Friday 26 April 2013

A bit of everything ....

It's been a bit of a chaotic week. The kitchentable is full with all kinds of work in progress, I'm multitasking like a maniac and slowly but surely driving myself mad .... And I'm reading everywhere that multitasking is a very baaad idea. I should just concentrate on one thing and get it over with, and then start the next one. But all the time these ideas and things I need to do pop into my head and I'm off again writing it down or trying it out.... My time-management is still not the way it should be ... ;-)

looks like something exploded on my work kitchentable ....

This week is also the week that I needed to make something for Paula's blog. Paula is doing a project on her blog where she takes a picture a day, and then makes a cover page for each week. She also invites other artists to make a page for the week's number. My week was the 17th. So I needed to make something that had either the number 17 on it, or something that people can count.

I chose this week in January, for no particular reason other than that the Easterholidays were over and I expected to have more time (ha! what a joke ...). So the number 17 had no special meaning for me. My mind drew a blank. What to do?? I started thinking about what was special about this week. And yesterday was Anzac Day (ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). That day we commemorate all the Australians that have died in wars all over the world. It was originally a remembrance of the battle of Gallipoli in WW1. And an idea popped into my head. I decided to draw 17 young men surrounding a beautiful poem (well, part of it) by Laurence Binyon.

I felt it was a fitting tribute to this week, and also a reminder of the lunacy of war, which has taken so many young lives, and still does ....

At the same time I'm working on a few wooden boxes:

some mosaic mirrors:


journalpages in my Rod McKuen-journal while I'm sitting with my daughter on her bed every night:


and a new painting with a technique I used a few times years ago and felt like doing again (every now & then I need to do something different, and this is a way of painting that doesn't ask to much of me, it's just colouring in really ....). Nice to do in between cooking the potatoes and helping the kids with homework ;-)


It's difficult to make pictures because it's a very long small canvas. When I've done some more (hopefully next week) I'll explain the method. This is a painting I did with that technique a few years ago as a commission for someone's wedding:


And that's it for this week! I'm linking, as always, to Paint Party Friday. So many wonderful artists play every week, do have a look over there!

Meanwhile, there's only a few more days left to sign up for the Etsypromotion in May. 27 people have signed up already, you can join them here.

And, oh yes, I really need to give you a great tip from Donna, a fellow Brisstyler (a group of creative entrepeneurs here in Brisbane). If you have a Facebookpage, and you have an online shop on Etsy, Amazon, Ebay, ... there's an app that you can install that automatically copies all of your listings to your Facebookpage in a matter of seconds, so that people who visit your Facebookpage can easily shop there. This is the link, you can set it up from there in less than 5 minutes. You can see it on my page here if you want an example, it's the button with "shop" on it. One drawback (but it's a minor one i.m.o.) is that it can only be seen when you're using a computer, it's not supported on mobile devices.

Okay, that's it for now. Thanks so much for visiting and for leaving those wonderful comments that fill my heart with joy. Hope your Friday is happy, and your weekend filled with sunshine and laughter. ♥ ♥ ♥.

54 comments:

  1. Wow, you have been busy, but it is the best kind of busy...doing art that you love!

    Thanks for sharing all of your glorious creations. I especially like your journal page with two women together, the quote is very powerful.


    You continue to be an inspiration!

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  2. Wowje bent inderdaad met veel dingen tegelijk bezig zeg! Maar stuk voor stuk zien ze er prachtig uit! Fijn weekend!

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  3. AMAZING post!
    Happy PPF!

    xxx Susi
    froebelsternchen

    visit our monthly challenge for Art Journalers:
    ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY

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  4. that is a busy week.. and to my eyes multi tasking is working a treat for you so why change it... I like chaos when it comes to my work it seems so much harder to be organised... if you discover the secret to it make sure you share it...xx

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  5. Beautiful little chaos. The light coming thru is inspiring.
    Now, really, you do A LOT with so much going on. I couldn't keep up :D

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  6. Hallo Dente.
    Wat leuk om hier te kijkje te nemen je..... bent veelzijdig
    ik mag met plezier kijken wat je nog meer maakt...
    Een fijne en gezellige vrijdag
    Groetjes Christiene.

