Insprations abound!

so lately I have been SO inspired to just seriously create.. FOR ME. Most of what I do is creating for workshops, and online tutorials.. (which by the way the Pumpkins & Cider Workshop started today and people are already posting their amazing work in the facebook group page and HOLY COW!!! totally inspired by them!!! wahoo!!

I have taken a couple of online workshops (and am currently taking some.. lol.. meaning I have paid for them and need to watch them!! DANG!!)

but watching other wonderful artist seriously inspire me to expand my own creativity. I totally value their perspective and how the approach a canvas or sketchbook.. I think it's always important to learn from others too when trying to figure out your 'OWN creativity"  I haven't ever taken a lot of online classes.. this year was pretty much my first and at the start of the year I had big plans do and I kinda failed at them all. WELL FINALLY this summer I said.. ENOUGH! I AM GOING TO TAKE TIME FOR ME!!! lol

I had so many artist I was just dying to learn from.. and So I signed up. I had been signed up for a while for Mindy Lacefields workshop, Paint your Story..

 (image is copyright of Mindy Lacefield )

but hadn't done anything with it. Hadn't watched the videos or logged in.. so I took the opportunity to do that as well.  I Sat down and just watched her and was in AWE of what she created!

 

I also  signed up for how to create an owl, by Juliette Crane.

(images taken from Juliette's blog and all credit given to her)

. oh wait I think I first took her how to create a GIRL.. and then fell SO HARD in love with the freaking girl.. I immediately signed up for how to create an owl..

and her latest workshop.. how to create whimsical animals.

 

Which just started sunday!! Boy the girl is amazing. ANother amazing artist I just recently signed up for Flora Bowley's online Class.." Bloom True" ,  because when I was at Donna Downey's inspired event.. she couldn't say enough awesome things about her!  and while we are only into week 2 of this class and are only currently working on backgrounds (did one layer last week and a second layer this week).. I can already tell I AM GOING TO LOVE what I LEARN!! I just want all six weeks at once! lol (i am so impatient.. now I know how you guys feel when you take a new workshop from me! lol)

(Image taken from Flora's blog and credit given to her for this picture)

the one thing I found in common with all three of these women.. is that they pretty much only use paint or oil pastels on their canvas. They paint alot with their hands(which of course you guys know I already do lol) but most of the "texture and design they get in their backgrounds come from their own hands making marks. They also use found objects a lot too (like you've seem me do before.. like paper towel rolls, etc) to make design, but they don't use things like sprays, or stencils, or stamps or rubons.. things like that to get texture in on their canvases. So when I first set out to create a canvas from Mindy's class.. I thought to myself.. HOW THE HECK am I going to create without all those things! lol.. that is what I Use! what I LOVE.. but I really wanted to try it anyway

If you remember right.. I ended up with THIS girl.

All done with only paint. nothing else. and I LOVED it. It forced me to use my skills and also my creative brain to create and find texture within the painting. which i loved. I admit mine doesn't look a whole lot like Mindy's beautiful work lol.. because of course I couldn't help but make her more of a "she girl" and add doodling and what not to create mine.. but I still like her.

Next was Juliette's class.. which I still haven't attempted to try an owl OR a girl OR a animal.. lol.. but I WILL! I promise! I just am waiting to kinda find my own style from what i am learning from her. She just amazes me. again.. using mostly only paint. (however she doesn't use plastic doilies and patterned paper sometimes.. a girl after my own heart! )

Now with flora.. hers is also a BIG step for me because it's a huge canvas.. and you have to fill the space and make it balanced and comfortable to look at. You have to think LARGER scale.. Her class started, like I said.. a couple of weeks ago, so we haven't really gotten into any type of design.. just putting on randomly.. but it helped think to myself that maybe I should revisit the canvas I did earlier this summer.. THIS one here.. and maybe add do it.. add designs into it somewhere.

ALSO it has inspired me to finish THIS canvas.. which I started in May! lol and still looks the same.. :( poor canvas.So I am going to FINISH IT!! it's almost there.. just think I need to define some of the shapes I have created..

 

and THIS One.. which isn't even halfway there.. (Hello!! I started this one is freaking may!!! LOL).. get it done girl!

