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Thursday, October 30, 2008

This Thursday It's All About Finding My Mojo

And that's perfect because I think I have. Last March I started on a a quest into Blogland to find my art muse. As you know, creating has been been my lifelong passion, but I did lapse into a long self-imposed exile from drawing and painting. I won't retell the whole story because you've probably read it here ad nauseum, but a trip to the Bennett Street Art Gallery opening for Kenson awakened an irresistible urge to pick up a paintbrush.I missed my art so much, and I was determined never again to let insecurity or lack of knowledge keep me from what makes me happy. Since March I've been searching the Internet, studying, corresponding, drawing, painting, cutting, and pasting like a madwoman. I've experimented with everything I could get my hands on: watercolor, acrylic, oil pastel, papier mache, pencil, ink, clay, wood, textiles, and collage. I've joined art groups, taken classes, and done on-line tutorials, but, best of all, I've met so many wonderfully talented generous artists who've been kind enough to share what they've learned and techniques they've developed. (Sharon, Suzan, Nancy,Mandy,, Violette) Because my dream has always been to illustrate children's books, I wanted to find my own style and develop my skills so that I could put put what's in my kaleidoscope head onto paper.

Today This Thursday's challenge is to visit various blogs to find my mojo, and, not surprisingly, many of the blogs of artists that have encouraged and inspired me are actually linked to one another: Barbara at Artiphy My Heart, Lisa from Faerie Enchantment, Suzi Blu, and Vanessa from A Fanciful Twist

"Are You A Good Witch?" is what I've learned from all my lovely muses. She's a 15" X 32" mixed media painting on a wood canvas. I started this piece in the pre-dawn hours last Saturday morning, after foraging under my basement stairs for inspiration. I used collage elements, acrylic, pretty papers, colored pencil, and stamping ( Wednesday Stampers' Open Theme and Craftaway Sunday's Sweet challenge) in her creation. She's the first full-sized painting I've ever done that I've been pleased with, and, now that she's finished, I have ideas for so many more paintings! I'm so excited, and I'm not at all afraid to paint any more. I even feel ready to tackle the beautiful magical story that Ava wrote for me about the little girl in the moon. So stay tuned for a new chapter in my art evolution. I'm sure it will be just as OCD as my art journal phase!

22 comments:

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Love your excitement. And your painting is wonderful too. I'll be watching for your storybook illustration.

Barbara Hagerty said...

Awww, thank you for the acknowlegement, but really, YOU inspire ME!! I LOVE what you do!! So fresh, so fun, so full of passion!! You artiphy my heart!!XOXO

*jean* said...

Oh, Al, she is fabulous! I really love her pink stripey socks!!!

Anonymous said...

She is GORGEOUS!!

Sandy said...

Wow wow wow wow wow I´ve missed my words.
She is so pretty. Love them.

Sally said...

Great painting, I would definitely sya you have found your muse!! Never be afraid to try new things, art is full of possibilities and exciting new techniques.

Lisa Kettell said...

You are truly an inspiration to all of us, your work is absolutely amazing down to every last detail, positively magical!

Thank You for your wonderful words of praise, now that made my day!

Have a very Happy, Healthy and Magical Halloween!

Hugs!
Lisa!

violette said...

Oh she is so beautifully whimsical! I'm so glad you got your mojo back and happy to have been a teensy part of that.

love, violette

Barbara Hagerty said...

.....oh, and by the way, I LOVE your good little witch!! Can't wait to see the illustrations you do for Ava's story!!!!

Sophie said...

Wow! She is stunning! Congrats on having found your mojo!

Sophie

Janet said...

She is wonderful!! I can't wait to see more of your paintings. If your mojo was lost it sure isn't any more!!

Unknown said...

Fabulous painting!

paris parfait said...

This is really lovely. And Vanessa is one of my dearest friends - definitely a muse to admire! :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and telling me that I have inspired you in some small way on this journey. Reading your story reminds me so much of the journey that I have embarked on myself and I see so many similarities between us.

Your painting is absolutely delightful and beautiful and I just know that I am going to see many more wonderful artworks come from you. Thank you so much for sharing part of your story with us.

xx Bee

Willy said...

Fabulous piece, love it!

Unknown said...

Alberta, Your piece is delightful. I find the whimsical style so delightful to observe. We are on such an interesting path. Who knows which way it turns or what may be around the bend.
Thank you for commentingf on my blog.
Janet

Lisa said...

Such a wonderful thing. Your painting is beautiful. What a tragedy it would have been had you not started painting again.

I'm sorry I didn't make it to your Halloween party. Did you save me any candy?

Rosie said...

Alberta, you are such an inspiration! What a beautiful painting! I really like Suzi Blu's style and her craziness. Having said that, it's not for me, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate your wonderful witch!
I'm so glad you are back in the saddle... I know what it's like to not create - spent far too long in that phase myself. I'm sure we'll see many more amazing works of art from you and I look forward to that! xxx

Moira said...

Fabulous bring on the OCD painting NOW!

Kel said...

Fabtastic work. Fun blog, glad I stopped by.

Sara said...

She is really beautiful. Wow!

indybev said...

She's wonderful. Good for you! I've just come from perusing your Flickr journal pages. Belissimo! I've found a new source of inspiration.