June already

I have neglected my blog.  Blogging can be hard at times especially when you are having a hard time seeing the bright side of things.  We have a potential move, preparing a house for sale, trying to get back to my healthy self, along with losing my little furry friend who had been be my side for 15yrs.

So I am needing a fresh chance, a new leaf or something to look forward to and I have found a small little bit a of happiness in a project I started a week or so ago.  My love for miniature art has always been there and some people don't get it but the past week or so I have been painting little paintings that are the size of a baseball card.  If you are familiar with ATCs (artist trading cards which you trade) or ACEOs (Art Card Originals and Editions, which are for sale), this is what I plan to do for the month of June.

Here is one in a mini frame....

Here is DAY 1 of 30

Most of these paintings are going to be watercolor with either pen and ink or colored pencils.  Why?  I have been packing up my art supplies and trying to keep this project as portable as possible. Need to keep my art studio tidy for when the house goes on the market, hoping soon.




Now I am not sure I will post everyday, that is too much pressure, but maybe weekly.  If you want to see them daily you should follow my Instagram , or Facebook.  Some may end up on my Etsy shop, but if you see something during this challenge of happiness please message me.

Here are a few, along with my daily art journal from Instagram.

I hope you enjoy this 30 day challenge! - Judy

Already March?

Some days I wish I had a  office assistant or some kind of assistant, maybe a life assistant.  Last month was so busy that I have neglected most of my social media, my house and I am sure more.  Life happens and you just keep riding the waves, some up and some down.

Last month I continued with my art journal project and can you believe I am up to 40 days straight?  It is pretty awesome.  I am so glad that I found this little mini Moleskine daily planner, it is small enough to fit in my purse and carry with me, but the best thing it is a size that I don't feel overwhelmed with exploring art journaling.  Here is a photo of mine. 

I couldn't help bust to collage on it.  A very good investment.  Each night I look forward to drawing in it and each day is very different.

Other things that happened in the month of Feb....I wrote a couple of articles for more artwork to be published in June.  That is quite exciting.  And in addition to that I found a shop to display my artwork in.

If you are in the Reno area, go by Too Soul Tea and view or purchase my new works.  I know I need to go by there with my good camera to take better pictures before a piece is sold.

I thought March might slow down, but this week I an overloaded with work, which is a good thing but thought I better stop in to my blog.

Much love, Judy

Febuary is here

Good morning Monday and February!  It is a cold one here, we received over 7 inches of snow this week-end and the roads are icy.  Reno does get cold and snow, unlike Vegas.  So it looks like a great day to stay inside, have potato soup and paint all day.  Well I will paint as long as my neck and shoulders will allow me.

This painting is from last year and is sold, but I thought it was appropriate for today's post, plus it is available on my Society6 shop in prints, pillows and more.  https://society6.com/product/radiant-heart-zh4_print#1=45

So today is a share of some of my favorite heart items I have made.


Being that it is February, I thought I would share a few of the heart items I have created this past week and are in my Etsy shop.  I like heart items all year round, not just for Valentine's.  But not everyone thinks like me.

This little mixed media sculpture was so fun to make and I can see me making a few more.  Fun and a little whimsical but still trying to keep an abstract edge.  You can see it HERE.

 These two canvases was on a night that I didn't feel too creative and boom.  Once I felt the clay hearts in my hands it was pure joy!  Both are listed HERE.

So no telling what today I will create but I can assure you that it might include a heart. May your Monday be warm and remember it is a new week which means fresh start, clean slate and a bright new week.

Judy

Holidays are over and trying to get back to normal

Now, that is funny!  Getting back to normal, I guess if you think going to dr. appointments 2-3 times a week normal.  Anyways I am starting to paint and create a little more each day since the accident.  My back is better, so I go as long as my neck and knees will allow.  Many nights I go to bed with swollen knees, like last night.

But enough of that!  Onward to a creative year.  Like every year I pick a word...this year's is wisdom.

I think it is a good fit for me.  Learn from past mistakes, learn new things, talk to people to learn about them, take classes, be exposed to new opportunities and learn when to walk away.  This year will be a time to learn more about me.

So I am starting my year a little late, but my birthday was this week-end so why not start my year on the 23rd of January?  Works for me. It gave me some time to think about what I want to accomplish.

First baby step is to try again at art journaling.  I know I have tried many times and I get stumped, busy, overcome by perfection and any other excuse I can come up with.  I have been watching an artist, DrawRiot on instagram and found her art journaling interesting and comical.  She shared with me what journal she uses and I bought me one.

It is a tiny size about the size of an ATC (2.5 x 3.5")...smaller than my phone but much thicker.  Even if it is just a doodle a day or a paint splatter I need to make time for this, for me.  Maybe I will learn something about me.

