Index Challenge Week 2

Hello there!

It's been very windy this week....in fact another week has just blown by! I'm working on 31 Day Index Card Challenge for the month of March.  Be sure to check it out!  If you haven't done a Index card challenge before, I would encourage you to try it.  A simple 3 x 5 index card will do, some pencils or pens or whatever media you'd like to explore and go for it!  Make one card per day, any subject is fine.  I'd love to hear from you if you are doing the challenge.  It's not too late to jump in and give it a go.

Please check out WEEK 2. Hot off the press....click on 31 Days In March (ICAD) link in sidebar.  Let me know what you think.

Have fun & Bee Creative.

Suzy

PLAYING WITH COLOR

Hello Everyone!

Old Set Up 

It's Sketchbook Tuesday!  Time to see what's going on in sketchbook land. This past week I received my online order of Koi Watercolors. I was looking for some lush, tropical colors and these fit the bill!   The colors are much brighter than my usual palettes of Winsor-Newton and Davinci watercolors.  I like BRIGHT colors because I live in the tropics where there is an abundance of tropical colors and Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box doesn't disappoint.  Love the compact size, even the 24 color size is small enough to fit my pared down art bag.  

Yes! Did you just hear me say paired down?  It is true! I've paired down my art supplies but stepped up the water color palette size.  Yeah, yeah, it is  possible to leave home without all the colors, but I don't have to with my new amazing Sakura Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box! 

New Palette

It is just a tad bigger than my compact but it has 24 colors and comes with a water-brush too!!! Whoo hoo! Love it!! Throw in a few Micron waterproof pens and a pencil and I'm ready to go. 

So what has me so geeked up?  I'm getting ready to go on another adventure with my sketch buddy, Bonnie (see Sketchy Girlz blog). We're going to Michigan to visit my daughter and her family!  We've lot of exciting things to do while we are there....including celebrating my DD birthday (Happy Birthday!!) and baby Jackson's SIX month birthday! 

 Oh yeah, there will be ice cream and cake!  


All that AND an opportunity to visit a state I've never been to, with my BFF and traveling around with our sketchbooks too!! 

Should be lots of fun and adventure....we'll keep you posted.  Stay tuned!



Happy Sketching!
Suzy

SKETCHBOOK TUESDAY-DOWNTOWN

Hey Everyone!

It is SKETCHBOOK Tuesday! 

There was a threat of rain in the overcast sky, my dear friend Rhoda and I sat outside under the umbrella along with an older man and woman sitting at a table nearby having coffee watching as people wandered in and out of the bagel shop. 

 The first thing that comes to mind is what a picture-perfect little place it is to sketch with a beautiful bubbling tiered fountain and quaint herringbone brick pattern patio, café tables and market umbrellas, surrounded by lush green flowering bushes and trees.

 Arrrgh! Why didn’t I bring my sketchbook?!?! I was not prepared on Sunday after church for the spur of the moment plan to have a bagel with my friend, oh well, next time, right? I did have a camera phone handy, so  I shot a few photos to help recreate the scene in my sketchbook later. 

Being super shy about sketching in public so honestly speaking, even if the sketchbook were in my purse, I probably would not whip it out anyway.

Really, I keep telling myself that I MUST get over my fear of sketching in public. Anyone else out there that feels this way? Any suggestions would be welcomed. 

Grab some paper and pencil and go SKETCH! 

Have a wonderful day!

Suzy

Somewhere to Sketch-Vacaville, CA

Hi Everyone!

I've recently joined a group of artists at blog called Some Where to Sketch hosted by Lynn Cohen and Ann Hyde.  Each month via Google Earth we are invited to sketch in a location chosen by Lynn or Ann.  During the month of August we have been sketching in Lynn's hometown of Vacaville, CA.


  I sketched and painted 418 Main Street. Of course I took artist license to the original street location.

418 Main Street Vacaville, CA 

Please come and join us!  If you aren't familiar with Google Earth, it is a wonderful FREE program that let's you type in a location and gives a great overview and street level view of any city in the world! It's pretty fab! This is a great way to explore other cities and sketch without leaving home!

Grab your pad and pencil and come out and play sketch us! Join in before the end of the month to sketch in Vacaville!

Happy Sketching! 
Suzy

Linked to: Somewhere to Sketch

WHAT'S ON YOUR WORKTABLE?

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to Brees Mimi Design Studio! Come on in! So happy you are joining me today for a quick peek inside the place I call "studio".  Today I'll reveal my worktable.  It's my "go to" place, my favorite spot to be, where I feel completely at home and were the ideas flow freely. 

Work table in studio

You will find me here most afternoons (if I'm not working or taking care of the grand-kids) and sometimes very late at night when I'm able to sneak in a few minutes before bedtime.  

