Monday, December 17, 2007

Inspiration




I have been inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts' artwork since i came across it last year sometime, and it has really fueled my desire to paint more and more. I am still struggling with trying to find my own style and of course trying not to compare myself to all those great artists whose work truly speaks to me..Kelly Rae's second article in CPS was awesome, and she detailed how she creates her wonderful works of art. So in trying to find MY OWN style lately i have decided to give myself a break and learn some tips and techniques from others, taking in the ideas and creativity that sometimes escapes me. So here is what i have been doing with my paints and brushes as of late...just for fun.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Presents!!!




I had a happy surprise left on my doorstep on Friday from the postman...a package from my friend Kim!!! It was so unexpected and completely wonderful! And yes that is a moleskin sketchbook...woohoo!! I cannot wait to wreck my "wreck this journal" book!!! And "Journal Revolution" is awesome and had been my companion this weekend! Thank You Kim, You ROCK!!!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

New Thoughts


This is my latest art journal page. I was having trouble working on this these past few months since surgery but i finally got this one finished. It's just about planting seeds of hope and positivity and truth. That has become what my intentions are for this new me, this new life that still intermingles with the old one....

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Wish...


In the new issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, Kelly Rae tells us how she creates her amazing pieces. I love her work and am a proud owner of two originals, and being an artist am always interested in how others create their art. SO, i tried my hand at her technique and totally fell in love with it. It really does lend a whole different feel to a painting. This is my take on it. I kind of modeled it after Kelly Rae's 'Breathe', but am going to add the word 'wish' to mine. Thanks Kelly Rae for always inspiring with your words and your work!!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Gravity...I don't want to fall another moment


I haven't been listening to my music as much since surgery. I guess i just have been a little bit out of it and not interested in anything except getting back to normal, ya know. But as i paint more i listen to music more, if that makes any sense. It inspires me. 'Gravity' started as a bright fun painting then turned a little bit more subdued as time went on. I think this song might have had something to do with it, lol...

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Thought Angel


I started this one a few months ago and didnt really feel like i could do any more on it until today. I finally found her face. I was so happy to have finished her.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Just do it....

So it's been a little over a month since i have been able to drive. The slow healing wounds from surgery have kind of kept me in the house, and the cold weather (i am freezing a lot lately) has me walking indoors instead of out. My already old wooden floors have a new pattern in them around my dining table, lol. Sooooo, yesterday i decided to give it a try. I basically went around the corner to the gas station and then promptly handed the keys to my hubby. It was nerve wracking- and it's hard to hold my incision and the steering wheel at the same time. I spoke to my new friend Jennifer today and she advised me to just get in the car and do it. It will hurt but its gonna hurt for a while anyway and i just cant be cooped up in the house anymore. SO tomorrow i will promise myself to venture on out in my car...ugh.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Healing...


I am getting a little better but still not able to drive or sleep in a bed. Recovery is slow and draining, both physically and mentally, but i just keep praying to get better every day, and i am little by little. Thanks to everyone for their good wishes and prayers, i appreciate it.
I was able to paint a bit the other day, still have to add to this but wanted to share something since its been such a while....i want to add some collage elements to this because the intensity i want to convey isnt there yet...take care all...hugs.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Sacred Life 5- New Beginnings



Okay can i just say that i am loving working on this art journal of mine? I thought it was going to be something i used to capture the odd dreams i have on occasion or maybe a simple little drawing here and there with some poetry or a word or two. But its becoming something more personal and more graphic than i thought it would be. It is really filling a need for me at the moment as well. I dont think just plain ole journaling would convey what i need to say at this point in my life. Not at this moment anyway....
It might be hard to read it on this picture but these are the words...(i am tending to work left to right in this book, dont know why, lol)
On the left- ' The layers were starting to get too heavy. She had started shedding them in her mind, but you couldn't tell by looking at her...'
On the right- 'Underneath it all lies her truth'

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Out of the Woods


She walked through a dark forest of tall, scary trees...their branches trying to grab her, pull her under into the deep, to the place where she could never escape. She fought, scratching and clawing her way, and finally, after what seemed like years, she was free. Some scars remain as proof of what she went through- and what she overcame. Proof that she was out of the woods, and a reminder that the forest was always there, waiting to take hold again.

