I won I won.....

What a wonderful end to a hectic month. I was lucky enough to win the nicest giveaway from Monique over at "Blueberry in the Fields". I love these linen fruits they are wonderful and the strawberry has a real acorn top to it. Go on over to her blog and folow her to Etsy......Thanks again Monique I love them.

Merry Christmas.....

Merry Christmas everyone.....May we all hold Jesus in our hearts everyday as we do today....

Blue people doll WIP....

I know it is taking me a long time but.....I'm winging this. learning as I go and trying to feel my way through without books or classes and only some helpful internet sites. Which there are not many free ones. I can tell you what ever these doll makers get for classes and thier tutorials are worth it. Trying to figure this out on your own is maddening but I'm kinda crazy that way.

I still have a plan for him and I see it coming along just as in my mines eye. Which dosent happen often in my world. I usually see it in my mind and can not get it out on canvas.

I'll keep you posted, not sure how much will get done with the holidays approaching so fast. Have a Happy and fruitful season and hope everyone is getting what they need done.

Book Giveaway...

Check out this marvelous book giveaway by a fantastic doll maker.http://vanessies.blogspot.com/2010/12/book-give-away.html?spref=fb

Blue People Doll.

If you follow my blog you know about the "Blue people of Troublesome Creek" Here is the start of one of the dolls. I plan to make several along with several portraits like I showed you earlier. I won't get much done till after the holidays but am looking forward to bringing them to life.

I have a plan for this ones character but you'll just have to wait.

Christmas Wreath From Start to Finish

Thanks to all who admired the Christmas wreath. I have collected old ornaments for years ..... Gotta do something with them all.....Click to enlarge and see detail of the old ornaments.

Vintage ornament wreath......

One last Angel....

I wanted to paint one last Angel before Christmas.

You can find her on Ebay.

Lets start the season......

Made these years ago but still love them. The evil snowmen.

Blue people of Troublesome Creek.

Are you following me and the Blue People? Still a WIP but I love thier progression. I have so many ideas but the holidays have me occupied with so many other things. Slowly but surely they will all come to life as there are many waiting to be born.

More Blue People....

The Blue People continue....Here is a sneek peek at how the Mr. is evolving. I just love these people. They are so beautiful......Another picture day at Walmart.

Blue people of Troublesome Creek Painting.

Folk Art is my first love and I have been intriqued by the "Blue People of Trouble Creek" after running across an article on the web. I first did the painting and then ran into the article. Seemed like fate. I have plans for some dolls too. So bare with me as I take this journey with the Blue people.

This one is titled.........."Picture day at Walmart"

BEFORE and AFTER

Shes done and I love her, hope the bride does.

WIP

I just can't stop fiddling.......and I'm sure I'm not finished....

HELP......How do I ship a Giant canvas.

I'm really enjoying working on such a large canvas. Its like a mini mural. LOL. But if I decide to sell her how in the world do I ship it?. Its 30" by 40"....Any of my fellow artist shipped anything this large before ? If you have please give me a clue to the best way to do it. She's not finished but shes getting close.

Does size matter? Get your head out of the gutter.

I've been hard at work on several projects. The wedding chest (almost done) a just ordered cake topper (not started) a couple of pieces I can not talk about for fear thier recipients will find out, shhhhh....and this large canvas (30" by 40")

I love to work on large items or miniature things. I'm not sure why but when I work on large pieces I feel much freer. When I work on small item I feel more controlled, but not in a bad way. Just like I need to be more precise. Do you find you have a preference for sizes as well as mediums and do they make you feel a certain way when you work on them?

I've been working in mixed media lately and I really like the way I can jump back and forth from one medium to another on the same project. Keeps me from getting stagnant.

I have loads more to do on this canvas but thought you might like to see where it is going. I've been known to paint over intire works so stay tuned for what may or may not happen..

Traveling painting to support homeless veterans...

Myself and 9 other artist are contributing our talent to one painting so it can be sold and the proceeds go to helping the homeless veterans. Each artist is adding thier own unique style of painting to 10 squares on the panel. I can not wait to see how it all turns out. Please follow the link to Carriejoyart for more details and to see all the artist involved.

Inspired by LuLu to color outside the lines....

How many of you would like to be freer in your art. You know just throw caution to the wind and let the paintbrush fly. I have felt like that alot . Sometimes I feel like I'm expecting some alien force to start slinging my brush...LOL...

I was inspired today to color outside the lines by LuLu MyPinkTurtle. She has been resting by doctors orders and said she was tired of doing nothing but playing with her markers in her coloring book and playing Barbie.LOL. . It reminded me of how much I loved to color in a coloring book, even today at my age. During that facebook post someone asked me If I colored inside or outside the lines....HUM....Well as a child I always colored inside the lines and again that had me thinking I needed to color outside the lines and to be freer with my art. I've been trying to do that but always feel like I fall short and get to controled in my work. I am not as free with my art as I would lke to be so here is a stab at trying to be freer and color outside the lines.

