Barbados Sea Island Cotton Birds Nest

Restoration Journal

I have been spending a bit more time in my Restoration Journal which I created a while back, and is made from an old university prospectus that I picked up at an opening.

It is great to be able to recycle and make something creative, and find ways to use the supplies that you have alongside the things that you may have in your home and bring new life to it.

Each morning one of my routines is to work in my journals both written and art and spend time reflecting on the things that I need to do for the day.  I am blessed to have quite a large window that I can gaze out of as I contemplate.

I noticed a while back a couple of birds landing on the branches of the mahogany tree in front of me and they kept coming back as if they were checking me out, I later realised they were looking for prime real-estate to set up home.

 

Bird Checking out the Branches for a new home

And that is what they did! Over time they began to collect cotton from the cotton plant and build a nest for themselves.  They strengthened it with a few twigs in some strategic places and then it was done.

Barbados Sea Island Cotton Birds Nest

I imagine it to be ultra comfortable and soft, they are using Barbados Sea Island Cotton after all, and it is known all around the world for being the softest, and greatest quality, so they chose wisely.

Other lovely sites that I get to see as I gaze outside my window are rainbows, sounds quite magical doesn't it.  I appreciate the time I get to spend in the studio and the  insights that come from being in a creative space.

Before the rainbow comes the rain, but nature is in sync

As the birds build their nest and make the most from their surroundings I too look around my space and am grateful for what I have at my disposal, and how I have made it feel homely to me.  

Think about where you are and the things that you have in your space that you can sometimes take for granted, and look at them with new eyes.  What wildlife can you see around you adapting to their environment and utilizing what nature has available.

Rainbows adding the magical touch to the studio

Spend time in your art journal and create a page that expresses how you feel about your space, those things that you can sometimes take for granted, or those things you need to see with a fresh pair of eyes.

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Transformation Thursdays - Mixed Media Art Painting

Transformation - what does it mean to you?  Do you think of dramatic change or small change, is there something that you can think about that you can remember showing this transformation that took place.

For me transformation is about change from one thing to the next.  If we consider the flower, starting from a seed, and after a period of time what emerges from the ground is totally different from what was planted, and will change as it matures into what it is supposed to be..  Change can take place in many different ways.

I see the way that creativity transforms a blank canvas to an amazing work of art.  I would like to think that I am part of the big transformation that takes place, adding my 'two pennies' worth and making a difference in the world. 

These paintings over the course of the weeks that I produced them was about simply looking at a card and creating something totally different.

In each painting a character came forth and had their own story to tell about transformation, and what it could now mean for the life of a painting.  It could be sold, kept in a draw, displayed for all to see with special meaning and purpose. 

Anyway, my girl with the flower has her story of transformation that brought her this far, gracing the pages of this blog and into your homes.  What she cannot express through words she shares with her expression.

Knowing that you can create why don't you get out your favorite art supplies and spend some time playing with colour and texture, it could be the very thing that you need right at this moment.

Mixed Media Art - Girl with the flower

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Transformation Thursdays - Mixed Media Painting - Bird Friend

Where we currently live we constantly hear the sound of the birds in the morning.  We have two large trees at the front of our house known as 'Bearded Fig Trees' and there are 3 different types of birds that seem to nest quite happily in their branches.  

Obviously while they frolic in the trees they are usually tweeting away at different pitches and tones and it is quite a beautiful way to start the day as I flow into my normal morning routine and start my day.

The other thing they seem to bring here as well as in my old house are seeds of unknown trees.  I just found out today that the thing that I thought was a weed is actually a pomegranate tree!  I couldn't be happier as I had actually just brought one after contemplating growing from seeds but the plant was cheaper than buying just one fruit.

Anyway along with bringing seeds and song they also leave their calling card on the back of chairs and the hand rail, so that part of their morning joy is not appreciated, but I guess I can live with it.

I wanted to share my latest of the series of paintings that I had done on small cards. 

They start out with the scraps of paper collage on card and a loose shape for the body is then outlined.  You can take a look at the video below to see it from start to finish as well.

Because of the background colours I try and keep the paint I use to a minimum and do a lot of blending to get the shades and colours that I like.

The ladys then take on a life of their own and come with their stories to be told.  This young one came with a friend, not sure of the breed of bird it is, but it seems to have a lot of character

Perhaps it is related to one of those birds that come and tell all first thing in the morning.

I encourage you to start a daily practice whether you paint, draw, or take photographs while out on your walk.

Bird Friend

You can also check out some of the courses that I have been teaching on, The Journey Within, One BadAss Journal and Embrace Your Art Jam, for ways in which you can tap into your creativity.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Bird on my shoulder - process video

I wanted to share this short video with you today that shows you how I created this piece, hope you like it.

click on the video below to see how I made it.

I have lots to share with you over the coming weeks, sit back, relax and enjoy.  Blessings