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Monday, December 11, 2017

Absolutely Honored!!

Happy Monday Blog Friends,
I hope that your day is off to an amazing start.  We had a bit of snow this weekend, so my week begins with a 2 hour delay for school :).
I used every ounce of the delay to work in my studio, and started this painting.
I want to share some exciting news with you!!!!
I was selected to be a member of Donna Downey's Artist Gang for 2018!!!  
Since I fell into the world of art journaling, I have crushed on Donna.  I made the trek to her studio about 5 years ago and met her.  She truly inspired me to want to keep going at this crazy thing that we call art....so I did!!!
To be selected as a part of this group is truly an honor for me...and a bit scary!!!
Around the studio, I have been busy cleaning up and clearing out.  Probably not the best time to GUT my studio, but it was a necessary evil!
I found these...sigh...around 110 or so Caran d' Ache Supracolor Soft colored pencils... mostly unused!  Double sigh...
I am letting them go for $100, or at this point, simply make me an offer.  So much has to go to get my space in order...so very much!!  Head over to Instagram @opheliasartstudio to keep up with what is being decluttered, or visit my etsy shop where I have some mystery boxes and watercolor packages left for grabs.

As I was clearing out drawers and shelves, and boxes and bags in my studio, I uncovered some paints that used to be my favorites.  They however became covered by new toys that made their way into the studio, and were simply forgotten.  I gave them a go and made this hand painted greeting card that is not a part of the greeting card bundles available on my etsy shop as well.

Thank you for being here, to listen to me ramble....

Enjoy your day,

Until next time,
Ophelia











Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Starting 2018 With Less

Hello Blog Friends,
I hope that your day is off to a good start.
Things here are going very well....and cluttered!!!
I think I reached a breaking point when I reached on my shelf for a paint, and things started to fall, so, it is time to declutter!!!
I literally feel that I have so many art supplies, that it all becomes so very overwhelming!!
I feel as though my creativity gets into a rut when my space is so cluttered.
I have decided it is time to let a lot of it go.
I put together these "Mystery" Decluttering boxes where I have filled a priority mail box with so many things - some new - some gently used of the things that I just have not been using....you know those things that you had to have, but just never used...yeah, I have a studio filled with things just like that.  Boxes may include gelli plates, acrylic paints, brushes, acrylic inks, acrylic paint markers, brushes, watercolors, sketchbooks, watercolor paper, colored pencils, watercolor pencils - just a variety of things that take up space.  Each box is $65, but the contents inside are way over that value...and I even cover the shipping!!!
If you are on Instagram, head over to my page @opheliasartstudio and find out more there...or, visit my etsy shop.  If at the time you are there and they are sold out, message me.  I add them pretty often.

Until next time,
Ophelia



Monday, December 4, 2017

Studio Happenings....

Happy Monday, everyone.
I hope your day is off to a great start!!!  Around here, things are chugging along with goodness.
I am not sure if I have shared with you all before, but, I am having the greatest time ever making these little 4x6 paintings.
I begin with sheet of Mixed Media paper by Strathmore and cut it down to 4x6.
I then begin by simply making marks and just playing....my mark making is done by favorite pencil, the Jerrysartarama Jumbo Jet black pencil
I just love the black line that it gives.  With lots of play in paint and many marks, I get to this.
I attach them to a  5x7 Strathmore Mixed Media greeting card base...
...and this is how I create my hand painted greeting cards that are available in my Etsy shop.
I find that I create them daily and it is a great way to stay in my creative practice.  Especially before I move on to a larger painting.  I offer them for $6.00 each, or in a bundle of 6 cards for $30.  

Head over to my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/opheliastaton to have a look!!!
They are all blank inside so that you can send with your own greeting, give as a gift, or frame them for your wall.  

I hope you enjoyed a little peek into this process.

Until next time,
Ophelia









Monday, November 27, 2017

How Things Have Changed...

Good Morning, Blogfriends,
I hope that you had an absolutely amazing Thanksgiving holiday. 
 I have missed this blog and definitely have plans now that things have calmed down quite a bit to be back more often.
Things for me have been busy - a great kind of busy, but busy in a different direction.
Despite the busy, I still show up daily in my studio....as I am never too busy to play in paint.
Playing daily sets my day, and keeps me grounded.  It seems that no matter what is going on in my world, all is forgotten when I step in my studio and pour out some paint.

For such a long time, I was terrified of painting on canvas---Terrified!!  I have no idea as to why, but I simply froze when it came to painting on canvas.  I have been busy putting those fears to bed and have really been enjoying painting abstract paintings.
This is a small one, an 8x8 but the whole idea of making marks and just painting with abandon completely sets me free.

