Art Geeking & an Altered Book

 I was cleaning out my garage the other day and found some treasures. One of my goals in 2012 is to get more organized, so the garage is on my tackle list. Now, you have to understand that before deciding to stay home after my son was born, I taught elementary school for 12 years. You can only imagine all the things I have hoarded collected during that time. I can assure you that my true "ark geek" self came out in full force when I found all kinds of old books that are screaming to be altered. I mean, you know....you know, true "geek" status has arrived when the sight & smell of old paper makes your heart swoon. I think I actually squealed with joy when I found a red canvas book...long and skinny. 

It is such a fun shape!! 

A little side note on the word "geek." It is not negative at all. You are a geek in some way too. Do you love reading? You are a "Book Geek." Do you love music? Music Geek. Technology your thing? Tech Geek. You get the picture. I mean it in a completely positive manner. In fact...my Hubby is a total "Bug Geek." Yes, you read that right. Bugs. Funny story...totally off topic...but, this is what I think about when I think "geek." Hubby was a biology major in college with an emphasis in entomology. He would tell me stories (breathless from excitement) about sloshing through swamps studying mosquitoes. Shortly after we were married he took me on a bug trip. Seriously. I am not kidding. We went on a road trip to the desert in search of big bugs. Beetles I think. No sipping cool drinks by the pool or romantic dinners...nope. We drove around in search of big nasty (my word) beetles. He would hop out the car, running around trying to snatch these gigantic beetles. Hilarious. We don't go on "bug trips" anymore. But, he will grab any bug...anywhere. 

My kids are fascinated by him. He puts up with paint in my hair & I put up with an occasional bug in my freezer (preservation). Total geeks. :)

Back to the art!

I grabbed one of the books and felt like drawing happy flowers. 

I drew & painted right onto the paper. I love to see the text coming through. I used watercolors & my water brush. I love the yummy vintage illustrations the books have too. Such great backgrounds to start with already!

I also quickly worked on a girl all in pink. Speaking of geeks...I was inspired to paint one color by Christy Sobolewski. She as a great site called Art Geeks. Perfect, right? 

What are you "geeking" over?? :)

Oh, in case you were wondering - He has totally made up for the nasty bug trip with many lovely, relaxing excursions and romantic dinners. Plus, it's not so bad being married to a "bug guy." Besides the kids thinking their Daddy is the "coolest dad on the planet"  -  I never have to worry about who is going to get the spider. (Babe, I know you are reading this. Yes, I know spiders are not bugs.) I lump all those creepy crawling things together. :) Happy Creating!!
Linking up to Paint Party Friday & Sneak Peek Friday.

XO,