Well last week I just couldn't stand it anymore and I wanted to just attempt my very first LARGE finished canvas.. just using paint only.. I even DOODLED and drew with my paintbrush and fingers.. NO pens or markers! Yes I was nervous lol. I started by creating just a background.. on both pieces, and then I just started doodling flowers and other shapes onto the canvas. Also writing words and such in places. I went back in some of my old art journals and took inspiration from some of those for shapes and doodled flowers.. as I tend to only do those in my art journals for some reason. I also have a doodle journal I keep with all kinds of fun abstract flowers and leaves and shapes that I refereed to before i started. BUT then I quickly found.. that using it was only hindering me.. so I just let go and just started doodling what was in my heart and what I saw on the page. Ended up with some fun shapes that actually made no sense at all! lol

  So the final ended up looking like this..

This is a LARGE 4'x6' canvas.. it's HUGE lol.. (can you see the bottle of paint down by the bottom? )

its very subtle in the background, as I was a bit timid at first to add more.. because I really wanted my doodling to take precedent.. but I am so happy with how it turned out. and actually in awe that I created something so meaningful to me without any stamps, stencils, rubons, paper or sprays! or even modeling paste for texture! It was just all simple paints and the stroke of my fingers and a fine tip paint brush.

The next one I created later in the week.. was with my mom.. she came into town and I surprised her by spending the day with her painting, outside on easels under the big trees at my new/old house. wow we had so much fun. I put on some inspiring music (my favorite low key CD from my baby brother VJ.. Just Around the Bend"   LOVE his cd! you can purchase it in our store!! , i took my shoes off and we just went town. This was my mom's FIRST time ever painting!! Here is what she created!

 

So proud of her..

for this painting, I wanted to really be ME and go with bold bright colors, like I do when I do my other work.. just full of texture and dimensions because of the paint contrasts.. and wow. it ended up SUPER bright! lol I seriously tried numerous times to calm it down.. but yea.. it seriously didn't work. It still is bright as can be. But I stayed true to me and kept with my doodles flowers and scalloped edges and stuff. Here is what I came up with

 

This canvas was about 24"x36" , Deep edge. again.. just doodled and kept doodling and pretty much just added scallops to every shape I doodled lol.. um you know me and doodles.. what was it they said to me on TLC craft wars? " you don't have to doodle on EVERYTHING" .. um I say YES!!! Lol

 

 and more scallops.. lol

 

I really had a blast doing both.
AND NOW i feel inspired to finish both of my larger pieces I started earlier this year.. by just honestly adding some of my doodles to them. the color block one I still think I will keep VERY simple.. but THIS one..

I think I can add maybe a few poppies or something just to give the eye a place to rest.

 

I wish I had more time, I am really fascinated right now with these large more abstract prints.. but in between workshops, getting my studio ready and blogging, etc.. I can't justify just taking a day off to paint everyday lol.

(oh but how fun it would be! ) Both of those large canvases only took me about 3 hours to do.. so If I had an entire day! OH HOW FUN IT WOULD BE!!

Since I created those canvases, and shared them with my friends via text.. some of them sent me to some other VERY Talented designers that I was just seriously IN AWE of and now.. can't wait to take classes from them!  One of them, Jesse Reno (I found him last week in a book at Barnes and Noble)..

(this image was taken from Jesso Renos' blog HERE.. he freaking ROCKS!!)

 

I have actually booked to take a class from him in person.. just today! AND BEN my husband is going to take it with me!!.

AND next year I am going to Nuture your creative seed with my friend Chrissy, (Um who I forgot to mention ALSO inspires me!! Look at HER freaking amazing work!!)

  and taking classes in person from both my dear friend Jeanne Oliver

 

(Image was taken from Jeanne's blog.. )

 

AND Minday Lacefield!!

WAHOO! There is one more I REALLY REALLY want to take.. okay two.. I always SO inspired by my friend Alisa Burke.. and all she is and does and creates. I have taken an class from her ONCE in person.. but we ended up talking almost the entire time .. just me and her.. about life and such) that I didn't really make anything! LOl.. so now I want to go to her new studio and just spend time with her learning from her and creating with her. I CAN NOT WAIT for that.

AND then I just heard about another retreat in June of next year.. called Artology.. and Juliette Crane, Mindy Lacefield and Danielle Daniel are teaching at!! ( I just found Danielle Danielle works this past week and was like HOLY FReAKING COW!! THIS GIRL ROCKS!!!!!!!) so now I am pumped and saving my allowances and birthday money to go to these retreats!

So.. that is my post for today..

oh i have to share one last thing.. a couple of weeks ago, Allie and I were trying to think of something fun we could do for a girls night out (on a school night) and we talked about just going to Barnes and Noble and hanging out.. but i had just got an email in my inbox for a new class from the very talented Melody Ross. It was all about her funky flower canvases she does and other things. Brave  Girl Art School .. anyhow.. we watched the first weeks' video.. and then headed to bed. The next day my son, Noah, my 7 year old came into my office and said "mom.. you know those videos you were watching last night.. can I watch those too? and can I make one of those too?"  I was like.. you mean the FLOWER videos? the video with the flowers in the vase? and he said  "yep.. can I?" 

