Yum Yum Turkey Day!

I hope everyone has a fine thanksgiving with all the trimmings. Hope everyone has someone to be with, and not be alone.

A day to be thankful and enjoy all the hard work with love, from those that provide the goodies.

I am thankful just to be here and enjoy my family. That is alot to be thankful for.

Every year is memorable, and different right. I feel guilty my daughter doing so much work.

I have been very ill this year and at times wondered if I would be here this Thanksgiving.

Health is one of the most important things to be thankful for, next to loved ones.

When we have our health sometimes we take it for granted.

I love doing my etsy, cards and holiday special things. It brings me alot of joy.

Hope you the best, and a wonderful day.

Patricia

Weakness--Health Is What You Make It!

Sorry awhile since I posted. This blog today is not about art, but
is a strong part of my art life, I have delt with for 8 months. I hope this can inspire others that
have been unhealthy, not being able to live a normal life, and no answers.
I have been going to doctors since March when I was experiencing extreme weakness
and could barely function in my everyday life.
I had blood test after blood test, and had to live, if you call it that. I felt like the life force
in my body was being drained out of me, getting weaker by the weak. I could not even
perform simple tasks like making the bed, or putting in a load of laundry.
It was so frustrating, doctors not really understanding the extreme weakness and the extent.
I think because of my age 63 they thought I just tired easily.
I began taking supplements that did help a little, but nothing to get me to what I call a normal
day. You begin thinking the worst and as the months go on imagine all sorts of things.
I felt so bad, like I was dying, but no pain, no organs shutting down, that I started putting
my affairs and things to do, for my kids, not knowing.
I think now that it was the incompetient doctors not looking at blood tests, and knowing simple things to look for that can change a person's life.
It makes one so depressed, and a few weeks ago, thought I just couldn't take much more. I went from a very active woman, always on the go to homebound and dependent on my family to take me to a store.
Low and behold someone looked at a blood test and found I had an extreme Vitamin D deficiency. All these months of every supplement, and seaching the internet for answers. The one thing I wasn't taking in a regular or required even daily amount, was Vit. D.
I thank God, for prayers answered finally. It is not always in our time, and realize always that God sometimes wants us to really get it. Health and feeling of well being we can take for granted. I got it now, and the things I did with nutrition and vit. supplements, I will always continue now. What I did do on my own sustained my life I believe, or I don't think I would be here now.
My vit. d was 11.1 and should be 30 to 50. Well when they told me to take vit d mega dose they prescribed 50,000 iu a day, I thought they were nuts. Then I started before getting prescription, over the counter even 5,000 iu, I saw a slight improvement every day. They I got the prescribed amount and the first day I took one, my life changed. All these months, of feeling like I was dying, and it brought me back to life.
I am only on the 3rd day of being back to normal, not ready to run a marathon yet, but able to walk up 3 steps and not feeling like it took everything out of me.
I hope this will help someone, to keep digging, and follow your soul when you know it isn't what doctors are telling you, or no one listens, or does anything.
Be persistent, and not give up. and feel free to post a question.
love , prayers and good health.
patricia

Enjoy! Happy Halloween

All Things Fall

Fall is in the air in Buffalo, NY.

I love this time of year as it is

an awakening of new things,

that only happen and seen in

the fall.

I have lived in other areas of the

country that just don't seem to

celebrate the many things that fall has to offer. Of course there is Halloween everywhere, but

there is something about the cool days and nights that just gives it a different feeling and mood.

In a creative aspect it seems generating, the cool days when the air flows through my studio and

the heat isn't making my brain not function. I feel more inspired in cooler weather. Now winter is a little different, it gets old real quick. I am just at the beginning phase of cool weather and the nights are longer and no snow, just the wonderful smell of autumn in the air.

I am starting to put up my Halloween and Holiday cards on etsy.com (grandarts). They are

so much fun to do. I would suggest to anyone that is bored, time on there hands, create cards.

Even if it is just for your friends and family. You will find them a true expression of your

creativity. I find ideas and look through rubber stamping magazines, then get inspired.

I do something different, but something usually grabs me, and my brain goes wild with ideas.

