Here is the cutest Snowman!!!

On December 19th I was fortunate enough to win a great Christmas bead from ArtBeadScene Blog ...my prize is the cutest Snowman made by Jennifer Heynen, from Jangles holiday bead collection, ...it arrived yesterday and here it is below.

I think it is so cute...I'm not sure whether I will make a Christmas tree decoration or possibly a broach would be great at Christmas time!!!
Thank you Jennifer for providing the snowman, and Art Bead Scene for the contest!

Portrait Workshop with Misty Mawn!

Next I'd like to tell you about a leap of faith for me...some of you may know that I've always felt that I should be painting...I gave it a try about 10 years ago, but I didn't have the patience for it as I didn't know what I was doing...this fall I signed up for a water color class, but only attended one class as sometimes things change, I just couldn't work it in...but...I happened to see a post regarding an online art workshop, painting portraits, at a great blog I visit The Art & Life of Misty Mawn. That sounded perfect for me...I've never been interested in portraits but I'd never tried either so even if I didn't learn to love doing portraits I would learn aspects of painting, besides I felt drawn to this course, I do believe in following my instincts...so tomorrow, January 15th we begin!!!

The pencil drawings are a warm up given to all the participants...a "blind drawing"...and yes they look rather funny but drawing without looking at the paper produces the following sketches, at least from me it does...here is what we did...

Below is a self portrait

Use a photo or live model place your pencil on the paper and very slowly follow the outline of the face with your eyes at the same time draw what your eye is following...but here is the catch...without lifting your pencil!!! That made it doubly difficult for me...at first I didn't enjoy the process as I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I didn't like that the faces were all messy...funny I know!

At first it rather frustrated me so I would erase a whole face...but I reminded to go slow and enjoy the process, not worrying about the results!!! That was uncomfortable at first for me...

I did a total of three pages, and by the end I was having fun and not worrying about the face being a mess...which I'm sure was the intention of the exercise...

My grandson is the two on the right, not sure about the other two?

This is my daughter!

I'll post more as the workshop progresses...I'm excited to see how it will allow me to express myself...

Cheers

My "Arte y Pico" Award!!!!

I was given two amazing awards in less than a week...what can I say but I'm thrilled! As I was composing my recipient's list for the "Sweet Home" award, Heidi from Health Nut Wannabee Mom blog was composing her recipient's list for the Arte y Pico award and you guessed it...I chose Heidi as one of my recipient's and Heidi chose me as one of her recipient's! Such a wonderful coincidence!!!


I was given the Arte y Pico award on Sunday June 23rd, but I decided to wait a few days before I posted my list, the reason being is it is simply amazing to me two people would decide to pass both the "Sweet Home" award and the Arte y Pico award along to me and I wanted both awards to stand alone...each award to be front and center for a few days without competing.



Now to the business at hand......

"The Arte y Pico Award"

The "Arte y Pico" award was created and to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and their talents, whether it be writing, artwork in all media's. When you receive this award it is considered a "special honor". Once you have received this ward, you are to pass it on to at least 5 others.

1) The winner of the award must choose 5 bloggers that they consider deserving of this award for the creativity, design, posts and contribution to the blogging community, no matter the language.

2) Each award given has to have the name of the author and a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award winner and the giver of this award must show the link of the "Arte y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5) Post these rules.

The following are the perfect artist to receive this award as they are artists "who inspire others with their creative energy and their talents".

• Kinsey Barnard a fine art photographer and Kotey Bear, Kinsey's Siberian Husky can be found here...Photography, Philosophy & Pearls of Wisdom, Simply Photos and Life With a Nature and Wildlife Photographer. Three simply amazing blogs chocked full of wonderful photographs of Kinsey's and Kotey's journeys...simply amazing!!!
• Michelle Basic Hendry, found at Artscapes, Musings on Art & Life, is an award winning artist, photographer, graphic designer and writer.
  
• Timothy of timothy adams designs, in his own words "brings metal to life"...a fabulous metal artist whose work is always fresh, exciting and unique! He is also the mind behind the amazing Buried Treasury blog...a spot to show case Etsy handmade treasures. I can't forget his wonderful book "the handbook to handmade volume 7" a wonderful compilation of Etsy artists.
  
• You will find Benny Greenberg at Ya-ttitude.com, Defining Attitude for the 21st Century... Benny is an amazing man whose writings are some of the most clear, to the point and inspiring pieces I've read...if nothing else he will make you stop and think about you and your life!
  
• timethief's blog is. This time ~ This Space...where she writes about a variety of topics including aromatherapy, massage, internet relationships, relationships, sexuality, sensuality, spirituality, love and happiness...her writing is heartfelt, inspiring, interesting, straight forward and helpful but above all it is honest!!!

Click around...these are amazing blogs by talented artists regardless of their medium...I'm sure you will enjoy reading these as much as I do...
Cheers Heather