My Blessings

I am so thankful for my boys. And I am so thankful for the little gifts that are really so very HUGE. And I'm not talking about a new SUV. I am talking about the tiny snippets that are less than minutes where God gives me a glimpse into my children's hearts. Yesterday my son was playing in his sandbox and called to me. So I go.

" Mama where is Daddy?" Atlanta. "Ok now go away I am praying to God." Oh ok. So of course I had to listen. "God my Daddy is in Atlanta please keep him safe and bring him home safe."

GIFT!!!!!!

I have been trying to teach gratitude so we keep it simple and everyday I'll ask what they are each thankful for today. Today one of them answered "rain".   YES oh boy do we need it here in California! And today we are graced with low full gray clouds. My other pumpkin answered "I am thankful for You".  Choke sob choke!

WWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY bigger than any SUV!

THE INSPIRATION

                                                                    THE FIRST CUT

                                                                   
                                                                     THE GHOST

                                                                  THE FINAL PRINT

                                                                 THE WOOD BLOCK

                                                                      THE TOOLS

Today I was able to create. A woodblock  and a print of a humble bit of a twig that I always find so beautiful and so inspiring. The magnificence and complexity of simplicity hmm? 

Blessings!

Blessings, Peace and Love

The past few years have been a whirlwind. Life with the boys is amazing as well as nuts to put it quite simply. I used to have "opinions" about others and their parenting choices. Not so much anymore! Some days ya just got to go with it and do what you got to do to maintain sanity. Even if that translates as five episodes in a row of Paw Patrol, know what I'm sayin? And yet it doesn't get any better than "Mamma"? "What sweetie"? "Mamma I love you sooo sooo much"! My baby boys. They just turned four. I can hardly believe it. Some times I look at them and it hits me that these are my sons - I have sons- WOW- and look how big they are? How did THAT happen? A whirlwind I tell you, so fast, so crazy. Little boys, not babies anymore, soon to be young men.

Handsome little hunks huh?!? Being so far away from our families and that support system has been challenging. It got to be so frustrating for me because I couldn't find the time to create or figure out what I wanted to create, so desperately wanting to be an artist and try and find my niche.  We started going to a church nearby and I rekindled my relationship with my Lord. Things have a little more perspective when my eyes are off of myself.  I am on a pilgrimage, This life is not the destination. I have always believed this, just had it pushed back in my mind a little to far. My job is mommy. And what a blessed calling. My responsibility is to serve.  I am an artist. Don't need to keep looking for validation. I am a creative person created by the Ultimate Artist. And so I will play with my creative impulses and with my darlins. And won't it be exciting to see where all this will lead?!? Blessings, Peace  and Love,

Tari

Today's Endeavors in Ink

WOW. Two months. how does that happen!?!?! Well even though I have been slack in my blogging, I have been (less slack) making some art. And it has been printing. LUUUHUV it! This morning was a preschool morning so after I dropped the boys off I came home and did a little work. Although it was one of "those" days when nothing exciting or really super positive results from the labor.  I made a plate yesterday with super heavy gel medium and engraved it. Could hardly sleep I just couldn't wait to see how it would print. Well... The first print here is actually the third one. And I hand pressed it because my paper was too wet with my first attempt and the paper stuck to the plate in my second attempt. This behaved more like a relief print and I was disappointed because I really wanted an engraving. 

  Notice more black in the incised areas on the second versus the first ? And the pigment spread beyond the borders on the second? Sigh. I guess I could mat to the image.

 Here is the plate. I kind of like the plate as a finished piece on it's own. What do you think?

  The stuck-age.

This one was printed the other day by painting my plate with watercolors and then hand pressing. Needs something. I am happy with the saturation, but some of my colors are a bit - depressing?

Ah here is a colored piece of sandpaper.

