Friday, August 28, 2015

[Video] Visual Journal Flip & Studio Update

Happy Friday!  I have finally started my YouTube channel again!  I had one a few years ago and I wanted a fresh start so I'm back now.



Every Tuesday you should see a new video from me.  That might change if I start a series but for now I will post here on Friday's and on YT on Tuesday's.  I already have next week's video ready to go! 

This week just flew by.  Here is a snapshot of what my desk looks like....


I'm working on paintings to submit to an art show and printables for my ETSY (coming soon).  I've started in on a new art journal and having fun with that.  I'm ready for the weekend and would like to know what you are up to so leave me a comment down below!  Don't forget to subscribe to my Youtube Channel.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

Friday, August 21, 2015

Visual Journal Girls + New Items In The Shop


It's been a while since I've been in my journal or painted faces.  It felt really good to put some paint down.  These were the last two blank pages...this journal is now complete.  Hopefully my new SD card comes in soon so I can do a YouTube Journal Flip video.


I just played with lots of layers.  This is the direction I plan to go in my new journal.  My work feels so random sometimes.  I get discouraged because I guess I'm supposed to be building a consistent body of work but I end up painting whatever comes to mind.  Oh well, one thing I know for sure is that I love painting faces...it's a challenge for me every time.  

For now, I'll go where my creativity takes me.     


I've been fascinated by space lately...I had some wooden door signs in the vault so I pulled them out and started painting.  I would like to paint more signs and incorporate portraits in some how.  I think that eventually all the ideas I have in my head will come together at some point!


I have these posted in my ETSY.  Please take advantage of this coupon code APAINTEDCOUPON as it will take $3.00 off of your purchase!  The couple code will be good until the end of September.  I have a few more paintings going up next week.  Have a great weekend!

Linking to Paint Party Friday/Art Journal Everyday/Mixed Media World/Art It Friday

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Giveaway Winner!

The winner is....

LISA WALKER!!

Please email (msdaniellerenee2@gmail.com) me with your address so I can send your prize!  

Thank you for everyone who stopped by and showed us support!  And no worries if you didn't win, I will have another giveaway coming up next month so stay tuned!

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Tim's 12 Tags of 2015 ~ August Mixed Media Tag

tims 12 tags of 2015

Have you ever been to NYC??  Not me (not yet anyway).  I would love to go one day and now that I live on the east coast (kinda) I feel closer to getting there.  Anyway, here is my twist on Tim's tag...


I kept the color palette muted which is different for me because I love color.  The tag came together so fast I wanted to make another but didn't get a chance.  I made a new stamp and was happy to use it!  It's the cross on the middle right side.  

This project is really simple and gave me comfort as I work on it.  In my last post, I briefly talked about moving to Georgia.  Homesickness is starting to set in and getting used to a new place is stressful. I'm taking it one day at a time. 


On a lighter note, I have my studio space set up and started a small series of paintings.  I hope to post to my ETSY by the next week.  My giveaway is open until 8/15 so click here to find out how to enter!

If you liked this post you can follow my blog for weekly updates & my monthly newsletter for upcoming projects.  Have a blessed day!

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Thursday, August 6, 2015

Artist Q&A with AyalaArt + Giveaway(Closed)!

Good Morning!  It's nice to be back on the blog after a short break....I recently moved from Texas to Georgia and I'm finally getting settled in my new place.  I can't wait to share a new monthly series on my blog called Artist Q&A. The series is a way to get to know visual artists on a deeper level.

Today, I would like to introduce you to Martha.  I've been a follower of her blog for about 2 years now and I fell in love with her whimsical style.  I admire the way she has grown an online artist community with art challenges through social media.  So, now lets get to know her....


1.  Please, introduce yourself.
Hello everyone, I'm Martha, aka AyalaArt, pronounced: (ah-YAh-lah). I love all styles of art and mediums. I also love art challenges! I am a mom of 2 teens, wife to a wonderful man, and an important member of my cat's entourage. 



