Free for you - take them, use them :)

Blog Changes

Yup, I'm experimenting, so changes will be taking place... all is going to be completed soon I hope.
This is a temporary style :)

Journals of incompleteness

"Pouting"

"Earth Girls" - Art Cards

I have found myself with very little motivation lately - I have these dark days, where nothing feels real to me. Like I am waiting and waiting and waiting, and what for? I don't even know what for... perhaps it's just for things to go 'right' for a while, yes I'm waiting for that - I'm trying to push the buttons and make things happen. Maybe I'm not pushing the right buttons, maybe I'm too impatient. God only knows I am trying to be positive in a situation where I feel I am drowning from one thing after another. I'm treading water you see, staying under the waves for a while and then re-emerging for another big breath to last me, until the next.

My list of to-do's is getting bigger as I let things around me fall apart. I just keep adding all these new things to do, the catch-up things, the "I'll do that tomorrow" things - I am piling them onto my mental list. My journal would be good for the to do list - but which one? I have so many, all incomplete - all segmented. I started one on the cruise, it was nice just nice. There were a few pages inside it that I really liked but the rest were just nice... bland, not inspiring. You know the 'that's nice' kind of pages. The entire journal probably has 6 pages completed. The rest sits empty. Like I was supposed to fill it with all the wonderful amazing things that were experienced on the cruise.. but I came home and then my Mum started getting those pains - Bec and I played catch up at the store, then within the next few months my world turned upside down. That journal didn't get done.

Then while waiting in the hospital waiting rooms for my Mum, I started another journal - I look back upon it and remember things - sad things. Things that make me angry, things that make me cry. I need to get that journal and write in it, paint in it - scribble darkly on some pages, tear some pages out, screw them in a ball and throw them with all my might against a wall.

I don't want to 'wreck that journal'.. oh that's another journal I have the "wreck this journal" - now where is that??

I need the pizazz the wow, the OMG I love that background on the page to inspire me... I get it from other peoples work. I need it within my own pages of my journal. Bec's journal pages inspire me!

I just went on the hunt for a couple of my journals, can't find them. They must be in the store tucked away on a shelf somewhere. My plan was to scan a couple of pages - so that will now go onto that to-do list in my head too!!

Well, I managed to do some sketching this week - and I completed a set of artist cards. (The one's up the top of this page) The art cards were completed with paper strip backgrounds, with miniature versions of the girls I have drawn and with copic markers for colouring.

What I have done during my blogland absence... nothing much. I taught a workshop with a group of young girls teaching them an OTP mini-book. Their youth and enthusiasm was a breath of fresh air. I spoke on the phone to Linda Baldock about the store's upcoming workshops, speaking to Linda was awesome. It was so nice to finally put a voice to the words on the computer screen. I can't wait to meet her in May - Linda is one special lady, very honest, open and to the point - just the way I like it. Linda also loves the grungy styles like Bec & I do, and I know we are going to have a ball spending time with her. You know the feeling you get when you meet someone that you instantly resonate with? That's Linda!

Oh well, I could say so much more about my life right now, the word 'grieving' just doesn't seem enough - but I guess if you know the process - it probably explains it all.

Here's a couple of sketches... thank you for visiting me, listening to my ramblings and for all the support you have all shown me in the past.

Oh another thing, my pc crashed from a virus and I had to get it fixed and reformatted.. I lost ALL my snail mail and email addresses (I have a dymo labeller, and had everyone's addresses from when I first started trading around 5 years ago... so I'm devastated) One of my plans - yes on my to-do list, was to randomly send people stuff - cards and things. I can't do that now.

So if you were on my list, or thought you might be, or WANT to be... send me your snail mail and I can make my dymo list look healthy and not so lonely :)

"Searching"

"Wondering"

"Remembering"

Take care and stay creative!

xoxo

Canvas & Chipboard classes with Linda

A Mothers Garden, by LINDA BALDOCK

I thought I would let you have a look at this beautiful canvas that the delightful Linda Baldock created...

Bec and I are so pleased to be having Linda teach workshops in our store -

"Mothers Garden Canvas" - Sunday, May 23rd. from 10am until 4pm.

Cost $100.00 (includes all materials)

It's a full day of fun! You will get to create your very own canvas, learning Linda's techniques and tips - I wonder what amazing creation you will make?

Grunge It Up with Chipboard - Thursday, 27th May from 7pm-10pm.

Cost $35 (includes all materials)

This workshop is all about chipboard, and if you have seen Linda's blog & work you will already know that she is on the design team for Scrapware, and her chipboard creations are totally amazing. In this class we will get to play with chipboard and try our hands at the many ways of altering it, grunging it up and putting all those little pieces to good use!

Bookings are now being accepted, and if you would like to join either of these classes then please call the store on 94336541 to get your name down on the list.

The classes have limited numbers, so get in quick!!

