I’m looking forward to our local pool opening and swim team practice starting. Practice is early morning before the pool is open to the public. It’s pretty quiet while the kids are practicing. I usually sit and read. I’m a little shy about painting in front of others, but it would be the perfect time to sit and paint, with inspiration all around! So, you may be seeing less flowers and more blue in the coming weeks!
Inspiration
Paint what’s in the fridge!
Even with all the flowers in bloom – I’m pulling things out of the refrigerator to paint!
This is something I’ve been doing for a while. Great color and textures to be found in the fridge. 🙂
See past food paintings:
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Just get started…and the ideas will come.
I try to paint or draw everyday. The first step for me is to pull everything out of the closet and set it up on the kitchen table. This seems like an obvious step, but my point is I don’t wait for that bolt of inspiration to strike.
Occasionally, I know what I’m going to paint as I head for my supplies. More often, as I pull out my sketchbook and paints, I think, “I have no idea what I’m going to create,” followed by, “oh! I can paint [blank].”
I know if I don’t pull out the paints, nothing will get done. It’s rare that I’m about to put pencil or brush to the page, and I still don’t know what I’m going to do. The process of pulling everything out and setting up, usually allows an idea to form. I think this is only possible, because I stay open to inspiration. When I see something that strikes me, I take a picture – even at the supermarket! These inspirational moments are in the back of my mind. I guess you’d say I’ve done my homework.
Gerber Daisies at the supermarket:
I’ve written several posts that relate to this topic of “What to paint?”
I remember very clearly the moments before I started working on two of my favorite pieces from last year. I sat down to draw and had no ideas. In both cases I stepped outside to the backyard and looked around. In one case I took a photo of the Montauk Daisies and went back inside to paint them. The other time, I collected a couple of leaves and other things and brought them inside and started to paint. You really don’t need much to get you going.
With watercolor, the painting often needs to dry between layers. So I leave everything setup all day, and from time to time, sit down to add details. It works better for me to finish in one day. If too much time goes by, my interest wanes, and the chances of finishing decreases.
My Process:
- Setup
- Decision on what to paint*
- Start
- Get in the “zone”
- Add finishing touches throughout the day
*Sometimes my first idea isn’t the painting I continue with that day. It’s more of a warm up. But more often than not, I stick with that first idea.
How do you decide “What to Paint?” I’d love to hear! 🙂
I took this picture while I was out running. Maybe it’s my next painting…
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The Dogwoods are blooming!
After my run today I had to take some shots of the Dogwoods. The two Dogwoods, on either side of our front walk, have sentimental value to me. They were in bloom the first time we looked at our future home. We posed in front of one of the Dogwoods when we brought our daughter home from the hospital. The house itself has changed – expanded to fit our family that also includes two sons. But the Dogwoods have remained and every time they bloom, I’m reminded of the early days and that this is home.
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I was nominated for a Liebster Award
“The Liebster award is a chain award that was created by bloggers and is a tradition to make new friends in the blogging community.”
I was nominated by Mainley Mavin. Thank you for thinking of me! 🙂
THE RULES OF THE AWARD
- Link back to the person who nominated you
- Give 11 random facts about yourself
- Answer 11 questions from your nominator
- Nominate 11 new and obscure bloggers
- Come up with 11 questions for them to answer
- Inform your nominees
11 Random facts about me:
- I was a beach lifeguard
- I’m a runner
- I can’t live without coffee
- I’m a reformed candy addict.
- I just bought a nutri-bullet (juicer). Yay kale!
- I love shopping at Marshall’s (discount store).
- Blue is my favorite color.
- I make to-do lists like crazy.
- I often ignore my lists.
- We have a big family. My kids have 26 first cousins!
- My favorite TV shows – Survivor, The Biggest Loser, and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
11 questions from my nominator:
- What was your favorite activity as a kid, and what is it now?
Then – eating candy. Now – watching the kids play sports/dance, etc. - If you could live in one book/film for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
Game of Thrones. Although I might regret it if they sent me to the Wall. - What is one thing you wish you could change about the world?