Friday, September 14, 2007

*Work in progress*


Trying to finally finish two paintings i started weeks ago...i usually never work on more than one thing at a time, because when i do, the projects just take forever, lol. It gives me artists block!! Hopefully be done soon though so i can work on some new ideas........

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Sacred Life 3



This is my very first 'art journal' page..I started by painting a book my dear hubby no longer wanted, painted over a couple of pages with gesso, then white paint, i printed out a black and white photo and transferred the image with gel medium(thanks Misty) and painted over it with watercolors, added journaling and i just love how it came out...

Friday, September 7, 2007

Sacred Life #1


Okay so it's not the best photo in the world, but this is something that i feel deeply connected with....being in my work (or play, however you look at it) space with my brushes and my paints and the splatters all over my table. I feel like i am doing something that i HAVE to and WANT to do, even if i question my abilities all the time. I love to paint, i love what it does for my soul, my mind and my heart.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Poetry Thursday Poem....

Okay so i found this site, Poetry Thursday a while ago, but i never participated because i hadn't written poetry in years and years...Then i wrote a poem for Inspire Me Thursday...so i decided to try it out...Check them out, they will only be around for a couple more weeks...(but maybe if enough people ask nicely they won't close down!!) ANYWAY..the topic was sublimation (and yes i had to look it up because i didn't know what it meant, lol)which means an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another. They asked us to take the last line of the last poem we wrote and start from there, so that is what i did..Here it is hope you like it.

My Voice

To listen to my voice
not an easy task for me
I didn't know the sound
until just recentely.

I decided one day
that i needed to find it
to seek out my voice
and no longer keep quiet.

Slowly i searched
looking in places put away
when all of a sudden
it appeared almost as clear as day.

It peeked it's head out
and i watched it unfurl
my voice that had hidden
inside that scared little girl.

She's had some practice
over the past couple of years
speaking and laughing
even screaming through tears.

i decided that day
that i needed to find it
to seek out my voice
Now i no longer keep quiet.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Inspire Me Thursday- Watercolor


This week on IMT the topic was watercolor...so i decided to share a painting that i actually posted a couple of weeks ago...it is my first attempt at using watercolors, which i also combined with acrylics, and instead of canvas i painted on heavyweight watercolor paper. I like the softness of the watercolor paint and i actually find it quite easy to work with...
Thanks for looking and i appreciate any feedback!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

*Inspire Me Thursday*

On Inspire me Thursday (a creative website), the topic this week was DNA. I thought about doing a sketch but the words just came easier to me....


Trying everyday to let go
and forget them
what they did
and what they said.
Won't let them in
to tear me down
to make me cry
make me hate myself.
Blood was only thicker
when there was no other choice
now i'm grown and not afraid
to listen to my voice.

Party Was Awesome



I have to say that ArtsyMama's blogger party was awesome. I had a great time going to visit new blogs and getting comments from people about mine. Thanks to everyone about the sweet comments on my sign!! I received so many compliments that i am thinking about making a few for my etsy shop!!Shop has been stuck at 3 pieces sold and i really dont know what to do about it. I am hoping to get a few more paintings finished this week, they are a little bit different. I have been in a softer, happier mood with my painting as of late...i am still going to keep painting though...it will happen eventually.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

*ARTFUL BLOGGER PARTY*


Hello all! I am so excited about ArtsyMama's Blog Party today!!! I have never really participated in one of these before but i am really excited to get to know some of you Artsy Folk out there, lol. I hope you like my sign...made it out of chipboard and buttons, some rub ons and a wee bit of lace...
I am fairly new to blogging world, only a few months, and i recently opened my very own shop on Etsy (woohoo!!!). I love to create and share my art with others. Take a look around...and i look forward to hearing from you fellow artful bloggers!!!!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

*Home is in Reach*


This is my new piece. It is the second in my fantasy series (and it is available at my shop ) The first one (Hope in her Heart) sold last week...This one is on watercolor paper though, not canvas. Wanted to try it out and i really love the results (it's a change for me, i usually only paint on canvas- or walls, lol) Still trying to figure out whether to do a tutorial or a vignette showing for tomorrow's Artsymama blog...i will post a link to the site tomorrow...excited about it, i never seem to participate in stuff like this but want to get to know some artsy bloggers!!!

Monday, August 6, 2007

*Come on Girls.....*

Okay, so maybe that last question didn't inspire you enough to answer??? But let's get those minds working and figure it out...what have YOU dont today to make you feel proud???? There must be something...lke remembering to take medication, or not hitting someone who really irritated you, or saying hi to that co worker that you just can't stand...there must be something people!!!!

