Freshly Painted

I can't remember the last time I painted.  I love the calming, get lost in the moment, time flying by, relaxing feeling of painting.  

I used to make time for painting in my younger days...my college days.  A lot of my friends are very creative, artistic people that have always inspired me.  Lately though, I have been staring at my accumulated blank canvases and decided that I need to do something about them.

Yesterday I decided to get out all of my old supplies and paint something colorful and full of texture.  Abstract paintings have always been my favorite.  While I appreciate the talent that goes in to the life like paintings, to me there is something way more interesting in a heavily textured, mismatched and abstract painting.  

As I was standing at my easel, I couldn't help but just be in the moment.  

My favorite tunes playing in the background.

The windows open. 

Bright sunlight.

A complete mess with paint all over myself and the table...

Yep, I have fallen in love all over again.

Handmade ice cream bowls

One thing I love to do outside of work is hang out at the nearby art studio with the owner, Sarah.  She is an amazing artist, an unbelievably creative person and a great friend.  After saying too often that I didn't have the time to start new projects, my husband suggested making the time to do these things that I enjoy and are important to me.  I'm glad he made it more clear for me! 

I need to schedule time for projects.  

Remember to make time for all the things I love outside of work.

Tell myself that new art forms will spark new ideas and creativity. 

To practice new skills.

Step out of my comfort zone

and just have fun getting messy and making something new.

Today I did just that.  I went to the art studio without a specific idea in my mind.  I talked to Sarah and she suggested sitting in with her and a couple little giggly girls to make ice cream bowls.  I loved this idea {mainly because ice cream is my favorite food} and she invited me back next Tuesday morning for the same thing, but there will be six little kiddies making ice cream bowls!  

After 2 months away from the art studio, I came back today energized and excited to create.  I have a few classes and projects scheduled, and it feels really good to be back.  Tomorrow I will be finishing my piece and I will hopefully have it back just in time for my birthday and a great big ice cream sundae to help me bring in 27 in a few weeks!

Handcrafted Husband

Shortly after Justin and I moved to northeast Ohio, I met a woman named Sarah who owns a nearby art studio.  Sarah is an amazing clay artist with a full studio that offers classes and she opens up her studio space to artists wanting to work on their own projects.  It's a pretty amazing setup she has and the art community she is building in this area!

Last month I decided to make a funny little gift for the Mr. and made a character mug inspired by his face.  The idea originated from a couple that celebrated their engagement day at the art studio and made mugs inspired by each other that they will drink out of on their wedding day.  I also thought that with Justin's beard, glasses, bigger ears and classic smirk that he would make a really fun mug!

The handcrafted husband mug started with a basic shape that Sarah created on the wheel.  Then, I formed little facial features that I added to the mug.  This was actually a lot more difficult than I expected!  Once the mug was assembled, Sarah fired it for me and then I was able to add different glazes before it's second firing process in the kiln.  For this project, I just added glazes on the inside of the mug, his beard, glasses and a little on his face.  I let the glaze soak into the cracks around his eyes and mouth, and then took a sponge and wiped the surface to give it a smooth matte look.

I can honestly say that the mug turned out very different than what I envisioned, but I get a good laugh every time I see it!  I am very curious as to what my character mug would look like if Justin created one of me!
That thought actually scares me a little....

My week in phone photos

A look into my week via Instagram cell phone photos:

Mr. Sharkey and I attended Art Walk this past weekend in downtown Akron.  We were lucky enough to watch handmade glass artists in their studio working on their projects.  I was amazed by their hand blown glass ornaments!

It's funny to me that the event is called Art "Walk" but you actually can't really walk to all the different gallery locations! {Unless you want a good exercise on your Saturday night}  So instead, you trolly around downtown to three different areas :)

Part of my Sunday was spent playing with Dr. Seuss fabric.

I finally added some new dog bow-ties to the shop! You can purchase one here with coupon code BOWTIES1111.  20% of the sales until Nov. 21 will be donated to the Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue!

I started a new project at my Tuesday night open studio time at the Richfield Art Studio.  The owner, Sarah, had this great idea to make clay canvases and carve them into something pretty.

This week I couldn't stop working on art projects.  A colorful little painting I made for my workspace. 

One thing I love to do with my Dad is visit antique stores.  We have been doing that for years now visiting some in southwest Ohio and Tennessee.  These cameras are my favorite vintage items I have collected over the years.  Yesterday I got them off my shelves, dusted them off and used them for some photography props for blog photos.

New coffee creamer.  It's pretty awesome.

My clay canvas diptych carvings are complete!  Next Tuesday, I will glaze them.  Can't wait!

Happy 11.11.11 friends!  I hope you have a great weekend :)