Sketchbook Assignment- One

No matter how strong I start out the year, something always seems to pull my attention away from my goal. Not this year! I’m putting my foot down and setting this years goal in stone. I really need to refocus my creative energy on describing my creative vision through a simple pencil.

Each week I will be setting up different assignments for myself. This past week I worked on the subject matter, “Strong-Women” … the women in my family that inspire me to be a better person.

Humanity- Inspiration:

Hauta Sistrunk Hoyt (my grandmother) was the silent strength behind my grandfather’s ministry. If our true treasures are in heaven, she is a very wealthy saint.  

Lou Adams Bihm (grandmother) believed in prayer, the greatest thing you could say about her was, she was a prayer warrior. 

Eloise Hoyt Bihm(my mother) is to me, the most beautiful woman I know.  True beauty comes from inside, it comes from the loving way she cares for others… her many years as a nurse, caring for the elderly. Beauty, thy name is Mother.

While sketches my own “Strong Women” I came to realize that we all have these women in our life.  By request I added  a couple more to my list.

Aunt Annette had a smile full of sunshine, her smile was contagious and her laughter could fill a room. She is missed.

Aunt Mary is a role model to her own daughters, she raised “strong women” of her own.

Let’s Play Dress-up

The last few year I’ve been sewing costumes for my daughter on Halloween.

This costume is one of my favorites. The geisha…Loved IT!!! (2008)

 Goth (princess) 2009

         Fairy Princess 2010.

 

Creative Christmas Themed Photos:

My family is full of colorful characters… always thinking outside the box.  Last year we decided that our Christmas cards needed a little something extra. I receive plenty of picture cards from friends and family every year. The usual family portraits grace every card, which is pleasant, but that’s just not enough for our crazy crew.

We decided to  start creating a theme for our family portraits every year.

Redneck Christmas 2009

 

The kids took our theme last year and really went wild  with it… we had a blast!

Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile. (LOL)

Jacob and Jordan liked this theme a little too much.

Brianna was perfect, even down to the chipped nail polish.

 

2010  Hippy Holidays!

 

   Here’s a peek at our hippy kids goofing for this years holiday pictures. I would post more, but I don’t want to ruin the surprise.  

Would you do a wild/crazy theme holiday card? If you have or if your inspired to be a little more creative with your holiday pictures, let me hear from you. Hippy Holidays everyone!

Crochet Fever

 This Summer has been crazy hot! I am looking forward to a little break from all this heat. The promise of the cooler weather of Fall always brings on crochet fever.   I think I’m suffering from a case of Fall fever too, which is similar to Spring Fever- only in reverse.

Gold Lotus Cuff~

 

Handmade jewelry has caught my attention.  This simple lotus pattern was crocheted with a glittery golden thread to add a little sparkle.  I found two wonderful pearl beads for the clasp, because you can never have to much bling.

I love the look of handmade jewelry. 

Glass Bead Necklace~

You know those glass beads you find in the floral department? I decided to use them in my crochet jewelry. Using the same golden thread, I closed the beads inside this simple pattern, to create this wonderful necklace.

I’m thinking you could use just about anything with this pattern.

• River Rocks
• Sea Shells
• Beach Glass

… a new idea to use found object! Love it!

Creativity-0, Chaos-5

It has been crazy around here the past few weeks.  Just after my last post, my husband broke his funny bone (elbow), believe me it’s not funny! Which means he’s been home for the past 2 weeks. It’s great having him at home, he’s usually gone during the week, but being out of work really stinks. Especially with the expense of the kids starting school, not to mention getting everyone ready for class. (1 college, 1 middle school, & 1 high school student) Crazy!

Why is there always something getting in the way of my creative goals? How can I empower my creativity?

* set aside a time, everyday, that I can work on my creative pursuits. (early morning-after the kids get on the bus.)

*let my family know how important my creative moments are to me. (I need some “Me” time.)

*Re-open communication with my muse. (she’s been way to silent during the craziness of the past few weeks.)

Become inspired and use what’s going on around me (even the bad stuff) as  a source for inspiration.  Use what’s available, whatever is at hand, in this moment, to move forward! Keep some momentum going toward your goals.

True creativity and self-empowerment comes with honestly working with what is.

Nothing is ever perfect, perfection isn’t the goal-  the creative mind can be messy and chaos is part of life.

This, That, & The other…

It’s been quiet here on the creative blog. Life has been busy this past week and my energy level is at an all time low. (that’s the way it usually works out…WHY!?)

