my creative fire exponentially...... all the time. Shes also an amazing person. She is very smart in both life and art. Im glad to call her my friend. Donna introduced me to this sweet and spunky blond collage artist this year too. Debbie mac is a happy and fun loving creative soul. i decided to switch to their group and I was sooooo glad I did. Debbie's art amazes me. She is also a wise and amazing woman. We talk all the time via skype, showing off projects and new products and talking about everything under the sun. Debbie you always make me laugh even when things are rough. You always tell me how things are even when i dont want to hear it. You make me want to be a better artist and your words are always encouraging. You mean the world to me!!!! With cheryl and debbies help i think i talked to 20 stranger this year :)

Year three......I had no emotions and all emotions......Life was in upheaval and i just wanted to see my friends...... I needed a break from life and inspired happened at the perfect moment. From the jump i decided that strangers weren't scary and I just talked to everyone. I am seriously glad I did. I met a ton of people...... all put in my life for the right reasons. Some alot made me laugh, some made me cry, and some shared the most poignant words i have ever heard. I got to know people that i had met in passing in years before alot better. I did projects and finished some, but this year wasn't about art and learning about it. It was about me...... It was about figuring out who i am......it was about learning that its ok that people are there for you......it was about conquering my fear of people......it was about amazing women(and 3 amazing men)......it was about strange happenstances and chance meetings with awesome people.......My soul was truly inspired. Im pretty sad this was the last year since i actually figured out i like people lol. I want to see my 200 friends again :) i met too many amazing people this year too list them out, but ill try. Jenny's key note speech touched my soul......Tracie made me laugh hysterically and made me love trash.....Nancy almost made me pee my pants with a story that i had heard a bunch before.........christy was sooooo sweet and her mini was amazing........Margie was bubbly and hilarious.....katie and kelli just make me smile........bill was sweet as ever........Melissa was way better then her predecessor .......ken was awesome and i wish he still lived here........paolo kicked ass a alwayd.......Cari was too busy!!!! :( i wished we could have talked more......Mary-ella talked and listened when i needed it most youre a super amazing lady..... Jamie Your stencils make my day and i cant wait to get to know you more!!.......The people who took my class laughed at my jokes so i love u all lol.........Lolly was sweet as can be and is my neighbor!!!!...........tracys glue makes my world complete..........Debbie and cheryl i cant thank you enough for just being there.........Donna your super awesome and you put on one hell of an event i cant wait to be apart of the next one. Dont be sad if i forgot you youre still super fabulous!!!!!!!

Pictures tomorrow.......if u made it through all of the required reading for today :)
Create what makes you happy
*Bree

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Inspired preview




Art journaling with the masses last night made me soooooo happy!!!! I didnt really take alot of pics. Sorry lorrie :(

Inspired was the awesomest ever this year. So chill so relaxed so perfect at the exact moment i needed it. Everything in life truly happens at the exact moment its suppose to.

Project pics and a few others coming soon! I have intentions on blogging more often now lol.

Create what makes you happy!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday, April 22, 2011

inspired mini workshop update

 This week Ive been working on my mini workshop kits. Here's the breakdown.....
  • 200 5" squares to rip   (the easy part!)
  • 400 grommets to set ( i dont wanna do it)
  • 100 batting squares to cut
  • 100 squares to sew(Over half done!)
  • a mere 25 kits to package(everything is ordered and here!)
Im getting there!!! I will to be 100% done by TONIGHT(maybe???? fingers crossed people)  In true ADD fashion while making up the kits this past week i have been playing around with ideas that expand upon the original idea. So fun. Ill post pics of those when i get back :) Some things have to be a surprise....right??? A few people have asked about kits. I will sell what i have left with printed instructions when i get back!!! Im also making up some extra banners and mini books to sell as well(pssst im gonna put them in the super secret etsy shop that i have had but never opened lol)

I leave in 16 days!!!!!!!! I cant freaking wait!!!! If youre going to inspired or youre in the area check out the class link ;)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Playing.... Finally

I don't know what's been going on but I haven't been in the studio for a while???? I've been working on my inspired mini workshop kits(sporadically) but that's about it. FYI 18 days till I leave!! I'm so excited :) any way today I was watching inspiration wed and I finally got my butt to work. Hot pink bricks of course




Click to show the pics bigger :)


Now what to do with the left over modeling paste???? Um.... Put it on everything lol



I hope this jumpstarts my creativity in a big way!!! I miss play time ;)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday, March 18, 2011

rollin' vintage

Jeff and i have been taking some road trips lately since i frickin hate it here lol. I told him we should look into rvs.........and he said YES!!!!!! I called my grandparents, who manage an rv park, to have them look around for me. Then i hit up my buddy google. I really super want a vintage one. even if we have to work on it. Ive found a bunch of small trailers online for under $2000 which is totally our price range, fingers crossed and soon ill be traveling the country in STYLE.  I belong in a vintage camper :)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Angels

I've said many times before that I believe that people are put into my life for a reason. Those people know who they are and this picture is for them!!! Big thank you's all around to all the awesome people in my life! Thanks for being you :)

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Mighty list

I am continually amazed by life........Seriously! People, situations, color, texture, kisses, painted toes, friends, blogs, technology. Everything amazes me. I stumbled upon Mighty List Tonight and i was instantly inspired.

