Just as I listed as one of my goals this year, I want to spend more time painting and drawing, and really be consistent with it. Often times, ideas come to me but I honestly don't do much with these visions, instead I set them aside with the rest of my collection. To release these ideas on an empty canvas and paper is what I hope to do. I thought I should discover and try out new techniques, use different mediums, and allow life's wonders inspire me. So I took a trip to my local craft store and purchased a pack of 4" by 4" tiny flat canvas. With these little blank surfaces, I plan to paint on a canvas every week. Each piece will portray the significance of my week or anything that really inspires me. After a few months I hope to have collected a bunch of tiny paintings/drawing/collages displayed on my wall. I'll try my best to post up my creations every week. For those of you who have a crafty and creative mind, I encourage you to put those skills into practice. Whether it be through art, photography, or music, embrace them. Dont you dare let them run dry, let those creative juices flow. Happy Friday y'all!
So October is the month when pumpkins are in season and I just about love everything pumpkin. Ive only carved pumpkins a few times through out my life and I have to admit, I terribly lack skill in carving pumpkins. They never turn out the way I picture it to be, so instead I chose to go the easy route and paint pummy pumpkins.
Oct 1st marked the 8th year of the Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts festival. Again it was held at Marie Reeds Learning Center in Adams Morgan. This fun artsy festival is filled with amazing crafty vendors, a huge variety of yummy food, and tons of entertainment. Last year was the first year I attended this festival and I absolutely loved it! I have long awaited for this day to come so the rain and cold weather couldnt really stop me and neither did stop the rest of DMV area, there were tons of people who came out this year. Anyways, I took quite a few shots of the event and the art pieces i utterly adored and here they are below, along with a link to the artist's site...
Such a neat idea, turning old books into journals!
Gosh i want one of these felt creatures hanging on my wall Horrible Adorables<---- love the name This adorable boy is quite the sales man, i just had to buy a stamp after his stamp demonstration. I was really impressed, he actually designs most of the stamps Gioconda Padovan
The artist, Kristen Rask came all the way from Seattle to share these little stuffed creatures which are undeniably cute Schmancy Toys
Hurricane Irene is bearing down on the east coast and has got everyone going crazy. From staring out the window time to time and watching the news, it looks really rough out there. I constantly hear sounds of the rain and the blustering wind. Since i live in the inner coastal plain, its not as bad as other areas. Tons of people from New York to North Carolina are forced to evacuate the area. I cant imagine how intense the storm has hit those areas. Hope everyone is taking cover and staying safe.
This storm has got us stuck indoors, for me im safely tuck in the comforts of my house. Im usually always out and its rare for me to stay home all day. So honestly I dont mind it as much, it gives me an opportunity to catch up on unfinished projects and do neat new things.
I havent touched the oven in a good while and i thought this would be the perfect time to bake some goodness, especially since my younger cousin is celebrating his birthday tomorrow. I decided to stick with strawberry cupcakes because i have tons of strawberries in my fridge waiting to be eaten. I got the recipe online but i tweaked it a bit, instead of milk i used vanilla soymilk. Im sure this substitution made a huge difference in the crust, but in the end is was still really tasty and moist. Instead of making the strawberry icing the recipe advised, i used store bought creamcheese frosting to top the cakes. I didnt have all the ingredients needed for the frosting so i was stuck with the store bought frosting. Next time though
I made miniature cupcakes with fun sprinkles to decorate these scrumptious delights. For those who dont know me, when i bake, i usually bake cupcakes. Yes, im nuts about them but I need to break out of the whole cupcake craze and try baking other goods. Maybe cookies or pie, who knows.
Aside from baking and frosting, I did a bit of cleaning, watched half a movie, listened to music, read a bit of Stephin Chbosky's book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, organized my stuff, and painted.
To add to my mermaid craze, i painted a mint green tinted hair mermaid. I think my whole fascination with mermaids started with the Disney movie, The Little Mermaid. I fell in love with that movie the first time i watch it as a young girl, and ive always adored that red haired mermaid, Ariel. Anyways with this painting, the mediums i used are acrylic,ink,and spray paint. Since we are currently under the conditions of a hurricane, i named the mermaid, or should i say the siren, Irene. I havent decided on an actual title for this painting but it will come eventually.
Before i end this post, i must share a music video of The Civil Wars
I just adore the duo singers, Joy Williams and John Paul White and the connection they have, its hard to believe they arent a couple.
Dance Me To The End Of Love
Much love kiddos. Till next time, take care out there
Water For Elephants, is one of the books Im currently reading. Each page is filled with vivid details and richness, this book verily opens the doors to a world of fantasy- the Circus World. I am absolutely smitten by the 20th century circus and fairground lore. I looked up and gazed upon some circus pictures, the beauty and nostalgia is captivating, the amazing outfits and costumes, the obscure sights, animals big and small, and the striking patterns. Here are some of the pictures I found
The Circus theme can be interpreted for any composition through the colors and patterns.
Actually one of my favorite Pan&Tea original tote designs is sprinkled with a circus motif. Its mixed with stripes, floral, and polka dots, and charmingly displays the boldness of primary colors. Its currently on sale on My Etsy,check it out!
The inner lining is a cute floral gray and white design, oh yah,
this bag is also reversible.
I was also inspired by the circus theme a while back and painted this piece you see below. Its filled with playful and fanciful shapes and colors. I used acrylic to paint the background and the organic shapes, then i used ink to rumply trace around the figures. Cut out vintage picture of a little girl and modge podged it and added a little stache.
