When the Universe Speaks Part 2

The other day I wrote this post about getting past the February Blues and into a new frame of mind. Well this week the Universe kept on speaking to me. I found Art & Soul Radio.

 

They have wonderful interviews with some of the best artists mixed media. It's sponsored by the famous Art & Soul Retreats. You can listen to the podcasts on their website or subscribe via iTunes. I listened to interviews with Jane Davies, Jesse Reno, Carla Sonheim, Pam Carriker and Marissa Anne of Creative Thursday.

All the interviews were so inspiring to me. Each person had a different story and each person wasn't so different from me. Pam Carriker is a busy Mom like me. Neither Carla or Jesse have formal art training. They all love to play and experiment with art supplies. All of them had helpful insight on getting past blocks and obsticals to making art. I felt like these artists were encouraging me in my new attitude. It was so uplifting to listen to each of these interviews! I was even inspired to write down encouraging phrases. I'll eventually paint each of these and hang them in my art room as reminders.

 

 

 

In other news, next week I should have my first online store open! I will be partnering with Fine Art America. They are a print on demand resource for artists and my art will be available as prints and canvases for sale. How cool is that! I will announce the official opening here on my blog as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

I am also taking a course on using Photoshop to beautify my blog. Keep watching as changes are made to make it super snazzy. (Unless I get totally frustrated and chuck my computer out the window!)

Here are some links to the other places you can find me.

http://www.facebook.com/Lyndammetcalf.artist

http://followgram.me/lyndammetcalf

https://twitter.com/Lyndammetcalf

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

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Cardboard Inspiration

One of my favorite artists, Mindy Lacefield, posted this video, "Little Cardboard Paintings", on YouTube. I found it very inspiring so, I did a few of my own. Now, after you watch the video you'll see that I didn't do them quite like Mindy did. I tried, but got stuck. So, I decided to experiment and just create whatever the heck I wanted to. They're only cardboard. If I hate them I can toss them out if I want. No harm done. It is a completely freeing way to paint.

Here is how the backgrounds started on each board.

And here are the finished boards.

 

 

 

 

 

I used acrylic paints, Stabilo Marks All Pencil for sketching, acrylic inks for glazing and oil pastels. These were soooooo fun to make! I'll be exchanging these with some art friends of mine who are also making sets. If you are an artist and you are feeling stuck, try painting on small pieces of cardboard. I think when the material is disposable, it gives you a freedom in your creativity. You don't mind messing up. You don't mind painting over things. Watch the video and give it a go. You won't regret it.

 

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My Artistic Children

A continuous inspiration to me are my kids. I've tried to encourage their artistic interests without pushing too much. I show them some techniques but I mostly let them explore. What they come up with just playing around amazes me. I pretty much find myself saying "Why didn't I think of that?"

 

Some of Caitlyn's work. She's 3 1/2. She loves painting next to me.

 

 

The animal above was a collaborative effort between Caitlyn and me.

Below is my son Evan's work. He'll be 5 in a few weeks. He likes to draw funny characters.

 

 

The above bunnies were also a collaborative effort. Evan did the paint streaks and I thought they looked like two bunnies embracing.

It's so much fun creating with my kids. They aren't critical. They just create and when they are done, they're done. It's wonderful!

 

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