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Take a Chance

The prompt for Fall Fearless and Fly this time is about taking a chance.  I have come to realize that in order for me to take a chance I have to trust. Trust that it will all be okay.  Trust that I can do it.  Trust  Tracy Verdugo as she guided me during a class at Art Is You.  When I have trust I take chances.

 

 

The start of this was just painful. I had no idea where it was going or any clue how it was going to get anywhere but I kept going.  I trusted Tracy.

 

 

 

 

 

Once we added colors I was much happier.  I began to feel like myself again.  Lesson learned: I need lots of color in my art.  Shocker, I know…

She had us collage and I did not like any of the materials I brought.  Does that ever happen to you when you take a class?  I decided to just use vintage photos.

 

 

Picking out the parts I liked the most wasn’t scary at all, even though I used a color I rarely use (red) because I have never been drawn to it.  It is probably my least favorite color.   The next step, well that one was scary!

 

 

 

 

Putting this much white over it certainly had me thinking about her directions but I decided to trust her and take a chance.  Glad I did.  I learned so much in this step!

 

 

 

 

 

I decided to use more red as I colored over the white areas.  Not as in love with this as I had hoped but I think all the red is making me uncomfortable with it.  I am going to let this rest and see how it feels in a few weeks.

 

 

 

I don’t regret a single chance I took on this canvas.  I am very happy with the process- it taught  me lots!

Another thing  I am very happy about is my newsletter! I was blown away by all the people who have signed up already so I decided this is a perfect time to have giveaway for my newsletter subscribers!  This mixed media experimentation kit will go to one random newsletter subscriber.  Be sure to sign up at the top right of the page by Halloween to have a chance to win!

Here’s what is included (I’ll ship internationally too!):  2 Dylusions spray inks, 1 Color Wash spray ink, 2 Color Shine spray inks, 1 October Afternoon spray ink, 1 Tattered Angels Glam, 1 gelato, 1 Twinkling H2O, 1 tube of liquid pencil, and 2 of my favorite stencils (12×12 paint lids stencil by Dina Wakely & 6×6 Mayan calendar stencil by Julie Balzer).

Want to join in on the fun at Fall Fearless and Fly? Everyone is welcome- all forms of art!    Stop on over to Fall Fearless and Fly to get all the details and see what Ronda Palazzari made & the fabulous prize!  Want more inspiration? Check out Inspire Me Monday, Mandarin Orange Monday, Creative Every Day and Show Me What You’ve Got!

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  • Corrine October 14, 2012, 7:02 pm

    I trust that you will always find a way to add that special something something to whatever you create, your “red” canvas is infused with your bubbling energy and hot mojo, maybe it called to you especially in this piece. I know I was channeling your color bubble today, needed that vibrant pop to feed me. Like you I learned so much at Art Is You, mostly to “trust” my own voice with new skills and tools. Glad you trusted your voice too! xox

  • Rinda October 14, 2012, 7:18 pm

    I love this look – it’s definitely something I want to try (covering a lot of the background to reveal only parts of it).
    Rinda

  • elle October 14, 2012, 7:26 pm

    I have been following for a while and enjoy your posts. This is a great give away so I did subscribe as well. Thanks

  • cat kerr October 14, 2012, 7:36 pm

    I’m drooling at the possibilities here!! Gosh,your canvas is gorgeous!!I’m so thrilled I stopped by today!! I’m learning to take chances…I’m often to rigid when I create…learning to let loose a bit…heehee…and a glass of wine often helps…Thanks for the chance to win this amazing Giveaway!! ( :

  • Judy Shea October 14, 2012, 7:58 pm

    Oh, my heart be still. What a cool process. So glad you trusted, Carolyn. Love what’s happening here. Looking forward to more.

  • Cynthia October 14, 2012, 8:23 pm

    I love Corrine’s “hot mojo”–that’s exactly what this page screams! I love it!! I love that there’s so much going on behind the scenes, so much movement making tiny appearances! And I so love the red!! =D

  • Maria McGuire October 14, 2012, 9:01 pm

    I, on the other hand, think that red is the best color in the whole world. I love what you did and so wish I would have been with you during that class. The stages of your project fascinate me. It is like each individual section is a work of art in its own.

  • Lori October 14, 2012, 10:22 pm

    It was interesting to follow your steps in this process. Very painterly! And i think the curved shapes look like little windows into little “worlds?”. thanks for sharing your work on Mandarin Orange Monday:)

  • Andrea October 15, 2012, 6:40 am

    I lovethe red, but i know it is hard to use colors you don’t care for…

  • Linda Starr October 15, 2012, 7:06 am

    Wonderful to see the progression I never would have guessed this pieces was created in this manner, it is very effective and I like the red additions; I just bought some canvas board yesterday and am looking forward to trying my hand again at painting.

