Mod Podge photo

I love the look of photos on canvases...but they can be pricey! I found this canvas at the dollar store and painted it then used Mod Podge to cover it up.

Color Theory

I went to a wonderful art exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum called, "Color Wheel" by Pat Steir.

"Color Wheel" exhibit at four different view points.

This reminded me of an art lesson regarding color theory.  I found great explanations and worksheets on the subject here and here and also here.  This concept can be complex but filling out a color wheel helps put things in perspective.

Color theory explains how color is used.  You can see how colors can be warm and cool and also how they complement and relate to one another. 

You notice in the art exhibit shown above that the artist used some complementary colors. Complementary colors are any two colors which are directly opposite each other on the color wheel.  ~JM

Color wheel (that I partially completed).  

sweet dream bear cookies

I made these fun little cookies by covering rectangle cookies with white chocolate, placed the teddy graham on and then put the "quilt" on by using melted blue chocolate plus sprinkles. The pillow is made with a piece of marshmallow.  I found a similar idea on Pinterest and I think they would be fun for a slumber party treat :)

Wood Pumpkin Banner

In a yearly tradition, my blogging buddy, Nancy, and I exchange a fall gift that we created. This year I painted a wood pumpkin banner using different colors and patterns. Happy Fall! - JM

Beginning the decorating process.

The end result!  (Photo credit: Nancy B.)

Table Runner to Bag

You know those bins in the front part of Target where most of the items are $1 to $3? I found an autumn theme table runner for $3 and turned it into a bag. You can use the material for other things  like coasters, place mats, pillows, etc. ~JM

Table runner.  Cut to desire length.

Fold in half with the back side facing up. Mark where you want to cut.

Sew along the sides, but do not sew the handles.

Turn the bag back to right side out so you can see the pattern.  Sew the tip-top of the handles.

Fall decorating

I wanted to make a cozy Fall area on our wall in the living room.  I found a few fun things at Target and then added some fall photos. I especially love the cinnamon scented pine cones!

Museum Visit: Van Gogh Museum

I was recently in Amsterdam and was fortunate to visit the Van Gogh museum.  Van Gogh was one of the greatest 19th century Dutch painters, and the museum has the largest collection of his works.

Some of the highlights are found on the museum's website.  Click here.

 Visiting museums and art galleries can open your eyes to the world even if you can't get on an air plane.  I encourage you to visit your local museums to see the brilliance and creativity that surrounds us.  ~ JM

Money banks

My husband and I have been taking a wonderful financial class. I have been wanting for a long time to teach the kids more about money management. I made these special banks to teach them about the areas of spending, saving and most importantly....giving!!! :)

new camera!

I have been so excited to try my new camera and got to practice with it on a trip out West.  I love being able to zoom in on things.  I look forward to learning more and more about it!

Abstract Photography

I'm revisiting old photographs I took when I first moved to the DC area.  These pictures are from a class called, "Abstract Photography".

There are no rules or guidelines for this type of photography.  According to Wikipedia, "Photographer and Professor of Psychology John Suler, in his essay Photographic Psychology: Image and Psyche, said that 'An abstract photograph draws away from that which is realistic or literal.'"   ~JM

Below are photographs that I took:

Canvas + Object

As usual, I was perusing Pinterest. I saw an interesting craft concept - canvas with the front half of plastic toy animals glued on it.   Both were painted in bold complimentary colors. It gave a great 3-D look.  Here, I painted the canvas yellow and the wooden butterfly blue/green. I glued the butterfly on the canvas, which now hangs on my wall.  I also included examples from Pinterest.  - JM

Canvas +Paint + Object + Glue

Pinterest Example

Pinterest Example

Japanese Calligraphy | Hachimaki

Last month I attended an after-hour event at the National Gallery of Art.  That night's activities were inspired by the upcoming exhibition The Life of Animals in Japanese Art.

Some of the evening activities included Japanese lessons, haiku writing, hachimaki and Japanese calligraphy.


I tried my hand in Japanese calligraphy and here is how it looks like:

I also designed a hachimaki (Japanese headband).  It is a thin towel or strip of cloth tied around the crown of the head.  According to Japanese legend, hachimaki strengthen the spirit and repel evil.   I chose the words "clever" and "magnificent".  Below is what I created:

~JM

baby chickens

This month I have been having a lot of fun photographing our new baby chickens!  It is fun to find things their size around the house that are about their size. The white ones tend to stay right where I put them, which makes it so fun...the black ones are a bit more wild now that they are getting bigger....they are even trying to fly!

Drawing a 3-D Head

I attended a drawing class at the National Portrait Gallery.  I love these classes because it is open to all skill levels, taught by a talented instructor and it is FREE!

Tips that I learn to drawing a three-dimensional head: add value (shading); two sides are symmetrical; widest part of the head is just above the ear and marks the top half bottom half; eye socket area angles down; the largest plane of the face includes cheeks, bisecting nose, temple to temple, eye socket to the upper lip-like a triangle; nasal bone is a pyramid; and the side planes reach to the back of the head and include the cheek/jaw bone area.

Below are pictures I drew based on the portraits at the gallery.

pom pom ball tree

I saw this simple idea on the show called Twin Cities Live. I collected some branches outside, then hot glued colorful pom poms to all the ends....fun for Spring!

Watercolor Markers

Watercolor markers are another great tool to add to your art supplies.  The water-based markers are suitable to use with water or with watercolor paints. In the spirit of Spring, I drew flowers.  I used tutorials on Pinterest and YouTube. - JM

Five pictures I had fun experimenting with color and shapes.

Food Photography

I attended a food photography class taught by Dadisi Olutosin who is a chef and photographer.  It was a great class because we were able eat the food he made after we took the pictures!  In the class I learned about the rules of composition for photography; this includes balance, rule of thirds, negative space, etc...

Below are the pictures I took. ~ JM

Valentine cats

This month I found this cute project to make for Valentine's day on Pinterest. They are Oreos covered in white chocolate decorated with cute kitty faces :)

365 Days of Art

Recently I bought a book titled, "365 Days of Art" by Lorna Scobie. The book encourages creativity in daily art exercises.  This is a great way to stir the inner artist in you!  Even if you do not have this specific book there are many ways to incorporate creative activities into your daily routine.

Below are some examples I did from the book. ~ JM

Instructions: Color in the fruit, but try not to use the correct colors. Challenge your mind.

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Instructions: Add your own buildings to the sky.

Instructions: Turn these paint splotches into animals.