Find Something to Inspire You

Yesterday I was facing an empty canvas.  I knew I wanted to create but couldn't find inspiration.  I searched through my archive of pictures (I have a huge file),  but nothing piqued my interest.  I was aching to create, yet I couldn't begin.

After dinner my husband and I decided to take Dasher to the dog park.  He ran and swam, enjoying his friends and freedom.  We threw the ball and strolled through the park when it happened.  WHAM the ball hit a tree!  And I saw images that intrigued me.  These beautiful, elegant trees were bathed in light as the sun was setting. Their branches entwined.  Their roots a mass of tangles.  Lovely organic shapes that nature creates. Now I'm ready to make some art!

I'm not even sure what kind of trees these are.  I know they are strong ones to survive in the brutal Houston heat.  Each tree is as individual as we are.  Each species has it's own characteristics.  I'm itching to capture their beauty on paper or canvas.

Today I think I'll stick with sketching on paper. Drawing a tree can be a simple or complex thing.  Since each one is different I suggest that either draw it from life or, if it's as hot as it is here, use a photo.  Feel free to print out one of my photos if you'd like.

1.  Start with a simple line drawing that captures the shape of the tree and it's branches.  Fill your page from top to bottom.  Don't worry about being perfect.  The tree isn't going to be insulted if you make it look fat.   Just get the basic information on to your paper.

 2.  Now begin to put some value in like I showed your in my previous blog:  Art Basics - Pencils.


3.  After you complete your first sketch try drawing it again maybe a different portion or from a different angle.  Remember these are just practice sketches to inspire your creativity.  Perfection isn't the goal. Being creative is!

NOTE:  Yes, my blog format looks different today.  I was experimenting with some new templates.  I'm a digital immigrant and am just learning about all the possibilities my blog design has.  Please bear with me!

Fear of Heights

Once I relaxed - Sweaty but happy!

If you ever want to get over a fear of heights you might want to try hanging on a zip-line.  In Costa Rica they called it the "Canopy Trail" but I think that was just to make us "gringos" forget that we're going to be hooked to a wire and pushed off a ledge. It was crazy idea that my husband and friends had.  "This will be fun Karen! You're going to love it," they said.  Sure I would.  As soon as I empty the contents of my stomach!

My first run.  I was even
gripping my ankles!

All I can remember after getting harnessed up is looking at my shoes.  We were standing on a wire mesh ledge attached to a tree about 2 stories off the ground.  My feet appeared transparent as I looked down could see the rusty mesh and the ground below.  "Jump up," the guide said as he hooked me to the cable.  I put my hands where he told me and listened to instructions about how to use the brakes.  BTW - the brakes consist of a leather strip on my well worn gloves.  "What ever you do," he said, "don't let go!"  NO S%*#!  I was then pushed of the ledge and sent sailing through the air. My stomach gets in knots again just writing this!  I held on with white knuckles staring intently at the hook holding me on the cable.  Before I knew it I was on another ledge being unhooked.  When Joe landed he checked on me.  "So," he says, "how'd it go?"  I still couldn't decide whether I was going to laugh or be sick. Before I could take action I was hooked up again and flying through the trees.  All I could do was stare at the hook and continued my death grip.

As I was hooked up to the third run I decided this time I was going to look around.  So as I left the ledge I opened my eyes and took in all that was around me.  It was breath taking!  The blue of the sky, the lush green of the trees, random flowers of pink, and mountains in the distance filled my vision.  I felt like I was flying!  Here's a little video (taken by the guide) for you to experience the thrill.  That's me in the pink shirt - notice I'm smiling now!

While I don't think I've completely gotten over my fear of heights, I believe I've come a long way. Don't get me wrong - I'm not ready to go bungee jumping of the side of a building or cliff diving. But with a well trained guide,  proper tools, practice and safety precautions jumping out of a tree became less scary!  It was an exhilarating experience!

After - I could only see
the view.

Before - I could see through
my foot!

See if you can draw one of your fears before and after.  It'll make you feel victorious!

White water rafting.

Have you ever considered becoming more fearless?  I recently read a blog by Corinne Rodrigues called Kicking the bucket list. I would highly recommend reading it and watching the TED talk she links to. Her post made me think about how I would like to live my life if I knew it was coming to an end.  The first thing that popped into my head was to overcome my fears. And I'd already started last week.

On a beautiful day on a river in Costa Rica I overcame one of my biggest fears. Water. I love being on the water.  Any kind of water. Lake, river, ocean, creek, stream, they all give me a feeling of peace. But water also terrifies me.  I worry about under tow, sharks, jelly fish, currents, storms, waves and rocks.  I'm always afraid of losing control in the water.  So getting on a raft in a foreign country on a fast moving river was frightening.  I didn't tell my husband or our friends about my fear.  I decided it was time to let it go.

The first few runs were easy.  I followed the guide's directions by paddling when he said and getting down when it was rough. Then it got rougher. The first time I fell out of the raft I was confused and scared.  My friend Mike pulled me back in and we laughed about how glad he should be that I'd lost weight. I felt sick to my stomach.  The second time I fell out I landed on a rock.  Ouch.  My husband hauled me back in and gave me a kiss.  The third time I tried to fall out Joe grabbed my legs and held on.  I took a big drink but sat back up.  This time I wasn't scared!  I was ready to go!

 Then we came to this.  A 15 foot drop.

Paddle hard! Get down! Hold on!  Splash!!