 Here it is ironed on a piece of fabric. A transfer print, yes? This was play with the boys. We did this weeks ago and I just picked it up again. I think I must have mushed in some paints on it because only the crayon transfers. It was one of the projects in this fabulous must have book for art with little ones. ART LAB FOR LITTLE KIDS  by Susan Schwake.

I have listed some of my other pieces in my Etsy shop. Take a peek if you get a chance. I love to hear your thoughts!

Challenge Necklace

Oh I FINALLY said ok to parting with my precious patina-ed beads from Miss Fickle Media and enameled favorites from Sue Beads. This is my submission to Art Bead Scene August challenge.  The white chain and clasp are from Miss Fickle Media too. I do not remember where I acquired the carved Cinnabar bead. Really a nice weight necklace. I had a gift recipient in mind while making this, but I dunnnnooo.....

The One I Did Send

My submission to Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search.  The gallery has now been revealed and you will be amazed-AMAZED- I say with all the awesome artwork. One thousand in all.  The theme was terrarium(s) and had to include at least one word. One this piece I used colored pencil over acrylic on wood. I do love the texture that creates without getting too dimensional. I forgot the spots on the mushroom. Oh dear.  Thanks for looking! Check out the other work and see who made the final 50 cut. There will be an opportunity to vote on your favorite work in the future. 

My Latest

I entered Lilla Roger's Global Talent Search after I finished my Bootcamp sessions. I am not sure if we are supposed to share the specifics but I can show what I did not submit and not divulge the actual assignment.  You have seen my wee little ceramic folk before.  I have only given a few away since making them about five years ago because I am afraid to part with them until I can make more. And two years here in sunny California and we still can't come up with an appropriate spot for my little kiln. Annnnyhooow, I used my little people as my inspiration and staged a scene for my painting.

It became a little narrative for me even as I started. I'll show you what I ultimately submitted in a few weeks. Got to go. The boys are into something and it involves the hose and wild laughter.

Girl Holding Cat

Colored pencil on painted wood. I joined The Trodden Path last year as a way to ignite my creative fire. Of course like my other attempts to do anything this endeavor has sort of fallen a bit short. But last week I logged back in and joined one of the classes- Acrylic and Colored Pencil on Wood. I loved it! I started with a piece of pine and while the boys were painting some of their wooden toys, I painted the wood. After it dried, I started drawing with my colored pencils. I could take it with me from room to room. It's 9x12 so a very transportable size and pencil is fumeless and not messy so it worked out well for me. I am still struggling with my style. Can't seem to figure it out. Have a few things in my Etsy shop showing my "stick" figures with minimal features. Seem to keep coming to a more naive style. I am really drawn to folk art so maybe that is why. I want to do another one but I only have a little piece of wood at the moment. We'll see.

Inspired by Coffee

I have just finished my last Boot Camp assignment with Lilla Rogers.  July's prompt was create a piece for ourselves using our favorite morning beverage as inspiration.  

Here is a digital illustration using Procreate on my tablet. I have a Sensu stylus but there are newbies and then there is me when it comes to digital stuff....... I can't get a fine point nor can I see to "match" up my lines.

Mixed media and collage using a gelatin printed background from gosh five years ago. I printed multiple coffee/banana/ coffee pot images using the stamp I carved (see last image). Still wasn't working for me, the background was a bit overpowering so I made masks and stencils and collaged and printed over with another carved stamp. Still wasn't picturesque enough so I added the kitty in the background with inks and gouache. I don't know why he needed a monacle, but that's what the muse said so.......

Another digital, but I edited in Picassa.

This is the one that I submitted to the class gallery because this is the the one that excited me most in creating it. I carved the image into a rubber block and then printed with seven colors. I stenciled the saucer and used a different stamp for the pattern. I have more started. I purchased a set of Sennelier pan watercolors with some birthday cash.  YUMMMMMO! And a bottle of Sennelier India Ink. Double Yum

July ABS Challenge and ANOTHER Passion

I managed another Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenge-Yaaayyy Me! Actually, THANK YOU THANK YOU my sweet baby boys!!! They have been slightly more patient with me and mommy time. When I saw this month's challenge-the colors-oh my! I immediately thought this needed to be a woven something. I purchased this awesome loom over a year ago from Sew Nina on Etsy. I've made a few things. Only takes me a year you know. I've given one to a dear friend. I tried to give these to a family member, but I got the feeling she wasn't enamored with them. I think the uneven widths bothered her a bit. I dig them though and I love love love weaving!

