Karmic quandary resolved

Karmic Quandary
ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

First Sketch

I am done with my Karmic Quandary!  Well, no one is completely done solving existential questions, but this mandala is pretty much finished...YAY!!!  I have started on another piece and feel focused.  There are several juried art shows I hope to enter the next few months. Sometimes my work is accepted, sometimes not, but each experience allows me to create a new piece and grow.

I posted my first sketch, which was half of the mandala. I usually plan out my composition on sketch paper. In this case, I drew half of the design and flipped it horizonatlly to repeat it on the other half. Once that is done, I put on music and apply color!  Thank you to the Pandora Mozart Station for providing background music this week.

Mandala in Progress

Karmic Quandary
ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

I was all set to do my second piece in a series of sunglass reflections, and got distracted! I was helping with several community activities and teaching. However, all of it is good. I enjoy connecting with people and doing positive work.

This mandala is called Karmic Quandary. Again, making this piece is a healing and transformative activity.  Some fellow artists in my critique group had encouraged me to do more mandalas. I appreciate their friendship and support. Creating art is a solitary business, and meeting with other artists is great for one's soul!

New work

Ⓒ 2012 Barbara Goodsitt

Here is the first in a new series of sunglass reflections. 

This piece is 11" x 14" colored pencil.

North American Car Show-2012

Artistically Painted Smart Car

An annual tradition in our family has been to atttend the North American Car Show held at Cobo Hall in Detroit every January.  My husband, who has engineering in his background, and son are enthusiastic car buffs. This year our son started working for Ford! We enjoyed comparing all the new cars with him. However, my favorite part of the car show is our excursion to Greektown for lunch!

The most artistic element in the show is pictured above:  a Smart Car that was painted by Billy the Artist.

Futuristic  

Beautiful Protoype

February 11th - AAWA 60th Anniversary Gala

Art by Barbara Goodsitt

Ann Arbor Women Artists (and a few good men) is the largest arts organization in Washtenaw County.  I have enjoyed being an active member for several years. This group has been a great resource for artists in our community. We have several local venues where members can exhibit & sell their artwork. AAWA also offers a series of free lectures in our educational speakers program, as well as many art workshops led by nationally known artists.  AAWA was started 60 years ago, and this year we are celebrating our anniversary with a Gala Event: a Venetian Masked Ball. This event is open to the public. We will be honoring several important local arts professionals and there will be live music, food and a cash bar!  It is reasonably priced at $10 per ticket, so please join us at Washtenaw Community College on February 11th for a great evening.

Arizona

At Biosphere 2

We just returned from a lovely trip to Tucson.

One week of sunny blue Arizona skies was a great break from our gray Michigan winter! There are so many wonderful things to see, including the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and  Biosphere2, "where science lives"! We enjoyed a great tour and I highly recommend the trip. 

Disturbed Prairie Dog
ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Sonora Desert Museum
ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Sonora Desert Museum
ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

I recently completed a composite pet portrait for my outstanding pet sitter Bobbie Mann who owns Lit'l One Pet Sitting & Dog walking. She is a wonderful person who takes great care of our pets when we are gone. She is the proud owner of SEVEN Havanese! They are so cute and wonderful companions.

Happy Holidays 2011

ⓒBarbara Goodsitt

 May your life be blessed with much affection, beauty, balance, harmony, optimism, trust and understanding in the coming year. 

Benefits of Participating in Creative Arts

I wanted to share some of the work my WCC students are doing this session.  It is exciting to see how each person explores art in their own way. These students come from diverse backgrounds.  Many people discover a talent they did not know that they possesed. Some of my students studied art many years ago, but left it behind to pursue a more lucrative career or raise a family. People who participate in creative arts benefit both emotionally and physically.  

You can be creative with visual arts, music, dancing, cooking, and the list goes on... I hope you all find a way to add creativity to the things you do.  Life is good!