Back Indoors Again

Look who's back to keep me company outside the studio window.

I'm clearing some of the paper clutter by cutting up old, failed watercolors and turning them into new greeting cards that I can write letters on.

It's a great creativity exercise and often sparks great ideas.

  I dashed off these sunflowers inside of one to sort out my detail brushes and get some practice painting leaves.

This little marker doodle is inside the right hand page. Every bit of practice helps. 

Greeting cards and other Projects

 Inspiration comes from all sorts of things and all kinds of places.

The first thing that caught my eye was the paper plate that I'd been laying my paints out on. It occurred to me that elements of the design (dots and comma strokes) will lend themselves well to paint and folk out projects. I think it's got real possibilities.

I've tried this floral design and variations of it on many posts on the deck and wheelchair ramp here.

I was writing someone about the ramp hen it occurred to me that it would be nice to use the same design to decorate the card and envelope with.

After decorating the ramp card I thought I'd pursue the design further as the whole design for a card.

This last card was a lazy experiment using a cut out from a coloring book.

The important thing is to be spending time with paint and pencil whether or not you're creating art.

Things like this get me loosened up and ready to do some serious painting.

The New Painting Settles In

 Yes, I found a bit more wall space to hang that tulip painting as I list the pattern books for the knitting machine for sale on eBay. It will be funny to see what sells first-the painting or the books but this is a busy little corner of the living room these days.

Meanwhile I'm enjoying "playing" with the painting on Zazzle and discovering how many different ways it can be used to design products. I love the idea of turning it into something useful and challenge myself to keep trying new things with it.

Treasure hunts and daydreams

It's windy and a little overcast today so it's a good day to finish up projects in the house. I made the card from an old drawing I "found" while sorting through another old bin and I finished another pair of slippers.
Now I'm cleaning the studio space for tomorrows painting group...who knows what I'll "find" next. That just sounds so much better than saying I'm hunting for the dining room table under all of my projects, doesn't it?  

Scrap Paper Note Card Project

 It's surprising what you can make while cleaning up your work area. These were
made from bits of card stock and watercolor paintings mounted over a greeting card.

 Since this project uses up scrap items on hand you can be more adventurous with your designs and take more chances, after all-it's not costing you anything but time.

Relax and have some fun with the idea. It's a great way to re-use all those odd cards that come in the junk mail. (if you like the insides but not the cover art).
I can't wait to hear how it works out for you.

Morning paper, pencils and more fun

A friend gave me a big roll of floral photo corners and as you can see I had a ball "playing" with them . After that I made a card from one of those altered Sunflower pictures and did a bit of drawing on an envelope to go along with it. I'd love to keep working on this stuff but it's off to exercise class. 264 pounds is just not where I want to be. If I can make amazing things out of my junk mail I ought to be able to make something of myself. Wish me Luck!

Yes, I went right back to it as soon as I got home and the next time I looked at the clock it was FOUR hours later!!! I'll be grabbing a broom now and dealing with my "debris field" and then of course I'll be moving on to other projects. (I'll have to, those were the last of the 200 watercolor card and envelopes sets I've gone through in the last year) ...who knows, maybe I'll sell a painting or something and be able to shop for more art supplies...Quick!!! before I have to do some housework!