wELL hAPPY hOLIDAYS fRIendS!

Hey lovely friends! I hope your Christmas was wonderful! wow.. ours was crazy and fun and quiet and tiring and loud... all at the same time. I am PLUM wore out!

But i was able to spend some time in my studio with my kids before Christmas. Took a couple of days off to just really hang out with them, and my husband and get some much needed holiday stuff underwrap.

I started another painting.. from one of the sketches I did.. but I am not really happy with it as of yet..

This is the sketch I had done earlier..

 I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sketch of her. I even love her face. I usually don't like faces, but I do like hers.

Well So I got to town and painted her.. and this is where I got too..

TOTALLy not the same. I mean it's kinda.. but don't love the face. Mostly because it instantly gives her this personality that is kinda set in stone. Girls without faces, leave the personality and soul to be determined by the viewer.. and she has a very distinct look to her. Which is okay, I guess? The background is way to crazy busy. I will be changing that.  that's the awesome thing about art! Always changing and always evolving! who knows.. maybe by the time she ends up on my wall, she won't have a face again? lol..

I also was able to paint something for one of my besties.. Meradith. She is one of those special friends that you just have a hard time getting them something because you want it to be so special and usually a shirt or a pair of earrings just don't do it justice. So I decided to paint something for her. I wanted to paint something that was a little more abstract and home decor.. than artsy and crafty. That she could hang in her living room.  Earlier this fall I took a class with Floral Bowley and LOVED the techniques I learned in that class.. I took some of the techniques i learned with her, some I had learned with Mindy Lacefield and then of course my favorite techniques for adding textures (inks, rubons, stamps, etc) and created this for her. It's a large painting.. 24"x36"

 

Lots of flowers and doodles and rubons, everywhere. I dropped it off. I HATE seeings peoples reaction when I give them a piece of my art.. but her husband sent me a picture of her after she opened it and she also texted me and said a HUGE thank you! So I was glad that She liked it!

Speaking of Art.. a few months ago.. my husband I were looking at "marriage" retreats we could go on. We really needed some one on one time with each other and we also wanted some quiet and relaxation. We had thought about waiting until our anniversary, but summer is always so crazy for us.. so we decided to just look and see what was out there and go when we found something that sounded what we were looking for. Well we looked and looked and honestly couldn't find something that remotely sounded both relaxing and fun. A lot of great retreats.. but most time spent in "therapy" sessions, which while I am SURE those are fun and effective.. we just wanted to be together.

Well I had been following this artist named Jesse Reno.

Hes a VERY abstract Artist.. really kinda crazy art and I actually LOVE it.

(this is an awesome surfboard he did recently!)

 

Something I would probably put in my family room or a game room. Or a boys bedroom. Just really fun stuff.

Well I found out he was going to be teaching at an art retreat in Mexico.. a 5 day retreat. You are in class only 4 hours a day, the rest of the day you could spend still painting, either in the open air studio or around the grounds.. or whatever you wanted.  VERY low key, Small group, your housing, food, etc.. is  all included. It is held on private grounds.. in a small hacienda.. and it has a beautiful backyard.. GORGEOUS grounds.. lush green trees, quiet and secluded. A swimming pool, little places to read, and hammocks to take naps in. I was DYING.. i had a plan.. and i was SOO hoping Ben would go along with me! I thought it would BE SO MUCH Fun to go to THAT as our "marriage retreat". Just didn't know what Ben would think about that! l I mean I wasn't just asking him to go and hang out while I took the class.. if he came he would be COMING to be a student too! Paint right along side me! ol. So I presented him with the idea.. and I was amazed and THRILLED when he said.. okay! that sounds fun!  Now keep in mind.. my husband has NEVER done art with me before. He doesn't paint. He has done craft projects of his own (he decopuaged his gone once, he's made painted puzzles for my kids, he made his own rag quilt blankets and he recently made me a gorgeous wrap bracelet for Christmas!)   But he hasn't never really done mixed media art... And he said SURE! and was even a little excited!

Soo.. that was month's ago.. and we leave SUNDAY!!  I actually have been having withdrawls of leaving my kids. But I know they will be fine. We travel all the time.. but for some reason this time I just have felt more anxiety than usual. But ben still wants to go and I am still excited and we NEED this for us. WE need to focus on just us for one week. ANd I am truly excited we get to be doing something fun, low key but also adventurous at the same time! Jesse Reno's art is REALLY very much something  I think ben would like. Something He could do and that wouldn't make him feel girly. It's very masculine.. so I am actually really excited to see what Ben can do. I know he will create something beautiful!   So that is what we are up to! Heading to sunny Mexico.. odd timing.. but you can't pick the art retreat dates lol. 

