Altered Art Journal Letter M

I am doing a journal page every day as inspired by Misty Mawn. She has suggested self portraits. As I said in my previous post the first try was a mess. I am working on my altered art journal which is an abc journal about me. I am on letter M. It became obvious to do a self portrait of me. I did not sketch from a photograph. I used a makeup mirror instead. It resembles me, minus a few wrinkles. Teehee..I'll just leave those suckers out. I tried to work fast since the challenge is to do one a day. I could not get it done in one day. It took me most of yesterday to do. I worked on it for about four hours intermittenly. I did'nt get too fussy with the background. I have to say this has been a fun challenge, but I don't see how some can do one a day. I guess I'm slow. I think it is funny how so many of us wear the same oblong glasses.

Altered Art Journal Letter L

Here is the next page in my Altered Art Journal...L for Love.
I am going to attempt to do a journal page every day as prompted by Misty. I will do my own thing like always. I know I can"t finish one of these pages from this altered journal every day. However, I write in a notebook every morning and sketch in a sketch book most days. I work on different art projects also. This morning I thought I would combine the two: my diary with my sketch book. What a mess! Misty suggested doing a self portrait. Yuk! I did not like what I saw.... too many wrinkles. It turned out terrible. Not just because of the rendition of myself. I'm so anal. I like to write in straight lines. I usually ramble on about nothing. I have come to conclude I have nothing to say. I think I fear writing more than drawing. This is a real challenge for me.... to combine the two journals. I probably will not post each page because I'm not going to post something I do not like. Just knowing I'm doing the challenge is enough for me. Hopefully something good will come of it.

Dreaming of Snow

I wish I were on the slopes. I have not been in years because the last time I went skiing I tore my ACL. That seems like a lifetime ago. It is cold and dreary here. We are finally getting a winter day. A good day to stay inside and sketch....Later I'll curl up with a good book and some hot cocoa. But for now my son wants to go to Wall Mart...why I do not know. Not my favorite store. I have to pull myself away from the computer since it is in his room and get on with the day.
Charlie

Happy New Year 2009

What are your New Years Resolutions?

Ringing in the New Year from downtown S.A. I'm wishing everyone A Happy 2009.
I've been thinking about my new years resolutions and wondering what everyone is dong for theirs. I'm going to; exercise more, eat and drink less, be more adventurous, do more art work, scrap booking & journaling. 2008 I was easy on myself and I got a little lazy. This year I have to put out more product. I also have to make a huge effort to answer my cell phone. It is never with me when it rings so I guess that means I have to put it in my pocket from the time I get up in the morning to the time I go to bed. This is for my family and friends who say I never answer the darn thing.

The Winner Is!.....

The winner of my 100th post Giveaway is the lovely and talented artist Shariyah Garner! Please click her name and visit her blog and Etsy shop. She produces beautiful work and she is only 24 years old. So talented! She is having a giveaway on her blog too. A limited edition artist block print is the prize.
Thank you to everyone who entered my little giveaway. I'm wishing you all a wonderful, blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Here is another picture I took of our visit to the Riverwalk last Saturday evening. I love it there! I had a good time even though my kids got tired of me taking pictures. It was so beautiful I could not help myself.

And OMYGOSH!
Sherry at EspritDArt just informed me my interview with Mind Wide Open is up and running.
I'm so honored and yet feel exposed. LOL. I have never been interviewed period...for anything.
xoxoxo
Charlie

Riverwalk San Antonio

Going to the Riverwalk to see the Christmas lights is a real treat for me. We can act like tourist in our own city. I'm practicing taking night shots with my camera. This shot is my favorite. I got some other good ones and I'm posting them on my other blog. The Riverwalk is wonderful this time of year. The weather is awesome. There are all kinds of fun events going on: arts and crafts for sale, carolers singing on the river boats and of course all the fabulous restaurants. The riverboat ride never gets old to me. The best part is doing this with my family.

Wish

Here is my Angel painting. "Wish". The original is going to be a gift for one of my family members. I'm not going to say who in case they happen to stop by. That will never happen because none of them blog. I will be listing it as a giclee print over on my Etsy shop.
I still have loads of Christmas shopping and decorating to do. I did manage to get the tree up yesterday. Boxes are everywhere and the outside lights need to be hung. I'm waiting for my son to come home from college to help me with the outside lights. I'm sure he will be thrilled.
I can't seem to pull myself away from this computer long enough to get any work done.
Don't forget to leave a comment so you can be entered into my 100th. post giveaway. The drawing will be Dec. 17th. I'm giving the Kiss pendant away. And leave an email for me if yours is not listed on your profile.
Merry Christmas,
Charlie

100th Post GiveAway

Hugs and kisses!
I am giving away this Kiss memory glass pendant in honor of my 100th. post.
Wow how time flies! I joined this wonderful blogging community the beginning of this year.
So here are the rules.
All you have to do is post a comment and you will be entered into the drawing. I will be taking entries until December 17th. Then a name will be drawn out of the pot. Don't forget to leave your email if it is not listed somewhere easy for me to find.
Good luck!
Charlie

Sketching

I have not been taking too many pictures lately, and my painting is taking a while to finish. So... I thought I would post a sketch instead. I have not been too inspired to work in my altered art journal either. I'm looking forward to taking Pam's journal workshop to get some fresh ideas.
I hope everyone enjoys my Christmas music. I love to listen to the old songs from Christmas. They bring back some great memories.
Enjoy.

Work In Progress

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was fun and spent with family and friends eating lots of turkey and pie. That's exactly how mine was. Now I have to get back to normal and stop eating so much. I also have to turn my thoughts to Christmas and all that goes along with it. I am determined not to get stressed out this year. I am going to enjoy Christmas and try to get into the Christmas Spirit. I usually have all my decorations down from the attic by now, so I am already behind. I do not care. I'm not going to let it bother me....small lol, more like a hah! I can't do it by myself any more. The boxes are too heavy and my back just will not let me.
I started this painting before Thanksgiving and I'm going to try to work on it today. I am itching to get back to the studio. It was nice to have a break from the art work and blog world. It's good to get away and fill the well so to speak.
But...today I'm aware of how I am enjoying the moment and living for today. I am just now learning how to do this. I'm the worlds worst at thinking too far ahead and dwelling on past problems. I know there is a happy medium. You can't not think of your future, but at the same time you can't forgo the day for thinking too much. So here's to living in the moment.