Zenhabits

Since I've had oodles of time to read blogs and such, Jae told me about www.zenhabits.blogspot.com There is much information on this blog to help you get things done, live a simpler life, movtivation, get a flat stomach & etc. Leo is very inspiring. I very much enjoy his writings. A good one to check on daily!

Anne Grgich

Today let's look at "outsider art". Anne Grgich's paintings are fascinating. www.annegrgich.com Lots of rich color, texture, and ephemera!

Stephanie Lee

Chris is busy, but she sent me some suggestions to post. I can see why she likes Stephanie Lee's art, because these paintings are all plaster on wood panel, with acrylic and mixed media collage. She uses the plaster to build up texture and then paints over that (Chris has done a bit of that plaster stuff herself). A lot of them are small sized like icons, but some are pretty big abstracts. The sculptures and jewelry use an even wider range of media, and lots of found objects.

Fantasy figures

Chris is busy today, so here's an artist that I've just run across, Lisa Snellings. I was reading an interview with author Neil Gaiman, and it seems he has taken some of her fantasy sculptures as inspiration for his work -- and her works are often inspired by stories like Neil's. She uses clown, jester and harlequin figures too, like Claudia Hellmuth does. She has enough links that you can see the work at different stages of finish (wood, cast marble or resin).

Deedra Ludwig

http://www.deedraludwig.com/ I enjoy the richness of these encaustic paintings. Deedra's work is stunning! Oh, the colors!

Pyrography

www.art-burn.co.uk Joan Hardie does amazing work. Be sure to check out the portraits of Willie Nelson and Johnny Depp. I don't think I've ever seen work like this.

But Chris, you have, cause I showed you some (replies Jae Leslie). Okay, maybe not quite such delicately detailed work. At the last St. Louis calligraphy conference, the organizers let us try pyrography one evening, using a plug-in pointy iron to burn runes onto little bits of wood that made nice brooches, and the smell of it was wonderful. If you like woodsmoke, at least. Your link there is a U.K. site, and so is my friend Sue Mason's, Hugo-award winning fan artist (although the award was not for her pyrography, which is lovely).

Lisa Kaus

http://www.lisakaus.com/ I really enjoy Lisa's whimsical work. Colorful mixed media paintings consist of many layers.

Susan Lenart Kazmer

http://www.susanlenartkazmer.net/gallery.htm Susan makes the most incredibly cool jewelry and figures. Wonderful!

Lisa Cook

www.lisacookstudio.com www.opengate.typepad.com Lisa is a mixed media artist and fellow Wisconsinite! Very nice altered books, collages and soldered art!

Hearts Art Radio

http://www.heartsart.com/info/inhome.asp I have enjoyed listening to interviews with artists on Hearts Art Radio. Their stories are truly inspiring. Not sure what has happened as there haven't been any interviews for some time. Also be sure to click on the toolbox and you'll get instructions for projects and this n' that.

You Tube

This is way too fun! Makes me wish I had a tready!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI

Nina Bagley

Nina Bagley is a mixed media artist. Wonderful jewelry! http://www.ninabagley.com/info/nina.asp

DJ Pettitt

http://www.djpettitt.com/ DJ is a mixed media artist, be sure to check out her purse gallery, they are the coolio-est! She has nice collages. Visit her blog.

François Catrin

http://www.catrin.fr/index.html Take a look at Monsieur Catrin's paintings.....wow!!

Barbara Harnack

Super cool ceramic pieces. http://www.zeekgallery.com/dynamic/artist.asp?ArtistID=59
Love the shapes, colors and textures!

Story People

I could spend hours, and often do, reading all the great stories that Brian Andreas writes. Love the wonky line drawings and bright colors. A few of my favorites: Pesky Growth, Finger Sprouts, Illusion of Control and Weight Training. A nice cup of tea and a 15 minutes or two! www.storypeople.com

Laurie Doctor

I've really enjoyed the workshops that I've taken with Laurie Doctor. She's an excellent teacher. She really teaches you how to work. Love her art..... www.lauriedoctor.com

Her poetry (under "Musings") is pretty good too (Jae adds).

Yves Leterme

Yves Leterme's work is fabulous! Love the pieces that look that they've been written on a cave wall, wonderfully organic. Check out the body writing. http://users.skynet.be/fa464953/index.htm

The FlyLady

Jae introduced me to the FlyLady a number of years ago. It's all about gaining control of your life by developing routines. These routines can be applied to any area of life. You can sign up for a free membership and reminder emails. www.flylady.net Jae gave me an article a couple of years ago "Why FlyLady is great for actors" by Karen Kohlhaas. If you'd like to read the article and the follow-up article go to www.monologueaudition.com "You are not behind, jump in where you are"

Paint like Pollock

http://www.jacksonpollock.org/ This reminds me of the Etch a sketch....pretty fun!

Alison Furminger

Visit http://www.alisonfurminger.com Alison has some very nice calligraphy on her site. I especially enjoy the books!

Monica Dengo

http://www.freehandwriting.net/ Very nice calligraphy!

Christine Cox

http://www.volcanoarts.biz/ There is much information on this site....pack a lunch!

Into the Blystic

Elis Cooke is a mixed media artist. If you go back into the archives of her blog, she posts techniques that she uses in her artwork--such as mold making, paper casting, dryer sheet experiments, etc. http://intotheblystic.blogspot.com/ and www.intotheblystic.com

A Painting a Day

I like the concept of doing some art everyday....but actually completing a small painting everyday is admirable. I tend either to obsess too much or choose to do something rather complicated. I like that Duane Keiser paints things from everyday life--a peanut, a piece of candy, an olive etc. Very inspiring blog! http://duanekeiser.blogspot.com/