Blue...songs are like tatoos...

I couldn't get that Joni Mitchell song out of my head all day as I worked on some journal pages with a BLUE theme. Inspired by Misty Mawn's journal-page-a-day challenge, I worked on three separate journals today.


This week's theme is working in monochrome, or just using one color.

Blue, songs are like tattoos
You know Ive been to sea betore
Crown and anchor me
Or let me sail away...


...Blue, here is a shell for you
Inside youll hear a sigh
A foggy lullaby
There is your song from me

(from Blue, by Joni Mitchell)

I gathered all my blue paint, paper, ink pads, pens and spread out over the dining room floor. I alternated between each journal, adding the backgrounds with diluted Adirondack re-inkers, then stamping and adding collage. I kept jumping from one journal to the other, trying not to over-think each piece.

The raw materials by themselves were a work of art! (Couldn't help snapping some photos of the supplies while waiting for layers to dry on the pages!)

Here are some of the pages in earlier stages:


I cut out some words that felt BLUE to me...as I collected them, they kind of just fell on the page that way and that's how they were glued down.

My blue maiden started off mostly blue to begin with...I added a blue butterfly bow tie. I added more collage elements and dry brushed some light blue acrylic paint around the edges of each piece.

This color is so dear to me. It has always been my favorite color. I am always drawn back to it. It is always my first choice. Blue holds so many possibilities for me. An endless sea. It is the color of life, sky, ocean, deapth, loss, hope.

You can jump in any time! Visit Misty's blog for details and inspiration and a list of other artists who are joining the challenge. These are the week's color themes:

monday ~ blue
tuesday ~ orange
wednesday ~ green
thursday ~ white
friday ~ red
saturday ~yellow
sunday ~ pink

And here is Maya's blue journal page:

Happy New Year!

This will be the first post for 2009...wow, a whole new year full of adventure, art, love, life...I can't wait to see what this new year will bring.

I've been journaling a lot lately...been crazy into it since I received my copy of Somerset Studio's Art Journaling magazine. I am determined to submit some journals for their next issue! I started off last year signing up for a lot of art swaps and challenges to boost my confidence, learn new skills and to make more art! This year, I plan to send off a lot more of my creations to magazines and to submit ideas for articles. I know I want an artful life, so this is what I will do and in the meantime, my brain will figure out the rest! ;)

Change seems to be the big theme for 2009. I'd like to make art every day, even if it's a few little doodles or photos or something. I'd also like to get an Etsy shop up this year. I'll be taking creative classes this year, too. I'll be a mom to a little baby pretty soon...I should probably try to get in as much un-interrupted art time as possible before then! ;) It will be interesting to see how I can balance art and baby...I'm sure many mothers have done it before me, and I did it, too, not too long ago when my littlest one was, well, a lot littler. Here's wishing everyone a wonderful, creative, inspiring, lovely, artful new year!

Happy 2009!
The Austin-Gonzalez Family

Merry Christmas

Ok, it's a few days late...but since I'm having a hard time moving on from the holiday season, better late than never. ;) We spent a lovely week-and-a-half in Arizona visiting my mom for Christmas. We took a trip up to Flagstaff to sled in the snow, we baked cookies and hung around the house in our PJ's all day--it was a wonderful, restful, joyful vacation to say the least.

My mom's tree was decorated in old wooden, hand-painted ornaments from my childhood. It's funny how the little things will bring back a flood of memories from Christmases past.

I was looking forward to a break from the cold, winter weather we were experiencing back home, but it was actually COLDER in Phoenix...crazy weather! But we did have plenty of days of sunshine and bright, big, blue Arizona skies with syrupy, neon orange marmalade sunsets. (No photo! Insert imaginary sunset *here*)

Even managed to get some art journaling in at the airport while we waited to embark on our journey and again once we arrived at my mom's house. I was inspired by the wonderful art in the new Art Journaling magazine.


We're back in California now, enjoying the mild winter weather (no snow!), getting ready for Christmas part 2 and 3 (one for us and the kids and another with my dad and stepmom). The sparkling string of lights on my porch will stay lit until January 1 (and probably will stay up for the next 6 months, until I remember to take them down!).

