Some journal time

This is pen and ink with golden fluid acrylics. The little sun up in the corner is a hand carved stamp. 

This one is a collage background with neocolor II. 

Back in the studio

I finished this painting while on vacation.. Well... not completely finished, I still have to paint the sides. We had a wonderful family vacation in Wisconsin. Lots of fishing and cards and family together time.

This is the Sheeps haad I caught! (also known as a dog fish).

Here is Isabel taking care of Amy while we all fish!

My husband Gary's Northern Pike!

My brother Gil's catfish out of the Mississippi river!

I caught this Sauger!

My daughter Chelsea and I making art in the cabin!

We had great fun but its good to be back. I have to reorganize all my supplies and then I'm good to go! Ready for the Fall season!

~Annie

No time for painting...

I just got started on a portrait with my inspiration being one of the sybils in the Sistene chapel. When I was there is June, I just stared and stared at her. I love the strength of her face and her expression.

Expression,

Something that is hard and new to me. Most of my portraits just have a demure expression, as I have always just concentrated on getting the features right. I guess that comes from being a doll artist and painting faces to just be basic.No particular expression.

This sybil, she has been studying her texts and charts, but her attention is called away for a moment as she senses the presence of God.

I feel this is so pertinent to our times.

Many are seeking, as this sybil is, but few are able to recognize the presence of God.

 How did Michaelangelo  know, and how was he able to portray that? 

Thats why he was a genious, clear and simple.

But now I have no time to continue to explore this painting, as I have to run around today. We are going on a family vacation on Saturday, just a cabin in Wisconsin. Listen to me...after my trip to Italy last month, now it is "just a cabin in Wisconsin". In the past it would have been the highlight of my whole year! How quickly we are spoiled!

I am packing and getting ready. It is so easy now that I just have Isabel at home.

She is a very self sufficient 14 year old.

We are going to get her uniform today for high school.

She starts freshman year in August.

I am bittersweet about it.

These transitions are hard for Lady Madonna.

New journal cover

Etsy Sale ends Tuesday, July 16..

Just a reminder to pop on over to my

 Etsy shoppe

 and check out whats on sale.

 There are all kinds of doll and cross stitch patterns for sale. 

Have a look!

Thanks!

XX

~Annie

Art journal page

It took me forever to finish this spread. 

Embellishing Edges online workshop

I have been having a great time playing with the techniques I learned in Valerie Sjodin's online workshop. It is called Embellished Edges and it is only $15.00! As far as I know it is still running. I highly recommend it. Here is a link to her blog where you can get the details. Click Here! I have no affiliation, just a satisfied customer.
  One of the things this class turned me onto is the joy of Golden Fluid acrylics. Using them sort of like water colors I have really been happy with them. Especially the transparent colors. They are just so vibrant. I am a big believer in buying the artist grade of paints as opposed to student grade, and this is a great example. Yes they are expensive, but you just can't beat the quality of the pigments. I love them!