Day 81

Self Portrait is the theme over at PixelDust this week.  I did share earlier some other avatars, but this one is definitely my alter-ego avatar.  She is originally a canvas piece that was covered in Asian script.  A foam wig head was cut in half and applied.  Several layers of stamping, drawing, inking, etc. were done to create the patina collage.  The bulbs on her head are the ideas that are constantly floating around in my head.  While these are not light bulbs, but Christmas ornaments, they created the illusion of light bulbs for this piece.  Of course the glasses completed my look.  So this is me, or I should say, my altered me.  Frozen in time.  You may have seen her before since I use her as my on-line presence.  She's my avatar on Facebook, Pinterest, ning groups, galleries, anywhere that an avatar can be used.  Heaven forbid I would ever have to or want to change her.  Would take me all day! 

Day 80

Have you ever decided to learn something new and was overwhelmed with not only learning the ins and outs, but the practice time was also overwhelming.  That's how I feel about learning watercolor painting.  I know how to paint, I've done it all my life, but switch mediums and I feel like a fish out of water.  (Excuse the Pun.)  I originally drew this boney carp in one of my art journals, but decided to use it for a practice piece.  I don't usually do whimsical, but I did have fun with this.  Did I learn anything?  Yes, I did.  I learned that watercolor painting is all about going with the flow-the flow of the water that is.  I learned so much I won't bore anyone by listing the lessons learned.  But, not only did I learn a lot about this medium, I enjoyed it.  I've got several other paintings that I am practicing.  Some I've done 2-3 times already and each time I redo one, I learn something else.  Each one allows me to edit and perfect my control, my patience and my enjoyment. 
Are there really 23,978 bones in a carp?  Probably not.  I added the numbers and word for fun and drama.

Day 10

Wow-I am really ahead of myself but I have been cleaning up my studio, re-organizing the shelves so I can actually see the items that I have available to use.  I swapped out all the chipboard shoe boxes with
see-through plastic ones, so decided to recycle the chipboard.  (I hoard this stuff because it can be used for so many things!)  These pieces will be recycled into new journal covers and used to create a variety of shaped journals.  Shapes are even more fun to make and easy when using the custom shape tools in the digital software.  This time I will be using up a variety of vintage papers that have been waiting years to be used in a project.  The hoarding must end!  Use it up or give it away!  Another goal I did not achieve last year, or the year before, but I have high hopes for this year to be successful in downsizing!  :-D