Beginning artist Pencil and charcoal sketch

During the pandemic, I had to find ways to spend my extra time. So, I took up art. Something I have always enjoyed but never have taken any classes to be able to do. Anyway, I know I'm not very good but I'm learning a lot this year and I'm enjoying the quiet peaceful time I spend sketching and/or painting. 

If you are a beginning artist too, please comment below, so I can check out your stuff. We newbies need to band together and encourage each other to keep on going when we aren't happy with what we've done...yet. :D

Anyway, I've included a short video which shows my process. I hope you enjoy it. And I hope you all have an artful life.

HALLOWEEN SPIRIT 2020

 

So, I don't know if you're like me, but I LOVE Halloween. I guess you could say I begin my Halloween Countdown as soon as Labor Day comes on the scene. If I'm really honest, I'm thinking about Halloween as soon as the Easter candy has been eaten. I think up themes for my decorations and  begin working on them early in the year. And this year my Halloween them is a Life-Size Fairy Garden. I've been working on Fairies for months.

Here's one I made months ago. Check out my other post down below. 

Then I started on DRAGONS

   

I sketched one (and I'm no artist) 

And then I started making my own. (If you’re curious about that, see my post below)

Then I needed some Dragon Eggs. So, I made a few of those.

 (If your curious about that, see my post below: DIY Dragons and Dragon Eggs).

Of course, I wasn't finished there. I needed a castle.

So I started working on that.

And it took a little while.

But I kept working on it.

And working...

Until, ...

But, I still wasn't finished.

I had to make some hanging dragons for the yard.

(If you want to see how I made this little guy, check out my blog post below - with the free pattern opportunity: How to Sew a Dragon)

And, now I'm just getting going...

Keep watching my blog and YouTube for more details of my Halloween Spirit 2020, because I can  promise you, I'm going to have some surprises in store  for our neighborhood kids. 

My first annual L.A. SCBWI conference

If you've ever gone to an SCBWI event, then you already know how jam-packed with keynotes, various speakers,  workshops, classes, parties and more these conferences can offer. BUT the annual summer conference is the no-holds barred, throw-down event of the year. And I'm going to show you... with just a few pictures that a NON-photographer person (me), sitting in the audience took.

The days began with keynote speakers like Libba Bray (can I just say WOW! - because she was funny, poignant and just plain filled with heartfelt moments (okay I'm girl crushing for a moment))

And then after the keynote, we would head off to our workshops, which had such great speakers as the Mavin of Social Media: Debbie Ohi. who taught us tricks, hints and tips of how to get out into the world...without ever leaving our seat. Really.  

And, if awe-mazing keynotes and wonderful workshops weren't enough to whet your appetite, we also had some tempting treats..

And, yes, I do mean REAL treats that were served during our lunch with . . .

Lois Lowry

LOIS LOWRY. . . Yes, can you believe it? Lois - because after this session - I felt that we could have been on a first-name basis ;D and she entertained us while we ate...SERIOUSLY.

She told us all about her inspirations, process and just some of the things about her life.

And if that wasn't enough to make your jaw drop and your head hit the table... they threw parties you wouldn't believe. There was a street party with prizes for the best book costumes. Just look:

And we literally danced in the street

And to top it off, I made some wonderful friends that I'm sure I'll be connecting with again in the future:

All in all, it was a trip I'll never forget and if you get the chance and can make your way to L.A. one day, you should definitely do it.

Making Decorative Gift Boxes

HAVE A HEART - NOT JUST AT VALENTINE'S DAY

HEART is a program offered through Cascadia Behavioral Health that intends to start the conversation about mental health.

Heart uses art and weaves storytelling together to open up new opportunities for healing.

Cascadia Behavioral Health cares for the whole person.

Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare is the organization behind the Heart movement. The desire is to help women face mental health challenges through community-based programs, including peer-to-peer services. The intention is to teach people how to reach out and help each other.

At the Heart Gala on February 7th, Senior Director of Peer Wellness for Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, Meghan Caughey talked about how art changed her life. She said art gives hope. And

Heart intends to offer this hope by highlighting the crossroad between art and health, with a focus on women.

The gala was a celebration and evening of sharing...while raising community awareness and perhaps  a little money for the program.

While you may think men are the ones who face trauma from war and are the people most effected by PTSD, the truth is women are more than twice as likely to suffer from mental health issues. Research is still out as to why this is but perhaps it has something to do with women living in a world where they are not in control. 

Statistics say that 80% of the personal impacts of war fall on women and children and between 16-50% of women will face violence in their lives.

Heart hopes to create an atmosphere of healing by building a circle of support for women dealing with mental health issues. The plan is to combine health, wellness and art to build strong peer support groups. And through art and storytelling, doors will open up to discussions about mental health that wouldn’t otherwise exist.

May the Forest Be with You...Happy Earth Day

Here's a link to fun Earth Day Activities :
http://bestlifemistake.blogspot.com/2013/04/earth-day-activities.html