I am always inspired to paint happy people.Though there be tough times,there are also times of joy.Let`s capture the joy!
Sunday
African beauty (water color)
I am always inspired to paint happy people.Though there be tough times,there are also times of joy.Let`s capture the joy!
Wamama wawili (Two ladies)
Oh the simplicity of Life!I`ve taken a break from oil painting so I`m now doodling a bit on the simple of life amid all the chaos.
Tuesday
Back to School
It`s been a while since I`ve blogged but life has been busy.Our little boy is growing and I can`t imagine he is no longer a pre-schooler but a KINDERGARTNER!!!!That was big !There was the busy day of trying to get his uniform together-which included a new backpack which he insisted he had to sleep with as it was a 'big -boy' backpack!What`s he going to carry in there?Only snacks and a sweater-hey he is entitled to a big boy bag!Anyway he was so cute about it.The wonder of a child!!He`s 'expertise' is the double hula -hoop!
I`m hoing to get some new art going ,so I hope that goes well.
I`m hoing to get some new art going ,so I hope that goes well.
Wednesday
Handmade toys
Growing up like most kids in the world,we didn`t have very many store bought toys(those bright coloured plastic ones!)So how did we keep ourselves entertained? In Africa and many other parts of the world, kids have always made their own toys, many made from common day to day items found around their homes and neighborhoods.Items commonly used are soda bottle caps, beans, wires(telephone wires and coat hangers), cans,clay and nothing was wasted.
I had one or two store bought toys but my friends and I always tried to make our own using left over fabric and knitting our own sweaters for them.The boys had a few store bought cars but you`d see the pleasure in their eyes as they got clay and made their own trucks and cars as every boy dreams of one day owning their truck.Cereal boxes were a treasure!!These would make great cars!The level of creativity was very high and many have grown up to do great things because they had to be creative.Check these Harley Davidson bikes made to extreme detail in wire-www.africancrafts.com/wireworkharleyd3 .
I remember making jewelery made of soft stone with my best friend.We would rub them on the ground until we got the desired effects then drill a hole gently for the threads then paint them very colorfully.Made great chokers!!We did have store bought jewelry but again the satisfaction was in making your own to match your outfits.
My son has quite a few toys but he is happiest when we cut cardboard and glue things together.Lately we have been using white soft Sculpey clay to sculpt characters from his story books.Usually the results are quite hilarious and entertaining in themselves.We will choose the best ones, bake and paint them.I want to see how he grows with this.By the way its very therapeutic!!Try it.Please tell me of any memorable handmade toys.
I had one or two store bought toys but my friends and I always tried to make our own using left over fabric and knitting our own sweaters for them.The boys had a few store bought cars but you`d see the pleasure in their eyes as they got clay and made their own trucks and cars as every boy dreams of one day owning their truck.Cereal boxes were a treasure!!These would make great cars!The level of creativity was very high and many have grown up to do great things because they had to be creative.Check these Harley Davidson bikes made to extreme detail in wire-www.africancrafts.com/wireworkharleyd3 .
I remember making jewelery made of soft stone with my best friend.We would rub them on the ground until we got the desired effects then drill a hole gently for the threads then paint them very colorfully.Made great chokers!!We did have store bought jewelry but again the satisfaction was in making your own to match your outfits.
My son has quite a few toys but he is happiest when we cut cardboard and glue things together.Lately we have been using white soft Sculpey clay to sculpt characters from his story books.Usually the results are quite hilarious and entertaining in themselves.We will choose the best ones, bake and paint them.I want to see how he grows with this.By the way its very therapeutic!!Try it.Please tell me of any memorable handmade toys.
Thursday
Kenyan music
I came across this video with music that brought back some great memories!Africa is so rich in music,art and culture and i hope from time to time to let you see what inspires my art.Right now I`m on cloud nine after listening to Ayub Ogada play the traditional 8 stringed instrument called the "nyatiti" or "kamba nane".Just click on the You tube icon above. Enjoy!!
Monday
Portrait painting!
I`m just recovering from some artistic challenges- but I`m back!!!A dear friend of mine (you know yourself)recently asked me to do a portrait in oils of her hubby and his dad.Well I love painting faces of unknown people as no one will really judge the likeness (unless its really distorted!!!),but when it comes to "real "people that's another matter!Well this was special as it was a surprise anniversary gift and as I said she is a special friend.Needless to say I wasn`t able to finish it to satisfaction on time and I was kind of nervous about it ,but it got to the point that I was "feeling " the painting and getting to relax and finally handed it in and I believe all parties involved were happy and that has renewed my confidence in doing portraits.So thank you dear friend!!!And sorry for the delay!
