Doctors, Dentists and PAIN

Something a bit different today, this is NOT a self pity post - it is written in the hope it might help someone else out there.

Not many of you out there know, in fact I doubt any of you do.. but in April this year I gave up smoking after 30 years. What they dont tell you is not only how hard this can be, but also of the very many side effects that can manifest after the dreaded tobacco and other poisons leave your body.

So.. having suffered acute insomnia I started with a visit to the GP, who had no interest in the insomnia that I felt back in May was destroying me, I was so tired and could not function at all - he had no interest. In June I went to the dentist as I had bleeding gums, (at this point I must mention I had perfect health up to April this year)I was diagnosed with gum disease which left me totally horrified, I had looked after my teeth since I got them, some might say obsessively so. I was told by the dentist this was my own fault, firstly for smoking and secondly for not flossing every day?
After a course of antiboitics and a thorough clean from the hygienist all should have been well... but it wasnt, I started to suffer the most incredible pain in my gums.

Back to the dentist I went, they found nothing - told me all was now well.
Back to the GP I went, who informed me she was not a dentist and could not help me.

This went on.. and on..... Until this week I was forced to visit the dentist again after a couple of pretty severe days of pain, I saw a different dentist and she gave me a very thorough examination and a full x-ray. Again.. nothing wrong. Luckily for me this dentist knew her onions, she has given me a referral to the dental hosptial, but also sent me back to the GP with a note... she suspects I have NEURALGIA, the dental form of this is Odontalgia, anyone interested in knowing more about this there is plenty of information here Odontalgia
Basically, it is a condition of the nerves causing the pain I described, at last!! someone has listened and soon I can get some help. I havent actually found anyone else who suffers from this yet, but there is information out in cyberland. The most frightening thing about this condition, is most people are not diagnosed until after they have had an awful lot of unneccessary dental treatment - how scary is that? Some can also wait years for a diagnosis.


Thats enough on that one then. Meanwhile I did of course have to 'art it out' and before my last visit to the dentist I painted this, its called "PAIN" as it was how I felt at the time of painting, I was sinking into a huge pit of despair.






I will be linking this post to Effy's Swoon Sunday were many of us from the Book of Days group, choose a blog post and picture (mine is of the above painting) to enter into our Swoon day.

I also did a quick sketch of Effy this week from her picture on the website, wonder what she will make of this then? certainly should raise a smile at least - might not be fabulous, but in October last year I could only manage a stick person.




If anyone does wish to discuss Neuralgia or Odontalgia any further there are contact details for me on my website.

I hope this wasnt too miserable a blog post, that was not the intention - I am fine now, or at least I will be soon once I start the treatment, but there are many out there who are not and still waiting for the help they need.

Visit to Exhibition

Yesterday I took Mum to visit our local artist's exhibition. The exhibition was held by The Southport Palette Club, it was their 87th Annual Art Exhibition, how cool is that? the group was formed in 1921 to further the interest of Southport Artists, both professional and amateur, by holding an annual exhibition of their works.

I wondered were all these wonderful local artists were hiding, and was lucky enough to meet Caroline Kaye who as it turned out was the artist I had enjoyed the most, and had even read about her before I arrived at the exhibition. Her art was even better than what I had already seen on line, and she was also a fabuous lady to talk to, a true inspiration to me, and a great help. If you click on her name you can go take a look at her website and follow links to her art works - Caroline Kaye. I have now found there are actually local art groups I may be able to join in for some help and guidence, and to share my interest with like minded people instead of boring everyone else to bits.

The first picture above is of my new little sketchbook Mum bought me, to encourage some spontaneous sketches.

Below is some of the sketches and doodles I have been doing, I have also done a lot of painting - all abstract works.









No painting today, its now too hot in the house to do much so may well be a few days off till it cools off, which I am hoping will be soon.

Art Journal - Book of Days

This is my latest page in my 'Book of Days' Art Journal, I first learnt about Art Journalling through my friend Zoe (Fordie Fresh) blog, started to google for more information which lead me to the wonderfully talented Effy Wild and her group for the 'Book of Days'. This was back in January and I have learnt so much since then, not just about Art but life in general, and help for an improved outlook on life. The above page was 'inspired' by this weeks video from Effy, in the Book of Days program there are 2 of these per week completely free and a Facebook group you can join if you wish (and a flickr group) you can find more information and the videos here Book of Days.

It is in part due to my involvement with the Book of Days group I have had the confidence to try painting on canvas and larger papers - I'm not that great at it yet, but I have a wonderful time and can escape for hours with my easel and paints. This is the painting I did this week on canvas board 20" x 16".




