Again!!!

I've done this how many times? But, I've been laid off work and I'm in a bit of shock! But, there's also the happy me that , hopefully, now, will get a chance to play!
I still want to do portraits, but I've taken the pressure of myself. I was making myself sick forcing it. I ended up ripping the portrait of Jackson Rathbone to shreds and wondering what the hell is wrong with me!! So I did nothing. My job became more and more stress filled, I wasn't enjoying ANYTHING!
Then I found out my thyroid had gone hyper, again, and realized that was part of the problem and little by little I started pulling myself together (with the help of Doctors and medications).
So, here I sit, I lost my job last Thursday due to downsizing. This was after we were told the store was closing in December and two weeks later being told we were staying open.......nuts, hu?
I have been sending for more Stampington Press magazines: Artful Blogger, Where Women Create, Prims, Digital Studio and for my daughter, STUFFED!! These arent just magazines they're pages of color and dreams come true and happy!! All things I need very badly. These people play!! They raise thier children and create, many from home, and I can't get enough!! It's as if I'm meeting myself on each page!!
So, I've started playing with paperclay...A little snowman is in the making, I've joined a group of doll makers at Cloth and Clay Dolls, and I'm having fun. And from there, who knows!!! Hopefully I'll start keeping up with this blog, too!! It really is one of my dreams to share and create here, too!
The little snowman is ready to be painted now. He's designed by Nancy Malay and you can find him plus instructions in the 2010 Holiday Crafts magazine. LOVE IT!! So Much fun!!

In putting this blog together, one of the things I want to do is show how I've always done portraits. But when I try to put down in words what I've learned and how I start drawing portraits I get lost. I never learned the drawing of the oval with the lines to show where the eyes, ears ,mouth and hairline go. I never learned any of that until much later in life. I just drew! Usually starting an eye, then working in the outline of the face as I laid in the nose and mouth.
I will try to show this from the beginning, once I figure out how. Once I start a portrait I go right brained in a big way, and I usually dont remember much.....the portrait just "becomes". I hope you will come to understand this as you follow me on this adventure.
Since I know about the ovals and the grids, etc. a little more now I will attempt to use them, too. But please remember, I'm learning , too, and you will find your own way to draw portraits. I'm just one of many teachers out there.

I decided to post both portraits. When I photographed Griffins portrait it turned out blueish! It's actually black on white drawing paper. The portrait of Jackson Rathbone is on a tannish grey pastel paper. Both of these are in progress. The mouths are causing me grief. But I will work with them and post as I make progress on each.
Because Griffin is a African American baby, he really is a challenge! I have not done either before and I want to capture the realessence of this very special little boy!
I will post soon!

Griffin and Jackson Rathbone Portraits

I Am Waiting, I Am Waiting, Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah!

Two days of cloudy, windy and I havent been able to photograph my portraits outside. Tommorow looks about the same but I havent given up!!

It's Been A Long,Long Time.....

Happy New YEAR!!
One of my resolutions is to start using this blog to show my journey as an artist. Drawing portraits, learning to use color, all the things I never had formal training for. Since this is a new year beginning, I begin. I plan to show my work in all stages, knowing that how I work may not be the way someone else does. I learned on my own, because I loved a Beatle named George and for some reason the only way this adolecent girl had to express that love was through a portrait.
And that started this journey....with many stops off the main road, it has NEVER been my intention to be anything else. I have done many other creative things along the way, all important to my growth and where I was in my life. The saying "If you're given lemons, make lemonade." comes to mind. These will come up as I create and share here. If I can help one other struggling artist, or inspire someone to do something they've always wanted to do but didn't feel they could, or should, for WHATEVER reason, well, I believe that's what it's all about.
I have 2 portraits in various stages that I am going to attempt to photograph today and get up onto the blog. But it's very windy out....let you know!! :>

Testing 1,2,3,4....

I'm checking to see if this goes to the right blog.....