Wind and Honey Creations

Word of the Year - Intentional

2019-02-08T17:25:00.000-06:00

I've noticed several people choosing a word for the year recently. I always thought it was a nice idea but could never settle on just one word. Five or Six maybe. A list for the Pick the Word of the Month Club maybe. But one word for all 12 months? Oh my. The mere thought of it made this right brained girl dizzy.

But as 2018 came to a close and I looked back I found that I had actually lived a word for those 12 months. Follow Through. ...oh! I guess that's two words, isn't it. Well if you say it fast enough it sounds like one word. Try it with me. Followthrough. See? It works.

Anyway, the realization that I had lived a word (or two) for a year made me rethink the idea of choosing a word for 2019. And so, here at the beginning of a new year ... oh You're thinking its February, Elizabeth. You're thinking its not the beginning of a new year any more. You're thinking I've missed the boat for new year thoughts and new year directions ... and new year words.

Well, maybe not. I mean, isn't the point to start looking forward to the days ahead with a new perspective? Isn't the point to move forward from where we stand with a changed direction? Isn't that true whether the date is January 1 or February 8? Yes, I think so too.

And so my word for 2019, my very first word of this year, is Intentional. The more I think about it the more I realize it encompasses everything. I can know what is best to eat for good health. And I can eat it, most of the time, when I feel like it. I can know all kinds of physical exercise that would be beneficial for my health. I can want to do said exercise. I can choose to do said exercise. But I have discovered those mental exercises are not enough. You have to actually get up and DO them. Ugh! And I can want to be more creative. I can choose to spend more time creating. But actually putting pencil to paper requires more than that. It requires the intentional choice AND follow through AND doing it again tomorrow. And then the tomorrow after that.

Oh my. This is going to be a year of stretching and growing.

So I will be back here in this bloggy space INTENTIONALLY in a few days. I hope to see you here too. I've been working on a large project for the last year and I will be sharing more about it in the coming posts.

Do you choose a word of the year? What is your word this year? And how has choosing a word worked out for you before? I'd love to hear. I always hear about them in January but not so much in December.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Just Some Fun Art

2018-04-02T22:16:00.002-05:00

Currently I am working on a rather large project that will be revealed soon. When I need to take my thoughts in another direction for a moment, I am focusing on creating art that is simply fun. Sometimes a girl just needs to go to places that have no real deep meaning, no enlightened artistic techniques, and no life altering purpose.

So I thought I'd share some of my fun.

I love bunnies and when I really want to relax I return to my first love drawing simply in graphite.

And then there is the fun look of a simple black and white drawing on a colored background. This cat was done in charcoal with a touch of India Ink on a Moleskine Journal Cover.

I'm thinking about putting this one in my Fine Art America Shop.

This little girl and her kitten were done with a new approach I am playing with. I draw it in graphite, color it with Derwent Inktense, and then shade it with Graphite. Its a quick process and fun. I am enjoying the whimsical subjects I've been choosing for this process.

And in case you are unaware since Winter seems to be making a comeback this week, Spring is just around the corner. You can see in this pot that the kitties are already sprouting this year.

Today I am diffusing Spring Mist. Here is the recipe.
   4 drops Lemon Essential Oil
   4 drops Orange Essential Oil
     1 drop Lime Essential Oil
     1 drop Cinnamon Essential Oil

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

New Things and Old Things and Happy Returns

2017-10-31T15:44:00.000-05:00

Flower Child My newest mixed media painting

I used to read about bloggers that were away from their blogs for a while and some of them were away for a long time. And I thought I would never do that. I didn't mean to. But as the circumstances of life grew and piled one on top of the other, it just happened. At first I was caught up in the "stuff" of life and then eventually it had become such a habit not to write that I'd run out of words to say.

But in the spirit of grace, life continues to unfold and as the leaves of Autumn begin to change color, I am turning a few of those leaves over and returning to my beloved blog as I apologize for my absence with air kisses and promises to stay put this time. No more long pauses between posts.

And she comes on the cutest bags!

One of the things that was supposed to come with this return was a new blog. My former Wind and Honey website was created on iweb. You may be aware that Apple stopped supporting websites created on iweb several years ago. But they also said the sites would continue to work as long as they were left up. And they were right. It did. For several years. But finally last winter my old, friendly, easy, drag and drop website could no longer keep up with the rapidly changing technology and it crashed. It has taken me a year to pull together all the pieces necessary and to gather my courage for creating a new website that would not be so easily designed nor maintained.

In the process of this very grown up experience that I was neither prepared for nor desired, I was advised that it was time to move from this fun and beautiful blog design and begin to post my new writings on my new site. With a sigh and a pout I agreed but planned to leave this blog up because I love everything about it. And so, tonight I was to the point in the new website design that it was time to create the blog. I planned to point the two blogs to each other but to post everything new on the new site.

And then the moment came to write on that new blog. Its all very tidy....... and white...... and plain...... and, well...... not me. I just couldn't do it. So, here I am, back again. Instead I've chosen to create a link on that page that points people here. --- where it feels like home. I hope you agree.


phone case by Wind and Honey Creations

When I haven't been in the throes of web creation, I've been playing with mixed media painting. I usually begin with my pencils but as the piece progresses I pull out whatever is necessary to get the look I am after. Each piece may involve colored pencils, graphite, pastels, ink, watercolor, acrylic, pasted papers, or even some digital painting for finishing touches. I am having so much fun with this creative venture. It is so free with absolutely no rules. (And if you've been with me for a while here, you know I'm really not fond of rules.) I just add whatever I want in whatever medium makes sense at that moment. There have been a few glitches along the way as I found a few mediums that don't play well with others. But that is part of the adventure of it all.

