Beautiful Old Barn and Wildflowers

Today I went on another photo shoot.  I am really trying to do something creative every day.
I wanted to get more pictures of this old barn before it falls down.  I was slinking around, clearly
trespassing,  and the owner caught me.  Happily, he gave me permission to continue on my little
jaunt.

 

 

Our Redbud trees are in full bloom and their vibrant color is gorgeous.

 

 

 

I have some great news that I will share with you in the next few days.

Stay tuned and may Spring bloom for you wherever you may be.

 

Hugs,

Diana

New Art Work (and a little story)

I just wanted to share a new set of art work.  This is being shown in progress from start to finish.
This really was a challenge for be because it's not my normal color palet, or style.  I was inspired by  Elizabeth Allan.  Link below.  I wanted this piece to be my own, so I added my own ideas to it.  Each canvas is 4"X 12".  I used acrylics, watercolor, rusty hardware, stamps and ink.
Hope you injoy.  Feed back would be appreciated.

http://elizabethallan-blog.blogspot.com/2012/10/mixed-media-mash-up.html

These are the 3 canvases

I had a really hard time trying to build up the color. Canvas doesn't lend itself well to watercolor.
I had worked out the basic design in my art journal and when the canvas didn't grab the color and
smeared and left all kinds of blotchy marks I was ready to throw the canvases out the window.  LOL!
I lost the feel  & I was very discouraged.   Mantra, gesso is my friend, repeat, try again. I smeared gesso all over the canvas with a paper towel.  Then swirled on more color with another paper towel.

Now I'm starting to achieve the look i'm after.  I start feeling better about the painting.  But....
I still have that inner critic telling my work is not good enough and who do I really think  I am?
I keep pressing on and tell that inner critic to shove off.

I had cut out flowers with the Tim Holtz tattered floral die and colored them with Gelatos.  I stamped and smeared more gesso tell I got the look I was after.  Then I dug into my endless stash of buttons, rusty door hardware and started glueing everything down.  I do have to admit after all the sweat, and self doubt and trouble with the paint smearing, I am pretty pleased with how it came out.

I choose the quote "Bloom where your planted" because right now that phrase has alot of meaning to me.  I have been feeling really isolated living in such a rural area.  I hate to admit that I have been having a pity party of feeling sorry for myself.  Sooo....I decided as cheesy as it sounds to start blooming where I've been planted.  The other part of the painting says "create your dreams and live them now".  I have been trying to do something creative everyday.

I hope this little story brings some inspiration to your life.  It's hard to open up and show
vulnerability, but that's what I choose to share with you my dear readers.  I hope you enjoy this
painting.  Please leave me a comment and let me know you were here.
Hugs to you all.

Diana

Spring Is in the Air

 

Spring is in the air but I know mother nature has a trick up her sleeve.
Just when we think we are safe and winters over, we will get this.

 

Today I went on a little photo shoot around my area and I wanted to show

you some of my photos.

 

 

This old barn is really ramshackle and ready to fall over.  It really saddens me to see
these old relics in such a state of decay.

 

 

 

 

 

I love this old tree stump with the "NO Trespassing" sign hanging haphazardly from it.

 

 

 

Snickerdoodle says hello to everyone.  He has grown into a 14 lb

bundle of lovable fur.

 

Samantha still hates him.

 

And now dear friends I must bid you a good night.  I promise to come back with some pictures of

my current art projects.

Hugs,

Diana

Snicky makes friends with a deer

Hi everyone.  Just a quick post.  This picture was taken in a total rush to get the shot.  Please excuse the blurriness.  My darn cat tries to befriend anything that comes on the property.    I really worry that one day he will try to befriend a skunk or a mountain lion.  Or worse!

I thought this was so cute anyway.    Enjoy your day.

More studio pictures

You know, I just feel so bad that I totally forgot about the blog party.  I had huge plans.  I was really going to clean the studio, fix up the outside and do this wonderful post.  Then life happens and I just simply forget.  I have been looking at all the gorgeous studio photos and blogs worthy of magazine publication and I am so impressed.  Gosh I wish you all lived closer.  We could be such wonderful friends.  I snapped a few more pictures to share with you.  Please take the time to take a peek.

This is right outside my studio door.  My studio is 11 X 14 and is seperate from my house.

Ribbons and laces in a vintage basket.  I love the material that covers the basket.

My  painting station.  I covered the drafting board with pages from a book that was falling apart.
The Country Diary of an Edwarding Lady.  I have several copies of that book.

My beloved studio cat  Snickerdoodle.  Can't create without him by my side.

This was an auto parts storage cabinet in a past life.  My husband gave it to me and we  um I mean He cleaned it up and painted it for me.

This is a mixed media canvas i'm working on.  This is just the background.

Just a few of my beautiful laces.  I am a laceaholic.  I love it!
Well, this concludes this little tour.  Thank you for checking back with me.  Have a great day
wherever you are.  Hugs,   Diana