Inspiration Hits Today

 My cousin set me a pic today and suggested that it would be a great piece to Zen doodle.

And this is what the photo inspired me to doodle:

I know, it looks nothing like the original photo, but this is what inspiration does to a person. We don't see things as they are. We see things as we perceive them. It's a very personal process.

So if you're at one of those popular art nights with "the girls", don't knock yourself down because your canvas doesn't look like the instructor's project. It's not supposed. to be a copy, but your interpretation of the example. And that's why we never criticize another person's art unless asked for our opinion. If we don't like it, we can answer back with "it's totally you!" or another generalized comment.

In other words, be kind to all artists...

Kill Them with Kindness at Ike's World Challenge Blog

Today I have two projects to inspire you to always stretch your comfort zone. I've used the lovely digi, Spanish Dancer, from Ike's Art. It's one of my favorite images; maybe because my cousin dances and teaches Flamenco. I admire her for that.
Anyway, I was trolling YouTube videos and came across an artist who used all manner of items, food and supplies in his project, so I thought I'd have a go at it. First, I colored the top half of my image with Copics. Then I emptied my supply of flowers and chose these white ones with the colored jewel centers.
I then played with each flower like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, slowly putting them together to form my dancer's flowing skirt. I love how it came out. So I tried another medium.

This time I used red lace. This was more difficult as I had to fold it over and back for the different layers of the image's dress. It was also harder to get the lace to sit right at my dancer's waist. I love the dimension of this one more, but I'll need to iron the lace next time so it lies on the canvas more accurately.

So which one do you like better? I'm definitely revisiting this type of mixed media canvas. The challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog this month runs to the end of November, so you should have plenty of time to experiment and try new techniques or materials. Just remember, treat yourself with kindness as you stretch out of your comfort zone. Whether you succeed with your attempts, or it ends up in the trash, you are trying to grow in your art and that makes you a winner!

Don't forget you could also be a winner of free digis from Ike's Art Store, so make sure you link your project to the main blog!

Get Inspired on the Path of Positivity

The Path of Positivity Challenge Blog is offering an optional twist on its Anything Goes theme: focus on INSPIRATION. If you would like to challenge yourself, create a project to uplift and/or motivate someone in your life. However, remember that the optional twist is just for fun.

This card is for my neighbor. She adopted a dog around this time a year ago. He is a rescue, a cute senior beagle (except when he howls). LOL She had lost her husband a few years ago and decided to fill her empty house with barks and dog hair. She also got cuddles and licks and unconditional love.
Using an Ike's Art image called "Kindness", I colored it with Copics and placed it onto a card front created from embossed and stitched metallic paper. The greeting didn't show up well against that background, so I crimped some red (for love) to back up the words, "Happy Adoptiversary!" I helped my image pop out from the background paper by using dimensional tape and a die-cut snowflake peeking out from behind it.
So I made this card to celebrate her dog's Adoptiversary! We rescued our dog, Wilson, a senior Silkie Terrier, three years ago. He's one of the family now, and we couldn't be happier. If and when we're ready to adopt again, my daughter and I agreed to look for another senior dog. It makes your heart melt to see their blank stares turn into looks of love after they know they have found what it is to be loved and cared for (again or sometimes for the first time). Don't we all need just that?
If you're trying to decide if you're ready to get a dog, please consider adoption from a shelter. They have dogs and cats from 4 weeks old to seniors, playful to mellow, all of them just looking to be loved and to love in return. Go ahead and, "make their day!" 
And if you're interested in playing along with the challenge at the Path of Positivity, please note that ALL projects must be positive, encouraging or uplifting in some way (so make sure you mention you are following the theme this month).
 Prizes this month include:

A $15 gift certificate from Ike's Art, our guest sponsor for this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.

ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants.

One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

You have until February 3rd to link up to three projects to the first challenge of 2019 at the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog!  Go for it, crafters!

Challenges I am Entering:

Get Creative - Anything Goes

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes w/a Critter

Happy Craft - Anything Goes