Animal Totems: The Bear

Hello dear friends.

I was recently hit with enormous creative inspiration and have been painting up a storm.  This is a feat within itself as I am still operating on newborn baby time.  I did not expect my creative energy to return so quickly and with such force after giving birth 2 months ago, but I cant stop its flow and must just let it channel through me.  I wanted to share with you a bit of what I did this weekend.  This is a piece from what will most likely become a series on spirit animals.  I love the idea that our animal friends teach us about ourselves through their natures.  That we can both relate to them and gain insight into ourselves from their spirits.  They can also teach us how to grow, and be more patient, more selfless, more balanced in our lives.  I wanted to start with the Bear.  Maybe because I feel like a Mama Bear right now, but nevertheless, here she is...

"I have the spirit of a bear.. grounded and strong, 

fiercely protecting that which I love, 

leading others with a cautious mind and an open heart"

Here's the finished piece.  She's quite large (about 16" x 22").  I used vintage papers for the under layers, then kept building texture, color, shape, and design on top.  I couldnt decide whether to add words to this one, so for now she is complete until I change my mind again.  ;)

What other animal spirit would you suggest for the next one?

XO, HARMONY

New Painting: Seek Adventure...be authentic

Creative Authenticity has been an overwhelming theme for me lately in my own work.  What does it mean to you to be creatively authentic?  I find sometimes it's really hard to feel genuine and true to myself, my style, my heart in my artworks when I am stretching and learning and growing.  I am so influenced by everything around me, everything I see, admire, get inspired by.  I often wonder what the line is between influence by inspiration and true organic creating?  If I use lots of ink and scrawled words am I being too Sabrina Ward?  If I use bubble wrap to create a layer in one of my backgrounds, is that just being Kelly Rae?  What about if I use type font stamps to create inspirational phrases, is that just Christine Masons thing?  I haven't figured this one out yet, so I am working very hard to create with as much of all the other influences and images as stripped away from my conscious as possible and do things that make me happy.

What didn't shock me in this process was to see a gravitation in my style away from the folk artsy look that I started with last year and a drastic movement into bright, bold, and kind of grungy.  These are the things that I really love and want to surround myself with in my own home, so it makes sense that this would come out of me.  So I am on a mission to understand more about being creatively authentic in my work.  This pic is of one of my latest mixed media paintings, and it is truly a piece from my heart.  This one was created with lots of layers, vintage papers, paint, inks, vintage lace pieces, stamping, and did you notice the use of my handmade artsy tape from my DIY?  It tells me to seek adventure in all things and not be settled with the normal routine for too long.  I love this idea.  If we arent pushing ourselves into new spaces, experiences, growing and moving, then we've lost opportunities for incredible discoveries and immense amounts of joy.  So take a risk today, seek adventure in whatever you are doing.  It doesnt have to be a gigantic step, adventure can be found in little details and small moments of magic.  I'd love to hear your thoughts about creative authenticity and how you are taking an adventure today.

XO, HARMONY

New Painting! Bloom In Your Own Time.

I've been working on a new series of paintings based on acceptance and empowerment of self.  It's something that has been on my heart for a while.  Maybe it's my background in Family Therapy work, maybe it was all those years working with at-risk teens, and maybe its partially due to my own trauma and drama of navigating womanhood as a teenager and in my early twenties, but I really have a heart for women young and old, reclaiming themselves as powerful, brave, beautiful, and special.  There are too many negative messages in our culture, and I've been wanting to start creating paintings that will inspire and motivate women to love ourselves a bit more.

Here's the first one that I will share with you...

It says "Bloom in your own time, redefine beauty."  I picked these words because I often feel the pressure to keep up with the women around me (in the art world, in the parenting world, in the business world...) in ways that I just may not be ready for yet.   I am still growing, finding myself in my process, and when I am ready to bloom, it will happen in my own time and space that is perfect for me.  I will redefine what is beautiful and lovely in my own way and time.  Do you ever feel that way?

It was made using layers of vintage gift wrap papers, acrylic paints and alcohol inks for the background, then I applied vintage lace remnants and used my own hand carved stamps for the wings.  I hope this message is meaningful to you, or perhaps pass the link along to someone you know that could use the encouragement.  Have a lovely Wednesday because you are so lovely too.

