More art journal pages, and another page from Frolicaholic:

1808 Colonial Pinkeepers for sale

These are the actual models for the cover of my cross stitch chart by the same name. Once their modeling session was over they have been languishing in my model drawer, hoping I would remember them and put them up for adoption to a good home! 

Prices are ridiculously reasonable, bordering on outrageous!

They are available at TDIPT Mercantile this month.

xx

~Annie

I'm taking an online workshop for Art Journaling

It is called 21 Secrets and it is super fun!

 There are 21 different artists who share their techniques with videos and PDF's. The whole workshop costs $59 and is available until the end of 2012. 

I think that's a pretty good value for the $. 

Of course I immediately gravitated to the workshop given by Jane Davenport, as I am totally smitten with her work, and she uses a lot of the supplies I am totally in love with. I have also previously taken a mini-workshop with Jane called Draw Happy-which
I totally loved and found inspirational.

SO,

that is one of the things that has been occupying my time lately, in between plans for my newest doll projects. Here is a little peak at some of the workshop work(play) I have done:

AND,

 On another note, 

thank you so much to all who participated in my poll. It will really help me to get a better idea of the techniques dollmakers would like to learn.

So thanks!

xx

~Annie

I (heart) Frolicaholic!!!

More art journal love!!!

I (heart) my art journal!

This one is unfinished, but I am loving the Jane-ness of her!

Finding my way-Part 2

So every time I get myself into this place where I am exploring a new art form, I am racked with guilt because I am creating just for myself and not really making anything to sell. As I have said in my last post I am coming to terms with this aspect of the artistic life, and learning how it is also very valuable.

By allowing myself to explore I have found that the inspiration as to how this is going to fit into my professional life will come.

And it has!

What I have learned from all of this art journaling,

 or rather re-connected with,

 is that I LOVE ILLUSTRATION!

Those who have been buying my doll patterns from the beginning may have noticed that they have become more and more illustrative through the years. I have decided that along with publishing some new doll patterns, I would also like to share my 12+ years of dollmaking experience.

 So I have decided to publish a series of little art-zines all about dollmaking and dollmaking techniques.

These will be very illustrated and cover all sorts of techniques and topics that relate to dollmaking. 

I would love your help!

You may have noticed my poll at the top of the screen. I would love to know what types of techniques you would be interested in. Also, if you have any other suggestions of things you would like to learn PLEASE feel free to drop me a comment! I would love to hear any and all suggestions you may have on the subject.

Thank you all so much for visiting!

 I promise not to be such a stranger!!!

xx

~Annie

Finding my way Part-1

I feel like every time I make a new post these days it is to assure you all that I am still here!

I have been on what I thought might be an artistic tangent-or another painting jag, as I have referred to it in the past. Every 18 months or so I just really feel the urge to paint and mess around with all of my fine art supplies. This time seems to be a little different. This time as I discovered art journaling I have come to realize that I need to make drawing a permanent, everyday part of my life. 

What is art journaling?

 What I have discovered is that it it something completely different than what I thought it was. I have kept a sketchbook all of my life. I have always used it as a place to just sketch out ideas and make some notes. There was rarely anything in it that was very developed, nothing more than quick thumbnail type sketches. I saved all of my more developed and elaborate work for finished pieces, either on canvas or a finished doll or some type of needlework piece.

And all of that is fine. 

But when I began to art journal, I found it was a place to play with techniques and ideas in and of themselves. I learned to go beyond the random sketches, but without the pressure of it being perfect the way a finished piece would be. For me it is a kind of inner ground or middle place. I can treat each page as a place to play with an idea and take it as far as I want it to go without the pressure of it having to be perfect.

I don't think I have ever really experienced this kind of artistic freedom before. 

Suddenly I was creating only for me,

not with the intention to sell it or even show it to anyone else! I didn't have the pressure of it having to be "good". It's not about that.

I feel like for the first time I have discovered how to practice the "work" of artwork.

 And it is a complete and utter joy!

I used to always feel a self imposed guilt for doing any artwork that wasn't going to eventually become something for the marketplace.

But now I am beginning to understand that all of this exploration and "play", which is the "work" of artwork, is what helps me bring my own authentic artistic voice to the marketplace. I'm finding out that it is necessary to my artistic development. And the fact that it is so fun and brings me so much joy is just icing on the cake! I thank God for that. He has given me the gift of artistic talent, and then provided a way for me to express it. And I think that when we live out what God has created us to do we cannot help but be joyful.

So,

how does all of this translate into the life of a professional artist?

Well, I have some irons on the fire. Some fun plans for the future and things I would like to bring to you, my wonderful friends and patrons.

They are mostly doll related. 

Stay tuned, I will reveal more in part 2 of this post!

xx

~Annie