September Digital Desktop

                                                           [Larger monitor view]

I needed a new wallpaper for my desktop since the one I had up was (in)courage’s monthly desktop download from last March.  Finally noticed six months later that I was out of date.

So, I played around with my favorite artsy-photo image and created my own digital wallpaper.
If you too…need a new desktop picture …You are welcome to download this one.

Three sizes available for download at 4shared.com:
Please click on the appropriate link below.

• 1024 x 768 Small
• 1280 x 1080 Medium
• 1980 x 1080 Large

                                              [Smaller monitor view]

WIP….Desktops

I am such a digital pack-rat! 



Being of the more visual sort, I get a real kick out of seeing art in it’s “Work-In-Progress” mode. 



Possibly because it hasn’t defined itself totally yet.  The piece can be taken in so many directions.



I especially love it when a drawing surprises me!



What is there not to like about the colors in the pics here?  Anytime I get to use the whole color spectrum, I’m happy!



Graphite pencils….Ya gotta start somewhere!  I must admit, I miss the erasability of graphite.



Desktops!  I’m not the neatest person, that’s for sure.  I also tend to spread out!  If I don’t see it, I forget I have it! Haha



Art journaling in a whimsical way.



Photo-realism…my latest passion!



More graphite work.



More messy desktops.

So, now you can see what I see as I try to bring something into creation.  I love it when I have lots of ideas….all lined up in a row…in my head.  But that’s not always the case.  Art evolves with the person.   Something I may have wanted to do one day doesn’t always carry the same weight the next day.  What I find important is the doing!  The trying to learn new things, to challenge myself with a new picture or new technique.  For instance today…I have no interest in painting.  But that may change. 

I think it’s best to not force yourself to like something you don’t.  This is also the beauty of not being in a super-structured environment.  I have the freedom to choose what to spend my time learning.  With that being said….I can see the flip side of that super-structured environment too!  We can gather information/inspiration from other sources in unexpected ways.  So really either way…it’s a win-win, if I keep the right attitude.

A penny for your thoughts too!  I’d love to hear your take.

Vegas Style and Marker Critique

What an adventure!!  I don’t think I slowed down once during the entire trip!  I usually run at about half-vegas-speed.  But how else could we see everything?



Above are a few of the more colorful sights I witnessed in Vegas!!   The ceiling of the Bellagio is adorned with colorful glass flowers…..(they resemble anemones' to me) 

 

Lots and lots of sculptures around town.



An architectural feast!



Pictures above are of Red Rock Canyon, a steamboat on the Colorado River (at Hoover Dam) and the most beautiful, healthy Palm trees I’ve ever seen.



Doodled a bit during the 3 hour leg of my flight.



Turned out colorful, but I’m not happy with the marker streaky-ness seen in the blue blobs on the right.



As cute as these markers are in the package, they are probably much better for just plain ‘ole writing.  I’d give them a “B-” in the art-marker department.  Bummer!!

Artsy-Fartsy Foto Day

There’s just something about looking at art supplies that revs-up my creative side.  And there are so many people out there that take such wonderful pictures of their supplies in use and/or a beautiful mess of color. 

Well, since I don’t really paint, it’s a little hard for me to take a picture of my paint brushes and palette.  But I’m not gonna let that stop me from taking fun, artsy, pictures when I come across them.

Above, is a picture of my liquid acrylics ink.  I haven’t used them much lately….but now that they are out…I’m seriously considering it!!  I love the white one which is Dr. Ph Martin’s Bombay White India ink.  It’s basically white-out for artists!!  LOL!

And below I’ll show you some of my other favorite artsy-fartsy photos that I’ve taken over the last year or so.



You’ve probably seen this a time or two, since I’ve put it on my blog header before.



This one just makes me want to learn how to draw with colored pencils.  The pic above is of my watercolor pencils which I’m just starting to figure out.



Took this picture in January on my deck, around 4-5 pm.  The sky was gorgeous and the sun was bright.  I’m pretty proud of this shot.  It even made it on Flickr Explore/Interesting list (top 500 uploads) for January 5, 2011.  It made page 41…..so it’s ranked around 410-420 that day!  Woo-who!