Christmas only comes once a year, who says we can't make it last as long as we want? ;) Curl up with a hot cocoa, peppermint stick and listen to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas. We can stay in denial for a little while longer, can't we? ;)

Merry Christmas and Happy 2009!

“When the Cat’s Away…” Daily Giveaways

Happy Holidays!

I love giveaways! :) I just had to share this with you...Alpha Stamps, one of my favorite places to go for inspiration and unique art supplies is having daily giveaways from December 27, 2008 through Sunday, January 4th, 2009. All you have to do is leave a comment on that day’s blog post by 11:59 pm (PST).

Check out the details at: http://www.alphastamps.com/blog

Happy creating!

December

Getting ready for the Winter Performance. Maya's class sang two sweet songs. The theme was Peace Around the World. (Pose was her idea--cute little foot pointed back!)

Playing with wintry shadows and light in a little corner of the playroom.

Our house minus the overgrown trees! Let the sunshine in! (Palm trees means you know your'e in California!)

Kelsi and Mo hangin' out on a bright, crisp December day.

And Speaking of Inspiration...

Check out Susan Tuttle's new book: Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations
It is full of inspiring projects and lovely, wonderful, amazing art by a variety of artists. To celebrate her new book, Susan is hosting a give away on her blog--one lucky winner will receive a copy of the book! Just go on over to her blog and visit this post, follow the instructions, and voila! You may be the lucky one.

29 Days of Giving

With the holidays fast approaching, it only seems natural that we are filled with the spirit of giving. Of course, we should be giving year round, but I know, life gets in the way and we tend to forget and move it down on our "to do" lists. I'm gulity, too--no worries. ;) But it doesn't mean you can't start now. Today. There is always room to give. Spread the love!

I stumbled upon a blog entry of artist Chrysti Hydeck and I was inspired to share this experience. Take a minute to visit and read and be inspired to share with others. It involves many generous and lovely give-a-ways, but it isn't just about "getting stuff." It's also about sharing your thoughts and inspiring you to give a little of yourself as well.

I was talking with Raul today about how at first it seemed that technology brought people closer together (faster transportation, communication, etc) but at the same time it can also push us further apart (email versus snail mail, phone call versus an unexpected visit, talking on a cell phone while sitting with your best friend at lunch, etc). But overall, I think it has brought us closer together and made it easier to connect with one another because we share a common interest or curiosity. It gives us a chance to see people in other parts of the country that we might have preconceived notions about as human and like us rather than keeping up barriers and prejudices that separate us. Same goes for learning about other people in other parts of our world. It gives us a chance to see each other in real time and to read real words written by real people who we have so much in common with even if we don't speak the same language.

I feel connected to a large community of artists just by posting here every once in a while and visiting other people's blogs and websites. But I also have a need for real life connection, too. That's what lead to my adventures at Artfest last April and what inspires me to take that journey again this April (even though I will be 8 months pregnant by then!). The need for human interaction also inspires me to meet once a month with a lovely and talented group of ladies where we exchange ideas, gifts, stories, laughter and make art.

I hope you will also be inspired to reach out to those that inspire you and make time to connect with others that share your passions. Making art is so much fun and it is so wonderful to be able to share it with others, too.

Christmas is Coming...

I really do love this time of year when the air turns crisp and cold and sometimes the sun peeks out to warm you up when you really need it. Fall has come and gone with a few leaves lingering on the trees. With the scorching temperatures gone (for now) I can pull back the curtains and let the LIGHT in! Our house is full of an enchanting warm glow during the sunlit hours of the day and, like a cat, I move from room to room following the sun for warmth and light. We got the trees trimmed in the front and back of the house and it makes for even more wonderful, light-drenched rooms. The leaves protect us from the scorching summer heat and in the winter, they draw back their shades to let the light pour in! I'm loving it. ;)


