Trying something NEW!!

I have always LOVED the look of mixed media artist Christy Tomlinson, but my "let's make a plan" brain has always been completely intimidated by the need to "JUST LET GO AND CREATE!" that her style requires. (Anybody else feel that way?)

I tried a few times, playing on canvases, but never made a project that I felt was complete so I got a little disheartened and stopped trying....figuring maybe it just wasn't for me.

Then I got some great advice from an online community. One of the participants said that if you want to start in mixed media, start by watching videos of artists who inspire you. Simple advice right? I was like "DUH!....Why didn't I think of that?"

So I spent some time on good ole' YouTube searching for Mixed Media tutorials and to be honest...I watched some that just totally didn't interest me, but I also found so many that I just "OOed and AAhhed" over. They had me saying things (out loud!) like "That's a great idea!"..."Oh that's why that didn't work for me."....AND "I can do that!"

That last one..."I can do that!"...was freeing because watching other people do projects start to finish took some of the mystery out of the PROCESS...because...if you've ever looked at a mixed media piece (like Christy Tomlinson) there is so much going on and sssoo many layer, it is so hard to figure out where to start. Watching a few masters in action gave me a chance to break the process down into manageable pieces instead of concentrating on the end project as a whole.

Wanna see what I am up with?

I used Authentique Paper's "Curiosity" paper line (aren't the colors fabulous!?) for the background and also my inspiration for the title. The rest was just building layers and trying not to THINK too hard about the end product. After each layer, I would evaluate and think "Is it done?" "No?" "What does it need? More light? More Dark? Does this spot or that area feel vacant?" It's a process.

Here are a few closeups!

Love using Bubble wrap for easy dots!
 I also used a  Tattered Angels Screen with my  Tarnished Silver Glimmer Mist.

I mixed some Black Acrylic paint with some modeling paste
and, using an old credit card, scrapped it across another Tattered Angels Screen.

No project is complete without Washi, right?

I love this little picture from one of the Authentique Papers that peeks through the background.
 I feel like that girl is me because SSOOO many time I sat at my studio table,
 head leaned on my fist, just staring at the canvas. The word hidden under it says "imagination."

This paper was my favorite from the whole line...I think adding the little people  to the project
 gives us the reminder of childhood and how much fun it was to discover and learn NEW things
...back BEFORE we became adults and had so many responsibilities. 

And last, but not least...trying NEW things and having that CURIOSITY requires being FREE...FREE of others expectations...FREE of your own expectation....FREE to MAKE MISTAKES.

I am so excited for all I've learned and the boundaries I feel I've pushed in my creativity.

I challenge each of you to take one thing (creative or otherwise) that is out side of your comfort zone and face it head on and take a  NEW adventure this week in YOUR Creative Life.

Until next time friends.....

Keepin' it NEW in 2013!!

This past weekend I added to my stack of NEW experiences for 2013...

I RAN MY FIRST HALF-MARATHON!!

You read that right! I chugged along for almost 3 hours and ran 13.1 miles through the streets of Springfield, MO for the Go Girl Half-Marathon. 

My hubby got some awesome pics like this one with my time shot. I will take that time for my first race! :) Especially since 5 weeks ago we weren't even sure if I was going to be able to run bc of an injury. I lost 2 1/2 weeks of training because of it. 

Another fantastic action shot!

These girls were my fabulous "coaches" and cheerleaders! Deana (in pink) was my go to girl when I was like "what am I doing?!?" She and her sister, Diana (in blue) are avid runners and after they finished (with an amazing time of 2 hrs 11 minutes!), they came back and ran the last 1/4 mile with me, yelling encouragements the whole way. 

These beautiful ladies are my sis-in-laws. They, along with Deana, were part of my original inspiration to get off my butt and run. They decided just a few days before the race to put their running skills to the test in a half-marathon. They are very lucky to have each other as BFFs, neighbors, and running partners. 

Ok...one more pic. At the end of the race, they had a place where you could pick different sayings to customize a shirt and when I read this one...I knew I had to have it. 

Too funny right?!?!

So...here we are. Almost halfway through the year and for the first time ever I feel like I am keeping my "new year's resolution." I am having NEW experiences, finding NEW venues of creativity, and daily making the choice to wake up to be a NEW and better person. 

I hope and pray that you will continue to join me on the ride through MY Creative Life as you live YOUR life to the fullest. 

What's Your One Little Word for 2013?

New Year...New Me...

Well...it's been a while since I've been here, but that is all about to change!!

This year, I am participating with a lot of you in ONE LITTLE WORD!

I have decided that 2013 is going to be my year to rise above fears of failure and pursue...with passion...NEW things.

My first NEW thing for 2013 is....

I am VERY excited to announce that I will be launching my own teaching company called The Creative Life Studios!

You can contact me at thecreativelifestudios@gmail.com to schedule me in your studio or store!!

I am excited to be constantly trying new techniques, tricks and projects that I will share here on The Creative Life Blog.

More details to come from the Studio...until then my friends...get caught being creative!!