To me they are each inventions, a different form of art, than painting. I sometimes get as much

if not more satisfaction doing them. To me, they are therapy. I don't get as frustrated with

cards. They just seem to take on their own character.

The fall and winter is long, I have to admit. If you live in a region, facing the same long seasons

until spring, a hobby is a great way to pass time. I never have enough hours in the day to

do what I want.

Let me know your ideas, what you do to pass the time and enjoy every minute.

Take care, Happy Fall!

Patricia

Almost the end of summer and all the color abounds. Just the beginning of September, but I hate the thought of the flowers soon disappearing and the snow flurries starting.

I lived so many years in the south, and just never seem to acclimate to the winter, and being indoors so many months of the year.

But I think of the fall and winter and rejuevinating my creative juices and bring color to my world and life from inside. My love of painting, and creating is what abounds my life. I love my family and they too are the most important element of my life. The creative process makes for richness in the soul, at least for me.

I know others that are artists, probably share and know what I mean. It is a satisfaction that just can't be duplicated. It is the individual expression, soley mine, that no one on the earth can do exact as me. I mean there are good artists that can copy and do similiar, and I conside that a compliment. They are impressed and doing something that stirs the expression and art in them.

I am never offended by someone being inspired by my work.

I enjoying selling my artwork, that is the ultimate, when someone else loves and needs in their life something I have created.

I have been struggling with health for over 6 months, and I push, and keep a positive mind and outlook and never give up.

Keep always, everyday doing what you love and enjoy. Work is not work, when you do what you love.

Enjoy the last days of summer, and inhale the color into your mind and soul.

Have a great day and please feel free to email, art comments and questions

patrica

Create, Create, Good Therapy

I want to take a moment to talk about art as therapy. Whether you are stressed, going through an emotional time, or an illness

that you can't seem to escape.

The mind is a powerful thing that guides our body to places we want to be. More healthy, peaceful, our body is directed by

our happiness and contentment. I truly believe that we can

overcome a lot in life helping our state of mind.

There is not enough known about the mind, but everything you read on health, always touches on your mind and state of mind. When we are sad, we can

become sick and not ourselves. Did you ever pay attention to how those emotions, indicate and may have something to do with how we fee.

Art draws from our soul, whether happiness, inner being or unhappiness. It comes out in our

art. That is good, because things buried that we tuck away the energy and hurt is released when we create. Our mind, heart and soul, I feel, are very connected.

Try sitting down and make something, a collage, cutting up pictures that appeal to you and attaching them in the order you want on paper or masonite canvas.

Make a greeting card, with magazine clippings or clip art off the internet. Buy a simple blank

card and envelope. If you want to expand and invest a little money, I have found that stamping, with the wonderful selection of stamps, that appeal to us make fascinating creations.

To become whole, you don't have to be a trained artist with classes and training in watercolors or oils. You can, and it adds a fullfilment to greater levels.

When nothing conventional seems to work, go to alternative ideas and methods. I think art and creating should be a part of all therapy to be well in mind and body. But that is my opinion and suggestions to that can be found in a few books.

Take time for yourself, and release negative energy from your body, and see if you feel better.

have a great day creating!

patirica

Today's a New Day

I can't wait for you to see a new pastel painting I worked on today. Watch tomorrow,

to see the house in darkness and the colorful clothes hanging from the line. It was so

much fun. I discovered that soft chalk pastels look luminous on black drawing/pastel

paper.

I am working on a new technique for greeting cards, using a new soft pliable plaster

and making the stamp impression. Almost like a mini work of art on a card. I will

share this with you soon and the technique if you wish.

So many birds in the yard, cardinals, bluebirds, sparrows, orieoles, crows, and our

trusty friends the squirrels.

Since my husband retired, he now appreciates my little visitors and looks forward

to them every morning. We feed the whole bunch. My daughter warns my

granddaughter about leaving food on the patio, as grandma has alot of friends.

What new techniques or ideas are in your art mind. Any work you would like

to share or have an honest critique, please share.