I would love to see shots you guys have taken (or been inspired by).  Please post a link in the comment section and I know I’ll go take a look

Newport NonSense…..

My flight was un-event-ful!!  Which is the way I like it!!  LOL!!
I did not Art Journal as much as I thought I would!  Darn-it!!



The non-sense all started when “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” was allowed to come out and sightsee.  There is so much to see in Newport, RI….. how could I not let him see it all too?  They have the mansions (The Breakers, Marble House, RoseCliff) directly off of the cliff walk.  We didn’t do the tour this trip, but if you’re ever in the area I would encourage you to take it.


If you’ve got a wet-suit then you can have a lot of fun in the water at this time of year (well…actually you may need that wet suit year-round to enjoy this water).  Little too cold for my tastes.  The surf wasn’t very big, but I was impressed that there were surfers catching waves.  The pic in the upper left corner is showing 5 surfers actually staying on their boards.  Wow!!  Probably about 20 surfers out there that day.  The bays are very beautiful.  Lots of people enjoy this part of the country with their water toys.



As usual….our non-sense turned into a competition!!  Who could carry the biggest rock? 



As much as we wanted to play all day, there was much work to be done by the newly licensed “Newport Maids”.  Even "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” had to pull his weight.



And for your viewing pleasure….Prep Page #1…..finished!  This is the only one completed.  What fun, I should do more of them!

My favorite little quote from above is “If you do not let me express myself, I will go crazy and I will take all of you with me!”  Can anybody guess which movie this is from?  Anyone?  Anyone?……yep….Beetlejuice!  This is so me….it just makes me laugh!

Time flies

7 Days….8 Nights…..v.a.c.a.t.i.o.n……I don’t really count the first day as a day because when you get to your destination after 10 hours car bound and after 6pm….then it’s not a day at play in my opinion.

Relaxed and Recharged with:

• My Marker Stash (above)

• My Journal

• My walks beach-side, dock-side and for something chocolate-sided.

• My water-time

• My swing-time

My flickr buddy Sheila (Bostinstuff) does aMaZiNg doodles, and what’s so interesting about her work is that she will draw everything out first….and….then….color…it…in.   Not the way I do it, I’m not that good!  But since I had the time I thought I’d give it a shot.  Lots of benefits to working this way, because I can color it in any way I want digitally once I have the black & white jpg.



It was very slow going with my doodling, I must confess.



3 days later and I’d only gotten this far!



Once home I felt compelled to complete this.  Just something endearing about taking a break from routine, seriously!  It was somewhat of a digital-break too.  No wifi, only my phone!  Maybe that was the best thing about recharging!  However, I did watch a lot of shark-week.  Wouldn’t recommend doing THAT before your salt water swims though.

He Who Must Not Be Named…..travels to Florida

I don’t know of a better way to learn my camera, get out and enjoy the beach/water and look at things from a renewed perspective than to take my little Artsy Dummy out and about.  He has come to be referred to as “He Who Must Not Be Named” because well…. we didn’t want to insult him and call him a Dummy his whole life.  However, I haven’t heard an intelligent comment from him yet, he's a quiet little guy!

Glad to be back and thanks for stopping by during my break.   It’s always good to be home!

It’s about time….

Fin-A-Lly….finally Spring Break time!!  What a l.o.n.g. winter this has been.  But we survived!  And now it’s time for some much needed rest and beach time.  No big plans once there, just going with the flow.   My favorite way to vacate.  How about you?

Have a nice week yourself.  I’ll see you on the other side.

2010 Accomplishments

Progress begins when I realize where I am falling short.

Quote above was written by Amber at Writing through life

An under-rated accomplishment that I learned this year were the colors of the Rainbow mnemonic!!  ROYGBIV…….the picture above only shows five of the Rainbow Colors: Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Violet….not shown are Yellow and Indigo

This post won’t have any art in it, other than the “art of photography”.  I do enjoy taking decent pictures, and absolutely love being able to see them right away!!  Yeah, Digital!!

I came across Hanna’s post where she wrote 86 creative things that she’s accomplished in 2010.  Eight-six…..my-oh-my….I could only think of 27 accomplishments myself.

