Whimsies & Folksies

Change Your Shoes ~ Change Your Life!

 

 

Recently I've been trying to work more in my art journal. I always find it kind of difficult to justify working in a journal when I know I 'should' be working on a painting or something of substance. But I just get so crazy jealous when I see other artists' art journals because they're sooooo amazing! Then I think to myself "HEY! I want one!!" 

I think I've found a way that works for me and it feels very freeing! I've created a totebag full of my art supplies and journal and just hit the road.... well the coffee shop, that is. Starbucks, Panera Bread or even some of the local cafes around town. I treat myself to breakfast or lunch first, and then spread my supplies on the table and start working away. Sometimes I get a lot of attention from other customers wanting to see what I'm working on, and other times everyone goes about their business as if I'm not there. Either way is fine with me. I enjoy talking to people about art, and I also enjoy the solitude of playing in my journal all by myself. But the best part is I no longer feel guilty. I'm doing this for ME and it feels good!

I will take photos next time I'm out so you can see what's in my tote. Maybe you have some suggestions on what you take with you when you're "arting on the run." I'd love to hear about the places you journal or your favorite take-along supplies.

New Year, New Art Workshops

I hope this new year finds you healthy and happy! It's been quite a while since I've posted anything so I wanted to give you a quick update on what's going on with me.

I've been having a wonderful time since the New Year has begun and am involved in two new online workshops. "Life Book" by Willowing is a year-long journal workshop with many contributing artists. Willowing is such a generous and compassionate artist, so taking her workshops is always so rewarding. 

The other class I'm taking is "Hello Soul, Hello Business" by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls, which is a 10 week class in developing a truly soulful business. Last week was the first week for this workshop and it proved to be in-depth and very enlightening.

Both workshops are already so much more than I had hoped for and expected and I'm learning so much about myself, my art, and my business. I will also be taking "Bloom True" a workshop with the amazing Flora Bowley, which begins in a couple of weeks. Looks like my year has started off with a bang... I'm gonna be one busy bee!

New work to follow soon!

 

New Art Workshop "Life Book" by Willowing!

There are so many wonderful new classes and workshops online these days! One of the ones I'm really excited about is "Life Book" which is hosted by Tam of Willowing. Tam will provide one mixed media lesson a month and there are also 14 contributing mixed media teachers who will each provide a lesson for a month they've been assigned to! In addition there will be artist interviews, journal prompts, extra art exercises, tips and tricks, and more! Some of the other artists participating are:  Jane DesRosier, Tracy Verdugo, Mystele, Wyanne, and more! Check it out and let's MAKE ART together! 

Dream Girl ~ Original Art Mixed Media Painting by Joann Loftus

 

"Dream Girl"

I dreamt I had pink hair... with lots of sparkly swirls!

An ORIGINAL mixed-media painting on watercolor paper, includes mat and frame. Image size is 5" x 5" and outside frame dimensions measure 9-1/2" x 9-1/2".  

She can be found in my Etsy Shop!

"Dream Girl"

 

A Huge Thank You!!

A huge thank you to my wonderful customers!  I couldn't continue to paint and create every day without your encouragement and support!  I'm so pleased that three of my most recent originals have already sold!

"Directionally Challenged"

 

"Domestically Challenged"

 

"Athletically Challenged"

 

A huge thank you for your continued support!  

Although the originals are sold, Fine Art Giclee Prints can still be found HERE.

 

A Haunting We Will Go!!

Winnie the Witch and her little friend Willard the Spooky Spider go trick-or-treating for Halloween!

"Winnie and Willard" can be found here!

 

Hush, Little Baby

"Hush, Little Baby" is my latest mixed-media collage painting!  The sides are finished with the first four lines of the song, "Hush, Little Baby."  The lyrics to this song are so cute, I decided to collage the words onto the back of the painting. 

"Hush, Little Baby" (song lyrics)

Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat won't pull,
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You're still be the sweetest little baby in town.
So, hush little baby don't you cry,
Daddy loves you, and so do I.

The original can be found in my Etsy Shop.

Cloth Paper Scissors "Create" Art Retreat... Here I Come!!

....got my crayons and I'm ready to create!! 

I'm so excited I can't sleep tonight!  Tomorrow I will be flying to Chicago to attend the Cloth Paper Scissors "Create" Art Retreat. This is the first art retreat that CPS has held and there are lots wonderful art instructors teaching at the event!  I'm taking "Making Fabric Paper & Beyond" with Beryl Taylor, "Beyond the Vintage Metal Deck" with Leighanna Light, and last but not least, "The Trashy Clutch" taught by Alisa Burke.  There are so many neat workshops offered it was really hard to choose which ones to take (60+ workshops)!!  There will be a casual mixer the first evening so we will get an opportunity to meet other class participants, instructors, and of course some of the Cloth Paper Scissor staff. Then a vendor night on Friday evening.  The workshops go through Sunday, but I will be leaving Saturday morning.

Even more exciting is the fact that I will be meeting my oldest daughter, Monica, who will be flying in from Kansas City, Missouri !!!  It's been several months since I last saw her and I miss her terribly.  We always have lots of fun together, so I'm really looking forward to spending four days of arting and fun!!   Sure wish my youngest girl, Natalie, could have come too, but today was the first day of fall classes at BSU.

I'll take lots of photos to share with all of you when I get back!

Another Mixed Media Video Tutorial

Check out my video tutorial on YouTube for my latest painting, "Domestically Challenged."

To view full screen, click on the 4 arrows in a square (lower right).  To watch in HD (high definition), click the little arrow next to 360p (or) 480p, then click on 720pHD.

Domestically Challenged ~ a Whimsical Woman DIVA

Creating my latest painting was so much fun!  I must say I'm a bit partial to this one.  Although I don't resemble this little Diva in the least, I definitely can relate to her motto:  "Domestically Challenged."  What an awesome gift this would make for a close friend or relative for their Bridal Shower, Engagement Party, or Wedding!  (Nothing like dropping a bombshell on the future hubby, huh?)  This little DIVA can be found Domestically Challenged.

 

_{^{"Domestically Challenged" ~ 8" x 10" on hardboard}}