Happy creating!

patricia

Stamping and watercolor paints

Hi everyone!
Sorry I haven't been keeping my blog to date. It is warm in Buffalo, New York. Trying to keep with the project, enduring an illness keeping my energy down. Below my working norm, and I get frustrated to say the least.
New projects more cards with watercolors, makes them truly art cards. Stamp your design and have a fine, semi-fine brush. After the stamp drys, fill in a little color wash to make your design special and more adding your artist touches.
Y0ur color choices makes the card original and special. I love these the best and they seem to do especially well. Check out my cards on etsy.com (www.grandarts.etsy.com)
Have a wonderful creative day and email any suggestions and comments.
take care
patricia

Hi again, spring has it's perks but trying to keep outside planting and upkeep and be creative is hard. I love the spring through because it is a renewal of spirit, with everything around growing and budding.

Look at the greens in your yard. Maybe write down how many do you see. There are yellow greens, deep and medium greens. This is a good exercise in learning and truly seeing color. Then when you paint, you know how many varities of greens there are, and it adds life to your work. Not monochrome and boring.

My stamping these days is so varied. I like the stamps that I can do my own color variation and usually paint them after initial stamp, with watercolor paints. The one shown, is a large stamp with many squares. It took a couple of hours to paint, after stamping. But this can be done with other colors and make it look totally different.

I think if you are a beginning artist, try stamping, say flowers, boats, what ever you really like and will one day paint. Stamp a picture, even on a small card. Lightly fill in with watercolor and it will give you experience on color, choosing color, blending, and good training. It is not like looking at a blank piece of white paper and wondering what to put there. That can be overwhelming for a new inexperienced artist. I wish they would have had stamps when I wanted to paint, but didn't know how.

I studied under a well known artist, from Buffalo. He made me see things, really see things. That was painting in oils. Later I took drawing and watercolor at a Northern Virginia Collage, which really helped understand the workings and difference of watercolors from oil painting.

If you have any questions, and have this urge to create, paint, but don't know where to start, please comment and ask on this blog. I will be sure to answer all questions.

thanks

Daily Inspiration

Sorry I have not posted. Just some medical issues that has been distracting my creativity. We can paint and create as an escape and for enjoyment. For me I find that my mind and soul has to be at peace in order to focus. It bothers me alot when I am not painting. When the end result of something we work out turns out well and we feel proud makes my day and whole week. It is a feeling of accomplishment and pride. No one else in the world created that but me.

I wish I had or could give you the answer to what can help get through a difficult situation. It is a catch 22, when you want to do something, but unable to. Then you feel like time is lost and never regained. Every moment is precious. As it is we live in a world that is always whirling around us, and hard enough to stop and smell the roses. If you have ideas or methods that work, when you are stressed and want to create, I would sure appreciate hearing.

There are so many things I want to work on, new things to try.

Have a great creative day!

Patricia

Let the Sunshine in Your Art Life

A Beautiful sunny Monday, and what

do we have in store today for our creating.

Look around you, in the garden and be inspired.

Maybe a color will inspire you.

I am trying out new methods for my greeting

cards. Cardmakers, it is time for graduation cards

and some Father's Day cards on the new horizon.

I don't know why masculine cards, whether it for

a birthday or Father's Day, I run out of ideas. I guess though, take a piece of paper

and write down things alot of men like out there. The theme could be cars,

tools, hunting, sports right! Let's see, woodworking, now that would be a hard one.

But maybe you can think of what to do with that one, and I would love to see.

Fishing, photography, reading and help me out here. Any ideas.

I will see what I can come up with and put a card or so up soon. I am going out to get re inking black archival ink

as my stamp pad is almost dry. Not good when image doesn't stamp. I discovered a

great site for alot of nifty techniques I will post later.

When you create and sell your work, how rewarding is that. Etsy.com is where it is at.

Have a wonderful artful day!

patricia

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a special day to moms. We put so much of ourselves into our children, and it means so much, maybe

because we are women, and think in a totally unique mode

from men, usually. It makes our heart and soul smile, when

our children give us a card, flower, or a simple thought,

because we feel acknowledged and just makes us feel

special.

