Sketchbook Project 2011

Seth from the Altered Page recently wrote about the sketchbook project.  Those of you who have been following my blog for a while may recall that I participated in it towards the end of last year.  Unfamiliar with the project?  It's said to be like a concert tour but with sketchbooks.  Over 28,00 people signed up and almost 10,000 sketchbooks were eventually submitted.

Seth was kind enough to check out my sketchbook at the Brooklyn Art Library which is where the tour is kicking off this month.

This project was a personal challenge because I can't draw, had never art journaled before and was a complete departure from the type of textured artwork that I usually create.  Whilst I'm not entirely comfortable with what I produced I learnt a lot about myself as part of the process.

Seth's post made me realize that I only ever shared a few of the pages from my sketchbook so I thought I would take the opportunity to share more with you here today.

  

  

 

Did you participate in the project?  If you did please feel free to share links to any artwork of your submissions.  I love seeing the work of other artists.

I'm hoping to catch the tour when it makes it's way to DC so if you have any suggestions or favorites that you think I should check out be sure to let me know.  Have a great weekend.

Productivity

It felt good to be a little more productive today.  Nothing beats getting the brushes out and getting paint on everything.

I've also been busy pulling together some hanging art ornaments for the craft show I'll be exhibiting at in a little over a week.  Just a few more pieces to price up and I think I'm pretty much there.

What fun things have you accomplished today?

Dreams

Dreams have always held a fascination for me, not least because I dream so frequently.  Many believe that our dreams provide us with an understanding of ourselves, contain messages and help reveal things about us . . . . the hard part is trying to interpret all that information.

What I also find fascinating is an element that appears regularly within mine.



I'm one of those people that has to get up each night to use the bathroom.  What's strange is that whatever I'm dreaming about, a toilet or bathroom gets incorporated into my dream, then not long after I wake up and go.  Does anyone else experience this?  I think it's the weirdest thing.

Over the years I've also had recurring dreams (like trying desperately to fly while being chased and being surrounded by snakes).

What images do you see when you dream at night?  Do you dream in color or in black and white? 

New Art Painting

Red Trees

Otolaryngology

Saw the ear, nose and throat specialist this afternoon about the vertigo that I've been experiencing.  It would seem he's not entirely sure what's causing the problem.  

Next step is to have an MRI followed by a visit to the neurologist.  Not quite the outcome I was looking for but hopefully it will be a step in the right direction.  

Sunday Creative 'Warmth'

Definition . . . . .noun 1. the quality or state of being warm 2. zeal, ardor, fervor

Ablaze

Interested in joining the Sunday Creative, click here for more information.

The Promise Of Spring

the promise of spring

whispered on a breeze

she takes her time

as winter makes it's reluctant retreat

Lost In Translation

Since moving to the US there have been funny and often embarassing moments where I've learnt that, whilst Brits and American's both speak English, there are several words which remain completely different.  I can usually tell when I've said something out of 'left field' by the nervous smiles and puzzled looks that I elicit.

The one I always have a hard time with is what American's call the fanny pack (Brits call it a bum bag).  For while 'fanny' refers to someone's butt in the US it's a woman's vaginia in the UK.  You can imagine the kind of confusion that could result in!

Photo by Nicola Dyche

Then the other day I was driving in my car when an advert came on the radio station . . .  the ad was 'Cash For Clinkers'.  In true American style they repeat the phrase what seems like a million times during the course of the commercial and each time they repeated it I would find myself doubled over in fits of laughter.  

Obviously here in the US they're offering cash for old cars but in the UK when some says 'clinkers' they're refering to crusty clumps of 'poo'.  Ever seen a sheep with matted poop covered dreads hanging from their backsides, yes those my friends are 'clinkers'.

For two countries that claim to speak the same language there sure are many phrases that get completely lost in translation.

Vertigo

Over the past month I have been experiencing some pretty horrible vertigo.

This image conveys how I feel right now.

Image consists of photography by Chris Dyche, scanned self portrait by Kathryn Dyche Dechairo and texture by Kim Klassen.

Love Is . . . . .

warming my cold feet on his
laughter

eye contact across a crowded room

shared moments

being there for each other through the good and the bad

holding hands

being enveloped in a warm embrace

friendship

morning kisses before he heads off to work

thoughtfulness

quirks that make us uniquely us

unconditional

Love Is . . . . . sharing my life with the man I love.

