She's Gone Abroad

Howdy!  My eldest daughter is a student of architecture at Texas A&M, and is currently on a 6-week study abroad in Spain.  Although my family and I miss her, we are very excited about it and proud of her as well - she earned a $5,000 scholarship to help with the course expenses!  I am dedicating the following post to her.  (Since she usually only reads my blog when I point something out to her, I'm not concerned about her seeing the last photograph - LOL!)  I hope you enjoy my creative spurts.

Sacred Heart
5"x7" Canvas - Acrylic Painting
The Three Muses - Some Like It Hot
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #95
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #134
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday - Week 12 Year 4
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #92
Jenn's Artist's Playroom #108
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
The painting above is part of a Sacred Heart series I worked on a couple of years ago, but hadn't posted in my blog.  I used different medias and techniques in each of the pieces in the series, so it was a lot of fun.  You may recall the one I posted about a month ago, which I donated to my wife's civic organization.  During my daughter's stay in Spain, she will be visiting a distant cousin of ours who lives in Barcelona.  My daughter chose it and will present it to her as a hostess gift.  I hope she likes it!

Love
iPhone Photograph
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday #125
Denise, Rodger & Leslie's ABC Wednesday - T is for Typing Touching Thoughts
Bella's 52 Photos Project Gallery 4 - {Talisman}
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #260
Jen's In the Studio
Congratulations and Thank You, Julia,
for 5 years of allowing Bloggers to share their creative spaces.
Blessings!
Bella, the host of 52 Photos Project, asked us to reflect on something that we kept with us that brought us comfort and good things.  Other than my grandfather's gold cross, which I wear close to my heart as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice, I always wear my wedding band.  Not only does it remind me of the comfort I've had in my lovely wife for over 20 years, but how this commitment blessed us with 2 sweet, smart, and beautiful daughters.

She's Gone Abroad
Greeting Card
Freshly Made Sketches #137
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Vacation/Travel
Craftitude Challenge #65 - That's Die-licious

I made the card above for my daughter's 21st birthday celebration, which will take place during her stay in Spain.  I used a miniature tag that I designed last year as my focal point, which was cut using a Tim Hotz Tiny Tabs & Tags die.  I also used Kraft papers, Tulip fashion bead paint, and a strip of jute cord, as well as various prints and dies from the K&Company Par Avion series to complete my card design.  The tag has miniature pages where my wife, youngest daughter, and I wrote special sentiments for her.

I hope you enjoyed my humble spurts of creativity.  I also want to thank everyone who is following my blog, as well as everyone who took the time to leave a comment during my last post.  In closing, I'd like  to leave you with a Memorial Day prayer found in the 1928 Episcopal Book of Common Prayer:
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

Sugar Sweet Sensibility

In a world that often bombards us with negativity, I choose to have a sugar sweet sensibility.  I thrive to surround myself with positive people, involve myself in positive activities, and make the best of all situations.  It is not always easy, since I do get stressed sometimes and feel a need to vent.  It is part of our human nature.  However, through prayer, my artful life, and the support of my loved ones, I am able to move forward and not dwell on the negative aspects of life.  Inspired by the positive aspects in my life, I have 3 artistic pieces to present this week.  I hope you like them!

Sweet Beautiful Thought
Mixed Media & Brush Lettering Tag
Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014 - May
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Botanical
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Die Crazy
My first piece, which reminds me of the shadow boxes of the 70's, features colorful items representative of the joys in my life.  The theater ticket stands for my love of fine arts; the butterfly stands for my love of nature; the wishbone stands for my love of food; the rose stands for my love of the Lord; the license plate stands for my love of travel; and the pen nib stands for my love of writing.  These "Sweet Beautiful Thoughts," are blessings for which I'm ever thankful.

Sweet Rossy
Pen & Ink Sketch
Paper, Paint, Pencils & Pens - Daily Life
Order of the Opus Gluei - The Best of Friends
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #259
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #133
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday: Week 11 - Year 4
Jen's In The Studio
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Jenn's Artist's Playroom #107
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
This next piece is inspired by my dog Rossy, a Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix who was abandoned in our mall's parking lot when she was just a puppy.  We found her when my girls and I were going into a department store named Ross, hence her name.  We tried finding her a home, but after 7 years with us, I think she's found one on her own - LOL!  She brings so much joy to our daily life through the unconditional love she gives us.  (She's not just sweet, but she's very smart too!)

Abuela's Arroz con Leche
iPhone Photograph
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #94
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday Week 124
Denise, Roger & Leslie's ABC Wednesday - S is for Sweet
Bella's 52 Photos Project Week 3 - {Sugar}
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #91
The photograph above is a shot I took during my family's last visit to my mother's home.  Abuela, which is Spanish for grandmother, makes the best arroz con leche (rice pudding) that I've ever had.  It's creamy, not too sweet, and you can literally make a meal out of it.  My girls love it too, so she always makes it for them when we go visit.  My oldest daughter said she found the biggest spoon she could find in the kitchen to serve with, but I think she was intending to eat with it - LOL!

In closing, I want to leave you with a Bible verse found in Nehemiah 8:10, which summarizes my philosophy, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is holy to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  I also want to thank everyone who took the time to leave a comment during my last post, as well as to all my followers.  Have a blessed week!

This and That

It's continued to be extremely busy at work, but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel with Summer just around the corner.  However, I have to say I've been able to balance it along with my Church, family, and artful life.  God is good!  The following is a sampling of what I've done artistically.

