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Until not so long ago, I was not a fan of the alcohol inks (these little bottles of inks you are supposed to use with felt to apply). It’s a huge hit in the scrapbooking world, I bought a couple bottles a LONG time ago to make cards, to try. And did not like it. Like… at all.
I think I may just have an issue with the applicator (I use it for the distress inks and stuff and it is not a great tool because the scratch comes off soon after the first few uses. For the price, you would have tought it would be a way better quality…).

But then, I came across Mindy Lacefield‘s use of them in her backgrounds. Easy, peasy, no brainer way. And happened to LOVE it. So I bought more. And now use them in almost every single painting I create.

Not long ago, I’ve seen Aimee from Artsyville using them on tiles to create coasters or whatever beautiful small pieces of random art. Random because the way these inks works make it totally unpredictable. Which the perfectionist in me, paradoxically appreciates (hey, we Virgos are kinda double sided lol). We went to Home Depot during the week-end so I bought 10 5×5 ceramic tiles (at $0.28 each, it’s not much money lost if things go wrong).

It’s so mesmerizing to watch the inks blobs do their thing…

I love what i do. But sometimes, i put too much pressure into creating artwork in order to then let it go into new homes. It has a nasty consequence that appears from time to time: losing my inspiration Muse…

My remedy ? putting the “work” painting(s) aside for one session and create something just for the sake of creating and having my head into something else.

This is why i started this 16×20 birch wood panel and decided to get one of my sketch out to give it life.

I love productive moments. It feels so good to get things done.
I managed to work a bit on the blog (see the new Social Media icons, on the right ? love them. And now you can go to my Etsy shop, Pinterest and Instagram pages too).
I worked in the studio, the weather is so beautiful (quite cold, but still very sunny; which I prefer than gloomy grey rain days, to be honest).

This morning, I had my painting session way earlier than my usual schedule, as I wanted to show my husband the commissioned paintings I am working on and decided «as I’m already there, better stay and work right now». It was around 9am.
Because of my lack of long focus thingy, I usually work by blocks. So I never paint more that 1 ½ hour at a time (exception made when I am painting around someone else, because I guess than speaking while I create does something to my brain that allows me to focus more on the task… I know how paradoxical that sounds…).

If there is one thing I really hate, is to wait for paint to dry… so I always work on several at the same time, or find another occupation to stay busy. While both my paintings were still wet, I picked my 4×6 flash cards and decided to start creating my own filler cards for my Project Life albums.

Oh gosh, I LOVED it ! I can make them as simple or elaborate as I wish.

I am expending myself creatively and recently opened the door to commissioned paintings (official annoucement and details coming this week).

I am currently working on two paintings for a very dear customer, each one has a story, a character on her own. I love that ! I try to stay myself (this is why you order a custom painting at the first place, because you want a piece of the artist for you, just for you, no ?) but be true to what my client wants. Not always to combine the two, especially when it is the first time (or well… the second time in my case).

Here is a pick of my studio, just before I started working.

I love the candles made by the shop ZenaMoon and often light the one that I feel connected to at the moment, I put my iPod to play randomly my playlist, do some Reiki, a prayer and start (I can’t believe I am sharing that !).

And then I really wanted to start my studio session by a short stamp carving… I am not very good at it, I guess it will come with practice (and my stamp carving tool does not have fine small tip…).

I was frustrated so I end up not doing as much as I had in mind, but that’s totally find. I don’t mind much, I did it for fun and because it was on my mind for weeks (!!).

I haven’t blogged everyday but i did a bit of something creative everyday though.

As you may now, it’s important for me to create and record memories. This is why i decided to give Project Life a go, despite the fact that I’m far from being a scrapbooker.

I love love LOVE the fact that i can still put my creative soul into that by doing my own card fillers, embellishments and play around the really great photo pages protectors and cards by Becky Higgins.

Here is what my dining table looked like this afternoon:

I am crazy and am working on three different albums because i want each of my girls to have something to take when they’ll leave our nest but still have something for us as well. And so i can focus on all the stories going on… Do i make sense ?

I try to forget the pressure of “do not forget this or that” and accept that it’s totally okay to catch up, even months after the actual events.

Are you a Project Lifer ?