Blue

Blue
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

Blue

This mixed media painting on watercolor paper was a donation to Renee Troy who is putting together an art book for charity. Proceeds from the final bid on Ebay will go to A Place to Bark www.aplacetobark.com/index.html and the winner gets to enjoy a homemade book comprised of original art from a variety of talented folks. To see more about the project, visit Renee's blog ... www.reneetroyartonline.com/

Swimmer

Swimmer
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

Got this one finished during Jack's nap...life is ultra slow artistically when you have little ones so I'm always thrilled to FINISH something!!! Yahoo! One of my secrets to finishing is by doing a lot of backgrounds that will be ready to go when I get a chance like today. I can do backgrounds in short bursts by just scraping some paint or playing with stamps for a few minutes...even while Jack's awake. Then I've got half the job done for the next time I when I might have longer to work.

More Floral Exploring...say that 5 times fast!

These are small (5x7) and it seems that's all I can get done these days.  I worked on them at the same time so even though the colors may not look like it in these eh photos, they do tie together nicely. 

I've been thinking of all the things I do to be more efficient with my art.  I have only bits of time so I try to have all of my supplies ready.  It does help...when I remember to do that!! 

 One thing I like lately is my new water "system"...I have tons of see through plastic organizers (the kind you might put shoes in to stack in your closet).  I'm using one for my water bin!  It has a lid so my son doesn't turn it over (or the cat for that matter).  I love it because I can see the top of my water and I don't get the handles of my brushes all wet.  I read somewhere that you should use shallow water and replace it often.  Well, I don't know about replacing it often but I am liking the shallow thing.  I don't have as many "oops" with water dripping down my brush because I didn't dry it off enough.  It's a small thing but I thought it was cool.  Having a lid is great for my able-bodied-toddler situation, too.

Hope you are creating something wonderful...on a canvas, piece of paper, in a flowerbed,  in a baking dish, in a journal, or wherever.  Happy Spring!  Yay!!

Smiles!

First Flowers

Happy Easter all...this is my first floral in a looooong time...wasn't as whimsical as I had imagined.  I wanted the colors more funky and less realistic -- more funky shapes, etc.  I think if I do fewer flowers or even singles, then maybe I can get the effect I wanted.  It was fun not to do faces for a change.  This has more texture than you might imagine...Fabriano paper holds up so well to acrylic paint and other heavier media. 

Also, I am working on a list of tips for creative mothers of toddlers.  They are things that have been discussed before but I thought I'd lay them out all together in one post or maybe in a video.  As I learn more about myself and do art my way, I'm paying more attention to the hows and whys of what I do, when I do them, etc.  I love to hear about other people's processes so I'm going to gather that info to share with you also.  Some of the things I do have to do with the fact that I have a toddler who is in full discovery mode.  He can open things, climb, scoot, run, hit, ESCAPE, and now he's beginning to say everything was just "an accident".   So add manipulate to the growing list.  He is a very sweet boy and I'm thankful for that because he is running me ragged!!  Here's one site I've ventured over to occasionally...for moms:  http://www.studiomothers.com/.  It's not just for visual artists so if you are into writing or other things, check it out. 
Have a blessed Easter...don't eat too much candy!
Smiles!
M