So pop on over to the new Wind and Honey Creations site for a look/see. And while you're at it, have a sachet through my new shop Wind and Honey at Fine Art America.

And I'll be back here to share again sooner this time... promise.

Love my Oils!

Today I am diffusing a little Autumn Magic. Here is the recipe.
   4 drops Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
   4 drops Orange Essential Oil
     1 drop Nutmeg Essential Oil
     1 drop Clove Essential Oil

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Siamese Cat in Luscious Colors

2015-10-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Have you tried the Derwent Tinted Charcoal? The colors are so lovely. The lend themselves nicely to drawings of subjects in a more natural setting. And they are perfect for Siamese cats! Charcoal has a reputation for being bold, even visually "loud". If you love the colors but are a bit intimidated by the fact that they are charcoal, this is the workshop for you. I use techniques with charcoal that bring softer results than is typically imagined with charcoal. And these tinted colors are wonderful to work with.

Students at any drawing level can enjoy success in this workshop. I give detailed step by step instructions. You can even email me with your questions or scans of your drawing as you work so that I can help you. This is a video workshop so you can watch it as many times as you wish at whatever hour your creative juices are most active. Join me! We'll have fun.

Click here to join Siamese in Tinted Charcoal.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Artful Prayer in Mini Session

2015-10-01T14:20:00.002-05:00

My thoughts have been going in the direction of art journaling a lot lately. For one thing I'm working on a really big project that involves my art journal. But more on that later. But also I have been preparing to teach at a retreat this weekend and also another one next weekend. I will be teaching a mini session of my Artful Prayer Workshop at each of them. For the Artful Prayer Workshop we use only artist pencils of various kinds and markers. I love what I call "paint and paste" work. But I find that when I work on something with that approach, I get so caught up in the technique of it that I fail at the journaling part. But when working with the slow medium of artist pencils, my mind has the freedom and space to move forward with my prayer time.

You know I am a self professed paper snob. I have trouble finding a journal made just right with just the right paper to work with my various pencil supplies. So I've made journals for the weekend participants. Each one is different so they can choose and be unique. When I teach classes I'm all about making choices and about being your unique self.

Here is a smidgen sneak peek at a small part of the example for the weekend class. But one of the things I insist on whether my students are 5 or 75 is that no one can just copy mine. I teach concepts and techniques not projects. They must find a way to make it their own.

My penmanship is less that ideal. And sometimes I have students who are naturals when it comes to lovely lettering. I am not. And I find that for me to spend too much time focusing on the penmanship can ruin the prayerful mood of the moment. So, I just don't worry about it.

I've also been playing lately with Jennifer Frith's approach to journaling with a weekly calendar. Its kind of fun and I am thinking about ways to incorporate it into my regular format. Here are some of my first attempts. These were created in a hardbound Moleskine using graphite, Derwent Inktense, and Faber Castell Pitt markers.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Let There Be Light - WBC Take 2

2015-07-17T14:32:00.000-05:00

If you read my previous post, my original entry for the Where Bloggers Create Party, you'll know I had some electrical difficulties producing a dark studio. Since there was some interest in how I found ways to fit a 20' x 20' studio into a 9' x 9' room, I am sharing more, now that the lights are back on. I have tried not to repeat what I already showed you in the WBC post. So, if you didn't see those, you can do that here.

The biggest secret is to go UP with everything!

In moving from a spacious space where light and room were generous, to an itty space where everything seemed a frustration and challenge at first, I learned to look from a different perspective at what supplies should be out where they were visible. In my large studio, I loved having everything out and visually available at all times. That was no longer an option. Well, actually at one point I did have my stainless steel shelves on one wall and the printer/scanner shelves (which is just like the cat's bunk beds) were out. But I found that in this tiny space, all that utility felt very uninspiring. So the closet houses the printer/scanner shelves and the large stainless shelves filled with mixed media supplies. I also have some less than lovely plastic drawers in the closet holding decorative papers and odds and ends.


My antique dental drawers filled with pencils	.

I had to think through what I really use on a regular basis. Could this still be convenient in the closet or does it need to be in the room? Maybe less than convenient in the closet (the printer and scanner) but maybe worth it to not look at it every day. Does it really need to be on top of the work table or could it just be in a handy place close by? I play with mixed media art but artist's pencils are my premium medium when I work professionally. So having the pencils out and available is most important.

I use altoid tins to hold my most used colors of Derwent Artbar and Derwent Intense blocks. They take up less table space and are great cases for travel when I want them.

This is a vintage laundry table. The top is porcelain so paint just washes right off. The drawer holds markers.

This little folding tray is so handy. It extends my work table. It is easily moved to the desk should I need it for drawing supplies or beside the sewing machine. Or I can just fold it up and put it away if I need the room. I have one more I use sometimes but I think its in another room right now.


Kenya and Rose in the bunk beds

This vintage ironing board folds up and takes up little space. But I can easily set it up when I need an extended table top to spread out supplies or finished pieces.

My daughter's ballet shoes

The folding drawing board substitutes for my drafting table. It works fairly well as I rarely work larger than 11" x 14" anyway. I loved my drafting table and I did have it in here for a while. But there was hardly any room to walk. I realized the real need was for a drawing space that could be elevated at an angle and a safe place to leave the paper while a project is not yet finished. The table top board solves that need without taking up 3' x 3' of the room and it can be moved should I need the desk for other purposes.


