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I love paper...and all the possibilities of what I can create!!! Here are some pics of various papers that I use in my collages. Make it a HAPPY Day! 
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Creating is fueled by inspiration. When I am feeling creatively stuck I often head to my collection of art books to find ideas, direction, and, of course, inspiration. Here are my top 10 art books that inspire me.  Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg When I am feeling stuck while in the middle of creating and I want to simply crumple up the paper and throw it into the trash, Beautiful Oops reminds me that there are no mistakes in art. Instead these "oops-moments" are times when I can "think of it as an opportunity to make something beautiful!"  Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists by Carla Sonheim When I was first dabbling with the idea of being an artist, I dove head first into this and other Art Lab books. Drawing Lab for Mixed Media I especially enjoy because the 52 different creative exercises are well described and filled with fun, attainable examples of delightful ways to explore art.  Craft-a-Doodle by Jenny Doh I find that doodling gets my creative juices flowing and positively impacts my mood. Craft-a-Doodle is filled with creative doodling exercises, each of which has simple, yet fun, doodling prompts. It is not uncommon for me to grab this book, my sketchbook and favorite pens and find a comfy place to sit and doodle. Doodling always make my day happier.  The War of Art by Steven Pressfield I love The Art of War because it reminds me, in a plain and simple way, that I must ignore my inner mean girl and that I have to sit down and "do the work". Mr. Pressfield says, "Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It's a gift to the world and every being in it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got." This book is a must for anyone who thinks they might want to explore their creative-side.  Once Upon a Piece of Paper by Andrea D'Aquino This fun, whimsical book about collage making is awesome! Not only does the author give suggestions and ideas of how to use papers and create collages, but she gives you a pad of random printed papers to use in your own artwork.  Zendoodle by Susanne Schaadt A while back, my sister took a zentangle class and soon after, she taught me some of what she learned. Since then I have been hooked on the beauty of the intricate patterns that can be drawn. Zendoodle is my current go-to book when I want a zentangle resource. I am now finding that I have been incorporating zentangle doodles from my sketch book in many of my collages.  365 Things to Make and Do by Fiona Watt Clearly this book was written for kids but it's marvelous for adults too (or at least for this adult). Its a great book to pull out when my boys want to create - but I find inspiration for my art every time I flip through the pages. I love the silly and clever ideas of ways to be creative. 365 Things to Make and Do always gets my child-like creative juices flowing!  Creative Revolution by Flora Bowley Flora Bowley's personal story is so inspiring! Her ability to engage all of her senses and intuition into her art is fascinating. Each time I pick up this book I am reminded to get out of my head and trust my gut. And, when I do that I am never disappointed. Creative Revolution makes me strive to be a better, more authentic artist.  Art Quilt Collage by Deborah Boschert Some of the most amazing pieces of artwork I have seen are quilts. The craft bringing together of colors, patterns, and fabrics intrigues me. Therefore I have begun to look for inspiration in quilts. I really like the texture of the stitching, the softness of the fabric and handmade look of quilts. But, mostly I love the stories that quilt-makers tell. While paging through Art Quilt Collage I am reminded that art is simply a form of storytelling and I am inspired to incorporate my stories into my art.  In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney This book, recently recommended by a friend, is packed full of inspiration! The author interviewed over 100 amazing and talented makers, artists and entrepreneurs an their thoughts are uplifting, empowering and insightful. When I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed this is my go-to book to find a sense of community. As I read each woman's story I am reminded that I am not alone on this journey of creativity. Make is a HAPPY Day!   Plant Smiles. Grow Laughter. Harvest Love. Make it a HAPPY Day!  Progress on the Discovery Hall project for St. Mary's School continues. Since my first sneak peek post, I have been having a good time creating!  The backgrounds, made from maps, ledgers sheets, chalk board images, blueprints, patents and artwork, are complete. I really like the bright colors and think that they will POP! After finishing the backgrounds, I began creating the icon images and words to layer on top.
Explore and Create are two of the six icons. Both of these piece are still in progress. I am planning to add a paintbrush next to the pallet, plus more details on both. The other four icon pieces are: LEARN with an image of a computer, IMAGINE with a thought bubble, INVESTIGATE: with a magnifying glass, and PLAY with a toy robot. It will be fun to see how each of the collages turn out! I hope you enjoyed seeing a little peek into the process of the creation process. Stay tune for more sneak peeks! Make it a HAPPY day!   According the to the Law of Attraction, what we think about, we attract. That concept, in one form or another, is shared by thought leaders across times. According to Buddha, “All that we are is a result of what we have thought.” Also, Albert Einsein believed that, “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” Plus Henry Ford professed, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way you are right.” So, I try to be optimistic! But, in real life, sometimes remaining positive is HARD! One way I have found that helps me to keep myself encouraged is to surround myself with hopeful messages. In my kitchen I have a sign that says "Every Cloud has a Silver Lining" and another that says "Dream, Believe, Create". They serve as reminders and help me to remain grounded in positivity.  In that spirit I decided to create simple, colorful blocks that can serve as inspiring one-word reminders for myself and others. This pink Create is my first and I planning to make a series of similar blocks. And, I want your input... 1) What word would you like to see on one of these blocks? 2) What should I call these blocks? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas! Thanks SO much! Make it a Happy Day!  |
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