Sneak Peek.....

I had a day off work today which meant I had time to be creative. Inspired by the wonderful Kelly Berkey, I had forgotten just how much I love using a palette knife (and only a palette knife) to create a painting. So today I dusted off my acrylics and started a painting. Here's a sneek peek! (more to follow in another post).

It's been so long since I have used a palette knife to paint and this is another painting I did a while ago with just the knife.

I love the textures it gives and I find myself getting covered in paint as I use my fingers to help the paint move on the canvas - and to me that is heaven. Which is probably why I don't mind using pastels.

You can click on the pictures for larger images.

Happy Tuesday everyone xx

Weekend in pictures

Sunday Sketches

It's not been a very creative week and I really do miss being creative. It's my core, it's in my soul so when I am not able to create it just doesn't feel right.

So as I have been unable to do anything to last weeks idea, I grabbed an old painting which is still taped to my painting board and decided enough was enough and that I was going to finish it one way or another. I've been working on it on and off for a couple of months now, dabbling every now and then but not actually making any decisions on it. So here it is, finished. I am not doing anymore to it and although I am not sure what to do with it, I may use parts of it as postcards or greetings cards. I won't cut it up, but just use photographs to find an area I like. You can see the previous stage here.

Click the picture for a larger view.

Please join me at The Blue Chair Diary for the other Sunday Sketches.....a great bunch of people with wonderful ideas and art.

Have a lovely Sunday. We have sunshine where I am in the UK and it's been beautiful for the past few days, so Jim, Daisy and I may head off to Kew Gardens, providing I can find my membership card that is.

Happy Sunday everyone!

14/52 - Carrying on creating

This week I haven't really been that creative. I came down with another cold and have also been busy sorting other things out. Anyway, I picked up a painting I started ages ago to see if I could revive it. Can't say I'm convinced but I wanted to feel a brush on paper again.

My little head is whizzing around with all the things that need doing......so much so that I want to run and hide! Go somewhere nice, relax and when I come back it's all done. If only life was like that!!!

Have a great weekend!

Sunday Sketches

This weeks sketch for Sunday Sketches is based on the lyrics of an Elbow song, Great Expectations. I saw them at the O2 on Monday and they were brilliant....actually better than brilliant. We had fantastic seats and they played all my favourite songs, so I was one happy bunny.

The sketches are very much a work in progress as I am still trying to work out the composition of the picture, but I thought I would share my progress so far.

I hope you all have a great Sunday and please join me in checking out the other entries.

Helen xx

13/52 - Through it all we have Love

This weeks photo is a Hipstamatic shot of Jim's painting. He left it ready for me to see when I came home from a hard day at work. Wonderful I say.

I used the flash to give it a different effect and I think it came out really funky looking.

Which reminds me, I will share some exciting news next week kind of relating to this post.

I hope you are all having a good week. It's been a mixed one for me and I am looking forward to two days with Jim and the kids and spending time with my mum as it's Mothers Day here in the UK on Sunday. I cherish every moment I have with the people I love as life is too precious.

Have a wonderful weekend! xx

Blogs from Around the World - Joji Roper Todd

Welcome to March's Blogs from around the World where this month I feature the very talented Joji Roper Todd. Joji produces vibrant folk art and her paintings and sculptures are amazing.

Where is home for you?

I live in south Florida now but was born in North Carolina.

How did you get started as an artist?

I have created art for as long as I can remember. As a child I loved to draw, color, paint, sew, crochet anything that was creative. My Carolina grandmother was very creative and made daily life so interesting. There was nothing she could not do.

Are you currently represented by a gallery?

I am not represented by any gallery, I self promote my work.

What is your preferred Medium?

My favorite medium is really 2 fold. I love acrylic paints and paperclay. I like to work in both at the same time as one inspires the other.

What artists inspire you?

I am most inspired by obscure folk artist not in the main stream. Those who produce art by any means possible. Without conventional tools and supplies and non conventional subjects.

Describe your typical day?

My typical day consist of some form of work in my studio which was once my living room but has been consumed by my work. Even if I don't actually do work I am researching some form or listening to inspirational music.

I love your series on the Blue People. Can you tell us more about the project?

I have always been enthralled with Appalachia. The people the music and such. I would sit and listen for hours while my granddaddy played the banjo. While researching more about Appalachia I discovered the "Blue People Of Troublesome Creek" They captured my heart and I needed to bring them to life. I will be doing that for some time as I have endless ideas for paintings and dolls I want to create based on them.

Thelma so far is my favourite painting of yours. How did she come about?

Thelma is based on women who hung around the beauty shop where I worked as a newlywed. She is named after my grandmother. They are polar opposites and I found that comical. My grandmother was a staunch baptist and tea-totaler.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

My inspiration is mountain people and their music. I adore the Appalachian sound and its people and am inspired by their stories.

Are there certain colours in your palette that you would not be without?

The one color I could never do without is RED......It is my bloodline in my work.

What’s next for Joji Roper Todd?

I never know what is next. Working on the mountain folk and blue people give me plenty of satisfaction for now. I do not think their stories will ever run dry, and hopefully neither will my art.

Thank you Joji for being a part of my Blogs from around the World. Please visit Joji here and you can find her etsy store here.

Have a wonderful evening!