I was at Alisa Burke's Art Retreat!

Last weekend, I attended Alisa Burke's You, Me & the Sea Art Retreat. We sketched, laughed, painted, beach-combed and soaked in the magic of a small, coastal town. I took over 200 photographes, most of them uploaded onto my flickr site. What more can I say......these images speak for themselves!

  

 

  

  

A heartfelt thank you to my husband, who gifted me this art retreat for my 40th birthday.
I love you, Jim.

Hello Blog :)

I noticed that when I'm good at updating my instagram photos (come follow me at ginaleekim), I'm a bad blogger! Sorry about that. Here's a page out of my 7x10 journal. I played around with some red, orange & bright pink watercolors, then cut it into a triptych. 

I've been feeling under the weather lately. But that doesn't prevent me from reminiscing a bit. This was Stephen at 13 months, laughing at an empty bottle of gesso! Enjoy.

My Studio Partner (Aww) & Tax Assistant (Not Really)

This is what my craft table currently looks like. It's on serious pause mode. I told myself that I cannot play until I get my taxes done. It's an incentive for a clinical-level procrastinator, aka me.

On a side note, I love my little studio partner.

He's great with colors!

He's also my tax assistant!

OK, maybe not. But he sure is cute.

******

Good luck everybody during tax season. As one artist-friend told me, he'd rather get a root canal. I couldn't agree more. At least they give you free floss with every dental visit....and floss makes great mixed-media background texture!

And The Most Embarrassing Award Goes To...

Oh dear. 

Last week, I was trying to compliment someone on a blog but instead of "kick-ass" (as in, you rock!) I typed "kiss-ass". How'd that happen! This TOTALLY changed my sentiment. Uh....you're an amazing, extraordinary, out-of-this-world, phenomenal, mind-blowing, and unbelievably talented kiss-ass. Ugh.

Please enjoy my art while I go bury my head in the sand. 

Technique used: watercolor, stencil (Jill Berry designs), salt, white gouache splattering.

Summer Completed!

I know, I know. Summer hasn't even started (unless you're in Australia). But it feels good to complete the four seasons layout in my art journal.

Happy Friday everyone!

Two-Page Spreads

Enjoy some 2-page spreads out of my new 7" x 10" watercolor journal. I kinda went crazy and super saturated my paintbrush with bright watercolors. I think it's because I have cabin fever....I want winter to be over, like yesterday. 

As you can see below, I have yet to stencil in "SUMMER" on this art journal page.

Part of the problem is that I don't know where to place my lettering! I wouldn't want its font to obstruct or cover-up anything pretty. Hmmmmm, what to do....what to do....

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Nature Art Journal

I just finished an 11" x 14" art journal cover page. After giving it numerous glazes and truly overworking the mountain/sky, I am finally happy with it. 

Painting landscapes come natural to me. You can't go wrong when choosing nature as your inspiration.

Here's what it looked like at the beginning stages (i.e. initial wash). I had no idea what this would morph into. I did see snow-capped mountains in the distant horizon, but I also saw a vase with white flowers!

 

And remember folks, no matter how tempted: 1) never dip your paintbrush into your coffee; 2) never drink from your dirty water bucket....it has zero caffeine in it!

Art Always Speaks the Truth

"Art always speaks the truth. It is the perfect mirror of the soul. 

Our obligation as creators then is to go so deeply within ourselves that we come to the core of humanness." ~ Carbonetti

Cityscape Using Washi Tape

Finally finished my cityscape using washi tape (hey, that rhymes :)

I took advantage of the semi-transparency of washi tape and punched circles out of them to mimic paper lanterns. I then sewed these fun circles into a heavenly drape, anchored by the stars! The distant buildings are made from strips of scrapbook paper. Everything is on a watercolor background.

Want to see my washi tape collection?

Yeah. I have a slight addiction. 

Missing Mitzy: A Mixed-media Painting

When Mitsy (my mother-in-law's dog) passed away, I made this collage-painting as a loving tribute to a special member of the family. She was the happiest dachshund I've ever met.

She loved being on your lap and never stopped licking your hands! Her fur, which was incredibly soft and smooth, had rich tones of sienna brown and hints of golden ocher.

I sewed together some random pieces of Japanese vintage paper. 

Then, I cut out a square. This would later become the "quilted" background.

I used Ranger's Sticky-back Canvas and painted Mitzy's features using acrylic paint, one layer at a time.

Finally, I adhered everything with a generous coat of gel medium onto canvas.

***

RIP, Mitsy. You will be forever loved. 

Let It Snow

Jim and I just finished helping Stephen open all his presents. Santa was definitely here last night. All the cookies left for him are gone and there's an empty bottle of wine! 

All is well. 

All is quiet. 

May your moments of the day be just as magical. 

Title: Winter Moonscape (watercolor & gouache on cold press paper). 

Merry Christmas!

May your days be merry and bright...

 ....and shared with those you love.

Ready for Lift Off! Three, Two, One....

I have an awesome life. I really do. But once in a while life's drama gets dumped on my plate. There are days I want a magic wand. Or better yet, a rocket ship that'll take me on an exciting space adventure! Maybe the moon is made out of cheese....or white chocolate! It's a critical mission to find out. Ha!

Alas, I'm still on planet Earth. Reality isn't so bad. It means I have art and art makes me sane. Painting helps me realize that I have all the resources I need to create something joyful. It's almost as if I am carving out a healthy space in my head to mull over things. I gain perspective. Inspiration & beauty fuels me up again. Then, with the last brushstroke, I'm reminded that everything's going to be okay.

Starry Night

Star light, star bright, 

First star I see tonight, 

I wish I may, I wish I might...

This mixed-media background,
is what I made tonight.

Holiday Season Kick-off

We kicked off the holiday season by going to the Chicago Botanic Garden where my husband and I took lots of photographs & enjoyed Stephen having fun. There were winter wonderland displays and illuminated trees. A bit cold outside to start, but hey, we burned-off some post thanksgiving calories :). Enjoy!

It's a lot warmer inside the green house!