Friday, August 3, 2007

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

It's my version of Snow White...



This is a painting done on watercolor paper that i did last night...couldnt sleep. It's funny, sometimes i question my stuff and lately when i do that, i can't seem to stop painting, lol. I know things take time and i love this so i really cant stop. I have goals and i know that i will reach them, no matter how long it takes.

Monday, July 30, 2007

*Showcase Excitement*




I am so excited about this!! I was able to secure a spot on Etsy's Main Showcase today. Please check it out. I have been sketching out a new little series that i am really happy about. The first one in the series is called "with hope in her heart" and it is now available, along with a bunch of other paintings. There are 4 new ones that i just added today. Please check it out if you get a chance. Thanks so much!!!!!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

*Inspiration*



I have been holed up in my room today painting...going in a bit of a different direction this time....feeling a bit more in fantasy type mood, and want my painting to reflect that. The sadness in my work is gone for the most part, but i am sure not for good....
Listening to music, painting, enjoying some white wine...it's a good day.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Cottage on the Beach



That's what i want. Just a small one...a clean cozy space. Somewhere i can paint with the sound of the ocean in the background, with the smell of the sea and the sand and everything beachy that i love. With an old beat up leather couch in a funky color against cool white walls and painted wooden floor. With a small kitchen that houses a turquoise vintage fridge with endless supply of cold water, apples, green grapes and coca cola for the hubby and diet wild cherry pepsi for me. A cd player streaming plain white T's and ingrid michaelson, and kelly clarkson. A bookshelf full of unread books just waiting to be read. Not too much to ask is it? *sigh* one day, one day.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Just a thought....

Okay so i tend to worry a lot and maybe complain a lot (so people say) and can be a bit of a pessimist (although i have gotten SO much better about that) sometimes. On one of my usual strolls through the blogs i wander on i read a post about someone who is taking a vow to stop complaining, nagging and being a glass half empty type of person in general. Sounded good to me. SO what do you all think? Can you forgo all of that? It's amazing, i have been a lot more aware of the things i say and do and even think and cannot believe how much of it is crap thinking. I dont want to be a pessimist. I dont want to complain about stuff all the time and i dont want to nag...I promise myself to be better about all of that. And to all of my smart aleck friends out there who feel they need to remind me if i DO complain, kindly keep it to your self because then you too would be guilty of nagging, lol....just a thought. Gimee some feedback, if you want, that wasnt nagging, lol....oh my gosh here we go, lol.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

My Etsy Shop is Open!!!


Hey Everyone!! My paintings are now online on the etsy website.....
You can just go there and search for LinaBabes under user names or just click here and it will take you to my page...Thanks for looking!!!!

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Hopefully....


Hopefully i will get everything i need to do today DONE....I should get moving instead of sitting here at my computer but i need to fully wake up first, lol. I guess it wouldnt be the end of the world if i didnt get a pedicure today but i could use some new tootsie paint for the wedding-being that i messed up the polish from the last pedi the SAME DAY i got it. Last night was a frustrating one, could not for the life of me figure out how to make a banner for my Etsy shop (i am tech challenged) without distorting my image...so i made a crappy one, not really what i wanted....I also like what Kelly Rae does to her art, she has a watermark so that people know its copyrighted...i can do that in Photoshop, but for some reason it is difficult to get my Photoshop pics online...told you i am technically challenged. Is it too much to ask to have a nice banner and a watermark over my pictures? i think not....i came up with a DIY solution for the watermark at least...i will try it out later today if there is time of course....off to have some Kashi (honey almond flax somthing or other) and coffee........have a terrific day friends...........

Friday, June 29, 2007

*no snappy title*

I can't think of a good title for today's entry really. I am feeling kind of blah, maybe i am just tired. I think i am getting too old for staying out until almost one am...although i was staying out until much later than that just a few months ago. I guess i am questioning my place in the whole scene i have been such a big part of for so long now. I know for sure that things don't fall apart if i am not there, and that there are always singers lurking out there...i dont need to save the day (not that i ever really did, lol). I dont know, maybe the weather (dreary and rainy) is putting me in a mood.

