50 by 50 Week 3

It was fun playing with a baby photo - seeing the determination in my eyes, the defiance mixed with uncertainty. I was reaching for a Christmas ornament on a tree, and not sure whether I was going to get scolded.





For part of my life I did forget that I had a mind of my own and that I was capable of making my own decisions. I forgot that I was very good at taking care of myself. I forgot for quite a long time actually. I thought that others knew better than I did; that they had more knowledge or experience. I was wrong. I always know better what is best for myself. We all do.

Are those wings I feel beginning to unfurl?

Color Wash Experiments

I spent part of my long weekend creating more color wash experiments from the Michael deMeng online workshop that I am taking.

Here is 'Blue Barnacles':




'Cold Stone':




'Salty Sea':




'Green Goblin':




'Verdigris Crunch':



Then I used Photoshop to overlay 'Salty Sea' on a photo I took a few years ago in Colorado. Here is the result:



I am very pleased with the combination. I will play more with Photoshop - overlaying photos and artwork. I also want to play with masks and place people from my collection of vintage photos into these images. Still so much to learn...

50 by 50 Week 2

I felt like using glitter this week. I think it is fun to get gaudy once in awhile! Here is my postcard this week from my wiser self, Artemis, using glittery embossing powder on the swirl stamp patterns:



And the note she wrote me:



I have also started an online workshop on "Color Washes" with Michael deMeng. The first color wash I tried is what he calls "The Uszhhh!!!" - meaning his 'usual'. He makes wondrous assemblages. He ties the elements together using paint. You would never know that some of his elements are plastic, others are metal and others wood. He gives his work a lovely patina showing layers of age. His recipes can be found in the Color Wash workshop, or in his book, Dusty Diablos.

I used three surfaces:
1) the suggested Golden Molding Paste


2) Golden Fiber Paste


3) watercolor cold press paper


I am making a series of these washes and will keep the cards for reference when I create my own work. It is a lot of fun mixing and playing with paint washes.

50 by 50 Week 1

I am starting a new project. This year, in May, will be my 50th birthday. Therefore it seems an appropriate time to look over my life, appreciate the past and the lessons learned, and to bring that wisdom into the beginning of the second half century.

I have decided to create a postcard each week for 50 weeks from my "higher self", my "wise woman", Artemis. Several years ago, while at a Life Coaching training, I took part in a guided meditation. In this meditation I met my higher self who introduced herself as Artemis. I visit her often, especially when I need to access that part of myself that knows how to strip away the unnecessary from the truth, or when I am trying to make a difficult decision.





You may click on the photos to make them larger.

After 50 years I find myself following similar patterns in my thoughts. I have gradually become more aware of my thoughts and am often able to stop myself from heading along particularly destructive thought paths, but I still have a way to go before I am fully conscious of my thought patterns. I know that thoughts create words, which create actions, which then create my life as I experience it. So, theoretically, if I change my thoughts, then my life will change. Habits though, are sometimes difficult to break. But, not impossible...... I have seen positive results over the last few years. I have changed my thoughts of complaining, blame and self pity, to ones of optimism, joy and serenity. I focus more on the present moment, than the past or future. As a result, I am happier and more content.

Here is to a new year and new thoughts which bring more joy and happiness!