French Model Tommy

I'm currently taking an online class about drawing whimsical characters. I tried drawing a whimsical head of a guy. Everyone draws girls. But, yikes, guys are difficult for me to draw. I scanned his head, and then turned him into a French model named Tommy. I have a very difficult time drawing. I know I can draw, but if you've followed my blog for a while, you know I'm one of those people who thinks nothing they do is good enough. That was bred into me the first 19 years of my life by my father. He was a perfectionist. He always told me how stupid and useless I was. I know, TMI. Anyway, here is  my crazy picture. The face is hand drawn, and the body done with digital elements. I'm loving the motivational videos by Tam she is providing in the class. I need that more than the art instruction!

Take A Word Challenge - Time

Digital Collage Without Words

When I Dream of Paris

Haiku Billizetti Style

Art Journal Caravan Week 44 - Cling

Some elements form "Haiku" kit by Priss at Deviant Scrap.

Carol Gillott

One of my favorite blogs is Paris Breakfasts. I saw a photo of Carol, the blog's writer, on another site, and decided to play with it.

Original photo found on http://www.raids-patisseries.com/.

Art Journal Caravan Week 43 - Terrify

 

The man is Evan Lysacek, Olympic Ice Skater, from ESPN magazine. I hope I don't get arrested for using the picture.

Zentangle Bird

The Three Muse Challenge - Wings

Hope

Original cemetery picture taken by Jan DeBellis.

King of Forest

Please click picture to see larger version.

(Original photo of raven by Neo Keitaro at Deviant Art.)

Rylan at Six Months

Our second grandchild, Rylan, is growing fast! I have to share one of his latest pictures. Being the grandfather, and rather prejudiced, I think he is pretty darn cute. It's amazing how different he looks from his 13 month old cousin, Corben.

Here's a recent picture of Corben:

Both of the boys love to smile!

~Work du Soleil~

Check out ~Work du Soleil~, a playful and practical free teleworkshop on November 10 for creative entrepreneurs and anyone who has ever dreamed of earning money doing what you love, while also being what you love.

Take A Word Challenge - Black and White

Two of the words we were suppose to journal with this month in the Art Journal Caravan were "fear" and "find." They came to my mind when I saw the Take A Word Challenge for this week was "black and white."

Please click on the picture to see a larger version.

Creative Souls Story Time #25

In The Beginning

Some digital art craziness!

Gut Art Round #5

I'm not able to join in this round, but if anyone is looking for an online multi-media class that is really motivating and fun, this is the one to take. (I'm not even getting any kickbacks for this! I just think Mystele is great!) Taking a couple of Mystele's classes finally got me painting again. Check out the info below.

Under the Sea

I couldn't sleep at all last night, and got up and read some email. One was of a post my friend Marguerite had put on her blog, and it contained a picture of a zentangle she made when she couldn't sleep the night before. I decided I would try making a sleep-deprived zentangle, too. Before I turned off the light, I decided my zentangle definitely looked like something made by a sleep-deprived person! However, after scanning and playing around with it in Photoshop today, I decided it makes a pretty good sea creature. Who knows what really lurks down in those dark, watery worlds?

Warning - if you ever happen to see one of these while you are swimming, I have no idea if they are friendly or not.

Three Muses Challenge - Circles and Squares

You wouldn't know it to look at me now, but this is what I looked like at 19. I actually did a few modeling jobs. I stopped when I found out the modeling business really was/is as bizarre as it's made out to be. Anyway, I found this picture that was taken of me and printed on special stock. That's why it has the funny texture in the picture. No, not the circles and squares. I added them hoping to come up with a different take on this week's challenge. By the way, sideburns were the style back then.

Thinking of Paris

I'm actually thinking about the food. Have you ever visited Carol Guillot's blog, "Paris Breakfasts?" She tortures me daily with exquisite photos of Parisian food. I can't imagine how much I'd weigh if I lived in Paris! Here's the link to Carol's blog if you'd like to take a look: http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/

Color

Creative Souls Story Time #24

No Halloween For Me?

One of my online friends asked me why my family does not celebrate Halloween. In answering, I don't want anyone to think I am pointing a finger at people. Each of us has to make our own decision about what we do in our lives. It is not up to any of us to judge anyone. My family and I feel, however, that the practices associated with Halloween are not something anyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ would participate in. It is a holiday that celebrates Satan and his demons, all of whom, if you believe in and follow the Bible, are his arch enemies. I also want to explain my belief, though, because it makes me feel uncomfortable to be leaving comments on many of your blogs when every one I visit contains pictures that in some way represent celebrating Halloween.

One scripture that is important to note in deciding whether God wants us to celebrate Halloween is found at Deuteronomy 18: 10 - 12. It reads in the King James Bible,

"There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee."

That was written in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). God definitely did not want his people to engage in any kind of spiritistic practices.  The question is, does God still feel the same way? 2 Corinthians 6: 14 - 17, from the Greek Scriptures (New Testament) reads,

" Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be´li·al? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I shall reside among them and walk among [them], and I shall be their God, and they will be my people.Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing; and I will take YOU in."