Yesterday was the first day in about 2 weeks that i didnt pick up a paintbrush or sketch pad...i guess i was needing a break and today as i sit here typing i feel the urge to sketch out my feelings and put a face to the melancholy. Other than my own of course. I am hoping to get my Etsy shop open this weekend...I am not too nervous about that. I do think though- Hmm what if no one looks at my work, nevermind buy a piece? LOL, that would so not be funny....I do have delusions that someone will love all the pieces though and then commission me to make 50 more JUST FOR HER...lol...ok i know i have gone off the deep end...Anyway here's my latest....

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

*New Paintings...*




I have some new ones finished...i seem to be going more in the Pulp art direction now,lol...guess i am still finding my own style...I am going to be listing on Etsy hopefully this weekend...i need to figure out how to make a banner and how much to price these at......ugh...maybe wont be done till next weekend, lol...

Kelly Clarkson and other goodies....


Oh here is a self portrait in my environment....i saw it on Kelly Rae's site and thought it was interesting so i thought "why not..."

Okay so maybe i am a little bit more excited about the Kelly clarkson album (My December) than i should be....but forgive me. I LOVE her, her music, her passion, her talent....always have...this one might be the best yet...So far my favorite song on the album is "Sober". I have been listening to it all morning....

Anyway i finished another painting last night. More on the pulp art front, different from the others i have done. Very excited, i am proud of it...

On a different note, i have to say that a certain friend of mine (Pammo) brought me to tears last night with a beautiful email. I cannot even express the love and absolute awe at what she wrote to me last night...it made me cry with happiness....something i haven't done in a very long time. Thank you my dear dear friend...love you.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

*What I've been doing...*






Okay so here is what i have been doing for the past 2 weeks, lol....These are only the ones i am letting you see!! I have issues with showing what i consider to be total crap, but these i am satisfied with...I must say that i am delighted with the beachy looking one..She is my favorite...Working on another piece as we speak, got sidetracked cleaning out my studio yesterday for about 8 HOURS!!!! Anyway look for my Etsy shop soon...probably at least another 2 to 3 weeks....Thanks for looking everyone!!!! Kisses!!!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

*ramblings.....

dont usually show stuff before it is done, but i thought what the heck....This is part of a group i am working on lately. The first one called Hope has already been given away and unfortunately i didnt scan it really well so i cant show it but i was really proud of it. This is my third "keeper" as i call the ones that i think will be good enough to sell. THe others just go into a pile for me to figure out what to do with them, cause they are really just crap.
The weekend started out promising....then kind of fizzled out in a weird way. Almost like i wasnt even here and its days like that that make me wonder why i am? I didnt have a super day...kinda feeling bogged down by things that are supposed to get done but never do and feeling useless to kind of change things on my own....i cant do it all....i am rambling...gonna go to bed.

Monday, June 11, 2007

*my prayer in the ceiling)

When i was about 8 or 9 years old ( could have been younger i dont ) i was so consumed with a love of art. I used to draw and color and hole up in the safety of my room and imagine a different life on paper. I saw an episode of Little House on the Prairie. The one where Laura goes to the mountain to get as close to God as she can so that she can ask him to save her little brother...Well...i figured i couldnt get to a mountain, but (i am such a dork) at that age the ceiling in the basement seemed like a good alternative...i wrote a note...something to the effect of
"Dear God,
Please let me be an artist when i grow up.
Thank you.
Love Lina"
I got up on a chair, and put the folded up note up into one of the drop ceiling tiles. I figured God would get it. I know now that i didnt need to write a note, he heard me and he did what i asked....how cool is that.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Pretty Picture

This is the best shot i got from Ila and Sal's wedding...it makes my heart melt. I feathered them out and left the background in color and changed them to black and white....love it...and love you guys too....

Thursday, May 31, 2007

***happy thursday

I made this bag tag for a baby present that i got for my neighbor's new baby girl. Thought i would share...

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Good Day!





Hey thanks for checkin out my page guys, it means a lot to me... And Milena i will definetley see you Friday!! Have a couple of projects going to work on today...i actually made a pair of earring last night (i so dont need another thing to do, lol) i think they are kinda cute in a "retro, in right now kinda way"...whatcha think? Okay i will check in later..i have to go put on some music (lovin the Plain White T's right now...thanks for that Elsie!)

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

I Heart Self Portraits





Okay so i am not totally full of myself but i have become a fan of self portraits...there are barely no pics of me from the first three quarters of my life...which is why i seem to always be the pest with the camera where ever i am, lol.....