K is for Knack, Knowledge, and Kinks

I was blessed to be born with a natural artistic knack, so I have always enjoyed music, dance, and the visual arts.  The latter was always encouraged and supported by my parents, and enhanced by the environment in which they reared me in.  Piano lessons, dance groups, and art lessons were all part of my upbringing.

80th Birthday Collage Card Design
Tim Holtz Classics #11 Stamp Set & Label stamp, Tattered Leaves Die, & Numbers Embossing Folder; Paper Scraps; Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils; Stamp Pads; Pens; K&Company Die; and Adhesives.
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Layer It Up
Karen's Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #274-275
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday Week 273
Dad's 80th Birthday Collage Card Design
Tim Holtz Numbers Embossing Folder, Tattered Leaf Die, & Label Stamp; K&Company Dies; Dymo Labeler; We R Memory Keepers Stapler; Pens; Paper Scraps; Baker's Twine; and Adhesives.
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #407
Although I still enjoy all these endeavors, I developed a special affinity to the visual arts early on.  Ever since I was a child, I remember being drawn to pencils, crayons, paints, papers, scissors, and other artistic materials and tools.  Even boxes, cans and other odd materials made it into my stash.  (I was re-purposing before it was in vogue!)  My mother even had me carry a few art supplies with me to keep myself entertained where ever we went.

Rick's Western Birthday Card Design
Tim Holtz Wild West Stamp Set & Scrollwork Die; Stamp Pads & Spray Inks; Wood Print Paper; Mini Brads; Yute Cord; Assorted Papers; Pens & More
The Male Room: Challenge #56 - Stash (Wood)
I learned a lot through my childhood art experimentation, which developed a thirst for knowledge in me.  I started of with children's art books, art classes, and even a correspondence course during my teenage years.  (The latter were the precursors to today's online classes.  Yes, I'm old.  LOL!)  When I went to college, I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with a major in Advertising Art.  I even earned an art teacher certification eventually.

St. Patrick's Day Irish Blessing
Markers & Water Colors
Kristin & Eva's Paint Party Friday: Week 3, Year 7
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Bit O' Green
A Kink In My Artjournal - Aargh!
Pastels & Charcoal
Denise & Roger's ABC Wednesday - K is for Kink
Today, although I get occasional art consignments, I'm not working in an art field.  However, the skills I learned in art are an integral part of my daily professional life.  Creativity, planning, visual communication, and other skills I learned through my art training are part of my life as teacher.  Even when encountering kinks, I can rely on the problem solving skills I acquired.  Mistakes are made to embrace, as opportunities for innovation, or to learn from them.

Fruits, Flowers & Fire Arrangement
iPhone 6s Shot
Sue's Image-In-Ing
Therefore, I firmly believe that our knacks, knowledge, and kinks in our life's journey can most certainly help mold who we become.  This, of course is an ongoing process.  I even believe that the day I stop this process I'll probably die either spiritually and/or physically.  Anyway, I want to thank my followers, as well as everyone who takes the time to leave a comment.  Blessings!

PS - How do you like my new blog's look?  Any suggestions?  I'd love to hear what you think.

Comments

Sarah Brennan said…
I like the new look of the blog, really crisp and easy to read. I hadn't thought of die cutting corrugated cardboard like the tattered leaves. Will definitely have to give it a go. Thanks for the idea. Sarah #26
MelodyK said…
And another layout, how nice ;-) Like the previous a dark one...

Lovely post Arnoldo. You are blessed with creativity in mind and hands, how wonderful.

Keep up the good work ;-)

Have a nice ABC-day / -week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
http://melodymusic.nl/20-k
Wonderful art ! You are an artistic soul since birth as it seems!
I like your new blog design!
Happy rest of the week and weekend to you!
oxo Susi
Lin said…
Arnoldo, it's always a pleasure to visit your blog to see what you've been doing. I came to the arts a bit later in life than you. Though music was encouraged early on, I didn't discover textile arts until I was in college, and it took me well into my 50's before I found this passion! Love your Irish Blessing page - perfect for our challenge this week! Thanks for sharing it with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!
Loving all your artwork Arnoldo! Unlike you, I didn't have an arty upbringing. I didn't get into art until I was in my 40s - I regret all that wasted time but better late than never! Hope you have a creative week! zsuzsa #22
glitterandglue said…
Hi Arnoldo. Great clear look to your blog - easy to read, and easy to see what we are looking at. Good work.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #6
carol l mckenna said…
Wonderful reminder of how to deal with 'kinks' life ~lovely creations as always and fascinating post for K ~ Like your new 'blog look' ~ simple design yet colorful and shows off your creations well ~ thanks,

Wishing you a Happy Week ~ ^_^
Jan said…
Great workdesk xx Jan (41)
Sharon said…
Stunning art work! When I was a child the things I loved were pens and lovely paper. There used to be a really big stationary shop in Ipswich and I remember spending ages there looking through and just touching things.

Sharon K #34
You have a lot of skills.
Since you asked, this one's easier to read!

