Book of Days (or Weeks?)

I never believed that I would be able to create art EVERY day, although I would absolutely LOVE to do so.  I work full-time as an art teacher helping students with their art exploration, I am the main chef/grocery shopper/laundry do-er/teenager taxi driver at my house. But, I liked the idea of a year long journey, a sort of visual diary of my year.  I felt this Book would inspire me to create at least a weekly routine of creating art.

I created my cover after I arted the first two pages below.  Now I wished I waited just a bit longer so that I could re-title it to "Weeks" not "Days", but I always can later or just think that days make up weeks! Yes, that's the ticket!

Cover created with cardstock painted with acrylics to cover spine, hand dyed ribbon to cover cardstock :), then number tissue paper was applied with gel medium, number and letter stickers added then dotted with white gel pen.  Eyelash and pom pom ribbon with added hand made copper embellishment.

Book of Days

 I was excited to follow Effy Wild an instructor with Life Book 2012 to her Book of Days posting and year long project! Today I finished the inside cover which is "Closure" on 2011. On the back of the door tag is my journal entry of memories from 2011, now sealed to the book.

The word for the year, Authentic.  It is meant as a focus word for the year.  Sometimes I don't always feel that I am or can be myself.  This year I want to reflect on what is real.

Happy New Year!

A day in the art studio as I wait for the start of my new series of classes called Life Book 2012, creating Kaila in the style of Oaxacan animals of Mexico.  I do love their bright colors and elaborate decorative style.  My students created these in polymer clay last year, and they really turned out awesome, so I was eager to try this in paint.  

Kaila and I wish each of you a wonderful new year!

Jar of Hearts Mixed Media

She has been done for a while, but just found the time to upload her.

Wild Hair

Inspired after watching Dr. Seuss's "Horton Hears a Who", I created this painting with the wild hairstyles in the movie.

Altered Book Round Robin Travelers H'Art

Looking through some old photos, I found these from an Altered Book Round Robin in 2009. Each book had a personal theme and arrived monthly to add your own art.

I particularly liked the 1960's woman with glasses and crazy hair.  I remember having a bunch of the plastic that you melt and looking for something to do with them.

JUMP

"Jump and the Net Will Appear" Don't we all wish we would/could do this?  Fear holds us back from many things.  I see my youngest students create art without any limitations.  I read their artist statements with a smile on my face as they positively comment on their work.  Sometimes just letting go brings us to a hold new world.

Whimsy art brings me to a joy-filled place.  JUMP is the art I created from participating in Tamara Laporte's online Whimsy course.