I don't think there is anything in the yearly realm of things

that saddens a mother more than a child not acknowledging her on that day. Almost maybe

as much as a birthday. Maybe a little more. I think us moms puff up like peacocks, when

we know in our heart that when they show us their love on that day, they are glad we are

their mom. If you have not acknowledged a mom, or grandma even or even a dad that has

taken the role of a mom, they feel and need that special thought. It doesn't have to be alot,

just a remembrence, a card, a rose, but for her because she is your mom.

Most of us love our children with every part of our soul and heart. It means so much that

we get that feeling our children love us that much too.

Mother's of the whole world are blessed. We are blessed by God, and our design of our

life to have the honor of having a child/children. Some of us even had a child when we were

bearly out of our childhood.

I hope every woman trying and perhaps having a hard time having a child, to pray, and

let me know and I will place them in my prayers. Never give up, God's time isn't always

our time, be patient.

Love to all the moms and dads that have taken her place.

God bless

happy mother's day

patricia

Out of this World

This is just something I wanted to play around with.
Not alot of Alien Stamps out there. I got the one on
yellow cardstock from Talon Online. Lots of neat
alien stamps to choose from.
Alot of people out there have an interest in
beings beyond, and the what if, I think.
So I thought in my art greeting card business
I should try to fill a gap, to offer something
that would appeal to that sect of the world.

Today, Friday was a very busy day. I lost
some creative time, darn! But there is always
this evening and tomorrow.

I only got a couple of these done for you to see.
Hopefully, I have a few more, to put together
that are really cool, a alien beach sunbather and
an Alien cool dude giving the peace sign.

I have been putting together a potted garden
oasis on my outdoor patio. I think one should
have an extended area, or room outdoors to
enjoy and relax. Very soothing, with the herbs
and pretty assortment of flowers, in pots all
around and some neat things I picked up, like
church steeple birdhouses. I am starting to
get a theme going out there.

Well for now, create, create create. Let
me see your work, or let me know your
website or blog site to take a peak.
Have a great evening and weekend
patricia

Finding Time for Art

Thrusday, May 7, 2009

When one is a true artist, whether novice or experienced, we have to create. Finding the time amidst the everyday commitments is difficult. When I am not creating I just get frustrated inside. If I get one painting or card created, I fill fullfilled. Just the nature of the beast. I don't know if everyone is that way.
Creating comes from our soul and heart, and I think that is why their is such satisfaction. We are showing ourselves, family and the world what is in our mind and a part of ourselves.
I painted this painting, which represents alot of my style, very loose, free movement. Simple but has to come together the momentum of the flowers and colors.
I loosely paint petals, and some flowers, and if happy outline alot in pen and ink. I use the fine or extra fine point sharpie markers, so there is no run of the ink.
I think it brings up the emphasis of color and pattern.
I have been working on a new series of cards, my little Alien stamps I recently acquired from Talon. The only site I could find them. I will download one tomorrow for you to see. I think they are awesome. It is hard to find the papers, I would like to co-ordinate with them, but I found a few.
Have a happy day and hope you create and show me your recent work.
Patricia

Spring is a Part of our Giving

No matter where in the country, spring is in the air.

We all get enthusiastic about flowers, butterflies, the

birds visiting our yards.

Think spring in your card making and gift giving

creations you are making.

Here are a few examples of mine. Would love

to hear what you have created. If you have

any questions, about the technique I used, please

post your questions.

Have a Great Day!

Twilight of Art

In the evening, really look with eyes wide open and see how many different colors you really see in the sky.

You may see yellow,orange, different shades of blue, mauve, purple and pink. When you try to see each one and can see each one differently, than one mass, you are developing the eyes of an artist. See shades, variations, in trees, grass, and water.

It is time to create new cards.

Have a good evening everyone!

May 5, 2009

Cinco de Mayo. Have a colorful festive day. A great
day, with the sun shining here in Buffalo to eat on the
patio and maybe get out the guacamole and tortilla chips.

The springtime colors are just captivating. You can
see the Magnolia I recently painted in watercolor.
We have a beautiful magnolia tree in our backyard, and
I just love the petals and many faceted colors of the petals.

I am looking forward to painting the fresh spring colors,
between the vibrant greens on the trees and spring
bouquets.

I will post some soon for you to see.
Enjoy your spring day!