This is my friend Vicki's postcard, which I did today on my stream with some wonderful coaching from ArteDar. Thank you so much, Dar! I don't think I could have managed without your help! Vicki actually took the time to meet me down in New Orleans while we were there in December, and it was fabulous to actually get to meet her in person!!! I was so thrilled to be able to make her postcard today.

Today on my stream I did a wonderful study in texture, which my nephew Shane says looks like a storm, so I think that name will stick. I also did a drawing for this lovely green 4x4 canvas, which was inspired by Deb's postcard the other evening!

"Storm"

I think it really needs something in the center of the canvas, and I think it will be reworked a bit before it gets sent to the lucky Kim (Bups bups bups)! This canvie couldn't go to a better gal. :)

(a work in progress)

Have a great day!

xoxo

Jo

Good Enough

"Good Enough"

Now and then I really struggle with feelings of ineptitude. I think all of us go through this same quagmire of doubt at some point in our art lives and I find myself encouraged by the words of an artist I highly admire, whose timely advice is: "listen to your heart for validation." (Thanks, Dar!) This piece serves to remind us that we are indeed good enough, and to keep on creating. Create for yourself, from the deepest part of yourself, and the rest will fall into place.

"Roots"

"Stars"

I've been working on a trio of canvases inspired by recent wonderful events in my life. After nearly a decade of hard work, I have landed my dream job! Now my husband and I are feverishly working toward a new life in the mountains. We're getting our house ready to rent out, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, and simply put, we're dreaming big! I hope these canvases capture my pure excitement. :) I am cherishing these days and realize they will pass all too quickly. This last canvas is called "Garden of Dreams."

Catching up and starting afresh!

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." --Shakespeare.

This is the first of many new pieces I have been working on recently. You might recognize this little 4x4 from one of my recent streams. If you haven't been by my streams, I would like to personally invite you to check out my mixed media arting adventure, live on Monday evenings, 5:00 pm Mountain time! (give or take a half hour.) Here is the link to my channel: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jo946 Feel free to login (you must register first) and chat!

"Brilliance," a 6x6, is one of my absolute favorites. This piece was done with acrylic, music, dictionary text, a white paint pen, and red/sparkly embossing powders. VERY sweet, and simple brilliance. I love the transparency of the flower and the texture of the embossing powder!

At the beginning of December, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit New Orleans, LA, for the American Society for Health-Systems Pharmacists midyear clinical meeting. It was a fabulous time, full of great food, awesome music, and tons of fleur de lis! I was inspired to do some art integrating my impressions of the city and this lovely, warm and vibrant canvas was the result.

Stress Relief

New canvases. I am so stinkin' excited about the dragonfly!!! How very nicely it turned out. I made another because the first one was so much fun. The Beach Babe canvas was a great way to make the best out of a very long day. I honestly think her swimsuit still needs some twinkling H20's!!! The orange one...hmm it's different.

Vintage 3x5's

I am posting the ATC (top) that I made for Marie in Quebec. I hope she likes it! It was inspired by her love for steampunk. The word, "ego," is a tribute to my favorite novella of all time, "Anthem," by Ayn Rand. If you haven't read it yet, grab it and settle down for a nice read. It's less than 150 pages and well worth the time! :)

Making these little 3x5 canvas boards totally gave me a sense of accomplishment! The text and music backgrounds are just the ticket for someone who doesn't have a lot of stamps. This project was an attempt to create my own style and get away from sheer mimicry. Thank you, RachO113 for the inspiration! It was also the perfect springboard for a productive Sunday! I will be finalizing my poster for the Sun Valley, Idaho pharmacy conference--no time for art today!

August Art

I spent the last month watching several Ustream artists and I think you can see how their colors and techniques have inspired my work. I have been trying to make my canvases mimic the color wash effect and I have been trying different techniques, such as the lace stamp shown here.

The lace stamp was re-purposed as a three-dimensional element for this piece, which isn't quite finished, I think. I hope to stream the final piece on Monday. It too is a teeny weeny 4x4, a format also inspired by my online friends. I love the blue and lime colors. If only I could get past the feeling that it has to be "perfect!" This is the most restrictive emotion in the world and never fails to freeze me in my tracks.