For the second time in my crafty life, I participated in a craft fair! But this time I learned my lesson and I bought affordable supplies that I could transform easily into delightful works of art. Last time I did this, I opted to learn several new crafts and the laundry piled up to the ceiling! And the kids ate cereal with water! (ok, it wasn't THAT bad. Good thing dad's the cook in the family. I just provide the basics and do the shopping. Funny side note: We were all watching tv one day and a commercial came on that showed a smiling mom carrying out a hamburger helper casserole out to her family sitting around a perfect dining room table. Maya turned to me and Raul and in a serious but inquisitive tone remarked, "Moms can cook?".) Ok, so craft fair. It was fun and it gave me the confidence boost I needed to prove to myself that I can make a living from my craft. :)


I wore my butterfly earrings out yesterday and got many compliments from friends and family. "Wow, you made these?" Yes, I did! :) And it was fun! I do have the goal of having my own Etsy shop up by the end of this year. Well, I think it's just around the corner, even if it's not technically launched January 1, 2009. ;) But big things are on their way. I just know it.

Hats Are a Good Thing

Maya when she was three went through this funny "phase" where she loved to wear hats. But not everything she wore on her head really qualified to us "grown ups" as hats. But she wore them anyway. In public, too! To the store, out on afternoon walks through the neighborhood. She is a fearless wearer of things that others might be to shy to wear out where others could see them.


She still loves to dress up in cat ears and dog masks when we go to Target or walk around the block to the bagel shop. Once, while wearing her plush dog mask on a shopping trip, she made several children giggle, moms and grandmas smile and coo, "awww, how cute" and a grown man jump in surprise when he exclaimed, "Oh man! I thought that was a stuffed animal and then it moved!"


We had to stop off at the post office after a birthday party one day and she still had the party hat on. But instead of wearing it on top of her head, she stuck it right into the middle of her forehead. "Do you want me to fix that so it's on top of your head?" I asked. "No, it's ok, " she said, "I'm a rhino!"


Be fearless. Wear something funky on your head today. Or mismatched socks. Or bright orange underwear. Just something different and out-of-the-ordinary to celebrate the creative and weird. ;)

Old Friends, New Seasons

I've been working on some jewelry lately. It's funny that when I started making art again about two years ago, I started with jewelry. I collected every jewelry and beading magazine I could get my hands on. And then my artistic interests took me on a whirlwind adventure in stamping, card making, mixed media, and collage.

And now I'm back where I started. It feels good to return to a familiar activity. I feel a connection to the beads, wire, fibers and doo-dads that I combine into wearable art. It's like I've reconnected with an old friend and we've just picked up where we left off like no time had passed at all.

Today was a scorcher (for November) at 77 degrees! Stranger things have happened. (Like snow in March...and we're only 85 feet above sea level!) A stroll to the park with some friends from the neighborhood was just what a day like today called for. I sat barefoot in the grass and chatted with the moms while Maya collected acorns with her girlfriends.

The evenings are still cool and require fuzzy socks and extra layers. So it's kinda sorta maybe lookin' like Fall...but today was like Fall trying on Summer for a change. So does that make it Fummer or Sall? But nothing beats a warm, sleeping kitty (and a cute little monkey) to snuggle up to. I know there's a song to sing when you want the rain to go away or the sun to come out, but is there a "go away summer" song I can sing? ;)

Tagged!

Ok, this is new to me. I've been tagged by Catherine, who I met at Convenzione in Pleasanton (we took Lisa Kaus' class and I had a great time chatting with her!) I'm a new blogger and have never been tagged and I don't even think I know seven other bloggers (other than those blogs that I follow and don't have the courage to comment on! I'm shy.) but here goes...

Here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Ok, 7 random facts:

1. I am 31 with a 6 year old daughter, 15 year old stepson, 13 year old stepdaughter and another one on the way (due May 14, 2009)
2. I am a night owl and I loathe the early morning!
3. I am Japanese, Italian, and Irish
4. I love soft, furry things and once owned a fuzzy blue sweater that was so soft I had to touch it at least once a day (it is now replacec by a white fuzzy scarf that I love!)
5. I curse like a sailor (especially in the car on the freeway. crazy $#@! drivers!!)
6. I was president of my school in the 6th grade
7. I believe there is life out in outerspace (like, aliens! E.T. and Contact are my favorite movies!)

