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BIG THANKS to everyone who has linked to my blog about the upcoming workshop!!

Our house has been packed with company and I’ve been lovin it! Just the reality break I needed. Here’s a fun video of my dad and I on the deck goofing off…certainly NOT my best singing…but so much fun.

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We also video recorded my dad, Michael Spakowsky, doing the progression of a watercolor painting and put it on You Tube. He has been painting his whole life and has so much to share. I wish we lived closer so I could record him weekly…

Awhile back before my whirlwind of online changes, I planned to feature a wonderful artist name Lisa Dalke.

By looking at her blog, ARTINGWITHLISA, you can tell she has a full, colorful life.

I asked Lisa a little about the art mediums she’s into, where she gets her inspiration, and a little about art jounaling…Here is what she said: 

Five years ago my daughter asked to have a rainbow painted on her bedroom wall. With the first few brush strokes, my universe changed. My body and mind wanted more; more of the energy that came from the liberating movement of my arm and the stroke of the brush moving the paint around a large open space.

Last year I discovered “Art Journaling”. In my art journal I was able to do anything I desired, express myself anyway I wanted; I didn’t have to follow any “so called” rules. In every one of my art journals, somewhere on each cover page, I write a promise of sorts – “This book will hold my thoughts, wishes and dreams ~ I will only put things in this book that are important to me ~ Not you”. Now almost a year later, through my experiences in art journaling, I can see a new sense of freedom in my all my artistic creations.

Inspiration

I’m inspired by everything and everyone around me. Rich colors definitely stir something inside me. I find after spending time with people, I want to get back to the art room so I can create something; inspired from the experience of that connection.

My daughter is a big inspiration to me. When Hannah was born, she was delivered under duress. She has some developmental issues that challenge me daily. However, through dealing with her issues and learning from each moment with her, I enjoy the experience of transferring those deeply moving feelings onto canvas; painting her, myself or the two of us together. Through my art and my art journaling, I am able to release some of the stress and anguish from loving someone so dearly and watching them do their best to fit into “the norm”.

When Inspiration Can’t Be Found

When I get “stuck”, when nothing inspires me, I find myself walking aimlessly around the house. Perhaps, subconsciously, I am trying to find inspiration in anything at all. When I am at a standstill, I often go to my journal and begin to write. I write anything that comes to my mind. Putting pen or pencil to page, I record my random thoughts; from watering the plants to obsessing over whether I’ve remembered to pack Hannah’s lunch for school. No matter the thought, I write it down. I find writing my thoughts, big ideas to small mindless blurbs; helps me empty the crowded space in my mind to make room for creativity and the release of the tension of daily life.

Mediums

Before art journaling came into my life, I was a painter. I love working with acrylics. Yet, I often felt an overwhelming need to glue things to my canvases. But, I felt that cutting and pasting wasn’t a good idea. Now, after discovering my love for art journaling, I know it IS OK to do whatever Lisa wants to do!

I love layers. I love layering colored tissue paper; layering photos on top of colored tissue paper that is on top of an “old” magazine cover that’s been covered in water soluble oil pastels. I could go on and on. I will tell you two mediums I don’t care for, oils and water colors. Too many rules!

I think of myself as a practicing artist (just as a doctor may consider themselves practicing physicians). My hope is that you have enjoyed getting to know a little about me, what inspires me and my favorite mediums.

My children were on my mind when I did these pages 

SUPER Big thanks to you Lisa for sharing yourself with us. It is always fun to hear from other artists. Many, many blessing to you and yours!

 You can find Lisa’a artwork on in her ETSY SHOP and see her on YOUTUBE!

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Sorry about the issue with the size of that ad…here’s a little one for sidebars:

 Whoo-hoo! Class starts September 15, 2008!

Sign-ups start now…click on dolly to learn more.