Tuesday, January 3, 2012

It's That Yucky Time of Year Again....and I Like It

If  you  live  in  this  part  of  the  country--you  know  what  I'm  talking  about.   It's  bitter  cold  out  right  now  with  snow  on  the  ground,  and  the  next  2  to  3  months  will  pretty  much  be  the  same.   It's  yucky  out,  you  feel  yucky  (due  to  lack  of  sunshine  and  fresh  air)  and  you  look  yucky  (due  to  lack  of  sunshine  and  fresh  air).   And  I  don't  have  an  outside  job,  so  basically  I  become  a  recluse,  which  would  always  get  me  down,  but  not  anymore,  because  I  now  have  TIME  to  play  and  have  fun!

I've  been  cleaning  out  my  art  room,  and  actually  getting  rid  of  a  lot  of  stuff  that  I  know  that  I'll never  use  and  to  make  room  for  everything  else  that  I  will  use.   I  have  3  major  obsessions  when  it  comes  to  art.   First  I  cannot  help  but  get  every  art  publication  out  there,  I  cannot  stay  away  from  online  classes  ( I  signed  up  for  2  at  the  end  of  the  year,  and  just  signed  for  3  more--what  is  my  problem??),  and  my  biggest  obsession  is  art  supplies.   I  have  found  things  that  I  didn't  even  know  that  I  had.....but  now  I  have  TIME  for  them--just  a  fraction  of  what  I  have--

I've  actually  been  using  the  watercolors  for  my  class  Watercolor  Bliss  with  Alisa  Burke- definitely  a  bit  of  a  learning  curve.   And  I've  been  playing  with  the  chalk  pastels--no  idea  what  I'm  doing,  but  fun.    Look  at  the  Shiva  paintstiks- -haven't  even  opened  these  up  yet--but  I  will.    And  how  about  that  ribbon  tape (LOVE  ribbon  tape)--didn't  even  know  I  had  it,  but  it  goes  perfectly  with  the  painted  papers  from  my  last  post---which  I  used  in  my  latest  piece--

.....and  I  got  out  my  stash  of  scrabble  tiles  and  grunged  them  up--because  I  had  the  TIME  to  do  this--added  some  molding  paste  for  the  foam  (Latte's--one  of  my  favorite  drinks!).   The  one  thing  that  I've  learned  from  Every  online  class  that  I've  taken  is  to  enjoy  the  process  of  art  making  (which  I  know  is  no  surprise).   The  more  I  do  this,  the  more  I  can  accept  the  "ugly"  stage--not  freak  out,  and  keep  going  until  it's  not  "ugly"  anymore.



Yes,   I  enjoy  a  good  cup  of  freshly  ground  coffee  first  thing  in  the  morning!  



I  completely  enjoyed  making  these  2  pieces,  because  I  took  the  time  to  play  around  with  them--just  for  the  mere  fact  that  I  now  have  the  luxury  of  TIME!

See......I  even  had  time  for  this  rambling  post!


50 comments:

Tammie Lee said...

look at your wonderful stash of art goodies! so much inspiration for you to play with.

love your pieces of art Diane!

QueenLeilani said...

so colorful! yay!

Brigitte aka Scrappassie said...

Gorgeous gorgeous art!! I know what you mean about online workshops, think I'm addicted ;-) Anyway, please send us a pile of snow and some cold cold weather, sounds like the perfect excuse to do lots of art! Enjoy!

Juls said...

what a lovely stash of art supplies!! .... I should really join some online art classes, rather than try and bash on myself and learn from mistakes! .... I should take a leave out of your book!! LOVE LOVE LOVE your canvases, espcially the face detail in the background of the love coffee canvas! Hugs Juls

roc said...

i'm giggling - i can totally relate to finding things you didn't know you had - sometimes even double of 'em!

Pam McKnight said...

I love "shopping" from my own stash, nice work! Can't wait to see what you do with the paint sticks, I have some and have not used them yet.

Lorraine said...

your making me want a coffee now..fab pieces as usual and when it gets yucky outside you need to get mucky inside like you have been doing with all the paints..its horrible here too with gales and heavy rain all the time! Happy New Year and here is to a great arty 2012

Buffy said...

Love,love,love your coffee pieces! You're so funny about your obsessions. LOL. I think I have the same ones. Except lately I've been withholding on buying every magazine out there,its hard,sniff,sniff,tear! I took watercolor bliss too,right before Christmas. Have fun.

Buffy said...

Love,love,love your coffee pieces! You're so funny about your obsessions. LOL. I think I have the same ones. Except lately I've been withholding on buying every magazine out there,its hard,sniff,sniff,tear! I took watercolor bliss too,right before Christmas. Have fun.

