First Post

Well here is goes...I'm not quite sure I know what I'm doing but I'm definitely going to give it my best shot.

I have been scrapbooking off and on for about 6 years or so and once my son was born I decided to do his "First Year." Needless to say he is now almost 2 and 1/2 and I still have one more page to do. After his book, I have decided to start doing "mini" books instead of big 12X12 albums. They are just too daunting and make me feel overwhelmed. I have talked to many women in my mom's group (Escondido Mom's Group) and a lot of them either feel like they aren't creative enough (which I think is so not true; we are all creative and just need a little instruction & inspiration) or they just feel like they don't have the time. Mini albums are perfect for both of those obstacles. They are quick and easy because the pages are smaller and easier to work with. Another thing is you do not have to scrapbook EVERY singe picture. This something that took me awhile to figure out. Now I pick one or two of my favorite pictures to scrapbook and the rest will (emphasis on WILL) go into regular photo albums.

Now for the reason I decided to start this blog. In the past 3 months or so, I have been getting back into drawing. When I was younger, I would sit down with a TV tray in the living room and just draw. My dad is a cartoonist and that must be where I get it from. I was also been a big coloring freak and I still love to color in my son's books. I don't remember what the circumstances were, but about 3 months ago I just started drawing and then I did the unthinkable....I picked up a paint brush!!! I wanted to learn all I could about art supplies, techniques, paint etc. So I started to look for blogs on the web. Wow what inspiration and talent I found! I have been practicing and feeling out what MY style is and I feel like I was meant to do this. It makes me feel so complete. All my life I have always felt "average" at everything I do. I have "average" looks, I was "average" in school, I am an "average" singer. Right now I may still be an average painter and mixed media artist, but I feel like I can be more with a little instruction. So I signed up for an online class (Organic Dimension) by the talented Paulette Insall. I have been learning so much about how to add texture to canvas and I feel so grateful that she is sharing what she knows. Out of all the blogs I have been perusing, it seems that too often than not very few artists are willing to give up the goods! What I mean by that is share their knowledge. Some are great like Paulette, Suzi Blu, Wyanne and Time with Tascha. They actually spend the time to make You Tube Videos to demonstrate their techniques. I think they are Awesome and will be sharing their blog addresses at the end of my post. I admire so many other artists but am dying to know what their "process" is. So I tend to obsess over the artists mentioned above and check their blogs many times a day to see if their are any new video's or posts about how they make their art. I just feel like I am at a stage where I am a sponge and want to soak it all in. All the while, the dishes are stacking up and the toys are scattered all over the living room floor.

(The pictures are my week 1, 2 and 3 class assignments from Paulette's class)

Peace

My favorite Blog Queens!

Paulette Insall http://pauletteinsall.typepad.com/

Suzi Blu http://suziblu.blogspot.com/

Wyanne http://wyartjewels.blogspot.com/

Tascha http://timewithtascha.blogspot.com/