This week I have learnt so much more and cant wait to put what I have learnt into practice, I have some A3 card all primed and ready to go, just needing a bit more free time......... infact I might just make a start this evening, why wait?

I have popped some illustrated ACEO's in my Etsy shop, so dont forget in a few years when I am a world famous artist they will be very valuable (LOL!!!!)

Before I forget, anyone who read my last post about my dimwitted Labrador who ate the jellyfish, he is fine now - thank you to those who messaged me to find out how he was:)

How much fun is this?

DOODLING!!!



I finally found a youtube video that 'clicked' and taught me how to do this. Not quite in Zoe's league yet (doodle queen) but having a lot of fun and a head just bursting with new ideas. The above, I called 'Angel' is the first full page doodle I have done, was over a couple of days and I really enjoyed it.




Here is my next one, I got brave here and added some watercolour too and some lettering, again took me a couple of days to finish. But thats due to lack of free time really, I just kept picking it up. I do need some new pens I think, just using a bic ink pen at the moment.



.. and then I got really brave and tried a spot of colour. Not only that, but I read a 'true' doodle is one made from just a scribble of the pen and see were that leads, so this one was just that, a total scribble I then turned into my own monster and called him 'nightmare', dont ask me why I used felt tips to colour him in I now think paint would have been better but no matter, he was fun to do.

I have seen a few pen and ink doodles with watercolour, so I have the watercolours at the ready for a play, need plenty more practice with them as a different ballgame to the acrylics I have been used too.

Hope everyone is enjoying a good weekend whatever our weird weather is throwing at you, ours has been a showery weekend, but dry and windy today and a bit chilly to say its July. Please do spare a thought for our friends in the USA though many of whom are experiencing some truly terrible weather.

Still Happy Sketching

Still happy sketching in the evenings and exploring other mediums, this one is ink pens and watercolour. The sketch was inspired by one I saw by Tamara LaPorte from Willowing on her blog.

My next one was fancing a spot of doodling, there are a lot of my arty contacts doing this at the moment its very relaxing. This one is watercolour and ink pen in my A5 sketchbook.



Here is yet another of my faces practice (I do a lot of this) used my new coloured ballpoints and some watercolour, yes I would like hair like that - would certainly be differerent LOL.



Lastly I had on the go a 20" x 16" canvas, takes sometime to do all the colours and then a different tone glaze a day to finish off. Had fun with it, but its my third one in that style now, so time for something new. I have the same size canvas board on my easil primed ready to start, be another week no doubt but hope to start tomorrow, on a new style.



Lastly I must thank Tanya from http://cardswithadifference.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/award.html for awarding me the versatile blogger award. I have actually been awarded this three times (I think) sadly I am not smart enough to carry out all the instructions, I cant even manage to put the picture on display - so please do not think I am not grateful for these awards I am, but just all too technical for me.. some might just be relieved this means I now dont have to bore them to bits with 7 facts about me?? if I could manage to think of any, dont think 7 lots of I like Art and Dogs would do it.....

Walker Art Gallery

Here is me at Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool yesterday - in awe of the sculpture with the toilet behind me there, and just loving all the abstract Art.
We went to see the Rolf Harris Exhibition, WOW!!! is all I can say, I was totally gutted we got there quite late (about 11.30am) so the book signing had closed as the queue was just huge. I did manage to get a glipse of the great man though, he looks amazing, I think he is 82 years young this year. I purchased the book about his paintings on show, some cards and a t-shirt (I just love the t-shirt), we had to queue to actually view his exibition but was well worth the wait, I loved his work but most of all enjoyed getting to see the actual painting he did of the Queen.

As the husband had taken me we were not there as long as I would have liked, as its really not his thing - so I dragged him round till he did start to appear a bit weary then we went for lunch. I will go back in a few weeks with my friend, who loves art.

This visit and a few weeks of deep thought has brought me to the conculusion I am going to have to return to work, so I have started designing a new bag today for the Etsy shop. I love art and painting, but it will be a few years before I am good enough to make any money from it and the pressure of trying too hard is not a good thing. Somehow I am going to have to divide my time to going back to sewing and having some fun art time too.
My designs have changed, If I am going to sew its going to be designs I like.. so at this rate it might take me all week for bag number one of the year, but should be worth it.

If blogger continues to behave I will show you when the bag is done later in the week, I have gone back to 'old blogger' while it will still let me, unfortunatly I lost my old page design so still have the awful colours but at least I can follow everyone and post again.

