Successories

I have been able to help at my husband's business by doing some graphic design work.  My skills are fairly limited, but this gives me some practice and helps me to develop some skill.  I've made posters galore, brochures, signs & etc.  I recently made a "successory" for him.  A little cheesy, I know.  But I though I'd share it.  I also tweaked the design and made it into a business card magnet.  I'm glad that I can use my art background in this way.

Mother's Day 2011

This year's Mother's Day is definitely the best and most memorable Mother's Day I've had.  My husband, Justin, and my 13 year-old son, Jacob decided to make a 5 course meal for me.  (It was supposed to originally be 6 courses, but I'll explain that later.)  

The idea sprang from Jacob and Justin's idea to cook together sometime, I think possibly in a cook off.  You see, Jacob has thought about becoming a chef since he was in kindergarten.  However, if he doesn't become a professional chef, no pressure - he'll probably enjoy cooking at home.  

The five course meal took them all afternoon to make - I think much of them for persevering that long.  Each "course" came to me one at a time and they were all great!

Course one was the appetizer.  They made a bruschetta that included an olive paste and balsamic vinegar.  It was amazing - I think it was my favorite of the day.  They astounded me with the presentation as well!

  

Next were two main dishes.  The first one was Ratatouille, which I've never had before.  They even made a shape of a heart with it in the pan.  Awww..... : )

Ratatouille

Can you make out the faint heart shape?

Now the story gets more umm........  interesting.  : )

For the third course, Justin and Jacob planned to concoct three-cheese stuffed shells.  But, it ended up with a different name.  Imagine if you will...  Traditionally with stuffed shells, the shells are stuffed with a mixture, in this case, cheese,  and topped with a sauce.  Well,  somehow directions were miss read and the sauce contained the cheese mixture and the tomato sauce contents together.  Now, if any of you have mixed these ingredients, you know what kind of a sauce you get.   Let's just say - the new title for this course was "Sea Barf".  "Sea" for the shells and the other part for well, you know.  It was, however, very tasty - a lot like lasagna.    (Picture omitted.)

Onto the fourth "course."  Justin made his college days specialty, the virgin strawberry daiquiri.  We were both surprised he'd never made this for me before in our 6 years of marriage, but that's okay.  It was a special day - and he's been making his famous chocolate milkshakes at our house for the last six years instead.

And now for the piece de resistance (sp?).  My guys made me..... a chocolate souffle.  A SOUFFLE!!!  I've never even made a souffle before.  And might I add that is was well executed and delicious.  Ah - I almost forgot - this souffle in the picture is actually their second attempt!  Something didn't quite work out in their first go at it - and it actually turned out like chocolate pudding - very delicious.  It was a good lesson that sometimes good things are created by accident.

So, those are the 5 courses for my Mother's Day meal.  Not bad, eh?  So, what was the 6th course supposed to be, you ask?  Homemade cheeseballs - mainly for our 3 daughters.  But, Jacob is planning to make them later this week.   

I felt so loved by my dear husband and dear son on Mother's Day.  It was WAY better than eating out. 

I thought I'd share this day partly because creating food is a creative endeavor.  As you can see on a previous post, "Food" is one of the title chapters in the book I've been reading lately entitled, The Hidden Art of Homemaking.  Food is not only for necessary for life, but taking the care to create a simple meal or extravagant one with love and care is a type of communication and demonstration of creativity.  

The Hidden Art of Homemaking

I have been reading a book with the above title by Edith Schaeffer.  No, the book is not what you probably think it is.  I'll describe it briefly the best that I can.  It starts with the premise that God is the perfect artist and all art reflects his glory.  We are created in the image of the Creator, therefore "we can and are made to be creative".  This book has given me freedom to be creative and convinced me that it is not a waste of time.  I've been stuck partly from thinking that all of my artwork should be for sale or made to advance my "career".  Not so.  I need to create - even if it's only for one other's person's eyes.  I don't dare to write more right now.  I want to bring you with my on this journey chapter by chapter.  I'll give you a sneak peek of what the chapter titles are.  


1.  The First Artist
2.  What is Hidden Art?
3.  Music
4.  Painting, Sketching, Sculpturing
5.  Interior Decoration
6.  Gardens and Gardening
7.  Flower Arrangements
8. Food
9.  Writing - Prose and Poetry
10.  Drama
11.  Creative Recreation
12.  Clothing
13.  Integration
14.  Environment


So, by the chapter descriptions, is it about what you originally thought it was about based on the title?