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  7. Wonderful work. Glad your kitchen is as full as mine! The remembrance piece is really lovely. Valerie

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  8. Wauw Denise, wat een prachtige dingen heb je weer onderhanden. De jongemannen rond het gedicht zijn erg mooi en hoe goed gevonden!! Petje af. En je journal pagina is weer een echte Denthe!! Leuk dat je weer nieuwe doosjes aan het maken bent en ook het nieuwe vogelschilderij is een leuk idee. Ben heeeeel benieuwd hoe het wordt.
    Lieve groetjes,
    Marianne

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  9. Your new/old painting style looks very interesting, I'll definitely come back and visit to see how it works, and the remembrance piece is very moving.

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  10. Wow! You have been so creative Denise. You are creating some wonderful work. I love the idea you had for incorporating the number 17 with Anzac day. Your boxes are looking good too, and your mosaics (You should do a workshop)I saw the post about FB. Such a good idea, I need to get my business page going!

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  11. beautiful work this week Denthe, such a touching war quote for your Anzac day. I made Sharon's biscuits!

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  12. Outstanding work! You make me tired. Your commission piece is fabulous and I look forward to seeing your latest work.

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  13. Love all your projects, but I can relate to that overwhelmed feeling. I used to multitask alot and now I try not to. But I do have things in various states of progress but work on the one that calls to me until it no longer speaks.....Love those boxes so much. Happy PPF

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  14. wow! you really have been busy creating... Beautiful tribute piece, wonderful journal page, and gorgeous mosaic mirrors...love it all!

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  15. Wow, you have been busy. My favorite is the journal spread, it's fabulous! HPPF!

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  16. I bet you thrive on the chaos, I find order stifles my creative urges. Although you do get to a point where it can overwhelm you! A matter of balance. I say hopefully? I love the journal page and your new painting looks intriguing.

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  17. Wonderful work dear Denthe! I love your "bedtime ladies" in your journal. You are so busy and evertheless so artful.
    Happy ppf and hugs
    Erika

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  18. What a beautiful tribute to the fallen of Australia and I absolutely adore your page for the Rob McKuen journal! Happy PPF!

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  19. Yowza, you have been busy! Those boxes look pretty good as does everything else. Busy bee Denthe.:) Nice. Happy PPF!

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  20. Loving the colors in your wooden boxes and mosaic mirrors!!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  21. it is such a joy to see each and every piece you have shared.
    you have a wonderful variety of styles and expressions. amazing!

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  22. What a great post full of so many different and wonderful art works! Thank you for explaining what ANZAC stood fod - I always heard it mentioned (usually by Alf) when I used to watch Home & Away but although I knew it was a remembrance day for the fallen I didn't know what it actually meant! Your illustration is a wonderful tribute to the many wasted lives of war.
    I had intended to join in the Etsy thing but I have so much on in the next couple of months with 3 difference open art exhibitions that I intend to submit 4/5 pieces to each one that I really need to spend every spare minute painting and I don't think I would have the time to dedicate to it which wouldn't be fair as the whole point is to help promote other folks' Etsy shops. Maybe next time.
    Thanks for the link on linking it to Facebook. I still really need to dedicate more time to my Etsy shop and put some new stock in there but once I get these exhibitions out of the way I should have time to do that.
    I love the last piece you showed - it is clearly you but different at the same time. I love the jigsaw like effect to it.

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  23. you are busy and you do multitasking very well, but the looks of this wonderful art, cant wait for you to show us that technique,I love the look of your beautiful canvas

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  24. Lovely pieces, maybe you just work well and creatively under pressure - even if it's driving you bonkers! Lovely tribute and beautiful journal pages and that WIP looks great! <3

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  25. You are very ambitious! SO much going on....reminds me of me :) I especially love the hair and faces on the girls with the words inside the bodies....anyway those are so pretty to me. I love them!! Thanks for sharing your work :) Hugs and Happy Paint Party Friday!

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  26. I'm impressed that you can do all of these things at once. Your table is the sign of a true creative at work. I love it. All of it is beautiful!

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  27. Thanks for being my guest today! Awesome piece, so powerful.
    Loved the boxes and the mirrors are looking cool.

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  28. Really??? My you are one very prolific artist!
    All of the art is wonderful. Luv the one of war with that touching quote, nicely done!

    p.s. I'm looking forward to promoting the shops on Etsy:

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  29. Your 'a bit of everything' is beautiful and extremely creative. Thank you for sharing

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  30. Love everything about this post and thanks for the facebook info. I went right to your page and liked it :)

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  31. You really are a lady with a lot of talents! =)
    as me I never finish what I started with (except when I paint a piece),
    but jump with "100%" into another thing.. and so on.. so on..
    Wach time I believe I'll fullfill whatever I do, but seldom I do.. ;)
    and I can jump from the one thing to the other..

