Inspiration Vintage Magazine

Hello all! How’s your Monday going? We are getting crazy wind and rain here! So, I’ve been puttering around the house, cleaning, reading and avoiding my artwork. I decided I needed a little space from it all.

I must give a huge “THANK YOU” to you sweet readers that left such encouraging and understanding comments. Your words truly touched me and were extremely comforting!

A beautiful and exciting distraction came along last week:  the latest issue of Inspiration Vintage magazine, which I had the honor of contributing to! This issue is bursting with stunning pictures, delicious recipes and loads of vintage beauty! Check it out here.

My article is about my love of vintage ephemera, antique books and French perfume labels! I had a blast photographing some of my pretty old things.  Of course, not all of the images made the cut but I thought I would share them with you…

   

Thank you again for all your support! I promise more art is to come. I hope you all have a wonderful, inspiring week.

xo,

Ivy

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Finding Inspiration.

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Hello. I’m afraid its happened. I’ve become stuck. Damn it. One moment I’m a wellspring of creativity and the next I’m dry as a desert. Is it the weather? No. Maybe I’m not sleeping enough? Hmm.

You know what it is?

It’s doubt.

Worry.

Lack of confidence.

Sometimes it comes out of nowhere and runs me over like a hijacked bus. Bad part is…I’m the driver.

I know it is normal. It’s human. But it’s so frustrating. It makes my heart feel heavy.

A friend recently questioned me, wondering what I would do after I finished painting pretty faces. She didn’t mean anything by it…just curious about my artistic path but now I can’t get it out of my head. Is my art phony? Shallow? Is it inauthentic? Maybe I’ve been influenced by too many people. Maybe it is coming across as forced. Maybe I should just stop doing it.

My creative spirit comes to screeching halt. Stuck on the side of a busy street with negativity whizzing by. Unable to cross. To progress.

I need to find inspiration. I need to get off my butt and get with the program and beat these thoughts. So I spent some time (while devouring a bar of chocolate)  gathering some links that offer great ideas to do just that!

* Check out these great lists that prompt ideas, spark thoughts and get your out of the rut.

* A practical and simplistic guide to inspiration.

* A wonderland of inspiring Pinterest quotes

* Check out this fabulous site dedicated to inspiration!

Ok, wish me luck! If you are dealing with your own creative slump I hope this helps! Also, I would love to hear how you seek inspiration.

xo,

Ivy

Into Fairy Land

Hi there! How are you all doing? We are having a slight shift in weather and it seems to be making me feel a bit moody. Ugh. I hate feeling like that. I know I should probably be blogging about Fall Home Decorating or something but I just don’t feel like it…so instead I’m sharing another piece of artwork that I finished this weekend.

Art seems to be the only thing that calms my nerves these days and makes me so very happy. I could sit for hours creating if I had the chance to…

Oh, and I must tell you about this book.

It has really helped me work more effectively and create more often! Love that! Of course I’m not sure how my family feels…I’m kinda taking over the living and dining room!

Okay on to the art…

So this is a mixed media piece using collage, acrylic paint and modeling paste. It had been sitting on my desk for months unfinished. It was supposed to be a self-portrait but I hated it.  So I painted over my face and started over. Sometimes you just have to do that and no, it’s not supposed to be me anymore. :) I decided to make the face more primitive than usual for me and just draw from my mind instead of a visual reference.

I began working in the darker tones using some watered down raw umber paint…

Then slowly building color. She’s looking a bit pissed off though, isn’t she? Not exactly what I was going for…

So I painted out the eyebrows and lifted them to change her expression and open up the eyes. It’s amazing how much power the eyebrows have when depicting an expression! I used modeling paste and a stencil to create the lace-like tendrils that hang down around her. They are nicely raised which adds a little dimension and texture to the piece. I found the words in a vintage book and loved the idea of her entering into a different world – Fairy Land. :) yah!

Here is my happy mess on the dining room table!

It felt so good to finally complete this piece. I have three more in the works!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

xo,

Ivy

Art to Adore: Angela Petsis

Hello friends and Happy Friday! Baby is sleeping and I’m busy pinning…as in Pinterest. Yes. It’s a serious job and someone has to do it. My Pinterest feed is being flooded with images of gorgeous encaustic art! I’m dying to try it! I just ordered this book and I’m looking for a local class or e-course so let me know if you guys know of one.

Anyway, through my hunt for beautiful Encaustic artwork I discovered an amazing artist : Angela Petsis. I am seriously swooning as I go through her stunning portfolio of work! I adore the layering, vintage elements and poetic softness of her work. Absolutely breathtaking.

So pretty right? I told hubby that I want one of her pieces for Christmas! Please go and treat yourself to a peek at her website and Etsy shop.

Have a lovely weekend!

xo,

Ivy

More iPad art.

Hello! How’s your Thursday going? We’ve got a lovely rainy day here and I’m sitting in my office with a cup of tea and my favorite candle lit. Yum. Oh and I’m totally obsessed with this crazy soft blanket. It’s wrapped around me…even though it really isn’t all that cold. I’ve turned into a bit of a Linus with this throw – you will often see me dragging it from room to room so I can cuddle up with it. lol.

My husband thinks it’s bizarre and Grace keeps trying to steal it but I’m very protective of it.  Look…just get one and you’ll understand. I promise.

Anyway…I digress. I’m here to share three more creations I made on the iPad. Yes, I’m totally hooked on the creative fix this gives me. I used this process if you want to go back and read about how these were done.

” The Three Graces”

(Was feeling a little more edgy when I created this one… ;)

“Hummingbird’s Nest”

“Kindred”

Making these all cozy in my bed after a long day has proved to be relaxing and rewarding. Will this replace my traditional art processes? No, but when I’m short on time and energy (which seems like always) this helps me feel connected to my creative energy.  Try it out and let me know if you have questions. I’m here to help.

xo,

Ivy

I’m dreaming of…

Hi there. How’s life treating you? We are back into the swing of school around here and I’m trying to get organized and make the most of each day. Not easy. I often find myself being pulled in so many directions that I get overwhelmed. So, I retreat into my own little daydreams. Highly productive. Not.

We have been renting a beautiful home in a fabulous neighborhood but it’s been three years and I’m getting itchy feet! Growing up, I lived in 10 different houses and two countries (the U.S. & Australia). When Chris and I got together, we moved 5 times in 4 years. Finally, we settled in Portland and have lived here for almost 11 years. No wonder I’m getting wanderlust!

Moving is in my blood and I’m totally dreaming of us buying a large piece of land and building a sweet farmhouse. I want a big porch, an old barn for my art studio, chickens (why not?) and a large, white kitchen, where I would bake bread and make delicious meals. Realistic? Probably not, I don’t even bake – but wow, does it sound good to me right now. I’m being drawn to wide open spaces, quiet, solitude, a slower pace. A place to focus and create. Sometimes life just feels so noisy. Know what I mean?

So in my procrastination, I pulled my favorite farmhouse images from my Pinterest board to share my vision with you…

Okay…I think I got that out of my system. Now back to the laundry…ugh.

Have a beautiful afternoon.

xo,

Ivy

* For sources and more dreamy Farmhouse images see my Pinterest board.*