9/11 Light and Darkness
iPhone/iPhoto Photograph
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday #123
Bella's 52 Photo Project - Criss Cross
Jen's I believe in Love
Mother's Day At The Romeros
iPhone Photo Montage
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #93
Denise, Roger & Leslie's ABC Wednesday R is for Romeros
Maria's Orange You Glad is Friday #90
Above are some of my photographic compositions.  The first one is a shot I took during a recent tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, which is housed at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas.  It's a set of mangled beams from the twin towers after 9/11.  In my mind, this represents the day our nation criss crossed from light to darkness as American heroes tried to restore the light of hope in a nation brought to darkness through a major act of terrorism.  Although it was a disturbing experience to walk through this exhibit, I believe it's important not to forget the lives that were lost during the disaster, as well as the heroes that got the nation through it.  On a much lighter note, I have some shots I took last weekend during my family's Mother's day celebration.  The 3 lovely ladies are my wife and daughters.  On the right is my wife's breakfast tray, as well as the gorgeous tablescape my oldest daughter set for our celebration dinner.  It was a good day.

Amy
Paper Doll & Storage Tag
Tag Tuesday - Dolls
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Spring Flowers
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - M is for Modeling
Rhedd and Rosie Challenge Blog #32 - All About Texture
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Next, I have a project I worked on for several afternoons last week.  It's a paper doll and outfits I designed, along with a double pocket tag to store them in.  I used kraft cardstock, various paper scraps, a Tim Holtz glassine envelope, a Martha Stewart cardstock border, tissue paper, DCWV burlap paper, 3 different Sharpie micron pens, a glue stick, staples, ribbon scraps, and a strip of jute cord to make my pieces.  I also used various tools, which included EK Success templates, a pair of scissors, 3 different Fiskars hand punches, a McGill Flower & Pot punch, and a mini stapler.  I had a blast designing the doll's wardrobe, which was inspired by my daughters' childhood wardrobe.  They were such cute little models!  It also reminded me of my days as a fashion illustrator and layout artist for a small chain of department stores back in the 80's.  LOL!

Bo
Pencil Sketch
Paper, Paint, Pencils & Pens! - Animals
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #132
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #258
Jenn's Artist Playroom #106
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Enjoy!
Chalk Sketch
Piarom's Mix It Up Monthly - Café
Order of the Opus Gluei Challenge #182 - Flowers
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday - Week 10 Year 4
Last, but not least, I have a couple of sketches I did during the last couple of days.  The first one is of my Boston Terrier, Bo.  He's a 12 year old happy-go-lucky dog who enjoys playing ball, going out on walks, and hanging out with the family.  I'm very pleased with the way he came out, because the resemblance is quite accurate.  The second piece is a quick stylized sketch of a coffee mug, rose, and a little hand lettering.  I am truly a coffee lover, so the word "enjoy" is an understatement.  LOL!  I also like the idea of having the word evolve from the vapor, although I'm not crazy about my execution.  It came out a little messy, so please accept my apologies.

I want to thank you for all the kind words you left during my last post.  I would love to hear what you think about these week's pieces too, and be assured that I'll reciprocate with a comment on your blog, as well as answer any questions you may have.  Blessings!

Circles

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines circle as, "a line that is curved so that its ends meet and every point on the line is the same distance from the center."  According to the Dictionary of Symbols in Art, by Sarah Carr-Gomm, "without beginning or end, the circle represents God's eternal nature."  Although the circles in the artwork I am sharing today are not perfect and there is not as much depth to them, they were created with much love and care.

MO Ranch
Smash
Art Journal Journey - Circles
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #92
Take a Word Challenge - Circles
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday - Week 122
What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #257
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday
Jen's In the Studio
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
If you read my last post, you may recall that I was going on a field trip with my 5th Grade GT students to MO Ranch, in Hunt, Texas.  We did and had a marvelous time!  To commemorate the event, I put together this page in my Smash journal.  I began by putting together and printing a photo montage of the trip.  Next, I drew my tangled circular design, which was inspired by my students at MO Ranch, as well as Sandy Steen Bartholomew's "Billiken" tangle.  Finally, I worked my composition around the tangle using my photo, various Smash embellishments, and my MO Ranch meal band.

Mom
Greeting Card
Freshly Made Sketches #134 by Karren
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #131
This next project is 1 of 4 Mother's Day cards that I made for the mom's in my life.  It was inspired by Freshly Made Sketches #134, which I really enjoyed, because it was very open ended.  I used a Tim Holtz Distressed Doily to cut the circular shape, as well as two strips of printed papers and a strip of burlap to create the horizontal band.  I attached the latter with glue and staples.  I created the focal point with three flowers, Tulip bead paint, a rhinestone, a McGill envelope punch, papers scraps, and a Marvy marker.

Happy Birthday, Mom!
iPhone Shot
Bella's 52 Photos Project - Fire
Denise, Roger & Leslie's ABC Wednesday - Q is for Quantity vs. Quality
Jenny's Alphabe-Thursdays - Y is for Yummy 
Last, but not least, I have a photograph I took last Summer during my mother's birthday celebration at a hibachi restaurant.  Since I love origami, I was fascinated by the way they used it to decorate the simple ice cream Sunday.  Although it wasn't a large portion, it was a case of quantity vs. the quality of the presentation.  By the way, can you find the circles in this photographic composition?  Yes, a couple of them are 3-dimensional circles or spheres, but in my mind those count too.  LOL!

In closing, I want to share a portion of a Biblical verse found in Isaiah 40:22, which mentions a circle, "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth."  Although my artwork was not that deep last week, I do wholeheartedly believe in these words.  Blessings!