Topic #4--"Curiosity" Entry

Paulettesart contributed this entry for "curiosity"--Pandora's Box--nicely done!

She says, "this is my curiosity piece--the proverbial pandoras box"

Topic #4--"Curiosity" Entry

Many thanks to Izabella for this beautiful journal entry!

She says, "So many things I am curious about~ this was hard to narrow down to one curiousity for an art journal page...I could create a whole book on burning questions of curiousities"

Topic #4--"Curiosity" Entry

Check out this wonderful journal page from Liz!

She says, "this piece is VERY different from my normal work, but i wanted it to feel journal like and have been inspired by reading "Spilling Open" by sabrina ward harrison. i'm hoping that doing these weekly challenges will help me to be braver when it comes to working in my own artjournals. i seem to have a fear of "messing up" when i'm faced with the blank page in my book--maybe doing these exercises will help to free me up a bit!"

Topic #4--"Curiosity" Entry

I had lots of fun creating this entry! My love affair with art is filled with curiosity--over techniques, color, texture, every aspect of the art form. It is my hopeful intention that I will keep this childlike curiosity for the rest of my life--still creating with the same sense of passion in my 90's as I am today.

Topic #4-Curiosity

Here's our first entry for this week's topic--Caron's "Curiosities", made with Photoshop Elements. Many thanks and nicely done!!

Topic #4-Curiosity

Albert Einstein once said about curiosity:

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity."

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Zorana has left us a final entry for "Dream"--very nicely done!!

She says, "I use the word dream very often in my work, but it is always in a very light, romantic or whimsical way. For some reason I've been thinking all week about my own dream... not a very pleasant one and not romantic at all.

Imagine a lovely sunny day. I'm enjoying the blue sky, sun on my face, fragrant grass and flowers beneath my feet. I'm walking to my home - it is always my real home, the big building where I used to live. Suddenly there is no ground where it's supposed to be.... I'm left 'floating', completely out of balance - my feet barely touching the ground, my hands pressed to the building. There is no way that I can get back.... I can only hope for someone to come by and pull me back to safety. And I stay there for a long time.... feeling the strength leaving my arms and getting more and more scared of the big hole under me. I know what to expect and I am scared. At the same time I think how it would be easy for someone to reach and easily pull me back. I often think about that thin line between our 'normal' lifes and disaster. Everything can change in a split second. Scary. There is one more meaning of this dream - I don't like to need help... or ask for help..... or receive it.... but that's another story."

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Here is a beautiful entry from Caron!

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Lennea used this week's prompt as the impetus to start her own dream journal. Look at this stunning front cover!

She says, "I created a dream journal for this. The cover says "Give Wings to your Dreams" . The vintage photo depicts a woman gazing out a window. I believe this is the first place dreams begin- in the still quiet times when you can really listen to your heart and receive the Dreams God has placed there. Other pages in my dream journal include scripture and quotes to encourage my dream journey."

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Here is a beautiful journal entry from Maggie D.--her dream come true!!

She says, "My dream was to go to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower twinkling. With Faith and planning it came true several times."

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Joanna created this gorgeous 4x4 for this week's entry!

She says, "I created this on a 4" x 4" square wrapped canvas. I have always been a dreamer. Some of my dreams have come true and some have not. I still have dreams and hope to live them one day. I think my biggest dream is to go to Europe and experience everything I think it is and more."

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Christine's dream is to one day visit Italy--look at these beautiful pages! I know she will get there!

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Many thanks Mary Ann for this gorgeous piece!

She says,"i found this poem, be all that you can be, by the poet, lin yutang":

champion
the right to be yourself.
dare to be different
and to set your own pattern;
live your own life,
and follow your own star.

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Here is a beautiful piece by Leslie.

She says,"This is my representation of myself crying...self pity?...about my broken dreams...you know, when you're a kid you have many dreams about what life is going to be...and then you grow up. Some of my dreams HAVE come true...don't get me wrong. My life isn't THAT dismal! The bit at the bottom is part of a poem about the Goddess Kali...I figured she was appropriate to have in here."

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

"In My Dreams" is my contribution for this week. I thoroughly enjoy creating miniature art with a whimsical flare. I can create my own little magical worlds with big pink stars, candy stripes, and fairy dust! My own little dream worlds on canvas--wish I could step into them sometimes.

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Thank you Sofia for this whimsical and magical interpretation of "dream."

She says, "When I looked throu all the images I have and I saw this little girl and the cat I thought about having wings to fly into the night while others are asleep ....that would be fun, hein ???"

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Aimhleas has just created this really cool abstract piece based on a dream she recently had!

