Swimming in a Sea of Paper

This week's theme for Illustration Friday is "Swim".  I decided to try using construction paper.  Not sure how I feel about the colors.  Not really very vivid, but it is a low cost kind of paper.  It was fun to play with and because it is a low cost medium, the creative process felt more playful and free.  So, construction paper is not just for elementary school children!

Thanks for stopping to look at my art work and blog.  Please leave a comment.  I love to know what you think because I am always wanting to learn something new and I know you have something that you can teach, not just to me but to others!  And remember to play!  Making art should be fun.

Add to the Beauty

Looking at other's people's art can either be inspiring or it can be discouraging. I don't know how many times I have looked at art work and thought, "My stuff looks so childish and unfinished. I can't compete with that!"  Now, that can completely stop the creative process.  But if I can look at other's art work and say, "That is so beautiful, I want to make something beautiful too," then I am looking with eyes that are not clouded with my own ego but rather they are lighted by understanding that we are all creative creatures, born to create.

Appreciating another artist's work should bring out the best in other creatives, not squash any hope they have of making something lovely.  I spent an hour or so on deviantart.com this evening as well as a couple of artist's pages on Facebook.  On other day that would have put a wet blanket on my creative drive, but tonight, it was as if I was ready to be stirred up and looking at other's art work made me want to create too.

The next time we feel discouraged about our art because we think someone else is "doing it better", remember, you were given your gift just for you and that means it is unique to you.  Art shouldn't always be one pitted against another.  Rather we all contribute to the beauty of the world by every creative effort we make.  It is so much the inclination of human beings to make that which is ugly (ie. war, murder, lies, gossip, etc. you get the idea).  Any time we can make beauty it is a good thing.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you were encouraged to go and make something lovely!  Please leave a comment and a link if you post it on line.  I'd love to see what you do!  Blessing!

Eye Glasses

"She put on her eye glasses and still could not believe what she saw!"

This week on Illustration Friday, the theme is "Eye Glasses".  This was my very first post when I began my blog last fall and I felt like it was a good fit for the theme.  I can't help it... I love this drawing.  It's funny how an artist can be so self critical most of the time, but then there comes an art piece that just turns out so good.  The look on her face is full of wonder and disbelief.  I felt that way when I finish this drawing!  I  just have to pat myself on the back for this one :)

Thanks for stopping by to check out my work and put up with my self congratulations.  Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.  And that includes any comments on how it could be better.  I want to learn and improve!

Remembering Yesterday

Finally!  I actually completed a new piece for Illustration Friday before Friday!!!

I don't know about you, but I get caught up in memories sometimes.  So, for the theme "Yesterday", I chose to feature a woman recalling memories of her youth, triggered by an evening spent looking in her yearbook.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my artwork.  I haven't used watercolor in a while, because I am still new at it.  I like how quickly I can lay the colors down.  It goes much faster than colored pencil!  Let me know what you think by leaving a comment.  I sure do appreciate it!

The Lord Has Compassion...

The past couple of weeks have been hard.  I mentioned some of it in my last post.  The loss of a dear friend has really taken its toll.  It's strange how we can think we are struggling and suffering in life and then a true tragedy comes along and it puts everything into perspective.  The struggles don't seem so bad and all the worries become silly and petty.  The true tragedy tears at us and jolts us back into reality.  Then real pain grips us and we are overwhelmed.

Yet always, God is there, offering his comfort.

I did this watercolor as I grieved for my friend and his wife.  I am so glad we have the gift of creativity to express our deepest emotions.  In this expression there is comfort and healing.

Thank you for stopping to see my art and read my words.  I would love to know how you, dear reader, use your creativity, art, writing, music, etc. to work out the hard primal emotions.  Please leave a comment.  You might help someone find an outlet for their pain.