  • Nora Clemens-Gallo October 15, 2012, 9:10 am

    Love,love, loveee this one!!! It’s absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for sharing the process as always.

    Have an amazing day!
    Nora

  • Gillian Pearce October 15, 2012, 11:10 am

    I love the curved shaped of the windows. I definitely want to have a go with that! I’ve only done this sort of thing with masking tape and straight lines but those curves look really fun. I was interested in your comments about red. I don’t like it either and I like black even less. I’m curious what I’ll end up with in those colours but will have to wait until tomorrow to find out as don’t have time today.Did you intentionally move your canvas around or did it just end up that way?

  • alex-topogina October 15, 2012, 11:39 am

    Hi Carolyn,
    My name is Alex and I’m following you from Italy so I’m very glad to hear that you ship internationally!!!

    I found your lovely blog thanks to my friend Valentina from Parole di Latte who took part to the second challenge of Artist in Blogland. I’m thinking about that too!

    I’ll keep following you & I’m looking forward to seeing your new creations.

    Hugs from Italy,
    Alex

  • The Shop Around the Corner October 15, 2012, 12:37 pm

    Loved reading through all your process, Carolyn. Funny that red is your least favorite, it’s my favorite. teehee What else is color made for if not the beauty of individuality, right. I think your piece turned out great. I look at it and see courage.
    I hope I can join the challenge next time. I’m currently hosting one of my own.
    I’ve added the Fall Fearless and Fly button to my page.
    Off to browse your page.
    XOXO’s,
    Marcia

  • tina October 15, 2012, 2:07 pm

    Wow, this is awesome, even if you feel it isn’t done just yet! I’m fairly new to mixed media, and on my budget, it takes some time to gather even 2% of what many mixed media artists seem to have on hand to create what they do. But I’m trying to learn from what I see, and work with what I have for now. I think the layers are toughest for me to wrap my head around, because covering what I just did is not comfortable, not to mention I feel like I’m wasting my art supplies that it took so much to acquire! I find myself amazed with what layers of materials some artists go through on just ONE art journal spread!!… Still I enjoy every minute of art journaling that I do, be it mixed media, or scrapbook-is, or collage, or whatever. It all does my heart and mind good! Please count me in for your give away of art supplies, and I’ll just cross my fingers!!.. I’m now a subscriber! Thanks!

  • Healy October 15, 2012, 2:27 pm

    How I wish I have the talent in painting. You did a nice works:)

    Visiting from MOM- hope you can stop by..

    http://www.sweetposh.info/2012/10/the-big-heavy-pounder-pumpkin.html

  • Valerie-Jael October 15, 2012, 4:03 pm

    Great painting with happy vibes! Valerie

  • Dara Lynn October 15, 2012, 4:16 pm

    Carolyn, I found you through Ronda Palazzari….she always has the best “creative” friends!

  • Tammy Murdock October 15, 2012, 4:35 pm

    I love that you took all those chances! I have a very hard time with red too…but looking at your painting makes me love it! Maybe I will have to branch out a bit too!

  • chubskulit October 15, 2012, 4:38 pm

    Wonderful colors

    Holiday Orange
    Hopping by from Mandarin Orange Monday. Your comment on my entry will be much appreciated!

  • iamrushmore October 15, 2012, 4:52 pm

    what a cool process. I would have been totally freaking out at the white stage. three cheers for courage and trust. the results are stunning.

  • Ronda Palazzari October 15, 2012, 5:04 pm

    Absolutely stunning canvas. LOVE it!

  • 2amscrapper October 15, 2012, 5:24 pm

    I found this fascinating–both your description of your process and the artistic outcome

  • rita montgomery October 15, 2012, 6:40 pm

    Your canvas is so RIGHT ON. I love RED and consider it a neutral.
    I am going to try collage using bits and pieces of things I love and do
    the white thing….very cool.

  • Beverly October 16, 2012, 12:53 am

    I love that you showed the process and explained what you were thinking as you proceeded. This is fantastic! It kept getting better and better. For me, I wouldn’t have known when to stop and call it ‘done’… because I think it looked so great along the way. Glad you continued on and trusted yourself to do so. Nice job!

  • Elisa Choi October 16, 2012, 6:53 am

    Fabulous piece Carolyn. You are a strong woman as you trust yourself and others to guide you on your path. I adore the red that’s coming along. 🙂

  • Unseen India October 16, 2012, 11:34 am

    Beautiful Shots !! Simply amazing !!

    Unseen India

  • Liz October 16, 2012, 12:01 pm

    These are pretty. Visiting late for MOM. Have a fabulous week.

