Well Now, This is Embarrassing.....

Was my last post seriously in August....  Sheesh!!  All I can blame it on is re-entry...yes, thats it...re-entry to the school year.

This one has been a hum dinger...seriously...but, I honestly have no excuse.
It has been so long that I honestly thought of just giving up...thanks so much to my dear friend Paper Pumpkin for calling and checking in on me....as teachers, we totally understand each others joys as well as miseries...
So, I'm back....and, if there is anybody out there reading this...I truly appreciate you sticking around as I get my bearings on this thing called LIFE.

I honestly have been in my studio....lately, I have tried to get back to daily.....here's proof as its trashed as usual.

See....totally trashed worktable as usual...but, oh so loved.

This is a daily journal that I started at the beginning of this year.  I just love going back and reading some of my thoughts...

My totally loved watercolor palettes...Its hard to pick my favorite watercolors out of the zillions that I have, but these Lukas stay on my table and are used daily.

Yep...a canvas still kicks my butt...still...I always start, but have no idea of where to go.

And the newest addition to our family...Sadie McMae...a 9 week Morkie...

 

 

Thanks for listening to me ramble....

I will be back...because I have some catching up to do...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Going Places...

For quite a while, I have been in Love with Donna Downey, so.....nothing says love like a road trip!!!
Yup, I hit the road and cisited her studio in Huntersville....and it was worth every minute of the drive...
So much art and mixed media goodness under one roof!!! And, she simply ROCKS. I am completely Inspired by her....
Until next time
Ophelia

Its Simple Today...

I decided to just go simple in my journal today....kinda goof off with paints, inks, and all sorts of stuff, but not use my brushes....hmmmm...not sure of where its going, or if its done, but...it will do for now.  I can't believe as I was dating this that today is August 1st!!!  Where did all of those days go.  Seriously.
I have to tell you though....I've been home alone...completely (my husband is traveling this week and my kids are still away at Camp Granny's).....I kinda enjoy this!!!sssshhhh...please don't tell them!!!  Truly though, its been sooo quiet here...and, in all honesty, I have been one big lazy, enjoying myself BUM!  And, I kinda like it!!!

Well, I am off....I've got a hot date with some pictures and glue...I'm going scrapbooking today....yup, in the middle of the day, just gonna spread all of my stuff out, and scrap....told ya I'm enjoying this home alone thing...

Oh, and I promise I am going to get a new scanner/printer today...these horrible photos are killing me as well!!

I hope you truly enjoy your day.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Puttering Around....

 It seems like reds/oranges are my mood lately.  No matter how hard I try to stay away from these colors, they always sneak right back in....
For what seems like weeks now, I have just been puttering around in my studio...no real mojo...

Getting bits and pieces done, but nothing real....I have so much on my plate it seems....lots of work to be done in the studio, but only puttering.  I shoudl be working on a couple of classes that I have coming up....but oh no...puttering.

The scanner is still broken...after I'm done puttering...I'll go get a new one...
I also honestly can't believe that tomorrow is AUGUST....oh, I just get sick thinking about it....and those dreaded words...don't worry, I'm not going to say them...but what I know is that for the next two weeks around here...I'm gonna live it up!!  Art making every single day!!!  But for now....I'll go back to putzing around for a bit more....maybe clean a little since that has been sorely neglected...who knows what I will do since its too late in the day for a nap...
Until next time,
Ophelia

A Thank You....

I'm not even sure of where I got this photo.....I saved it in hopes of one day rendering it in watercolors, becuase I just love the colors of it...but today, I share with you as a Thank You....

I realized today that I have over 200 followers....and to me, that is so humbling.  I never imagined that my little corner of the world would have any visitors when I started....I just know that I wanted a place to put my artwork out there....I realize that I, because of my neglect, have lost so many of my readers, but I am just in awe as to the fantastic, most awesome, most friendly and kind people that are out there in BlogLand.  So, thank you for sticking by me in all of my insanity!!  You coming here is truly appreciated....
Now, onto the studio....well, first, my kids packed it up and went away to my parents for a few weeks...being back at Camp Granny's is always a treat....and, guess who has been in her sick bed since they have left...yup, you guessed it.  How can this happen???  Perfect art/play conditions....I have the house totally to myself, welp at least during the day, and just like that....I have been to sick to even crawl the stairs to my studio...thats actually when my husband knew something was wrong....

I made my way up there today...kinda shaky, but after reading all 3 of the Hunger Games since Sunday, it is time to get up...plus, the serious case of NASTY bed hair pushed me over the edge....

I realized that I haven't worked in this journal in a while....It seems it only makes an appearance at demos these days, so I just sat and finished up some of the background that was there...unfortunately, as I was getting ready to scan it...scanner died...can a girl not get a break!!!  So a hasty picture with my phone is the best that I have today...sigh....

