Monday, September 17, 2012

Eye & Art Candy



Last time I posted I was in a total funk.  I got lots of great advice in the comments - so thank you!  (One piece of advice I haven't tried yet is to paint a portrait of the inner monster that narrates the negative soundtrack.  Here's the link - I will definitely do this one day soon!)  After getting outside, I was able to shift.  When I came back in, I worked on this page, which I'd started yesterday, thinking I would paint something with another jar.  But as I started doodling, something else happened completely.  And in the end, I was happy.  Art DOES make everything better!

Sunday night was the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.  Usually we have a big dinner in Pine Lake, and last night was no exception.  Forty families doing a potluck together is a wonderful thing.  However, my dad was under the weather and he and my mom weren't able to get up to Pine Lake -- they were home in Brooklyn.  I could feel the tug of war in my heart.  My sister and brother, Aunt, Uncle, cousins and friends were all up at the lake, expecting us.  But I decided it was more important to be with my folks.  Luckily, my husband and Samy agreed; so I cooked and brought dinner to Brooklyn.  Here's a mandala I drew while talking with mom in the kitchen (of course, she greatly improved the food I made!).   Mom and Dad - may the coming year be sweet and bring you health and happiness.  Shanah Tovah.

Today, Freddie took Samy to play tennis and then she had a friend over. I was able to spend the whole afternoon in my studio!  Here's the progression of what I created.  It went through a lot of variations.
 and some string.  Now I'm happy!
The Diva's challenge this week is to create a Pinwheel for Peace.   Here's my attempt.  I used a template of an origami pinwheel, however my design ended up looking more like a kite because I added extra triangles...  I did use the tangle called "pinwheel," though (and escalator & clothesline)!
Finally, I received two envelopes with lovely Artist Trading Cards -- from Linda Phinney (who's Imagine card is hand stitched and who also sent me a tag too!) and Andrea at Falling Ladies - who paints the most magical, wonderful watercolors.  Aren't they gorgeous!
There's a new challenge up at Scrapping the Music - check it out.  These songs are so much fun and inspiring.  And your submissions don't have to be scrapbook pages.  Heck - have you ever seen a scrapbook layout from me?  So go take your art journal or zentangle tile over to STM and play along!  In my next post, I'll tell you about what I did for the challenge. 

Remember -- we're less than two weeks away from Fall Fearless and Fly.  I can't believe the amazing artists who have agreed to do guest posts during this challenge.  Carolyn Dube and and I are so excited.

Thank you for visiting! If you are so moved, please leave a comment. Hearing from you means the world to me.

26 comments:

  1. What a lovely pinwheel! It looks so happy out in the clear blue sky!

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  2. You made a great pinwheel Jessica! And the rest of your work is also lovely.

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  3. Delightful pinwheel . I love your Rosh Hashanah mandala. It is so bright and cheery and filled with love. I think you made the right decision, don't you?

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    1. I do - although I missed my Pine Lake friends and family, my parents were so thrilled that we came. It felt absolutely "right."

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  4. Lots of creative beauty here ~ love them all and what a treasure you are to go to your parents ~ (A Creative Harbor)

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  5. What kind of white pen do you use? haven't been able to find one that doesn't splutter! Is that a word? Really special art, jessica! Patsy from
    HeARTworks and
    papemelroti

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    1. It's the Sanford Uni Ball gel pen and it's the best! Here's an amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Sanford-Uni-Ball-Impact-Stock-White/dp/B00161UAJS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347974189&sr=8-1&keywords=uniball+white+gel+pen

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  6. oh, gosh, these are beautiful! i love the jar even without the writing -- that would look awesome framed. shanah tovah to you too -- wishing you a sweet and healthy new year! xo

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  7. Love the concept of a kite! All of your work is so colorful. A real artist at work!

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  8. i didn't even realize there was a tangle called pinwheel - good job! so may beautiful things to look at in your post!

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  9. Very creative, a gorgeous pinwheel :)

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  10. I really like how your doodle-jar evolved!

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  11. WOW! You have been one busy girl! LOVE the jar--the white just makes it come alive! The open heart one looks like just that--you created it with an open heart!

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  12. Loving your fab creations. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  13. Gorgeous! You are so right that art makes everything better. Good for you for working through your funk. Doodling has a way with that, don't you think. Beauitiful mandala - the sun to bring new beginnings. Happy PPF

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  14. Wow! What a wonderfully prolific week for your paintings!
    I agree...art definitely makes everything better! :)

    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  15. goodness you have been busy again this week... you must be sooo much better at time management than I am... love visiting and seeing all tat you achieve...xx

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  16. such wonderful and lively pieces, a joy to see!

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  17. Nice job on everything. Lots of color and fun on this page. Thx for sharing. Happy PPF!

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  18. Great pinwheel- very positive! I like the first ones with the jar too. Hope your Dad is feeling better:)

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  19. Wonderful pieces, love the colors and the mood of these!

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  20. I loved this post.... especially 'live and love with an open heart'

    I hope your dad is better soon :)

    Karenx

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  21. These working hard, that's what gives you happiness, art makes you happy too. Saludos

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  22. I love your Live and Love with an open heart piece! It' s beautiful, I liked it at every stage. Fun seeing how you made it. Thanks for sharing. :)
    Chandra

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