One Autumn leaf inspired me to create a little painting that closely replicated it in watercolor.
But then I decided to go a little free form and make it whatever color I wanted.
And then another color.
And then a little different shape…
All from one Autumn leaf picked up on a walk back from the mailbox.
The simple, smallest things that can create such joy…
Cherish the moments!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Happy First Day of Fall!
The other day – as I continue to convince myself how much I love Fall (and it really is happening!) I dabbled with a couple abstract watercolors of Autumn trees. One I “doodled” up and the other I didn’t.
Interesting what a different effect it gives. And more interesting – I kind of like both. (what do you think of that Charlie O and Laura!?!?)
So I asked my guys that evening, “Which do you like better?”
Hubby picked one… and my son, Nick, picked the other.
I knew that was going to happen!
Which one do you pick?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This weekend, hubby and I went to a Covered Bridge Festival. There were ten park festival locations centered around ten different covered bridges where they had a variety of handmade arts and crafts booths, food, historic re-enactments, demonstrations and live bands.
It was fun to stroll around the festivities and capture some photos of the bridges. We only made it to two, because we really didn’t decide to go or head out until mid-afternoon, but we enjoyed what we did see, and then ended the day with a nice dinner out.
The next day I decided to try to “doodlewash” one. My blogging buddy, Charlie at Doodlewash.com has stirred my creative desire to play around with this whimsical art style combining doodling and watercoloring.
I struggle with the doodling/drawing part, and then I totally overworked the washing/watercoloring part of this piece, but since I spent an hour and a half doing it, I am sharing anyway. (Chalk it up to one for the archives. Hopefully one to look back on to gauge improvement!)
Here is the photo I took that I used for my reference. It was such a sweet little bridge in a quaint community park.
And then, with some paint still in the palette and the urge to do something else, I decided to recreate a version of the DSP (designer series paper) I used in yesterday’s card post and made this piece below that I can use in a future card or project. It was fun to mix and splash and see how the colors dried. Loving the Autumn tones that remind me of the gorgeous weather we’ve been having these past few days!
Happy Monday all! Hope you have a great week!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Like the beautiful leaves of Autumn…
each unique
individual
and beautiful in their own way…
Be your own kind of Beautiful.
Wouldn’t want you any other way!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Today I am celebrating my dear, sweet Joyce.
Today is her birthday, and I made this little card for her that I hope she receives in time! (Yikes – just sent yesterday – so she may see it here before she gets it in the mail!)
Joyce is my second cousin by family, but she is also one of my dearest friends by choice. She and her adorable hubby, “Oh Rob,” are some of our besties for so many reasons.
Joyce and Rob are true inspirations in the way they live their lives. They truly CELEBRATE life!
They are creative and soulful and kind to others.
They are respectful of the environment.
They are generous with their time and money and gifts.
They are teachers, and they also love to learn.
They share their home (and their friends) in a way like no others.
They cook and preserve and eat with gusto!
They have open minds and open ears and open hearts.
They give REAL hugs – the kind where you really squeeze and hang on like you might not have another chance and like you really, genuinely mean it! And they give kisses too – right on the lips!
And they have helped me through a lot of “stuff.” (you know that kind of stuff we all have but don’t always talk about…) Joyce and her family really helped me get through a tough time and period in my life, and for that, I will be forever grateful.
It’s funny how a post about Joyce turned into one about Joyce and Oh Rob…. but they are such a perfect pair and complement each other so beautifully, it is hard to think of one without thinking of the other. And that is a compliment and tribute to their marriage and the kind of people they are.
So please join in in wishing one of the world’s best a best birthday!
Joyce is, among so many other things, an avid gardener, so her card is a little “doodlewash” of a sprinkling can that I was inspired to do from a painting I saw by an amazing artist that I want to learn more from, RoseAnn Hayes. Joyce is also an amazing watercolor artist, so I hesitate to even send my humble, feeble attempt to her, but she will love it anyway just because it was handmade for her from me. 🙂
On the inside, I wrote:
Thank you for sprinkling my soul with your kindness
and feeding my heart with your love.