Jeff and I talk alot about our wants and dreams. Go here, do this, experience that, basically live life. I like to be spontaneous and kinda fly by my pants, where as  jeff likes a little research( but not too much though). I do, although, like a good list!! Mighty list is perfect. 100 things to do before I die. some big some small, all obtainable with out wining the lottery. I love this idea!!! I want the list up in our house some how. I found some ideas here and
  1. Visit thailand (ankor wat) This is cheryl's fault!!!
  2. Find inspiration around me for 30 days
  3. Visit all 392 US national parks(1 down)
  4. Process photos in a dark room
  5. Rock some cool eyeglasses
  6. Find and maintain a healthy weight through clean eating and exercise
  7. Throw pottery
  8. Make a ceramic owl
  9. Go on a movie set
  10. Have a fish pedicure
  11. Ride in a hot pink car
  12. Upload a clear video to you tube that doesnt have the word ok or um  in it
  13. See Kathy Griffin live
  14. Journal on a terrace in an Italian villa with a great view
  15. eat sushi in japan
  16. Learn basic web design 
  17. see the northern lights
  18. Eat at wd-40
  19. Photography a beach sunset
  20. Have a wardrobe that is really me
  21. put something i make up on etsy
  22. Buy a pair of shoes from irregular choice and rock the hell out of them
  23. Pick sea shells by the sea shore (drift wood too!)
  24. Read 20 classic novels
  25. Submit to a magazine
  26. Come up with a consistent blog format and stick to it for 1 year
  27. Dance with my husband
  28. travel the US in an airstream 
  29. Take a donkey ride through the grand canyon
  30. stamp a metal bracelet
  31. go deep sea fishing then eat the fish i catch
  32. Find out how something is made by taking a factory tour
  33. send out 100 hand made cards
  34. Put a piece of my art in every room of our house
  35. make a resin table top
  36. eat king crab in Alaska
  37. Get an amazing reading chair that is comfy and beautiful
  38. Get professional portraits done of myself and my family
  39. Buy and Shoot with a holga and a diana camera
  40. Define my artistic style
  41. Maintain a square foot garden for 2 seasons
  42. Make a quilt by hand
  43. see the rangers play outside of texas
  44. Take self portraits on a teal brick wall
  45. Go to the Smithsonian
  46. art journal daily for 1 month
  47. Run a 5k
  48. buy fabric in New York City
  49. Visit all 7 continents
  50. Finish college
  51. Go to an observatory
  52. Decorate our bedroom
  53. Buy a horse
  54. Paint a face
  55. Spend the night in a castle
  56. sew a purse
  57. Design my own stencils (Jenn's idea!)
  58. Make hand made paper
  59. Figure out photoshop
  60. Celebrate my birthday in a foreign country
  61. Bake 40 kinds of home made bread(Idea here)
  62. Buy and fix up an el camino
  63. Take 100 different self portraits
  64. Get my art friends together for a weekend of fun
  65. start my own business
  66. stay organized
  67. climb a mountain
  68. Watch the little mermaid with my mom 
  69. Have a house with a window seat
  70. meet my dad
  71. Visit a volcano
  72. Go whale watching
  73. Play in the rain with a pretty umbrella and rain boots
  74. raise chickens from baby chicks
  75. Take a photography class
  76. Make a bright happy granny square blanket
  77. Ride in a double decker bus
  78. Cook out of Julia childs book while pretending im Julie from Julie and Julia  Keep a Photo record of the experience
  79. Learn spanish
  80. Get pin up photos taken
  81. Print out happy thoughts and place them in a jar
  82. Collect dirt, water, sand, rocks, or shells in jars from 20 different places
  83. Knit a pair of socks
  84. Stay on a dude ranch
  85. Quit smoking
  86. Put my pictures on dvds and an external hard drive
  87. Go on a cruise
  88. Go to a drive in movie in a convertible with jeff
  89. Take photos with my sister
  90. Sit on the beach in hawaii 
  91. Visit a winery
  92. Photograph a peacock
  93. Send a package to a soldier
  94. Watch hot air balloons from the ground(where its safe)
  95. Make an outfit 
  96. Have pink hair again
  97. Wrap all Christmas presents with hand made paper
  98. swim in crystal clear ocean water(so i can watch for sharks YIKES)
  99. own a vintage cursive typewriter......and write a poem on it
  100. Record my grandma singing "my sing story" so i can have it forever
  101. Witness a foreign ceremony
  102. Jump on a trampoline
  103. make home made candy
  104. Visit a coffee farm
  105. Be in the audience of the Ellen show
  106. Stamp leather
  107. Backpack some where for more then 3 days
Well thats more then a 100 and I might add more!!!! Make a list.......and do it.

Create what makes you happy

    Happy accident!!!

    Edited
    Sorry if my pics are getting boring......at least im blogging right????? Heres my super awesome happy accident from yesterday. I didnt edit the colors at all some how my sky turned out turquoise!!!! OMG i was freaking out with excitement. Little things amaze me!!!! My co worker said she wanted to buy a print :)

    Saturday, March 12, 2011

    Night photography??? sounds easy enough

    Last night my lens (Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens, if youre interested) came in way freaking late...... 7pm after sun set which was kinda crappy. But we decided to drive around and take some night photos. New Zoom lens......check
    tripod........check
    new found camera knowledge.......double check!!!!!
    moon light......check
    creepy church....check
    took about 60 pics and i liked these 8....... again they are completely unedited!!!!
    weird lighting created burning leaves lol




    I like this one even with the bad lighting too
       Messing with the white balance and i got this creepy blue glow!!!!!!
    Blue glow= awesome church
    Messing with zoom not what i wanted but its a work in progress
    Best pic of the night in my opinion!!!!
    creepy and i like it
    I really like this one too cus of the glow at the bottom.....i need to fix the orientation on it