I am just feeling today that there is some serious self discovery needed in order for me to move forward....

Thank you guys for EVERYTHING....

Until next tiem,

Ophelia

A Little Creation....

Good Saturday Morning....
I hope that your day is off to a great start.....
In my last post, I spoke about getting some new watercolors....These are Peerless Watercolors...sheets of paper that are infused with watercolor paints.....so, I made them portable....



I cut 1 inch strips and glued them into a piece of 300lb watercolor paper that was cut the size of my journal.....



I left space beside each one so that I could paint out what color they were.....

Not a great picture, but here is what the little travel swatchbook looks like, and fits in my journal.  I use my waterbrush with them, and away I go.....LOVE them.  The colors are just so great!!!

And here is where I swatched out all the colors in my sketchbook....PLEASE don't even look at the drawing...sigh...I have a lot of practice to do in that department...

Now, for some HELP!!!  I have been staring at this painting for a while now....remember my teacher said that it would speak to me....well, it hasn't.  I remember reading on Bren's blog - eSynergy- that at first you are in the messy stage...but I honestly don't know of where to go....

So, I tried to flip it....still nothing.....  I truly wish that this would come easier....truly I do....

I guess I will just stare at it some more....huh!
Until next time,
Ophelia

I'm Finally Back....

In my studio....it seems like such a long time that I have been away....It was great, truly great to be with my family this past week, but I am oh so glad to finally be back at home.  I came home late Monday, and I was able to get to my studio early Tuesday morning....and, look at the mess I encountered....

 Yes, those are new watercolors that arrived, and I will be playing with those soon....not even sure of why I needed them, but...you know my love of watercolors...right???

Even these new--to me--Peerless Watercolors.... oh yeah...these colors are just plain yum....Butterfly Wing Blue....need I say more.....

 And, well, on my easel....I started this a few weeks ago...not even sure of what it is, or where its going...gosh, I wish working on a canvas came easy to me....like just flowing....and mine just don't....I will get there though....

So, today, I will get to work in my studio.....I was once told that when there is something going on with your mind/emotions, to do something physical/body....so, my play for today is to get up there and clean....plunder.  I truly enjoy being in my studio.  I just feel like its so full of possibilites, but I need to get things clean and organized so that I can work more smoothly than I am right now.  I have a pretty large space, but, its quite cluttered...and I need to figure out a way to organize my tables so that I'm not constantly getting up and going around to the other side...if that makes any sense.  Once I get it together up there, I will post some pics....ummm...I guess I need someone to hold me accountable, or it will never happen, so we will see how it goes.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Until next time,

Ophelia











Just Plain Sad....

My aunt passed away, so I have been away with my family in SC.
My Aunt Sue was one tough cookie... She has taught me a lot... A lot about myself, boys, life....just everything. I will have to find a picture to share...
While at home though... My sisters and I were digging through lots of stuff and I found this old picture of me.... One Bald Little Girl!!! Yikes!!!
Without her here anymore, I just feel lost, sad, and so very empty...
I don't remember the last time I have suffered such a loss...and if I thought I felt empty before...this just bites...
I came home today to take care of a few things before I head out again to be with my family in SC...
When I headed into my studio...my watercolor palette caught my eye... I'm not even sure of why... But I simply love watercolors... Just love them...
So, I shall pack my art bag again, and head out...
Until next time,
Ophelia

My Favorite Place to Be....

Besides being in my studio at home, I get the biggest kick out of being at Jerry's with other creative people...
Once a month at Jerry's, I lead whats called a Play Time....We get together with sketchbooks in hand, and play.

Pure Bliss....

 Serious play....I say, serious play.

 I usually bring a challenge...tonights challenge was using a few colors...yellow, red, orange, pink....

 My space always spills over....and over, and over....

Here is my page.....kinda getting there, but, whats more important than actually finishing it here....but the sweet, sweet joy of being around such amazing people who snoppy dance, laugh out loud, and are not afraid to play.
Until next time,
Ophelia

My apologies....

Happy Tuesday everyone....
I have to start todays post with an apology for once again being MIA...
And this time, I was truly out of my mind missing...  See this little sweet girl.  She is my 3 year old niece Anna.  Anna came to visit us for a week....HOLY SMOKES BATMAN...I forgot just how busy 3 years olds were.

Lets just say she came, saw, and conquered!  Two speeds this gal has....HIGH, and OFF!  She was full speed ahead from the time she woke up in the mornings until she went to bed at night....

With Ms. Anna around, I did not walk into my studio not one time....nope, not one speck of paint to any brush, not one thing...One full week of no art makes a girl get out of practice....and when she was safely delivered back to South Carolina, I was exhausted...seriously, exhausted...like aching bones exhausted....and of course, I was left with no mojo....

