Sharing when I probably shouldn't

This week has been about mail ART and ART-at-the-desk and Serendipity. I'm sharing because I must, not because I should. I shouldn't probably. It is more than I can keep to myself.
This mail art is actually a journal that I made for my friend who is new to mail ART and mixed media ART and visual journal ART. She is finding her passion.

See what I mean, this last page just landed on this page. No plan. Just Serendipity!

♥ Sharon

It's been a long time since I made ART-at-the-desk

What a fun mess.

I couldn't help myself, you know how I love hands.

Just another mail art piece that I need to send on its way.

It is a mini journal made with a folder cut in half.

Good to go when I stitch the signature in it.

♥ Sharon

You never know with me What or is it Who will show up

Enjoyed an ARTful day. Relaxed with my paints and brushes. I started a new painting and remembered that I have some mail art to make. This is an old file folder cut in half. I was really just playing and didn't have a plan so before lunch I just did the drip thing and while it was still wet, I spritzed the drips. Dripping paint is new to me and I like it. Anyway after my hot dog, I was amazed to see these people in my drips.

That is the fun of mail art. It is like working in a journal because I feel a freedom to just let it go and let it be and be happy with the brush in my hand. I added the lips and a very little pencil definition and there they are. "Nothing with eyes will emerge from my shadow".

Another great ARTful day planned for tomorrow. Hope you are all having a great weekend.

♥ Sharon

I resisted

I'm telling you I have resisted and resisted and resisted this jewelry making thing. Well there are just so many hours in a day and I am so devoted to having a paint brush in my hand and I knew that there wasn't time for making jewelry and besides that I don't even wear jewelry because I am allergic to all metals but gold and silver so I'm just sayin, she wore me down. (big breath)

Don't misunderstand me. She hasn't nagged or anything like that. It's just the exquisite pieces she makes are exactly what I would wear if I could.

I never doubted the fun to be had making jewelry. No, not for a moment. I knew I would fall hard for it. That is why I resisted. Hear ye, hear ye, I'M HOOKED.

And look here, you can repurpose old costume jewelry that can be found at thrift stores and garage sales and maybe even in you own hoarding spot. Join the fun at Of Towers and Turrets and find out how.

Of Towers and Turrets mixed media class sample

I've been working on this all week. Just a little here and a little there. I really feel good when I'm able to squeeze in morning ART time. But you know what? I would feel really really very really good if I could just sit and paint and collage all day. Some day (sigh).

Deryn and I are thrilled with the excitement and buzz going on already in the Of Towers and Turrets classroom. Everybody is excited about getting new tools and supplies and we are excited right along with them. If you've been on the fence about signing up, wait no longer. The first lesson videos will be up Friday and we would love to see you there.
♥ Sharon

Look at my new Dirty Car Windshield App and more

This morning as I was leaving for the dang-desk-in-town, a beautiful butterfly flitting in the mesquite tree there caught my eye. I stopped to watch and then I was struck by the beauty of the whole scene. And so I pulled out my camera and shot this right through the dirty windshield.

And then, I just sat there thinking about how it felt like I was literally going the wrong direction down this path. I tried to reconcile this feeling and knew that the butterfly gift of opening my eyes to the whole scene would carry me through the day when I will return to my path.

She is from this morning just before going down that path.

I'm still working on the girls in the towers. They are all on one 8 x 10 canvas and I will show the whole when done. Probably this weekend.

I'm oh so happy about the weekend!
I bet you are too.

♥ Sharon

Imagine and Wish if you will

Wish and Imagine

if you will.

Or is it

Imagine and Wish?

Or

Wish from you heart

and

Imagine with your mind.

I know I'm not making any sense but when I put these two "sweet spots" on the screen,

it made me start wondering which comes first.

I hadn't even realized they are connected.

I guess it's a "chicken and egg" thing to ponder.

****

You really shouldn't look at these this big because you can see all the little flaws. The little face on the top can be covered by my thumb.

The bottom one is covered with two fingers.

For some reason, I really enjoy painting tiny faces.

♥ Sharon

PS....I'll fix that black hole on her nose...now that I can see it

Random catch-up

Yep, my apron has been hanging a lot lately. You might notice it is right there in a good spot with my to-do list just in case I should happen to put it on. Progress is slow but most of all I think the summer heat is getting to me. The oven ride home at five o'clock each day just cooks all the juice out of me. We are having 100 + degree days and I'm not usually one to whine about that but this year seems different.


I did have a great play date Saturday with my friend Susan. There was some serious concentration going on and we had oodles of fun but I must learn to stop and breathe or take brakes because she plum wore me out.


Cupcakes anyone?



Blogger is doing some new stuff. Have you noticed? Well, I guess moving the photos around and resizing them on the "compose" window isn't new but I'm just now giving it a try and while learning is frustrating, I think I will like it. Sorry for this crazy layout learning curve.

The other thing Blogger has done, Gloria Hallelujah, is the spam blocker filter they have added. I was to the point of moderating comments to stop that stupid spammer that visits me every day. You may not have noticed because I delete it as soon as it hits. Driving me bats!

I guess I'm all caught up for now so I will get back to this crazy-dull-boring-dang-desk-in-town.
I could be doing something so fun at that delightful-fun-inspiring-full-inviting-equipped-bright-desk-in-studio.
♥ Sharon

New Class Start Date August 27th

Sure enough, there were things that I forgot to tell you about the new class, Of Towers and Turrets.

First of all, maybe you would like to know that the class starts August 27th. That's two weeks from tomorrow and just in time for a long holiday weekend for some of us. (ME)

A fun group is already gathering and that brings me to the second thing that I forgot to tell you.The class lecture hall is all set and ready to go. As soon as you register, you will be admitted to the class where you will find a Welcome video, Tool Talk and Supply Videos, and Bonus Tutorial Video. There's more! Forums are already set up with Tool and Supply list as well as a printable PDF of the list and a Tool resource forum with links for some of the supplies. Also, Deryn and I are there to answer any questions you might have about the supplies.

That's all I can think of for now.
♥ Sharon

Oh, one more thing. Before or After you do the Paypal thing, be sure to go and sign up for membership at the workshop site if you haven't already. Thanks

Of Towers and Turrets

Presenting

Of Towers and Turrets

An exquisite Fusion of Mixed Media and Mixed Metals

an online Workshop by Sharon Tomlinson and Deryn Mentock

It is with excitement, a twirling stomach, tired bones, and pleasure that we present

a creative collaboration

for your creative learning enjoyment

♦♦♦♦♦

For a complete class description

visit All NorahS Art at Ning

or

visit my online class page here