Monday, February 28, 2022

Wholehearted

 

In this worrisome time when we don't know whether our world will be set on fire by the will of one man, I find these three things helping me to find some calm and inner peace: nature, gardening and being creative. I had found one of Laly Mille's short workshops called "Wholehearted" and after watching it I decided to try my hand on it. The unfinished work was lying on my table for a few days until I was drawn to it this weekend - I felt so restless and agitated and thought some paint on my hands might be a good way to think about something else. And indeed it did!

There are several layers here. The start was writing down some thoughts on pieces of paper that I glued down as the basic layer. After covering it with gesso I outlined an slightly asymmetrical heart and filled that with torn pieces of scrapbook paper.

When I started this canvas I wasn't sure which color I would use, but after finishing the first part of the heart I knew that I had to fall back to one of my favorite colors - turquoise. It felt just right.

And then the real fun part started - stamping, stenciling, using alcohol inks, splatters, Posca pens... This is usually my favorite part and even if accidents happen (like a bottle of alcohol ink dropping on the painting), one can work on them. I like the freedom of it.


Here are a couple close-ups:



Since this is a T stands for Tuesday post, here is my drink - coffee, of course. I have had this mug forever, I simply love the happy colors of it. The cookie is a new Girl Scout cookie, called Adventureful. It's a mini brownie with caramel - delicious!


I just learned that the lovely sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine. This is in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.




24 comments:

Mae Travels said...

I haven’t seen a single girl scout so far this year. I’m afraid my shut-in life will once more prevent me from having any GS cookies, and especially that I will not get to try the new flavors. Yours looks good.

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

kathyinozarks said...

Good evening, art is a wonderful healer, and calmer-it helps me allot getting through things. Love your finished piece-
Loving your mug and the new cookies sounds like something my husband would like Happy T wishes Kathy

My name is Erika. said...

The world has gone crazy for certain. I'm with you about art and nature helping to recenter in this time. I like your page and all the layers you used to build it. The heart is so appropriate. And I haven't seen Girl Scout cookies sold any place yet this year, but those Adventureful ones do look delicious. Especially with that happy mug. I hope you have a happy T and start to the new month Carola. Hugs-Erika

Kate Yetter said...

Oh, Yum! Those cookies sound delicious! I haven't heard of these.
Your art is looking lovely. The pastel palette is very calming.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Sharon Madson said...

I love your finished art creation. Beautiful. I didn't know about sunflowers when I posted my blog, now I see everyone is posting them. I hadn't known it was their national flower. It is Kansas state flower too.
I hadn't heard about the new GS cookie either. That looks delicious. No GSs have been by here. I wonder where I can get some. Happy T Day!

Linda Kunsman said...

beautiful canvas art Carola!
I wonder if I'll see any scouts with cookies to sell this year...
such a pretty and festive mug to brighten the day. Happy T day!

Terra said...

I am worried and sad about the danger for the Ukraine, and play and art are two spirit lifting activities. Your pink heart on the blue background is so fun to look at. Also your colorful coffee cup and the camel sculpture behind it.

Lorrie said...

Art is a good way to calm the mind. Your piece is beautiful. Take care.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I am also a big fan of Laly Mille. I love your heart, but I also love how you took us through each stage and layer as you created it. I love how you collaged the heart and how you added the beautiful circles, too. This is stunning.

I love that mug. I have a friend who had one that was quite similar. At first I got a feeling of deja vu. I know the coffee tasted even better in it, too. That girl scout cookie looks adventureful as it's name. It actually sounds decadent.

Lovely photo of the sunflower. I take it you took the photo. Kansas's state flower is the sunflower, so I have an even deeper connection to Ukraine.

Thanks for sharing your art, your coffee, that decadent cookie, and your sunflower with us for T this Tuesday, dear Carola.

Iris Flavia said...

I love turquoise, too, and the art came out wonderful.
Today I did not dare to watch the news just yet.
The mug has happy colors indeed - happy T-Day with this.

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful canvas, and love your colourful mug! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

nwilliams6 said...

Lovely art, Carola, the layers and colors are wonderful. Thank for showing the stage of how you got the end result. Art helps me with worry and stress as well. I had no idea there was a new Girl Scout cookie - I would definately buy a box of those! Yum! Happy T-day and hugz.

one irrational bean said...

Beautiful page. Those cookies look delicious. I hope the world stands together in support of Ukraine.

Divers and Sundry said...

I've not had a single request to buy girl scout cookies this year, and you'd think somebody on my FB page would know somebody. Ah, well... That new cookie looks like a nice addition. Happy T Tuesday

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what a gorgeous canvas! I loved seeing how it came together and your mug is beautiful 😁. I'd happily try one of those cookies too - Happy T Day! Hugs Jo x

Red Rose Alley said...

Isn't that art work lovely? I really like the pink and turquoise colors you used. Yes, when using our imagination and creativity, delightful things come out of it. I love your coffee cup too. Reminds me that I have to switch out my cups for Spring. It's something that I do each year. And a simply beautiful photo of the sunflower. It's a perfect time to show their national flower right now.

~Sheri

Red Rose Alley said...

ps.....Oh, Girl Scout cookies! Thin mints are my favorite, but this brownie caramel one looks Yummy!

Jeanie said...

I love your wholehearted piece very much. Lots of texture and dimension and of course fabulous colors. Oh, dear. Girl Scout cookies. Always a challenging time!

Red Rose Alley said...

Carola, it was a light snow last week, and it melted right away. We got the big snowfall at Christmastime, and it took awhile for it to melt. It's been so cold the last couple weeks, but I think it's supposed to warm up the next week or so. I can't believe you rode your bicycle in those freezing temperatures when you lived in Germany - that's awesome! : )

DVArtsit said...

Really love art. Yes, it is a time we must all find the goodness in our lives. My new heroes are the Ukrainian people. I love your mug!!!! And the camel. LOL have a great day.

Lisca said...

Turquoise is my favorite colour too. So I love this art work with the pink heart.
What a beautiful sunflower photo. I know you are a photographer so I assume you took this picture. (It's so good). I love sunflowers.
I've never heard of girl scout cookies. But this one looks delicious.
Happy belated T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca

Empire of the Cat said...

Love your heart and the turquoise. I have this class somewhere too... I've never had a girl scout cookie, though I know what they are, they don't sell them here. Happy belated T Day Elle/EOTC xx

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Your color choices were beautiful, Carola, and thanks for taking us through the creation process and for sharing what lead you to create this piece. The news is troublesome and rather than stress out over it, I am finding my time is better used by keeping in contact with people through calls, letters or blog reading and commenting. We all hope for a resolution that does not mean a world war.

Lowcarb team member said...

The world is definitely not in a good place at the moment.
I am praying for peace.

Lovely art, and I like your colourful mug too.

All the best Jan