FYI: There is still time to enter my Giant Sponsor Giveaway! I have 8 amazing artist and crafters donating incredible prizes for one winner.  There are lots of ways to enter. Click HERE for more information.  Dont miss out!

XO, HARMONY

Artist Inspiration of the Day: The Lovely Wyanne

 Together is Better by Wyanne

I really wanted to show you a new painting process video today, but it seems that hitting the 8 month mark in my pregnancy has seriously slowed me down and I am not working as efficiently as I used to.   So until I finish that project later, I thought I would share another artist's process video today.  This is a snippet of one of my favorite artists to get new technique ideas from.  I watch her videos all the time and get filled with inspiration and creative energy.  Her name is Wyanne, said "Y"-an, and if you havn't discovered her yet and explored her world, you've been missing out on some beautiful paintings and probably some of the best painting process videos I have ever watched.

Garden Wild by Wyanne

It was actually her videos that encouraged me to start using alcohol and inks in my mixed media works.  She just posted several new videos and listed new paintings, and I instantly fell in love with this amazing little owl.  If I could afford to snatch it up and put it in my boys room, I would do so in a second.

Hello World by Wyanne

Whether you are a painter, art journaler, creative player, you should spend a little time today exploring her videos, they truly are inspirational and FUN to watch.  Maybe it will give you he courage to try something new and artsy today.

I hope you found something inspiring here that brightens your day.  The idea is to keep going, keep pushing through, and keep your eyes open to discovering your creative self bringing the world alive to you in totally new ways (oh and playing with lots of bright colors helps too). 

XO, HARMONY

A Sweet Little Book Made with Love

Hello! It's Friday :)  Which for me means the opposite of most other people.  The weekends are my time to get as much work done as possible in my art room, while my husband and little boy are off playing.  So I am gearing up for a few days of creative play and crafty work, but I wanted to take a few moments and show you what I made yesterday.

Here is the finished journal that I made from the pages you saw me make yesterday.  When I started putting it together, I really felt like it needed some vintage flair, so I added lots of extra pages from vintage wrapping papers from the 50s and 60s, and several vintage photos from the 40s and 50s, along with a few pages from vintage fairy tale books.

Overall there are 35+ pages of color popping goodness, lots of bright pinks and blues.  The cover is hand painted much in the same way that you saw me paint the pages, with a vintage wrapping paper layer underneath that peeks through, and I layers some antique lace trims on the edge of it, just in case it wasnt girly enough ;)

 The book is hand bound with a black metal spiral and embellished with a mix of recycled sari ribbons, hand spun yarn, and hand dyed silk.  It is a truly precious little book measuring 4.5"w X 6"h.

 This one of a kind entirely handmade journal is up for sale in my ETSY SHOP now, as well as lots of new prints and originals, at reduced prices.  I will be offering Free Shipping on everything through Monday, just use the FREESHIPPING code at checkout *(see store announcements for details).  Thanks for looking and I wish you a very happy start to your weekend.  DIY Saturday is tomorrow, with a super fun project in the works, so perhaps I'll see you back here for more creative fun in the morning.

XO, HARMONY

How To Make Art Journal Pages With Your Fingers VIDEO

Its only 11:30am and already I am covered in paint.  What an amazing way to start the day! (and a tricky issue when baby boy wakes up and wants a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast.  "Sure honey, would you like that with or without acrylic paint?"  I am finally starting to break out the Art Journal making supplies, and trying to psych myself up for all this craft show prep that needs to happen in 6 weeks time.  I've been wanting to make a few smaller journals that features hand painted pages ready to inspire their new owner, so I decided to start there today.

I have also been hearing from a lot of you that art journaling is something that you've always wanted to do, but just havn't jumped in that ocean of creativity yet.  So I thought I'd show you how I made 12 double sided creatively prepped pages in just 20 minutes.  I only used a few materials, pastels, pencil, white paint, and ink mostly with tools of roller stamps, and my finger (no brush needed!).

It was incredibly fun and fast, and I hope it encourages you that any one can do this with very little tools and very little art technique. 

Here's the video of me creating the pages! Enjoy the colorful messy fun!

Just wait, and I'll reveal the final completed art journal tomorrow!