She says,"This afternoon, I remembered a slice of dream from last night. I was hovering outside of a window. There were figures inside beckoning. Half of me felt sure of safety, the other half was certain that safety beckoned far from this window. Everything was all...stretchy...as dreams are, often."

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Izabella's entry explores the darker side of dreams--a nightmare that she once had that served as a life changing experience. Many thanks Izabella for this thought-provoking entry!

Topic #3--"Dream" Entry

Check out this very dreamy piece by Dawn!! It's called Dream a Little Dream.

She says, "I came up with this photo montage from the pictures I snapped in Boston on Friday. Hanging out with great friends is always an inspiration."

Topic #3--Dream

Dream

Definitions of dream on the Web:
- a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep; "I had a dream about you last night"
- ambition: a cherished desire; "her ambition is to own her own business"
- imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake; "she lives in a dream that has nothing to do with reality"
- pipe dream: a fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe); "I have this pipe dream about being queen of the universe"
- a state of mind characterized by abstraction and release from reality; "she went about her work as if in a dream"
- have a daydream; indulge in a fantasy
- someone or something wonderful; "this dessert is a dream"
- experience while sleeping; "She claims to never dream"; "He dreamt a strange scene"

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

I wanted to post one last amazing entry before posting today's new topic. Zorana--thank you so much for this gorgeous entry!

She says, "It is interesting to see that we are all searching for balance in our lives. I wonder is it attainable and would we be happy if everything was balanced. I don't know. Would life be easier?"

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Thank you Sofia for this adorable entry!

She says,"When I saw the week theme was balance I immediatly thought about me and my life, and how I would love to balance it, so here it is."

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Chrysti contributed this fabulous collage for her interpretation of this week's topic "balance."

She says, "Balance, is a topic that is continually on my mind…

.. Is it possible .. how to find it .. oh, how I crave it…will the scales always be tipped .. should I do this .. should I change that .. what if.. I can't handle things... need a grip… is this out of whack..

Is it possible I spend more time thinking about how to create balance within my life, then I do at actively making it happen? Between my work, my hobbies, my personal life, my health, fun and of course my obligations.. I just can't seem to find a way to balance it all. No matter how hard I try, how close I feel to achieving it, there's always that 'something' that seems to interfere. Perhaps, true balance.. is accepting this?"

Be sure to visit her blog (click on her link in the right hand corner of this blog) to read more about the symbolisms in this entry.

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Check out this very cool altered photograph from Lolly! She definitely has some words of wisdom for us:

"Balance. A very hard thing to achieve, in any part of your life! I've always liked to think that this quaint old couple somehow had managed a balance in their lives with each other: to graciously accept - to relent a little; to support - to cry on the other's shoulder; to be strong - to relax; to encourage - to reign in; knowing when to speak, and when to be quiet... you know, I don't really consider myself to be a romantic, but maybe I am a closet one LOL!

I was also pleased at having done this piece, because it meant a better balance in my approach to my creative endeavours; I did not try to make this the most perfect of all pieces ever - which is usually what I think I have to do every time I sit down at my desk! As you all know so well, there's no greater barrier to letting the creative juices flow than thinking it has to be PEEEERFECTT!!!!!!!!! And so, I am happy that I just did this - a copy of a photo, simply altered with colour pencils. Who knows, maybe another time I'll think to take this a step further... I've already made the first step and it wasn't painful LOL!"

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Thank you so much Mary Ann for this beautiful entry!

She says, " I thought about how this is a running theme in yoga, figuratively & literally. Vrksasana [or tree pose] is essentially a balance pose. it is a posture that embodies strength & grace >>>and also extends one's energy...wherein one foot is firmly planted in the earth and the other planted on the trunk [leg]. arms are outstretched as the head looks upward with an open heart... & all the while>>> remembering to breathe."

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

What an adorable entry with such flare by Christine.

She says, " I try to balance everything -- but crash a lot!!! This girl looks happy up there doing her balancing act.... How DOES she do it?!!"

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Leslie my friend--this is a gorgeous piece--you are the queen of purple!!

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Check out this spread from Corinne with wonderful layers galore!!

She says, "This is my own journal...starting to think about my trip next year to Art and Soul in Italy. I have no small amount of travel anxieties. Layers of acrylic paints, prismacolor and prang colored pencils, stamping, stenciling. Layers upon layers...those are my emotions about the unknown as well. Coupled with the excitement at the opportunity to be in such a great locale as Tuscany, my anxiety comes more into balance."

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Many thanks to Tia for this wonderful and whimsical digital entry! It is part of a larger collection on the rules of being a domestic diva--lol--visit her blog to see the other great pieces (link under "Paricipants" in the right hand column of this blog).

