Its actually been about a year and so much has happened since then. Both my personal life and art life have been full.
My art in the past year:
I added another painting to a series that feature the girls I love to illustrate. It started with just one 16" x 20" canvas and became sort of a series when the fun initiated more ideas for future paintings.
I always start with a girl and then try to picture a location that she reminds me of. I illustrate the girls using a Bristol card stock and color them with Copics (my favorite medium). I cut them out and adhere them to a mixed media background.
The latest addition was this girl who looked Scottish. I pictured her in a meadow. As time passed, I pictured castle rock formations and I added them.
I also created mandalas that also seemed to take on a life of their own. Some were theme based and others were just color or design based. Prints of these are available in my Etsy Shop.
I am always drawing or illustrating as practice. That never stops. As a mixed media artist, there are always new mediums to try and techniques to learn.
I recently took an interest in making handmade journals. I have been watching YouTube videos of some pretty remarkable creators. I am sure there are many out there and I hope to expand my viewing, but right now, I am trying to catch up on videos by :
Just click on their names and you will be able to see their amazing work. I began a journal of my own just a couple weeks ago following some ideas from both channels. I made the cover out of a Cheetos box, but it still needs embellishing, I have made three signatures so far that need embellishments as well.
Here are a couple pictures of the inside and outside of the cover.
My non art related life :
I had hernia surgery last April. That was really a breeze. I had precautions for about a week, but went back to work right after.
Last summer, I took a couple weeks and helped my sister move to her new house in Plano, Texas. She does so much for me ALL THE TIME! It felt good to be a part of her move to the new house.
I had a total hip replacement December 17th. That surgery was a tad more complex than hernia surgery...lol, and recovery is still happening. My inability to move much prior to that surgery, and after as well, has contributed to some major weight gain. Oh, and did I mention that I quit smoking before the surgery?
I think I have actually gained about 30 pounds, so I joined a gym last week in the hopes of getting my mobility back and losing some of this weight. I was also released to go back to work and they should be putting me back on the schedule soon. Could use some good mojo sent my way.
In January, I was blessed with another great granddaughter. My granddaughter video chats with me a few times a week so I am able to see the girls. They are in Utah and we haven't met in person yet. At least I won't be a complete stranger when we do meet.
This past week, I gave into a major longing. I got a new puppy. Sully is a Havanese and is now sixteen weeks old. The potty training is consuming, but I just keep telling myself that it doesn't last forever. He is really good company for me and I hope I am a good mother to him.
World, meet Sully!
I am going to try and make this writing a regular practice, so if you want to connect with me in art , journaling, puppies or anything else, follow me over on the right and leave me a comment ➜
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Tommy Jo
