Ahhhh!! I just love this dolly! I know, I say that about all the dolls I make…Why do I grow so attached?

She is a precious Snow Princess…an Old Soul…a One-of-a-kind handmade piece of art.

She is almost 2 feet tall.

Made of wood and clay with a head of sheep’s wool.

She can be found on EBAY tonight.

AND look for her in a few months in the Winter 2010 Issue of Art Doll Quarterly.

I have transferred the content of my workshop How I Paint A Woman’s Face to a private blog. If any of my students have been wishing they had more time to view it or didn’t get a chance to download it, email me (grittyjane@gmail.com) and I will send you an invitation.

I have been asked why I closed it. This might seem strange, but I discontinued the site/class because I keep getting better at what I do. See, I was teaching the faces class, and at the time I gave all I had and showed everything I could think of. Shortly after, my art started to develop quite a bit and I was afraid that people would see my current art, sign up for the class expecting to see how to do it, find the pre-growth-spurt stuff and be angry that I hadn’t showed them what they were looking for.

The thing is, that cycle may be happening until I cannot create anymore. Right?

I have a desire to teach what I know. It is just part of me. I love art and the process of making it and I want others to experience that too. Whether it be cooking, sewing, singing, painting or whatever…whenever I figure out something neat, the next thing I do is find someone to tell about it.

I am currently working on a new workshop and incorporating all sorts of techniques. Yet, the focus of this one will not only be about techniques, but ways to make personally meaningful art. I know that art is a language and when spoken from the heart, can reach others and be heard. I have a clip board handy all the time and the ideas are pouring out..but I can tell this is going to take me awhile.

So, meanwhile…if you are itching to see the old How I Paint A Woman’s Face videos, they are available to purchase and view from the private blog. I will send an invitation to the address associated with your pay pal payment. Please check your Junk mail if you do not find it in your Inbox.

$40

guaranteed access for 30 days

save videos to your computer using VLC or Real Player

Annah and I got into town last night. We had a wonderful visit with family and friends…missing them already.

We got to watch Tribulation Christmas two nights in a row and hang out back stage with everyone. Hundreds of people came forward to accept Jesus. Praise God!

Also enjoyed the teaching, preaching, and worship at Sheffield Family Life Center. You can view their services HERE.

Chris, Annah, and I went to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and I was totally blown away looking at original paintings I had previously gawked over in books.

While I was away I had very limited internet access and there were some problems with my tutorial site SomethingToMake.com. but that should all be resolved now. If you were having troubles getting into the Classroom, please give it another try and let me know how it goes at grittyjane@gmail.com.

Today is my birthday and I am 36 years old. This is a strange day indeed…

I AM:

a believer…child of God

a mother

set free

an artist

a poet

a singer

a daughter, grand-daughter, sister, auntie, and friend

no longer wearing a wedding ring

a warrior

a peace-keeper

a survivor

a delicate flower

a teacher

a disciple

both sinner and saint

I have been given so much….far more than I deserve…

and I suspect it’s only just begun.

Yesterday I worked on the encaustic tutorial and this is what I made for the demonstration.

Days Gone By 12″ x 12″ Encaustic Painting

The girls are from a line drawing I made from this image:

I do not remember who sent it to me (hopefully you will visit and see what came of it) but it is a photo from when I asked people to send me images to work with.

I just love, love, love this wax. I go to sleep thinking about it and wake up in a hurry to do it again.