I'm working here in a new journal....for some samples to send to my friend Patti using Prima Acrylic Paints.    I have given myself a deadline of Friday to get this done and out of here, so we will see what happens...

I also have to get another journal done and out as a sample for an art studio in Durham where I will be teaching this fall....so much to do yet, my muse has decided that she wants a vacation.....oh please hurry back....please....
I hope to see you guys soon....oh, I know I will....I will be back with more studio updates....this time, I promise to post more frequently....
Until next time,
Ophelia

Surfacing....

Just like that....its OVER!!!

Whew!!!!!

First things first....a NAP!!! Then....kids off to Camp Granny's for a bit of a vacation while I finish some workdays....

Can you say...excited!! Yes, she is...especially after her Dad took her out shoe shopping for some new Toms...
You may know where I headed, right....yup...you guessed it...straight to the studio...

I can't think of a better way to wash away all of the rough than in my studio....I've got all of my inks out and sorted for my demo at Jerry's....Inks along with oh, so much other stuff!!!

After my demo...lets just keep the fun going with a play date with my friend Melanie over at Rabbit Hole Art

So...that's pretty much all that has been going on here....just trying to catch my breath a little and shake off the school year.  This Thursday will be a week since the kids left the building, and this girl was truly exhausted!  

Until next time,

Ophelia

Survival Mode...and whats on my easel..

Its Tuesday....and oh, what a relief that is.  One and a half days for the kids left in school, and as I was driving home today, I realized that I am in serious survival mode....











So, here is my journaling for this week...speaking nothing more than pure survival.  Doing what I can to make it through the day, and dragging in DOGG tired, only to do it all again the next day.  My house is seriously trashed from lack of doing anything around here, but...I promise, once school is out...I'll get to it...sigh...All I really want to do is paint and play.  Seriously.

Here is a look at what has been going on on my easel.....

I have been taking an Abstract Painting class on Monday nights, and its oh, so fun.  Way out of my element, but so much fun.

I am not used to the free flowing trust yourself kind of class that this is, but I'm going along with it as it is such a release after a long day of work....  I am learning to not only trust the process, but enjoy it as well, and that, my friends is quite freeing...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Its Birthday Time...

 This little fiesty Princess of ours turns 7 today.  Oh, how time simply flies by.  I can completely remember the day she was born and having to go through all of the battery of test to make sure that she was ready to be born...she was delivered 5 weeks early as a precaution.  Insert one tiny detail here...I was sick the entire time.  The final test was an amniocentesis (I think thats the right word) on the day before she was born.  UGH...double UGH.   I was assured that it would be simple...NOT....once it was over, we all waited - as my family was already here from out of town for her delivery.  We headed home and waited for a call from my doctor to make sure that the delivery was a go for the next day.   When she called, the news was not good...and as always I had options. 
Option 1 - Wait two weeks and do the proceedure again---, my immediate reaction to Option 1 was---NOT!
Option 2 - hold on...let me check with the team of doctors and I'll call you back.... Thanks Doc...that is perfect.
And so, at bright and early AM, we headed back to the hospital....I just love options, don't you!!! 

So, today, we shall celebrate with her friends at her favorite party place....I feel like I have been preparing for this for weeks - I honestly thought it would be simple to have her party somewhere else, which is why I booked it elsewhere, but there is still so much to prep for....and yes, there was art involved...

As party favors, we decided to tie dye shirts for all of her friends....all 25 of them...

So, we moved our art from the studio to the kitchen counter....oh, I wish you could see my hands...but, magic it was.  I haven't dyed fabric in years, and I sure miss the magic in the mystery that it brings.  This whole set up makes me want to head to the basement for the bins of dyes that I have....

So the shirts have been dyed and finished....and since I still have tons of work to be done around here, I'd better get going. 

Oh...and did I mention that I have 4 days left of school with my students....welp....3 and a half, but seriously, I'm not counting!!!!!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!!

Until next time,

Ophelia



We Survived.....

I hope that you all had a restful weekend filled with all of the things that bring you true joy.  Ours was a quiet, restful - much needed R&R kind of weekend that could not come soon enough....and just as quickly slipped by.....

Thank you all so much for the "love" that you sent last week....it paid off...my son passed his end of grade tests with flying colors....and growth!!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you ALL!!!

Today at work begins the remediation for those that did not pass....sigh....the thought of having to go through another testing session just makes me wish for summer vacation to come on already....  I can't stand it....

Which leads me to my studio thoughts....

I just want to be FREE!!!!  Not in my box thats room 131, but free to spend my days as I wish....sigh...

Theres a little dream that is planted in my heart....and, I'm working to grow it.  Some days it feels so far away, and I constantly remind myself--"Don't you dare give up!!"

Enjoy your day everyone.

Until next time,

Ophelia