Painting With One Color Pan Pastels

At the art store the other day.  I treated myself with one (yes, only one) Pan Pastel.

I've heard so much about these paints but had yet to try them.

I was a little surprised at how chalky they were.

So, with only one color.  I wondered if I could create something

fun with shading and playing around.

Here's what I came up with.

Pan Pastels - love the possibilities.

Guess I'm going to have to buy a set.

Here's a link.

Artist's Play Room Challenge #14

Okay, here is my drawing for this week's theme for the Artist's Play Room Challenge.

Monochromatic. 

I had a pink flower painting in mind for it but then I went and darkened it with a
Sharpie.  Oops. 

So, here's one I did using a black ink pen.

Hope you like it.

Tim Mahoney Concert In Chanhassen 6-21-12

Do you remember seeing Tim Mahoney last season on the reality t.v. show called, "The Voice?"

He was on Adam Levine's team.

I think he is really talented and I wished he'd have gone further in the contest, but oh well...

Last night, Chanhassen, MN had a free concert in the park and it was Tim Mahoney.

Awesome weather and great music. Yippee.

I just happened to have my wonderful Ipod, and couldn't resist recording a bit for you.

Here's a short video clip.

Enjoy.

Flower Fun Doodling

Just having some fun with my new Sharpie Marker and some paint.

My Favorite Trader Joe's Products

I've been selling L'Paige Lipstick for almost 5 years now.  A couple weeks ago my friend Laura featured my lipstick on her blog.  Go check it out. http://lmichele.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/05/smitten-south-west-kansas-life-photographer.html

Laura is a photographer and I love the picture she did of the lipstick.  (Thanks Laura)
I'm one of those people who is always looking for great products. When I first found L'Paige lipstick at the Minnesota State Fair.  I was so impressed with the product, I started telling everyone about it.

Here I am years later, still feeling this is the best lipstick ever.  It's long lasting, moisturizing, leadfree, and beautiful. 

But, this is not the reason for this post.

My latest love is Trader Joe's.  Have you been to this cute friendly little grocery store?  It's quaint, comfortable with nice lighting and a healthy decor.  I love walking the isles and browsing for the next new item I want to try.

In our vacuum retail store, I like to ask customers about their favorite products.  Lately, the conversations have been about Trader Joe's.  Customer's share with me their favorites.  I of course can't wait to try them out and see for myself.

Here's the list of my favorite Trader Joe's Products.

1.  Trader Joe's Jojoba Oil - I love using this each night to remove all of my makeup.  It takes my waterproof mascara off in a flash.  Of course, I use my favorite wash cloth with it.  I'll share about that in another post.

2.  Trader Jacques French Liquid Orange Blossom Hand Soap - OMGoodness, this stuff smells so yummy.  Plus, the soap feels so silky and moisturizing.  You only need a small dab for a nice soapy feel.

3.  Trader Joe's Antiplaque Toothpaste - This toothpaste is a natural healthier alternative.  Made with essential ingredients like Fennel, Propolis and Myrrh.  It tastes like black licorice to me.  I love the way it cleans my teeth, leaving them with a smooth feeling, and a sparkling shine.

4.  Trader Joe's Brownie Truffle Baking Mix - I had the opportunity to sample this item at Trader's the other day.  Delicious chocolaty goodness. I purchased two boxes ($2.99 each) for a dinner get together.  The mix was easy to make.  I added one can of maraschino cherries to the batter.  Then baked.  It was a really big hit.

5.  Trader Joe's SPA Face Wash with Tea Tree Oil - My daughter wanted me to add this one to the list.  It is currently the only face wash she'll use.  She tells me it has made a huge difference in clearing up her blemishes.

There are many more things that I love at Trader Joe's but these are the ones to make my list.  Prices at Amazon are higher than in the stores.  But, if you don't have a Trader Joe's near you, at least you have the option of getting some of these great products for yourself.

What are your favorite products?  I'd love to hear about them.

Motivational Art #10 Silent Gratitude

Artist Playroom Challenge #13

Last week I entered my "Less Tangled" painting on Jess's website called

www.justaddwatersilly.com. It was a lot of fun to be featured with all the other

great artists who also entered.  I encourage you to check it out.

I wasn't sure if I would enter this week.  The challenge was to sketch something.

This quote has been stuck in my mind for years.  It's one that always makes me

think about my goals.   What are they?  Have I put into motion the steps necessary to make

these goals happen? 

This is what this quote means to me.

www.virginiajbailey.blogspot.com

Get Grounded With Juil Shoes

After reading Clinton Ober's book, "Earthing," I was so motivated to get outside and walk barefoot on the earth.  I wanted to get grounded, feel my best, and have vibrant health.  All benefits of getting grounded. 

So, off I went to my favorite walking path.  A nice grassy place where I could kick off my shoes and sink my feet into the earth.  Perfect, right?

Wrong.  With each step, I had to avoid small thistles, sharp twigs, earth creatures, animal trackings, and more.  It was just not nice.  If I hadn't left my shoes in the car I'd have given up and put them back on.  No grounding for me.

www.juil.com

Who would have guessed?  They have shoes specially made for grounding.  They are called Juil shoes.

I couldn't wait to try them out.

I was really impressed with Juil.  My shoes arrived super fast.  Opening the box felt like Christmas.  Their packaging was so special.  Inside were the beauties I had picked out.  A nice white strappy leather sandal, plus a complimentary yoga carrying bag.

The quality of the shoes was amazing, sturdy, high quality leather, and those wonderful little copper buttons that would allow me to connect with the earth and get grounded while walking on grass, sand, cement, etc. 

As I understand it, the copper button's are energy conductors. This makes it possible for anyone who wears these shoes to get the benefits of being barefoot without having to worry about stepping into poo, or something.

I think they are fabulous.  I've been wearing mine pretty much non-stop.  Walking anywhere now is not an issue.  It's weird. Now that I know about this grounding stuff.  I'm thinking ooh, cement, great! I'm wearing my shoes.  Grass, love it.  I'm wearing my shoes.

I see it this way.  If I'm going to be walking on the earth throughout my day.  I might as well make sure the shoes I'm wearing are going to help me get the health benefits associated with grounding, and the style I desire.

Go ahead, check out their website www.juil.com and get yourself a pair, or two.  They have a style to fit every man, or woman's needs.

You'll be glad you did.

www.virginiajbailey.blogspot.com

Abstact Painting

Sometimes, I just want to let go.

No pressure to draw something.

No purpose.

Just create.

Lines

Colors

Sharpie Marker

Water Color

White Correction Pen

The end result...

Zentangle Challenge APR #12

I've just recently started visiting Jenn's blog over at www.justaddwatersilly.com and decided to accept her Artist Playroom Challenge #12.  The style chosen for this week was a Zentangle.  Of course, you can tell by my artwork I love to doodle.  Here's my version of a very zen like, zentangle.

 

Less Tangled

 



Motivational Art #9 Fill The Darkness

Last year at a show, I displayed this canvas.

Many people stopped at my booth to look at the art.

This one was a favorite.

It was my very first art sale.

It will always be one of my favorite pieces.

Even the quote is mine.

I was watching the sun rise as I worked on this one and thinking of

my friend Dominee who was feeling a bit down at the time.

Isn't it inspiring to watch a sunrise?

Wash away those dark thoughts with ones that are full of light.

Enjoy!