A Creative Wellspring Has Burst!

Wow! Three letters that don't really express how incredible I feel right now! I began an on-line course with Misty Mawn on Saturday, November 14, 2009 (Painting Layers) and let's just say, ..... something finally clicked!

I have been playing with mixed media for about 6 years now, but things just didn't fall into place in a manner that I was satisfied with. Suddenly, something has broken through, and thanks to Misty's "teaching style", and timing, I suppose, I am beginning to feel so much more comfortable with this "layer" work. I have been doing variations of layering with my watercolours, but the transparency does not yield the same results as acrylic.

Misty has also introduced us to so many other things. Polyvore, for example. I just uploaded one of the collages that she suggested we might try to play with. It is a good exercise in design. She, of course, is a design pro! Did I say she was amazing?

If you google her, Misty Mawn, you will find all sorts of amazing links about her.

OK, it's 1:38 am. Since the weekend course began, I've been getting to bed at 2:00 and 3:00 AM!!!!

Gotta go! Get CREATING EVERYONE!

It's Fall!!! A Time to invest in the great indoors....

Here it is, November 2nd, 2009. I cannot believe all of the exciting things I have lined up for this month! I am teaching a one-day course in Edmonton, for the Edmonton Calligraphy Guild on "Beautiful Backgrounds". And for my birthday, I registered for Misty Mawn's first on-line course - "Painted Layers"!!! I am soooooo excited! It starts on November 13th and goes for a month. I love her work so very much. Her blog, which I have followed for some years, inspires me. I feel like she's a kindred creative spirit. You can check out her blog at: http://www.mistymawn.typepad.com/

Well, I just wanted to see if anyone is still out there! (Sam,..... can you reach me?)

Wishing you all a lovely day tomorrow.

Hugs,

Annie

PS. Here's a favourite quote - Native american saying

"We have not inherited the earth from our fathers, we are borrowing it from our children."

Walk softly .....

June - Summer Days

The days are so lovely and long that I find myself getting up early (4:44 am this morning, in fact.)

I have a few new things that came into the studio in the last week and I thought I would show them off!

Euan Hanchard of Serrano Studios has brought in a new cutting board, using purple heart, bloodwood and maple.  It is a great item for food presentation, let alone using it as a cheese board or cutting board.  The retail price for this item is $150.00.

Euan also created a wall treasure box, using the praire rose as inspiration.  This piece is called "Rose".

I also have been indulging in painting the flowers that are blooming so beautifully in my garden.  I'll post some of those images in my next blog!

Hope summer is everything you hoped it would be!

Annie

June..... The lilacs are out and the garden is in full springtime bloom....

I absolutely love this time of year in Alberta.  The perennial garden is in full bloom right now, the birds are singing and I just want to be up 24 hours a day and miss nothing!

Spring madness.  Life is sometimes like that.  You just want to do it all, take it all in, and before you know it you are extended beyond reason.  You miss out on sleep, don't necessarily eat well, start getting cranky, (and the worst for me is fuzzy-brained!!!!) and start not seeing the beauty and the balance in nature.

And so today, try to be balanced.  Remember to choose wisely what you dedicate your time and your life to.  We can't do it all, see it all, be it all, try as we might!

Wishing you serenity amidst the chaos of your beautiful life!

Hugs,

Annie

Snow, wind, chilly......I thought it was spring!

Old-man winter is still strong, it seems. My friend keeps saying as he gets weaker and weaker, spring takes over.
OK,... I'm waiting with bated breath. Bring it on!...... please!

Despite snow squalls today, and a strong chilly wind, the day had its moments. I had a great visit with friends at coffee this morning, and I just got back from watching a movie in our local theatre with Herb. It was a great way to pass time. I feel like I'm "resting" to get ready for the next two weeks. There's lots happening on the schedule.

I think tomorrow will be a studio day again. I'd like to spend some time painting. I can't wait for the flowers to bloom here. Seeing Misty Mawn's blog, ( http://www.mistymawn.typepad.com/ )I was just loving the blooming trees in a rural setting. (sigh.....) Those images made me yearn to be in Victoria, or somewhere where they have "blooming" things thriving!

And on that note, I will celebrate what we do have..... Here's a photo from Easter Day, the "before dinner walk" with Dave Leslie, Herb and the dogs!

Wishing each of you a wonderful day!

How Can It Be April Already?!!!!

Happy Easter Week! I can't believe that I have not posted since February! A lot has happened since then. I don't know where to begin! Today I enjoyed spending the afternoon doing a Professional Development teaching session with some High School Art Teachers in Calgary. Larissa asked if I could do a demonstration for some of her colleagues. It was wonderful to share some techniques with kindred spirits....
In the meantime, I also have to get my studio ready for a course I am teaching in less than two weeks, and then this coming weekend, I have a whole bunch of people coming over for the photo shoot with Julie Jenkins. This show will be "Faces of High River II". I think we'll have a wonderful turnout.

Today I observed the last video for Pam Carriker's Class, Shades of Grey. This is the second class I've taken with Pam on-line, and I so enjoy learning new ways to use mediums I've worked with for a few years! Great fun! Thank you to Pam for sharing her love of journalling with us through the vehicle of on-line classes. A big thank you also goes out to Gail Schmidt for creating Creative Workshops. Gail hosts a number of courses through this site, and I just know I will be signing up for another one in the future. If you are unfamiliar with Creative Workshops, why not hop over to her site now: http://creativeworkshops.ning.com/

OK, I think I'll close this entry for now, and continue tomorrow! It's nice to be back!!!

Annie