So i have been working hard yesterday and today to get work done before I go. Lots to buckle up and get checked off.  So I guess that means I better button up this post! lol.

Well you will be HAPPY to know I videotaped the December mixed media kit video! I will be sharing that with you next week on Tuesday! It's set to air while I am gone. I also have that post finally I want to share with you about the glitter canvas project. I figured it wasn't really a "holiday" craft.. it is more of a home decor craft, so I could show that tutorial anytime! So watch for that too!

Hope you have a happy friday! AND hope you had a WONDERFUL Christmas.. and a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! can't wait to share 2013 with you all! I have some fun classes coming up and other projects. that I will announce and share when I get back! First one will start end of January! Wahoo! happy Friday!!

xoxox

Comments

[Maggie]

Hello Christy, I am sorry you have been ill, and hope you feel better soon. I am VERY new to mixed media and don't really know what I am doing yet. I have signed up for your 3 workshops and am very excited for them. I just got my first monthly media kit. The one for January and am hoping you do a video for it. I know you that they don't come with the subscription, but they really are the reason I decide to go ahead and subscribe. I am so new at it that the kit is a little overwhelming and I don't know where to begin. Thanks so much...a big fan.

[Nancie]

Christy I just have to tell you how much I am loving your art lately and seeing the progress and changes and how you are evolving! I am going through this myself...the techniques I've learned from you, Mindy & Junelle....I'm working on finding my way. Really enjoyed this post today and your girl - both painted and sketched is wonderful! Are you taking Mindy's new True Free Spirit class? I signed up but haven't painted yet...HUGS!

[angelica jackson]

I'm sure your friend loved your artwork, it is amazing!
My hubby and I were looking for ideas for our garage/my art room and we watched the video you did last year (I think?) for inspiration. I need more room to do stuff, but man, it is cold out there! Anyway, I am enjoying looking through your blog- We would be great friends, I can just tell!
Hope you are enjoying your trip!

[Retta]

What a great guy! I can't imagine my hubby going to an art retreat with me. Wishing you a wonderful, refreshing and renewal of your relationship. Marriage is hard work...especially when you have children and a career. By the way....the art you created for your friend is absolutely gorgeous!

[Tabitha]

Wow, Jesse has incredible art! That retreat sounds so wonderful. I hope you and your husband have an amazing time.

[cynthia regan]

So jealous! Had the good fortue to take 2 workshops with Jesse and they are all you hope for and more! Enjoy.

[terryk]

Have fun guys, you both deserve the break!

[Gail]

I love how we -you continue to evolve ...learning from each other. I'm a new follower and enjoy your art and posts.

[Leann Porter]

Sounds like a groovy time together! Enjoy!

[Laurie Sherwin]

the first thing i saw in your painting was the girl so the background is not too busy, and i like her alot, def understand how you feel about faces but she has a nice face. you are bieng way too critical of this let it go it it what it is meant to be. nuff said love your work Laurie

[janine]

very exciting. i understand how thrilling it is to have your hubby with you. mine helps with my business and goes to CHA and does workshops and a lot of times does better than me!!! men have no inhibitions - i love it! E-N-J-O-Y

[Linda R]

no texting....just you & Ben o.k.?
l

[Lisa barker]

Love Jesse Reno, been following him for years. So would love to do a workshop with him. Can't wait to see your work coming out of the workshop. How awesome experiencing it with your husband. Love your work and recent postings! Have a wonderful time Christy!

[Lisa]

Have a wonderful time! Enjoy and recover. You truly deserve some time away. Glitter project sounds exciting!

[Sherri Welser]

I wish you both a wonderful and amazing time together Christy!!

[Nolwenn]

I took a class with Jesse last year, a 2-day one. It was purely amazing.
So I can't imagine a 5-day one; in Mexico.

You will have all you need with Ben and your kids will be okay <3

[Raquel]

Have fun!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!! Happy New Year!

[Amy Vanpool]

I cannot wait to see and hear about this retreat! It sounds like just what I need. Have a wonderful time!!