Sandi McLean said...

Love your pieces! I have been collecting coffee bits and pieces (along with quite a lot of other stuff of course) and you inspire me to just get to it...

Terri Kahrs said...

I think the best thing about a New Year IS the on-line classes!!! Signed up for two myself, Diane!!! And finding unused art supplies is like having another go at Christmas, isn't it?!! Have fun creating, and Happy 2012! Hugs, Terri ♥ xoxoxo

WrightStuff said...

I'm sending a bit more snow your way if it has this effect on your creativity - go girl!!

Legacy of a Single Girl said...

Well done! Way to keep the blucky yucky's at bay!

tina kirk said...

Love the colors of these 2 new pieces!Beautiful art as always!

Jaime Haney said...

I am a warm weather girl, but I agree with you on it is a fabulous time get cozy and stay inside and create! I love all your art supplies, it's beautiful just looking at it in the picture (corny, huh?) What is fabric tape? Your coffee pieces turned out great and just the perfect amount of grunge!

I'm an art supplies hoarder, too. I just opened a watercolor kit from over 20 years ago!

Janine said...

Love the outcome!

Odd Chick said...

I totally agree with you about the yucky weather and how it brings out the art recluse/art supply junkie/class and magazine obsessed soul - i know we would talk for hours about art over a good cup of coffee! Well.. not hours because we would have to get up and show each other something fun to add to our art! I love your pieces!!!

GlorV1 said...

Hi Diane. Ooh I love how those Shiva paint sticks look. Now I have to get some.:) You got lots of good stuff there and there's nothing wrong with taking lots of classes. If it makes you happy, go for it! I need classes too but know that I won't stick to it. Enjoy and have fun. Love your artwork, really great!

Joella said...

Lucky Lady! I know exactly what you're talking about when you say yucky time of year !! Love the pieces you've done. Have fun and stay warm :)

sharon said...

I loooovw what you did here Diane! Coffee is my favorite thing, and these are wonderful, especially the color combo....WOW!

Emelie said...

I am sitting here scrolling up and downn looking at the contrast in yor work, that is just what makes it jump right out at the viewer.

Enjoying your art supplies,It is security to have lots I think. I feel best when I have things I have not used yet.

You enjoy a challenge I can see that and the classes do that .

Priti Lisa said...

Everything you touch...becomes beauty. Your painted papers are so cool! Happy New Year♥♥♥

Kristin said...

I love your work so much! You should do your own art class, your work is unique and inspiring! I'm ordering some artemboss metal sheets to try and play with, I love what you do with it! I don't know how you do it all, I've been looking over your tutorials and I hope whatever comes out looks even half as good as what you do. And your altered boxes, are they just boxes you find or do you build them? I could go on and on about all the things you do and that I wish I knew how to do!

Createology said...

Excellent post and one that rings true with me too. Love your new coffee canvas collages. Time to play is just what this season calls for. Blissful and Creative 2012...

Joyce's Journey said...

It's cold here in south Florida too, believe it or not, and I'm cozy inside, enjoying my time. I need to get rid of things too that I know I will never use. I love my stash of stuff but I've got to sit and use it and not think I need to save it for something special. Everything is special!! Great, inspiring post. Thanks!

Isabel said...

Im glad we are having a mini heat wave again!!! I so cannot stand cold weather or no sunshine, and loke you this kind of no sun weather would bother me but now I have my art fulltime:O) Loving the new art:O) Thanks for sharing:O)

Giggles said...

Your coffee pieces are stunning and inspirational!! Love them!

Hugs Giggles

Lesley Edmonds said...

Happy New Year Diane! Sound like you are having fun with your decluttering.

I am loving your artwork!

I am also hoping to do Allisa's watercolour course this year. I haven't used water colours before.
x

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Love the latte pieces. Hmm don't we all share a compulsion to collect art supplies :-) Sounds like you intend to keep your creative juices fired up this winter with all the on line workshops, have fun!

Cathy Bueti said...

Love these new pieces diane. And I had to laugh . . . I have a long list of classes I want to take! lol Oh, and I did end up signing up for Misty's! lol Hopefully I dont drift away. ;)

Looks like a great set of watercolors!! :)

wandamarie.blogspot.com said...

i ADORE you rambling and confessions. i can relate to just about all of it and then can take on my own personal obsessions, sheesh.
i LOVE what you've come up with here diane AND that you had fun, i understand this so much more now myself!
so CREATIVELY STUNNING these pieces!
now i'm going to take a morning nap and then C L E A N and
P U R G E (stuff)! thanks for the nudge! xo

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

This is brilliant, Diane!! I love those two cups. They look so real I want to touch them. :)

Star said...

