A place to encourage the creativity of artistic minds of all ages. Offering Ideas, Inspiration and Instruction and sharing the work of others who inspire me!
Hello everyone. Here it is the beginning of summer and the weather has definitely been up and down drastically. For a couple days this past week it was about 40°C and then the next day it was about 18°C! Kind of crazy just like everything else in the world these days. That's why I'm making art and creativity isn't just fun and a way to express yourself, or a practical way to make gifts and things for others, it's a great way to divert our attention away from things that we might not want to think about for a while. I am all for knowing what's going on in the world and watching the news. Some thing I definitely did not do the first 25 years of my life. Ever since, I definitely like researching and listening to what's going on. However, I do admit these days with pandemics and other craziness, it is nice to have another place to go and focus on instead of the bombardment that seems to happen when you watch too much news.
On that note I want to ask if everyone's been creating and if so what have you been creating? Are you enjoying it? I often create for practical reasons. For instance it's somebody's birthday and I am too cheap to buy birthday cards so I make one. But actually handmade cards are far better because they're personalized and made by you. And I don't like the boring all the gray garbage can, so I decorate it with paint. Along with the kitchen table, planters outside, our mailbox… You get the idea,
Due to Health/energy issues, I haven't been able to be as productive as I used to be as an artist. But as long as I can create in some form or other when I am able to, it makes me happy. I don't know about you, but if I don't create in some form or other for too long, something just doesn't feel right. It's in the DNA I think. Makes sense since God created us in His image and he is the creator.
Watch And Listen Below
My husband discovered it's in his DNA to over 30 years ago after being forced to retire due to the onset of a physical disability, exacerbated by work accidents. His cousin's wife is a great artist and she encouraged him to paint with watercolor. So he did and loved it. We got married almost 20 years ago and he started trying my acrylic paint leftovers, and hasn't looked back. Watercolours are beautiful, but acrylics are good for those of us who make a lot of mistakes because you can paint over them. I tried watercolours as well, and found it too much pressure to follow the rules. Which then would result in Muddy look paintings because I just didn't have the discipline to do it right. That doesn't mean don't try it. You could love it. It is an awesome medium.
On that note, I am posting Craig's newest concept drawing for his next painting. I really like it when he does stuff that he has fond memories of. With that comes a lot of cool stories from his childhood. Lord willing, I am planning on documenting the process for this painting. So enjoy. And happy creating.
Happy 2021 everyone. Hope and pray everyone is well and enjoying amazing weather if you live near us. Warm winters are something I love. However rare they may be.
Craig finally completed his railway painting and gave it to a dear friend. You can see the completed work on the video below!
So he has begun a new landscape scene in acrylic. I was experimenting with his iPhone to see how long it could record a steady stream and it worked well. Told him to regale viewers with his stories/life experiences while he worked.
Here's my husband Craig and his recent progress with his painting of the railway. As always, he has some stories to tell. As well we discuss painting style and why consistency is important.
Hi guys. Yay, Craig started another painting. If you have been following us at all, you know he likes to paint what he remembers, not from photos. Along with his art, he loves telling stories. Wach as he starts with a blank canvas. Watch Craig begin his new painting Below
Come back to see more updates!
Here are a few more pics of what I have been doing! Connect More
Been a while since posting anything. Not that I haven't been creating. That is something I do everyday in some form or other. Wanted to touch base, say hello and share some pictures of what's been happening in my/our studio. What have you been working on?
My husband Craig has begun a second painting that we are going to follow his progress with. This time he is painting from his memories. An old job he once had. Here is a sneak peek.
Come back to see more updates!
Here are a few more pics of what I have been doing! Connect More
Happy Friday everyone! It has been a busy time and I was hoping to get a new "Craig Paints Video,"
as well as a new tutorial/Learn With Me video about these really cool holographic pendant technique. I couldn't wait for the proper materials to come in, so I decided to use what I had on hand. The video will be out within the next few days, Lord willing.
I just love the dimensional effects. If you are interested in a tutorial involving polymer clay, check out Ginger Davis' at Blue Bottle Tree. The one I am working on has no clay and was inspired by watching YouTube videos.
