March Art Bead Scene Challenge

This month Art Bead Scene has presented a wonderful painting for us to be inspired by! I love it. It reminds of spring and boy am I am ready for it! 

When I looked at this painting I saw 3 things at first.

"Still Life with Pussy Willows"

By Taisia K. Afonina
1964, Oil on canvas
80 cm × 60 cm (32 in × 24 in)

About the Art

The painting shows a table laid for tea drinking on a spring day in a Leningrad apartment mid-1960s.
One of her most famous work, Taisa Afonina painted in April 1964 at her home in Leningrad on the Zverinskaya Street 2/5 in apartment 21. Here she lived from 1952 to 1994. Set of objects in the picture is organic and natural, causing numerous associations. Composition of the painting is devoid of stage effects. It seems that the observant eye of the artist captured on canvas daily life of a bygone era. It gives the created image a special impact to the viewer. The exquisite silver composition fills us with the invisible presence of those who are dear to us and whom we will always be waiting.
The painting was exhibited in 1965 for the first time in the Spring Exhibition of Leningrad artists in the Leningrad Union of Artists.
"Still life with Pussy-Willows" has been in many shows throughout the years and printed in several publications.

I have been playing with polymer clay using a more water color style. My pussy willow buds didn't come out as white but I enjoy the process.

I had come up with an idea for owl beads a while ago and had actually started making them when the challenge came up so I proceeded with them in this color palette. I really like them but will continue to refine them.

Chunky And Late!

One day late but hey, I was busy! 

So what did I learn abut chunky jewelry. Well for someone who doesn't always wear chunky jewelry it can be a little more of a challenge. But I'm an artist right? Should be no problem, right? Well of course I can make simple things a problem. Lately I tend to overthink things and with that I overwhelm my artistic flow. You can see from last month's post I had several Ideas and even had a color palette, ordered beads and materials to finish it. But NOOOO! I had to get myself frazzled and dislike everything. First I didn't like how dark it was, it's Spring! I wanted a lighter color palette. The new Pantone for 2016 color is Blush a baby pink and a baby blue. 

But over and over I got stuck with dark colors and antique brass. I love antique brass but not for Spring.

I went around and around and with constant interruptions from life in general stopping or slowing me down. I finally just made something that has been in my radar for a while.

I wanted to make simpler necklaces and had found some Czech owl beads from

 Solana Kai Beads. Along with other beads in a brighter color palette that I had started collecting.

I also found a chain belt at T.J. Max to take apart for this challenge.

Soooo, consequently I have a partly chunky necklace!

Package from Lima Beads. I was going to use the arrow head that I got from my father. I really wanted to do a primitive theme. I'm still going to work on this one though.

Here's the end result chunky ring, chunky clay bead.

Chunky In February!

Generally by time February is rolling around some people start thinking, "Oh my winter fat, I didn't see that coming!!!" 

Well this month my chunky moment is a challenge that Terri from Terri's  Blooming Ideas and I decided to do.

It all started at the bead shop and Terri found these really unique bigger beads and we did the ol' are you getting them??? Ok I'm getting them, I'm not , why do I think I need these? Our conversations are so stimulating. Actually I think we do this pick up the beads , run back and put them away thing to get our exercise! 

As we contemplated them we saw that they actually were not made with a high fire clay and were chipping - so sad.

Well you can't put a seed of thought into Terri's head, well, because she'll get a bloomin' idea!!!!

She presented me with a, "Hey I have these beads from Kay and some other ochre colored ceramic beads let's do our own Chunky Challenge"

OK saays I and off we go!

Here they are, I guess I would call them raku smoked clay beads. There are no rules just chunky If anyone wants to participate. I did a pretend glaze look on some with embossing enamels. These other beads are me thinking nothing that happened. 

So I started and see the spot I skipped, well the whole thing got taken apart I just wasn't feelin' the colors.

I re-did the clay beads and oh dear tragedy struck.....I had to place an order with Lima Beads! Hey! How did that happen???!!! Also free shipping this month if any one wants to know!

So I still have another pile to work on or another challenge really since February is flying by so fast so I'll be back soon!

Go to  A Chunky Challenge to see more details from Terri!

Sneak Peek #3

Sneak Peek #2

Sifus had a beautiful exhibit and even though he was nervous his presentation went very well. I'm sure he is a great inspiration to young and old alike!

Dear old friends and new! 

Yes it's my job to mooch in on a photo opp even though I had to wrestle my son into it he obliged due to the help of a camera tossed to friends, we snagged and bagged the elusive one into a photo!

Great show Sifus and I'm looking forward to many more!

New Sneak Peek #1

A Sneak Peek

My husband is having his first exhibit in 20 years starting this week. I am so proud of him not only because of the great husband and father that he is but because he works so hard at what ever it is he needs to accomplish. 

He has put his great talent to the side for these past years to support a new family, build our house, and just plain old take care of us. (and generously, others that we care about that are in our lives).

He is a wonderful example to our two children and I am so happy that they have been able to experience his talent in their lives.

The drawing above of Audrey Hepburn is one of ten. His style is exquisite. His ability to capture a graphic and painterly quality with pencil is...I just don't know how to explain it...beautiful.

If you are in the area and have the chance, stop by the  Mott College Fine Arts Gallery.

 Each day this week I am going to show a part of each drawing to entice you!

Mcc Facebook