Cigar box for drawing supplies

I love vintage objects. Previously I had the luxury of being able to place them in my studio just for the purpose of inspiration. Many boxes and jars were empty. I just loved looking at them. But in my new small space everything has to have a purpose. So if there was something I really wanted in the room I found a job for it.


Matchstick holder for drawing brushes


Lydia, Studio Supervisor in charge of holding the floor down

I love rocking chairs. I found that I neeeeded a rocking chair in my studio for it to feel right to me. But, of course, there is no room for it. I do kind of have a thing for rocking chairs. I have 7. This one is the most light weight one making it easier to move about if necessary. My sweet husband, the Poet, bought me a keyboard that I can hold on my lap in my rocking chair and a large monitor. So, this can be my desk chair. ---I know, I know........


Kenya, my muse

As I said before, the sewing machine tucks away neatly on the typewriter shelf. And there is room underneath inside for my light box.

The bookshelves are hardly seen but are still available. They are behind the door and beside the desk. They hold up the chair my daughter Kate made that holds the tv.


Some finished pieces available to purchase.

I want to recover this chair but don't have the sewing skills to do it properly. I welcome suggestions or ideas!!!

And then when all the necessary things were in place I found a few places, mostly on the walls, to add a bit of decorative fluff just to make me smile.


Bo. The Old Man.

Thank you for indulging me this 2nd run through. I am still learning how to make this space work more efficiently and yet maintain an air of creative whimsey. It is a growing experience.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Where Bloggers Create 2015

2015-07-13T09:11:00.000-05:00

I thought I was going to miss the Where Bloggers Create Party for this year. My studio was a mess and I didn't think I would have time to clean it up. But I ended up with some surprise time. So, I'm just a bit late but I'm scooting in here in the last minutes. Yea! Thank you Karen Valentine for letting me sneak in. **After writing the previous words last night the breaker broke for my studio. I only had one light on so don't know what the deal is. But the problem seems to be more complicated than just flipping the switch in the garage. So I was waiting until morning to take my pictures but have found they are still fairly dark. I've used the ones that are less dark and tweaked them in Photoshop trying to get a bit more light. I do apologize for their lacking in quality.)

If you've followed this event for a while now you might remember that I used to have a large sunny room for a studio. (see that studio here) Then we moved and I had a room that was much smaller. (see that studio here) Well, we are still in that same house but I found I couldn't work in that room. I needed sunshine. So, I've moved to an even smaller room with only one window. What in the world?!! But, at least the sun shines in!

It has been quite an adjustment and I have had to rethink pretty much everything. For one thing there is very little room for fluff. You have to start thinking about just what is necessary. But I do love that sunshine. The view isn't amazing but I need to be working and not staring out the window anyway. In this room, where space is of a premium, the cats have bunk beds.

I do find that at least once a week I wonder if I couldn't find a way to fit my larger work table into this room. I get my trusty tape measure out and check to see if the walls have gotten any longer since the last time I measured. And, once again I see that there is no way to fit that large table in here. Actually, the truth is that I usually have a messy table with only a small workspace -- whether the table is large or small. A lot of the larger table was filled with the cat's baskets. And if you can see Rose the black cat in this dark photo you will see that she still prefers the table to her bed.

My antique dentist drawers had to go on the lower level. (You can see more about them in better light here) When your space is small everywhere is potential for storage. I can still use them here.

I kept one of the 2 teacher's desks from the previous room. I love how the typing table in this desk works to keep my sewing machine. And then when I'm finished, it just tucks right back where it came from. If I did not use this large desk, I could fit my large work table in. But I'd lose that way cool sewing cabinet. So, we make choices..... and then we live with them. (This picture is from the last time I shared. The light wouldn't let me get a good pic today of the sewing machine out.)

My daughter made this chair that the tv sets on in college. It was a sculpture class and they were supposed to make a chair that represents themselves. So, I guess this is a portrait of my daughter that sits beneath a painted portrait of her on the wall. I never realized how redundant that is until I typed it here.

And then about every other week, I think I might want to bring my drafting table back. But I use a tabletop drawing board that works quite well and the drafting table is only sentimental. So, I guess its really about learning to be content and making things work, making them enough. I have several creative decorating plans for this room. That will give us something to talk about next year. And hopefully we will have light next year!!

Thank you for joining me in my little studio today. I've loved having you here in spite of the complications. By the way, the lovely design for my blog background was created by Karen Valentine using my art. Its been a few years and I keep thinking I should have her redo it. But I really like this one so I just keep it. She does professional personalized work. If your blog needs a little boost, I recommend Karen for blog design.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Quite A Winter For Turtles

2015-07-10T15:10:00.001-05:00

I started this post a few weeks ago and then had to put completing it off until today. So, yes, we are well beyond Spring now. And I do apologize for the delay. But the turtle story is interesting still. So, I've left the Spring comments in. .....Please be patient with me. Haha!

Its good to have Spring flowers and Spring weather. But its even better to have Spring temperatures. Its been quite a Winter for the turtles. If you've followed this blog for a while, you know that I have 3 rescued box turtles. They live in my backyard. They live freely as if in the wild. But they have the protection of the fence. Each of the three has a physical handicap that makes them vulnerable in the wild, especially when crossing the road. So, they have lived happily with us for 15 years now. There were some years when we had babies. But we have no males now, so there are no babies.


Claudette with one of the previous babies

The girls have always taken care of themselves for hibernation, digging in when the weather dictated the need. Their disappearance in the Fall always signals the first freeze. And their reappearance in the Spring is always a surprise and a delight. But with our recent move we have a yard made of Oklahoma red clay. Think of those big ol' blocks of red clay at the art store. It is just too tough for them to dig into enough to hibernate. In normal circumstances, the girls dig in 2 feet deep to get under the freeze line. But they can only get about 3 inches down in this red clay and even that takes a whole lot of work.