New Neighbors

I am delighted that a lovely dove couple has moved in at our house! They have built a nest between the pergola beams over the patio over looking the pool. Fabulous choice! Notice the beautiful aqua ring around her eye? I can't wait to see the babies! I hope we will be able to see the egg(s). And I hope the other wild life leaves her be. Cross our fingers!

Do You Tangle?

My little tangled heart here to send off to Charity Wings for June's "Give Back" project. I must say I really enjoy this drawing method of Zentangle. I really want to take an official class. I'm finding that I come up with some imagery for other projects too when I do a tangle. At any rate it is pretty addictive. And I can do it just about anywhere.

June Necklace

Here is my simple-because I am soooo into simple these days-offering for the Art Bead Scene June Challenge. The pendant is mine-painted wood and mounted in a brass setting. the chain is broken up with a chain segment I made using Susan Kennedy's pretty aqua glass rondelles and carved red horn beads. Lightweight and simple.

Choose Hope

About a month ago I received an issue of Molly Makes USA.  Apparently my Crochet Today Magazine will no longer be produced and as a substitute the staff notified me they are continuing the remainder of my subscription with Molly Makes. WOW! I love this magazine!!! One of the articles featured a contest for creating banners for  Charity Wings Banners of Hope.  Create an 8x12 banner to be in a traveling display to encourage hope.  This is what I came up with.  I backed my canvas with a piece of hand dyed fabric that I had made years ago. Colored my image with inks, and pencil and attached one of my felted flowers. I am a little distressed that there appears to be a permanent crease in my canvas, but overall I am happy with this and I sent it off anyway. I hope that it makes someone smile.  Then it is a success.

I Will Embrace My Stubborn Self

I ran across this this morning on Etsy. Isn't it beautiful?!?! It is a temporary tattoo from Tattoorary. What awesome inspirational words. Stubbornness in it's positive form. During one pre-adoption counseling session, we had to list our positive and negative qualities. So often what we see as a "bad" attribute is just a really good one that's gone haywire. Oh and cancel the announcement that I am moving my blog.  I guess I just needed to change my browsers to appease Blogger. So I did. Keepin' the fingers crossed and so far so good....

History Hop Reveal

Leah of Beady Eyed Bunny hosts a really fun challenge every year. The idea is to create a piece of jewelry that is inspired by history. This year it was based on regions as well. I chose early Russia. I have to admit my research didn't get real extensive before I found something I was interested in. The necklaces I made were based on manistee necklaces which are layered necklaces that usually have a pendant or coins incorporated. See Viola's blog.  Viola lives in Siberia and has a lovely blog with a lot of really interesting information on her site. It is beautiful, interesting and very well done. The super cool glass rectangle beads are the beautiful creations of Checkoway Glass. Yes, I have been sitting on those puppies for about four years now. I used black waxed linen cord for all the strands and wrapped in around the beads to form my manistee pendant. The awesome bird charm is from Spirited Earth.  Here is a  list of the other participants. Enjoy!

