Splashing Through Life - Art by Patricia Henderson

I have a bunch of sketchbooks/art journals laying around that I had been sporadically working in. I get very excited every March when Karen Abend starts up Sketchbook Revival and I work away each day, discovering new ways to journal and sketch, and discovering wonderful artists, crafters and writers. But when March is over, I go back to only getting out my books just every once in a while. I've decided to change that and start a "Regular Art Journal Practice." That doesn't mean that I will be slavishly producing something wonderful every day. Some days I work at something quite intricate and intense, other days I will just cover a page with leftover paint from my palette! Other days I won't do anything at all. But it's not long before I get back into a sketchbook. I thought I'd share a few pages with you and how I came to make them. Many are inspired by prompts or demos by other artists that I admire, some come from books or prompt cards that I own. S...

It was so peaceful on my back porch this morning,while I was sketching in my idea book. We had some tiny visitors to the hummingbird feeders lately and that inspired me to develop an idea for a collage. This is a very small doodle of my idea so far.  I was kept company by Mrs. Robin on her nest, and Miss Maggie by my side. Hummingbird Collage Idea In my Sketchbook 6" X 3" NFS

After a fairly mild winter around here, spring has been a bit hesitant to arrive. This week, however, has been sunny, warm and beautiful. I think sping is here at last! Along with spring have come my allergies. So while sitting outside this morning sketching these pretty Grape Hyacinths, I was fighting the wind, and watery eyes, and sneezing. But I'm not complaining. At least there weren't any mosquitos! Grape Hyacinths In my Garden Sketchbook NFS

It's a wet and windy Wednesday today. A perfect day to be inside and sketching a little bit. Today the first thing my eyes landed on was my vase of watercolour brushes.  I thought they looked like a nice bouquet! Bouquet of Brushes 5.5 X 3.5" In my sketchbook NFS

In between puttering around the pool and garden this morning, I did a quick little sketch of a flowering shrub. I believe it's a type of Spirea, and has lots of little tiny pinkish purple flowers. I had to transplant it last year and I wasn't sure if it would survive the winter, but it seems to have recovered very well! Spirea (in my small garden journal)

Last week I missed Watercolour Wednesday! Eeeek! I haven't done that since I retired. We have had someone in to do some painting (walls) and a lot of "stuff" was "stuffed" into my studio. Today, it was so lovely outside that I decided to bring my watercolours into the garden. Not too many perennials flowering yet, but I managed two ACEO's and a sketch in my garden journal. When I got my garden journal out, I realized it had been FOUR years since I had last made an entry! I couldn't believe it had been that long. I've promised myself to keep up it updated better. Weigela 2.5 X 3.5" Orange Sneezeweed 2.5 X 3.5"

The other day I posted on my Facebook Page  a sentiment that we all feel from time to time. Here's my interpretation. "In My Blanket Fort" from my sketchbook

 It's a really good time to wet my whistle after working in the garden all afternoon with an ice cold beer! Here's another one from the sketchbook...a little wonky, but who cares! :-) Wet Your Whistle! 11" X 3.5" From My Sketchbook

I've had little green frogs hopping around in my brain all week! I was commissioned to paint a bunch of tiny tree frogs by a lady who found me on Etsy. So far I've done five 3" X 5" paintings. Then I realized that it's watercolour Wednesday! So I stopped what I was doing and did a sketch of some of the paintings! With my client's permission I might be able to post the originals at a later date.  It was coincidental that I saw on Facebook today that scientists have discovered a  tree frog in Costa Rica that looks just like Kermit!  Real Life Kermit Kermit's Kousins From my Sketchbook 3" X 5"

It's funny how Wednesdays sneak up on me! Thankfully I had done a very quick sketch earlier this week of some of my African Violets. I've never had violets like these that are almost ALWAYS blooming! I love them. Wishy Washy Violets (from my sketchbook)

These darling Clementine's are so sweet and juicy, I just had to sketch them before I eat them up! I was happy with the whole one, but had fits painting the partially peeled one. So, not so happy with that one, but it's just a sketch for me. And I had fun doing it and that's all that matters! Darling Clementines In my Moleskine Sketchbook 3.5 " X 5" (The photo is a bit dark, but you get the idea!)

I finally got my shipment of 6 X 6" canvasses, so I'll be doing some more of my fruit collages. I had some strawberries in the fridge, so I got out three nice ones and decided to warm up by doing a small watercolour study in my sketchbook. Stay tuned for the collage next! Strawberry Study 3.5" X 5" Moleskin Sketchbook Holbein Waterbrush, Pigma Micron 005 pen

I've been fighting a doozy of a cold this week! Yes, you heard me, I used the D word! It has really kicked my butt, but today I'm feeling quite a bit better. Good enough anyway to get out my sketchbook and doodle a little still life of my favourite remedy, tea with honey and lemon. Remedy 5" X 3.5" In Moleskin sketchbook Holbein Waterbrush and Pigma Micron 005 pen

I decided to get out my garden journal sketchbook, but there wasn't much yet to sketch that I hadn't done last year. The only flowers that were blooming in abundance were these dandelions! It felt good to get outside with the pen and paints!

Sometimes I just don't feel like starting an actual painting. It just all seems like too much work, and I just want to play! That's when I pull out my Wreck this Journal by Keri Smith. When I first ordered and received my journal, I thought to myself, "Hmmm, maybe I'm too old to be doing this, it seems to be for young kids." Then I started wrecking. It was fun! It was for anyone! You get dirty or covered in paint, or maybe food...you just never know. It gets your creative juices flowing. I just haven't got up the nerve to tie a string around it and go for a walk with it yet!! Here are some of my favourite pages so far: This one I did today: As you can see, it doesn't matter if you are messy, that's the whole point! Here's one that may never be finished: And one that I have gotten a start on, but need more materials! From last spring: Keri has other great books that help to inspire your creativity, check her out!

A few more from the journal. I'm really enjoying sketching the flowers from my garden! So far I've done only the perennials, but as summer comes along I'm sure I'll be painting the annuals as well.

I've been delinquent in posting on my blog! I've got several more entries in my garden journal. Keep in mind these are just sketches, I usually limit myself to 10 minutes or less per flower.