Carol Wiebe

January, 2011, I decided to join the Sketchbook Challenge. I did so, quite frankly, with reluctance. Why? I am driven to pick up on and follow threads, clues, intuitions that capture my attention and await expression. Whatever I may have joined, because I was drawn to the energy and vision of another, falls by the wayside as I obey my inner response to these promptings. Here we are, though, on the edge of November, and I have managed to send a number of entries into the month

I took the painting from It’s Never Just Black and White into my favorite program, Photoshop Elements and we did a little dance routine. Once again, I see how very simple paintings can be layered into complex designs. These are a few of them: Just Say It One Both Lit From Above Faded Glory These designs were built layer by layer, from that simple beginning to a more complex outcome. Sometimes the layering leads to greater sophistication, interest, attractiveness. Sometimes, t

I worked all day on Finding the Door to My Secret Garden, but am not ready to show it yet. There are a few little details that are bothering me, and the paint is still wet. You cannot take a photo of a painting when the paint is wet. So, let me show you a black & white painting I did the other day. You can’t get much simpler, but I really like it. The marks are from one of my carved stamps. It's Never Just Black and white #CWWOL20110522 #carvedstamp #blackampwhite #wetpaint #

I painted this today. Don’t ask. I don’t know. Wait . . . . I take that back. I still don’t know, but I love it when you ask! #painting #CWWOL20110520 #arms #blackampwhite #acrylic #red

Sometimes, an art piece tales a LONG time to develop. There may be a lot of smoke, but no fire. It doesn’t have that spark that says YES, and gets you excited. You have to go on faith, because you have made pieces you like before. I started out with this, from February 11: Finding Your Way Then came layer 2: Layer 3: And layer 4: I am not in love with any of them. Layer 5 is drying as we speak. I may just add some more collage and see where that takes me. I have to accept tha

With my green paints still out, I paint this piece: Time Will Tell #acrylicpainting #CWWOL20110205 #timewilltell #time #acrylic #tell

I spent the entire day working with my grandson, making a Pikachu figure out of felt. It turned out well, and he is VERY pleased, but I can’t show it, of course. Copyright, and all that. I can show you the originl painting of Broken. I did it in the morning before work, but first I took a few minutes to “ask” inwardly for an image. Broken ~ original painting I scanned the painting, then took it into Photoshop and put another figure behind the first, added a hand, and changed

This crow first appeared in a painting I did at Southampton Art School, while taking a course with Jeane Myers. Putting the Pieces Together ~ acrylic painting by Carol Wiebe Now it is a paper applique, ready to add to one of my Cracked Paper Quilts. Flying crow applique #WiebeWayApplique #CrackedPaperQuilts #JeaneMyers #SouthamptonArtSchool #acrylic

Usually, after painting a new painting start, or underpainting, I am eager to take it into Photoshop Elements and see what I can do with it. This painting has produced: Painting start 03 a Painting start 03 b Painting start 03 c Red leaf #paintingstart #PhotoshopElements #underpainting #Redleaf #acrylic #digital

I used my Cracked Paper Quilt technique to make a frame for the stitched piece, or matte, if you prefer. I can make it as wide or as thick as I like, and make as many as I want, in any shape. I think the two (the stitched painting and the matte) are very compatible. I can make them in contrasting or matching colors. I can add beads, or found objects. I like having those kinds of options, without having to go hunting at a framing store. #framingstore #matte #frame #options #pa

STOP, already! Do you think I’ve been carried away a bit? I just have to laugh. Next, I start painting again. Don’t worry, those edges will get covered. You will also notice that the thread pulls at the paper a bit (and makes visible holes), but when one knows one will be adding paint again, it doesn’t matter. You’ll see! #acrylic #painting #paper #stitch

Here’s another “using up the paint” painting. Another left over paint painting I am now stitching it (after adding a little gold paint). Instead of stitching the paper directly, as I usually do, I glued it to felt with a glue stick  and am creating lines with stitch. When I feel I’ve stitched enough, I’ll add more layers of paint. Stitch detail #painting #stitches #leftoverpaint #stitch #acrylic #polyesterthread

Another painting from my class at Southampton . . . One of my tools was a sanding block . . . . #CarolWiebe #blueangel #CarolWiebesart #angels #collage #JeaneMyers #mixedmedia #sandingblock #SouthamptonArtSchool #acrylic

Tra`che*ot"o*my by Carol Wiebe Straight out of the subconscious. It just occurred to me: Perhaps it’s as simple as not being able to speak about how much I miss the sisters I was just flying with.  So she came today to keep me company in their stead. I appreciate that. #acrylic #subconscious #tracheotomy

Journal pages ~ by Carol Wiebe The more I do, the more I want to do. Also, the more I learn. #journalpages #handcraftedjournal #journal #handcrafted #acrylic #handcraftedartbook

As previously promised, a few of the journal pages I am feverishly creating. Journal pages ~ by Carol Wiebe Jeane‘s words keep echoing in my head: Dig deep Carol, that’s where the good stuff is hidden. #acrylic #handcrafted #handcraftedartbook #journalpages

I visited Granville Island this week and was literally stopped in my tracks when I came upon a painting by artist Janie Lockwood. I saw Connecting and quickly motioned my sister to gaze upon its loveliness as well. The online pic of this painting does not do it justice, of course. The detail and texture are subtle, and must be seen “live” to be fully appreciated. As Janie articulates in her artist statement: My focus has been to emphasize on the beauty of nature. I do this by

Flora Doehler, my artist friend of Our Bear River Adventure fame, sent me a link from COLOURlovers. I was delighted to be reminded about this vibrant site because, with so many links to explore, I had not visited this one for a while. Flora directed me, especially, to the work of Brazilian artist Delson Uchôa. The first thing that struck me is the scale in which he works. The amount of time, dedication and vision required to paint and attach the various elements together for

With the full power of the moon behind her, this woman invokes clarity. But clarity does not necessarily arrive quickly, in an easily discernible package, hovering just above our gaze before wrapping us in its bright tendrils. Rather, we piece all the various small revelations together, and begin to fathom a more spacious vision with each shining quilt, painting or poem that we “complete.” Perhaps “completion” is not the direction we want to move towards, with its suggestion

I enjoyed what Robert Genn has to say about the Zen of art. Here are some of his suggestions for practicing art this way, with my comments added, in red: Have an attitude of low expectations and nothing to lose. I think you can have a nothing to lose attitude without needing to lower your expectations. Try to make deliberate, thoughtful, rhythmic movements. This works very well. Allow yourself to dream, flow and indulge your fancies. Absolutely! Be philosophic about your w