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Thank you Izabella for this very creative interpretation of "balance"!

She says, "This word...balance... is weighing heavy on me these days...the more I try to balance, the more I seem to fail in finding that healthy reality, I feel like I am constantly on a scale trying to balance life.

Just like a tornado whirling around in my mind... constant thoughts of what I need to get done in a day......taking care of my kids, family, cooking, cleaning, errands, grocery shopping, clean clothes, making lunches, getting kids to school, running home business, clean house, paying bills, doing dishes, washing floors, picking up toys.... the list goes on, it clutters my mind, sometimes I can't sleep at night.....but I am going to find that place where I can let my mind just accept....that things don't have to get done in a day, there is always tommorrow~ xoxo"

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Here are my offerings for this week's topic. Balance to me is all about feeling centered and knowing what my priorities are and why. It seems that I am always striving for it and there are days where I feel right on and others where everything is just off. I tend to be a perfectionist, so always want to give 100% to everything--that is certainly not what balance is all about and I am learning to let go of unimportant things. I am realizing that I don't have to be all things to all people all the time--I am only human.

The dancer to me represents the epitome of balance and being centered, plus she moves with such grace--dancing her way through life. The man on stilts sees the big picture from way up there while he maintains his balance--something I need to remember as I go through the details of my daily life.

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Here is a very touching story filled with wisdom and a beautiful ATC to accompany it from Amber.

She says, "Balance...what a powerful and convicting word!
When I was a little girl we had a very large and ancient Cherry tree bordering our property.
I looked forward to the time of year that all the cherries were ripe. I would eat the cherries, spit out the pits and watch them fall to the earth, from my sturdy branch.
As the summer days waned along with the selection of ripe cherries, I would find myself stretching and reaching for the red cherries that were just beyond my grasp. That desire would tempt me and lure me into positioning myself on a less secure branch to get the desired fruit. Toward the end of the season I would even be brave enough to perch on a branch that would bend and let me stretch and reach the tempting red fruit. Looking back its a wonder I didn't fall and break my neck!!!
Balancing all aspects of our busy lives, I find, is somewhat like climbing that cherry tree.
We need to know when to stop climbing even though there are a few perfect inticing juicy temptations outside our reach and be content with the knowledge that not all things are attainable or even necessary for fullfillment! Balance is not having everything but being happy with what we have and knowing when to stop!"

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Check out this beautiful spread from Felicity!

Topic #2--"Balance" Entry

Our first entry for the week! Thank you Lennea for this fine piece: love the design and the sense of humor that it conveys--without the humor, I think we'd all go crazy!

She says, "The artwords challenge for this week is balance. I've had balance in my life...for about 1 second - I think I was 6. I was able to balance on a pogo stick for exactly 1 second. So, why do I strive so hard to achieve balance? Life is a balancing act and I'm helplessly uncoordinated. So, here is my submission for balance. It is a woman ( let's call her ME!) trying to balance family, faith, creating, housework, marriage... all while her hormones are all out of balance!"

Topic #2--Balance

Balance

It seems that we are all trying to achieve this in our busy lives-- with our family, relationships, jobs, our hobbies and passions, appointments, errands, and everything in between. What does achieving balance in our lives really mean? Is it possible to achieve, and if so, how do we do it? How do we know when things are out of balance? Let these questions be your guides as you create your entry. I look forward to all of your insights!

Definitions of balance on the Web:
- a state of equilibrium
-a scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity
-the difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
- proportion: harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design); "in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"- John Ruskin
- equality of distribution
- remainder: something left after other parts have been taken away; "there was no remainder"; "he threw away the rest"; "he took what he wanted and I got the balance"
- Libra: (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Libra
- Libra: the seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
- bring into balance or equilibrium; "She has to balance work and her domestic duties"; "balance the two weights"
- symmetry: (mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
- compute credits and debits of an account
- counterweight: a weight that balances another weight
- poise: hold or carry in equilibrium
- balance wheel: a wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat
- be in equilibrium; "He was balancing on one foot"

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Mary Ann,
Thank you for indulging us with this beautiful piece!!

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

My dear friend Violette in the UK really wanted to participate in and show her support for Artwords. She does not have a scanner, so it is nearly impossible for her to participate. We found a way to make it work. Here are her lovely words about indulging in buying beautiful postcards with violets on them--she plans to make a collage. Here is a sample of one of the postcards she found on Ebay.