So, this last Fall, thinking I had a great idea, my son dug a hole in the yard 2' x 2' x 2'. We then filled it with nice top soil right into the hole. Then we placed the girls in that soil and they dug in as the temperature was dropping. We placed a couple of small logs beside the hole lest they come up and decide to wander around looking for a better place to sleep. There was no better place but they aren't terribly bright to figure that out themselves. That night we had heavy rains and storms. I didn't give it a second thought as I knew the girls were tucked into their lovely winter bed. I was feeling pretty smug about it all.

The next morning I went outside to look around after the rain. I was shocked to see that the hole filled with top soil was washed out and was now a swimming pool. The clay was forming solid walls as if they were concrete. Claudette Colbert was standing on a very small island of top soil that was quickly washing away. I grabbed her and put her in a safe spot in the grass. I could see Goldie Hawn in another mud hole near by. Evidently she had found a way to crawl out of the swimming pool but she was still in quite a bit of water. And I couldn't find Cleopatra anywhere! You see these are box turtles. They are not water turtles. Like you and me, they can only survive in water as long as they can hold their breath. I pulled up my sleeves and plunged my arms deep into that cold water all the way up to my shoulders. I dug around thinking I would find her. Nothing! I looked around that area in case she had gotten out. I worried. I prayed. I walked the entire yard looking into every little nook and cranny to see if she had escaped and crawled off. Nothing. My hands searched again in that frigid water hoping I would find her this time. Nope! I prayed and then gathered the other two in my two hands and took them into the house to warm up. I didn't know what else to do. I mean, there really wasn't anything else to do.


Cleopatra

So, I paced....... for about 45 seconds. And then I was back out there arms swimming in ice water hoping to find what I knew wasn't in that water. I checked every little hiding spot in the yard once again as if I hadn't just done that moments before. And again, I prayed.

This time before I went back into the house I thought to try one more thing. IF she had dug in deep in the bottom of the hole.... And IF she was below the water level and therefore safe.... And IF she were to dig up and come out of her soil bed.... Then she would come up into the water and would need a way to get out. ---Actually, I wasn't even sure if that was scientifically possible. But, you know.... what if..... ?!

So thinking she would need to attempt to crawl out, I pulled away the log that was on one side of the "swimming pool". And then it occurred to me that if she came up on the other side she would not know that the log was missing on the far side. So I reached over to remove the second log.

!!!!! THERE SHE WAS! She was in an air space underneath that log. Hanging on for dear life by only her front claws in the dirt at the top of the hole, holding only her nose above the water level! Oh no! How long had she been clinging there trying to live? And how much longer would she have been able to endure before she wore out? I snatched her up and took her in the house.

I had no idea what I was going to do with them. Obviously they could not spend the winter in this backyard like they had done in previous yards. I had "over wintered" a young turtle once. Which just means keeping them in the house. It really isn't best for them. Their systems are made to hibernate. And when I tried it she hardly ate all winter. I stewed about her all those months. I wasn't looking forward to repeating that! I now know there is a way to prepare them for overwintering so that they adjust better. But I didn't know that then. Anyway... I know this is getting long. So, to make a long story a bit shorter, I found a wonderful site http://www.tortoisetrust.org where I learned about creating a hibernating box. This was a great idea and they could stay in the garage. But the next weeks would prove that our garage just didn't get cold enough for them. They were cold enough to sleep but not cold enough to truly hibernate. The result would be that they would sleep the winter away and starve to death before Spring because they would not be cold enough to slow down their metabolisms.

Then I learned at http://www.tortoisetrust.org that I could refrigerate them. Not in the house next to the dill pickles! But in their own little fridge in the garage. So, not a few $$$ later in this turtle project, we became the proud owners of a small turtle fridge. And they spent their winter like this.

As you can imagine I was really really glad when it got warm enough to get them out of that cold box. Here they are enjoying their first Spring treat. They don't live in this box. But I got them out of hibernation a bit early so I needed to have them contained to enable me to bring them in during cooler nights and cloudy days until it was truly warm enough. And now, well into July, they are enjoying their freedom and the warmth of lovely Summer weather.

As previously promised, here is another journal page. I love the look of the graphite image layered with the watercolor and the black and white designs. But I have to say that it is more challenging to draw over the writing than I thought it would be. The lettering was quite a distraction.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Journal Pages and a Thank You

2015-03-17T12:56:00.001-05:00

Here are two journal pages that are quite different. They are pages that were not created to be shared with a class but rather my own personal pages. When I create journal pages for class examples I am careful to guard my privacy. And, of course, we should all maintain our privacy. But I have tended to be more guarded than most artists I see with blogs.

Why? Well, I'm sure some of it has to do with stuff in my past. But I think some of it is just part of the "how" that I am. As a result, I don't share my work nearly as much as I should and I have tons of things I've never shared. I am currently working on a rather large project that is the culmination of lots of small projects. I've mentioned that before. And I will share more later when the time is appropriate. Right now, it is too soon. But as I've been working on this project, things have been stirring inside me. Feelings that call me to share more, to be more transparent. Or maybe transparent isn't the right word. Maybe just less invisible.

So, anyway, I've had the creeping crud for several days and have spent most of my time in either the recliner or on the couch with my attention in my laptop. Although my nose and cough have not enjoyed these days, they have gifted me with abundant time to look around at other artists. I'm always in such a hurry that this feels quite the luxury. It was in this time of exploring that I discovered Jennifer Frith of Jenny's Sketchbook. Go look at her site. It is fun.