Do the customs of Halloween fit into the description above? The Encyclopedia Americana says: “Elements of the customs connected with Halloween can be traced to a Druid [ancient Celtic priesthood] ceremony in pre-Christian times. The Celts had festivals for two major gods—a sun god and a god of the dead . . . , whose festival was held on November 1, the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The festival of the dead was gradually incorporated into Christian ritual.”

The words "Christian ritual" take on a very questionable meaning when we read Ephesians 5:  10 - 12. "Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; and quit sharing with [them] in the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness, but, rather, even be reproving [them], for the things that take place in secret by them it is shameful even to relate."

I know I have used skeletons in some of my art work, but skeletons are a natural part of our body. They are what is left of us once our bodies decay. God created our skeletons. Witches and ghosts and demons are in no way part of what God created, though. They are all part of Satan's world that he uses to misguide people and take them away from the teachings of Jesus. Jesus expelled demons. Why would his followers turn around and celebrate them?

Well, this has certainly been some heavy duty reading! I hesitated on posting it now, right before the holiday, but I didn't want anyone to feel I was ignoring their artwork by not commenting on it. I always enjoy visiting your blogs and seeing your work!  I definitely enjoy your online friendships. I just won't be commenting on your Halloween creations.

Take A Word Challenge - Childhood

The words are from a children's story I wrote a while ago. I sent it to a few publishers, but didn't get any bites on it. I've always loved stories written for children. Maybe one day I'll get enough gumption to send the stories I've written out again. I guess rejection letters are better than no letters at all!

Wind

We've playing with the wind in Lani's "Six Easy Lessons for a Happy Artist's Life" class.

Creative Souls Story Time #23 - Old Houses

This is the poem given for our inspiration:

Old Houses by: Jennie Romano

I like old houses, with steps that sag, and worn picket fences running zig-zag.
Like little children playing tag, happy old houses, with thresholds worn thin,
By young ones and old ones who walked out and in.
I like old houses, that squat in the rain, that have welcomed the years
and sheltered the pain, of knowing they wait for a loved one in vain.
Crazy old houses that bask in the sun, browned like a crusty, flaky bun.
I like old houses that patiently wait, for a new friend's hand on the creaky gate-
Knowing that love is never too late.  Houses sagacious-like prophets of old;
Knowing so many things they never have told.

Three Good Things for 10/14/2011

This is another digital collage for week one of Lani Gerity's "Six Easy Lessons for a Happy Artist's Life."

Mr. Coffee

This is a crazy picture I did. I wanted to make myself draw a character, and not knowing what-in-the-world to draw, I drew this coffee character. I want to quit buying so many digital element kits, and draw more of my own. Anyway, here is the crazy (I'm trying not to say stupid) picture for anyone visiting who wants to look at it.

Queen of Tarts and Entourage

My Internet Muse Marguerite Bryant posted a picture on her blog today that I had to grab and share. (If you would like to see all of the butterflies she has made for "The Butterfly Project," check out her blog here: http://mybutterflyyear.blogspot.com/)

You've probably seen The Queen of Tarts at several of my blog parties. That's a character I made using Marguerite as an inspiration. Well, now she has created a character of me. She made me a butterfly fairy. Oh dear.  That puts a whole new slant on my personality! I do kind of like the silver wings, though.

Three Muses Challenge - Home Sweet Home

(Thank you, Bev, for realizing this is not meant to be funny. Anyone who spent the first 20 years of their life being called a stupid idiot would understand. Abuse in any form is not humorous.)

Looking for Good Things

The first week's lesson in Lani Gerity's class "Six Easy Lessons for a Happy Artist's Life" is to look for three good things every day and make note of them somehow. I've created digital collages for the first two days. With all of the craziness around us, it's good to have a reminder to look for and concentrate on the good. It's something I need to practice!

Take A Word Challenge - Blackbird

Elements from Lori Davison's kit "Before The Winter Snow."

Billizetti Has A Crush!

I bet you didn't know Billizetti had such diverse tastes in music!

Background is screen shot from Cher Lloyd's web page. Some elements from Aja Abney's "Basic Doodles" kit and Holliewood's "Void" kit. Cher's portrait found in Yahoo search.

It's Fall Here!

The trees have finally started changing even though the daytime temperatures would make one think it was still summer. We actually went to a lake for the first time this year yesterday, the eighth of October. It was 80 degrees outsides! That's crazy, but we'll take it. Here are some pictures of the beautiful trees surrounding the lake.

I dread what is coming after fall, but at least we got to spend one day at a beach this year and even walk in the water. In a few more days, all of the trees should be changed. I'll have to remember to return to these pictures on all the gray, snowy days we'll be facing shortly.