I said.. okay.. sure.. maybe sometime in the next week when I have time to sit and help you.. well the entire week went by and Saturday came and he said "mom remember how you said we were going to do it this week?" and I was like.. YES lol.. okay.. let's get the stuff out.

So I got out some simple things for him to use.. paint, papers, decopauge of course, a glue gun and some fun embellishments like buttons, brads, etc.

So I started to just cut out of the petals for him.. for the flowers.. and he got MAD at me!! lo.. He said.. "mom! i am doing this.. .. I know how I watched the video"  I was like.. okay!! Lol.. chill boy. So I let him finish and glue them onto the canvas. Then he painted around each of the flowers.. and while it looked pretty sloppy.. I just kept thinking.. it's okay.. hes' 7. Well THEN he wanted to do the glue gun technique where you create shapes with hot glue.. and in this case use it for texture.. so I started using it and going around the petals and again he stopped me and was like "mom.. um can I do that" finally I decided I just needed to back off and let him do his thing. I wanted it to be "perfect' and he just wanted to do it. He had the Ipad next to him watching Melody as he went.. so I finally left him to his own creation and watched the BSU football game instead. lol

Well I came back about half hour later and I was AMAZED at what he done!!!! he had used the glue gun to create all sorts of texture all over the page! He even tried to use it for scallops (like I put on my canvases).. but with glue. AND he had gone in and painted all the glue as well.. all different colors. again.. it looked kinda sloppy but STILL HOLY COW! for a 7 year old! Melody is an amazing teacher!!  At this point I could tell he was frustrated it just didn't have the texture he wanted, so I helped him (and HE LET ME lol) show him how to add texture with some micro beads I had (I filled in the petals with mod podge and let him dump it in. And then also inside one of the flower  he wanted to put bottoms down everywhere but was having a hard time getting the concept of not letting the glue get dry before you put the buttons on. so I hot glued and he buttoned as I went.

THEN he went back to painting.. and when I came back.. AGAIN.. amazed!!  the only thing it was really missing was the glazing process melody's does on her painting, to give them an antique affect. I really wanted to try it to see how it would change the look of his canvas, since it was pretty darn bright AND messy.. wondered if some of the glaze would help hide some of the messy painting.. and so I asked him if I could help him glaze it.. so we did.

AND let me tell you.. I am in awe of how it turned out.. here is what he created..

can you beleive it??

Serisouly... now noah is love with Melody Ross and can't wait to watch more of her videos! lol

anyhow.. it just goes to show you that EVERYONE can be inspired by someone else.. everyone can find their own unique style from learning from other people.. it's about taking what you feel and getting it down. I also learned that sometimes just using simple paints and your hands.. can provide all the texture and details you need!!  don't get me wrong.. um I probably will never stop using my stamps, stencils, sprays or rubons! Lol  infact my next one.. I am going to start to incoporate some! for sure!!

So i guess what I am saying is go be inspired! I am now inspired by those taking my workshops and sharing their work on flickr and our facebook group pages.. always inspired.. that is how I found Junelle.. SO inspired by her work in a class she was taking from me.
So find something that inspires you and then learn to make it your own and not be afraid to share it either!

Happy Tuesday!

Comments

[formal gowns macys]

Oh my! Those Truth of the matter Tv set Actors can gaol for everyone tough time. Just about any option you can easily purchase the Kardashians with within this movement?

[Linch Niles]

I'm such a fan of your artwork, Christy. One day, I'll get that one for myself. It would be an additional to my collection of great artwork from great artist. I'm sure your parents are really proud of you. Keep on inspiring us.

[Erin]

love your new canvases! a day with Mom is an awesome idea. And Noah.....wow, just love his canvas. He obviously loves creating. Hugs to you all!!

[nancy Johnston]

Wow, Noah! I am in awe! Your work is wonderful - wish I could buy it from you, but I doubt if you'd ever sell it.

Frankly, your picture is better than ANYTHING I saw on Melody Ross's website, and I love her work. You should be really proud of your talent. I can only hope to get as good.

Thank your mom for sharing with us - I'm so inspired to get home from work and play with my paints and glue gun.

[mary]

christy, i LOVE all you canvases. they are so inspiring, and big, and fresh, and so you. thanks for sharing all your artist friends. some of them i was aware of and others i will look up. it is so amzing what everyone shares, pieces of them.

congrats to your mom for her first painting. and noah, great job. keep up the work.

