Journal sanity...

...is a big thing in my world, and I am most appreciative of my husband, John, who is always so good about aiding and abetting me in this passion.  He carefully removes labels from wine bottles, saves any interesting looking caps he finds, picks up oddments when he's out and about, and generally is an oh-so-good man.  This spread is for him.

I turn to journals when the muse is absent (more wine labels here, I see ;0),

 when I'm using paper scraps and cards,

 when I'm stamping off during a project,

 and when I've just gone crazy with pattern and can't seem to stop.

The funny thing is I've been working in this particular journal for the last eighteen months, and I'm amazed to find, after carefully counting, that there are still SEVENTY spreads left to complete.  How can that be possible?  Quantum physics tells us there is a field out there of multiple choices and worlds, and I suspect that somehow there are pages migrating into this journal from those other possibilities.  If that's the case, will I have a completed journal (assuming it ever gets finished?!) of thousands of spreads?  That possibility is daunting - like Sisyphus, am I doomed to a lifetime of journalling?  How sad (☺️☺️☺️ ), if so.  

Just a reminder that there is an upcoming rock painting class  on March 9, and I understand there may be a spot left in it.  If you're in town that day, it's the place to be!

Do let me know what you're up to in your artistic life in the comments below - I love hearing about the happenings in your week! 

Creston Rocks...

and here's why!

The Creston Valley Seniors Association is hosting a rock-painting class on March 9, 2019,  from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., and you're invited (as long as you're over 21).  And since I'm going to be facilitating it, you know we'll have a blast.

Clean rocks, paints, brushes and whatever else catches my eye from the studio will be provided.  To register, please contact Marg Popovich at 250-402-6639.  Preregistration is required.

Although I've been away this week, I've managed to squeeze in some samples just for fun.  Because some of these painting 'newbies' will not have used a brush before, I've kept the designs simple for their first go 'round.  I expect they'll get hooked and be perusing Pinterest for greater and grander ideas when next they meet!

Don't know how this got in there - that doesn't look like paint at all.  Trust a mixed media artist to go astray. 

Hope you've had a great week and are in the throes of creativity, too!  Catch me up on your doings in the comments below, my friends!

While the world outside...

...is a wintry white, the studio is always filled with colour.

'Brat Cat' © Win Dinn 2019 

This painting was loosely based on a photo of our Opal, who was always to be found in places she was supposed to be staying away from.  

She had an affinity for bugs of all kinds, 

 and pretty much ruled the roost - hence the crown.

And given that it's Valentine's Day today, you know there had to be hearts somewhere!

The card-making has been hot and heavy for the past while, and most of them were mailed late - how did that happen?!

I've been playing in the journal as well, and I'm wondering what ghost got into this spread - so not my usual colour palette!

This is much more like it!  😃

I'll leave you today with my take on the Valentine's Day - it's one size fits all, whether single, in a relationship or married.  Happy Valentine's Day, my friends.

You'll never guess...

...what I'm doing - again.

Does that look like dryer sheets to you?  If not, you'd be incorrect.  Because I've been washing them and ironing them (Strange, right?  I won't iron clothes, but I'll iron for art. ☺️)

 and sorting the already-painted ones.

And just because I'm such a fan of the latter, I'll show you some closeups!

 Who took a bite out of this one?

 Earth from the moon?

 

Painted dryer sheets make brilliant additions to just about any mixed media project because they have a filmy see-through quality that is unlike any other 'trash'.

And of course, that will give you a hint as to where these are likely to go.  The Creston Valley Arts Council is planning a Trashion show for May, 2019.  Artists are encouraged to create fashion from things that would otherwise go into the trash.  Now given that I've already created some curtains from dryer sheets, you'd think I'd have had enough of them for a while.  That is most certainly true, however, apparently my Muse thinks otherwise.  She's been picking at me since I heard about the show, and while I have had my fingers stuck in my ears for days in an attempt to ignore the push, I've finally given in and started on it.

Given the labour-intensive aspect of this project, it may incarnate as a scarf rather than the over-ambitious dress I've in mind, but whatever happens, you know I'll be scarred with dozens more pin-pricks as my inept hand-sewing takes over.  The process is challenging to say the least.  Unpainted dryer sheets must be hand-tacked to the painted ones, tying them together in opposite directions as much as possible.  Then they are over-embroidered and the tacking removed.  Can I possibly make this all hold together as a dress?  Time will tell, and in the meantime, how will all other other projects be completed?!

I encourage you to send 'no, NO, NO' energy to my Muse as she embarks on yet another totally crazy project.  After all, I'd do the same for you should you need it. 

Please let me know your current mania in your comments below - I'd certainly love to know I'm not alone in my insanity.