What ideas have been coming up for you for blend? After thinking about it a lot, I think I want to try to blend two things I really enjoy--brush lettering with abstract painting. I have always loved words and quotes and lettering and paint is something I have thought about combining for a long time now! Nothing has ever felt right and I've always been a little stuck. I think for this prompt I will split my sketchbook up into sections and try different ways of blending these two art forms. I feel the only way for me to get unstuck is to just do it but the idea that it won't turn out is keeping me from taking action! So I'll be using this prompt to push myself to finally explore this! I look forward to seeing how blend will unfold for you!

"For ‘watercolor’ I just filled some pages in my SketchBook with different amounts of water / paint using different brushes. Nothing remarkable but I was happy to have a chance to use my watercolors and it reminds me that using beautiful watercolor paper might make me like watercolors more. I basically haven't taken advantage of many of the properties and qualities of watercolor because of the paper I use which is generally my SketchBook." - CLAUDIA

"Distortion, #creativesparknl summer series prompt had lots of examples showing how water can distort images. Took an old photo from Hawaii and enjoyed seeing how well I could replicate the water waves surrounding a beautiful black swan." - KAREN

"I took inspiration looking through the window, the way my suncatcher  sparkled. It's a little simple minded I know but as an artist, light is a constant companion, an almost magical helper that changes the world in a second. Besides, do I really need an excuse to paint rainbows?" - SABRINA

"I believe this painting was for "distortion" and I decided to do a face because I have found that often when I paint faces they are somewhat distorted. So I leaned into that idea." - CLAUDIA

“For ‘character’ it took me days to settle on the idea of doing little stick figure type characters. I thought about lots of other things but one day I stood up at my desk and just drew with paint pens the little people holding balloons!” - CLAUDIA

"Thinking initially I was going to be designing my version of Snoopy or Kenny, @atiliay really challenged us by asking instead for a self portrait. For my first, I’m pretty happy with its colors and layers. The blue butterfly has special meaning for me and my girls. The yellow reminded me of Black-eyed Susans which are prominent in Chicago this time of year." - KAREN

It’s become my tradition to make a self portrait at the end of every SSUS! This year I’m doing two to create a spread in my sketchbook. Here’s the abstract version made with different characteristics that describe who I am and things that I enjoy. I used different elements including layering paper, stamps, paint, and crayons. Once the background layer was done, I used an ink block (that I used when I was a kid to practice Chinese calligraphy) to make the black ink and painted a face on top. I kept it loose and tried to mimic the general shape of my features. If you find making a self portrait daunting, I think this is a good / easy place to start! Watch a short process video here.

With these portraits I also try to push myself to do something realistic, so the right page is a painting of a picture of me and Valentine. I wanted to use thicker strokes and not have the colors totally blend together. It was fun and took several days. The face was for sure the most challenging part, esp because there are shadows but after several attempts I decided to give it one more try then stop—otherwise this could go on for forever lol. It’s not perfect but I’m glad I tried it and I think Valentine turned out pretty cute which is what matters most :)

 

I chose this photo because I think it really represents who I am in this moment, at this time. Being Valentine’s caretaker / person / mom is who I am right now, especially with her being in her senior years. And now that she is blind, caring for her is on a whole other level that I wasn’t expecting and it has been very challenging mentally, emotionally, physically. We are navigating through it and she’s honestly been so resilient and tough! I feel like things are going smoother now and it’s actually allowed me to be very present with her. Taking it day by day and making sure not to take each one for granted.

Lastly, the yellow background was inspired by how our reiki practitioner said Val’s energy is like warm sunshine. Watch a short process video here.

Can you believe we are in our 9th month of creative prompts?! Keep going and if it's been a little while since you opened up your sketchbook, it's ok--you can always begin again, pick up where you left off, or work on the latest prompt! :) Have a great weekend and talk to you soon!