My First Art Journal

I am in the process of organizing photos and family history. I thought it would be fun to share part of my trip down memory lane.

Here is my first art journal. I am around 6 or 7 years old. Like many of my art journals, sketchbooks, or scrapbooks (call them what you want) I usually didn't finish filling them in before I was on to the "brand new" book - something I still struggle with. I am trying really hard to completely finish one journal before starting another these days.

Yes, we always had some kind of wild animal that we rescued. I would not recommend it today. Racoons carry diseases that we didn't know of back then. Seeing these pages just reaffirms art and animals have always been a constant for me.

I am a OWOH Winner!

I participated in the OWOH event this year. I had the wonderful experience of visiting several blogs. But, not as many as I would have liked to. I am thrilled to be a winner from the blog of Nikki Smith http://www.booksmithstudio.com/. My prize is an 8" x 8" print of

Planet Path

Based on a 360 degree panorama photograph of a rural Bryan, Texas. Check out Nikki's blog for more planets and book arts.

Looking at this particular planet makes me think of: the paths we choose; what if there was only one path? and do we create our own path.?

Thank you Nikki!

Sketchbook Challenge - Opposites - Hare

For the February Sketchbook Challenge, I created the Hare an "opposite" to a previous art journal page the Tortoise.

Sketchbook Challenge - Opposites

Opposites 1
I started out working with foregrounds and backgrounds, with opposing views on each page. Then I searched the internet for quotes that spoke to me.

Opposites 2
After thinking about Marc Chagall's quote "All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites". I decided to add the "opposite" color to blue, which is orange. I think a much richer version than Opposites 1.

Edna's Father Wins Best of Breed at Westminster!

Edna's father Hoss, won best of breed boston terrier at the 2011 Westminster Dog Show. Edna is our little sweetie. She is one of Gertie's puppies, my daughter Brook's dog. A picture of Hoss on the big screen at Madison Square Garden. Brook also was showing a boston terrier at Westminster. She is wearing an all red suit in this video for the boston terrier group.

After Westminster Brook brought Hoss home for a few days. I brought Edna over so that she could meet her father.

Frankie (Edna's brother), Hoss and Edna. Gertie couldn't be in the picture because she was in heat. Not quite the right time to add to the family :)

Sketchbook Challenge - Opposites

The February theme for the Sketchbook challenge is opposites. I had a page prepped with the purple and gold mix and decided that these colors opposite on the color wheel would be my inspiration.

My cup of chai tea was the inspiration for this page. Chai tea...one of my favorites.

When you get to the end of all the light that you know

When you get to the end of all the light that you know & it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown...
Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly. -Edward Teller

One World One Heart 2011

Welcome to RAEvN's Nest! I hope that you enjoy your visit here! I am Kim Rae Nugent, a mixed media artist who enjoys exploring just about any art medium. Besides creating art, I have four Boston Terriers who keep me company in my studio and several granddogs who visit often. I am married and have a lovely family, but for the most part I keep this blog art related. I live in Fredonia, Wisconsin, USA

My giveaway is a signed copy of my book "Interactive Art Workshop: Set Your Mixed Media Art in Motion" .

Just leave a comment on this post to be included in the drawing. I must be able to contact you from your comment. Open to all active bloggers worldwide. The winner will be announced Feb. 17th and I will email the winner as well as post it here.

Congratulations! The winner of my OWOH giveaway is Rusted Wings Gallery!

Rose

The long winter has a hold on me. At least when I create a journal page I feel a bit productive. Rose my granddog is over for a visit this week.

Doodling Continued

I decided the revisit the pod shape that emerged from the previous doodle. It was a conscious choice to draw three pods. The rest developed as I went along.

The Sport of Doodling

I have been inspired by the doodling or zentangles of other "Sketchbook Challenge" artists. So while watching with friends the Packers vs Bears game and the Steelers vs Jets I doodled. I probably missed a lot of the games action...but look at my doodles!

Bumper Cow - Madison, Wisconsin

Every once in awhile I google my name and this image came up. One of my accomplishments before I started this blog. My husband and I made this for Cow Parade Wisconsin 2006. 101 cows were displayed in and around Madison. I designed and painted the "Bumper Cow". My husband Mark fabricated the seat and opening. He also attached the pole and steering wheel. After they were done being displayed, the cows were auctioned off to benefit various charities.

The story behind this is Mark had surgery on both big toes and his knee before it was due. He took a little time to recuperate before finishing the fabrication. This left me with only 1 week to paint the entire cow, so being stressed out, I gave myself a migraine which lasted the entire time. Sometimes we can't enjoy the process!