Finding time to just play

Just a small vignette 

Sometimes we just need to find the time to PLAY!

The holiday rush is over, 

thank goodness the Election is over,

the voting, the elections, the inauguration, the news comments.

WHEW ... it sickens me to absorb and watch it all.

Never have I been more disappointed in the political system.

Facebook became a political place to throw up

our opinions on each other ... it just isn't the same anymore!

I don't enjoy visiting FB as when I began so many years ago,

I am torn to stay or leave,

 because I love keeping in touch with my creative friends,

and my family members all over the country.

So for now I have to pick and choose the parts of FB I can accept.

I also believe that creating art is a most beautiful thing,

I am renewed every time I am able to create something!

I also know we don't always have the energy to create elaborate works

all of the time . . .

sometimes we just need to get our hands dirty,

pick up a paintbrush and just play . . .

to calm the soul

and soothe the nerves.

Art heals every time!

I took an e-course with the amazing and fun Jane Davenport years ago,

through 21 Secrets ... (an online course with 21 different teachers!)

She was fun, vibrant and so full of creative exuberance!

If you don't know yet, she has an entire line of art supplies

in Michaels now.

So I purchased one of her watercolor sets, and two of her 

water brushes,

I wanted to try them out.

The colors are vibrant and fun!

My new palette of colors to play with

So I began creating some fun little watercolor flower pots,

added some ink with my Micron Pens, size 02

and created some fun mini 5 x 7" vingettes.

I am always seeing fun things on Instagram

and on Pinterest,

so these little watercolors were inspired by what I saw,

and embellished my way!

I think watercolor and ink is such a fun medium.

Flowers are so fun and easy!

While I was creating these fun little works,

I decided that they would be

"Pay it Forward" gifts.

I plan to write a small message on the front

and leave them in fun areas

for someone to receive.

So watch out Hampton Roads ... a fun artwork is headed your way!

I love to do that with my Zentangle® works,

this time it will be with Watercolor cards!

Here are a few I have created . . .

Each one is a little different

The very first one I created,

I sent to a friend ...

I created a card and sent to her

while she was resting after surgery.

Soooooooooo ...

my message to you is 

find the time to just play,

with crayons and coloring books,

(they are certainly a hot craze these days),

sketch in your sketchbook,

(don't be perfect, just draw what you see!),

play with your set of watercolors

(I know you have some stashed somewhere),

pull out your beads and make a bracelet 

(We all have a little container of beads)

Just play for the fun of it,

don't overthink it,

relax and just enjoy the play.

We need to escape 

from the noises we are filling our vessels with.

They can certainly take over if we let them.

So tomorrow morning,

I plan to leave my first little painting,

right where the sugars are ...

at my local Starbucks

with a message saying . . .

Just Breathe.

So as January of 2017 quickly comes to an end,
I faithfully wrote a blog post every Wednesday,
I enjoyed NOT teaching any art classes after the holidays,
and I am totally loving my year long e-course
with Elizabeth from Squam,
the MAGIC of MYTH
It was a gift I gave to myself and it is off to an amazing start!
I promised to be good to myself this new year,
and that is exactly what I'm doing!

Be well, be happy, be creative
and please find time just to play just for the fun of it,
you won't be disappointed!
I promise!

Donna Lee

Puzzled Thoughts

Imagine a Dream

My latest purchase from the Museum Gift Shop

My in laws have gotten me

hooked on puzzles!

Whenever we travel to 

Williamston, North Carolina

there is always a puzzle on the dining room table.

As we pass by the table,

we all add a piece here and there.

Laughing and celebrating when

just one piece is fitting into the puzzle!

I have come to really enjoy my own puzzles.

I love the time spent quietly fitting the pieces together,

relaxing and enjoying the process.

Sometimes it takes me weeks to figure it all out

and I find myself wondering

why in the world do I keep at it?

I don't have an answer,

I know it is good to keep my mind active.
Besides I like breaking away from my art table
every now and then,
I return to it refreshed and ready!

I find myself 

putting in a piece here and there

in the early morning hours,

with a fresh cup of coffee near by.

They have become a familiar friend to me.

Puzzles keep me intrigued and thinking

They work the mind with reasoning.

I need that for sure!

I know I have been able to work out

lots of thoughts in my head

just by working a puzzle.

It is good for one's soul,

just working in creative play.

I began putting puzzles together

because I have always been told

to keep the mind active

(for my mother had a journey with dementia)

I am determined that won't happen to me!

So the next time you find yourself

near a puzzle display at the store,

take a long look at all of the fun images

I promise you ... one will jump out at you.

Take it home and give it a try!

Break away from the computer, 

social media and your phones.

You won't be disappointed.

Donna Lee

The Little Girl in Me

The Little Girl in Me . . .

Still wants to play each day

taking the time to just be

Wants to create magic with paints and crayons

they are just more expensive these days

Is in love with each and every day

cherishing all the happy moments around me

Just wants life to be simple again

pushing away all of life's complications

Loves to play outside with her friends

for girlfriend times are the best

Wants to play dress up and be pretty

finding it harder now to find her own style

Will write with her pencil and pen

now creating stories and poems from her life

Still bites her bottom lip when stressed

for she finds comfort still there

Is seeking new ways to discover life

for she never wants to stop growing inside

Always needs her afternoon naps

 recharging for the next get up and go

Is always seeking out beauty in the world

so happy to discover there is still so much out there

The little girl in me

soon to be a first time grand mommy

to a precious granddaughter

OH the things we will discover together . . .

Donna Lee