collaged paint chips

Hello March! What lovely words to say… to shout even! I'm not sure where February went to… seems to have disappeared under a pile of snow. Spare time for my own creativity was buried under the white blanket too. I kept chasing the calendar for a date for Bliss Art and finally realized that an hour or two in the last days of the month were all that I'd catch. Collage and color were what I've been craving, so I picked up a large paint chip card and went to town with cut outs from maps and books and plenty of washi and fabric tape. There's something so satisfying about just using scissors and paste.

 Paint cards or chips are such a great foundation for collage. I plan on making these with "my" tween girls, who often look at a blank canvas with trepidation.They provide a perfect sturdy base to build upon, come in an assortment of hues, and are filled with intriguing words.  Grab a few the next time you're in the paint section… and reach for your scissors and gluesticks!

happily free

My friend Karen just finished her collage a day challenge with all of the proceeds going to her Regional Food Pantry. You can read how she came up with this wonderful idea here. It's simple and inspiring. I loved peeking in on all of the collages as they rolled in. Each one was totally unique. And this one, above… well, it had my name on it. Or rather the idea behind this year's favorite word (release). So I snapped it up and have been searching for a place to display it.

Hmmmm….  I think right here above the southern window in my studio with some other bird friends… yep, that's the spot.

And now I'm certain that this month's Bliss Art Day must be all about collage. And I'm tempted to move the date up to today!

bliss-art::release

I never shared my word for this year. It didn't come easily. There was a lot of searching and listening well into the first week of January. I knew it didn't matter when I found it, but I was starting to get frustrated as one word after the other didn't fit. And then I let go. And of course, that was the answer to not only it appearing… but essentially WHAT that word was. RELEASE. Upon claiming it… lots of things instantly fell away or loosened enough to begin what will be a very important year. A year of release in my home, my life, and my work. From new books and projects being released into the world to  letting go of things that have bound me for so long. It's time. I'm ready.

And so my scheduled bliss-art day arrived this morning. I chose to focus on what my word for 2015 represents to me. 

 I made little watercolor illustrations to remind me. They'll be finished up with some string and shared here on Monday when I  hang them as a watercolor banner of release symbolism. The couple of  hours set aside to play with my box of paints was a true gift. Hope you can make a little time to play also!

Happy Weekend!

bliss-art days

 My house is silent, cozy, and peaceful. It's just me here… for the first time in so many weeks. I'm planning and plotting the near and distant future. 

Starting in January of 2012, I've made it a priority to take good care of myself with exercise, beautiful food- and regular yoga has been added in now too. When I got sick with the flu a couple of weeks ago, I gained a deeper appreciation for all of my hard work and wanted to shout out to the world… "Take care of yourself! Stay healthy!" But my head hurt too much, and I couldn't move off of the couch.  Now that I'm well, I'm more committed than ever to keeping my body strong. But I'm ready to add in another piece of self-care that has eluded me for the past few years.  I 'm sharing, because maybe you're aching for it too.

What happened to creating for the simple joy of it? You know- making for pure pleasure, as my daughter and her friends do- so freely. Of course, I've made things to sell, gifts for others, items for my kids, and plenty of soulful crafting for healing. It's all good- but I want to make (at least a little time) for creating art for nothing more than exploration.  I'm busy. Clearly. Once a month shouldn't be too much to ask for. I'll try a new medium, paint more, sew something frivolous, and maybe even pick up my knitting needles! If I don't make room for this- who will? I hereby declare them my monthly bliss-art days!  I deserve at least one a month! You do too, don't you think? Let's mark our calendars thoughtfully to ensure our success!

These paper animal spirits were created as a "bliss-art" warm-up right before I sat down to write to you.  I tried using this technique with my stamps. LOVE it, and so will you!  No hand carving necessary.

Happy 2015 my friends!