The worktable is approximately 5-6 feet long and 3 feet wide, a standard folding table from Office Depot. In order to protect (lol) the lovely brown laminate finish, the work surface is covered with several sheets of watercolor paper. This idea comes from Jennibellie Studio, to use watercolor paper and wipe the excess paint from brushes here and later use this paper for other art projects. Since the watercolor paper surface is a recent addition to my table (previously used brown craft paper), I'll have to let you know how it works out. 

Work surface protected by water color paper.

To tell the truth, I couldn't stand looking at all that white paper....so I painted a few ideas on one side and use the other to wipe excess paint on. 

 On top of the w/c paper is a non-stick craft sheet, in my immediate working area. It is perfect for a dab of acrylic paint or spray inks when a palette isn't needed and wipes off easily! Even acrylics can be peeled off the surface if left too long.  I LOVE the craft sheet! 

Non stick craft sheet in immediate work space.

On the worktable I have my essential tools which are: acrylic paints, glue & gesso, pens, brushes, ink, paper towels & baby wipes. 

The pink metal tub holds bottles of glue, glue sticks, gesso, mini paint palettes and water containers (recycled fruit cups or yogurt containers). A revolving rack (repurposed spice caddy) houses artist acrylics and my favorite handmade basket holds fave acrylic craft paints.

Current fave acrylic colors include Poodleskirt Pink, Whispering Turquoise, Citron Green, Slate Grey and Black. 
A mason jar and silver topped glass containers hold Washi tapes. 

Above in thrift store finds of ceramic, stone and metal cups my collection of pens, markers and scissors are corraled. It looks like the mini stapler has "attached" itself (sorry, couldn't resist) to the metal cup and awl is buried in the ceramic holder. Small metal dishes hold miscellaneous items that stray across the surface from time to time. 

Paint brushes, plastic utensils, ink and credit cards

The lovely metal box is another thrift store find! The lid of the box remains open at all times for quick access to brushes and various utensils used for spreading or applying paint and gesso. All are contained in recycled glass jars (salsa-yum!) within the box. Ooops, I see the pink stapler has also attached itself to the metal box!  Another glass jar contains old credit/gift cards (to spread glue, paint or gesso), water brushes, bone folder, and sponges.  The metal box resides on top of a mini wooden slat table (repurposed from a picnic basket), underneath the wooden mini table is a divided glass pickle dish (thrift store find) holding black ink pads, India ink bottles and date stamp, the dish can be slid out when needed.   A spray bottle of water, paper towel holder, package of wet wipes and a bottle of water are near by.  

Inspiration board

Inspiration comes from many sources and I keep mine right in front of my worktable!  On this board is a background of BH&G paint color swatches, you know the pages that the newest colors are on? Here's a fun page at BH&G to test your color personality!  Each season, my board is changed out and the background colors with the season. Then I add my favorite poems, quotes, color palettes, and various items that catch my attention. Strings of glass beads, pieces of jewelry I like, cards with string or threads, cutout paper dolls, crochet flowers, it is here for inspiration.

My current project: hand painted paper and sewn covers for watercolor journals. Both journals have hand sewn watercolor signatures inside and flaps on the cover which secure the papers within. My inspiration came from Mary Ann Moss SEWN. Go check it out! 

I hope you have enjoyed the Work Table tour and that you will come back next week as we continue A Peek Inside The Studio!  

I'd love it if you would leave a comment so that I know you were here! I love hearing from you! 

See you next week, until then....

BEE CREATIVE!

Suzy

PSS.....BREAKING NEWS! A day late to the party on WOYWW (that's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday)but I thought I would post this anyway. Let you know more of the details in next post! 

INDEX CARD A DAY WEEK 5

Hi Everyone!

It has been another busy week around here, working and caring for a little one! Wow, I'm finding it difficult to find a little block of time to create each daily index card. Each night after everyone is asleep I am trying to catch up with email and blog posts. 

Well, other than the time crunch this month, I've also joined an online class with Mary Ann Moss called SEWN. There will be more details coming! Check out the little video over on the left side of this page, if you are interested in the class, please tell Mary Ann I sent you! 

Ok, the Index Card A Day Challenge (ICAD) from this week can been seen by clicking on ICAD tab on the right side bar.  

Hope you will enjoy this weeks collection and be inspired to make your own little mini art works!

Happy Painting and Doodling!
Suzy

KEEPING A JOURNAL OF IDEAS

Hi Everyone! 

Some days I like to doodle and stamp random designs on my journal pages.  I dabble with watercolors in different color combinations and often the results sparks more creative activities, like the one below I used to make a birthday card.  

 I used book text to create a twisted stem and a leaf on the flower below.