MIND…..art, blog, writing

1. Participated in 2011 Sketchbook Project
2. Drew 31 Birds and posted them with stories about their little lives
3. Made 22 Doodle Directory pages each containing 8 doodle patterns
4. Made 2 sets of Alphabet Doodles both lower and upper case. (am considering a third set)
5. Made 30 Doodle Name prints for family and friends
6. Made 4 Art-inspired gifts thru Walgreens
7. Signed up and participated in a Beginning Drawing class this summer
8. Completed 4 composition journals (only words no art)
9. Embroidered Cardinal for college auction
10. Started a Floral Embroidery Wall Hanging…. that I MUST FINISH
11. Wrote 134 Blog posts this year (Thank you Sister Whit for the syntax and grammar help)….had 65 blog posts in 2009.
12. Hosted 2 Giveaways
13. Hosted 1 Contest
14. Entered 2 bookmarks into a Bookmark Contest
15. Interviewed by Eileen Berger about blogging
16. This blog has 175+ followers…..I’m so grateful for each and every one of you.  Just knowing that you stop by every now and then is a HUGE inspiration.  I have enjoyed reading all your encouraging, funny, and kind comments.  tHaNk YoU…ThAnK yOu
17. Graphite Sketched from 6 pictures and drew to completion…..a first ***
    • Friends
    • Picture Frame
    • Bench Monday
    • Looking Down
    • Tutu
    • Senior

BODY…..photography, health

1. Photo Shoot for Hire x 2 (one with 4 children all under the age of 5…..now, that was interesting)
2. Personal Photo Shoot of family member x1
3. Created Photo Calendar for a relative.   (I do this every year, and I’m always pleased with the results.  But I never make one for myself!  Too many choices for me and I'll have issues with being overwhelmed)
4. Gave up carbonated sodas…. trying to drink more H2O.
5. Worked-out 241 days
6. Joined Master’s Swimming

SPIRIT……family, friends, charity

1. Traveled to see family 7 times (I find it important for my creative side to step out of my comfort zone and routine by traveling.  I don’t have to go to TimBuckToo to get benefits, sometimes just a change of scenery with loved ones is all that’s needed.)
2. Preparing to launch child number 2 to college in 2011 (recruiter visits all done, Yeah!)
3. Donated more $ to causes (firefighters, schools, hospitals, salvation army).  Charity starts at home!
4. Friend-ing more people thru facebook….(still not sure what I think about it other than it being a public Bulletin board.  Great way to find out about weddings, babies, re-locations, and causes though)
    

If I am to live… A Good life….A Happy life… A Creative Life…. I must attend to my whole person.  Not just the physical, nor the mental, nor the artsy-side of me.  Our well-being encompasses all different parts.  They are intertwined and when one becomes misaligned then the whole person gets a little out of whack.   I’m striving for balance here.  I find that when I attend to my family and friends this gives me more confidence (fuel) for my art.  When I attend to my body and health,  I gain more stamina and I see things in a different perspective than if I hadn’t exercised at all.  When I attend to good reading, good books, learning new “techy” toys this keeps me on my toes.  Cuz my mind will think regardless, might as well give it a problem to solve or something to figure out!  Keeping up with technology keeps me more connected with my family, friends and kids.  I learn so much from the lives and thoughts of others.  Insert blog-surfing inspiration…. here!  And Spiritually…..if I only live for myself than what good am I????  It’s my belief in God and following the guidance he gives me that gives my life more meaning. 

How do you stay balanced?

Follower Appreciation

I wish today was FRIDAY because then I could title this post “Follower Appreciation on Friday”.  I like alliteration statements.  I had to look this up…. it means “words that start with the same letter or sounds”. 

But here at DD and D (draw doodle and decorate) we don’t always do things in order, the perfect way, or the way one would expect.  After all, last week I posted List It Tuesday on Wednesday.   And even though Decorate is in the title of the blog, I haven’t decorated anything since last Christmas.   All I can say is it’s nice being my own Blog Boss (love this word combo cuz I get to use alliteration….again!! ).  As you can see almost anything goes here.  I’ve got enough to keep track of in my “real life” that I don’t want this blog to be a place that I “have to” post on, or apologize for not posting enough, or ranting about our president and the economy….you know those types of things.  Life’s just too short, and we are all busy and we all understand.  Enough said.

