More Connecting

I got to spend the day in my studio and at first I felt a little paralyzed because there were so many things I wanted to do. And it was imperative that I clean up a little so I actually had room to work. I did play with papers and paints but sharing it here will have to wait because I can't pass up the opportunity to write about another connection. 

Yesterday I shared Tracie's matchbook creation....and today I got this photo from Lynne and Anna's art day of their little matchbook creations. 

I'm sitting here in Maine and feeling the love from Wisconsin and North Carolina.  New friends and old ones...connecting through art is a wonderful and joyful thing!

I will also take the opportunity to revisit where I originally got the inspiration for my little matchbook.  I follow Loulei Onrubia-Ngo (li.la.o) on Instagram and am always inspired by her sweet little watercolor floral creations. Such a hopeful sign of spring. I also highly recommend #ilainspired on Instagram....where other artists put there li.la.o inspired art.

More of li.la.o's creations. Spring is coming!

  

Here's a little preview of some gel printed pages I did today from some old books I recently acquired.

They are not punched squares....I just did a quick digital collage of some of the pages. The colors go with Loulei's flowers and Lynne and Anna's matchbooks.  More tomorrow about these great books I found.

Joyful Puttering Day

I drove to Maine today....and these transition days are always busy...but not all that creative.  So it's a perfect day to share a delightful text I got from my friend Tracie this last Monday.

Tracie and her friend Lisa have begun a monthly "Joyful Puttering Day."  How cool is that! As I've said many times there aren't too many things that make me more happy than inspiring others to jump in and do something creative. 

Last summer when I was in Wisconsin I had given Tracie a little matchbook of watercolor flowers...you can see the whole process here. 

For their first puttering day Tracie made her own little watercolor matchbook....it's adorable.  Can't wait to see what you do next!                                                                                          

 

Inspiration

Today was my last full day in Wisconsin....it's been so nice spending time with friends and family.  I'm going to do a little catch up for a few days on some of the things I didn't have time to share....starting with this.

Becky and I spent a lot of time talking about art....and the artists who inspire us.  One of the evenings  this last week we sat in her amazing creative space and worked on projects inspired by a couple of those artists.

I have always loved the loose watercolor bouquets by  loulei & lorra on Instagram. I think they would be a sweet insert into a card or note and have wanted to try it for quite some time.

  


So...inspired by this little matchbook bouquet  I gave it a whirl. I'm not very good at "loose" but you never get good at anything unless you practice.

Using Becky's watercolors and paper....I started with some random splotches. I drew in random flower and leaf shapes and loosely cut them out.  

I ended up with enough watercolor paper to make these two little matchbooks....not too bad for my first attempt.  I know how I could improve my approach....but thats why your practice.                     

 

I passed them on to Rosy and Tracie when we were together....and I'm certainly going to try it again.  Other artists are such an inspiration to me.