Last time I did mention I would add a reason or two as to why women should express herself through art;well this is it:Women instinctively recognize and capture beauty, and they can communicate and express themselves without words.They have a great sense of color and light and that is why they should be allowed to choose the house color!!!!!
They are fearless about personal expression if given the time,mental space(very important I must add) and tools to create.Women have a natural instinct for doing things differently.E.g .-don`t have cheek blush?Where`s the lipstick?Blended well it can do the same job.!!!An old pillowcase or towel will not go to waste.If the child needs a party costume-a woman will create some great costume!!!Believe me they will!!!(finances has something to do with it!!!!)
Beauty is every where and women (and some men!)notice it!!So unleash your creativity
Last time I did mention I would add a reason or two as to why women should express herself through art;well this is it:Women instinctively recognize and capture beauty, and they can communicate and express themselves without words.They have a great sense of color and light and that is why they should be allowed to choose the house color!!!!!
They are fearless about personal expression if given the time,mental space(very important I must add) and tools to create.Women have a natural instinct for doing things differently.E.g .-don`t have cheek blush?Where`s the lipstick?Blended well it can do the same job.!!!An old pillowcase or towel will not go to waste.If the child needs a party costume-a woman will create some great costume!!!Believe me they will!!!(finances has something to do with it!!!!)
Beauty is every where and women (and some men!)notice it!!So unleash your creativity
Friday
Is art an "extra "curriculum
When leaving high school a long time school mate of mine wanted to do design or art but her "professional " dad would not hear of it and insisted she do something more 'meaningful 'and 'professional' which she did and I hope she is doing well with it.Well with attitudes like that no wonder funding for the arts is dropping or no longer exists.It is viewed as the icing on the cake instead of an essential ingredient for growing minds.
Pablo Picasso once said "All children are artists.The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up".I`m glad my folks encouraged me to do something creative and I love seeing young(and not so young!!) creative minds and hands doodling on paper and thinking that's the greatest piece of art.I have paintings by my son framed simply and hung up in the kitchen,and when friends come by he is so proud to show his work and explain them.He made me see things in his art that were very interesting.These he did when he was 2 and now that he is 4 the interest sometimes wanes and its because he now wants a `perfect' picture.Lately though when he thinks he has messed up he will say 'anyone can do anything he wants",and I agree.Let your creativity run free!!
Back to the extra curriculum thing-art is an integral part of man and its all around us.Studies have shown that art,music etc strengthen students` problem solving and critical thinking skills,allowing them to make smarter choices when faced with both academic and non-academic problems(I think I was excluded from this study though!!!!!!)So let the creative person in you shine!!!For those who choose the arts as a career-have fun(and don`t forget to make some money too!!!
Judi Morales from Arista Creative Safaris for women says there are 7 reasons why women especially should paint(guys you are`nt excluded by any means)Today I will give you one
-"Women are aesthetic by nature.A woman will notice the subtle colours(colors!) of an Anjou pear,and use it as inspiration to redecorate a room.She will buy a bolt of fabric just because the color moves her,and worry about how to use it later.A woman will tear a picture of a gardenfrom a magazine,just to post it on her refrigerator."
If you feel inspired grab some cheap paper or fabric, brushes and paint then paint on.You will find some inspiration.
So have a creative week!!
Pablo Picasso once said "All children are artists.The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up".I`m glad my folks encouraged me to do something creative and I love seeing young(and not so young!!) creative minds and hands doodling on paper and thinking that's the greatest piece of art.I have paintings by my son framed simply and hung up in the kitchen,and when friends come by he is so proud to show his work and explain them.He made me see things in his art that were very interesting.These he did when he was 2 and now that he is 4 the interest sometimes wanes and its because he now wants a `perfect' picture.Lately though when he thinks he has messed up he will say 'anyone can do anything he wants",and I agree.Let your creativity run free!!
Back to the extra curriculum thing-art is an integral part of man and its all around us.Studies have shown that art,music etc strengthen students` problem solving and critical thinking skills,allowing them to make smarter choices when faced with both academic and non-academic problems(I think I was excluded from this study though!!!!!!)So let the creative person in you shine!!!For those who choose the arts as a career-have fun(and don`t forget to make some money too!!!
Judi Morales from Arista Creative Safaris for women says there are 7 reasons why women especially should paint(guys you are`nt excluded by any means)Today I will give you one
-"Women are aesthetic by nature.A woman will notice the subtle colours(colors!) of an Anjou pear,and use it as inspiration to redecorate a room.She will buy a bolt of fabric just because the color moves her,and worry about how to use it later.A woman will tear a picture of a gardenfrom a magazine,just to post it on her refrigerator."
If you feel inspired grab some cheap paper or fabric, brushes and paint then paint on.You will find some inspiration.
So have a creative week!!
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