Dwell

Our church is going through the book of Philippians right now. Last weekend, the sermon was about Phil. 4:8-9. "Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Just yesterday, I took to heart and changed my typical thought patterns from what these verses said. Here's the back story. I was getting frustrated with myself again, for not spending time being creative. (I have only created one finished non-commissioned work of art since graduating college in 2003.) Just a couple of days ago, I had opened an old journal (from 6 years ago) and one of the first pages had this verse and a paragraph stating what I want to be and do as an artist. Then it dawned on me. Art can be a very consuming thing, and in my life it is not number one. So, when I DWELL on it.... when it becomes the thing that my brain goes to when it's in neutral, it has become consuming. And as I said, I become frustrated and irritable because I'm giving it the place in my life that is not meant to be.

All this being said, I think I can begin to exercise my creativity through journaling, art work, writing and not be frustrated because I am going to keep it in its proper place. BTW, thanks to Linda Dillow who included the priority planner in her book Creative Counterpart. After reading this book several times, I'm finally going to put this part into practice and plan my priorities accordingly.

So, I am going to dwell.... with God..... and everything else should fall into place a little better.

I'm Back

Okay, I'm back.  Sorry for the long hiatus .  I have so many thoughts running through my head right now.  I'm sure only a few will make it to the page.  I have decided to get back in gear and produce work that is my own.  This is the first painting I have done for me, just me.  Not for a professor, nor a customer or even a friend.  This is from my soul.  I've realized, if I want people to appreciate my work, I need to produce.  End of story.  So, here is a start.  A baby step.

I've realized over and over again that I need deadlines to get things done.  (I think this is common with artists, no?)  I am going to give myself small deadlines such as entering a couple of works and the state fair and so on; so that I complete new work.  I also want to continue encouraging you with ideas to stimulate creativity.  Stay tuned for more frequent posts.  They will probably occur late at night or early morning - when this mom of 4 finds the time!  Enjoy!

Mural for Apt. Office

I have been working on a mural of an apartment complex courtyard this week.  I should be able to finish it next week.  I would have a picture to upload, but I'm having difficulties uploading pictures right now.  When I am working on commissioned pieces, i take a break from cultivating my creativity.  So, hopefully I will resume that soon.

Paper Making

Last Friday my 2 older kids, our friend Ariana and I made paper for the first time.  We had a book and an online article as our guide.  I want to build up different collage elements to keep for future projects!  Here is what we found out the worked for us.  I kept it as inexpensive as possible and we experimented with 3 types of paper.  Of tissue paper, pattern paper and newspaper, I found that newspaper definitely worked the best.  

If you want to do this project you will need:

a mold and deckle (frame with screen)

buckets

blender

scrap paper

add-ins such as glitter, leaves and yarn

water

large plastic spoon

bleach (opt.)

felt squares slightly larger than screen

brayer

Here are the steps:

1.  First Make a screen (a homemade version of a mold and deckle) by stretching nylon screen or actual women's nylons over a bent wire hanger or frame.  I made mine by stretching a pair of nylons over a frame made from 4 painter's stretcher bars.  It worked great.

2.  We ripped the paper into approx.  1" squares and soaked them for at least 2 hours in an ice cream bucket filled with water.  I even poured in a little bleach to remove some ink - I think it helped.

3. Place batches of the paper into a blender about 1/3 pulp with 2/3 water.

4.  Place the pulp back into the bucket and add glitter, leaves, dried flowers, yarn or any other small items.  We also tinted our pulp with acrylic paint.  I know there is paper dye, but this cost effective alternative worked for us.

5.  Spoon pulp onto the screen.  (We also tried placing the pulp into a rectangular tub with water and scooping it with the screen, but preferred the spooning method.)

6.  After most water has dripped through the screen, turn over onto felt.  Roll brayer on the back of the screen to release the pulp.

7.  Let dry for 3 days and peel off of felt.  I love the contrast between the 2 sides on each paper - a smooth pale side and a more textured vibrant side.

After completing this project, I am inspired to mold or emboss paper pulp with found objects or handmade molds of oven bake clay.  I will probably wait to do this when planning a particular art piece.