I probably don’t thank you Followers/ Commenters (is that a word?) enough here….because you guys are so nice, and I’m so flattered when you leave a comment or decide to follow.  I don’t think a follow-up comment of just “Thanks” says enough of what it means to me.

So without further adu, here are a few neat sites that have actually linked back to me.  All I can say is these people are so creative and inspiring.  It’s nice to see people having fun with all the pictures/ designs/ blog articles/ art/ doodling and drawing…..it’s just plain neat to meet you!

BLOG LINKS:

1. All I Did Was Listen- by Rachel…..beautiful drawings and living insights here.
2. Artsyville- by Aimee…..Absolutely loaded with tons of fun and creative art to see at this site.
3. Cathartic Creativity- by Dawn…..lots of Art journaling, Painting, Drawing, Book suggestions and other inspiration here.  And this lady knows what she’s doing with her camera!
4. Daisy Yellow- by Tammie….OMG!  She oozes with inspiration and art.  Make sure you have a few hours to spare before you stop by her site.
5. Defining Me- by Lee…..Beautiful Drawing, Beautiful Paintings, Beautiful Journals…..click over you’ll see what I mean.
6. Faerieacres…lots of fun art journaling projects, sewing projects, zentangling……you get the picture.
7. iHanna- by Hanna…..one of my very first blog loves…..Again, INSPIRATION OVERLOAD here.  You will find yourself returning again and again to this site.
8. Judy McCarthy's Drawings- by Judy…….if you zentangle or doodle you won’t want to miss this site.
9. My Quest- by Elena…..Wonderful pictures and funny stories to go along with them…..She always posts the best quotes too!
10. Pumpkin Delight…..you will want to start cooking and baking and EATING after you see the enticing goodies she prepares.
11. Sue Doodles- by Sue…..my most favorite “Doodler of All”
12. The Daily Doodle- by Warren…..this man in on a mission and he WILL accomplish it……Go and Submit your doodle for his World Doodle Challenge (you've got to help him get to A Million Doodles)
13. Wild & Precious Life by Chel……so much talent wrapped up into one blog…..she journals, she makes her own polymer beads, she draws, she writes, she_____ …..you name it!
14. Zendoodle- Wege…..I go just to look at the ZenDoodling because unfortunately I can’t understand a word of German.  Verdammt !!

p.s.  If I’ve missed somebody and you want to be included on my next Follower’s Appreciation post.  Please email me and I’ll include you next time.

Sketch Book Project……Facing Forward

I signed up for the 2011 Sketchbook Project at the urging of Rebecca at Daisydolls Gypsy Caravan early last month. When I received the moleskine given out for the project, I was a bit disappointed with the paper. The rules are pretty flexible, as long as we stay within the dimensions of the book we can rebind or replace the paper with whatever we want.

Being a bit of a paper-snob, I knew what I had to do. I went to my local Art Supply store and got some good Fabriano 140 lb. watercolor paper. I’ve become a bit spoiled using those Watercolor Moleskines. My plan is to cut the 20 x 30 paper into 5x8 pieces and glue them into the 40 page moleskine given for the project.

The theme I chose was, FACING FORWARD. I thought I could draw a few of those little birds that appear so often on here and possibly expand a bit with something else. The project is open to our interpretation. Good thing….should be fun! The deadline is January 15, 2011 for completion. You must sign up by October 31st.

Anyone wondering if they should sign up…..I say “Go ahead, DO IT!!” What have you got to lose? You never know what you’ll be inspired to do because you are committing to something bigger than your Daily Art or Daily Blog. I’m no artist and I signed up!

Downtime

Did you know that 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. Yep, just a little more than 2/3rd’s. Good thing I know how to swim.

The writing used on these pictures is my own handwriting which I made into a font. It’s real simple to have your own font made. Just go to Your Fonts site, download their forms, write each letter out, then scan and upload your form. The font generator will create a .ttf file for you that you can load into your font folder on your pc. Oh, and it’s FREE! How cool is that?