Jennifer shares lots of her journal pages. And she has some demonstration videos that are fun to watch. Although my style and Jennifer's are not exactly the same, they seem to have a similar heart to them. We share a love and closeness to animals and I see in her art the delight I hope my art also emits. I felt quite drawn (no pun intended, haha!) to her journal images and found parts of myself on her pages. I kept wondering if this is my long lost sister. LOL! The funny thing is that, although my name is not "Jennifer", my first name IS Jennie. -just spelled differently.

So, thank you to Jennifer Frith, whom I have never actually met or spoken to.

I will be sharing more now.

I will dare to be out there more.

And these pages are the beginning. The elephant began with a compelling urge one day to draw an elephant. The colored designs came later and took days and days. I usually only journal for about 20 minutes at a time. And I do it as a part of my prayer life. Artist's pencils were used for everything on the page except the writing and the black outlines on the elephant. Those were done with various markers - Pitt and Sharpie colored pens. The background was done with watercolor pencils. I rarely use anything but various pencils in journal pages. I find it a challenge to get the looks I want using only pencils. If one is not trying to accomplish a fine art watercolor painting, watercolor pencils will do most of what you want on a journal page. And, frankly for me, it is about using what I have rather than investing in more supplies.

The vase was drawn in graphite about a year ago. I'm not sure what was going on that day that I drew a wonky lopsided vase with flowers leaning the other direction. Freud would probably have a hay day with that! Just recently I've added the watercolor. This is very different than my usual style and I am really surprised at how much I like it.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

New Faces and More

2015-03-04T16:05:00.001-06:00

This winter has been one of pondering and looking at old things with a new eye. I am moving in a slightly different direction with my art and it has brought about some necessary introspection. Now, in the description of this blog I say that my art focuses on the delights of life, mostly on the relationship between children and animals. And that continues to be true. And in recent years I have spent much more time creating pencil art than painting or working in collage. And that continues to be true. The truth is the changes stirring now may seem much bigger to me than to the one viewing the art. We'll see what you think in time. As my pondering has been on a very personal level, I've not shared the process. But soon I will begin sharing the artistic results.

In the meantime, I have completed two more faces for the 100 Faces in 365 Days project. These faces are quite imperfect as they are journal faces and not polished completed portraits. But as I perpetually tell my students, journal pages should be fun and free from the confines of perfection. And so I share them here.

This tiger cub is Derwent Graphic Pencil on Moleskine soft cover journal. The paper is not the best for blending graphite and it is buckled as a layer of paint was added to the back of the page on another day. I do like the expression in his sweet curious eyes.

This is a pretty small drawing (about 3" x 4") done with Derwent Tinted Charcoal on Strathmore 500 Charcoal Paper. I've never been fond of charcoal paper as I don't like the grid-like texture. I was hoping the 500 charcoal paper would have a less invasive texture than what I had experienced previously in lesser charcoal papers. And it was better. But the grid still shows more than I prefer.

I usually use Vellum Bristol Board paper or Mixed Media Paper for charcoal. It has enough tooth to cooperate with the charcoal but has no distinctive texture to distract from the drawing. But its white and I yearn to draw on colors.

I love the colors of the Strathmore Toned Paper. The particular gray and Kraft brown are so pretty and they look amazing with the Tinted Charcoal. But the paper is just a bit too smooth to work as well as I would like with charcoal, especially to get detail in shading. I contacted Strathmore pleading with them to make Bristol Board Vellum in the Toned Paper colors. They said they would consider it but asked me to consider their 500 Charcoal papers. Besides the ever present charcoal grid texture, the charcoal paper colors are not the same as the nice pretty Toned Paper colors. And so, I am back at square one. So, that's my 2 cents on that matter.

I am joining the bandwagon for Bloglovin'. I know, I know.... I'm a little late on this. But, better late than not at all, right? I'd love for you to join me there. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

One Hundred Faces In Three Hundred and Sixty Five Days

2015-01-15T05:00:00.000-06:00

I have joined a group on Facebook where we have each committed to draw or paint 100 faces in 365 days. Most people are drawing and painting people faces. But, you know me.... My first face is, of course, a Siamese cat.

This drawing was created with Derwent Tinted Charcoal on a Strathmore Toned Sketch Journal. *A note on these toned journals: They are beautiful. There is a grey one too. I love the colors! But... Strathmore, Please make some toned papers with tooth. I suggest Bristol Board Vellum. Pretty Please! These colors cry out to be used with the tinted charcoal. But the paper makes it quite a challenge to accomplish.

I have decided only to use journaled faces for my 100. That will force me to play around with it and not use the more serious portraits I am working on. I think this will be fun and will prompt me to draw many different kinds of faces. I might do a camel, a donkey, and maybe some sheep. Oh! Maybe a rooster! And maybe.....just maybe, I'll even do some people.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Bo Says Thank You Auntie Kate

2015-01-12T16:55:00.002-06:00

I've mentioned before that our son's dog, Bo, has been living with us for several years. Bo is getting older now. I believe he will be 12 years old this May. He has a nice little coat that he wears when we go for walks. Bo loves his coat. But recently when the temperatures have been so low, I found that his tender ears get really cold on walks. I mentioned this to our daughter Kate who is a whiz with a crochet needle. So Kate made Bo this little scarf.

