Unblogged pics of my artwork from last year.

I've realised that due to the fact that I hardly posted on my blog last year, I haven't shared very much of my creative output for a long time. So I'm going to put it all out there......most of these are just photos of my work which I've posted on Instagram. I've worked in acrylic, coloured pencil and pastel. And I've experimented with a tight, realistic style, as well as a looser, more painterly style. I've painted people, plants and fruit. The one thing that was consistent through all of these pieces - I've enjoyed every single second of creating them :)

I'm sure there's been a few more pieces in there......if I can think of any more, I'll add them in later. Of course these are just the finished pieces. I have oodles of doodles and sketches that never make it as finished pieces. There are a few pieces that have been left untouched for so long, I'm not sure if I'll get back to them. Like this one: 

 It's great to look back at all the different mediums and styles. I learn so much every time I sit down to play with my art supplies. 

Lately I've been playing with art journaling in pen and watercolours. I've also been doing some lettering and some fun, whimsical style doodles. I might take photos of some of that work sometime.....I'm still a little shy about that style as it's very new to me. I don't really have a "style" of my own. Maybe someday when I "grow up" I'll settle on a signature style, but for now, I'm just enjoying learning and playing. What's your favourite art style or medium, as an artist or as an art viewer? I'd love to know. xo 

Artful learning - playing with watercolours.

Today I had a play with some watercolour paints. Quite frankly, watercolour has always scared me somewhat. It is so unpredictable! It runs free and is difficult to constrain. It blends of its own accord. It creates colours that I wasn't planning on. But you know what? That is also what excites me about it! Do I have any idea what I'm doing?  No. Will I keep experimenting with watercolours to see what I can create? You betcha! 

Any time spent making art, even just playing and practising with my supplies is just pure joy. The clock disappears, and so does the pantry (which for some reason calls me incessantly when I'm doing housework!) I get lost in what I'm doing. Art is definitely my happy place.                                                

            

My art making place, my little study/studio, has undergone an upgrade recently with my clever hubby installing overhead cupboards above the bench. It's quite handy being married to an electrician, as he kindly installed some lights underneath the cupboards so I have perfect light on my workspace. My studio is in a period of transformation to reflect my return to home this year. As I'm here more often I have a little more time to escape into my studio to create. It might only be 10 minutes here, half an hour there, or if I'm feeling really indulgent, a whole morning!! What I do know is that I'm a much happier person being at home. I'm more balanced, I'm less stressed, I'm not feeling creatively stifled like I used to and I'm taking better care of myself. Because of this I'm also taking better care of my family, and as a result everyone is happier and less stressed. 

My dream is to some day make a living, or at least a some income, from my art - if for no other reason than to feed my habit for purchasing more supplies. As I focus on creating something each and everyday, my creative confidence grows a little more. After all, you can only gather inspiration from others for a certain period of time. At some point you have to step away for the iPad/laptop/art book, pick up your supplies and create. I'm working on it. 

Thanks for stopping by today. xo