Into The Storm

Hello!  ¡Hola!  This past week was busy as usual, but low key.  It was a welcome change, after the stressful summer that I had.  My wife and I would love to take a vacation, but still don't know where we will go or when that will happen.

                   

This art journal page was inspired by The Paper Players PP798 Color Challenge (Thank you for the PP797 Win!), Triple B August 2026, and  Creative Crafting Uncles #79 - No Stamping.  I began by choosing ephemera from my stash that matched the color scheme.  I used Sizzix Tim Holtz Mini Tattered Floral dies and a Martha Stewart Flower Punch to cut the flower shapes out of used coffee sleeves.  After visualizing my composition, I glued the ticket; drew the parakeet with fine nib inking pens; and painted it with watercolors.  I used markers to sketch the leaves, the pistils, and to do the calligraphy on the tag.  Finally, I glued the remaining pieces.

   

Next, I have my Sunday Postcard Art, featuring this week's theme, Space, which was chosen by Sabine.  Since I used a vintage Hallmark postcard for the base that has a "Fall Flowers" color scheme, I'm also submitting this to the Neglected Stuff Challenge August 2026 and A Cut Above August.  The theme immediately reminded me of one of my favorite 1960's childhood shows, "Lost in Space."  I was fascinated by the Robot, B-9, so I decided to use a Sizzix Georgie Evans 50's Robot Thinlits die to design mine.  I doodled a space like background and hand lettered his infamous line.  (The video features the guy that voiced the robot, if you're interested in learning more.)

I continue to make an Icad's, because I like the format, but choosing my own themes.  This is a Kawaii style Diplodocus Dinosaur that I drew, inspired by a book by Olive Young.  I used markers and colored pencils.  I really like this quote by Vincent Van Gogh, and decided it was perfect for my cute, artsy, and loving Dino.  I am submitting this to Creative-Tanten Challenge #116 Anything Goes, Critter Crazy #113 Anything Goes, and Simon Says Monday Challenge: Funny Punny.

Friday Face Off 8/14/26, What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 897/119, & Art For Fun 4003

I have a BFA, so I've been working on exercises I learned in college.  One of these exercises is Non-dominant Hand Drawing, which forces you to discover a new language for the use of line and form.  I combined it with Contour Drawing, which enhances observation skills, simplifies forms, and is very therapeutic.  This self-portrait is not realistic, but forced me not to use an eraser and to loosen up.

Saturday Critters #661

T Stands For Tuesday 08/11/2026

Through My Lens 544, Mosaic Monday No. 201 and My Sunday Best #494

These last 3 pictures are my "this, that, and the other mosaic."  The first picture is Rolo, our Tortoiseshell and the oldest of our 3 cats.  She is loyal and affectionate to us, but is reclusive when it comes to other people or cats.  The second picture is my drink of choice with every lunch, in the heat of SW Texas.  I like other brands of sparkling water, but the HEB brand is just as good and less expensive.  The last picture is of my two grandchildren and youngest daughter.  The boys are joyful, inquisitive, and precocious, so I can hardly wait to see them later this week, when they'll be coming for a visit.

In closing, I want to leave you with an excerpt from my last sermon, based on Matthew 14:22-33:

Like Peter and the disciples, we all have storms to bear in the sea of life.  Storms can come in all sorts of forms, such as personal failures, political schisms, and infectious diseases.  Jesus asks us to take heart, not be afraid, and have faith.  This doesn't mean that God will magically take away the storms of life, so that we may transcend issues such as the laws of nature, physics, and biology.  Tragedies in the sea of life can strike anyone.  Instead, faith is knowing that Christ is always with us, and will provide us with the strength, courage, and wisdom to bear all the storms of life to reach a new land, a new way of being, and a new life.

Thanks for visiting!  ¡Gracias por visitarme!  Please leave a comment, and I will reciprocate, so that we can get to know each other.

Shalom,

Arnoldo