It can go over his head or be worn down on his neck. Oh my, he loves this scarf! And it does keep his ears quite cozy and warm. Once when we were taking his coat off after a walk, his scarf slipped off by accident. I picked it up thinking I would put it with the leash and coat. But Bo came over and touched the scarf with his nose. And then stretched out his head and neck indicating he wanted me to put it back on. Awwwww!!!!!

Touching things with his nose has always been a form of communication with Bo. Even when he was quite young, if he wanted me to come along outside with him, he would touch my leg with his nose and then look out. Is this something other dogs do? Or is it unique to our Bo, saved off the streets as a puppy?

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Pastel Workshop Opening

2015-01-08T14:44:00.001-06:00

I am very excited to announce the opening of Panda In Pastel on January 15. This online video workshop is for students at any level. Even beginners can have fun with this cute guy. I used Derwent Pastel Pencils but any brand of pastel pencils can work.

I created the original panda drawing for a gift. A friend wanted a panda for her new baby's room. But when my local students saw it, many asked me to create a workshop teaching how they might create their own panda friend.

And so, here you go. You may enroll in Panda In Pastel at CreativeWorkshops.me. Enrollment will remain open so you may sign up when it works best for you. And, as always, you may ask me questions or show me your work for positive and helpful critique. I hope to see you there.

Here is a little teaser......

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Merry Follows Gratitude

2014-12-17T17:46:00.000-06:00

Have you ever noticed that the season when we focus on gratitude is always followed by the season when we talk about being merry? And then there is the joy - that elusive thing we equate with this season. You see it everywhere on cards and signs and ornaments. But where does it come from? Or more properly, from whence does it come? :-)

I think it is difficult to be merry without being grateful. When I am finding my thoughts running toward complaints rather than what I have for which to be thankful, I do not have much of a merry heart. On the other hand, when joy is found in even the most simple of pleasures, then gratitude and merriment is the result.

So, is joy at the beginning of the equation or at the end? Does joy produce a grateful attitude that results in a merry heart? Or does gratitude produce merriment which results in joy?

I propose that it is a circle. Sometimes we are grateful out of our joy. And sometimes, we are grateful out of shear determination to be so. But, in the end, there is joy.

And then there is the question of what joy really is. Is it happiness or a sense of peace that is deeper than just being happy. I vote for the later. I find that I can have joy even when I don't have the merry. This is because of the One whose Spirit lives deep in my heart - even when I don't act grateful.
Eph 3: 16-19

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

On My Worktable

2014-12-04T11:44:00.001-06:00

This week I am enjoying the process of bringing these small canvases to life. They have been sitting in my closet for a very long time. I have too many supplies sitting in that closet. I've decided it is time to stop waiting and time to start using those supplies.

It is funny how the creative process goes. I envisioned one thing and they are turning out very different that I imagined. Sometimes you just have to go with the whirl of creativity as it comes through the room. I like the new ideas better. I bet that's how it works for you too.

These are a combination of paint, artist's pencils of various kinds, ink, vintage paper, and more. The lion is all original on the canvas. But the sleepy tabby is a print of one of my graphite drawings. Then he has been embellished further with paint, pencils, and ink. I am thinking about doing more canvases that utilize my pencil drawings. What do you think?

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Black Friday Weekend Sale

2014-11-28T09:05:00.000-06:00

In an attempt to do my part to help you avoid the crowds this Black Friday weekend, I am offering my Cat and Dog Portrait Workshops at a one time amazing price. You can enroll in the Cat Portrait Workshop or you can enroll in the Dog Portrait Workshop. And if you are really enthusiastic about both, you can enroll in Both of Them! for an even better bundled price.

These workshops are cram packed with information about how I draw portraits with a simple graphite pencil.

I include all my special techniques. I will walk you through each and every step from a plain white piece of paper to a splendid portrait created only in graphite. I will teach you the tricks to create a portrait that will come off the page with depth and with personality.

And the icing on the cake is that you can email me with your questions and with pictures of your work so I can help you along the way. These workshops are so much fun and students that have preceded you have had wonderful success. You can see some of the portraits accomplished by my students here in this video.

These workshops are open "forever". So, if you are a beginner, you can purchase the workshops at this one time amazing price and save them for when you have completed my Pencils Series. The Pencils Series 101, 201, & 301 will prepare you thoroughly for these Portrait Workshops.

So, hurry over to Creative Workshops for more information and to sign up.

Sign yourself up, sign your friends and family up.

Just think, you could be finished with your shopping with one click. And then you can spend this hectic weekend reading a good book.

Ahhhhhh!!!!!

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Grace That Is Sufficient - The Story of a Table

2014-11-24T05:30:00.000-06:00

In this month, in this week, in the US, we focus particularly on our tables and what happens around them. With that in mind, I'd like to share a post I wrote previously for The Graceful Artist.

We have a round oak dining table. It is larger than average at 52" in diameter. And it has 6 legs held together in a circle. I've only seen one other table with legs like this. But this table isn't special because it is large or has unique legs. Our dining table once belonged to my husband's grandmother. But when we received it 30 years ago, the previous years had taken their toll.

Many years of cold Winters and hot Oklahoma Summers the table stood alone, abandoned in an empty house. Gone were the times with family dinners and laughter. Or the moments of anticipation of yummy desserts as pie crust was rolled out carefully onto its surface. The table had been forgotten. Twenty long years later, the table was rescued. Not by the one who had left but by the grandson. He lovingly used antique restoration skills to bring new life to the old table.

The old finish and glue were removed and replaced. And beauty was restored to the table. But the effects of being in extreme temperatures for so many years left scars on the table. There was some warping in the 2 leaves. And there was some cracking. And the joints of those unique legs were not as sturdy as they had originally been. But the table is beautiful none the less and we love it.