[Marysu]

Never doubt the art of a 7 year old-they are so fresh from God!! My favorite art inspiration is my 9 year old granddaughter (who just happens to think art began with me-lol). With her it's all process, much less so the product and I've come to see she's got it right!! Another of my art mentors says never to say bad things about your art because it hurts their/its feelings. Your work is very you! Learn from others all the time, but your art will always be uniquely yours!! Love you much!!

[melissa johnson]

My first online course was your She Art course and I was hooked. I love the look of that owl class, I am loving owls right now. I need to check that out!! Your huge canvases look amazing, I am really intimidated by working on such a large scale. And your son's textured canvas is just beautiful!! What a talented family :)

[juliette crane]

so fun to have you in class, christy. and you will really love jesse reno's class...how fun you and your hubby will be taking it together. best wishes!

xoxo juliette

[cassandra]

Wow, Noah, your art piece is so beautiful. You are an inspiration to me, thank you for sharing this.
Christy, thank you for all you do in sharing your heart and creativity.

You are a blessing to me.
Cassandra

[Barbara Konopa]

Noah,
You are a very talented young man and I would daresay an artist. Keep up with your art and following your instints. If you do you will continue to evolve.

[Barbara Konopa]

Christy,
I think it is nice that you are taking online workshops but you have such an awesome talent and voice in your art. I can look at something on another blog and know it is yours. I think that terrible show "Craft Wars" did a number on you. It seems to me that you are now doubting your "voice" thinking you have to do what others want. Keep your doodles and all the "stuff" you add to your canvases because they say Christy Tomlinson. Just saying.....

Barbara

[Susie LaFond]

OMG girl, first of all I ADORE your artwork and your site is one of my favorites to visit and gotta tell ya, having taken all the classes in the last 6 months that you shared, you are in for some serious fun. Flora is amazing, Juliette is a sweetheart and Mindy is just plain fun to watch. I learned so much from all of them, like you I want to infuse my style using their techniques and finding my own balance within each class and I'm still absorbing things from each one. I'd love to take an in person class from any of them but thankful that they offer online classes and Jesse Reno, WOW, Just had to pop in and share the class love with ya. Many hugs and thank you for your amazing inspiration as well. Your colors always make me feel good head to toe. Love it all.

[micki]

hi christy, just wanted to tell you she art was my first online mixed media class and in 1 years time I have become acquainted with ALL OF THE ARTISTS you said that you have just came upon. AMAZING!
I actually met Melody last year at TCC, and Juliette lives in Madison-I live in Milwaukee:) just adore all of the artists that you mentioned. I also took Lifebook this year,so i know you have heard of tam. so awesome that she found you,too!
BTW, it is my goal to "win" a spot in your new/old home retreat that you have mentioned! (Xmas, birthday etc savings)

[Debi Minter]

Oh Noah!!! Your vase of flowers is wonderful. It makes me so happy to look at it... my heart sings! Christy, once again, thank you so much for the wonderful blog posts and sharing your amazing life with us. I am ALWAYS inspired after reading a long post by you!!! xo

[lori jolley]

I am so jealous of all the classes you are taking!!! How fun!
And Noah- I wish I could create like you do! I love your art! I think it is beautiful!!!

[mindy]

yay!!! you are coming to Nurture your creative seed!! awesome :-) i'm so thrilled and can't wait to connect with you in person darling girl. its gonna be so so good....

loves and hugs
mindy

[Melinda]

I find your story about Noah's "messy" art amusing when I think about your amazing work. He obviously has inherited your skills. Definitely back off and let him do what he wants. He is AMAZING!!! I've pinned his creation to my Pinterest board for inspiration!

[Mary Werner]

I LOVED your doodling on TLC and thought that guy was totally wrong when he said it. I just knew that you were the kind of person that would not let it bother you - maybe make you a little mad since he was trying to be entertaining by putting you down. He was NOT and I haven't watched the show since - just not my cup of tea. Your doodling on the play house made it sing!

[Fiona Davis]

It's quite amazing when we let our children just do it!. I am watching your Living Canvas class at the moment and my daughter always wants to sit with me and always asks if I am going to do some of that today. She is only 5 but is already a pasting and painting pro. Thanks for your inspiration Christy, you really are great at getting us out there and trying new things!

[Karen]

Thanks for sharing so much inspiration, Christy. Your work is so full of positive energy and joy! And how awesome that your mom and son have been getting involved and making such beauty!
My daughter and I are so excited to do the pumpkins and cider workshop!!! xo Karen