And I stayed on the boat!

So I faced one of my fears and overcoming it felt wonderful.  I felt excited when we went back to the hotel and painted this. Calm waters (I tamed them) and beautiful trees without any monkeys (another fear). Don't ask me to take on them next!

Tomorrow maybe I'll tell you about going on the zip line.  Did I mention I have a fear of heights?

Vacation Observations.

Vacations are tiring.  Joe and I returned last night from a week of fun and adventures in Costa Rica.  Rest didn't seem part of our agenda.  It started off calm because the flight over there was quick and easy with no lines, complications or waiting. Joe rested while I did a little drawing. Our friends,who were traveling with us, also relaxed, getting charged up for the week to come.

 It was raining when we got to our hotel, The Riu Palace, so we went to the bar.  We began to meet people right away.  The bartenders were friendly and insisted on showing us many drink mixing tricks.

 Our first meal was at the Japanese restaurant.  All you could eat sushi and many sumptuous entrees. Each day was filled with new adventures like white water rafting and zip lines.  And we never missed an opportunity to try a new drink or enjoy all of the delicious food options.  We spent time going to shows and playing black jack at the casino.  Because this was our first time at an all inclusive resort Joe and I were ready to crash pretty early.  But Mike and Kim are veteran travelers and would head to the disco for more fun.

The view from our room

As we were boarding the plane yesterday Kim turned to me and said, "I'm going to need to detox after this trip!"  I couldn't agree more so the first thing I did was look up ways to cleanse my system.  I found Detox Drinks and picked up the ingredients this morning.  I mixed up a batch with cucumber, lemon and mint to drink today and will try the watermelon mint one tomorrow.  I've got to get ready to go back to work on Monday so this weekend will be the "Post Vacation Cleanse."

Think it's time for a nap.  Then I'll think about writing my blog about the white water rafting, zip lines and why I'm glad the monkeys had the week off.

Packing for a trip.

My husband, Joe and I are leaving for a vacation to Costa Rica tomorrow.  We are so ready for the sun and relaxation - getting away from it all.  But before we leave we have to pack and prepare.

It's much easier to pack now compared to the old days when my children were little.  I remember focusing so hard on their needs that I would forget to pack my essentials.  As they got older we created a check list and I turned their packing over to them. Underwear, check, socks, check, bathing suit, check. . . .  Although it's just the two of us now I still use a check list.

Art Supplies are always on my list to pack. I do have to admit that sometimes they stay in my suitcase because I'm too busy.  I always take a camera to capture images for future projects.  I also collect maps and other trinkets as I travel.  This trip I've decided that I'm going to schedule a 30 minute art break everyday. Yesterday I went to Michael's looking for a new sketchbook (all of mine were full!).  I was surprised by two things.  First of all the number of choices and secondly that they were having a 40% off sale on all sketchbooks and papers!  Time to stock up!  I settled on a nice one that is 7 x 10 with pages for mixed media.  I've filled a zip lock bag with pencils, markers, colored pencils, brushes, watercolors and watercolor crayons. It's so hard sticking to the just a few essentials!
 

Dasher sad that
we're leaving him.

Dasher happy at
"puppy camp."

We dropped Dasher at the dog sitter's house.  I found a great woman who watches a few dogs in her home. Great business idea, she gets to stay home with her child and earn a good income. Very creative thinking.  And my puppy doesn't have to spend the week in a cage.






Even if you're not planning a trip (or you've already been on yours) consider putting a bag of essential supplies together with a small notebook.  Keep it in your car or somewhere you can grab it for a spontaneous burst of creativity!  I used to doodle in my sketchbook for hours as I waited to pick up one of my sons.  Or better yet schedule that 30 minute creativity break.  It will refresh you!

Since I'm going on vacation I'm not sure how many posts I'll get out next week. But I can guarantee there will be lots of posts when I get back!

You need a map!

I travel between Virginia and Texas several times a year.  Dasher the dog and I stop at every state line for a little break and a walk.  I also like to pop into the visitor's center where I pick up paper maps.  I started collecting these maps for mixed media projects years ago.   For a while I've suspected paper maps will soon be obsolete now that there are so many GPS options. My suspicions are coming true because this summer when I stopped in Mississippi I found that they didn't have the old paper maps.  They had created a glossy magazine full of coupons with a little pullout map without too many details. So pick up some paper maps in your summer travels, they'll be collectors items soon.

I use maps in my artwork in lots of different ways.  As a  drawing surface, in collage or as a sculpture,  maps are so interesting with all of their lines, words and colors. They can remind you of places you've been and people you know.  Maps can make your art even more meaningful because of these memories.

Let's make a folded map book.

I've used lots of different kinds of paper for this project but I find maps make these books even more interesting.

 1. Cut five 6 X 6 inch squares.

2.  Fold in half

 3.  Fold it in half again

4. Open the paper and fold it diagonally

 5.  Open it up again

6. Now comes the tricky part. Fold in the diagonal parts in,

 7. And flatten.

8. Fold the other 4 pieces the same way.

 9.  Now open and on a flat side put a little glue

10.  Attach the next page flipping over the paper and matching up the flat sides.

 11.  Continue adding all pages.

 12. Carefully fold them into an accordion style book.

 13.  Decorate your book with words, doodles and pictures.

14.  With the scraps create a paper doll.  Or save for future collages.

During the holidays I'll show you how to turn this book folding technique into a star.