Confessions of a Creative Mind

I have always been creative.

Ever since I was little I was always making something.  My mom saved Christmas cards and we used to cut out circles and put them together on contact paper to make placemats that we used during the holidays.

I would make Christmas ornaments out of anything.  My favorite was using colorful beads that reflected the lights of the tree,

I love arranging flowers.

I am so fascinated with color and how colors blend together or compliment each other.  I love color.  Love love love color.

I make bows and beaded jewelry, key chains, purse charms.  I've sent out handmade Christmas cards.

What got me started on my current addiction was butterflies in resin.  I had recently taken a trip to Phoenix, AZ and visited Butterfly Wonderland.  The gift shop had beautiful, colorful butterflies in resin for sale. So I purchased this butterfly:

I proceeded to try to put it in resin.  Note the key word "try".  I ended up setting the butterfly on fire and failed miserably.

So I went to YouTube to watch resin artists and how they do resin art work.  I decided that resin just isn't for me. One click led to another and I ended up watching Kanella Ciraco and was hooked.

Kanella Ciraco Art

She made it look so easy and I thought I would try it.  My first attempt was with metallic teal, copper and sky.

I love how it turned out.

So I tried another one with more colors.

I then found other artists on YouTube.  One used silicone in her paint and then swiped it with a paper towel.  I was in love.

Ann Osborne Art

Here is my first attempt:

I was amazed at how easy it is.  It is incredibly messy but sometimes you need to be messy to be creative.

Messy messy messy....

I find that when I am creative I am not as depressed as I can be.  During this uncertain time with the Covid-19 virus keeping us separate and in fear, I thought an outlet would help.

I can't even tell you how many paintings I have done within the last couple of weeks.  I do know that I have given away over $100 worth of completed works of art just because I want to share the beautiful colors with anyone who wanted one.

It just makes me happy.

So once I mastered the technique, I started trying new things to paint on.

It amazes me how much I enjoy creating.  I hope to continue growing as an artist and possibly do some bigger canvases.

Right now I only have my small kitchen table in my small apartment to work with but here's hoping to do big things in a small place.

Here are some examples of what I have done:

Phoenix, Arizona

Recently I was in Phoenix, Arizona.  I went to visit one of my very best friends on the planet.

I didn't know what to expect when I was there.  I did know that I needed to visit with my friend because life has been troublesome lately.  I have lost motivation and spark.  I haven't been creative in a while and I certainly was sick of the winter.

I have joked on occasion that I just want to pick up and move there without checking it out first.  Maybe I should have waited to visit in July or August as I have also claimed to not be a huge fan of hot weather.

Anyway, I had the best visit.  I loved Arcosanti's Windbells.  Loved it!  They are so very beautiful and so very touchable.  (I love to touch things.)  They are so unique and are made in the most architecturally interesting structure.  I could just feel the creativity flow.

The Desert Botanical Garden was another amazing thing to see.  So pretty and so peaceful even though it was raining off and on.  The views were spectacular and the Wild Rising Crackling Art from Milan just added pops of color everywhere.

We ate such good food and had many good drinks.  (Really really good drinks)  Ok, I wasn't a fan of the rattlesnake.

I even got to experience Butterfly Wonderland.  I just love butterflies.  I couldn't have been happier than to spend time with them flying around.  One even landed on me!

We did go to Art Walk in Scottsdale.  I do love to look at art.  It gets my creative juices flowing.  I felt like I could maybe someday be one of those people who can do what they love and share it with anyone and everyone.  I even got to meet Jim Sudal who is such an amazing human being.  I even bought one of his pieces to take home. 

The most epic part of the trip was to the Grand Canyon National Park.  Such a beautiful part of America.  I could appreciate anyone who traveled west in covered wagons and coming upon the Grand Canyon and wondering what in the hell they got themselves into.  I have so many photos it is hard to choose what to share.

I even got to see a very rare white bat at the Rock Springs Cafe.

It's such a wonder to travel to somewhere new and appreciate the beauty and the history.  I was in a huge city but it didn't feel very big at all.  I feel more creative now.  I want to work with new media and try some new projects.  I feel rejuvinated.

The one thing (person) I miss the most in Arizona is not all of the sights, smells and art.  It is my friend.  She has known me for about 35 years.  We are so very different and yet we just get each other.  I love her to death and I appreciate her and her husband for putting up with me.  I hope to return.

Some more photos.....

Me at the Desert Botanical Garden

A view from the street

They have an orange tree in their yard.

I am obsessed with all different kinds of light fixtures.

We went to pay respects to Waylon Jennings in Mesa, AZ.

Glass sculptures at Butterfly Wonderland.

Butterfly Wonderland also had some beautiful plants.

This cactus is hella old.

"It can take 10 years for a saguaro cactus to reach 1 inch in height. By 70 years of age, a saguaro cactus can reach 6 and a half feet tall, and will finally start to produce their first flowers. By 95-100 years in age, a saguaro cactus can reach a height of 15-16 feet, and could start to produce its first arm"

How to tell you're not in Wisconsin anymore.....

The city of Scottsdale lights it's streets.

See ya later alligator.....