Digital Art

I'm just about ready to get Liz's calendar in the mail....and it got me thinking about the digital projects I've done over the years. So I clicked the "digital art" label along the side of the blog and revisited my projects....and these were some of my favorites.

Here's an ocean view paired with a page from a coloring book.

A bottle cut out from a magazine was paired with digital doodles. 

I sketched the bookshelf...which was in our house in South Portland...then digitally added the collaged background and the bottle images.

A pile of hand felted balls became a rainbow tree.

And doodle bugs were flying around the Bug Light in South Portland!

This pairing still makes me smile.

And this may be my all time favorite....

where I placed a doodled Christmas tree in the woods.

If you want the context and the story on any of these...click the "digital art" label along the side of the blog and scroll through the posts.  These labels are a good way to search for topics of interest.  I've been writing this blog every day for almost 9 years....so there's a lot there.  And for those of you who have been reading along the whole time....GOD BLESS YOU!

Smidgen

This Crystals puzzle was another quick one....but oh so satisfying. Margie did it first....and I know she liked it too.  I started with the purples and blues....and once those were in place one color and one crystal easily led to the next.  There was immediate gratification every time I sat down.

This was the moment I connected the top to the bottom...

and created another path at an angle.

One of things I love about this this kind of puzzle is looking for the pieces with tiny smidgens of color. When you pick one up you know exactly where it goes.   

I love the word smidgen....and I've been thinking about it all day.  I'm a bit preoccupied with a variety of things health and home related these days so a delightful smidgen of anything needs to be celebrated.  

Look at these satisfying little smidgens of color!

Almost every leafy green piece I was left with at the end had a smidgen of something making it easy to place.  A smidgen of pink on the left...and blue on the right.

And I did a smidgen of art assemblage today....and added my first stitched floral doodle to my art journal.  I think it pairs well with the flower doodle cutouts.

Some days all you need is a smidgen of joy!

"Storm Chips"

Our lawn is littered with small branches, sticks, and tons of acorns from yesterday's wind.  

This little branch probably didn't expect to fall this early....but it gave me a chance to fully appreciate it in all its glory. The leaves were healthy and full...showing no sign of decline.....and the acorns were young...and adorable!

A reminder that joy can be found...even in the storm debris.

I was so tickled to hear from Marilyn in Nova Scotia.  She was in the direct line of hurricane Lee and reported trees down and power lost in her neighborhood.  She and her family were well prepared for the storm....including being fully stocked up with "storm chips."  I was curious what storm chips were....and I laughed when she told me it was their term for any and all junk food required to get through a storm. I love that...and may adopt the phrase as well.  She noted that for some it might be potato chips....but for her it was ice cream and wine.  

I think my "storm chips" would be chips and guacamole....and maybe a little nutty dark chocolate.  

This was last night's sky after the storm. What a gift.

Flow

We've had some gusty winds today...and it's still blowing. But all in all....it's been a very manageable storm here in Portland.  

But the calm before the uneventful storm created a beautiful 
sky last evening....and it changed by the minute. 

I just went with the flow that started with zinnia doodling....

then coloring and cutting...and now collage and card making.

Then I flowed into a second one....and as I post these photos....I'm seeing the need for improvement. The background on this second one is too busy...and not enough white space showing.  I should have trimmed more off the top rather than the bottom.

I also think it would have been better if both flowers were a little more off the page.  Learning by doing...all part of the flow. But it's fun to practice!  

Color and Cut

We're expecting some remnants of Hurricane Lee tomorrow. It's always interesting to watch a storm pass through and it sounds like wind may be the major issue. I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere.  

I have several blooms and more buds coming on my white rain lily....so I think I'll bring it inside tonight so it doesn't get blown around.

It's been a good year for this precious plant!

Becky sent me this photo today of the mother plant in Wisconsin.

It's blooming for the first time this summer...and I see more buds on hers too!

So what do you do with your pile of zinnia doodles?  

You color and cut them out. I started with more traditional colors...

then moved on to colors that weren't.  Why not!  I may add more shading and texture as I add them to cards. It was kind of relaxing!

Another lovely zinnia bloom in progress from our morning walk.

Late Summer Day

We've been in a hot, humid, and rainy stretch for a little while.....but today was absolutely glorious. It was everything you could ask for from a late summer day. 

I went to a local nursery to get potting soil...and it was bursting with fall color. 

 

And they always have a row of massive sunflowers alongside the parking lot. The large blooms were fabulous against the late summer blue sky.   

I didn't paint on the patio today....but I did doodle.  I'm not sure I'm going to try a zinnia in stitch....but if I do....the best way to practice is continuous line drawing.  

This was my inspiration photo.

And I was enjoying sitting outside so much so I finished up Liz's digital reading calendar.  I need to get it in the mail pretty soon!

I've been slowly working on it....

the first 6 months are sitting on a shelf in my studio.

I also visited Margie today....and she had all my small puzzles finished on her table. These are my six small one from Philippa. 

Preview

My day kind of got away from me....but there's always something to celebrate!  

I absolutely love picking up these first leaves....each one is like a painting and a preview of what's to come.    

 

And I'm grateful for a lovely fall card from Susan....all the way from Scotland. 

Susan has been busy painting and making books and cards....and I always enjoy seeing what she's up to.  

I did finish this bookshelf puzzle....it was a quick and simple delight. 

And here's a preview of the next one....

I'm starting with the purples and blues.

End of Summery

Every time I see this...I laugh out loud: "If someone from ziplock could contact literally anyone in the cereal business, that would be great!" So true!!!

It's always a good day when you stumble on a zinnia patch.
There is something about zinnias that are just so end of summery! 

There were so many in full bloom....and just as many getting started.  The shapes created during the unfurling process capture my heart every time!

Celebrating a zinnia painting from another summer.

Maybe a zinnia in stich???

Late Summer Bloom Experiment

Several weeks ago I was playing around with ways to create texture using acrylic paints.  I wasn't in love with the colors I chose....but it was more about practicing techniques so it didn't really matter.  The papers got set aside.

Inspired by the deep colors of the late summer hydrangea...and by Becky's purple card...I decided to turn one of papers into a late summer bloom experiment.

Successful?  Somewhat. But there's room for improvement. I learned a lot in the process and may take another run at it sometime. 

You can see the splotchy background....not the best but thought it might be OK as an underpainting.  I watered down some pinky purple acrylic paint and applied it with my finger to give the sense of petals.  Then using dark purple thread I outlined some free motion petals. I ended up adding a bit more paint to the petals after I stitched. Next time I might be a little more "loose" and "messy" with the stitching.  That was the lesson I learned with other free motion flowers but I generally have to learn my lessons several times before they sink in.

 

Using translucent zinc white paint I painted a wash over the rest of the background. At first the JOY was really dark and I didn't like it....so did a wash over that too.  I also added gold centers to the petals but it still needed something....it was a little blah.

 

At first I auditioned leaves...but that was too forced.  I decided to go with circles cut from gelli prints.  The green was a welcomed addition and they added a little whimsy to this late summer bloom experiement.

Practice...practice...practice....repeat.