Here's a little background information about LINDA:

Linda was born in WA and travelled across the Nulabor about 4 years ago to start a new life, with this move came her ever changing experiments with her creations. Linda has had cards and ATCs published in Australian stamp magazines. Is currently studying 2 degrees...one in art the other in psychology.
Linda also teaches her art all over Australia and has designed for several companies including Prima, Paper Artsy and Scrapware.
Linda would call herself.. a modern eclectic mixed media artist. Linda is all about the grunge and getting hands dirty and can often be found sourcing art supplies at the junkyards and second hand stores.

Now that's my type of girl :)

Moments

Last night I finished a painting that I started a while ago. I hope you like her - here's the before, during and after pics.

MOMENTS

First painted background layer completed, Sketch drawn over background.

Painting detail commences

Shading with more paint

Lots more paint and extra details added to complete her.

Printing 101 with Benson

PRINTING FUN with Benson

Step 1. Choose your picture from the computer

Step 2. Check printer is turned on

Step 3. Make sure the paper is going to feed properly

Step 4. Make sure there is nothing blocking the paper path

Step 5. Check the paper is printing properly

(sniff & lick it to make sure the ink is waterproof)

Step 6. Admire your print & close the printer feed flap

Step 7. Cuddle your teddy as a reward for doing a good job

Collage fun

Today I thought I would do something a little different. What I want to do is to be able to print out my own paper design for the front of some notebooks. So I grabbed a few favourite papers, some of my little 'girls' and a jar of mod podge, scissors and my craft sheet.

I had a lot of fun creating these, and will definitely be doing more!!

This is what resulted:

Now friends can you please tell me which is best for a 'front' and which for a 'back' ?

© L. Lennox 2010

Unmotivated is this depression?

Emotional rambling warning!! - if you don't want to read press here to see some kittens (ok, I stole it from flickr lol) But if you do click there you will see my little Benson :)

Oh boy, where do I start blog world?
It's been such an emotional roller coaster - but really not many ups, so I guess not like a roller coaster more like a huge slide going down and down and down..... yet it feels like an uphill battle dealing with things. I'm so unmotivated for anything lately. Even my art is hard work, it's ok when I finally get around to sitting with my supplies. Then it happens. The problem is I am having trouble doing anything.... My house is a mess and is now starting to get to me. My Mum's nana shack is just sitting there empty and lifeless. I just went in there as I often do. I stood and felt - felt nothing but sadness and emptiness. I wandered around opening drawers and cupboards, remembering things - a million things. The tears were building and then I wandered into the bathroom and saw my Mum's 'teeth' - ouch ouch ouch.
I noticed a lot of tissues in the rubbish bin from our previous visits.

How can I become more positive, when I am constantly being reminded (in my mind) of all the horrible things that happened?? How do I try to forget those and focus on the good stuff... cos, I am trying believe me. I have little moments, where I say to myself "Ok, Lorri this isn't good - it's time to remember all the nice stuff" - but then those ugly thoughts just slip inside and stay for a while. It's almost like the feeling of anxiety where thoughts just bombard you, with no rhyme or reason... I say STOP to myself.... and it works for a little while.

I need to clean, I want to clean, I don't want to touch or move anything, I want to move it, I don't want to clean - I just want to go back in time (yeah yeah of course I can't) but in my memory I can and I will - to a nicer place, to a comforting loving place.

So much has happened over the last few years, so much - too much!!
Something has to change - It just HAS to get better - It WILL get better - I'm trying to send out those vibes, and it is so very hard to do when you feel like this. It's almost like nothing is working for me right now. I mentioned 'killing a chinaman' in a FB post once!! Maybe I did.
Do I start with some positive affirmations, trying to make myself believe good things are around the corner??
Do I keep on pretending that I'm ok...... with the hope that I will actually start to believe it soon?

Action... I need action, if I can get myself off the chair that is!!

My little Benson is a blessing, he is always giving me snuggles at the 'right' time! - usually while my hubby is snoring on the couch!!

Today has half gone, I have done nothing - well I burned the dinner and the pan is now soaking. I cut my finger between two cupboards - I opened them together!! Blonde :)

I haven't eaten, and my reflux is telling me to eat!! Oh how I would love to be able to employ a live in chef/cleaner/maid haha - Like that is ever going to happen. Poor Craig works so hard, works every hour he possibly can and we still only just get by from week to week.

Something BIG is around the corner, I just need to turn towards it.

Do I have the courage? The strength? The balls to make it happen................ I guess I will have to wait and see.

For now, I must just BE - Be in the moment, accept it for what it is.

HOPE - painted

HOPE - painted
Originally uploaded by auslorri

http://www.artivity.etsy.com

My prints 4x6
My prints 5x7

Now available in my store

Generous Souls

The wonderful Tamara from Magic Molecules has posted about all her OWOH Wins. Tamara was a lucky girl who the stars shone down upon on the magic carpet ride... as a big thank you Tamara has decided to giveaway 5 of my collage sheets... see her post and how to win them here Magic Molecules

See the 5 sheets in my etsy store that you may win, by simply visiting Tamara and leaving a comment on her blog :)

Thanks Tamara, and good luck everyone who enters.

xo

New works

I managed to finish a painting...........

