Back At It...

Good Morning Blogland!!

Today, I pulled out some watercolors, watercolor pencils, some Golden High Flow paints that I just had to have when I saw them, and some of my piles and piles of fodder...

I sadly realized that I should make more of an effort to use my collection more as some of my favorite things get pushed aside when new things come in my studio door.

Watercolors are one of my favorite things to play with...its so easy to just splash around some color and create a fun background.

Hope that your day is off to a great start...

Until next time,

Ophelia

A Personal Challenge...

Happy Monday Everyone!!  Happy because I am faced with a short work week, and I am prayerful that the week is smooth.

I came home on Friday spent...absolutely done, and needed a bit of art therapy.

This was done on a canvas board...8x10 which was a perfect--non intimidating size.

I spent the entire day on Saturday being best friends with my couch...just plain exhausted from my work week!

Sunday, bright and early, I headed to the studio---to pack for my demo at Jerry's, and I decided that I need to get back to the basics...The stress free basics of being in my journal...and, a bit of using stuff up!  It crossed my mind as I reached  across my PanPastels to grab something, what woyld happen if The things that I "had to have" suddenly vanished because I didn't use them.  All of my toys--precious, precious toys would simply be gone!  So, I have decided to take on a bit of a personal challenge...kind of like a use it or lose it...

1) so that I will work and finish up a journal that I have... And 2) so that I can use some of the stuff that I have been collecting.

So...today is Day 1...

I hope to post my daily progress...but I will be in the studio using it up!!

I honestly just love my journal, and I am so thankful that I have a place where I can just unwind...

I hope that you have a great day!

Until next time,

Ophelia

A View From My Studio Table

Last night, I came home spent.  The day was long and rough.  All I wanted to do was get my hands dirty.  No rhyme or reason, no production or purpose, just dirty, and that is exactly what I did.

I pulled out some book pages and just started in with my fingers.

And kept going until, well, I lost track of time.

I came up this morning and the view of my table made me happy...oh, I didn't clean and put everything away.

I am just honestly so thankful that I have this outlet.

Even if most days I feel as though I am lacking in my skills.

I could not ask for a better getaway!

I hope that you all enjoy your day.  I already have myself a hot date scheduled for after work...right back here in my studio.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Studio Happenings...

In all of my sports casting from my previous post, I forgot to share my day to day...

The tiny amount of time I get to spend in my daily journal keeps me sane.

And, I honestly feel lost when a few days go by and I don't get to work in it.

Here is some progress on the canvas.  It has changed a whole lot!!

Not even sure of where this guy is going, but one thing I know for sure is that I need to take my time and not try to rush the process.

Have a great Friday everyone!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Where Did October Go??

Realizing that today is October 30th just creeps me out!!  Where in the world did the entire month of October go???

We have been busy around here...  I will admit that, but an entire month slipping by...no way!!!

Looking back, it seems we are always in the car...volleyball games...

And of course there is baseball...where we still travel all the time it seems!!

We spent last weekend at Myrtle Beach --Cal Rypkin--and what an experience it was!!

Did not get my toes in the sand not once, because it was baseball all day, all weekend long, but it was oh so worth it!!

The Carolina Titans team is homestly such a great group of kids!!!

They play hard...and, its totally worth it!!

Sure makes the weekend go by...with my book bag still filled with papers to grade come Monday morning!!

And, if that is not enough...he hits the high school football field nightly for practice, and a games on Thursday nights...

So...I guess I can see where this month has gone...which leaves so little time for me and my studio...

But somehow I manage to sneak in a moment here and there.

And, if not at home, you can always find me at Jerrys playing around with paint at my demos.

Or teaching...

Because that just makes me so happy!!

I was able to attend a demo and lecture with Bob Rankin recently...LOVE this guy!!!

So, yes, I can now see how the month went by...

I guess I love this crazy busy life we have going on right now!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

An Exciting Revelation!!

How in the world did I left all of September go by without a single blog update...  How??

Honest...I get to my studio, almost daily, its the posting that never makes it out of my thoughts!!

I have had a revelation though, as it relates to my serious fear/frustration of painting on a canvas...

I have been beating myself up about not workin on canvas because somehow, I felt that once I started, I had to finish in the sitting...crazy I know, but that was just stuck in my head...Start today, finish with a bang...today!!!

I was druving myself nuts with "the pressure", then, it just dawned on me...I don't have to have all of the ideas ready and done in one sitting...kudos if I do...but a canvas can take weeks, right???

So, heres a start

Its a start, and it now sits on my easel to wait as I take some time to let it grow...and figure out what needs to happen next...sure is a lot less frustration that way...

It may completely change by the time Im done with it, but I'm totally ok with that...

Until next time,

Ophelia

What Matters Most...

Today, I needed a reminder.
Hello Blog Friends...I have to say, that back to school for me is always a giant adjustment.  No matter how much I prepare and plan, it always knocks me off my feet!

 

I needed a reminder today of what matters most...so, I made a list.  I realized as I started this page, that it has been quite some time since I have pulled out my trusty journal...., and although this page will proably get more added, today was a good start. 
I find that not only did I need a reminder of what matters most to me, but I also need the release of playing in my journal.  This year has already present challenges.  I find that at the end of the day, I am purely exhausted....like can't form a sentence exhausted!
I know that from this point forward, I will not focus on what is dragging me....but, more of the things that are here...on my list.
Until next time,
Ophelia