Quiet Moments in Mombasa

Mombasa is the gateway to the Kenyan coast, and it's anything but quiet.

The vibe is electric & tense, and traveling through on a late Friday afternoon felt out of control.
I've not been many places that I felt could erupt at any moment...but I knew it could happen here.
My gut feeling was right, and Mombasa did in fact erupt the evening we left.
Rioting, Hand Grenades & several people wounded and killed.

It was along the eclectic streets of Old Town Mombasa and along the shore at Ft. Jesus that I felt most at ease in this hectic city.

We returned through Mombasa 2 additional times during our trip, but didn't want to risk our safety exploring again.  I am thankful however, to say that I was able to experience the thrill of this chaotic city.

Maisha Marefu ~ Lara

Botanical Garden Goodness

We recently traveled to southeast Asia (Bali & Singapore).  One of my favorite stops during the trip was my afternoon spent at the Singapore Botanical Gardens.  The National Orchid Garden there was divine, and I could've happily spent the entire day photographing flowers.  I can't keep an orchid alive to save my life...so I was in awe the entire afternoon!  Here are a few of my favorite shots!

Cheers ~ Lara

What Do You Do & Studio ReDo!

I reorganized and de-cluttered my studio Sunday...and in the process realized how many unfinished art projects I have laying around! Half painted canvases and scratch pencil drawings galore!  I really should challenge myself to do something with the unfinished canvases.

I'd love some feedback from you other creative gals.  I wonder how many projects you work on at a time?  What do you do with projects you start and never finish ...do you revisit and rework them until you get to a point of completion?  Do you repaint the background of canvases and start over from scratch?  I'd love to hear more about each of your processes.

A journal entry & rough sketch for my room redo

I've really been enjoying the Creative Courage e-course I've been doing hosted by Stephanie Levy.  Last week, one of the topics focused on Improving Your Workspace.  Stephanie challenged us to really take a look at our studios and envision a place where we feel relaxed, inspired & excited to work.  

I'd posted several pictures of my "before" studio here and here.

Part of the problem with my workspace had been that I had been adding so many things to the room that I just didn't have any place to spread out.  The top of my desk was so cluttered that I had no room to lay out supplies while I was working & that was putting a slight cramp in my creativity.  So I fixed it!

I started by rearranging the furniture.  I picked up a new bookcase (thanks Goodwill $12.99 ~ score!) so I was able to completely clean off my desk and make a proper worktable.  Not only that, I can now just swing my chair around and work easily at the desk or easel!

I'm on the lookout to find a longer worktable...but the newly de-cluttered desk is working much better already!

I may resell a lot of vintage goodies in my Etsy shop, but I hold a special place in my heart for thrifted art & books. I tend to collect a tad too many paintings & framed prints.  By keeping the larger pieces of furniture offset from the wall a bit I have a place to store what isn't hanging.  This is much nicer than before where it was all just lining the walls. Though I already had some inspiration pieces hanging on the walls, I filled in a few more of the open spots with some of my own art along with pieces from my Thrift Art Gallery.

New Bookcase & Art Storage

I'm so much happier with the space now!  I'm feel more relaxed and creative, and have had so many ideas generated throughout the process.  

I have to admit though, I'm not the only one enjoying the new room.

 

Stella seems to have found her new spot too...I even caught her napping up here this afternoon without me!  Silly dog :-)

I can't wait to see whats coming up this week in Creative Courage!  I'm feeling so grateful that I signed up for the course!  Thanks again to Stephanie & the other amazing women in the group.

Cheers ~ Lara

Mapping it Out

I've recently began a new e-course called Creative Courage.  It's being led by Stephanie Levy and my goal in taking the course was to start creating again!

Before moving from Tampa, I was going to Ybor Art Studio about 2-3 times per week and was actually creating and finishing a lot of art projects!  I felt that I was starting to develop a direction & voice in my work, and was I dedicating the time without feeling guilty.  I enjoyed painting there, but I was also experimenting with collage and alternative materials... and I LOVED the creative and supportive environment I was working within!

After moving to California, even though I have a studio in the house...I find myself not wanting to spend time alone up there painting and drawing.  I briefly hired an art instructor to come over and then I decided to use my creative energy in other ways...photography, blogging, running my Etsy shop, etc.  While I recognize all of those things ARE in fact creative, I feel a bit unsatisfied for not putting "Hand to Paper"and not actually spending time in the studio.  I really do enjoy getting lost in the creation...so why don't I actually do it?

By working through a few of the exercises of the e-course today, I began to Map it Out.

Though it may not look that way, I cleaned off my desk & made a place to Play.

While my creative interests are abundant, I know that I have to give myself a few parameters during the course.  There are so many inspiring ideas and advice that have been presented already, it would be easy for me to get lost.  I've decided to stick to a collage based approach for the workshop activities, and I'm going to incorporate the pages of this old Atlas into all of my projects during this series.  

My first collage started as a combination of an unfinished drawing that I found in my studio, along with our 1st Activity in the e-course...Why am I Here? 

I tore out a page from the Atlas and began mapping my the Ideas and Statements from the activity.

I've started my Search, but where will it Lead Me?...

It's certainly a humble beginning & a fun start, and that's where I'm at so far.  Though I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the abundance of amazing content and a tad intimidated by the highly talented artists in the group, I'm also excited to be sharing the journey with such a phenomenal and inspiring group of women!

Cheers ~ Lara

Inspirational Outings - For the Birds

Sea-Bird, skimmer of the waves,

Whither doth thy journey tend?

- Isaac McLellan

Photos of birds from recent days at Balboa Island in Newport Beach, CA & Whale Watching from Long Beach, CA.

Cheers ~ Lara

Thrift Art Gallery - Klee & Kandinsky

I just love the artwork of Paul Klee, and when I saw this 1930 Gallery Poster advertising an exhibit with Paul Klee & Wassily Kandinsky...I knew it was special.

This poster is from Galerie Berggruen in Paris.  Uner the image it says: Paul Klee, Aquarelle 1930, and Spectre D'Un Gurrier.

I just love the poster, but unfortunately I don't have anywhere to hang it.  Poor thing lives on the floor of my studio.  I have however, used it in a photo shoot or 2.

I've used it as a prop once or twice.

As I'm sure you already know, I love to collect Art Books.  I've snagged a few on Klee that I really adore...

I would be remiss without showing you my own ode to Klee, a mixed media drawing on paper.

Cheers ~ Lara

My Art

Though I feel like I've taken an Artistic Hiatus recently, I love to create!

I guess in some ways selling Etsy has filled fulfilled my creative void with the photography & writing...

but mostly I love to paint, collage, & assemble!

Here's a small taste of some of my work!

My Dog Stella - Oil Painting

Mixed Media Assemblage

Oil Painting

Mixed Media

Oil Painting

Tampa Tryptic

Oil Painting

Temporary Assemblage

A little Assemblage of some recent finds.

Hollywood

Supposedly these amazing metal bits were used in a Hollywood studio for something to do with old film reels.  They are marked "79 Drill" & are a piece of art on their own.

 So fun!

What do you build from your thrifted treasures?