Ohhhh! Nice stash finds for sure!! I have given away 3 boxes of "stuff' from the art room and still there's no room. I have another small box about ready. I've given away some drawing magazines because they're
'over my head'anyway. I am seeing bare spots so maybe I just need to rearrange and see if working area will open up again! The 2 or 3 things I've settled on doing are of course, the things that take up the most space. Happy New Year!

Donna said...

You are living my weather dream! I'm in north Texas so snow and weather that makes me want to cozy up in the house does not occur often! I love, love, love snow and if it would come and last for days and days, I would be in heaven! Insert big sigh here.

I'm also a huge fan of your artwork! It rocks! I love all the yummy color!
D~~~~

Cameron said...

I loves me a good cup of fresh ground coffee every morning, too....these pieces are fantastic!! Love the molding paste as foam!

It was 95 degrees here in So. Calif yesterday....I'm looking forward to a few rainy days to just stay inside in my PJ's and play!

Always enjoy your work, Diane....I don't believe you when you say it goes thru an ugly stage...haha!

Dorthe said...

Here it is the same Diane-cold and yucky..... I also started in my studio today--cleaning and finding things, I thought was gone or that I had forgotten all about hehe..
Love your coffee pieces and those wonderful colours you used again-ENJOY playing with your finds.
Hugs,Dorthe

Becca said...

It sounds like we share the same sickness...I just went out and purchased 3 art publications yesterday! AND I have to move all of these magazines, but I LOVE them! I also have been enjoying on line workshops and can't seem to get enough of them! I am enjoying a Suzi Blu class right now. Your coffee art is beautiful! I always look forward to seeing what you create! Sorry it's "yucky" out for you...we are having beautiful mild weather, so I'll send you some warmth and sun!

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

Ohhh, snow! I just traded my boots and turtlenecks for shorts & flip flops. It just got "summery" here.
I LOVE online classes too. I would take them all if I could. :) I am taking two right now and really want to sign up for two more. Lol! Loving your pieces too of course!!

FLO said...

These paintings are really beautiful!!! I like your art Diane.
I wish you an happy new year.

Tina said...

It's been awhile since I've stopped by. So blessed to see your art and hear how you are doing. I would love to take some art classes right now. Are there any that you could recommend? I am in a transition stage right now and it's good timing for me. Take care,
Tina

E Makes Art said...

I love coffee. I love art. Therefore I LOVE coffee art! I seriously need to make a cool coffee piece inspired by you for our kitchen! That "foam" makes my mouth water... I might have to borrow that idea from you! i know what you mean about the ugly phase... it just means it's not done... and I've got plenty of those laying around waiting for some inspiration for the next step, lol! I'm off to check out the Strathmore class...

xoEsther

Heather Foust said...

Happy New Year Diane! Love that Latte Piece! I also love a good cup of coffee in the m
orning. I am also addicted to art supplies. Can never have enough! I envy that you can have time to do you art. I still have to work for insurance reasons. My husband is self employed. But someday I will be able to be home and create all day. That is my goal. I only signed up for 1 class so far. You can never learn enough either.

Jen Beaudet said...

I love the color palette! Beautiful work once again! Have a great weekend!
Jenniferxx

Lisa Lectura Creations said...

Happy 2012 Diane! I'm exactly the same with art supplies too! Sometimes I find supplies I forgot I even bought. lol. Love your coffee art! Makes me want a cup right now. Hugs, Lisa :)

Kristin said...

LOL! I LOVE your post! And btw, just recently used the Shiva paint sticks and LOVE THEM! I know you will too. AND I'm totally a coffee girl - I am so impressed with your pieces - they are stunning!
AND are you doing Life Book? Say yes please. . . .xoxoxoxo

Kathy said...

Oh my gosh, somehow missed this post! Congratulations on having that biggest luxury of all - time to play. Yay for yucky weather!

Terri Smith said...

Diane, Love Your Newest Pieces! Your Art Brings Me A Smile Every Time! I Believe Cleaning And Reorganizing Is Good For The Heart. During My Most Recent Efforts, I Too Came Across Items I Didn't Even Know I Had. 2012 Is Gonna Be A Great Year For Us All - I Just Feel It In My Bones. Sending You Much Love & Sunshine, Terri

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Hi Diane! Happy New Year! I am like you in that I love all the art publications, too. I should take stock in Stampington, I tell you! LOL And I find it hard to steer from art classes - although I do need to set some limits. I am enrolled in two - so far. :) I adore coffee, too. That piece is just awesome!!!!! I can't wait to see all the other treasures you'll be creating this year!!!! :)

Unknown said...

Wow!! love the cafe latte's and seeing your found supplies...thats fun

Deb Harvey said...

LOVE THESE!!!!!!!

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