Arting for 365 Day 245: On Top of the World

3 x 5" ink on paper

3 x 5″ ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

There are days when, for no particular reason, I feel on top of the world. Maybe the way the sun shines that day does it to me. Or perhaps it’s waking up to a smiling face and a drooling cat. Or maybe it’s coming out of a lovely dream that I no longer remember. Whatever it might be, on these wonderful days, I am certain there is no wrong in the world.

Arting for 365 Day 244: Grasshopper Tiles

Tile paint on tiles

Ceramic paint on tiles (which may be used as coasters)

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Awhile back I decided it would be fun to explore painting on ceramic surfaces. I figured I could pretty-up a mug or try my hand at creating some abstract patterns on a bowls. I picked up a small thing of black Liquitex Glossies paint, which is made for just such a thing, and got to work.

Day 244 Paint

After purchasing a high-end mug from the dollar store, I started in on the painting. I ended up with a mug covered in geometric design. The boyfriend loved it and quickly claimed it as his own. It was a fun project, but honestly, I did very little with the paint after that.

About a month ago, though, I broke the boyfriend’s new favorite mug and promised I would make another someday. I sneakily got it done to have as a Christmas gift. At the same time the boyfriend thought he would motivate me to make another by getting me a slew of colors for Christmas. Good stuff!

Yesterday, I took the paints and worked on creating a realistic, colorful grasshopper image. I wanted to see how well the paints blended. It turns out, not fabulously, but not terribly either. The paints seem to need a few layers in order to really be able to blend. They also dry quickly, which makes things a bit tricky. I had a lot of fun using them though and hope to try a few more approaches with the stuff.

Day 244 Scattered Coasters

Day 244 Grasshopper Detail

Arting for 365 Day 243: Hippo’s Scarecrow

3 x 5" watercolor and ink on paper

3 x 5″ watercolor and ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

He was tired of it – the endless stream of little birds who felt entitled to sit atop his head. Sure his noggin was flat and shiny and often close to the water, but it was not an open invitation for parking. The birds who perched there never asked permission. Furthermore they often left him “gifts” that he would rather not have.

So he took action. It was not ideal, but a fake visitor, put there by choice, was much more appealing than the alternative.

Arting for 365 Day 240: Not Quite as Planned

8.5 x 11 watercolor on paper

8.5 x 11 watercolor on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Yesterday my niece and I were able to sit down and do some drawing together. We worked patiently for quite awhile and put our work up toward the end of the evening.

This morning, as we opened presents, she ended up getting watercolor pencils. We decided we’d experiment with them on our yesterday’s work.

Nolan’s art (see below) turned out beautifully! I wasn’t as thrilled with my piece as experimentation turned out to be a bit of a mess in some areas. Oh well. Sitting down and painting with my niece was well worth the not-so great project I ended up with.

Nolan Day 240

Arting for 365 Day 239: Lime

Day 239: Lime

5 x 3″ watercolor and ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

The holiday season is upon us. In our family this means overindulging in food and drink until you are, basically, comatose. Yesterday was no exception. Chex mix, candy, pie, sugary drinks and adult beverages abounded.

While there is plenty of healthy fruit around the house, it seems most of it has been used in our adult beverages – limes squeezed into tonics and cranberries floating in mulled wine.  Just as it should be.

Happy holidays all!

Arting for 365 Day 238: A Renewed Interest

5 x 3" watercolor and ink on paper

5 x 3″ watercolor and ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Like most things new, flying had been exciting initially. But the luster quickly wore off. The daily flight, above beautiful green groves below, became ordinary and soon enough the landscape faded.

It’s uncertain what changed to make her take notice. But a renewed interest in all that surrounded her emerged. Patterns and shapes danced below. The world anew.

Arting for 365 Day 237: Poinsettia

3 x 5″ ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

As I was drawing yesterday, a poinsettia-like plant began to appear. I’m feeling inspired by the fun of winter and the holidays. I love this time of year. The light, the he winter cold, the time to spend with family – all fabulous.

Last night, we slept in the RV with no heat (it was 26 degrees out and we had a slight propane issue – long story). It was frigid to begin with, but luckily, we had multiple blankets and sleeping bags, as well as Box the cat to keep us warm, so we stayed nice and cozy. But it got me thinking that there are a lot of people out there who don’t have it so great on cold winter nights. The experience reminds me to be extra thankful for the people and the things in my life.

Arting for 365 Day 236: Birds As Satellite Towers

3 x 5" watercolor and ink on paper

3 x 5″ watercolor and ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Back in the day, pigeons flew messages from place to place. From my understanding on the subject (which is very little) the fowl seemed pretty reliable and happy to do the work.

Maybe phone carriers like Verizon and Sprint should think about a similar approach. I see lots of positives to the idea:

1. Birds are everywhere. You would NEVER lose your signal.

Never mind. I guess I only see one positive. But it is fun to imagine.