It really seems like time is flying by faster and faster. As I readied myself to sit down and write this post, I reviewed my last one and could not believe I had not posted since January 8. I think I’m going to have to set a reoccuring date on my digital calendar that says “sit your bottom down in that chair and write.” It’s not as if I have nothing to say or art to share. I have lots to say (some of it not necessarily appropriate for this post) and lots and lots of art to share.
One of the most wonderful things I did this month is meet up with a dear friend for lunch at the Prado in Balboa Park. It was one of those beautiful days San Diego was known for and, of course, Balboa Park is one of the most beautiful places to explore on a sunny, breezy day. A visit after lunch to the San Diego Museum of Art and The Mingei set my creative soul on fire. The Visible Vaults exhibit at the SDAM was a recreation of their most carefully guarded area, a place that is invisible to most visitors—the vaults. You could pull out drawer after drawer of original works of art, some never seen before. The Mingei featured an incredible exhibit of American and European Folk Art dedicated to three centuries of American and European folk art from the Museum’s permanent collection, with many artworks on view for the very first time.
January brought rain and cold temperatures to Temecula which have continued into February, with record rainfall yesterday. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest, I am used to days where it rains for 24 hours or days on end. Not in Temecula. It provided the perfect excuse to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea. Which is exactly what I did.
I’ve also been busy creating new Easter mixed media pieces for my Etsy shop, www.etsy.com/shop/MyMixedUpART. Spring is one of my favorite times of year. I am inspired by the green grasses and wild flowers that bloom after the rains. I love to decorate my house from top to bottom with bunnies, chicks, carrots, and, of course, the ever-present jar of seasonally colored Peanut M&Ms.
The Colour Me Positive Art Journal group continues to inspire me each week. I really look forward to the prompt and being challenged to come up with just the right work of art to fully express what the quote means to me. Often, I will replace the quote provided with one that has more meaning to me personally, but still represents the intent of that week’s theme.
In addition to further exploring collage/mixed media, I have returned to my passion for photography. In the past, I had participated in a 365 Photo a Day group, but stopped when I took the Carla Sonheim and Lynn Whipple Year of the Spark class as I wanted to focus on learning new techniques. It’s so easy these days to whip out your phone and capture a moment in time that takes your breath away, catches your eye or just makes you laugh. So, I’m back at it and share here some of the photos I’ve taken over the last couple of weeks.
One of the other things that I have promised I would do this year is share with you the work of other artists that have inspired me in my journey. One of those artists is Cheryl Dossey. Cheryl defines herself as “A late-blooming mixed media artist who enjoys art in any form.” She has been featured in a number of Stampinton & Company’s publications and, most recently, has several pieces in the Spring issue of Somerset Apprentice – Mixed Media for the Beginner. I met Cheryl in the online Year of the Spark class and loved her assemblage pieces. She is actually the first artist whose work I purchased after starting the class. It was part of her “Mini Homes” collection. Cheryl very happily shared her technique for the homes with me and generously sent me a package of craft house shapes cut from foamcore and a wonderful array of ephemera with which to create my own vision of a “mini home.” She now sells the blank foam house shapes in her Etsy shop and you can find lots of inspiration on her blog. Cheryl’s house is on the left, not to be confused with the “other” Cheryl’s on the right. I love creating these “mini homes” as gifts or to add to my very own collection.
That’s all I have to say and show, so I will leave you with this thought…let’s all remember to be passionate, compassionate, have a sense of humor and, definitely, some style.
MyMixedUpART 