Monday Mood Board

A few images I collected from our road trip last summer. The watercolor came first. When I saw the patina on this weathered stone I was transported back to when I was obsessed with trying to capture such a texture in these orchid paintings. I’ve done a few of these, but this one is my all-time favorite.

Finding Your Signature Style

This isn’t going to be a post about how I can help you find your signature style, because, I can’t even help myself discover my own signature style/brand.

Here’s a little rant I shared on Instagram a few days ago regarding some of my frustration. Maybe you can relate.

Not gonna lie, I’m a little envious of those artists who have clearly found their creative calling. Discovered and developed their identity and can stick to it.

And here I am, unable, or perhaps unwilling, to find and stick to that one thing. Not because I think I’m so full of talent or ideas and can’t be confined to one thing. Nope. I lack focus. I lack discipline. I need help. 

I’m well aware that you have to show cohesive ideas, consistency, and mastery in your area of study before anyone will take you seriously as an artist. And this must be reflected in a well-curated Instagram feed. A feed that shows focus. So I’ve been told.

So, what’s off the table? Painting, line drawing, paper cutting, assemblage, surface design? I can’t decide! I love it all. I need it all in my life. I’m struggling with how to incorporate them all into one medium. Do I have to? Can I at least pick two to stick with? 

Not to mention my favorite color is black, or gray. Or is it yellow or pink? I adore bats and spiders, but kittens are also adorable. Sticks and twigs and cloudy skies bring me joy and inspiration. As does a garden overflowing with glorious color and butterflies. Oh my heart, florals! But also; Be still my heart! A graveyard! How can you create a cohesive design aesthetic from all of this madness??

Have I overshared? 

I’d really love to figure this out. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

Monday Mood

Looking a little proud today. I do love Payne’s grey.

Payne’s grey is named after William Payne, a late 18th-century English painter, who created this color as a neutral tint. Originally it was made up of Prussian blue, yellow ochre, crimson lake (carmine).

March is Kidney Awareness Month

March is Kidney Awareness Month and today, March 9th, is World Kidney Day.

Take a few minutes to think about all that your kidneys do for you! What are you doing for your kidneys?  

37 million Americans are living with kidney disease, but most don’t know it. Don’t be led into believing kidney disease is only due to a bad diet, other poor lifestyle choices, or age.  There are several diseases of the kidney that can cause the kidneys to fail. Knowing the signs and symptoms are key to getting the right treatment.

IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, is a kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in your kidneys. This results in local inflammation that, over time, can hamper your kidneys’ ability to filter waste from your blood.

IgA nephropathy usually progresses slowly over years, but the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people leak blood in their urine without developing problems, some eventually achieve complete remission and others develop end-stage kidney failure.

No cure exists for IgA nephropathy, but certain medications can slow its course. Keeping your blood pressure under control and reducing your cholesterol levels also slow the disease.

Find out more about kidney health by visiting 

mayoclinic.org To find out more about IgA nephropathy

www.kdney.org

www.niddk.nih.gov

Mood Board Monday

Call me crazy, but the golden blonde shades of the fields around here completely mesmerize me. When I remark to others how beautiful the colors are, I’m met with a bewildered look and a “it’s dead” remark.

But seriously, my photos just can’t do them justice and my color palette never really matches the lovely golden shades.

But, you know I’m going to keep trying.

March is Kidney Awareness Month

Take a few minutes to learn about your kidneys. You probably know what they do, but do you know some of the warning signs of poor kidney health? Even if you are an active, health-conscious person, don’t take your kidney health for granted. Some diseases of the kidney progress slowly. Learn the warning signs of kidney disease. You don’t have to be diabetic or prediabetic to develop kidney disease. Visit kidney.org to find out more about kidney health and how to find out if you are at risk for kidney disease.

I thought I’d take a little break from a big project I’ve been working on and do a little work in Adobe Illustrator to make a simple little design in honor of Kidney awareness month.

Mood Board Monday

One blustery January morning. What a lovely, smooth gradient.

I don’t usually do traditional mood boards. I like to pull colors from a photo that inspires a mood rather than use the mood board to develop a concept. For me, this is just a relaxing way to easily bring a little creativity into my day.

Do you make mood boards as part of your design process?