Botanical watercolours by Helen Fitzgerald 1-TO INSPIRE YOU

I found a You-Tube video of Helen Fitzgerald's beautiful botanical artwork to give you inspiration.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and your sketch pad for taking down notes on all of the wonderful art you want to create.  ENJOY.



UR-TURN:  Leave me a Comment: What methods do you use to give your creative side a boost?  Personally I enjoy either going to an art gallery, or just sitting on my back porch with a cup of coffee enjoying being quiet, listening and watching nature.



Until Next Time.



Blessings,

Botanical Drawing Basics - Drawing a flower in color- Part 2

Here is the second part of the video series on drawing and painting a flower by Wendy Hollander.

UR-TURN:  If you found these two videos helpful, share what you learned or what other information about art would be of interest.

Until Next Time.

Botanica Basics - Drawing and Painting a flowerPart 1.mov

For those of you who are curious how to draw and paint flowers, I came across these videos on Botanical Drawing and Painting by Wendy Hollander.  I use some of her techniques in my own work.

Enjoy.


UR-TURN:  When attempting to draw or paint flowers or objects from nature, what do you struggle with?  Leave a comment and let's see if we can help.



Until Next Time.

Blessings,

An Eventful Day Outside the Studio

 Yesterday was quite the BUSY day.  I had a school journalist interview me to get updates on my research projects, meetings and more research at the Sam Houston Museum Complex, and an art show at the SOFA gallery concerning my Summer Session I Study Abroad trip to Europe.  Not to mention attending my Fall Semester classes too.

I would love to have you visit, keeping up with my activities just click the links below to visit the blogs:
LONDON/PARIS TRAVEL JOURNAL

and

SHSU BOTANICAL STUDY/RESEARCH

Until Next Time.

Blessings,

Sam Houston State Botanical Study Beginning Again.

I am very happy to announce that I received final approval to make this Botanical Research study an Independent Study for Academic Distinction.  Therefore, you will mostly find me camped out on the blog site concerning this research.

I am very excited about this project, as many are not aware there are so many hidden treasures and stories to be found on the campus and Museum and Park Complex.

See you there Sam Houston Botanical Study Blog

UR-TURN:  After visiting the botanical blog site, what was your favorite topic, or what did interesting thing did you learn?

Until Next Time.

Blessings,

SOFA Gallery-London/Paris Study Abroad Exhibit

Exciting news.  The Summer Session I class that went to London/Paris will be having an art exhibit in the SOFA Gallery in the Art Department Building A.

The reception will be Tuesday, September 2, 2014. 6-7p.m.

Come and see how we used art to interpret our "Flaneur" travel experiences.  There will be painting, sculpture, and photography.

This will even give you an opportunity to ask the class questions about the trip.

See how I turned these photos I took while on the trip into paintings inspired by a Matisse exhibit.

Student Walking the Streets of London

Student on Bus Tour headed to Winsor Castle

UR-TURN:  If you have ever travelled to Europe, what was one of your most memorable experiences?

Until Next Time.

Blessings,

Off and Running New Fall 2014 Semester Art Exhibit-NGL

Classes actually begin for me tomorrow, Aug. 27th, but have already been busy installing my first art exhibit for the semester.

My initial research for the Sam Houston Botanical Study has been installed in the Newton Gresham Library.

Come by and check out what I will be working on for the next two semesters.  You can sign up to be a follower of my research blog to keep up with my progress.

Sam Houston Botanical Research Blog

Dan Rather Cases
Newton Gresham Library
2nd Floor

UR-TURN:  Have you been to any art galleries or exhibits lately, if so what were they?  Also, share your favorite piece of the exhibit and why?

Until Next Time.

Blessings,

Remodeling Creative Space in Art Studio

This summer break was amazing, tiring, fast, busy, you name it.  It also was a time to remodel one area in particular in my art studio.  As I am now entering into my Senior year at SHSU as an art student I need more storage and countertop room to work on my projects.  So I decided to challenge myself to see how close to Zero $ I could get and do this project.

First I looked around at the existing furniture with new eyes, seeing the individual parts and what I could repurpose for my new workstation.  Then I looked around my wood stash, barn, bedrooms you name it to see if there was fodder for this project.  That is always a satisfying process for me, makes me realize how many times I already have what I need.

I did have to buy some spray paint and wanted to embellish the drawers with some cute drawer knobs, but I did wait until they were 50% off at Hobby Lobby.  The only real expense was a set of wire storage cubes, $15.  I did not assemble them like the instructions, but used an idea I found on Pinterest to make a storage unit for my decorative papers.  

The desk area then cost me: $10 for knobs, and $5 for spray paint.

The wood on top of the desk is very special.  It is 80 years old.  My husband's grandfather used it to build his sons a bunk bed set and my husband and his brothers used it too.  

I cut down a tall chest of drawers to make the under table storage unit.
 Cut apart an old student desk keeping the cubicle and board for more countertop area.

Here is the 80 year old wood top spray painted and sanded.
 Used the base of an old office desk.

Repainted pieces and everything matches.
Feels fresh and clean.

Ready for the new semester which begins tomorrow, Thursday, August 28th.


UR-TURN: Share what DIY projects you intended to complete or did complete during the summer months.  Also, love to hear your helpful money savings or construction tips.

Until Next Time.

Blessings,