Ok, now you're it:

Kisa
Layla
Jenny
Kelsi

Have fun! :)

Happy Halloween!

Another Halloween has come and gone! Maya was a bat this year.


She had a blast trick-or-treating with her grandma and grandpa from Arizona.


Cesar, our cat, enjoyed his traditional spot as the "head" of Freaky Freddy.


Even Zach got into the spirit of the holiday and dressed up in his dad's old army uniform. He was the spitting image of a younger Raul. ;) Zach had the idea to lay down in a cardboard "coffin" we had set up on the front porch originally intended for our dear, headless Freaky Freddy. He managed to scare the bats out of a lot of trick-or-treaters just by laying there! They didn't know if he was going to spring up at any moment, or if he was even a real person. I didn't snap a photo because the image of my young stepson in an army outfit laying in a coffin just didn't seem like the kind of kodak moment I wanted to share. Call it a weird mom thing, but the image was just too close to my worst nightmare! But he had a fun time, and we give him such a hard time for being so anti-social that it was fun to have him share in on the Halloween hi-jinx.

I carved a little politics into my pumpkin this year. ;) I don't think it is a spitting image, but all the kids who came to our door last night shouted with excitement, "Obama! Look, mom! It's Obama!" We'll see tomorrow how this all turns out. If you haven't already, please go and VOTE! Even if you're not in a "swing" state, it's still important that your vote is counted. And even if the lines are long...no excuses! Just do it. Be a part of history. Nomatter who you're voting for, just vote. :)

File under M for Miscellaneous

I had a blast at Anahata Katkin's two-class retreat in Cardiff (near San Diego, CA). I learned so much and really pushed myself creatively. I feel like I walked away with some great ideas and new techniques. Raul went with me, so I didn't have to drive the 18 hours (round trip!) alone. He was stuck at the hotel with no internet connection the first day--poor guy! But that night, we went out for dinner at a lovely Thai restauraunt in Encinitas and strolled around the artsy and touristy shops before heading back to the hotel.


The next day, we ran into another dilemma--check out was at noon, so where was the poor guy to go all day? We got up early, took an early AM stroll on the beach and had breakfast at a cute little diner in Encinitas. Then he hung around the town all day while I attended the second workshop with Anahata (Funky Wall Paper People!). Between the book store and the coffee shop (with wireless connection!), he was all set. I left class a little early on Sunday so we could get back home at a relatively reasonable time. So it all worked out! I met some amazing women at the retreat and saw some wonderful art. It was fun walking around to get ideas from others and to just admire the work of my fellow artists!

Maya and I have been walking around the neighborhood in the evenings. It is the best time to go for a little stroll. Great light for photos, and every one else is out and about walking their dogs or watering their yards.


It's mid-fall now, but some days it still feels like SUMMER. (And some folks STILL think global warming is just something liberals made up for just for the heck of it?) It is cooler at night which is a great reason to break out the flannel sheets and warm blankets, so at least in some way it kinda, sorta feels like fall. But I'm still wearing flip flops during the day...crunching on fall leaves in flip flops--it's weird. ;)


I'm getting excited for Halloween now that it is, indeed, October (and not mid-summer! See previous post!). I made these cards for a tag swap with my Bay Area Art Sisters--a group of ladies from the Bay Area who met at Artfest and decided to continue getting together once a month to make art.


I'll be missing our next meet-up which will be at the Book Arts Jam at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, Ca--I'm so sad I'll miss it! But I look forward to our November meet-up. These gals are an inspiration and a lot of fun. It's nice to know there are artsy women that are in the area that I can meet with in real life. I love the internet for it's instant interconnectivity and convenience, but NOTHING beats meeting with folks face to face and that essential human interaction we all need.

I'm ready for crunchy leaves, rainy days, the smell of decay, pumpkin carving, and cold, smoky, moonlit nights. I'll even start wearing regular shoes if Fall finally decides to show up!