    But back to your paintings and drawings. they are really beautiful! I love your mosaic mirrors! and the hair of one hanging upside down.. and your wedding card is awesome!! :)

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  32. Correction:
    Each time I believe I'll fulfill....etc
    ;)

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  33. Great post, Denthe. In spite of being a very busy person, you have an informative and creative post this week. I think I did painting like that last one in a class I had years ago. I think my favorite today is the Anzac Day art. Beautiful.

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  34. I love the variety in these different styles of art. All wonderful to behold!

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  35. Your imagination and creativity is endlessly beautiful. Make hay while the sun shines...keep going while the muse is with you!! Love the commission...it's gorgeous...I love your style no matter what you put your hand too...I adore mosaics!! Excellent post all of it!!

    Hugs Giggles

    Ps your kitchen/work table looks awesome in all it's creative glory!!!

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  36. Are you hyperactive? Because, my goodness woman, you get through a lot!!
    Seriously, I love your tribute to the Anzacs, it's beautiful & very touching :)

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  37. Wow..such fantastic pieces..I love the beautiful tribute and poem..very powerful and moving..wonderful!! LOve your mosaic mirror..and colorful boxes..such dazzling pieces !!And your art is always gorgeous! Thanks for sharing such an enjoyable post full of treasures!
    Victoria

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  38. You have been a busy woman!!! Your colors always delight me. I really like your 17 piece - very thoughtful and beautiful at the same time. The journal page is wonderful as well. I love how versatile your art is.

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  39. What a wonderful assortment of creations this week! I look forward to seeing more of the new piece - really love the one for the wedding.

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  40. wow! you manage to do a lot of projects at once. I love the effect of the painting done in blocks, that's very cool!!

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  41. Boy have you ever been busy-wow!! I love all your gorgeous art and the last one that was the wedding commission blows me away-FABULOUS!!

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  42. i like seeing your table and the diverse and beautiful projects you created this week. i envy your (legible) and beautiful printing as I cannot read my handwriting. happy ppf

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  43. I love your table, and the busyness of it all, it inspires me NOT to tidy mine! Ha ha. Happy PPF.

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  44. I love that you're willing to share all this with us. :) And I appreciate how you described your art process for the 17. My birthday is on the 17th so I would have no trouble with that. :)

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  45. You have been so busy this week! I love your ANZAC inspired picture, that poem always makes me tear up, especially this time of year. I am intrigued by your new painting and how it will end up. I can't wait to see the follow up pics. And I love that you are spending time journalling with your daughter. Bean + I started doing this in the mornings and it is quickly becoming my favourite time of day x

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  46. So many great projects.Every piece that you have shown here is unique and I love them all. I can totally understand what you say about multitasking. Without it I can never think of doing art, taking care of kids etc,etc.
    Susan

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  47. I really enjoyed the shape colouring and thanks for showing an older version (commission for the wedding) I love the journaling to. HPPF Dxx

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  48. Hi Denise, i love that commission you did for a wedding, its so colourful and dramatic, be good to see what you do with the skinny canvas

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  49. You certainly have a bunch going on !!! I keep telling myself that "I WILL NOT MULTI-TASK and then I'm off like a maniac with tons of things going at once. Me boss tells me I will always be tired because I always do too much :(

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  50. So you have had such a wonderful creative week...absolutely love your work especially the wooden boxes !! Cheers my friend and always wear your invisible crown :)

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  51. You sound like me, so much going on. I think I wrote this post today. :) Well not quite as elegant but in a similar vane.

    I hope you are having fun with it because I sure do love the work you are doing.

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  52. What a fun, albeit busy, time you are having. I love the colorful painting with all the different shapes and the words. I also love Rod McKuen, I saw him at ISU when I was living in IL and absolutely fell in love, so this is amazing. I would love to know your background with him/his work. The Etsy promo is a Great idea. I come in a bit late on that one, sorry to have missed it. Blessings, Janet PPF

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! I love hearing your thoughts about my work. Because I am getting too many spammer comments, l have to use Captcha, sorry. Hope this is not a problem for you !