MessyJessyCreatesArt

Studio Calico is having a design challenge and I am submitting 5 different mixed media backgrounds as paper design challenges.  I would REALLY appreciate it if you could take a few seconds and vote for your favorite or all of my submitted designs :-) http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries?utf8=%E2%9C%93&filter=all&project_type=Member+Design+Challenge&kit=&technique=&search= These are the paper designs I have submitted:-)  I think all you have to do is click on the heart under the picture to vote!  Thank you soooooo much!

"Healing with the Arts" This is a book that I bought on my trip to Portland at Powell's Bookstore. I started a little journal to sketch out butterflies and mix visual art from Chapter 5 with Words from Chapter 6 in the book " Healing with the Arts"

As I sat in my studio listening to the moaning of our 18 year old do who is in 'hospice' in my studio because she can't get up and down the stairs to the house and has no bodily function control, I painted.  This week's lesson was titled "Reach for the Stars" with Jenny Wentworth.  But all I could do was think about Chi Chi.  I listened to her in pain and thought about all of my memories with her.  I tried not to cry.  I talked to a couple of friends about the grief I was feeling and how to decide when it was time to have her put to sleep or just make her comfortable until she passes.  I painted all of the beautiful flowers thinking about these things.  As a family, we decided that it was time.  The decision, and the thought of loss for our beloved pet of 18 years, weighed heavily in my heart.  But it is time.  For Chichi.  So I dedicate this piece, not to reaching for the stars myself, but to the memory- the life and death- of Chi ...

http://www.mindylacefieldart.com/p/online-workshops_4.html This class was so much fun!  I like the fact that you don't have to be perfect with Mindy's style.  This family portrait is hanging on my wall and everyone LOVES it!  :-) I made this portrait of the little boy that I watch on Saturdays and his mother.  He actually did the background!  He is very talented and loves to come into the studio with me.

Have I told you hust how mych I LOVE Scrapbooking From the Inside Out Kits! http://www.scrapbookingfromtheinsideout.com/buy/kits/true-story-kit/ I should totally be a designer for them- I love them so much!  They have design boards, music play lists, quotes and prompts, etc. Anyway, When I arrived home from my art retreat in Oregon, I had my October kit waiting on me :-)  Yippee!!!!  It is beautiful!  I love the pinks and golds, the butterflies and hearts- it is amazing! They also have art journaling challenges which I LOVE to participate in.  Here are my layouts for Challenges 1 and 2...... Challenge #1 True Story Kit I need three things to help me remember to live my story:  Laugh as much as I can, just be happy- no matter what, and always be myself! Challenge #2 True Story Kit My true inspirational story from the heart

Oh my!  October has been so busy!  First, I was asked to join the design team with Tangie Baxter's new ART JOURNAL PAGES- Yippee!!!!!  Second, I spent a bit over a week with some friends in Portland and on the Oregon coast- so much fun!  I am now in the process of getting a tutorial ready for Tangie's DAY OF THE DEAD online craft party- It is going to be a blast!  Now, I am home and trying to play catch up :-) http://shoptangiebaxter.com/pages/art-journal-emporium Here are some of my AJP that I have made so far..... http://shoptangiebaxter.com/collections/frontpage/products/day-of-the-dead-craft-party http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0FbNmLRuzYsXC

I am still in love with this color pallette!  Love the turquiose, aqua, white, and rusty colors..... says fall to me.  It also says beach trip!  In just a few more days, I am going to visit in Portland and Yachats :-)  Squee!!!!  Super Excited! Anyway, here is the paint pallette for September again that was posted on the Art Anthology blog.... http://artanthologyinc.com/blog/?p=10378 I painted the butterfly on canvas to represent my spirit animal. I have had this box sitting around my studio for ages.... I thought it was time to bring it out and  paint!  My intention is to put mini trinkets in to from my trip to Yachats beach when I return from my trip. Oh my!  Isn't this yummy?  I made an accordian fold book to draw and journal and put pictures in from my trip.  This is the cover. It is accordian fold so it will expand and I can put plenty of ephemera in it.  There is A LOT of texture so I added a layer of cl...

http://shoptangiebaxter.com/collections/frontpage/products/photoshop-for-mixed-media-bundle This is an excellent class if you have trouble using Photoshop for mixed media projects.  It covers the basics as well as many topics on using all of the tools that PS has to offer.  I have learned so much from just the first lesson!  I will be back to share some of my digital creations with you :-)