Light a Candle

I drew this last night as I was lying in bed. It is dedicated to the people of India, especially those who live in Mumbai. I also wanted it to be a reminder for the rest of us. We can all do our best to make this world a better place, regardless of the people intent on destroying it.

A Donor Was Found!!

Read the wonderful news here. To think the perfect match came from one of the mother's e-bay friends, on her birthday at that. What an amazing story and so wonderful to hear the day before Thanksgiving, when all of us should be counting our blessings.

Save a Young Girl's Life

A young girl is in desperate need of a kidney. Read about her here.

There is a potential donor questionaire on the blog post. I am filling one out because you never know who could be a match for her. I admire this mother for not giving up hope to save her daughter's life; and I pray someone can save her.

What Is Artful, Anyway?

I was playing with some frames tonight to see if any of my art is "frame-worthy". I had two frames which would only fit my 8" x 8" canvases. I did not like how any of my art looked. Perhaps it was the frame or the mat. Afterward, I felt a bit dejected, like maybe I am kidding myself that I have any artistic talent. I realize that everyone who attempts any kind of creative endeavor feels this way from time to time. I know I just need to keep working, practicing, and trying new things. Maybe I need to stop looking at the amazing work other artists are creating and focus on my own art. But my art feels so insignificant. I have to remember that my work is a part of me; therefore, it does have worth, regardless of the quality of it.

Here is a link to my work for the Art Every Day Month challenge which I have been participating in for the month of November. And a link to the AEDM pool, to see everyone else's work. I know, it is too early for me to give up on something that has tugged at my soul for a very long time. I will find my artful purpose, as long as I continue the search for it.

Painting Pumpkins

Not too much creativity this week, but my children and I painted pumpkins. We enjoyed this small fall project.

Childhood

My creative project for today was inspired by a technique taught by Judy Wise as well as an idea I found in The New Acrylics:

In Photoshop, I converted the photo to BW and used a stamp filter on it. Once printed, I covered it with Self-Leveling Clear Gel Medium. Once the medium was dry (it took a couple of days), I wet the photo and peeled the paper off the back. Now my image is translucent! The inspiration for my background was Simultaneous Open Windows by Robert Delaunay. I read about it in one of my favorite books, Sister Wendy's 1000 Masterpieces. Finally, I added some pressed flowers and a few paint swirls.

Fiddleheads

I have decided to take the Creative Every Day challenge for 2008, even though we are already in the tenth month of the year. I painted this last night:

I did not paint with any plan. I just went on instinct, and the result reminds me of emerging ferns. It was definitely fun just putting layers of paint on my canvas and seeing the result.