Charcoal sketch

made by Christien, ZIZOlabel

Library happiness

 

Fortunately, we still have a library in our village (almost lost because of upscaling and cutbacks...) 

and I have been a visitor since my childhood. As a child I mostly read series of books and it was always an adventure to get those issues you hadn't read yet. So me and my friend teamed up, and when she had read the book, she gave it to me. It came up to a point that I had read all my favourite series, and had to look out for new interesting series and writers.

And now, as a creative person, I am of course looking for the art and craft books (and for French movies of which I am a definite fan...). 

This week it was library happiness 

because I found some very new issues of craft books!

Cleaning up for the open studio this Saturday

Ah, time to clean up, sort out my studio!

My studio is open this Saturday for visitors to come 

and see what I have been up to, or to maybe look for some handmade holiday gifts.

I have this enormous pile of paintings on paper: which ones are good enough to show and sell? And am I ready to part with some of them? After all, I know when I made them, what the process was. Someone adviced me to hold on to some paintings which clearly reflect my development as an artist... and I have taken that advice. But I also love to sell my paintings, I like sharing what I've made.

Doodle and practice

Just showing you a drawing I made while waiting, practicing my skills and letting my imagination do the work, wonderful how art sometimes works...

Maybe it was inspired by my visit to France, seeing the old painted images on the walls there.

Joyful painting

Last weekend I came to my studio to just  make a painting 

and experience the joy of colours and textures. 

I had to come loose from overthinking perspective, assignments and so on.

I used to make lots of abstract paintings with layers and structure and I returned to that,

this is the result, just a combination of colour, shape and movement!

And why did I make it, and what do I mean by it...? 

Nothing, just the sheer joy of making things and expressing yourself freely!

Update

The Art Fair was really nice, I spoke to a lot of people about drawing and painting. Each one has its own experiences or opinions on art. I sold quite a lot of small items, but no paintings. I brought this Heart-painting:

I've made a series of these hearts a while ago, it's all about layers and movement. I wanted a rustic feel to it, so we made the frames ourselves. We had quite a positive response to the painting but no buyers yet, so it will be in my studio for a while.

There were a lot of visitors and luckily some sunshine, so we spent a nice day on the fair.

There has been quite a lot on my mind (ideas, some worries and a lot of cleaning to do), so it was good to take some time and make a hike in the woods with my husband. We enjoy searching for mushrooms and photographing them, we try to enlarge our knowledge about them. And I like to look at the colours and structures, autumn is slowly beginning here:

The lessons at the academy have started, this year's subject is on Art and Photography. Here you see my corner and palette, and the results of the group:

Until next time! I'll be spending a lot of time cleaning up, making some new bags and key-chains, working on a workshop-proposal and clearing my head, pfew ;).

Art fair

This week I am preparing for the Art Fair in Ankeveen, it will be outside so I hope the weather will give some sunshine. I have made some mini-art which will be available for 20 euros, and I will take with me two abstract paintings made on panel. I still have to do the finishing touches on them, so it is very fresh and new.

This is the flyer, welcome to drop by! There are other artists and makers, and the fair is relaxed and beautifully situated.

Here is a picture of people standing in front of my market stall (left) from last year.

This is one of the mini-art paintings I made on panel, there are only three of them especially made for the occasion.

Next time more on what I've been up to, it has been quite busy, hope I will have more time in October.