Inspire Me Pinterest.

I've been reviewing some of my mood boards that I've created over the past few years and have noticed that what's inspiring me lately, really hasn't changed that much. I still favor neutrals in a big way. Blues and greens make their way into my art more than the reds do.

My friend and fellow artist Karen, invited me to join Pinterest, an online place to catalogue the things you love. Mood boards that you can share. I can see I'm going have to find some extra minutes in my day to explore this new venue.

Supria Karmakar, the Creator of Inner Works.

Supria Karmakar was the mastermind behind Inner Works, a round robin altered book collaborative. It was her creative spark and organization that turned the whole project into a reality. At the onset it was supposed to be a 6-8 month collaboration but with artistic delays and travel time for the books, it turned into a full years effort. We had 3 artists in the United States, Seth, Roxanne and Jill, and 3 artists in Canada, Supria, Veronica, and myself in the group. If you don't already know Supria's work, or if you do and would like to see more, please visit her website, blog, and Etsy shop.

Supria did 2, 2 page spreads in my book and all her pages are so rich with visual imagery. Supria works mainly with encaustic and indeed there are many layers to her work.

Her colors are bold and there's plenty of texture and added elements and ephemera. Text, words, and beautiful images.

I really like this little pop up that Supria included. It adds a whole new dimension to the spread.

I'm afraid my images here don't really do Supria's work justice. I'm very lucky to have my finished book so I can look at her work in person and feel the texture and even smell the wax. Thank you Supria for including me in this wonderful project. I got to work with 5 very talented artists and I have a beautiful book to show for it.

Spring Break

Met a friend for coffee this morning at a trendy little coffee bar in Liberty Village. Sometimes you have to break from routine and today was the day to do just that. I'll be "out to lunch" for the rest of the week, taking care of a few personal issues, and sitting on a patio somewhere taking in as much as I can of this early spring. See you next week.

Link Love #4

Birds on a Line 4x4 Acrylic on Canvas
Click here to purchase

It's been awhile since I did a Link Love post and it's not because I'm not reading blogs any more. In fact I'm reading more than ever and I keep finding new ones everyday. Sometimes I find it hard to tear myself away from the monitor because there's just one more blog I must read before I get to work. Some are artists that I admire and like their work, fellow Etsy sellers, design and decor driven, and compelling stories of everyday life. So here is a short list of some of my faves lately in no particular order. Happy reading and have a great weekend!!

Kim Hambric Art
Pie and Beach
Yellowgoat
Everyday Possibilities
Heather Smith Jones
Paintblog
Owning Pink
Nest Decorating
Art Esprit
Poppytalk
Decor Addict
Self Taught Artist

A New Year

January 1st in Montreal Canada

And so here we are. It's 2009. Was it not just yesterday that we ushered in a new millennium? Seems so. I have a very optimistic feeling about this year. I guess I'd rather see that glass half full as opposed to half empty. How about you? I started my blog exactly one year ago and I reached 100 posts in that one year. It's coming along quite nicely I think, and is slowly growing in the direction that I've mapped out. I've also met some wonderful blogging friends along this journey. While taking some time off I came up with this little blog manifesto.
1. I started my blog for shameless self promotion. It is to be a vehicle to get my art and my name "out there". To inform my readers, collectors and clients about upcoming events and gallery shows that I'm participating in.
2. This blog works together with my website, other blog(s) and Etsy shop to promote my artwork and (hopefully) increase sales.
3. I will openly and honestly share my creative process as a way to inspire and ignite a creative spark in others.
4. I will share as best I can the positive and negative aspects of what it's like (for me) to be living a creative life as a proffessional working artist.
5. I will share aspects of my personal life and "what's going on in my world" but I will not share all the details of my personal life.

Link Love II

This little watercolor painting is part of my Holiday Collection-affordable, original, one of a kind artworks, matted and ready to frame or wrap. Great to give as a gift or give to yourself. See it and more here in my shop.

Happy Marvelous Monday!! Did you have a great weekend? Saturday was a marathon drive for us as we drove to Ottawa to pick up some of my work from a gallery there. It was about 4 1/2 hours driving each way. After collecting my work we met friends for a very quick lunch and then made our way back. The skies were gray with showers on and off, most of the leaves had already fallen, and we saw lots of Canada geese flying about. All in all a great day.

I want to start today's post by thanking Tammy." Thank you so much-you are so kind!!" Tammy had won my last giveaway and posted about it here. Check out her Etsy shop as she's got some very nice Christmas kits available now, along with all her other beautiful items. Through Tammy's blog, I came across Sharon's blog. Sharon and husband Damein of Mana Moon Studios create fantastic beaded and wired jewelery and some awsome chain maille!!! I also discovered Sherry's blog Esprit d'Art. Sherry, I was pleased to find out is a fellow Torontonian and mixed media artist. You can check out her shop here. I've come across so many wonderful artist bloggers that inspire me immensely. I cannot begin to name them all as I'd be here all day and I really have a long list of "to do's" today. To see some gorgeous photograhy and artwork check out Misty Mawn, Kelley Rae, Sophia Barao.