The Good with the Bad

So coming home from Costa Rica I have been in a real slow summer mode.

Finally.

And next week I go back to school.

So much for summer mode.

It's been a busy summer, with 2 trips, painting my kitchen cabinets and a few other chores.

Not much time to shut off my motor so to speak.

So the other morning I worked at the lake and did some pattern drawing.

I am addicted to drawing patterns ever since I took the SEWN class offered by Mary Ann Moss.

http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com/

I used one of the new small Dylusions Journals for these-I picked it up to bring to Costa Rica with me since I thought I might have some time to sketch.

Just about 30 minutes one night was all.

Anyhow, seems to me this paper kind of leaks through a bit. Is it just me? I didn't get to gesso any pages so maybe that's it.

Anyhow, wasn't as happy with it as with the big one, though I think I might just be remembering things wrongly.

Not really crazy about any of these patterns I drew. Some I like better than others.

Funny how some days nothing turns out in the liking range and other days you love everything you create.

Why is that?

I like the corner pattern on the left. Maybe not those colors. And I like the colors on the right.

So much I did another page in them.

What I don't like about the paper in this book is that it doesn't hold up to watercoloring very well.

I do know its not watercolor paper, but I had hoped that at least with these Distress Markers I could a quick water brush over them to get a bit more depth.

Oh well,

live and learn as they say.

Think I'll add designs elements and collage over these.

I hate having art I don't like.

The perfectionist in me I guess.

Something I need to learn to live with.

That's all for now.

Thanks for visiting.

More Patterns

Having been away on vacation for the last week, I haven't done very much art.

I didn't even do all that much on travel journal while we were gone-

shocker for me!

But here's some more patterns I had made before we left.

Today I need to unpack and hopefully get some play time. Everyone has gone back to work-so it is really quiet here for me!

Have a great Friday.

More Patterns

So yesterday when I went to visit my mom I brought the pattern book I made  (for  the SEWN class I am taking) and some drawings accessories to fill the pattern book with.

It was a great thing to do while we had several hours of girl talk.

Here's some of the pages I made.

My favorite page.

Little and variable.

This design has a certain appeal. I like it more and more as I look at it.

Like it better photographed than in reality.

 Just doodling and drawing and making patterns.

Using some watercolor markers and a water brush.

What fun!

We sure talked for a long time. I made a lot of pages.

So today I have packing to do. Packing isn't so bad. It's all the other little details to get ready to go. You know, remembering to water the plants. Getting the animals settled. Harley goes to my mother-in-laws and the cats are hanging home. Katie's beau will be stopping by to feed them and check up on them. Got to finish the laundry. Trying to remember all the things you need and can't easily buy when you get there. You know-the camera battery charger, the phone charger, the bathing suit.  My National Park stamp book. All that kind of stuff.

Got to remember to pay a few bills too so they don't go past due while we're gone.

All the details!

Have a super Tuesday and

thanks for visiting.

More Patterns

Haven't start my book for SEWN yet, but

I have become obsessed with making patterns.

Talk about fun.

AND

I love how this class has made me see patterns wherever I look.

Which is a good art thing,

I think.

Here's some more patterns-

I enhanced my basic painted and inked pages from yesterday.

Reminds me of those Mexican, Portuguese or Italian ceramics that I love.

Using Copics or Sharpies makes a whole lot of difference.

Its hard to know when to stop.

And one more

So I am working at the lake this morning-

that is if it isn't still raining,

and when I come home I

think I will make some patterns.

Or maybe start sewing my book.

Stop by again and hopefully I'll have more to show you.

A Productive Day

Here's what I have been up to yesterday.

Decided this needed a new color-now with my floor finished.

You can see it near the dresser.

A light smokey grey instead of white, grey and red distressed.

And then to keep playing with paint,

and to finally get started with SEWN class

I painted patterns!

Starting

Continuing

Lots of colors

This was sure FUN and RELAXING!

On all kinds of paper with paint and ink.

Looks better now with the design, even with the palm trees showing.

And then I went to Lowe's with my friend Vicky and I looked at paint for my kitchen cabinets.

Brought home 2 little samples-

tomorrow will paint some cardboard and tape it up to see what I like.

Paint all day!

Even in the rain it was a great day!