XO, HARMONY

Celebrate Your Weekend with ART!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  I dont know what you have planned, but I will be locked away in my art room like a little Santa's Elf, getting things ready for Craft Show season.  I need to make room for all the new artsy goodness that I am currently creating, and I have lots of original works from last year that need to find new homes and someone to love them.  So let's celebrate the weekend with a Super Labor Day Sale to fill your walls with lovely art, and empty my own to make some space in my life.

I know there are many of you just starting a new college semester needing to decorate that new apartment or dorm room, or have a home that could use a unique statement piece.  I'd like to invite you to take a peek at my ETSY SHOP, I just reduced prices on a bunch of original artworks (just check out the SALE section) and much more.  In addition to the reduced prices, you can use code LABORDAY to get an additional 15% off anything (sale items included)!  

I have a bunch of artsy jewelry and more originals that I will be adding throughout the weekend, so keep checking back, you never know what might show up on sale next.

Speaking of new things in the shop, remember the textured fabric painting I did a few weeks ago?

Well I tweaked her a bit and decided to take off the lettering, and she is now available HERE to find a home where she can inspire you to create from your inner child.

I am also currently working on a butterfly series using the same textural technique with bits of vintage fabrics, ribbons, and lacework.  Here is the first one completed and she is now available in my shop.

 

The Flower Hoops from the Embroidered Botanical Series are also now listed in my shop.  They are truly unique and lovely pieces in their vintage frames, and I am excited for them to bring joy to their new homes.

I do have to thank each and every one of you who are here for supporting my dreams.  This has been an incredible adventure so far and I am just getting started.  The opportunity and support to live my passion of creating art and inspiring others to believe in their own dream journeys has truly blessed my heart.  Thank you.  Come back tomorrow for some creative fun where I'll share my new FREE coloring pages!

XO, HARMONY

Blooms and Roofs: A Color Study

I've been experimenting in my sketchbook lately exploring color and pattern, working up the nerve to do some serious fabric design on my newly purchased canvas cloth.  I started with some loose sketching of flowers layered on top of each other on one page and then a repetitive pattern of house doodles on the opposite page.  I really wanted to play more with using bright colors against soft hues.  I watered down some simple craft paint and started to play.  Here are a few peeks of what I created in the end.

Dont they remind you of crisp autumn leaves against a sunset sky?  As I was painting the houses, I started to imagine a story about little costumed ghosts and princesses going trick or treating door to door.  Do they inspire you to try a bit of fall inspired art making of your own?  If you'd like to try working with this color palette, I made it super simple for you.  I isolated the colors that I created with and made a digital palette just for you!

As soon as I completed my pages, I left the room and my 3 year old son snuck in and picked up his own creative inspiration on the next page.  I was able to catch him on tape and interview him a bit on his process.  If you have a child, a childlike heart, or maybe need a bit more childishness in your creative world, I highly recommend that you spend the next 2 minutes letting him inspire you.

XO, HARMONY

Even A Three Year Old Can Do It: Painted Fabric Video

The weekend has begun! I hope that you are safe and sound and enjoying your favorite morning cup of whatever getting lots of creative inspiration for your days off.  I wanted to offer you a bit of fun, energy, and lots and lots of color today! (oh and a bit of rock and roll)  So for your viewing pleasure, here's my latest episode of Creative Play with my 3 year old son.

I needed to design some fabric for a project I will be showing you later next week, and it seemed like a perfect mommy and son art-tivity.  We taped a piece of white muslin to a plastic table, grabbed a couple of sharpies (BTW: Under 5yrs + permanent markers typically demands being outside to avoid the "accidental" inspiration on your walls).

Then when our fabric was entirely covered in our creations, we watered down cheap-o craft paint and did a watercolor play over the design.  The effect was gorgeous, lots of pretty mixing of color.  There was seriously no way to screw it up, which made it PERFECT for little helping hands.  When it was finished we hung it up to dry and Voila, ready to use fabric for lots of projects.

 There it is drying with the sunshine coming through, so pretty.  While it was drying, I started gathering up laundry to start a wash since we were already playing outside, and my son starts yelling "Mommy!" "MOMMY!" like something was wrong (but honestly right now, every bit of information he has to share is urgent to him, regardless of the reality).  I poked my head out and asked what he needed.  "Mommy! (still yelling like it's very serious) It's PRETTY! I LIKE IT!" pointing at our creation.  Sometimes he totally kills me with cuteness.