2.  How long have you been an artist?
Art has been part of my life as long as I can remember. Even before I knew the name for it. I have always been involved in one artistic expression or another. From scribbles on the wall, to singing, performing, sculpting.... later on my studies took the graphic design direction, I had my own business but my heart was still in acting and ceramics for a long time. Later on I packed away all my art stuff for a while, while my children were little, except for my pencil. I never stopped sketching and doodling. As soon as it was possible, around the year 2000 I took my painting more seriously: oils, acrylics, watercolors... you name it, and went online. In 2006 I decided to learn about doll making, to try to make my illustrations of little girls into 3D figures, so to speak. That took all my attention  until I learned different techniques to create art dolls, and by adding color to their faces I closed the circle back to painting. One will always take me back to the other.



3.  What kind of art do you create and why?

I haven't been able to settle on only one style, or one kind of art.... I like and love too many things and I love learning, so I am constantly testing new things and falling in love with new materials or ways to do something, but mostly I paint faces. They are fascinating to me! I love painting whimsical girl portraits, small animals, things that are cute to me. Things that would make people smile.



4.  What are your go-to art supplies?
I would say definitely acrylics, because they are more flexible, but I do love my charcoal pencil! I am a bit of a hoarder, I like all kinds of art supplies! But some I keep around mostly to look at because they make me feel happy lol. Some I use depending on the season: I like to play a little with wax mediums, but only in winter.


5.  What is your favorite color?
This is a tough one... I love all colors, depending on the mood! I tend to favor jewel tones, but ochre is a favorite too. And neon pink. And aqua. And Viridian green but in small doses, because it tends to take over the world.

6.  If you could live in a famous painting or photograph what would it be?
This reminds me when I was little, and I used to ask my friends if they could live in a song, which one they would pick! Well, a painting.... I suppose it would be something peaceful and dreamy. Maybe Van Gogh's starry night, or one of his sunflower paintings. I love Kahlo, but I would not like to live there! Maybe a Matisse painting, chillaxing in a colorful room playing music.


7.  How do you connect with your audience and sell your work?
I am a blogger, I have met wonderful people that way. Unfortunately I do not live in an artsy community, so most of my art connections and sales are via an online shop. I also make videos and share them in my channel. It keeps the connection with the viewers fluid.

8.  If you could be an animal which would it be?
I think a hippo. They are able to live underwater, and on the ground as well. They are peaceful and they swim so cute! I would like to fly too, so maybe a flying hippo! 

9.  What helps you to be productive in the studio?
Depends on the muses. Some days all it takes is sitting at my art table, or looking at my supplies. Other times it requires a good challenge to push me to try something new. I love running art challenges, my favorite is 29 faces; I can see what it brings up in people's minds and it can be a wonderful trigger of inspiration, like a room full of mouse traps and bouncing ping pong balls, one idea can set the whole room in motion.
Sometimes I have tons of ideas... Other times I am totally blank and blocked. After a while, you learn to accept those days as well, and take a break, so a new wave of creativity will come when the mind is ready.


10. Have you had any struggles in your art journey?
Oh yes.... in every area imagined! To the point of frustration. From the lack of muse, to the times when my kids were little and there was no time for a complicated project. Also my health. There were some years of my life where I could not walk, due to an accident, and you simply cannot think of creativity when you don't feel so good. I admire Kahlo and anyone that went through a difficult time and kept creating. I had to close myself and focus my energy in a different way. I believe if we don't struggle at times, we are not growing. It could be a monetary struggle, or available time, or even a learning curb type. But it is refreshing actually, to struggle and then manage. To go from a tiny size to a large format; To change from realistic portraits into abstract, or change mediums and have to adapt to a different performance of it. What we do about our struggles is what determines our path as artists.  

You can find AyalaArt here:





I hope you gained inspiration from AyalaArt and learned a bit more about her artistic journey.  I want to thank Martha for sharing her time and art with us!   



Now time for the GIVEAWAY details!  All you have to do is follow this blog and hop over to one of AyalaArt's social media sites and follow her.  Comment down below letting us know that you are a follower and would like to enter!  The giveaway is open internationally and will stay open until Saturday, Aug 15, 2015 (12pm EST).  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

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