Children shouldn’t want for food or love. - What is your biggest fear food (something you wouldn’t even eat if someone paid you)?
Bugs. I could never be on a reality show and eat bugs. - If you had to give up one sense (i.e. sight, smell, etc.) what would it be?
Smell! Never sight. - What time era do you wish you could experience, even if it is for just one moment?
I would love to dress up in a Victorian gown. - What is a place in the world you would never want to visit?
Any body of water infested with sharks. - Are you a spontaneous person, or a planner?
I’m both – I plan and write lists, but am not afraid to be spontaneous. - What is one activity you wish you’d never stopped doing?
Swimming. I swam on a team from the time I was little through high school. (I make my kids swim on a summer team). - What is your favorite season?
Summer! I’m a beach girl. - What book best represents you as a person?
My sketchbook. It contains drawings of all the things that inspire me.
My Nominees:
- Drawing Escape
- Meagan Healy
- AnneMarie Welsh
- A Style Study
- No Bees No Honey
- Imagewright
- The Aspiring Illustrator
- Margaret McCarthy Hunt
- Bernice Lum
- Across Fields Studio
- Monica Makes a Blog
11 questions for my nominees to answer:
- What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited?
- What is your favorite food?
- What is your happiest memory?
- Who is the most special person in your life?
- What activity makes you happiest?
- What is your most treasured item?
- What is your favorite spot in your home?
- Where do you wish you could travel to?
- What dream do you have for yourself?
- What is your favorite TV show?
- What is your favorite book?
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April = Art Supply Shopping
Wow, April is flying by! The first couple of days I spent preparing to host Easter. The following day we took the kids to Washington, D.C. The last couple of days I’ve been busy celebrating my birthday! Okay I don’t love that I’m 45, but I love my Birthday! Yesterday I took my Birthday money (I sound like I’m twelve) and went to Blick.
I usually try to restrain myself at Blick. I know you can easily go overboard with art supplies and buy everything. And end up not using it for months, if ever! I usually try to buy only things I have an immediate need for. But with my Birthday money burning a hole in my pocket I bought almost everything on my list:
- More Tombows for hand lettering. I love the one I bought previously, but it’s getting frayed.
- 2 square pads of watercolor paper. I love square and they didn’t have any last time
- 1 large pad of watercolor paper. I used up the last one.
- Canvases! I want to paint in acrylic paint again.
- Acrylic paint in a beautiful aqua and a sand color. I have a vision for a 2 canvas painting!
- Gouache! It’s on my 2015 list of things to try. So I finally splurged on a beginner mixing set.
I didn’t buy a set of watercolors. My last set is a mess, but I’m still working off what I squeezed into my palette, so I really don’t need a new set. Also, I think I should just replace colors as I need them and not buy a set. There was a limit to the Birthday money!
All this new stuff is definitely helping to motivate me. My trip interrupted my streak of painting everyday, so I’m trying to get back into it.
Happy Spring! 🙂
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Spring Flowers in Washington, D.C.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the time when our garden comes back to life. When I can find beautiful flowers to paint in my own backyard. Last week we took the kids to Washington, D.C. We were lucky enough to catch the Cherry Blossoms in bloom. We took in many of the sites – monuments and museums. We toured the Capitol building and the Library of Congress, which is beautiful inside. It’s like the Sistine Chapel!
Me in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The inside of the Library of Congress.
One of my favorite parts of the trip was a quick visit to the U.S. Botanic Garden. The flowers were beautiful! I couldn’t believe the colors and patterns orchids come in. There is even a cool exhibit on roots. I was so happy to get back home and back to painting! If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’ve already started painting some of these beautiful flowers.
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17 blogs that enriched my Sunday morning.
I spent the morning drinking coffee and catching up with all of your blogs. It was a busy week and I was a bit behind. On Wednesday I went to Daily Show, with Jon Stewart, in NYC which was a real treat. On my walk from the subway, I snapped a few shots that I’d like to sketch.