Happy Valentines Day

New Art Canvases

I couldn't let the week go by without sharing some of my new creations . . . .

Green Moonlit Tree

(inspired by woodland walks)

Love

(for those who find it difficult to say it)

Seahorse

(these magical creatures amaze and inspire me)

Wishing you all a fun filled weekend.

What Lurks In The Shadows?

Last night the shadows lurked menacingly around every corner and each creak and moan the house made was shrouded with an eerie quality.

Drifting off into the realms of sleep I'd find myself jolted awake just moments later, senses heightened, sensing a presence.

 

Lying in the the darkness, I'd listen intently . . . . searching for a sound, something that seemed out of place.  Turning on the bedside light I'd find my fears unfounded, yet unable to shake the ominous feeling that had settled over me, a fitful night of sleep ensued.

Why is it that shadows can be welcome friends during the day yet bring a sense of foreboding at night?

Textures

About a year ago I purchased Photoshop Elements and was excited about how this new software would help transform my photos.  As it turned out I was too intimidated to use it. 

Just recently I stumbled upon a free e-course by Kim Klassen called Learn Textures In Ten where she talks you through adding texture to your photos using the layers tool.

 

 

It was an easy to follow, fun tutorial and I'm sure I'll be putting my new found knowledge to use in future blog posts.  I feel as though I'm unfashionably late to the party, but better late than never.

Wesley

Have any of you read Wesley: The Story of a Remarkable Owl by Stacey O'Brien? 

My mother and father always had a strong connection to owls and would often see them while they were out driving.  After my father passed away my mother continued to see them and found comfort in their presence (did you know Native Americans believe that owls are sent to guide us through dark places as friends)?

My mother bought me a copy of this book as a Christmas present.  I kept putting off reading it, not really sure it would be my-kind-of-thing but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down.

It truly is the most incredible story about the relationship between a woman and a barn owl and is so honestly and beautifully written.  It makes you laugh and cry and is one of those rare books that leaves you forever changed after reading it.  

Have you read it, what did you think?

What Questions Are You Living? {#reverb11}

Prompt:  One month into 2011, what questions are you living?

So many questions reverberating around my head . . . . .

. . . . . big ones, small ones, business ones, personal ones, silly ones, serious ones, some that I'd admit to, others I wouldn't.  Too many to grasp on to, too many to ponder, to many to answer.

For some there are no answers, just the passing of time.  Time for them to play out and for the answers to unfold like the wings of a butterfly.

New Artwork

'Raven Moon' (a new personal favorite) was inspired by the mysterious qualities of the raven and the strong pull I feel to a full moon.

Raven Moon

Textured Acrylic Art Painting

'The Embrace' represents the connectivity that comes from reaching out.  Purple isn't a natural color palette for me so was a fun deviation.

The Embrace

Textured Acrylic Art Painting

When one word says it all.

Love

Textured Acrylic Art Painting

Have a fun weekend and I'll see you on the other side.

Tufted Titmouse

I honestly can't remember the last time I took photos of birds . . . I used to all the time but I guess I've been so busy photographing my work that somewhere along the line I forgot to stop and appreciate what nature put right on my doorstep.

Yesterday, armed with my zoom lens, I topped up our bird feeders, waited . . . .  and they came.

There were many different birds but I hold a soft spot for the tufted titmouse.  They are so full of character and totally rock their mohawks!

It was fascinating to watch them breaking open the sunflower seeds and eat the contents.

A beatiful moment in an otherwise ordinary day, I need to take the time to do this more often.

A Case Of The Blah's

I thought that as January gave way to February my mood would shift.  That the heavy cloak of murky greyness would lighten, elevating my spirit in the process. 

. . . .  but the grey mist lingers like a bad smell as I find myself searching the horizon for small glimmers of sunshine.

It's like mother nature has dipped too many paintbrushes in the water and it's gone all murky.  I'm ready for the fresh color palette that I know she loves.  I guess she needs a break like the rest of us but I find myself impatient, eagerly waiting for her to dry off her brushes, clean out the water and start painting again.

Unique Valentines Day Gifts

Why not mix it up this year with the help of some valentine inspired art?

  

  

  

Heart Art

by Kathryn Dyche Dechairo