 Another flower made with book text for the center of a hand drawn flower. 

 Gluing punched circles onto the page with a few squares and then some doodling.

 See how the design doodles above morphed into another design which in turn was used on a greeting card. 

 I jot down ideas to the side of the designs for future consideration. 

How do you process your ideas for different projects? Do you keep a journal or sketchbook to record them?  

Busy Bee-ing Creative!
Suzy

A Walk In The Park 2

Hi Everyone!

WELCOME BACK. Are you ready for another Walk In The Park adventure? Last week we visited the Indian River Park and this week we are taking a trip to Shepard’s Park. The best place I know to be at sunset is on the little wooden boardwalk that meanders along the river. Several benches for watching the sunset. The setting sun is always a big attraction at this park. 

Located off a very busy main drag near a quiet neighborhood, Shepard Park offers one of the most scenic views along the St. Lucie River, a favorite painting spot of mine. With the many sailboats moored in the river and nearby there's always something interesting to paint. 

 You can see by my sketches, I've been drawing and painting here for many years. 

 There's a cool wooden boardwalk that runs around the riverside and lots of people go there to fish or watch the sunsets. 

 I love the little houses on the other side of the park too and often attempt to paint or draw them.

 This house has a wonderful screened in porch and a tin roof, I love trying to capture the old time look of this place. 

 And the pink building has always fascinated me with its unique architecture. Then there are the sailboats moored near by that totally captivate me. 

Pencil Sketch Pink Bldg.

Thanks for stopping by to take a stroll in the park today!  Next week is July 4th and I'll be on holiday.  Returning on July 11th with the third in the series of A Walk in the Park. I hope you will join me! 

Happy Painting & Sketching!

Suzy

ICAD WEEK 3

Hi Everyone!

This post is a bit late today but better late than never, right?  I've been getting things spruced up around here for my darling daughter and grandson to arrive this week (DSIL will follow soon).  They are in transition, moving from Texas to Michigan and will be staying with us for a month.  We are looking forward to spending time with our 3 month old grandson, DD and SIL. Jackson is growing so fast! He is smiling and getting such a cute personality, we are certainly blessed to have them stay with us.  

It's been a wonderful week making index cards each day, so much fun! My plastic bin of goodies sit under the table waiting to be sifted through for just the right tidbit to add to the cards.

If you'd like to read more about the details of each card for this week and any previous ones you might have missed, just click on the "Index Card A Day" tab on side bar to your right. 

Thank you so much to all who have left such kind comments, each one makes me feel so loved. I can't wait to share the cards with you!  Please share with me which is your favorite and why. I love hearing your thoughts.

Happy Doodling!
Suzy

Linking to : Daisy Yellow; Paint Party Friday; Art Journal Everyday

ICAD WEEK 2

Hi Everyone!

Happy Weekend! Happy Saturday! 

Time for the ICAD (Index Card A Day) reveal for Week 2.  This week was even more fun than the second week because I've learned a few lessons:

• go with the flow
• don't over think it
• have fun

Check out the entire week's ICAD by clicking the tab on the right side bar to read more. 

Here's a peek.

Thank you for stopping by! 

Happy Doodles,
Suzy

Linking to : Daisy Yellow; Paint Party Friday; Art Journal Everyday

Moleskine Journal Preview

HI Everyone! 

This is my first Moleskine, always wondered what the big deal was about these journals, and finally I found out! The smooth and creamy surface, soft parchment colored pages just waiting to be used.  I'd like to share a few pages with you from my new Moleskine  journal:

 

May Day

Usually I'm pretty intimidated by the first pages of a new journal but not this time, it was May 1st, May Day when my journal arrived, I thought it was only right to fill the first page with thoughts about this special day. 

Playing with Brianne-Night & Day

Often inspiration comes from spending time coloring with my granddaughters Brianne and Lyla. This particular day we were talking about day and night time and I was showing Brianne how to draw a house.  I came home and did this page in my journal.  I loved her comment when we were coloring "grass has many colors, add more to make it interesting." 

Win Place Show

Kentucky Derby

On the first Saturday in May we gather together with other horse racing fans to watch the Kentucky Derby.  This year we were home and I did a little sketch and then transferred the images of the day into my journal.

Orchids in the window

This particular morning I was up making coffee and the sun was coming softly through the kitchen window illuminating the massive white orchid blooms. I grabbed my journal and sketched the flowers and finished them in the studio. These orchids were from my daughter Amanda's wedding last July.

I hope you enjoyed these pages, please join me again next week when I will share more from this journal.  Ya'll come back now, ya hear! 

Happy Doodles! 

Suzy

Linking to: http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/;Crafty Thursday Obsessions; Art Journal Everyday