New year wishes...

Well we are a few days into 2011 and I have been thinking about last year and what I aspire for this year. And no matter where 2011 takes me, I know that I am very fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends.

Things I have learnt in 2010

It is ok to say no
Live in the moment and enjoy it
Sometimes you have to realise that it’s their shit not yours (and believe me, this has been a massive learning curve for me)
Gratitude is a humbling thing
Being creative is at my core and I will embrace it
Love, tolerance and compassion for others

To do this year

Learn to use resin on paintings
Fall in love with my sewing machine again
Keep in touch with friends
Follow my dream to be creative
Be healthy
Take an online painting class
Learn pottery
Embrace and celebrate my 40th
Be more creative
Open an etsy shop
Take my art to another level

I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.....and let the love flow :o)

A sketching challenge...

Through this wonderful blogosphere I have come across the amazing work of Kelly Berkey. Her jewellery is so lovely and unique – I love it! She is also part of a community of other female artists and Kelly decided to set up a weekly sketching challenge. So she asked her partner to photograph her and she posts up one picture a week for people to draw or paint. A few people have joined in, and I have decided to dip my toe in the water and have a go.

As quite a few paintings have already been done, I decided to pick a few of the previous challenges and give it a bash. I am really hopeless at drawing faces....I never put them in my paintings if I can help it. When I did a life drawing class a few years ago, I always drew anything BUT the face....so some of these will be a real challenge for me. But I am looking forward to it and will post my offerings whether I like them or not.

On another painting note, Willowing's art class started yesterday and I am looking forward to getting stuck in :o)

Hope you are having a good day!

Helen

Time to learn and have some fun....

The friendly and inspiring Tam from Willowing.ning has created a free paint class called ‘The Heart of Art’ which I have just joined. Normally she charges for her workshops, but she has offered this free to anyone, and at the last count, 865 people have signed up – that is amazing!

It’s not the usual type of art I do, but at the moment I am trying out all different methods and mediums to see if I can find my style. So I am looking forward to being crafty, arty, sewing again and trying something new.

The class starts on Monday 18th (oooh tomorrow!!) and runs for 4 weeks.

I will post up my attempts here, and thank you Tam for being so generous. It is true what they say, by giving to others you receive back tenfold, so you will absolutely flourish!

Have a great Sunday everyone....I'm off to take up another creative challenge - post to follow soon! x