Leah Curtis - Indus Valley - beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk
Laney Mead - Māori - laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk
Becca - Art Nouveau - godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Melissa - English Romanticism and Mourning Jewelry - beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Tracy Stillman - Native American - tracystillmandesigns.com
Gerda - English Romanticism and Mourning Jewelry - gerdascraftsblog.blogspot.com
Liz E - Native North American - beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Ahowin - Māori (New Zealand)  - blog.ahowinjewelry.com 
Jasvanti - Indus Valley - jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Lizzie - Art Nouveau - theneedtobead.blogspot.co.uk
Julia Hay - Merovingian - pandanimal.blogspot.co.uk
Dini - Celtic - angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Caroline - Art Nouveau - blueberribeads.co.uk 
Charlie - Moche of Peru - clay-space.com/blog
Karin - China - maverickbeads.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers - Rome - silverniknats.blogspot.com
Marcia Dunne - Celctic and Mourning Jewelry - thealternativefoundry.blogspot.co.uk
anafiassa - Mesopotamia - anafiassa.blogspot.com
Kokopelli - Native American - kokopellidesign.blogspot.com
Christa - Native American - adventuresofwonebeadywoman.blogspot.com
Clair - Roman - obstinatepursuit.blogspot.co.uk
Susan Bowie - Native American - susanbowie.wordpress.com
Gloria Allen - English Romanticism - gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com
Sheila Garrett - Early Russia - 4brownowl.blogspot.co.uk

Bead Soup Nice n Hot!

Well I hope this works. I am posting on my Pearl and Pebble blog because as much as I like my new Typepad blog, commenting from it is not easy for some reason. Don't know what I am going to do blog  wise as apparently neither can make me completely happy. What does make me happy is playing along in Lori's Bead Soup  Party that she hosts every year. This year my partner is Terri from Terri's Blooming Ideas. Here is what she sent me.

Really fabulous fixins' for sure!  I am still working through all this goodness because I found that I was constantly inspired to incorporate that which I have been hoarding away in my own stash.  Maybe it's due to the fact that the boys are three now and I am worn out most of the time, but I am gravitating toward jewelry that is simple, easy and comfortable. So the first thing I made was a looong pull over the head necklace that feels fun and "big girl" at the same time. I love the blue agate beads that Terri sent and I think that ended up being a starting place for me.

Next I moved on to bracelets. I actually have two almost finished incorporating the luscious deep plum glass beads. These beads are really quite nice and have a velvety feel to them. The first batch of bracelets are strung on stretch magic. Yes I made stretchy bracelets. It's the simplicity thing. Not in creating but in wearing. I have not been wearing much on my wrists for the past three years because I am constantly washing my hands or washing something or someone else's hands. But I love how these turned out. And I love how they feel. And I love the uncumbersome simplicity while still maintaining a chunky earthy appeal.

(Oops didn't mean to show off the knot.). I also did a bracelet using the beautiful heart focal by Gaea and the sweet little kitty bead that Terri sent in memory of our little sweetheart that went to heaven a few months ago.  This is a fun bracelet to wear too and I like having the big chunky heart dangling.

I have earrings started using the lovely Gaea rounds and some turquoise nuggets. And a necklace started using the turquoise nuggets and that awesome bird bead. At the moment though I am flat on my back-not quite sure what I did to annoy it so badly. The boys are taking advantage of it though and I can only imagine what the other room looks like.

Make sure you check out Terri's blog to see what she whipped up! Thanks for stopping by. And thank you Lori Anderson for hosting yet another most fabulous event!

Moving

Hello! It has been a while I know!!!! I am moving my blog. And changing the my blog name actually. Come visit me here if you'd like and tell me what you think!


http://brush.typepad.com/my-blog/

Focus on Life. Gettin' caught up.

I am catching up on all my Focus on Life posts. Since I have a bazillion, there is limited elaboration and they are out of order, I don't guess that will be a big problem though:)

 

Aged Beauty. Mission San Juan Capistrano

 

Typography. Collaborative painting with my boys and I am calling it typography because it is written in their language.

Green.

 

Foodie

Reminisce. Great Grandma Em's butter dish and milk pitcher. Always on the table.

Take a walk. I didn't walk far, but I did see a handsome guy.

Color (used as a noun and a verb)

Abstract. Looking up through slats over patio. Great pattern.

Hope

Looking Up. Up in one of our trees-a new hummingbird with mama.