Inspiration Tuesday!

Good morning!

These delightful pieces are by Toshiyuki Fukuda. I just found this illustrator/artist through another fun blog (Majeak Ann) and I must say I am quite smitten. I love his whimsical, textured, colorful, clean pieces. I would own them all. I wish I could figure out how to get my hands on some of his postcards. I think I might have to go to Japan to find them, but I have been wanting to go to Japan anyway. :)

I am posting lots of images for you to enjoy and swoon over. You can find many more at his website here.

Enjoy! Be inspired! Make art!

Oh my! Don't you just feel giddy?

Laser wounds...

This is a very brief post dedicated to my brother. When we were younger he would run through the house with his toast eaten into the shape of a gun. His toast gun always made a "pew" sound because I guess that's what it sounds like when you get shot with dry toast. Some humor for your Sunday evening. :)

St. Francis meets his match

"Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness..." (Keats)

For me it is a new kind of September. We are beginning to see the edges of the trees change color and the morning temperatures merit a sweater. Not having ever lived in a place where the trees change in the autumn, I keep thinking "oh no, that tree is dying". I still have to remind myself that I am not in Texas anymore!

Oh! come October!

Today it is cloudy and grey in Durham. This is great for my nasturtium seedlings, but not great for feeling zippy and getting lots of things done. I certainly need that zippy feeling as I have lots of things to accomplish. Now that we are unpacked, and life has pretty much settled into a good rhythm, it is time for me to work. On my studio bulletin board I have three to-do lists. The first list is for my art making projects, it is full of things like: "color correct photos", "write blog about new pieces", and "work on commission". I also have a general to-do list, which is populated by things as varied as: "make jazz c.d for grandparents", "set up Skype", and "finish thank you cards".

The other list I have posted is the one I am most excited about. It is titled: "To-do list for art classes". Yes! I have been working hard to start my own little business teaching art classes for children. I have a terrific space, some interested families, and a brain full of ideas I can't wait to put into action. My days are full of making slide shows of art works sorted by color to use to teach color and art history together. I have been finding children's books about famous artists, working on my teaching philosophy, and writing answers to questions like "Why should a 4 year old take art?" It is so much fun and so much work. I am very excited to begin.

Here is where you come in: I need your help brainstorming a name for my classes. I would like to use "Art Machine" as part of the name. That way all my art related endeavors are connected. My plan is to add something to make it attractive to kids and families. All kinds of silly things rhyme with art machine, but I don't think I want to name my business: "Green Bean Art Machine". Do you have any ideas? I would love to hear your thoughts. If you wish you can leave me a comment with your suggestions. Thank you!

The classes are due to start mid October and I have a lot of work to do between now and then.

I will eventually get to the line item on my art to-do list that is: "write blog about new pieces". In the mean time here are a few more pictures to tide you over. I am off to write a lesson plan on the color blue. Enjoy your day!

Heart Sleeves (6x14)- Watercolor, colored pencil, paint pen

Stavanger: Birth (6x10)- Watercolor, colored pencil, paint pen