Saturday, January 8, 2011

Sketchbook Challenge

I have joined the flickr group for the Sketchbook Challenge and plan to add at least one photo of my sketchbook per week. I was inspired by Lyric Kinard to add drawing to my list of goals for 2011. I have been keeping sketches of various items I thought that I would like to make, including dolls, vests, art quilts, jewelry, etc.  These are scattered in any number of books, some real artists sketchbook, others any old notebook or diary that was handy. I seriously doubt that at this moment I could even locate all of these books.  I have never gotten into the habit of keeping a journal with me at all times, so I tend to just put notes on whatever paper I have with me.  Some make it into more permanent locations, but most do not.  I am challenging myself to draw something each day. Right now I am not going to narrow the focus, but at some point it will probably make sense if I want to really improve my skills. 

Friday, January 7, 2011

Three Creative Studios

I have been following Three Creative Studios since it was only Two Creative Studios.  These three artists have a wonderful site that offers free instructions for personal use, classes, and many interesting challenges.  They have changed how they running all of their offerings and are having a giveaway for persons who go and comment on their site.  Visit Three Creative Studios and make a comment for a chance to win some really awesome stuff.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The Sketchbook Project

I procrastinated for months ignoring the little blue book from the Sketchbook Project that sat on the printer table.  I was not certain where I wanted to go with the project, so I did nothing, not even some scribble in a notebook with ideas.  I am now giving the pages a wash of color and then will make decisions about what to do next.  My topic is lines and grids, so I plan to use on some of the techniques I have learned in the last few year.  I will actually draw designs with  markers, pencils, etc. As a fiber artist this will be a stretch.  I do not draw, but I will now.  I will create some temporary screens using freezer paper and print grids on some of the pages. I will glue and/or stitch paper and fabric designs on some pages.  I will stitch by hand -- something I never do unless it is a binding on a quilt. I am a machine person, but this project calls for hand work.  Pictures to follow when I begin adding the lines and grids designs to the pages.

Happy New Year

I posted on facebook that I would do art every day and that I would blog at least once per week. I want to use this year to find my artistic voice.  To play with all the techniques that I have learned either in classes, from blogs, online courses and reading.  I want to make art that reflects me, not those whose techniques I have learned, if not entirely mastered.