HOPE

A YOUNGER VERSION OF BEC

I don't really like trying to do portraits, I much prefer the style below :)

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

I am looking forward to painting this one, although nervous that I might mess her up!
Good job I have a scanner, then I can always print her out and try again :)

OWOH Wins & Winners

YAY...

I am totally thrilled, I have won 2 giveaway prizes so far... my first prize is an original piece of artwork from the talented MARINA from Cherry Pie Art Stamps - not only did I win an original piece of artwork, I also receive a cherrypie stamp of my choice from the store!! Oh my, so many great stamps there - if you haven't visited Marina's store, check it out here

Here's what I might receive, I'm not sure which one yet - but aren't they ALL just fabulous...

I also was lucky enough to win some goodies to play with from the very generous Laura, this stash is going to be divided up among the winners, so I can't wait to see what I get! Click on Laura's name above to visit her lovely blog and have a peek around.

NOW to announce the winners of my OWOH giveaway............ drumroll please.....
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL

The lucky 5 winners who will each receive an original mixed media art card are -

Rob from Creative Spirit
Mendy from Art Adventures
Lisa Lecturer from LL creations
Amy from Paper and Gluestix
Sonia from Dark Ravens Nest

Just some of the lucky winners who will each receive a "Gypsy" digital collage sheet are -

There are more, but I couldn't find the websites from the email addresses to link them all.


Heidi from My hiding place in cyberspace
Great Granny Grandma
Brenda from The purple lady's art
Nikki from flatware media
Sue from Barton Originals
Tamara from Magic Molecules
Jenn from The Gallery
Sherry from Sherry's simple blog
Shariyah's Studio
Susan from Piecesoffatesusan

I am also giving away this image as a thank you to everyone for participating and visiting my blog - so click the image and it will open it up large, then you can save it on your computer and print it out and play with it. (Personal use only please) I would love to see what you create with her!

Let Life Flow and More sketches

Let Life Flow

An old drawing, on top of a new background


Find comfort

Practice sheet

Pin up style

80's glam style

Believe in the power of love

Click the picture to see it full size - then you can see it's grunginess, flaws and all :)

On monday evenings I get together with a couple of my girlfriends and we have an 'arty' night - we all work on our own projects at our own pace. We love it. This is the piece I created last night. I am thinking about adding a large word strip or something across the bottom of the girl.. what do you think?

I'm a big fan of grunge, and liked playing around with the background of this one. I used my trusty black pen, some rub ons, rubber stamping and lots of smeary paint.

I think it would make a nice print to be on display in the home as a gentle subliminal reminder to love yourself :)

More whimsical portraits

For my birthday my beautiful Bec purchased me an online drawing class, as I wanted to do it to try to extend my knowledge - so far everything I have done has been self taught. So I thought it would be great to have some tips for shading etc.,

I have had so much fun learning some new styles and techniques for my drawings (thanks Bec!!)
They will eventually be painted, but I'm not super confident with the painting techniques yet - actually I'm not so confident with the drawings - but lots more practice to come!

I need to be able to teach myself (or learn from someone who can help me) how to draw profiles, I would like to angle my faces now - time will tell hey.

The best thing is being able to create a little person - a nobody who is real - someone who can be cute, funny, serious, ugly, pretty or just plain ordinary - without having to 'look' like someone real. What I'm trying to do is take some features from people that stand out and have a go at creating a more whimsical face designed with those features in mind.

So far I have only created one of what I call my 'whimsical faces' that resembles someone else... say hello to Tammy from our softball club....


The others are just nobodys.. how sad for them, I'm sure they could come to life in my imagination.

A page from our tag sample technique book

A page from our tag sample technique book
Originally uploaded by auslorri

The tag on the left has a 'torso' paper cut which has been painted. Microbeads and ribbon & a little pin create a softness to the grungy backgrounds that I love. Stamp on right tag is from Darkroom door.

A page from our tag sample technique book

A page from our tag sample technique book
Originally uploaded by auslorri

Another few pages together, love the embossing with inks over the top.

A page from our tag sample technique book

A page from our tag sample technique book
Originally uploaded by auslorri

A few pages from our tag book, that we use to show people different techniques in our store.

I love the green and gold on these tags.. the colours complement each other so nicely.

I had a big flickr upload of all the pages, and thought I would add a couple of the pages here...

Benson

Benson
Originally uploaded by auslorri

Meet my little kitten Benson, he was bought for me on my Birthday Feb 5th by Amy & Ali - he's so cute!

Baking Feb 8 2010 (3)

Baking Feb 8 2010 (3)
Originally uploaded by auslorri

and a chocolate overload... mmm marshmallow choc-chip cupcakes, and chocolate chip cupcakes with chocolate flakes on top of the frosting.. hungry?