You have helped me to blossom.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays with lots of love, my Joyce!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Happy Back to ‘whatever it is you do on a regular basis’ after a nice long holiday weekend!
I recently did some “doodling” in my new art journal for Draw a Bird Day…
Then “washed” it with some watercolor.
#Doodlewashing is a fun word and “movement” that Charlie O’Shields and friends created that describes sketching and watercoloring. Charlie’s blog inspires me daily.
And Laura at Create Art Everyday is one of my bestie bloggin’ buddies who puts the call out monthly for #DrawaBirdDay.
These were just really quick little sketches done in roller ball pen late one night and then painted early the next morning (for some reason I got up at 4:30 am that day, so took advantage of some free time). If they look a little bit familiar, I drew them from two photos I had posted from the birds that visit our backyard: The Rose Breasted Grosbeak and the Brown Headed Cowbird.
I’m looking forward to seeing all the fun and truly artistic creations everyone shares!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS In honor of Laura and in memory of her recent loss of her beloved Penny, I sketched my first cat in my new art journal the other day. Laura was on my heart as I was thinking of her grief and loss. I just used a No. 2 pencil and followed some illustrative instructions from a new book I got called Drawing for the absolute beginner by Mark and Mary Willenbrink. This is my first try at this book, and I look forward to doing more to better understand techniques and values and perspective, etc. I’m such a jump-iner! I need to slow down and learn! Love ya Laura!
Follow the path of joy.
Follow the path of happiness.
Follow the paths of justice and righteousness and goodness, loyalty, equality, and freedom.
But mostly….
Follow the path of love.
A simple card
with a simple message.
Why do we complicate things
so much?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Sometimes I just want to splash water and paint on paper. Can anyone relate?
I have no subject in mind, don’t feel like sketching, just want to express….
color…. feelings…. heart…. love…. maybe a little bit of peace or beauty.
These two cards were the result of that – done a week or so apart when I just needed to splash in paint puddles.
Not much talent at all involved here, but a great experience. And… if my very un-educated expressions in watercolor inspire anyone to step outside their comfort zone and try – and then find the joy – my heart is filled.
These turned into note cards I needed to use recently to express sympathy to a few friends who lost loved ones.
I hope they feel the love, and it brings them a bit of peace.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Yesterday I shared the beautiful celebration of this adorable and perfect pair, Candace and C.J. at the bridal shower I attended for Candace this past weekend.
And, as promised, here is the “Perfect Pair” gift basket I made as my gift for them.
It was so much fun trying to think of perfect pairings to include in this gift basket.
I am sure there are so many more pairs you can think of, and you can customize the gift for your “perfect pair.”
Some things are simply practical, and others I found on Candace’s gift registry.
Does anything “pair” better than peanut butter and jelly?
A pair of gloves just made perfect sense.
I also had fun creating all the pear/pair tags with a variety of watercolor wash colors…
and thinking of little things that would make their home cozy and special.
Pen and paper… will they scribble little love notes? create shopping lists? wish lists?
A fun bag or basket pulls it all together and adds to the fun and practicality of the gift.
If you are looking for a fun and creative bridal shower gift, consider this idea for your perfect pear pair!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Hubby asked if I could make a card for a friend the other day.
I had seen some lupines done in a similar way with a stamp set to what I created here, but I wanted to try doing with watercolor in a variety of colors.
I wanted a torn look to the watercolor paper to give it just a little more personality, and I had fun trying different colors. Hubby like the purple the best when I showed them all to him, so I added a “Thinking of You” sentiment and wrote a personal message inside.
Also, after a bit of coaxing and prodding and urging, I decided to go ahead and open up an Etsy shop in case anyone would like to purchase some of my cards. I have slowly started adding some of the things I have “in stock.”
I noticed many people sell prints of their watercolors, but I am featuring my original collection I have begun creating.
If you are looking for a special card, check out my ArtatLifeinBetween Etsy Shop. I will continue to add and update.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 