Nativity scene in progress

Finally I have found the time to get started on my big project!  This is the beginning stages of my Nativity Scene that I am so very excited about!  I will try to post the progression as I work on it.  Wish me luck!

First I drew all my characters, then refined them and traced them onto tracing paper...

Then I laid them all out where I thought they should be....

Then I transfered my picture onto my canvas with the old fashioned charcoal on the back of the drawing and went over my lines with a pencil...

Then I went over my charcoal impression with ink, and walla!  I am ready to begin painting!!!  

I'm painting this one on a big (24 x 30 ) canvas-should be fun!

Tis the season for eggnog lattes!

Mmmmmmmmm....Eggnog lattes-my fav!   :)

So many ideas...not enough time!

My definition of the word ARTIST...

I loved reading all the comments after my last post.  This journey as an artist is just amazing to me, and I love feeling connected to other artists and seeing their view of this "life style" that we are all in together.  I've always had trouble with calling myself an artist...like it was a special word that only a handful of people could possibly deserve.  But the more I see and do and experience,  I am finally discovering that I have that right too.  Even when I go to an art museum, I see all the work on the walls and still feel that so many of us deserve that title also.  I don't think that title comes as a result of the work that is done either, rather I think it is more a description of the soul and how we see the world and the need inside of us to create our version of life.  I think for me, creating is a way to leave my mark on this world, hopefully to leave it a better place after I have touched it.  I feel so lucky that this is who I am.  What a fun way to live this life!

Bigger than me...

So I hope what I'm about to write doesn't sound too pretentious, but do you ever feel like you are about to create something bigger than yourself?  Like you are just the vessel for this "special" project, and your job is to be open and listen and let it be created through you?  My next project is going to be a Nativity Scene, with all the characters, and I'm feeling so excited and moved, and I keep getting new ideas and pictures of it in my head.  I can't wait to see the finished project, almost as if I am just an observer myself...

Anyway, it is a wonderful feeling and I'm trying to just enjoy every bit of it.   I think it will be beautiful and I am so anxious to watch it come to life.

Sort of funny...huh?

Realization...

I'm really enjoying watching my style evolve.  It's just sort of fascinating to me to see it change and stay the same with each piece.  It's so fun, cause I never know how it will end or how the piece will change each time.  Going with the flow, the mood, the inspiration, the ideas, ...it's all so fun.  I'm really loving the act of creating right now.  I want to feel like this forever.  And I feel like, now that blogging is in my life, it will be easier to stay in the zone and always want to create.  Wow...it feels like a relief to know that it wont go away.  :)  It may keep changing forms, but it never has to go away...I'm smiling as I type this, can you tell?

Rain...

When it's raining outside, all I want to do is paint or sleep!