Mosiac Monday

As is becoming kinda normal for me I was up at the crack of dawn (like 3 a.m....I think BEFORE dawn) and playing on my computer and found a fun thing...making mosaics out of my pictures...So, I made a few...THEN, I put it on facebook, and got such a fun bit of response; one being a link to a website about Mosiac Mondays...called  Little Read House...where, on MONDAYS we can post our mosaics...SO, I've jumped right in to share and expect to have a great time...I invite any of you out there up at the crack or any time to explore this site and make a mosaic of your own and have fun!!

Oh, and here is one I created!!  FUN DOINS!!

The weather ended up being SOOOO icy we postponed my demo til this Friday at the Aar River Gallery WHERE I have a workshop on the subject of INNOVATIONS IN COLLAGE scheduled for Feb 1 and 2...In the workshop we will be playing with the VERY method I've detailed in the workshop I wrote for this months' (JAN/FEB 2011)  CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS...at least as one segment of the workshop...so I'll be pretty busy in the next days...JUST THE WAY I LIKE IT!!

PS...Mary actually has a tutorial on her July 17, 2009 post on how to make a mosaic!  I THINK I've linked it properly...HERE

PSS...I used my free photo web program Picassa...It is really easy!! It is from google...easy download and then a great program!  SO, MANY CHOICES!

HAPPY CREATING!!

SNOW AND MORE SNOW...but not to detour!

YEP...we couldn't escape it...we finally did get some measurable snow.  About 10".  Not so much compared to years past, but the cold (teens and below zero...brrr) that has come with it makes it seem like those feet of snow we've gotten in the past!  AHHH well...not to detour!

I've been busy the past couple of days preparing for a demo I will be doing for the Palateers Art Club in Northglenn tonight. Let's hope the below zero temps will NOT mean I slide into this venue 35 miles from my cozy little mountain home!

I've been having fun choosing subject matter for this demo...which, of course will be completed pieces when I put all the finishing touches on them.  Of COURSE, I will demo my aspen process in my collage...and I'm toying with a fun little sunflower piece I also want to begin for them.  I always have difficulty paring down...if you knew me in person, you would understand! 

Let's hope this cold January day brings much opportunity for creative expression!  as always...

HAPPY CREATING!!

"Baby Hippo #2" original oil © Saundra Lane Galloway

 "Baby Hippo #2"

6x6" oil on cradled panel

Things are a hoppin in this studio I'll tell you!  WHEW...but good...I've been asked to deliver quite a few paintings to various venues and the shop "Luna's Mandala" up the hill...apparently they love all the color! YEA!

I think baby hippo #2 works best for the baby animal portraits I'm doing for my sweet girl's baby nursery...but she wants both...HA!  So, off they go as soon as they are dry! I'm thanking my friend Carol Nelson for letting me paint with her last year when she was doing her fauvist style portraits...cuz I'm enjoying doing these little guys/girls with lots of fun color!!

Monday evening I am doing a demo for the Palateer's art guild, and hopefully teaching a two day workshop at the Aar River Gallery on February 1 and 2...so it's busy days...but happy days!

HAPPY CREATING!!

WHEW!

 "Baby Hippo #1"

6x6 oil on panel

WOW has it been a busy life these past few weeks!  I know we all have them...and, usually it is around the holidays!  I adored painting and planning for family this year, but I have to admit it was quite a ride with little time to do some serious work in the studio.  I think I have finally ridden the roller coaster and am coasting in to the station and can now focus on my work in a serious fashion.

Baby Hippo #1 is my first attempt at a baby animal for my wonderful daughter's nursery.  I wasn't happy with it, but she loved it, so I told her I'd leave it alone (yes the desire to wipe it clean and do the other thing I decided on was GREAT!) and just paint a second one and let her decide.  She adores hippos, so if she wants them both so be it...HA

All is well on the baby front...and it is now on paper that the baby is due on August 15; which just so happens to be MY birthday!  WOW, what a present!  YEA!

Other news this season wasn't the best, and I admit it threw me for a loop.  My most wonderful; still assistant attorney general in Oklahoma at 77 years old father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.  He already has Leukemia and has done wonderfully over the years with this diagnosis.  My most fabulous mother has really been a star with how she has taken care of him...changing their diets to eliminate all sorts of nasty things put in it, and things were actually looking fabulously!  His blood counts were actually better...and he was fine...and now this.  I suppose it never occurred to me that a person could have more than one disease...silly I know!  The blessing is this disease progresses so slowly...and it doesn't affect the mind.  And he and my mom have the most awesome attitudes!  They trust in God and know what is truly important, so there is great peace associated...but, they will work at this...my mom stepping up again to work to do all that is required (and knowing her...much, much more) to make this as easy as possible.  I am so proud of them both...and so irritated with myself.  I thought I had taken it in stride, and then found myself having to leave Taco Bell yesterday when I saw a man with the same disease...crying before I knew it and didn't want to offend anyone...WOOPS...gotta get a hold of myself so I can be there for my parents (if my very capable mother ever lets me that is...ha) and so I can be there for my most wonderful daughter as she prepares to have her first baby...WHEW again I say...it is most certainly a life full of LIFE!  Isn't there a word for people like us...parents on one side and children needing us on the other...?  I have to laugh...we as a society name EVERYTHING!  HA...and that is how I choose to take life...with a sense of humor....with perhaps a few well placed cleansing tears thrown in just cuz we're human!  But, I will take the cue from my mother...God is in charge!

Let's hope this new year brings cures for things and laughter and joy to off set the occasional sorrows that come with the whole package!  Life is still awesome, and there is much to learn and discover...So, that being said, I best get busy!

HAPPY CREATING ALL!!

"Dragonfly" original mixed media © Saundra Lane Galloway

A wonderful friend of mine who just so happens to also be my daughter's mother-in-law is coming to town later this week and is also bringing my most wonderful daughter and future mother of my grandchild as well.  YEA! In fact there is a whole passle of family coming and we are thrilled!

My most wonderful friend and future co grandmother absolutely LOVES dragonflies.  WOW...the dragonfly is not a thing I have ever thought of painting...they are so tiny...their wings are so transparent...they are so hard to catch still enough to photograph...so I fudged and did some research into dragonflies and their habitats...THAT brought another dilemma as they usually sort of fade into the foliage they hang around...so this was a challenge from the get go...

I wanted to do this in my "new" style...and so it was going to be a little pattern challenging from the get go.  In the end I found it pleasant to play with this...and now it is done...

I am excited that next will be the second installment of a baby animal for my daughter's nursery.  I am honored that she asked me to do a series for our little someone...busy times!  FUN times!

HAPPY CREATING!!