ROG< ABCW
Leslie: said…
I like the new look! And also all your artwork, including any "kinks." Have a week full of kindness and as you're the king of your family, may they all smother you with kisses! lol

Leslie
abcw team
Jane said…
Super cards and I really like the new look of your blog. Loving all the textures on your western themed card, thanks for sharing it at The Male Room.
What a fabulous birthday card, Arnoldo, and I have to say how much I enjoy the clean look of your new blog...looks wonderful!
JFM said…
Your new look for your blog is great Arnoldo!!!
You are so artistic in so many ways...I love your talents!!!
Everything that you create reveals your artist's heart and soul~
Murthy K v v s said…
Beautiful artwork.All the best.
BrownPaperBunny said…
Great card designs! I had a wonderfully artistic upbringing too, with ballet / tap / jazz dance lessons, violin piano and flute lessons, photography and so much more. I wish more kids were exposed to the arts!
Valerie-Jael said…
Carry on being so creative, lovely artwork again. Happy PPF, Valerie
Clare Lloyd said…
Great cards and pages
Linda Kunsman said…
Your art is all fab, and I LOVE your layered cards! I also love the clean look of your updated blog-it really showcases your art. Happy PPF!
Christine said…
Lovely work this week for the challenges Arnoldo!
Trubes said…
Hi Arnoldo,
I started to write on message to you but it was spirited away into
the great unknown! So I'll try again.
I don't think you'll ever lose your spiritual talents let alone your
art and design gift.
I used to love creative cookery and would say, that if I ever stopped
cooking my raison d'etre...would not exist.
Not true, I cannot do what I was able to do but I'm still here surrounded
by a loving family and also Ian has turned into a great cook, although he'll
be off duty after his 'op'for a while and our lovely girls are busy working
out a care plan,
Praise the lord for our family,
Blessings,
Di.
ABCW team.
DVArtist said…
Another wonderful post. Happy birthday to your dad that card is wonderful. Have a very nice weekend.
Indrani said…
Your blog has a good look now, easier to read. :)
You are blessed to have the knack for art.
Happy ABCW!
Giggles said…
First off LOVE the new look of your blog...It really showcases your art so much better!! Beautiful cards too!! This was such an interesting post and very similar to my upbringing. The arts were fostered as extra curricular never as a career though! Thanks for sharing...Creativity is such a part of our soul from early on...only the luckiest one catch it at a young age!! Thanks for sharing!

Hugs Giggles
Hello Arnoldo, I too like the new look of your blog. It is easy to read and has a nice feel to it (mine is always cluttered, but I can appreciate minimalism lol).
I enjoyed reading your story and I think it was wonderful how your Mother would provide you with art items to keep you occupied.
Your cards are beautiful works of art and your commentary is lovely to read.
Cheers now :D)
Su-sieee! Mac said…
Thanks for sharing a bit more of your life with us. You always have me leaving your blog in reflection, pondering mine. Like you, I've thought that I can always learn from my mistakes. Sometimes it takes a bunch of times before I stop making the same mistake. :-)
Barbara said…
Your layered cards are fabulous and the stamp you used in the first is one of my favourite! Thanks for joining us this week on Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! Barbara
Lisabella Russo said…
The new blog look is excellent! I love your art and I'm very glad to see it today.
stefanie stark said…
WOW!!!! I love your great looking new blog design! It looks fantastic! I also enjoyed your little essay so much as well as the artwork you share. The birthday collages are wonderful! You have so many great ideas! And I love as well the flower and fruit arrangement. It makes me feel cosy and pleasant.
Serena Lewis said…
Wonderful post and art, Arnoldo! I feel very blessed that art found its way into my life when I was in my early 30's.

P.S. - I LOVE your new blog look. So much easier to read and nicely laid out.

Enjoy the rest of your week. :)
Jennifer Rose said…
I remember you could find those art correspondence courses in the back of magazines or comics. i was encouraged towards the rt from a young age as well, and it should be encouraged in kids that want to follow the arts in someway, but I do think anyone can draw if they practice enough, they just really want to (if that makes any sense)
Cool cards! And your blog design looks great - I just recommend keeping the header with your name when you click to posts instead of the empty red bar.
Deborah Frings said…
Your love of art shines through your work. I think your journal work and both cards are super. Love the scroll work on the wood panel. Thanks so much for playing along with our Wood stash challenge at The Male Room. Deborah, DT.
Shawna said…
I must say you have a knack for wood! Your design is wonderful and so is your artwork!! Your blog looks wonderful and looking forward to seeing more of your work.Thank you so much for joining us at The Male Room... It has been a pleasure.
Cyber Hugs,
Shawna DT
Faye said…
Your cards are excellent, Arnoldo. I like the new design of your blog. It is easy to navigate. Don't you teach art? I was puzzled by the statement you made that you don't work in the art field. Maybe I have misunderstood what you do teach. You are certainly gifted in art.
Kirsty Vittetoe said…
What an awesome post!
Beautiful cards and journal page and photo. I LOVE that phrenology head!
Kirsty Vittetoe said…
The new look is cool, thanks for sharing your beautiful art work and talent!