But enough about me, back to this morning! As I scrolled through my WP reader, I was amazed with all the stuff I saw, learned, and was inspired by – all from the comfort of my bed. (I could lie and say the couch, but I’m being honest here.)
Since I had several days of posts to catch up on, it really hit me how incredible it is – all this stuff we share with each other, give each other access to. I get as much, if not more, from following all of you, and experiencing your blogs, than I do from creating my own blog. So, thank you!
Here are some blog highlights.
- Artwork. I love seeing what everyone is working on – whether it is a similar medium to my own or something totally different. I love it. Check out The Sketchbook, Shari Blaukopf is so talented – those puddles are amazing! Createarteveryday is working in collage. I’d add that to my list…but my list is getting really long!
- Photos. I love seeing pictures from all over – Margie, Late Bloomer Buds, sharing pictures of Lake Michigan, Nature has no boss sharing Yellowstone National Park, and the Russian artist.
- Books. I’m adding to my list, “How to be Creative.” Thanks decorartuk!
- Videos. Andrew Nixon’s Photo Blog shared Miss Aniela’s work process (photography and Photoshop). It is very cool. And this interview with Children’s author Roald Dahl that Oreos&spiltmilk shared was awesome. Dahl said “Keep your bottom on the chair” when talking about being stuck. I can relate, when I think of the ugly phase with watercolor!
- Personal stories. May 13th‘s personal story, told through poetry is so moving.
- Materials. Brad Young Art used tea in his painting. I’ve always wondered if that would work. Awesome!
- Writing/Collaboration. Alisa, Sweet Afternoons, is adding words to her amazing illustrations! She is calling for collaboration. What a great idea! I’m excited because her illustrations have so much character, you want to know the story!
- Healthy Eating, Fashion, and more. I can’t wait to go out and buy soba noodles after this post from A Style Study.
- Apps. I loved Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday‘s illustration created with “Procreate” for the ipad. I can’t wait to download the app and try it.
- Tools. dkatiepowellart reblogged Citizen Sketcher’s post about picking one brush if you were on a desert island. Thank you Katie for introducing me to Citizen Sketcher‘s blog!
- Technique. Sandsaltmoon‘s jellybean post reminded me how leaving some whites is so important. I don’t do this enough!
- Places to visit. K. Ryan Henisey posted about the Center for Contemporary Printmaking. I was surprised to see it’s in nearby Connecticut. Hmmm. Time for a roadtrip?
I couldn’t believe how motivated and inspired I felt this morning. And I hadn’t even gotten out of bed!
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Exciting News…
Yesterday, Country Living Magazine reposted my Instagram pic! In their April issue they asked readers to post “how and where” we enjoy Country Living. I shared the above picture of my sketchbook, where I created illustrations from the April issue.
Here is the back story, so you can fully understand why this is so awesome to me. 🙂
- Sometime after 2001 – Girl (new mom, me) from the suburbs of NYC falls in love with Country Living Magazine. She finds it creatively inspiring.
- 2014 – Girl starts mycreativeresolution.com and includes Country Living as one of her inspirations.
- Girl sees illustrations in Country Living and dreams about one day creating illustrations for the magazine.
- 2015 – Girl thinks about approaching Country Living with a sampling of “country” illustrations. She works towards this but doesn’t follow through.
- Girl reads April issue of Country Living and sees the call out to share on Instagram. She pulls out her watercolors.
- Girl posts picture of sketchbook with #mycountryliving.
- Country Living “likes” girl’s post. Girl goes crazy with excitement. Shares news with family.
- Country Living starts following Girl (@mycreativeresolution). Girl gets more excited. Shares news with family.
- Several uneventful days pass.
- Girl checks Instagram and sees numbers – next to the likes and follows – that don’t make sense. 44 likes? 23 new followers? Instagram must be broken.
- Girl realizes that Country Living Magazine reposted the sketchbook picture – thereby sending people to Girl’s Instagram. Girl passes out from excitement.
- Girl recovers and at the end of the day, realizes she has 43 new followers. 888 people liked her picture on Country Living Magazine’s Instagram!
Is this story over? I hope not. 🙂
mycreativeresolution.com 