Saturday Art Smorgasbord - Autumn Garden

I have been extremely busy lately, so I had not been able to post anything in 2 weeks or work much on my artwork.  I am at a crossroad in my life that may affect my future.  It's exciting, but I am very nervous.  Therefore, all I can do is "Believe" that the Lord is in charge, as Jesus said in Mark 5:36.  May God give me the strength, courage and wisdom to endure anything that is to come

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

Anyway, the live oaks in my gardens are dropping a acorns galore and the Monarch Butterflies are back!  The weather has also been glorious, with some occasional gentle rains, cool mornings, and clear skies in between.  God is good!  With all those acorns around my garden grounds, I decided to pick a few of them to use as subjects for my Twenty Minute Challenge piece.  I've been reading a book by Lee Hammond on crayon drawing, so I decided to give her techniques a try.  I started by sketching the acorns with a pencil, and then started adding layers of color with the crayons.  As you can see, I did not get to complete my drawing within the allotted time.  However, I feel I got the gist of the acorns.  I am submitting this piece to What's on your work desk Wednesday #174 and Mary Walker Designs: Show Me Something Creative (Autumn October 3rd - 9th.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

I completed the illustration after the 20-minute allotment and cropped it.  I was happy with the results, especially since the illustration was done with crayons. I scanned it and made a print.  I trimmed the print and used it to design a tag for Tag Tuesday, where I and my team members were challenged by Carolyn Saxby to use "Autumn Leaves, Acorns, and Conkers."  I used K&Company rub-ons to trim the upper edge.  For the bottom, I made a label on which I used my calligraphic skills to write the word "Grow."  I finished the tag by distressing the edges and adding a simple tan cording tie.  I am also submitting this piece to Artists in Blogland - Fall Fearless and Fly and Take a Word Challenge - Manuscripts.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

As to the original acorn drawing, I decided to incorporate it into a simple art journal page.  I began by adding a K&Company Smash tab that reads "I need," because I feel I always need to continue to grow as a Christian, family man, and professional.  Then, I wrote a quote by Lewis Duncombe about the growing acorn, because it perfectly describes the way I feel.  Finally, I used some Canson self-adhesive photo corners to attach my crayon drawing to the page.  I am submitting this page to Artist Playroom #30, Paint Party Friday, Word Art Wednesday #48, Sunday Sketches, and Three Muses - Journal a Quote.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

Last, but not least, I took a couple of photographs of my garden views to share with you.  The first one is of the glorious Monarchs resting on one of my tree's branches before they continue their journey South into Mexico.  They are such a blessing to see.  I tried to capture them in flight, but all I got were fuzzy dots.  I am submitting this one to 52 Photos Project Gallery 24 {Orange} and to LorikArt's: Mandarin Orange Monday 13.  The second photograph is of one of my wife's Bugambilia blooms.  Bugambilia blooms are usually purple, but my wife found this one in orange and fell in love with the unusual color.  She currently has it in a pot, but plans to transplant it to the ground later this fall.  I am submitting this photograph to A Rural Journal #38 - Final Flower Farewell and to Hood Photo Blog: Orange You Glad It's Friday #7.

I hope you enjoyed my Autumn Garden inspired pieces.  Thank you for following my blog and for all your encouraging comments during my last post.  I was especially touched by a quote that Seema left by William Blake, "To see a world in a grain of sand and a Heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour."  As usual, you are cordially invited to leave a comment and join my list of followers.  Vaya con Dios - Go with God.

PS - If you are so inclined, I ask that you please keep me in your prayers as I pass through the current crossroad in my life.  I would truly appreciate it.  Blessings!