I decided to at least share a few pictures of what's to come and what we've been working on lately.
Hi fellow artists of all stages. Sorry, it has been a while since keeping you up to date on my dear husband's painting in progress. That means again, this video includes a few visit/updates with Craig. Come and see where he's at now (or when I last checked in.) Most of the fun is just hearing him talk about his ecstatic feelings painting a specific area of his painting. As always, my husband is great at recollecting his childhood...Come and see or I mean, Watch Below...
Well Craig is whizzing along faster than I can keep up. Obviously time lapsing his work, would mean hours and hours of footage. So I am doing short interviews and photographing the developing stages!
Welcome to Part 3 From our new "Craig Paints," series. Craig, my husband, shows us that anyone can learn how to create a great painting without any tutorials, formal training or even following the rules LOL.
In todays episode, Craig not only share life in Peggy's Cove (Craig's version), he also share what prompted him to paint. Originally he used watercolour. When he married me, he started dabbling with my leftover acrylic paints. I taught him the tips and tricks to using this fast drying/non-re-usable once dried medium and the rest is history!
He shares a very personal reason why he paints that may encourage others who are in a similar situation as he is.
Watch Craig Paints Part 3 - Peeks To Progress, Perks To Painting With Chronic Pain
Today hear a couple great reasons why Craig paints as well as another great read story!
Hopefully, you'll be inspired to give painting with acrylics or whatever a try. And if you already create, we'd love to hear from you.
Watch Craig Here!
Any questions or input would be great. Craig loves feedback about his work!
For more details and such, please connect to my creativity blog here https://heartfullycreating.blogspot.com To connect more, check out:
Welcome to Part 2 From our new "Craig Paints," series. Craig, my husband, shows us that anyone can learn how to create a great painting without any tutorials, formal training or even following the rules LOL. Come along and let's see where he's at today. (Well actually, this video contains a few separate "visits" to Craig's studio. Hopefully, you'll be inspired to give painting with acrylics or whatever a try. And if you already create, we'd love to hear from you.
Watch Now!
Any questions or input would be great. Craig loves feedback about his work!
As an artist, I know how valuable art making materials are. When you grow up creating, collecting
Mica powder
art supplies can become an addiction. It can perhaps be compared to the stories I have heard about some women who have to have huge walk in closets to house their massive shoe and fashion collection. I knew a lady once who proudly owned 200 pairs of shoes, had each pair placed in their own box. Then she took a polaroid of each pair, attaching the image to the box end to easily identify each pair. Then she complained about how she was so broke, she had to move in with her Mom and little girl. So she could earn the mortgage fo her home from a tenant while living
at home for free. That's when an addiction like shopping can truly impact your life and the life of those who love you.
For men, it may be shoes, or maybe a man cave that contains every latest piece of media equipment and technology and such, or a workshop where every power tool known to humankind can be found. Or my husband's collecting passion involves always checking over any coins that land in his hand. I . As for us artists, artisan, crafters and the like, we are often great collectors of any and every kind of creative art making supply that strikes our fancy.
roving wool for felting
Until I started working more in three dimensions, my weakness was mostly paper types, canvasses, acrylic paints, coloured pencils, drawing tools, and such. A pretty manageable addiction. It all fit in one rubbermaid storage tower. Branching Out
However, once I impulsively dove into three dimensional creativity, my world change completely! Possibilities are now endless. I mean the jewellery design world means buying everything from findings, wire, chains, stones, beads of all kinds, tools and don't get me started on organizing containers, more on that later!
Cording for so many reasons
Then came the polymer clay! More supplies to stock
Alcohol Inks For a lot of uses
up on. Countless tools, all sorts of clay in every colour and style and all the accessories to enhance and improve clay creations! Inclusions and enhancers like pastels, mica powders, nail art flakes and accessories, sculpting tools, pans, forms, blades, pasta machines, rollers, mats, alcohol inks, building pastes, embossing powders, rubber texture and image stamps, pigment ink pads, inka gold, colorants, craft paints, plastics to store it all...Then add in needle felting....yup, that means I needed roving wool, needles, foam, felt, and then that leads into the need for wee little eyes. Why not create those out of resin or liquid polymer clay! Better learn about resins....which I already began incorporating into my polymer clay world.