First day I thought to draw a picture of my birthday cake.  My daughter made it for me and she was not 100% happy with the way the cake came out, another perfectionist.  So to save her I drew it.

I wanted a Neapolitan cake.  I really like the strawberry and chocolate combination.  This was a strawberry cake, chocolate ganache with marshmellow cream cheese frosting.  To me it was perfect.

The second entry was some left over paint from a project I'm working on.

Hearts are on my mind, so I allowed myself to just go with it and not to worry if it is not a masterpiece.  It does have two colors I am drawn to and hearts, so it made me happy to play.

If you want to see more of my daily art journal entries please follow me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/judy_applegarth/

I find it easier to do daily entries there and make a goal of 2 blogs posts a week.  Back to goals and have the wisdom not to stress about daily blogging.  Some days or weeks are just overwhelming.
But I do plan to finish an art piece today and make a blog post about it this week.

So see you soon, - Judy

MIA...I have been missing

I have been missing from my blog for a few days, but I have been creating.  Sometimes I start on a project and forget to share.  Today is not a Christmas ornament, tomorrow!  I wanted to share what I have been working on for the past 2 days.

My hubby made these wood canvases for me and I have a few sitting in my studio.  After taking my class with Ruth Rae, she suggested that I try the plaster technique on other surfaces.  So this was a test to see if I could plaster over and existing wood panel canvas. 

I love the thick, chunky shadow box effect that it makes.  The was on the surface reminds me of old stucco buildings.

And it looks great hanging or on an easel.  I can see a series of these in the near future.  What do you think??

Just a quick share to let you know that I am not MIA, I am just hiding out in my studio. - Judy

Day 8 of Christmas a day late!

Yesterday I took a break from Christmas cheer and actually cleaned my work studio! Shocker I know.  But I managed to make a mess this morning with these collage Christmas ornaments.

Fun to get your hands messy because I can't seem to find a way to do this without touching the glue and then struggle to unstick little pieces of deli paper off your fingers.

I went back and forth about adding a quote of these flatten balls.  Maybe tomorrow.

If you were wondering what type of paper I used, I bought a box of deli paper from Costco and use them under every project.  Never let unused paint on the paint pallet get wasted.  These papers are great for Gelliprinting.  I have quite a collection.

I hope you are having a good week. - Judy

Day 7 of Christmas crafts

Today I had plans of cleaning up my studio work space, however it got was cut short.  Why?  Because I am so adhd and little shiny things have me at "hello".  Yes, in the bottom of my rolling storage of beading supplies I found these glass and frame pendants.  I know I must have bought them for a project, but at this point \i can't remember since I bought them at a rubber stamp store in Anchorage, AK.  I haven't lived there for over 5 years.

Anyways, I just love the size...1 1/2" x 1 1/2".  Next thing I know I am pulling out all my scraps and not so good paintings and here are a few that have made so far.

Again I can't tell you how much I like to work on miniatures.  A little glue, tweezers and my reading glasses...oh what a fun afternoon it is going to be.

I pulled out a failed watercolor that I tried to revive with pen and ink.

Not sure if this one will make the cut, but I can see that my studio cleaning has been stalled for another day.

Happy Monday! - Judy

Day 5 & 6 combined

A very busy week-end but I have two projects that I finished, yeah!

Saturday I attend a workshop taught by Ruth Rae.  I knew it was going to be a challenge for me since my dr. has had me on 5mins at a time working on art projects.  This workshop was scheduled for 5 hrs!  Yikes.  The second challenge is Ruth's art style is more vintage than what I do.  Believe me if I could embraced the vintage style I would, but it has always been a struggle.  If you want to look at Ruth's artwork go here.

So being the brave soul, I signed up for the challenge.  The class was a mixed media, plaster and encaustic class creating a box.

The first part of the class was creating a box and plastering it.  Wow!  Talk about messy.  I struggled a bit with that part, who am I kidding I struggled most of the class!  Then way got to play with clay and create hearts.  I never thought I would like playing with clay...that was much easier for me, or less messy...lol.

After the plaster was dry, we painted, I added collage papers, poured wax and waited to see our creations.

When I came home and created a mini canvas for the center of my box and discovered the heart fit perfect.

I love the dimension and layers that you get in this project.

And it looks cute hanging on the wall.  I have to say I have gained confidence to do another!

I also made this heart, which is now an new ornament on my tree.  This heart was constructed out of cardboard, plaster over it, then painted, collaged and then bees was.  I love the texture.

So day 5 and 6, two projects, only one a Christmas ornament but love learning new techniques and sharing.  I hope you enjoyed this week-ends share too.

Judy