My Style

Hello!!

I recently bought a book from Jane Davenport called "Drawing and Painting Beautiful Faces".

Although this is a very informational book and Jane does a WONDERFUL job at describing how to draw faces like she does in a step-by-step super easy to follow format, I really like my own way of drawing.

I guess that's the point of all the art books. Is to give you a starting point. Not to show you how to copy an artist's work. I don't want to copy Jane. I did need some help on shading and contouring my drawings. That was a big help. Also, her drawing exercises are really fun.

I totally recommend this book. Not only for the lessons on drawing but also because her books are simply eye candy. She does beautiful work as always. If you haven't checked out her website, I would pop in. The link is on the right.

💓 Christie

I love my Cricut Explore

Hello!!

I have been making project after project with my new toys! 😁 I have taken a few pictures of what I made. All designs are from the internet. I also used artist-created fonts. Most are available on fontspace.

 

The downside is I can only do this when the kids are asleep because I have to use the coffee table AND the dining room table. I didn't know this would take up so much space but, I still love making shirts so it's worth it.

❤ Christie

Happy Days

Hello!!

I'm so sorry my last post was so sad. I'm doing much better lately. I got a different job and financially, things are much better.

I have been working on a few art projects because I now have a Cricut Explore Air 2. So far, I have only begun to touch the possibilities this machine can do. It will cut little intricate things even an exacto has trouble cutting.

Also, I'm working on ways to make t-shirts that look like they were hand-painted but are actually iron-on transfers. It's really hard to explain but, it will look totally awesome if I can pull off what's in my head.

I have to say, that's the hardest and funnest thing about art. You get these ideas in your head and then you begin the task of trying to put them out in the world. There are all these obstacles and problems that have to be solved. There is investigating and testing and learning involved. I can't tell you the process it's taking for me to do the idea I'm currently working on. I feel, if this all works, it will be very much worth it in the end. I will have an awesome shirt that was totally my design and work. If people "Oooo and ahhh" at my shirt then I will be happy. If I like it I will be happy. I don't always care what people think because I know my own taste and I trust it completely.

❤ Christie

It's Not Personal

Hello.
I am not my happy and cheerful usual self. I just got let go from my job for no real good reason. I can say what I want about this because, well, IT'S MY BLOG. So there.

I'm mad. Not only because "we don't feel you have a future with our company" is a lame excuse for letting a temp go but also because I didn't say goodbye to the friends I made the TWO MONTHS I worked there. The owner kept saying in meetings "it's not personal, it's business". Well, Mr. Hinkle, this felt pretty personal to me. I worked my ass off for your company and like many other of your workers, I got the shaft. Well now we can start a support group. Another thing he said was to "treat others the way you would like to be treated". I would never, NEVER let someone go without explaining to them why. I would NEVER let them work a full TEN HOURS with them thinking nothing is wrong.

I keep thinking what did I do? I gave everything I had everyday and had pretty decent attendance. I was never late. Well, I may never know the truth as to why they let me go. I'm probably dodging some bullet. God just shut this door and I know he has something better.

I will probably delete this post because I did go on a rampage but if not, I do wish Mr. Hinkle and his companies good luck and best wishes for the future. I enjoyed my time at CoolSeal. I had fun with great people.

❤ Christie

----------------------------

Okay, I must tell the truth. I did see this coming. No, they weren't honest at to why they let me go but, I know it was basically lack of work. I could see we were slow. Everyone saw it. I know I was a great worker. I will find someplace else. I'll miss it there.

My Studio

I almost laughed out loud when I typed in the title of this post. I don't have a studio. I don't even have much of a space to create my art. I just put a poster board over the stove and go at it. My bed is where I put my shoe boxes of supplies till I need them and put them in the clothes closet when I'm done. Welcome to life in a 3 bedroom apartment. Here are some pictures...

 

Not that I'm not grateful for what we have. I love our apartment most days. I just wish sometimes I had a little space to create my art. Maybe one day I will.

Have a great week. I post on the weekends because with work and house I'm too busy to post through the weekdays. 

❤ Christie 

Today's Thought

Hello!!

I have realized one thing about my art. I am extremely impatient. I want to learn things but I don't give myself time to learn them. I am an instant gratification person. I need to change this. I have patience for certain things, but not for my artwork. I've had this dilemma for as long as I can remember. I think the first step to solving any problem is figuring out you have one. The next step is figuring out the solution. Maybe if I made a list of steps to take to achieve my goal instead of thinking of it as one big one. To eat an entire pie you have to start at a piece at a time. Maybe that's what I need to do.

❤ Christie

Thank You

Hi!!
 I just want to say a big THANK YOU to any and all of you that read my blog. I can see the numbers but I don't know exactly who you all are because blogger won't tell me that (sad face). I just want to say thank you to all of you because without you, I don't know if I'd keep writing. Hmm, I probably would. I dunno. Anyway, keep coming back because I'm working on new things.

❤ Christie

New Graphics Coming!!

Hello!!

I'm working on trying to make new graphics for my blog. I like the background and fonts but, I know the fonts aren't visible on cell phones. Also, the background isn't mine. I didn't make it and that really, REALLY bothers me. I make my own everything. I'll be changing all the graphics as soon as I can!

