Have been in a poop head mood lately. That wonderful time of the year where my clinical depression shows up and tries to move in. So, I thought I'd post a photo of Salvador Dali that brings a smile and just a fun feeling to my soul. He was such an amazing and creative man! I would love to have been able to spend a day with him, following him around, and just trying to imagine how his mind works. Might be a bit scary inside his head...but, oh, so amazing!

Today is my Art Time with Shelley and I'm looking forward to our over the phone creative time. I have a copy of a wonderful photo of Shawn's parents. I'm going to start working on that today and hopefully finish it for his Valentine's gift. I haven't worked on my Dali portrait in the last week. Still trying to figure out what to do for the background.

A huge THANKS to Shauna for her uplifting and fun mail art and ego boosting note that arrived in my mail box today! Just what I needed to get back to my art passions!

Big Squishy Hugs!

My latest "Just for Me" project is a portrait of Salvador Dali. I would like to put in some type of background images. But, I can't figure out what I want to do. I love doing portraits, but really want to start adding backgrounds just to do MORE!

So, if anyone sees my blog posts and has any suggestions, I'd love to hear from you! I'm always open to positive criticism! Helpful tips/suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks so much and Big Squishy Hugs!

The finished "Just For ME" latest project.

I finished it late yesterday. I like how it turned out. Of course, there are areas I would do differently. But, I'm not going to go back and redo any of it. I'm afraid if I did, I'd really screw things up!

I've started a new project. Another portrait, but not Adam Ant, Billy Idol, or Todd Rundgren.

Big Squishy Hugs!

It's midnight and I don't want to waddle off to bed......

This is a Way Back picture. I was about 12 years old and in the 7th grade. I've still been working on the portrait of Adam Ant. I've gotten frustrated with myself and have stopped working on it for the past few days. It's getting close to being finished, just need to finish the glasses, hat, and do some detail work. I don't know why I just don't get busy. But, instead I play on the computer and goof off with the grandchildren.

I've got other photos picked out to start next. I've also started a crocheted blanket and need to get back to work on that. My friend, Shelley, and I are going to make some Healing Pouches for each other. I have the perfect seed beads and printed out some patterns for that. I need to pick up some chamois cloth for this project.

This was our excitement a couple weeks ago. One of our pussy willow trees was rotted, we didn't know, and it feel. Fortunately, it didn't hit our home or any of our neighbor's homes. We had to call a yard/tree maintenance company to come and remove not only the fallen tree. But, also the other 2 that were rotting at the bases. I made sure to get a few branches so I can cut them up and make wooden buttons to use in art projects. I also found some really nice bamboo sticks for bead work.

So much for our shady back yard!

Big Squishy Hugs and have a safe and wonderful rest of January 2015!

This is my latest "Just for ME!" project. It's another Adam Ant portrait, from a point of view I usually don't work from. I like full face or profile, so this is a bit different for me. So far, I like it.

I worked on special projects for Christmas gifts, unfortunately, I didn't scan them in. UGH! Now with the Christmas gifts finished I can move forward with my being a very selfish artist and doing just what I want, when I want. I've discovered that I'm much happier when I'm selfish with my art passion. It's difficult for me to stop saying "yes" to all the swap projects, because they are a ton of fun. But, I've been really feeling a strong desire to return to my first art passion and focus more on that and less on the instant, just for fun, swap projects. The swaps got me out of my comfort zone and to try new techniques and materials. That's always great. But, I had walked totally away from my drawing and now I'm struggling to return to what I use to do so easily and quickly.

So, off I go to work on this piece and I'll post if when finished, if I don't forget to scan it in.

Big Squishy Hugs!