    Liz @ MLC
    Liz @ YACB

  • Kate @ KMericks October 16, 2012, 12:08 pm

    I have to admit that I am totally blown away by every step shown in this post! I loved it, especially the bright colors. I love bright colors but it is never my inclination to keep bright in my work. I guess that’s just my “style” rearing its head! I try to fight it but it wins in the end. 🙂

  • Pauline Leger October 16, 2012, 2:19 pm

    Carolyn, i love your work and your process and your humor. (i laughed when i read “shocker”! about you loving color in your work. LOL) You and i sound alike. i’m funny too. (wink wink) PLUS i hate red! i just love the process of your artwork. So fun for you to take us along this journey with you. With each step, my mouth drops a bit more at the surprise of how beautiful it becomes. Gorgeous. xox

  • Kat October 16, 2012, 4:00 pm

    Your art is always such fun and color, these experiments are such fun too and you are stretching those creative wings, thanks for sharing with us!

  • Faye October 16, 2012, 7:52 pm

    Carolyn, this is a wonderful post. I loved how you told about your experience in the art class and how you trusted the leader. I think the piece you wound up with is beautiful. I like red.

  • Jessica October 16, 2012, 8:23 pm

    Carolyn, this is just stunning. It is so mysterious — like little windows or peepholes to fountains of creativity.

  • Tracy October 16, 2012, 9:29 pm

    I know exactly what you mean about covering things up. Often I really like the first layer that I’ve done and want to leave it at that! Glad you took a chance – it looks fabulous 🙂

  • Kathy October 16, 2012, 9:48 pm

    This was very daring, covering over details with white, and I love it! I like your bold reds. What a wonderful post, thank you!

  • Marcia October 16, 2012, 10:03 pm

    That looks like an amazingly fun class. Your painting turned out fabulous!!

  • FranT October 17, 2012, 1:31 am

    this has so much dimension and depth. i like how you did that without resorting to alot of really dark colors. Bravo, great GREAT page.

  • FranT October 17, 2012, 1:31 am

    Bravo , great GREAT painting!! 🙂

  • Ritva's ART / Ritva Sillanmäki October 17, 2012, 4:06 am

    It was interesting to follow your steps in this process. Red – inspiring and empowering color. love the challeges

  • Mary Walker October 18, 2012, 7:31 am

    I really like your arts peaky holes like little abstract windows into a new world. Great walk through of your trust process. Thanks for joining us this week for the art linkup.

  • Tracy Verdugo October 18, 2012, 10:47 am

    Thank you for trusting me Carolyn. It was awesome sharing creative play with you. Your blog is gorgeous! xox

  • Amy Noel October 19, 2012, 6:09 am

    Amazing color combo!
    Your instinct really led to a beauty!

  • Marjie Kemper October 19, 2012, 8:58 am

    Fabulous! It was such a treat to sit beside you in that class. Talk about ‘fearless’ – you embraced the project wholeheartedly! Can’t wait to see what you decide on this one. I’ve loved watching the process.

  • Mari October 19, 2012, 10:46 am

    My first time visiting your blog, I like it very much so far. This post was interesting, I like this way to paint (done a few painting this way) and its good to dare, take chances and let go and its okay not to love it right away… I think you’re on right track with it though, what about layer it again in whites (dry brushing) ?

    Have to explore your blog more, fun read

  • Pat K October 19, 2012, 2:18 pm

    Love your creative soul

  • Mari Carmen October 19, 2012, 4:22 pm

    Absolutely wonderful, Caroline! I love the color and everything!

  • Sandi McLean October 20, 2012, 5:58 pm

    2amscrapper led me indirectly to your blog, I’ve been following you on Pinterest for some time. So immersed in my favourite of all holidays, Halloween, that I ‘ve lost track of the art journal journey I started a few months ago. Just the inspiration I didn’t know I was looking for! Looking forward to your newsletter. Sandi

  • MissyK October 25, 2012, 2:18 pm

    It was fun to share your steps for this canvas…. I love the window effect.

    I’ve signed up for your newsletter to and btw I am LOVING Fall Fearless and Fly 🙂

    Karenx

    • Carolyn October 25, 2012, 7:35 pm

      So glad you’re enjoying!!

  • NatashaMay October 27, 2012, 7:05 am

    Awesome! I love the layers and warm summer colors. 🙂

  • Ellie @ The Sheep Lady October 27, 2012, 8:35 am

    Lovely colours and I loved seeing the progression of your work!

  • Deepa Gopal Sunil October 29, 2012, 12:57 am

    Wow…what a journey! Loved the progression and the thoughts that went with it. Yes, trust is such an important factor. Great post!

  • molly October 31, 2012, 5:22 pm

    i love all your color, including the red!

  • giggles November 2, 2012, 10:24 am

    I love this piece sooooo much!! Oh my so glad you trusted the process!! The red feels like a dark pink…. but I love it. Very cool… I may just try that myself!! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration..this piece is something I could live with everyday!! Happy ppf!!

    Hugs Giggles