What I consider to be my normal artwork is extremely detail-oriented, planned, and somewhat precisely executed (previous posts below show seed bead work). In order to expand the other side of my brain - the right side as they say - I am practicing watercolor. It started when another blogger mentioned loving her watercolor pencils, which piqued my interest. I bought a set for myself - and love them, too! Although the first picture below may look detailed and precise (I indulged myself here), when adding water you only have limited control, especially as a beginner. The paint, water and paper pretty much have their own party while you swirl and blot and try to participate. 
I copied this picture freehand from a traditional watercolor print, which was painted based on a photograph. After sketching with the pencils on watercolor paper, you are forced to let go during the water painting part. It's so fun. To stay right-brain oriented, I have committed only to practicing watercolor, never perfecting (kind of like yoga). As long as I don't get too uptight, it will always be fun! 
Ever the multi-tasker, I am also practicing Chinese watercolor. A few years ago my parents brought me a traditional Chinese watercolor set from China. After watching a bunch of how-to videos online, I started practicing from books. It looks so easy, but even the simplest shape is hard (for me). Still fun and relaxing to just practice.
I hung my recently finished wall art Spirals at the top of our spiral staircase. Just realized that - about the staircase, haha. Inspired by Celtic spirals, including Triple Goddess (in both summer and winter sun spiral direction) and equinox spirals. Stare at this for a while, then you'll start seeing spirals everywhere. The winter solstice is upon us, where will you be?
This week I had the chance to attend another SoulCollage workshop. Very fun (meaning: outlet for creativity) and relaxing, with some wonderful people. So amazing to meet random people and feel such a friendly connection. This is one of the cards I made.Last month I took my first class in circus! At the Kinetic Arts Center, or Oakland Circus and Fitness, you can learn various circus, uh, talents? In the intro class we learned rope climbing and acrobatics (not military style rope climbing, think pretty, glittery ladies twirling and writhing hundreds of feet up!) and static trapeze (as opposed to flying trapeze). It was incredibly fun, I can't wait to do more, like maybe aerial or tight rope! All those Pilates classes finally payed off - would have been lost without some ab strength. Yay Circus!
I copied this picture freehand from a traditional watercolor print, which was painted based on a photograph. After sketching with the pencils on watercolor paper, you are forced to let go during the water painting part. It's so fun. To stay right-brain oriented, I have committed only to practicing watercolor, never perfecting (kind of like yoga). As long as I don't get too uptight, it will always be fun! 
Ever the multi-tasker, I am also practicing Chinese watercolor. A few years ago my parents brought me a traditional Chinese watercolor set from China. After watching a bunch of how-to videos online, I started practicing from books. It looks so easy, but even the simplest shape is hard (for me). Still fun and relaxing to just practice.