I’m still working on the e-course for creativity 101. It’s moving slow, but it  IS  moving. I am going at my own pace. Finding  the right direction to my creative path, and I’m in no hurry.

Hope you have a creative weekend! See y’all soon!

*New* Painting

 Cat Dreamer -Oil on Canvas 2010

blue eyes of the cat

admiration for the sun

looking carefully

*New* Painting & Display Place…

 

 Small Painting I’ve been working on today… the subject is my oldest son Josh.

I  LOVE  the colors in this  painting.  That soft summer blue in the background, I used the bright red-  it’s my sons favorite.

This is a self portrait I’ve been working on for a few months.   Do you ever wonder if others see you differently than you see yourself?

 

This is the shelf where I display my newest paintings, as I work on them- or until I find them a home.  I wonder what other artist do with their paintings as they develope?

The boxes are something I’ve been playing with too. I’m waiting for the perfect… found objects… to use as  legs on them.

Little House on the Wall

I love to find discarded items in thrift stores, yard sales,  even on the side of the road, and rework them. I always find some use for them around my little house.

I found this shelf at a small yard sale. A few coats of pink and spring green paint…and my daughter has a new shelf.

A girl can never have to much pink in her room.

Creativity 101 ~ Art Doll

This week we had a list of bonus assignments to help us explore our creativity. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to create an art doll. 

Spirit of Creativity

 

The spirit of creativity began as a simple number 2 pencil. I constructed a head out of clay, and wrapped old fabric around the pencil (base) to make her body.  The best part of a wrap doll, is that I can continue to add to her as I am inspired.

The spirit of Creativity has so much to say, if I open my mind and heart, and stop to listen.

 

Big Hairy Apes on Teeter-Totters

This is week two of the creativity 101 e-course:  We’re being asked to use our imaginations an allow our inner creative genius (mine is named Sketchmaiden) to speak and answer a few simple journal prompts.

 

2.What do you like to eat?

 

Sketchy: It’s obvious you like to snack. Why?

Me: Snacking is fun!  It’s a quick fix when your hungry between meals, besides,  snack food always taste so good!

Sketchy:  Instant gratification. *a sad look crosses her face.*  You know this whole instantaneous-  wanting it now- rushing around thing is part of your problem. I have such a hard time communicating our artistic path when your always in a hurry with no time to listen. It has to stop.

Me: Snacks are coming between us? * astonished disbelief*

Sketchy: *sigh* No, it’s all this rushing around like a headless chicken! You have to learn to slow down, take time to listen, and make each moment count. Rome wasn’t built in a day….and all those snack cakes are going straight to your thighs.

Me:  So, what your saying is…I need to give up instant gratification and snack cakes?

Sketchy: Next question, please!

 

3. Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Me: I do my best thinking at night. Why? It’s the only time of the day that I can turn my thoughts inward.

Sketchy: Which brings me to another problem you have in seeking direction. I don’t know the last time you spent trudging around in your brain, but the inside of your head is crazy-busy,like a barrel full of monkeys.

Me: I have  so much going on, people are  depending on me. I’m an anchor for my family, like… uh… roots… yeah roots! I’m like the deep roots of a big oak tree!  That’s the ticket! I’m also the sticky tree sap that keeps my crazy world glued together! I’m the sticky root that my whole family depends… wait… did you say monkeys? The question was about birds, shouldn’t you use a bird as a comparison? Staying with the theme and all… like maybe you could say, I’ve got birds in the attic? …or is that bats? Are bats a bird?….

Sketchy: Whoa girl! Slow down and take a breath, in with the good air, out with the bad air.  And for your information, monkeys fit my purpose perfectly. You  really need to find some personal time. I don’t think your world will fall apart if you step away from it for an hour or two. You need time to connect with your creativity. In words you’ll understand? You’ve  got this big fat gorilla sitting  on the other side of your teeter-totter of life. You’ll never find true balance with that huge ape along for the ride. 

Me: Unless I keep eating all those snack cakes. *snort* 

Sketchy: Grrrrrr….Next!

4. Do you prefer cities or the country?

Me and Sketchy: COUNTRY GIRL!

Tune in tomorrow for more answers like:

•  Will Rhonda find a new home for her hairy ape and all those crazy monkeys?
• Will she  actually stop eating snack cakes or just invest in a girdle?

*GRIN*