The Gnarly Oak

I have been alternately staring at and working on my canvas. Finally, I am finished. At least I think I am. I could be mistaken. I usually am. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it.

I couldn't get a good picture so I hope you can see it okay. I would like some feedback on it so please be honest in what you think. 

19"X20" The Gnarly Oak

I also took a photo of the card I painted for my Mothers 82nd birthday. I think it came out okay. She likes it so that's what counts.

Blotter paper and a spook

I read a lot of blogs by artists of all kinds and it seems that most have that piece of scrap paper they use as a blot for all the excess paint. Then they use them for another project. They all look so good. Mine is always a really crappy looking brown. Do they plan these or just get lucky?

I use a lot of gesso-ed ? cardboard for my painting, and for my blotter paper. I had some ink left over from a card I made my mom, which I forgot to take a picture of. It just isn't in me to throw art supplies away. Gotta use it up then I can throw away what I painted. Weird I know. Here's what I came up with!

RUMI Journal Challenge

This weeks journal challenge. What do you think?
"I have become a rose petal and you have become the wind for me.
Take me for a ride.    RUMI

I painted this on the inside of a pizza box

Challenge #5

The challenge for this week on ATCFUN yahoo group was to chose your own subject but use a template. I sat all week and stared at a blank journal page. I went to sleep every night thinking about it. Finally, last night when I should have been sleeping, it came to me. So here  is my version of the challenge. I'm fairly happy with the finished page. There are always things I would change but I think that's just my inner critic overdoing her job, as usual!

Journal challenge #5

You can barely see them but there are 3 little lady bugs (or gentlemen bugs) on the leaf on the upper right corner. They were done with nail polish. The rest is watercolors and markers.