Funky Art Queen

I love the new year. I always feel like it is a time to reorganize and refresh. After all, we do get to start a new calendar! We can throw that old calendar from 2006 with all it's unfinished projects and missed appointments-right in the trash. Now we will really get organized this year right? At least that is what I'm saying. Lately, I have been thinking about my plans for the new year. I have several goals and a couple of resolutions to share: I long to simplify my life some. It just seems that my life has become so complicated with activity, stuff, bills, obligations, and clutter. We have so much garbage. How can we make that much trash? We don't have one empty closet or drawer in this house! Lately, I find myself thinking about how I can simplify my life-my families life, our home, our budget. My first thought was to find a book on the topic...then I decided that would be just one more book to clutter my already spilling over bookshelf. I will continue to think and pond...

I was looking at this photo of my kids and my grandmother at Christmas and decided I should share it with you. My Grandma turned 90 this year. She looks good huh? Unfortunately, the last year or two she has begun to experience some episodes of confusion and memory loss. It is so sad to see someone you love get to a point that they don't recognize their family members. However, this woman has so many family members-who can blame her? She had 8 children of her own, and they begat lots of grandchildren, and great grandchildren. To me, Grandma was always working. She sewed for the public as long as I can remember. She and grandpa used to run the old Shamrock Gas Station in Big Spring, Texas. I remember her sewing machine was set up right at the window so she could stop sewing and go out and fill up a customer's car with gas, wash their windows and whatever else they needed. She was tough! Here is a picture of her when she was about 16. I just recently received this photo from my M...

I had this idea on the drive to Midland yesterday. I wanted to do one of my funky trees with the Klimt like designs within the entire tree. So, I have been working on it and wanted to give you a sneak peak at it. This is just a little piece of it without any paint-just pencil and ink so far. I can't wait to get all the designs in so I can pencil color and watercolor it to life. Here is a little glimpse.....Maybe this weekend I can get it done. But, I want to take my time and do a good job. It will be a trial of patience for me because I normally get inpatient and hurry to much. Have a good day! Oh and Happy Friday!!! UPDATE: 12-30-06-Finished the piece today-so I thought I would give you the update of the finished product.

I called this mixed media piece, "She Sleeps". I did this the day after Christmas. I was probably having fantasies of a sweet nap or something. Christmas is so busy and crazy that I was glad it was over. And for some reason...this came out of my little art session. My mother made one last stop at my house on her way home (Tyler, Texas) to give me some little wooden boxes, 1 brief case and another little make up type box to decorate like I like to do. But before she left, she took a peak at this work in progress and commented, "that is just what you want to be doing". That helped me name it for sure. I wasn't sure if it was something about meditating or waiting on her lover or what. But, Mama had it pegged with one glance! The past few days have been trying for us here at the Chandler Household. We have had a little upset that I won't go into detail about. So, being in this state of mind helped me appreciate these two little things I found. First, I was led...

The other day I found a recipe for "Cowboy Cookies in a Jar". One of those gifts in a jar ideas. I have always wanted to try one of those for gifts. I made six of these last night and wanted to share them with you. It was relatively easy-I just made quite the mess with the flour and stuff-but quickly cleaned up when I was done. Now I have 6-very nice homemade gifts for my family. I got the "wide mouth" jars with lids at Hobby Lobby. I had all the other cowboy kind of things to add with the ribbon. The recipe was computer generated on an antique looking paper. The "cowgirl" charm was created by me some time ago and it finally found it's perfect home. I have multiple unfinished projects that must get done in time for Christmas! Gifts that I am making, gifts that I am buying, wrapping, cleaning house to prepare for Sunday night-Family Christmas. I have some commission work that has to be done today! OK! I CAN DO IT!!! Now, I will continuously remind mysel...

Discovered a new artist and had to clip some of her work for my inspiration journal. I wanted to share her work with you. Here is my journal entry and a link to her site: http://cynthiamarkert.com will add more later...gotta get to work!

I have been working on Christmas cards lately. I have painted some on watercolor paper and pasted them to card stock and decorated, etc. I have also done a lot of paper art type cards with stickers and rub ons and such. It has been fun, but it does make the process last a lot longer. The one above, was made for my mother-in-law. I wanted hers to be really special. She has always liked angels and she seems to have developed a little collection of them. So, I thought this would be a good idea. I had no idea how to draw an angel so I found some images on google image search and got inspired. I wasn't crazy about her face. I liked her little wings and the rest was fine. The "PEACE" is a rub on and the words at the bottom were added digitally. Now, I must show you what my 17 year old son got me last night. Monday is my birthday, every year he does something special for me and reminds me of how wonderful and thoughtful he is. He got this cake for me. He made sure it was healthy...