celebrate progress // try something new

One of the things I've wanted to do for a long time is try my hand at stamp making.

While I have been pretty busy with some new initiatives around art

{which I'll certainly share when I am able to!}
I decided to give it a try.

In a world of Pinterest and perfection
trying something new can be intimidating
to say the least, 
but forcing yourself to step out
bit by bit
will open new doors, 
and illuminate parts of yourself
that you may have never seen.

Here is a truth 
that God whispered to me one day
when I was fretting about areas of personal struggle:

"Look for progress, 
not perfection. 
That way you can celebrate 
any small advance."

So, with that I mind,
I tackle new things,
and I celebrate small advances in my life.

I have had a high density rubber block for quite some time.
It sat in a drawer, 
patiently waiting to be used for just over a year.
Today I pulled it out and carved my first rubber stamp.

I did not remember to take a picture of what it looked like before I unpackaged it,
but here is the chunk that remained after I carved into part of it.
{my carving tool, self-healing cutting mat and the product label are included 
in case you want to try it yourself.}

I made a simple leaf pattern and drew it directly on the block. 
For more complicated patterns,
I think I would draw the image on a separate paper 
and then use transfer paper to get the image to the block.

Here are a few pictures of my process and the result:

It is very simple and flawed, but I don't care.
It was totally fun!!
I'll add this to my stamp collection 
and use it in other art initiatives.

I'll leave you with this quote I saw today
{author unknown to me}

"Embrace imperfection, 
its a sign that you are not afraid 
to try NEW things."

Silvia

my Christmas wish for you...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

My Christmas wish for you is simple,
and deeply heart-felt:

May you encounter the God who has always loved you 

with a relentless, unconditional and passionate love:

may you encounter Jesus
as you never have before.

I wish you every joy, happiness and peace this Christmas. 

With love,

 Silvia

Supplies used:

• art journal
• acrylic paint
• paper napkins
• tissue paper
• washi tape
• Pitt XS black marker
• Jelly Roll white maker
• DecoArt Snow-Tex medium
• water soluble pencil

Treasures from the Oregon Coast

Memories ... 

our trip to the west coast of the United States

was packed with sweet memories

I have been making a photo book 

in hopes of capturing some of the beautiful times

we shared together.

One of our favourite places was Indian Beach, in Ecola State Park.

The beach was stunning and picturesque, 

and the shifting tide allowed us to spend hours

getting lost exploring tide pools.

Being a homeschool mom, 

I couldn't help but prepare for this much anticipated event,

and I found some tide pool I.D. charts online

{you can see them pinned them here}

I laminated them {to waterproof}

and handed them out before we left home.

The charts came with us to the tides pools,

and were so helpful in identifying the treasures we saw.

From sea stars and anemone to chitons and barnacles,

here are some of our

tide pool treasures...

Here they go, with their tide pool ID sheets, ready to explore! 

Thank you Indian Beach!

Silvia

the process

It is very exciting to have my art being exhibited at Oh So Good Cafe.
I thought I'd share a bit of what goes into creating a mixed media piece,

and then blogging about it.

I have hundreds {honestly, thousands I'm sure}

of pictures that I take for blogging 

that never  actually make it onto my blog.

Sometimes, I simply didn't have the time

to get a blog post ready

{it takes a good chunk of time}

and quite frankly,

sometimes,

what seemed like a great idea one day,

just didn't have the same appeal the next day.

A lot of the first steps happen in my thoughts

{I often lay in bed seeing images of what I could create ...

oh! if i could just snapshot those paintings in my brain!}

I do a lot of thinking before I start a piece.

And then I...

I sketch it out, 

play with it,

do background work, 

and layering,

drying time {which I usually rush along with dryer},

paint, paint and more paint!

I often add watercolour or ink

as one of my top layers,

I highlight with a white pen or marker, 

{my favourite pen to date: Uniball Signo},

I create shadows,

splatter paint {on purpose}

and sometimes, 

I doodle at the very end.

I nearly always I take pictures,

{alone, or with help from my man}

And then, sometimes, I blog about it. 

Here is a peak, taken from various paintings:

 {drawing stage of a watercolour}

 {first layer of mixed media, drying paint}

 {collage, more paint, stamping, spraying, dripping, adding wash tape ... I'm almost always on the floor by now}

{another background in process}

{inks for one of the top layers}

{photo shoot}

{Tim, helping me out}

{me, taking some pics}

Stay tuned! I am planning to soon blog about some

useful background-making supplies!

Silvia

oh let's be adventurers!

Wow, it has been a while since I've blogged!

During the month of October,

my family and I ventured on a trip down 

the west coast of the United States, 

from Seattle, WA to Huntington Beach, CA.

The trip was a healthy mix of vacation, art and ministry.

and we had a really special time together.

If you have seen the Oregon coast, 

the Redwood forests,

or the Big Sur in California,

you will likely agree with me when I say that 
"spectacular" seems to be a weak word to describe those places.
Perhaps, "awe-inspiring, heart-stirring, magnificent and dramatically spectacular"
would better describe the beauty that sits on the west edge of the continent.
Okay, okay ... I'll stop.

In truth, I am always so drawn to the ocean, 

and I miss it when I've been away from it for too long.

The sheer majesty, the relentlessness of it

communicates deeply to my soul.

I saw a t-shirt once that said,

"adventure is a family value".

I think I'd like to get that t-shirt!

Here are a few of my favourite scenes.
May you be inspired.

May your days be filled with joy and inspiration!

Silvia

exciting news!!

Whew! Its been a busy few months, 

but I did it!

In a few days we are heading out on a 4 week ministry trip/vacation.

{I'm very excited!}
And I had set some goals for myself,
somethings I wanted to accomplish before we left...

I wanted:

 • to get 7-9 paintings completed,

• open up shop in a few on-line art stores

{sorry Esty, you didn't make the cut this time}

• and put some effort into having my art displayed locally.

Whoo-hoo!

I'm so excited to announce that 

I did it!!

I will be displaying my art at 

Oh So Good Dessert & Coffee House

{downtown, on York St)

during December and January!

Please stop by to see it

{and get one of their incredible desserts}

And, you can now buy my art on-line at:

Fine Art of America

and

Society6.

{check out the link to Society6 to the right of this text}

I have hashtaged on instagram

#meetinggoalsfeelsgood
It really does feel good!

If you would like to follow me on instagram

{and see lots of pictures of our upcoming adventure!}

I am silviaklassen

Here is a sample of what you will find for sale in my on-line stores.

I will update it regularly.

Thanks for being a part of this exciting journey with me!

Silvia

a little gallery

I thought I'd post a little gallery 

of some recent art work 

{exploration, really.}

Some of them are in my art journals,

and few are hanging up on my 

inspiration wall.

{If you follow me on instagram,

you'll have seen some of these already.  

If you'd like to follow me, 

you can find me at:

silviaklassen}

One of the major lessons I have learned 

is to 

Just. Let. Go.

{Elsa was right on that}

Art doesn't flow when you are worried about perfection.

Art flows when you release yourself

to the process.

So, the good, the bad and the messy

Are all a beautiful part of it.

I hope you enjoy browsing,

and feel inspired to explore

in your own world,

with the things you love to do.

Silvia