Another face

Though I like that I can draw faces and am quite proud of myself overall, I think the eyes on my portraits so far have been a little too hard, too "slitty" (I know that isn't a word, but I don't know how else to describe it). I really want to do Suzi's sleepy-sexy eye without them looking suspicious! lol

So I keep drawing eyes on my practice page and I keep making faces in both my tiny and large sketch books. It's getting easier to remember what goes where, what the proportions are, and even though I am not great at the shading, I am starting to get it.

Here is a sweeter, softer face for the Goddess & Poet class, one that I find appealing and less harsh. I know I still have lots to learn and will only improve with doing. This photo isn't very good, but for some unknown and frustrating reason, my scanner has stopped cooperating with my computer.

I must say, very few things have enthralled me like this class has. One woman taking the class blogged that she is obsessed- and I know the feeling! So many of us in the class are feeling the same way; putting other stuff off so we can sketch, constantly thinking about it, adding little pencil strokes here and there, shading just a bit more... lol It really is a LOT of fun. And very relaxing too, I might add. Which at this juncture in time for me, is very helpful.

Learning to draw portraits- YIKES!

Just kidding, I have only been at it a week, but have had so much fun and enjoyed it so much, it's hard to believe.

I somehow stumbled upon some YouTube videos of Suzi Blu, an unconventional and completely enthralling mixed media artist. After watching a few of her art journal videos, I discovered that she has an online school, Les Petit Academy (I will list everything you might want to know at the end of this post). Well, I was hooked. I have to say, it was calling to me, I was even dreaming about it- and have also since I started. It is on my mind most of the time.

Anyway, I am at the end of a week, and have practiced the exercises for hours. I have even tucked a little 3.5 x 5" sketch book in my purse- anytime we go somewhere that I might have to wait a bit, I can practice. I really love it.

I am taking the Goddess & Poet class first; Suzi covers all of the bases in there, and we learn stylized, more realistic faces. Next I will take the Angels class; I think that builds on either the G & P or the Petit Dolls. After that, definitely the Petit Dolls; they are folk art girls and a lot of fun too, from what I can see.

I think a LOT of people wish they could draw, at least a little, and I am no exception. However, I did take the step to try and learn. I want to be less afraid of what people think of me and what I create- and just create already! lol

So, here are two faces for you to check out. The first one is alright I think, but looks a little too stern. I like the second one better, but after I finished, I realized I might have spaced her eyes a little too far apart. I don't know, I will have to wait and see how my critique goes. Chloe asked me if I wasn't going to draw any happy faces? I told her that eventually I will; but this class is about Goddesses- you know, confident, sexy women, and so they have to show that they KNOW they are cool.

If you want to learn more about mixed media fun, check out Suzi's videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/ and in the search box, type in Suzi Blu
If you like what you see and want to sign up for a class, go here:
http://suziblu.typepad.com/
You have to sign up for a class before you can log in to Les Petit Academy, which is here:
http://suziblu.ning.com/

Fairy Jar a la Suzi Blu!

I have signed up for a Suzi Blu drawing class online- The Goddess & The Poet, but haven't been able to start yet. I'm guessing this is because the lovely Suzi Blu has been at CHA... hopefully soon though, I have all my supplies and am chomping at the bit to get started!

Anyway, in the meantime, I have been watching numerous YouTube Suzi videos and I find her so inspiring!

My friend Mona's birthday is this coming weekend and I wanted to make her something to keep in her studio- then I saw the Captured Fairy Jar by Suzi and said "AHA!!!" lol

I didn't have the same supplies exactly, but as I have a good imagination and a lofty supply of cool and interesting things in my studio, I didn't have any trouble substituting.

And here is what I came up with! The front of the jar says "BELIEVE" and the tag I wrote on the back says: "Believe- not only in the magic of the world around you, but in your own Beauty- your own Talent- your own Strength" Something I think we should all do!

I painted the sky inside the jar and stuck on stars, I added glitter, flowers, and a fairy like Suzi, but instead of moss at the bottom of the jar I have glass marbles and funky yarn. I tied many layers of tulle and organza to the top (to keep the fairy in) and used lots of ribbons to tie it shut and hang the metal tags from. The tags say: believe, create, inspire, dream, and savor. There are some teeny tiny bells and also a couple of heart charms.

I hope Mona looks at this jar often and remembers that she is valued as a friend and is an inspiration to me.

It was fun to make and I am on a roll!