❤ Christie

Mixed Media Art

Hello!!

I'm going to talk a little bit about mixed-media art. One thing, it's fun if you're an artist. There are no rules at all and it's the best way to express yourself and make something that you'll truly appreciate. Second, the supplies can be fairly cheap. You can use crayola products and most of your supplies can come from Walmart. I've been doing it like this for quite some time because of our tight budget. Third, what you make will last for a long time. If you use archival sealers like Modge Podge, your artwork will never yellow or fade with time. Archival means it's a sealer that is like a preservative for art and photographs. I suggest Modge Podge because it's easy to find and very inexpensive. It's a white glue that adheres really well and comes in gloss or matte. The downside to Modge Podge is since it's a white glue like school glue, there is water in it. On paper, it will warp and bend the paper unless you're using a thick paper. Thin items might do the same thing. There are dry glues like glue dots or tape. I don't use these things because I don't mind the bumps in my paper. I think it adds to the characteristic of my art.

The links on the right side are all from mixed-media artists that I admire. They all have their unique style and all of them started out like me. With a simple little blog.

❤ Christie

Update

Howdy!
 I have had a GREAT weekend! I had THREE days off and still squeezed in 40 hours last week. Ok, I missed Monday because I was in the hospital and needed a day to recover, but I'm fired up and I finally have time for my blog.

Let me just say, God is great! He got me this job. I would've never picked a job like this.

Now that I have more time, I am going to try to post more. Thanks for visiting! I really appreciate it!

❤ Christie

New Job

Yes, I have a new job and I love it! My feet hurt sat the end of the day but, It's pretty easy work. It's a job I can do when I'm older too! That was my biggest worry.

 CoolSeal😊

❤ Christie

I quit!

Yes, I quit my job. I had the last straw on Friday. I told my supervisor many times I can't work a split shift and come in on first shift. I didn't have a ride. I told him in a text message because right after we got done working, he took off to his office and I was too tired to chase after him. He said he coerced me into doing the shift. That's when I knew it was over.

Now, I really don't know what to do with myself. It's daytime and I'm wide awake. I'm usually sleeping so, I'm sitting here job hunting. I should take a week off and decompress from what all just happened. I have no quit in me. I am ready to move on to the next chapter in my book of work. That's what I'm calling it.

I'll keep you posted. Good thing the economy is doing so good right now.

❤ Christie

Busy Sorry

Hello there!
I haven't forgotten about this blog I started. I just have been busy with work and life lately. Right now it's the busy season at my job. I don't know if I'm going to keep this job or not. My boss demands me to come in when I don't have a ride to work. I don't know how to get a ride because honestly, I can't afford a cab right now. He doesn't listen when I tell him that "I cannot do it!". Maybe he thinks I'll change my mind or something but I have over and over told him when he asks that I simply can't and then I list the reasons. I guess my reasons aren't good enough for him, I don't know. We are simply at an impasse and I feel this is forcing me to quit.

I wish I could look down the road a few years and see where this job I have now is going to lead. I wish I could see if changing jobs is truly the right decision. There is so much fear involved because at my job now, I have a comfort zone. I'm 3rd in seniority in my department. I know my job and responsibilities like the back of my hand.

What if I leave and find something better? What if I find first shift forklift driving? I'm an excellent driver even on a forklift. I can drive through the tightest of spots and I've only been driving it for 4 months.

I have to take a leap of faith. I'm going to leave. I can afford it. There are jobs out there that I'm qualified for. I don't HAVE to stay where I am. I'm really starting to hate 3rd shift anyway. Even right now, I'm sitting here wide awake at 3:30am. THAT'S NOT NORMAL!! Well, not for most people but it is for me.

Ok done venting. Thanks for reading this. Please keep coming back. I'll post more when things slow down.

❤ Christie

Web fonts

Hello!! I noticed that when I view my blog on my phone it doesn't look the same as when I view it on my computer. One reason is I use web fonts. Cell phones are limited to what fonts they use. I use cute fonts in my blog to spice it up which goes completely unnoticed when viewed from a phone. I wish someone would change this.

Until then, try to view my blog from a computer or maybe a tablet. I might try to make my blog more "mobile friendly" in the future.

❤ Christie

About Me

Hello. I noticed that "About me" tab is missing a lot of information. I'm in the process of fixing that. I'm also in the process of learning how to use blogger so bare with me as this page is constantly under construction.

I've come to realize that there are some features in Blogger that I can use and some I can tweak with some simple HTML such as the "follow me" feature. That can actually be turned off and a list of links can be added to the right instead. I might be playing around with that idea.

Just don't be surprised if you view my blog and things look different from the last time you visited.

❤ Christie

Third time ugh.

Hello. This is the third time trying to start this and getting things right. First, I tried Wix.com. I didn't like how my domain looked (web address). Second time with google I liked my blog but then for some reason, I deleted it. This is now the third time trying this. So far, so good. My domain is connected and redirection like it should and I'm starting to figure things out.

This blog is about art and the things that I like that I think others might like. I'll include pictures and links to where you can find anything and that's if I don't make it myself so, enjoy!

❤ Christie