Backgrounds from Scrapbook Paper

These backgrounds are in my "stash".... just waiting for the right project so I can slather on some gesso here and there and do what needs to be done. I've added other elements, flowers, tape, stamps... but for now, they wait their turn... knowing their day will come.

Making Time for Art

For the last couple years my father has had horrendous health issues. I held my breath and prayed that he'd survive.  After spending months in the hospital and nursing home, he is home... in a wheelchair... but home with my mother, the ULTIMATE caregiver.

I am cleaning my art room, reorganizing, getting ready for winter to arrive, getting art supplies in order to find them quickly... hoping this opens up more time and creativity for me.

At times I am overwhelmed by the need to create, by the lack of direction what I should be doing, by my need to journal. Journaling has become essential to my days. I try to add art as much as possible.

In the past, I've kept journals for years... often purging them by tossing them in the trash when I rediscover them... but now, now that I am in my mid-fifties....I have decided to save them, for my sons some day... perhaps some cold rainy afternoon, after I am long gone, they will curl up on the couch with a cup of coffee and read them... reflections of my life... and theirs.

For today, it is enough that I have set in motion the reorganization of my limited art space. It's not fancy or pretty like the spaces I see in the magazines. No. Mine is functional, sharing the extra bedroom. It spills over into the garage. Whatever I don't use this year I am going to pitch.  Too much stuff is smothering.

I often think about how much money I spend on crafts and think if I stopped I could afford to buy finished art from those I admire...but my soul would rot. Of this, I am sure. 

I need to create... when my muse appears I can think of nothing else but the project before me.... my stress leaves me... and the time flies.

As T.S. Eliot said, "Time you enjoyed wasting is NOT wasted time."  I love that man.



 

Quote - Love

"Love one another and you will be happy.

It's as simple and as difficult as that."  -Michael Leunig


(photo by Beverly & Pack)

Quote -

"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road does not mean they have gotten lost. 

~H. Jackson Browne, Jr.

Wonderful quote - aging

"Do not regret growing older.

It is a privilege denied to many." 
-Unknown

Photo by myabsurdlife.com 

Art Journal - Look Closer

Huge Paper Mache Dancing Heads

My mother and I made these huge paper mache heads for my son's wedding reception.... he's a bit of a prankster and I knew this would be a real surprise for them.... the dancing heads arrived to dance to the song, JOY TO THE WORLD... worn by Aunt Beth (6') and her son, Max (6'4") these dancers were hard to miss!

They were inspired by Jane Filer's dancing monster heads...  these are a lot of work... but worth it if you want to make something unique!  I have photos of the "how to"... email me if you'd like them.

Original works of art by Jan Teaford 

The masks had screen over the eye holes so people could not see who was wearing the huge heads

 

As you can see, I had a lot of toilet paper rolls and pop cans glued on to the bike helmet .. good thing I had clear vision of what I was going for.... this was much more labor intensive than I could have ever imagined.

 Top of the mask done, ready to build the sides

Luke's mask done, ready to paint and add hair

Emily's mask almost done... still needs earrings!