(FYI: This fabric is NOT washable, so you cant use it in wearable art.  To make it washable use fabric markers and watered fabric paint and then heat set).  I hope I've inspired you to try to try this project by yourself or with a little helper the next time you need interesting fabric for a project.

BTW: If you didnt see my post yesterday, right now I am on the hunt for some artsy/crafty/creative bloggin people that I can team up with, more information HERE.  Have a wonderful Saturday!

XO, HARMONY

Make This! Your Own Artsy Tape

If you are anything like me, you drool over all the gorgeous new lines of colored and patterned japanese (washi) tapes that are blowing up the crafting scene these days.  I would love to own tons of them in every sort that is sold, but I just cant bring myself to spend the $5-10 per small roll that they cost.  There are so many different fun uses for them, and I knew there just had to be a way to make my own for such projects.  Here is my version of making artsy tape, and in my opinion, they turned out so much more interesting and fun than the manufactured version. 

 Gather these materials: Freezer Paper (regular wax paper will also work, but is harder to peel off), Paint (no need for expensive stuff, get the cheap craft stuff), Paint Brush, Scissors, Masking Tape (of whatever width you like.  I had the wide roll on hand but you may want to try the thinner version as well), lots of other fun art making supplies (whatever you have on hand that you like working with.  I chose a sharpie, hand carved stamps with stamping ink, water color pencils, roller, distress ink, and vintage papers.

Tape down a sheet of freezer paper, waxy side up, and start adding strips of masking tape to it.

Add some pretty paint colors and paint a thin layer over each.

A cute helper is always better :)

When the paint is dry, start adding your decorations.  This batch I did with my 3 year old so it's a bit messy, but when they were all done, they actually looked really cool!  So dont worry about it turning out messy looking.

Here are a few other ones I did without my overly exuberant helper.  From left to right, the techniques I used were: bubble wrap stamped, handcarved stamp, stencil overlay, another handcarved stamp, oil stick drawing, and the last two are collaged with vintage papers using regular craft glue.

Then carefully remove your tape strips from the original paper and move to a clean sheet of freezer paper.

You can just roll up the sheets like that to store away for another project day, or you can cut them down like I did so that they are ready to use.  Dont forget to leave yourself a bit of paper tab on the ends to help you get started when peeling off for use.

There are so many fun ways you can use tape like this.  I used mine today to decorate some mailers to send to a friend.  How fun are they!? Who wouldnt love to receive a happy package that looks like this?

What other sorts of ways can you think of to use artsy tape?  I saw this blog post recently that was full of creative DIY Washi Tape Projects, and it's definitely worth checking out.  Also, you can come back tomorrow for my Art Journal Post, and see how I used them in my latest page creations.  I do hope that this inspires you to try it yourself, and that all your tape using is colorful from now on!

XO, HARMONY

the magic of sisterhood

"Sisters Are Magical" Digital Artwork done by Harmony Lenasbunt 2010

I have a little sister, well 3 years younger, we are actually pretty much the same size ;)  She and I have a very special connection.  I have a feeling all sisters have something similar going on between them regardless of age difference and closeness of their relationship.  There is something about that other girl in the family that creates a bond like none other.  She and I can fight like you wouldn't believe, and we have very little in common, but still I could not imagine my life without her.  I wouldn't be who and where I am now without her support, love, and yes even that competitive influence that sisters also seem to have with each other.  So when I was approached with the opportunity to create a custom work on the theme of sisterhood for a very special sister birthday, I couldn't refuse.  No matter how infuriating my baby sister can be, she is also my greatest ally and my dearest friend.  That conflict within our relationship rooted in such deep love for each other, intrigues me to capture in art.  So I thought I'd take a few moments this morning and look at ways other artists have presented sisterhood in their artworks.  Here are a few that truly inspired me, and maybe they will connect for you as well.

Found HERE

Found HERE

Found HERE

Found HERE

Found HERE

Found HERE

Found HERE

What does sisterhood look and feel like to you?  What does it mean for where you are today? I'd love to hear your comments on this.  Whether they are bonded to us by blood or some other worldly connection, sisterhood is something truly magical.

XO, HARMONY