WIP...Wedding chest....

Awhile back I told you I would be refinishing an old blanket chest for a customer for a wedding gift. It needed some TLC, but I love the lines of this chest. I first sanded and cleaned the surface which I painted two tones of grey. The lid is getting treated like an old german Fraktur. The colors are great and when it gets antiqued in the end will really look old. It still has a long way to go but I love the way it is progressing.

More Folk Art Birdsnest.....

I've really taken a liking to doing these birdsnest. They're very symbolic for me. I've also been trying to go back to a more primitive look I used to do long ago. It is still my favorite style. Simple primitive folk art.....AHHHH it makes me smile everytime.

Manipulating my art.......

After painting my recent piece which is an oversized birds nest I really liked the look of how conteporary but folky it was at the same time. I had the Idea to manipulate it so that the colors were very contemporary also. This is what it is turning into. and I love it.....

Getting texture to your canvas.......

I really like the way this is coming out. I've gotten some good texture to the canvas. I did that by first collaging a layer of heavy papers cut into 2-3 inch pieces and then 2 layers of torn tissue papers. You get 2 distinct textures which give the paint many hills and valleys to flow in. It also allows the antique medium to really show off the texture.

This is my version of the ''Tree of life." Its primitve with a modern twist.

Back to my painting roots....

I have painted all my life but never had a style until 30 yrs ago I painted in the primitive style. I started with rustic furniture and handmade game boards. I would paint them and sand them to make them look aged and worn. I'll never forget one of my first shows you had to check in your merchandise to one central check in and they displayed your work in their setting. When I put my game boards up to be checked in the lady said to me " do you know these are scratched and have missing paint.." I had to chuckle inside. Primitive and worn was just coming into its popularity. I told her I spent lots of time getting them to look that way. She gave me that look..you know "are you crazy". Well fast forward 25 yrs and it's sill popular and sought after and I still love it too. So I think I will work in that style again for awhile as I have missed it.

Here is a rustic piece I just finished...Hope you like it....

Fall Harvest Angel on Ebay Now

Want a big laugh? It's on Me.....

I got up yesterday morning and decided it was a good day to make a pound cake. Good southern girl thing to do, right? I'm a pretty good cook but baking is not my best suit. So after posting my intentions on my facebook page I had to post the finished product. My son and I laughed so hard when it came out of the oven I thought we would burst. My light was burnt out in my oven so I didn't check the cake until after an hour so it wouldn't fall. LOL......This is what we found.....A crispy cookie top with a pudding like center. I guess it does pay to follow a recipe to the tee when you are baking.

Feel free to enlarge photo as the mega size is hysterical......

Evolving Gypsy

Now....................................................Then

I keep changing this more than a new borns diaper. I didn't think the earrings were right. I think it was the shape that bothered me. What ever it was, their gone. I like the way it made me change the hair....But dosent a Gypsy need earrings?... Gotta come up with the right answer. Stay tuned.

New...Furniture project. Bridal Chest.....

I love to paint decoratively onto furniture. It actually was how I got started really painting seriously in the first place.

This commission is going to be a wedding gift. I know I sure would be glad to get it. I love this chest. The lines are beautiful and should make a wonderful family heirloom for sure.

Stay tuned for the transformation. I will post the progress as I go.

She's a Gypsy....

Well she's turning into a gypsy.....

How much Art really means.

Trying to get my Mojo back. I figure the only way is to start painting and keep painting. At least it feels right. I had not painted in about a week and that just did not cut it. I couldn't decide if I felt bad beacuse I didn't paint or I didn't paint because I felt bad....I think it starts out one way and ends up the other if you know what I mean.

I forget how much art means to me until I don't do it for awhile.

So here is something I'm working on and it feels good to sling a brush and slosh paint....

Where have I been? Look what I won....

Where have I been? I'm not sure I even know...You ever feel disjointed like your not sure what to do or when to do it. I have felt like that lately and can't seem to get going good. I've done a little of this and a little of that and some of that too but nothing concrete. Nothing that sets a fire under me.

I realize most artist go through dry spells, I don't like them. But I also know it is common and it will pass. So while I'm waiting.........

I recieved my painting I won from Lindy over at Cottage Hill and it is spectecular it looks so real. Looks like a real cold glass of iced tea...I love it. She has opened an Etsy shop so head over and check it out. Shes a fantastic artist. Thanks Lindy I love it.....

Canvases kept staring at me.....

I had these two deep canvases that kept staring at me and wanting to be painted, but what? Finally they said a pair of Saints. So I said OK.

I wanted to paint them similar so they could be used together if you wanted to. They both use the same color palette and I could not resist the polka dots. I love polka dots......

*******Gotta tell you about a great giveaway by Diane over at "My art Journal"...It is wonderful.******