Glass cabochons-possibilities endless
With resin comes, all kinds of molds, inclusions. Thankfully worlds collide and I can use materials from the other disciplines. So see, no wasting.
As the addiction increases, I discover card making using stamps, coloured papers, glitters and a place to use those embossing powders and inks! Again, the collision of worlds in a good way! With that comes the need for every type of glue and mod podges, lino cutters to make my own stamps for paper and polymer clay,
A fave- polymer clay
and then of course I need those glass cabochons in all sizes to make everything from eyes to jewellery, along with cookie cutters for my clay, craft paints and glues, varnishes, craft sticks, gem stones...yikes, it just won't end! Contain Yourself!
And then there is my addiction to....are you sitting down? Wait for it....I'm, I'm hooked on containers! Yup, containers. After all, how on earth can I even consider creating anything if I don't have my supplies all categorized and set in special spaces. So that means ordering new types all the time, trying to find what works. And then there are the magnificent containers that were
Craft paints
created to hold, items like cake slices, or chocolates, but would are great to organize my supplies in. What a good excuse to buy cake and other sweet treats! Once I even asked Craig to ask the grocery store bakery for any of their cake containers, incase they just throw them away - what a waste! Needless to say if you have a great container, odds are, I will ask if I can have it.
As for my collecting art supplies that I may never actually use, apparently, I'm "normal." From what I read online, I am not alone. At least I haven't had to give up our bedroom to contain it all!
Mica powders and such- so many choices
Turns out working in two dimensions was a very inexpensive art making method when compared to my last decade of delving into three dimensional creativity! Too many ideas, too many supplies I must have...just incase I need to use them.
In the olden days, all I was I worried about the most was wasting paint! Just when I thought I wouldn't have to address that fear again, I was filming Craig for our new "Paint With Craig," segment and what do I discover? Well, you will need to watch to find out! Watch Anita's Great Loss!...
Fun Take Aways...
After you watched our video about my great loss, answer these questions...
💙What lesson did Craig learn?
💙What loss did Anita (that's me)suffer?
💙Any guesses on how man more losses just like this one, have happened since I turned over my paint to Craig?
💙Have you ever made a mistake that resulted in an avoidable loss?
Thanks for having fun with us. Even though serious things can happen (who likes to waste money?), we can always learn big lessons.
Subscribe so you won't miss out, coming soon is our Second video in our "Painting With Craig" series, where Craig actually starts painting! Here is episode one.
Pinterest Can't Stop... Couldn't Resist, all that talk about my art supply addiction/collection caused me ti want to share a smattering of some supplies and what I have been blessed with being able to create! Incase you're curious, take a gander...
I also get to make my own tools when possible
molds for clays and resin
Needle felted hearts
liquid polymer clay and sold, plus alcohol inks create faux stained glass effects
Craft paints have all kinds of uses
Polymer clay beads- endless possibilities
Polymer clay, fancy Pebeo paints, mica powders and Resin created this
Labradorite gemstone, clay and mica pigments, along with beads and rhinestones....
A rubber image stamp and polymer clay, voila!
Lisa Pavelka stamp
More of the same
Alcohol inks on metal jewellery findings
Pasta/Clay rolling machine
As you know polymer clay possesses endless possibilities
As you know polymer clay and jewellery findings, cables and cords...all endless possibilities
Polymer clay, fancy Pebeo paints, mica powders and Resin created this
Ahh Resin!
I tried saving money making my own mold maker putty with silicone
polymer clay with silk sari ribbons...
I get to create my own texture stamps
Can never have too many tools
I love all coloured drawing implements
practical polymer clay projects
Alcohol inks and liquid polymer clay
Alcohol inks and liquid polymer clay
I even got to make a lantern with polymer clay and other ingredients
