"Birds Of A Feather"

The challenge this week at The Three Muses is birds of a feather, and my birds of a feather gather here:

In their bird house--these are the three elements that I like to use the most in my art (aside from my new obsession with faces), houses, hearts, and birds--so I loved this week's challenge.  To start out with, I used this old cupboard door I had that had  a glass insert--

I then  collaged  text from my favorite over-sized children's book that I have and scrapbook papers--

And then for the bird house I used my scrapbook papers  again--

I love making pictures with papers--kind of like putting a puzzle together.  It's very relaxing for me.

I also wanted to show you a WIP.  Tara doesn't like using that word, but I kind of do, although I've never used it before.  Remember my journal pages from last week?

Well, I started it--I know, I know, I'm a slow-poke, but I started it--

And I know, it's another face--I can't get away from them.  One of the ladies from my Suzi class, Kristen  had posted some of her faces with text on them, and I loved the way that they turned out, so thanks to her, this is what I decided to do.  I keep adding layers to her face, and when I want to preserve what I've done, I just add clear gesso to her, and then I can add more layers.  She kind of looks sad or mad--either way--it's probably because I WON'T LEAVE HER ALONE!!  So I'll leave her be for a while and continue on with these pages.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I'll let her tell me.

One Of My Favorite Quotes

The theme this week at The Three Muses is to use one of your favorite quotes in your art work and here is mine:

This was done on a gallery wrapped canvas, and it measures about 8 x 17, so I'll show you a couple close ups.  Here's  where I put the quote--

The quote is a Chinese  Proverb, and it's "A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song"

I love using birds, like alot of artists, in my artwork. To me, they represent freedom to go anywhere, and to just sing just for the sake of singing.  They also  represent a sign of renewal.  The first sign of Spring for us is to see a Robin. I love birds.  I'm not a bird expert or watcher--I just love birds.  Right now, it's so cold and  QUIET, but in the warmer seasons I just love waking up to the chirping of all the birds.

And this was one of those pieces where everything came into place.  I just sat back and listened to her (my muse--still don't know her name). I found this sheet music in a children's book I had which was perfect for what I  was looking for:

"The Birdies' Ball"--how cute!

Then I used this scrapbook paper for the border--

The flowers in it went so well with the birds, so I just cut some out and collaged them onto the canvas  to mix in.

I usually don't paint these colors--the baby blues and pinks, and I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, but when I was finished--I love it!