Absentee Doodling

I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted.  It has been a crazy and  introspective year for me in many ways and while I haven't had much time for "serious" art, I have continued doodling away as a means of distraction, stress release, inspiration, sleep avoidance, work avoidance, chocolate avoidance, etc... :-)

I think part of my issue is that I feel like I shouldn't be posting anything unless it's real art, but my sweetie has been encouraging me to post more often so that I can go back and see trends, progress and sources of inspiration over time.  He is completely right-- smart man!  I find so, so many things that interest me that I want to try and then I lose track of where they came from or how to find them again. 

This year I have been trying to take some online classes.  I keep telling myself that it will be easier to fit them in my schedule when you can take them at your own pace, but I have not been able to carve out the time to really jump in as much as I'd like.  I think I need to take a no travel vacation-- just a couple of weeks off to do nothing but revel in artiness! Doesn't that sound just like heaven??

Late last year, I took Lori Vleigen's LetterLab class and it was wonderful.  I just love Lori's sweet, distinctive style. 

I enjoyed that class so much that I was encouraged to take Joanne Sharpe's LetterLove class.  Also fantastic.  Another artist with a very distinctive style.  I so admire that as I believe I'm still trying to find my own.  This past week, I enrolled in Part II of Joanne's class, called Artful Alphabets. It starts on Monday and I can't wait!

Can you tell that I'm a bit obsessed with lettering?!?

Well, in attempt to broaden my repetoire a bit, I have stumbled upon another class that appears to be a dream!  Martha Lever-- yet another source of great inspiration-- recommended an art "playground" called 21 Secrets.  There are 21 distinct classes-- one taught by Martha, by the way!!-- all wrapped up into one program.  I've enrolled and have only had time to dip my toe in the water, but oooohhh... it looks to be very refreshing.  I'm so looking forward to spending lots of time pouring through the classes and videos this weekend!

With all these classes, I should have plenty to keep me even busier in the upcoming months!  Woo hoo!

In the meantime, I've been trying to keep creativity out in front... when I don't have time to engage in any of that serious art, at least I'm doodling about it.

I've been missing my sweet, creative friends over at Paint Party Friday so I'm linking up there, despite it being late in the day!  A whole collection of great artists there... check it out.  You won't be disappointed!