Hello, everyone. As most of you probably know, Memorial Day kicks off the first unofficial day of summer, and there are 101 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
101 days. You could do a lot with 101 days. This year, I am doing something useful with mine. For 101 days, every one of them, I am vowing to spend some time doing something creative every day. My ultimate goal is to finish all of the unfinished projects that are just hanging around the studio like a cloak of failure. I need to de-clutter my life, and I feel like this is a good way to do that. There are so many things I have bought or kept with the intention of "I can use that in a project", and then said project never happens and the things I have collected gather dust. There are also at least 10 books that I have been meaning to read, and I vow to get to those as well.
I will post pictures of my progress as time permits and keep everyone updated as things get accomplished. Realize that I can't do this every day as blogging takes away precious time from creating/doing.
I am not sure what will happend for the next 100 days that I have left to complete my many projects, but I have a feeling that I will be a different person when this is all over. Instead of thinking about all of the past projects I have yet to do, I can think about all of the future projects that I can accomplish. Dreams will become a reality.
If you feel like your life is stuck in a rut or you have things that you've been meaning to do, but keep putting off, I encourage you to join me on my 101 day journey. Post pics of your progress, and maybe even encourage other people to get involved as well. You never know how 101 days could change your life.
~t.
This is my newest acrylic painting that I did last weekend. I don't work with acrylics that often anymore, but I really enjoyed doing the colorful blends of the sunset and the water. Feel free to leave any comments or suggestions. Thanks for looking!
~t.
This is my newest painting, "Hypno-Frog". It is watercolor, ink, and colored pencil on 14"x11" watercolor paper. I had a lot of fun bringing out the bold colors that are seldom seen in the every-day tree frog. Feel free to leave any comments or suggestions. Thanks for looking!
~t.
I know it’s been at least a week since my last post of anything art related, but I have been very ill with the flu and am just now starting to get back to normal. I have good days and bad days still, but I am learning more and more to get through them. It’s difficult, but worth it.
I am almost finished with a new frog painting that I did in watercolor, ink, and colored pencil. It has been a slow process, but I only have to finish some shadows and details in the background and it will be complete. I am also working on another colored pencil drawing on black paper. This one is a butterfly, which is something I’ve never done before. I also learned the limits of black paper after my last drawing on it ("Swan") so I believe that I will have an easier time on this one if I work in very careful layers. We shall soon see how it turns out.
Also, after reading Maggie Stiefvater’s wonderful blog (http://greywarenart.blogspot.com/) I have been making lists of things I need to do in the studio every week, and so far, it is working out very well. I completed 7 out of 9 tasks last week, which isn’t bad considering that I used to not get ANYTHING done. Ever. One of the things I did not get to do is get my old artwork/portfolio out of my car and take pictures of all of my work. Aside from being sick, it rained all weekend, so I will try again this weekend since it is supposed to be more sunny and pleasant. I look forward to going through all of my old stuff, actually.
Lastly, there is something I’d like to address to those of you who feel that life has given you a "bum deal" or if you’ve just given up on it altogether. Been there, lived through it, bought the t-shirt. Basically, you can wallow in your sadness and angst and meanwhile bring everyone else around you down. OR you can do something about whatever it is that is making you unhappy with your life. Friends screw you over? Get new ones. Or, spend some time alone doing something that you love to do for a change. Get a hobby. Hate your job? Get a resume together and start sending it out. Or, work on your own business model and take steps to make it happen. Nothing like being your own boss. Hate where you live? This one’s easy: MOVE! Apartments are a dime a dozen in every part of this city, and if you think you can’t afford to move, scrimp and save for a month until you can. You would be surprise how much money you probably waste on non-essential items every month.
Bottom line is, no matter what your problem might be in your life right now, talking about it does nothing to solve it. Actually doing something about it, does.
Ok, I’m getting off my soapbox now. I don’t wish to offend any one who might be reading this and thinking that this blog is about them. It isn’t about anyone in particular. It was written because this "gloom and doom" way of life seems to be very common among people my age, and it is a phenomenon I just don’t understand. A lot of you out there don’t realize how good you have it. You focus so much on the bad that you are blind to the good. I’m not saying that my life problems have been bigger than anyone else’s, but I have had my share of sour times and I pulled through just fine. When I got a more positive outlook on life, things got even better. When I started being pro-active in my decisions and what was going on in my life, I became a happier person altogether. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, how you were raised, or what your problems are. It’s time to step up and be accountable for your actions instead of focusing the blame on others. Too many people today just pass the buck and don’t take responsibility for their lives.
Yes, life can be hard, but deal with it. Put that on your to-do list if you have to.
~toni
I have recently added the drawing "Ocean Treasure" as cover art for many new items in my CafePress shop! Choose from journals, calendars, tote bags, coasters and even framed prints. Just visit www.cafepress.com/karmastudio to check it out!!
Here is my latest work with colored pencil. It is 9"x12" on light blue Mi Tientes paper. I am starting to see that I am developing my own personal style for the first time since I started creating art. I think I'm finally settling into my own groove.
Any comments are appreciate.
Thanks for looking!
~toni
If you like my newest painting, "Tree Frog", then check out my Cafe Press store for unique gifts featuring this painting!
Thanks for looking!
~toni
Detail:
Feel free to leave any comments about my work.
Thanks for looking!
~toni
| New Artwork - "Tree Frog" |
|
This is my first foray into the wonderful world of watercolors. I really enjoyed doing this piece. The black areas were filled in with india ink, the main color was put in with watercolor, and then small details were added with colored pencil. This was a completely new technique for me, but definitely something that I am going to do more often. I usually work with acrylics, but I think I'm hooked on watercolors now..... Thanks for looking. If you want to know more about this piece, just drop me a line. And, as always, feel free to leave your comments. ~toni |
Finally finished.
"Stargazer", 16"x20" acrylic on canvas.
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