She says,"She lay dormant in the dark
Waiting for the light
With the joys of a new found hope
She burst forth and made my heart sing
With her came a renewed creativity
And an INDULGENCE for Violet poscards
Violets , breath of spring and the fragrance of joy
They celebrate her life !
Violette"

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

This is a gorgeous art squared piece by a talented artist that I just met at an art show in Portland. Thanks Elizabeth!

She says, "Coffee is a popular indulgence, and something I look forward to each morning .... from the aroma to the first sip. I must admit, as an artist, my life is FULL of little indulgences ... quiet walks, painting excursions, bursts of color, lots of time for me and of course chocolate, naps, thai food, an occasional bubble bath ... Ahhhhhhh! Life is good."

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Thank you Lia for this beautiful journal entry filled with so much wisdom!

Lia says, "I had to think about it for a few days as there is really SO much I can write about it...ahem....hand over the chocolate or else here....anyway, I have a war within and a war without about the whole indulgence thing. I wish I had balance in this area. There are things I'd rather not indulge in as well as things I have been thinking of lately that I'd like to indulge in MORE. So, this is what came out in my art journal today. A good reminder for me to look back on and remember what is most important to me."

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Yummy, yummy Christine!! This is such a great piece--love the imagery and your sense of humor!!

Christine says, "The topic: Indulgence..... LOL!! This is mine -- it's my only vice...... ;)"

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Many thanks Sofia for this entry contribution! I love your imagery and use of color! Can I go shopping with you? I could use a little help in the fashion department. Next time I am in Paris, you will have to show me some fine couture boutiques.

Sofia says:

"to me indulgence makes me think about "be indulgent to me please for my dreams of a deco mag home and shoes from the latest fashion creator " :) :) :) or in other way when I feel like crap I indulge myself tons of deco mags and some (lots) of shoes (not creator tho :-( ) ...."

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Thank you so much Linda, my friend!! I love it!!

Linda says, " I feel like I can be a child again when I create my art work or am just playing even with my fabrics, papers or beads!! so this was my piece A Child Once More!!!

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Once Upon a Cottage just sent in this entry that I can't stop admiring. I know I said that I would post random entries, but I'm so excited by all of this wonderful art, I just have to post them all this week!!

Here are a few words from Once Upon a Cottage and an important question to ponder:

"I probably have waaaaay to many indulgences : coffee, diet coke, chocolate, midafternoon naps, watching Gilmore Girls, creating art - all when my house is a mess and the kids are having to resort to pulling dirty clothes out of their hampers ( who am I kidding! They don't really use their hampers, they just drop the clothes wherever they take them off!) Now, you may scoff at my lack of domestic discipline, but if you're an artist I KNOW YOU"VE BEEN THERE! WAHAhahahah! I know, because I just spent several hours working on this piece when what I SET OUT to do was clean up my art area!"

" When is indulging self-indulgent and when is it self-preservation?"

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Lolly indulged her "silliness" when creating this wonderful and whimsical piece.

She says, "my indulgence was to actually sit down and do something creative - it's been a lean couple of weeks, creatively, so I really enjoyed this! The clowns sprang to mind as a way of indulging one's silliness - something I'd like to do more of (though my long-suffering family might disagree LOL!)"

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Audrey indulged in artmaking this afternoon!--look at this wonderful piece that she came up with! For more interesting information on how she created it (fascinating tools and techniques), visit her blog link on the right-hand column of this blog.

She says, "My indulgence is creating art. I love to be able to go into my artroom and sit, relax, enjoy the quietness and create whatever comes to me. I try to indulge in art a little each day. Most of my creating is late at night after Montana goes to sleep. He takes a nap during the day which I can also go into my artroom but usually it's only enough time for me to gather paper and stuff for that nights creations. Today however, I was able to create this piece during his nap time. It is so nice to be in my room during the day since I can let the natural light in and work from it. Ideas seem to flow better. So this is my little piece for the word "indulgence".

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Izabella submitted this way cool spread for her entry!! I'm oggling the colors and texture! One of the things I love about all of the submissions from you wonderful artists, is that they are so varied in style!!

Here's what Izabella says about her entry: "Oh, I have been bad! I have been "indulging" in David Blaine~ since watching & reading about his "drowned alive" stunt, I have been mesmorized by his physical & mental being~ so I have been over indulging my senses of his essence~"

Topic #1 "Indulgence" Entry

Thought I'd add my contribution to this wonderful mix of entries! Here's a little funky zettiology for you--coffee seems to be a popular indulgence! I call this "Still Life II," as there is also a "Still Life I." Couldn't resist a little advertising plug--you can find both for sale this week on my Ebay--I will put my wares on over the next two days at http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZflutesusan25 Feel free to make any sales pitches yourselves.