Last Tuesday I painted live (using the computer of course) with others ... for another one of Amy's online workshops. It was so fun! There I was on the couch, paints thrown about, laptop on the coffee table, my little one watching a movie before nap, (it just has to happen sometimes - Mommy needs to paint. LOL!) and me painting away. I adore technology. How cool is it that people from all over can come together...over the computer...and "hang out" with paint in hand. So awesome!
Amy's (so talented AND wickedly funny) class wasn't a directed lesson, but as soon as we started, she challenged us to just paint. Go for it. Don't think too much. Don't care about the outcome. Just paint anything that came to mind. If it is ugly - keep going. No plan - just go! OK, for this very planned (total perfectionists raise your hand) person...that's hard. But as I have said in the past, that is a HUGE problem for me. I a) THINK about the painting too much before I even start b) worry about the outcome before I even start the first layer c) become attached to layers I am going to cover which equals fear to take the next step d) get stuck - a lot.
I needed the nudge. I needed someone to say, "Who cares if it looks like crap." Just have fun and experiment. That is what I did and I had so much fun. So thank you Amy (and classmates!) for helping me free up a bit!
After finishing the owl, I found an empty page in my journal that I had already covered with old book pages. I started by painting the border from the same colors I had for the owl, then decided to do a portrait in watercolor. I really wanted the words to show through. I love the way that looks.
It was super fun (did I say that already!) and I hope to do it again.
(This weekend Manon will be painting live on Saturday and Amy will be painting on Sunday.
It's free! It's live!)
I am not sure if I can make either of them, but they are taped. :)
I am SO glad it is Friday, aren't you?? SO happy that Thanksgiving vacation starts today!!
Any exciting holiday plans???
XO,
The fun shows! I haven't seen one of Amy's classes but I keep hearing (and seeing the art) about them - your post makes me really really really hope I can get my schedule rearranged for this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love your paintings hon and thanks for the shout out!!!The owl looks so freeing, you see when you just go with it the painting turns out just fine. I hope you can make it tomorrow to class I am going help everyone in switching their inner critic off and start painting without fear.
ReplyDeletemanonX
Such a pretty purple haired girl but I am partial to owls and this one is SO CUTE!
ReplyDeleteBoth smashing pages. Happy PPF and enjoy the weekend, x
ReplyDeleteI'm raising my hand! Though I am learning with art to not be - it's the only place I let myself be fully free though. Lovely pages, both are gorgeous. We don't have any holiday over here :( eat extra for me!!!!
ReplyDeletegreat pages and it looks like it was a great week creativity wise... have a happy hol... and eat some goodies for us... and keep at those classes if you are turning out work like this !!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteI can not tell you how happy I am that you are taking online classes. Your work is wonderful.
I need to go find Amy and Manon.
I have been painting for nearly 2 yrs. Prior to that I knew NOTHING.
I thank Technology that we are able to unite and learn from eachother online like this. Imagine time and money if we had to fly to take classes. Well.. most of us just would not do it!
I am still excited about all of this.
Thank you for stopping .. hope you come by once again,
Darlene xo
Hi Jen. Love that owl and the pretty purple color on the little girls hair. Great work. Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteFabulous journal pages! I love them both. It sounds like the class was such fun and the results - wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHave a very Happy Thanksgiving! Ours was in October.
isn't it amazing what happens when we just loosen up? for some reason, i always end up liking the things i do on scrap pages better than when i sit down trying to create something!
ReplyDeleteboth your pieces this week are just wonderful... i need to investigate those classes!
I love both pieces, especially your portrait -- anything over a book page is instantly interesting to look at. I love how the first exercise in creativity led to another inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pieces, adorable owl! ~Happy Paint Party Friday! #9 Robin Panzer Art Studio 33
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! I know! I love those classes. They are so much fun and they make you paint. :)) Like you want to be a part of it. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to see the live classes, but I've seen them all. They're fun--I get caught up in the conversations :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always making some kind of artwork too when I have them on too--fun, fun , fun!
Very wonderful journal spread and cover! Truly if we release ourselves from worrying the perfection just shows!
ReplyDeleteWow! So cool! I have never heard of this before! And I am jealous that your Thanksgiving vacation has already begun...! Enjoy!! Kath
ReplyDeleteI love your colors too Saddie :)
ReplyDeleteLove both your owl and portrait! But especially love the bright, bold colors of the owl!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out Amy's online workshops! They sound super fun!
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
The owl is cute, Amy is very inspiring, and I really love the portrait.
ReplyDeleteJen, your classes sound like so much fun. So free! Both the owl and the girl are wonderful pages.
ReplyDeleteFaye
Great work! sounds like you had so much fun and it shows through in your work! :0)
ReplyDeleteSuper beautiful..your owl is so enchanting and magical! And she is fabulous and full of harmony!
ReplyDeleteVictoria
Your journals look adorable! How fun and oh so cute! :) Love your colour choices.
ReplyDeletethose classes sound like a lot of fun and your output certainly shows it! i too, love bookpaper backgorunds. happy PPF and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletehugs,
peggy aplSEEDS
Dear Sadie-I couldn't help but smile as I read the painting process you go through...I think we can all relate!! One of the things that I have found that really loosens me up is working in my art journal. It just frees me up if I do that for a bit and then go to my canvas.Your painting class sounds so fun!! xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Jen! I think this is the first time I saw you paint an animal. Most of the time your subjects are female and male kids. But I love it of course. The choice of colors are so alive.
ReplyDeleteWhat I further appreciate in your works are the short yet touching messages you leave. I love them. I think I should call you an inspirational artist / painter. You always send a beautiful and heart warming message to everyone.
SO Much to love about this! Okay, first of all, I was raising my perfectionist hand ;) and I totally get it! Secondly, no matter - look how awesome this is!! Both pages are beautiful - I especially love the bold colors of the owl and the border on your portrait page - she is so pretty! Thank you for your sweet comments - AND for the journal inspirations, xoxo
ReplyDeleteHow fun!! That sounds AMAZING to sit and paint for an online class..and your owl is so charming...love the journal page, too. You are so talented, I love seeing you break through the 'perfectionist" barriers. I've never been able to, maybe in 2012. :)
ReplyDelete~Scarlett
The lady with the purple hair is pretty. Happy ppf to you.
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