Things around my house have changed as well.  My son graduated in June, and is now a Freshman at Western New England University - yes, New England!  He is in Springfield, Mass...such a long way from home, but he absolutely love it...
We were able to go up for a visit and to watch him continue to do what he absolutely loves doing.  That makes this mama's heart smile.

Thank you so much for being here, and I hope you have a fantastic week.

Until next time,


Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Views from around my studio..

Good morning blogfriends!!
Hoping this Wednesday morning is going well for you and that you enjoyed the 4th with family and friends.
I was simply spent, and could not make myself part from the couch!!
We literally drove the 12 hour drive through the night to get my son to his Freshman Orientation at Western New England and returned home on Monday morning after driving though the night again!!  Great idea as there was no traffic, but man, oh man were we exhausted!!!
Around the studio, I am still doing the 100 day challenge.  This 12x12 has been added to my Etsy shop along with some of my handmade cards from the challenge.  

I finally feel as though I am coming into my own with painting!!
...and it feels great!!
Enjoy your week everyone!!
Until next time,

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

100 Day Challenge...

Good morning blog friends!!!
I decided a few weeks ago that I would to the 100 day challenge.  I wanted to do 100 abstract paintings.  I figured doing anything for 100 days would have to make me better, right?
I am having such a great time doing this!!
Its simply 100 days of practice for me.
I get to experiment and well, paint.
I also had the pleasure of being a guest on Jerrysartarama Facebook Live.
I had such a blast, and I was honestly so pleased with the response.  If you know me at all, you know I was a WRECK!
With the close of school for this year, my not so little one is ready for his next adventure.
He is ready...
I am not so sure that I am...my studio keeps me busy though.
Until next time,

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Happy Tuesday!!

Good morning blog friends,
Hoping this day finds you well and off to an amazing start to your Tuesday!!
Lots of great things have been happening around here, and it seems there is loads more to come with such busy weeks ahead!!
This past Saturday was prom.  Senior prom for us...which makes it bittersweet.  My son with his childhood friend Julianne.
Looking at this makes my heart so happy as all four of them have been friends since they were 2 years old!!  I am just so excited for what lies ahead for them!!
In the studio, I have been having a blast on canvas...yes...canvas!!!
If you know me, then you know my struggle with canvas has been real!!  Lately, its been loads of fun!!
Making marks, adding color and simply playing around...
Learning to let go and just play has not come easy for me.  What I have learned is that it takes time, and lots and lots of ugly work to truly see the magic!!
Have a great day everyone!!
Until next time,

Monday, May 1, 2017

Crazy Busy Good Times!!

Happy Monday!!
Hope your day is off to a great start.
It had been a bit of insanity around here.  Lots and lots going on.  Seems no matter how hard I try, I just can't keep up.
Celebrating Senior Night is a bit bitter sweet.  I just can't believe that we are getting so close to graduation.  I honestly felt that I had loads of time to have my little one at home, but sigh...he graduates in June, and must stretch those wings.
He will spend his next four years at Western New England in Springfield, Mass.  I am excited because he is so excited, but that is such a long way from home!!  I love that he gets to continue to do what he loves.
In the studio, its been a flurry of goodness!!
Chaos the story of my life in finished, matted and framed and ready for a new home!
I tackled a 30 x 30 and won!!  It was a full body workout, but such a great feeling!!
You may have noticed my side bar where I have opened up my Etsy shop!!!  That was a long time coming!!
I have handpainted greeting cards!!
I have thoroughly enjoyed making these!!
...and...when you spend 22 hours on the softball field, its nice to come hkme as champions!!
Until next time,

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Humble Beginnings...

I started painting a while back...maybe 8 or so years ago in a journal.  I know that I liked to create...anything, so I picked up a sketchbook and started splashing paint around.  
I have found that even though I may move in other directions, returning to my sketchbook to ground and center myself is always comforting.  A well worn and loved journal always holds a special place for me.
Until next time,

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

A Workshop Announcement or Two 😊

I am excited to be back at Jerrysartarama in Raleigh on March 18th--Sunday from 1-4 teaching Art Journaling using the Gelli Plate! 
Going to be loads of fun, so I hope you will join me if you can!!
Use the link for more info and to sign up, or call the store..919-876-6610.

And...Feb 18th I will be doing a customer demo at Jerrysartarama Virginia Beach featuring the Pebeo Mixed Media line.  
The magic of these paints is simply unmatched!!!  
Until next time,

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