I often use a glass palette when using acrylic paints and every few years it is time to peel the skin from the glass. This year I decided to use the skins to make bottle cap magnets, which would be a remembrance of the various paintings I have made over the past two years. You could easily transition this activity to work with kids simply by taking some of their original artwork, especially abstract pieces, and cutting the circles directly from that. These would make great gifts kids could give to mom or dad, or even as birthday gifts. They would also make wonderful fridge magnets to showcase their “masterpiece” artworks as well!

First step is to pull the skin from the glass.

Here is a large skin, you can see the gorgeous colors that the glass reveals on the skin.

After the skin is pulled, I place a gel thumbprint (that’s what I call them) onto the skin and cut around it. This makes the painting look like it is covered in epoxy.

I then glue the thumbprint, back side down, into the bottle cap and place a magnet on the back.

These magnets turn out gorgeous and are really simple to do.

Since today was Star Wars Day I decided to embrace it by creating this acrylic collage on canvas made out of painted paper. Hope you enjoy it and may the Force Be With You!

This was one of ‘those’ paintings.
Those paintings that called out from under the bed in want of attention, that I was never content with, but wouldn’t rest until it was dealt with. Today was that day when my emotions needing dealing with and this painting seemed like the best way to express the juxtaposition of living a happy life but being filled with angst for no good reason. I think it happens that way sometimes, at least with me, so the raw emotion of that frustration spilled onto the canvas and at last, this can rest. What you see here is the 7th revision to this piece and I am finally willing to say….done…all done…and walk away. Will deal with the emotions of that too,

8.5″ by 11″ mixed media on board by Ardith Goodwin

#mixedmedia #abstractarteveryday #abstractart

I can get caught up in taking photos of art and such that I forget to stop and take a snapshot of the daily mess that goes along with it. I hope when I am dead and buried that my kids will view these images and see that I lived a beautiful, joy filled life, despite the challenges. This has been today's image. A table full of art, creativity, the gift of wine, and the excitement of mess with a view. What isn't pictured is the chaos, the pain, the pile of 'must get dones' that didn't, but that's ok. I am cool with this pic saying the day was perfect. Hope yours was.

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For the longest time I piled up a ton of watercolor and acrylic studies, paintings that just weren’t ready to market, and some that were pitiful. I couldn’t bring my self to throw them away so the collage artist in me decided to cut them up and create a square abstract series of miniatures. I have had more fun piecing together these little gems. Some have become part of my One Collage At A Time Series which you can see here: http://ardithscollage.blogspot.com, but most are being worked into smaller, stand alone paintings mounted on a floating canvas. Manyof these little collages are only 1-2″ square, as you can see in some of the photos. The canvases are gallery wrapped, 4″ by 4″ so that might help give the size some perspective. If you have paintings that are just lying around, you might consider cutting them up too if you can bring yourself to do it.

by Ardith Goodwin

In album Miniature Abstract Square Collages (50 photos)

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I so love Orzo pasta and am constantly looking for different ways to use it. This afternoon I am headed to a cookout so I thought it would be a great opportunity to make my Spring Pasta Salad with it added in. The finished product is light, yummy, and really healthy.

Makes enough for 8
Diced fresh veggies- I included 2 fresh squash, 2 zucchini, 1 orange bell pepper, 3 small broccoli crowns, and 1 medium cucumber.
10 Diced Strawberries
1/3 cup Raisins

Mix all that together, salt and pepper to taste, (I add Ms. Dash seasoning)
Add in the cooked Orzo pasta ( I used 3/4 pound, a bit of olive oil, and then 1/4 cup dressing.
I use Raspberry Vinaigrette because it isn't high in calories and mixes well with the fruit without overpowering the salad with sweetness. I am also trying to eat healthy so the heavier dressings were not an option for me.

You can mix up this salad in just about any variety, in fact, I might add sunflowers seeds next time.
If you try it, let me know what you think.
Happy Spring friends!

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Being an artist is what I consider to be a gift, but being an artist with disabilities and part of the international Very Special Arts program along with many other artists who live with disabilities, is a privileged. If you aren't aware of the VSA program, it was created as a component of The Kennedy Center to foster the artistic talents in those who struggle with chronic illness, disease, or disability, and each state, along with many other countries have chapters which support and encourage artists like us. This month, the state chapter of Alabama will host Creativity in the Magic City in Birmingham and artists like me from around the state will gather at the AT&T Center to enjoy a night of celebration and art auctions. My paintings, "Twin Tanks, Twin Towers" was one of two chosen for this show and I am thrilled to be able to share it. If you know of an artist that struggles with disease or disability, I encourage you to reach out to the VSA Program in your state and to the national organization and become a VSA participating artist. Here is a link to the national chapter which has links to the state info as well.

http://www.vsaarts.org/education/vsa/

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It feels good to be slinging paint again and the colors and freshness of spring inspired me to paint flowers for our upcoming Artwalk. I chose to try my hand with a few new techniques such as using a wash and drips, texture with credit cards, and glazing with layers. It has been a fun process and I look forward to using some of these new tricks with works on paper. These pieces were painted over the last few days, I find it interesting how my style changed as well, as that wasn't something I planned.

In album Floral Acrylic Paintings (8 photos)

"Poppies" 6" by 6" acrylic on canvas

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I saw this post on Pinterest from The Blue Basket and thought it was one of the most fun ideas for Father's Day I have seen in a long time, especially if you have little ones who love to play with cars and dads or moms who love to get a back rub! Great DIY tutorial in the link below. I only wish I had little ones left at home to enjoy making and playing with this!
http://thebluebasket.blogspot.com/2011/09/tutorial-car-shirt.html

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I saw this recipe floating on Pinterest and thought it would be fun to try for Easter! All it takes are washed green grapes, a ziploc bag, and one box Lime Jell-O. Shake them up and serve. Yes, I could have served them fresh but for a special treat they were yummy today. For an alternative you could use red grapes and raspberry jello too!

by Ardith Goodwin

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