TyQuilts Designs

There seems to be a theme running through many of my sketches this month, and that is RED.  I seem to be reaching for the same red pencils over and over. There is just something about red. It is so bright and vibrant. I think my love affair with red started as a teen when I figured out that if shopping with my mom I stood a much better chance of getting her to buy me something if I picked out something red.  Two more of my Every day in May sketches and hey— They are red!

Continuing on with the challenge. Everyday is not something that has happened but  my drawing skills are slowly improving and I can more accurately draw simple shapes. No tracing clipart or photos for these drawings.

Occasionally I have to beat back my inner critic when I see the lovely complex work being done by others in this  challenge with creative layouts and backgrounds.  It can be hard not to just throw in the towel. I have to remind myself, that I am doing this to improve my drawing skills which is actually working and there is time to worry about colorful backgrounds and complex, detailed drawings later.

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I was inspired by Liz (Borromini Bear) whose art journals I just love to join her in doing the first 31 EDM ( Every Day Matters)  challenges in May. It will be a great way to get in some drawing practice everyday.  I still struggle so much with my drawing skills and haven’t put the practice into it that I really should. I am sure I won’t post every day but hopefully at least once a week.  I am doing these sketches in a brand new moleskine used just for this.

The first challenge was to draw a shoe. At first I was going to draw my beat up sneaker that I wear for work, but then I decided that just because I have awful feet which don’t allow me to wear cute girly  shoes doesn’t mean I can’t draw one.

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In one of the online art groups I am a member of there was a discussion about using reference photos and how you are using someone else’s artistic vision when you do so (unless of course the photo is one you took yourself)

I just love sunsets, always have. All those warm golden colors.

For this little painting I used tube watercolors for the first time. I have no idea what I am doing, so I just experimented. I really liked how easily I was able to do the background wash of the sunset colors. The tree needs some work, but I am cutting myself some slack, because it is my first attempt at painting an object with the brush only, instead of drawing it, then coloring in with watercolor pencils.

While taking photos yesterday for a photography class assignment I spied this lone dandelion and snapped a quick pic. As you can see it inspired a page in my art journal.

Then on my way home, I spied this pond, there is something so mysterious about ponds surrounded by trees. I love the trees reflecting in the water.

It has been months since I sat down at the sewing machine. I am not sure why except I have been focusing on other areas of my creativity. But the fun of designing something and watching the fabrics and colors come together is so very rewarding. This is just a little sneak peek at a new pattern I am working on. Nothing more will be revealed until the pattern is released sometime in April. I am working under a huge deadline for this pattern. Why do I do this to myself? I am hoping that the deadline imposed sewing will get me back into the groove. I really want to work on a quilt for our bed and something bright and wonderful as a wallhanging for our living room.

I have fallen down on my goal to post every week for the Creative Everyday Challenge.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted last. The only fiber related project I have been working on has been the wedding quilt and there is nothing new to post on that until it’s finished. I have been taking my 2nd class with Jessica Wesolek of http://www.cre8it.com. It is an art journaling class, and has been much fun. I have discovered a new medium which is quickly becoming an addiction – pan pastels. They are so much fun to work with and the colors are yummy. This page was done with them.