We make adjustments for its challenges and choose to keep this table as a very special part of our home. When the leaves are not in place there is no warping. And when we use the leaves to allow 8 to dine together, we simply use a table cloth and none is the wiser about a bit of warping. To protect the legs, we use this table as our special table and not the one in the kitchen where dough rolling might take place. We sit here for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or birthday dinners. We sit here to work on family photo albums. And I sit at this table to record my workshops. Laughter and love has returned to the well worn table.

When I look at this table, I am reminded that in my spirit, I have some cracks, some warping, and some places that aren't as strong as they once were. Life takes its toll on us all. And yet, like the table, God continues to find purposes for me, to bring beauty into my life. Isaiah says that He makes beauty from ashes. I am reminded that we need not be perfect. We need not have always been in the right place. We might even have felt abandoned. God still chooses to bring intentional direction into our days. Second Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." What is the purpose for which you have been made? Has life created some challenges for you? God's grace is sufficient for you still. No matter what, this day holds a purpose for you and God can bring the beauty into your life for the task at hand.

May you have a very blessed day of Thanks wherever you find yourself.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

What Is Your Perspective?

2014-11-12T05:00:00.000-06:00

This post from November 2010 has been a favorite. I'd like to share it with you here again. I've come to the conclusion that our outlook on life can be determined by how we look at a tree - or maybe how we don't look. Have you stopped to look around at the trees and the changing colors? Have you taken a moment to notice them? Because they will only be there for just about that moment. Soon all the leaves will be on the ground and the beauty will have changed.

The tree above is outside of my studio, and this is how most people would see it. But if you look more closely you will see it something like this.

But I am convinced that the only way to truly appreciate a tree, the only way to truly experience it is to see it like a child. So first one has to lie down under the trees in the grass. One has to experience the crunch of the already fallen leaves on the grass.

And then the magical moment is when you turn your face up and look straight up into the tree thus getting the perspective of a child. I'm convinced that trees truly love children and children love trees. There is a love affair that goes on between them that gets lost somewhere in those teen years. So I dare you today to go outside and find one tree to look at with the perspective of a child. It just might change your day.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Wordless Wednesday

2014-11-05T05:30:00.000-06:00

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

A Review of Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels

2014-11-02T05:30:00.000-06:00

The Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels are a joy with which to paint. They are very soft lending themselves to a very free creative approach. And yet as I used them on the UART Sanded Pastel Paper, I found that I also had as much control of the placement of the colors as I could have wished.

The colors are vivid and scrumptious. There is a wide range of beautiful colors to choose from - 96 colors in all.. The pigments are light fast and fade resistant. And they blend very nicely. These pigments lay down clearly and beautifully on the paper. You will be tempted to try all the colors, as am I. So it is helpful that the Mungyo Soft Pastels are an affordable price.

These very soft pastels may be blended with a blending stump or if you prefer to be more tactile with your art, your fingers. Even though the colors blend well, they are also strong enough to layer boldly on top of a previously drawn portion of your painting. For my example I have created a painting with lots of blending and layering of color. As you can see the Mungyo Handmade Soft Pastels handled the task well. I enjoyed working with them and will use them again. I have already recommended them to some of my pastel loving students.

Here are the supplies I used from Jerry's Artarama for this example:
Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels
Creative Mark Paper Blending Stumps
UART Premium Sanded Pastel Paper
SpectraFix Non Toxic Pastel Fixative

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

And Autumn Rushes On

2014-10-30T10:37:00.000-05:00

It is amazing to me that November 1 is almost upon us. The last 3 months have flown by. Our daughter was married in September. She was married in the forest of Beaver's Bend State Park. It was quite beautiful as the tall reaching pine trees created a cathedral for the ceremony. Kate and I made the decorations. Our son Micah is a chef so he and I did the catering. It seemed simple enough in the beginning. Now, simple is not a word I would use to describe it. But I have no regrets. I am happy to have done it for her.

Here she is with her dad, the Poet who was both dad and pastor for the ceremony. They have a very tender relationship and I love that for them both.

October brings about the completion of the year long run for The Graceful Artist. It has been an act of faith and growth for all of us involved. The purpose was to bring together our faith and our creativity. I think it has served that purpose as well as many others. And now life marches on.

My focus for the next year, and maybe much longer than that, will be on completing more art. On being more the artist than the businesswoman in the field of art. I will still offer workshops where you can learn. And I will be offering art that you can purchase. I am truly looking forward to it.

As my life becomes more streamlined and focused in one direction, you will find me here more often than I have been of late. I look forward to that also. I've always enjoyed blogs more than hit and run social media.

It just seems more cozy.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

A display of work testing the Artist Survival Book

2014-09-27T06:06:00.000-05:00

As an artist, I sometimes have multiple projects bouncing around in my head at once. Most of those projects are at different levels of progress and details can get lost in the mix. A working journal like the Artist Survival Book is very helpful for keeping the various elements of many projects all in one tidy place. You will find them at Jerry's Artarama.

The Artist Survival Book has a lovely leather cover that feels nice in your hand. For me, even the cover helps to create the ambiance of a creative moment. There is an elastic band that helps to keep the book closed as it grows with your use. The elastic is strong but narrow which is nice because it doesn't get in the way. The papers turn easily and comfortably on the spiral binding allowing for a completely flat display. And the journal is a nice size that is easy enough to bring along wherever you go so you can work on those ideas when the thought comes.