Adele

I guess black and white videos are in now. I just watched one of Adele and decided to post it. I think Adele is fantastic, and the scenery in this video is so wonderful. I hope you enjoy it if you haven't seen it before.

Susan Boyle

Even though we can't watch "X Factor - UK" here in the United States, I've watched videos of it the past three seasons by going to youtube.com. (Just this week I found a web site that streams it, and now I can watch it! I believe it will be on 2:30 Eastern time on Saturday, and the results show will be on Sunday. Here's the link in case you want it: http://www.justin.tv/wmc_tv) My favorite audition of all time was by Susan Boyle. It was a total shock to look at her and then hear the singing voice that came from her. The judges were dumbstruck. She didn't win, but she took 2 nd. place. She has had worldwide success since then. Her 3 rd. album is about to be released, and below is the first official video for the album. I love the song, and think she does an incredible job singing it.

Key To A Man's Heart

Some elements from Paula Kesselring's "Traveler - Italy," and C Renee's "Plethora" kits.

No One Remembers Cinderella?

Well, it looks like I'm going to have to post a little reminder: glass slipper, mice, pumpkin, fairy godmother. The important part were the words, "At the stroke of 12:00, the spell will be broken!" They are at the end of this video. That's what my bottle pictures below were trying to invoke memories of. Cinderella found her true love at the ball who just happened to be the Prince of the Kingdom. They danced for hours. Cinderella did not want the night to end! But at midnight, everything turned back to normal except the glass slippers. She escaped leaving behind one glass slipper. If only she could turn back time! The "happily ever part" was when the Prince was able to find her using the glass slipper he found on the steps. Man! Am I the only one who remembers fairytales? I must have kept my head in the clouds too long!

Bottle - Take 2

How embarrassing! No one understood what my bottle meant. I've added a few elements. :O)

The mice are by Lori Davison. Please click on the picture to see the larger size so you can read the words.

(Evidently the visitors here haven't been raised on Disney movies/cartoons like I was. I do like the first bottle better, but if you know the storyline, this shouldn't be difficult to figure out. The person in question didn't have to "turn back time," because everything turned out "happily ever after!")

Three Muses Challenge - Bottles

Please click to see larger version.

Some elements from Holliewoods "Art Dollies."

Life Book with Tam (Willowing) and Other Guest Teachers

I just enrolled in a year-long course for 2012. It sounds fantastic! Well, I know it will be fantastic. Every artist needs to be in at least one inspiring group. You ought to check it out, too!

This is an unpaid, non-partisan post.  :o)  Click here, though, if you want to check it out: http://www.willowing.org

Take A Word Challenge - Walls

In memory of . . .

Art Journal Caravan Week 40 - Depend Quote

Brushes and some elements from Artella's Cruiseship Workshop 12 "Color Me Wild." Other elements from Somerset's "Color Splash."

DigitalMania Challenge - In Style of Teesha Moore

The three characters are from zetti stamps purchased from Teesha Moore's web site.

Art Journal Caravan Adventure Quest - Zentangle Mandalas

Our September Adventure Quest for the Art Journal Caravan was to try creating zentangle mandalas. I have always wanted to buy a real zentangle kit since the first time I saw them on the zentangle website. If you haven't visited the website, you can find it at: http://www.zentangle.com/index.php The idea of sitting and doodling little pictures sounded very relaxing to me. They don't require expert drawing ability. Well, to make a long story short, I just haven't had the money to order a kit, and my inner critic kept preventing me from grabbing a pencil or marker and just trying it without any instruction.

Since today (actually yesterday at this point) was the last day of September, I decided to beat up my inner critic, grab a extra fine point sharpie and just try creating a zentangle mandala. As usual, whenever I tell my inner critic where to go, I succeed in doing what I have thought for months I could never do. I actually ended up creating two versions of the same mandala. I drew the zentangle mandala, then scanned it, and played with it in Photoshop.

Version number one:

Each of us has a camel for a mascot during our Art Journal Caravan journey. I named mine Watson. Watson was a little bit upset when he saw my first zentangle mandala. He wanted a chance to play with one, too. Not wanting to have an upset camel, I let him create the second version:

Both of us were quite happy with our results!

This made me realize that the yearlong journaling caravan will be over in 3 months. (The Art Journal Caravans are sponsored by Tangie Baxter at http://shop.scrapbookgraphics.com/home.php in case anyone is interested in doing it next year. Man! I need to start charging commission for all this free advertising.) Time really does fly when you are having fun. I've created many digital journaling pages that I definitely enjoyed doing. I'd like to print them all out and bind them into a homemade book. I'm afraid that the cost of all of that inkjet printing might be prohibitive, but at least I have them saved on my computer. I've even been faithfully backing up my hard drive. The problem is, it's always nicer to have a printed copy just in case your computer or the electricity goes. I'll have to figure out a way to do this! Does anyone have any rich relatives about ready to drop dead? Oh my. What am I saying? That's what happens when I make a post at 1:45 am! I need to be asleep.