Slow Projects

As someone who has a variety of artistic interests, I have often found myself wanting more time to spend pursuing an art or craft idea. Designing and making things is fulfilling. I have in some years, particularly while in the thick of homeschooling my kids, found it difficult to consistently block out time to focus on my art.

I always have a backlog of creative projects waiting for me. I enjoy creating designs for embroidery and stitching them. There is usually a hat, scarf or baby blanket on my knitting needles. I frequently have an idea for a drawing or painting floating around in my mind.

Our new lifestyle of an empty nest has opened up the prospect of bigger blocks of time for me to follow through on more of those ideas. Over the last several months, I have been developing the routines I need to really dig into my own creative pursuits again.

Now with the social distancing and shelter in place directives our home has suddenly returned to full and overflowing. Even with a full house, I have been able to utilize the forced time at home productively and creatively.

While it is currently a scary time in the world with social distancing and shelter in place orders in effect in Illinois, I can't say that I mind the slowing down aspect of it all. Even with the return again to a full house, I am have been able to utilize the forced at home time productively and creatively.

So far I have completed one, left from last year (lol) Christmas project, made progress on a pieced baby blanket and worked on more than one painting. I have also enjoyed getting out the watercolor paints for shared time creative experimentation time with my 18 year old daughter. Sharing the creative process with her is such a delight. We have been working on sewing some clothing items for her, as well.

For myself, an ongoing creative project can begin with a favorite image I've captured with my camera. I enjoy exploring a variety of ways to present an image. Using different mediums to create the same or similar composition allows me to emphasize different aspects that are interesting.

I am missing my forays out into the world with my camera but I  have plenty stored and ready for some editing. Many have been taken as a way for me to record an image idea for future inspiration and use as a catalyst for new ways to explore an image. Below are a few visuals from one of those adventures.

One thing leads to another...

Magic Stix Washable Markers - A Review

We were provided a set of Magic Stix Washable Markers by The Pencil Grip, Inc. to review for Homeschool Review Crew. 

Who doesn't love a brand new box of drawing or writing tools? I know, I do. So does my teen aged daughter. For us, a collection of color of almost anything, is inspiring. The box of twenty four beautiful colorful washable markers called Magic Stix we received from The Pencil Grip, Inc. is no exception. Bright and inviting, these markers arrived in a durable hard plastic case, great for keeping these vibrant drawing tools organized.

Magic Stix Washable Markers

The brilliant colors of the Magic Stix inspired several new projects and motivated us to complete others. All of the ideas we each used the Magic Stix for were works on paper. The markers maintained the color brightness when we applied the color to paper. They are washable when applied to clothing, a common side-effect of art projects with children. Marks cleaned easily off of our hard surface dining table where we frequently work on projects.

I used the Magic Stix markers to draw on standard printer paper I was using for drawings that I've taken from some of my recent photographs. The Magic Stix color stayed bright and bold when used on the slick surface of the printer paper. My daughter used the markers to finish some of her personal journal projects. The paper contained in her journal is more absorbent and rough. The marks made with Magic Stix adhered as expected on that surface, still bright, but not as bold as it appears on a more finished surface like the printer paper. One of my favorite features of these markers that will be appreciated by families with sensitive children is the fact that they are order-less. They truly are - no smell - at all. The fact that they are non-toxic is a plus for everyone.

The vibrant colors make Magic Stix Washable Markers appealing to any artist. The easy carry feature is great for using these markers anywhere. At our house, art and drawing projects haven't always stayed where they start. Though we didn't try it yet, (still too much winter) this easy to carry, stay organized box will be great for outdoor nature art ideas. That fact that they won't dry out for up to seven days without the lid makes them especially good for families of young artists or absent minded ones of any age. I have to admit though, my compulsiveness to organize supplies made testing that feature just to hard to try. I hope that someone else from the Review Crew has had the willingness to attempt allowing a marker to be left uncapped for a week.

Magic Stix are available in both twelve and twenty four packs and come in a sturdy plastic carrying case complete with a handle for convenience and to help keep them organized. This box of color was a delight to receive, use and review! They can be purchased on Amazon.com.