The front portion of the book has plain pages ready for you to test drawings and other ideas you might have. The middle portion has lines for note taking or lists of necessary supplies or even thoughts about future projects. And the last section of the book is made up of pages with guide-dots to help you with precision drawing. All of the pages are perforated, making it easy to remove them when necessary for reference.

And between each section there is a leather divider that has pockets. How fun these pockets are! You can keep extra small papers or reference photos or even a few pencils if you like. The papers are suitable for dry media like graphite, colored pencils, pen, or conte' crayons.

Here is a short video demonstration of my Artist Survival Book.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

On My Worktable Today

2014-08-26T14:34:00.000-05:00

Kate, Micah, & our duck Gretchen

My daughter has a gift for color. She has done unusual things with color her whole life. When she was 7 she used to wear 2 pairs of socks - every day. If she had on an outfit that was red and black, she would wear a pair of red socks and a pair of black socks. On one foot, she wore the red sock under the black sock with the red one turned up and the black one folded down. On the other foot, she would do the opposite.

I wish I had a photograph to show you. But in those pre digital days, we didn't take as many photos as we do today. You'll have to imagine it. She made this look up herself. And the funny thing was that after a while all the other little girls started doing it too. The mothers would tell me they wouldn't wear their socks any other way now. I was never sure if they were ok with it or if they were frustrated with me for letting Kate do it.

As she grew older she would see colors in objects that I didn't really see. We had an old, old, think older than that, door from a family home that had been torn down. As I looked at the door, I saw a dirty yellow door. Kate saw yellow and white and green and even purple in it. And when she painted anything, those colors would come out and it was beautiful. She painted some images from the old house. Here is a photo of the house and one of the paintings. See the difference? It isn't that she imagines the colors. She sees them!

I have often longed for that gift. But, alas, it is not in my head. But recently I have been determined to grow in that area. I cannot create the gift Kate has, but perhaps I can foster the skill. So, with that in mind, I've been piddling with art in unusual colors. I have just finished this elephant. Ellie is tiny - 2.5 x 3.5. Artist Trading Card size. She was done during a collection of moments when I was caught in a lobby or in the car with nothing to do but wait. Ellie was created with Derwent Inktense, Prismacolor, & Derwent Sketching pencils on Strathmore mixed media paper. Working in unusual colors was a challenge for me and definitely stretched my thinking processes. But I enjoyed it and I am pleased with her.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

A Review of Matisse Structured Artists Acrylic Color

2014-08-13T08:30:00.000-05:00

The Matisse Structured Artists Acrylic Colors are fun! Plain and simple, that's the first thing that comes to my mind. They are a heavy bodied paint formulated to naturally lay down on the canvas with some bulk. I purposely chose a project that could be enhanced with some texture. And I really enjoyed watching that texture appear with very little effort using the Matisse Structured Paint. It felt like the paint was working with me rather than my needing to manipulate it.

The tubes have wonderful flip tops making it so much easier on my hands to get to the paint. And I believe those tops will also create a better seal over time, thereby allowing a longer shelf life for my paints.

The colors are vivid and scrumptious. There is a wide range to choose from - 96 colors in all. They mix nicely. And the colors lay down clearly and beautifully on the canvas. You will be tempted to try all the colors, as I am.

The Matisse Acrylics have a longer open working time than other acrylic paints I've worked with, allowing me to leave more colors out on my palette. And also giving more freedom to play with my mixed colors as the painting developed. The Matisse Structured Acrylics would be perfect for mixed media painting and for mixed media collage work. The heavy body lends itself easily to the various techniques used in these popular art forms.

These are the supplies I used for this example. I got all my supplies at Jerry's Artarama:

Matisse Structured Acrylic Colors
          Raw Sienna
          Magenta Light
          Antique White
          Transparent Venetian Red
          Burnt Sienna
          Naples Yellow Light
          Transparent Yellow Oxide
          Unbleached Titanium
          Phthalo Blue
          Burnt Umber
          Titanium White
Colour Shaper Painting Tool
Jewel Bristle Brushes
Ampersand Artist Panel

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

World Lion Day

2014-08-10T08:18:00.000-05:00

It is World Lion Day. And in honor of my most favorite of creatures, I am sharing this beautiful and captivating painting - Una and Lion by Briton Riviére. The painting is an illustration of the the English epic poem The Faerie Queene. There are several interpretations to the meaning of this poem. None of which apply to what I, personally, love in this piece of art.

If you've read this blog for its duration, you are aware of my love for lions and possibly even of the story of the little lion I cared for whose name was Daniel. If you are new and unfamiliar with my little Daniel's story, you may read it here.

Caring for Daniel was extraordinary and life changing for me in many ways. As I bottle fed him and did his daily therapies, I grew in unexpected ways. I am currently working on a project to tell Daniel's story more fully. I am very excited about it. I'm not sure how long it will take to accomplish. But I am enjoying the process. I want to wait for it to be revealed in its completion but I will share some sneak peaks with you along the way.

When Daniel was 13 months old, he passed away due to the injuries he had endured where he had previously lived. I have always believed that I will see Daniel again one day and we will rejoice and laugh together at how miraculously God used him in my life. The first time I saw Riviére's painting it took my breath away as the image was nearly exactly what I've always pictured of Daniel and I one day. The little dancing lamb is the perfect addition to set the mood of joy, peace, and serenity.

I am very sad to say that lions are in great decline in the wild due to poaching and loss of habit. Their numbers have declined in the last 50 years to a level that is frighteningly low. Unless the current trends change, there are predictions that there will be no more lions 10 years from now. Surely this must not happen.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons