February-- Art Playing Discoveries, Lifebook 2021, and More Etsy

 I've been doing a lot of playing in February and cleaning and sorting--not much else to do in this part of the country--too cold!  So every time I go to de-clutter and 'clean' I end up stopping and making art, because I find little things that I've forgotten about and then discover that I can put them together to make some art pieces--like these--

I've also been discovering new art supplies again--this time--Stabilo CarbOthello pastel pencils.  I've always loved the look that you get from chalk pastels but not the mess--these eliminate a lot of that mess, but you get the same result as a hard pastel--

 they blend beautifully too--love them!

 And another new discovery--the artist Jenny Manno--I first found her when I took a small online class from her and realized how much I loved her style, and then found out she had a Facebook group  called Next JENeration Art (with lots of prompts) which anyone can join and also a great you tube channel--every Tuesday she puts up a video sharing different art supplies and demonstrations--she focuses mainly on quirky portraits, but just learning about the supplies alone are very generous on her part.  Here's one (out of the many prompts on her Facebook group page) that I tried--

I made her with mainly the CarbOthellos--lots of fun art playing in Jenny's group!

And still loving Lifebook 2021--such a supportive and talented  community there--really happy with my latest portrait from Tam's (Willowing) lesson--

and another lesson about celebrating yourself--I put my own variation on it, but the message is still there--

Meanwhile back in my Etsy Shop I've been adding more art.  I 've decided to cut down on the number of art shows that I used to do (not sure what this year will bring anyway) and focus on more online business.  I  really do enjoy getting out there and meeting like-minded people at shows and fellow artists, but I don't enjoy the setting up and tearing down of a display and huge tent that's only been up for 2 days, not to mention about worrying if the weather will be bad.  I'm rambling here, so let me just show you what I've been up to this month for Etsy (remember--I've been trying to declutter my art room and house :-)

I've been having lots of fun!  You can find these HERE.  Hope to see you next month when Spring (hopefully) will be in the air!!

  

My Mixed Media Birdhouse Tutorial

Hi  everyone--I  have  a  full  tutorial  for  my  birdhouse  that  I  had  fun  making--

over  at  the  DecoArt  blog  today.   See  how  you  can  take  an  ordinary  craft  wood  birdhouse  and  turn  it  into  your  own  unique  piece.   Make  sure  to  visit  the  blog  HERE.

I'm Trying Very Hard to Think Spring!

I  really  am,  but when  you  have  temps  in  the  20's,  it's  kind  of  hard.  Tomorrow  looks  like  a  warm  up--sunny  and  in  the  mid  30's--time  to  break  out  the  bermuda  shorts!   Well,  at  least  I  can  think  Spring  with  my  she  art  girls--

I  haven't  altered  a  birdhouse  in  a  long  time.  They're  fun  to  do--each  side  is  like  a  new  canvas  to  work  on--completely  separate  from  the  other  side--

So.....what else can I do with these girls?...Hmmmmm...

I  had  to  do  it  : )

You  know,   I  wasn't  even  going  to  sign  up  for  this  class--I  did  it  on  a  whim,  but  now  I'm  so  glad  that  I  did,  and  I've  become  a  big  Christy  fan  (check  out   the  very  excellent  giveaway  that  she  has  going  on  right  now  with  Pink  Paislee  papers)   And  guess what??   She's  offering  a  new  class  in  May--She  Had  Three  Hearts--Art  Journaling  Workshop.   I've  already  signed  up  for  it.  It  doesn't  matter  what  the  class is,  I  know  I'll  like  it,  but  it  sounds  great,  and  her  price  for  the  class  is  impossible  to  turn  down--go  check  it  out!