I have done a few hours sewing today, so must be time for painting now.

have a good week x0x

On the drawing board

You may remember some time ago I tried 'Duncan the Donkey' not a huge success so gave up on him. Having sorted out some interesting quotes I wanted something to go with the idea of old age, my old people were not so good so I had a go at tortoise last night, the idea is there.... earlier today I painted them too.




Maybe a bit more work on character, but I think they are coming on ok - OH said they do actually look like tortoise so thats a start.

I did manage to put my very first ACEO in my Etsy shop and even sold it on the same day, so have added a few more and when I get around to the photo's might even add some Altered Art ones for something different.
Yesterday I visited the charity shop and came out armed with frames and art blocks, have done some priming of them, but got a bit impatient with one of the frames so now sporting a rather large couple of plasters on my cut to bits thumb when I broke the glass on one, not helpful for sketching and painting.. not that I have had a lot of time today with OH at home under my feet.

So many idea's floating around my head and not enough hours in the day.

Special Anniversary

At weekend the family celebrated a very special anniversary, Mum and Dads 50th!! Here they are on their special day all those years ago.
Their main present from me I forgot to photograph, but it was a design with their names and date with all the events from March 10th over the years, in a large frame and mounted in cream and gold. (purchased the print from Etsy)

As I now have a stack of wood to paint on I started my very first plaque for them too, sorry about the poor photo.



..and a fun one I made for me.



Thats as far as I got as have now run out of ideas, apart from a larger plaque I am making for my Dad's friend in the USA for Easter.

Today I have spent sketching faces, they are improving s l o w l y .... though after about six hours of it my eyes are starting to strain a bit now. I had a go at colouring one which again went very badly, but just realised coloured pencil on waterproof paper (with tooth) was probably not the best of ideas, so going to try plain sketch paper later on, also waiting for some new portrait pencils from derwent which are the coloursoft ones, I have the full set on my wish list that I have dropped VERY large hints to anyone who will listen for my birthday next month. I seem to have far more success with pencils than most mediums, though I am still practicing with the oils - Zoe was quite right though, need much more patience than I have for that, by the time I have waited for them to dry I have lost interest.


Must say I HUGE thank you to Janice from Wellydog, my gorgeous painting arrived on Saturday I am now saving up for another visit to the framers. Also thank you to Dawn from 'Audreys Cat' as I have today won her blog giveaway and have a gorgeous retro mouse on his way to me.

... and this was meant to be a short blog!

Sad Sketching

One of those days today with very little time to do much, so I decided to just try out some sketching. Its called sad sketching as I am sad today, dont worry nothing drastic or earth shattering, just yet another occasion of people I thought were friends and could trust turning out to be not what they seemed - I can never understand how people can be so nasty to others, does it make them happy? What irritates me more is why I am always so suprised by this.

Anyway, as it turned out this lack of quality time and miseries turned out to be quiet good, well I think so (for me). Remember not so long ago I couldnt manage a matchstick man/woman. So, before I totally distroy these works with paint (not quite got to grips with that yet) I thought I had better take their picture of how they started, in order of my days practice. The first one was mainly 'eyes practice' and just to be sure I didnt ruin her with paint I coloured her in with coloured pencil for a change.






The next one is a real features practice, not happy with the noses I do, so been trying to improve them. Couldnt decide what to dress her in so she matches me today, going to try painting her in the next day or so.



The last one I was quite pleased with, this is the look I am trying to achieve - now whether or not I can do it again remains to be seen, and what happens to the poor girl once I attack her with paint is another point - but still I like her so far.




So that was my arty day today, still not finished the orange peril - my supplies didnt turn up till today and not enough time on Thurs/Fri/Sat to do much - also now wondering whether to add one of my ladies to it... decisions, decisions...

Think I might do some more sketching this evening. Sorry I havent been on any forums today, will try catch up in a day or so when feeling brighter.

Hope everyone is having a great and productive time.

~SimJaTa~

All About Layers?

I am still TRYING!! Lucky enough to have met some truly wonderful people out there in the art world who are teaching me about this layer lark in mixed media. Each time I do one it goes horribly wrong, so I have been advised to show each layer as I go along, so we can all see what happens. Everyone else can enjoy watching just how much mess I can make each day.

I started out with my latest toys that I love, they are Derwent Inktense pencils, so you start off simply scribbling about with them - good eh?




Then, just add some water.. yes, just water and they turn into bright ink




Next I added a bit of collage, just a few paper scraps..



Then out with the paint brush and Acrylic paints, and stamps



Finishing off day one once it was all dry with an indian ink pen and nib, adding a bit of doodling...




I think I know were I am heading... just waiting on the postman for the next bit of collage etc, wonder just how badly I can get it to turn out this time LOL. Also working on a birthday card, but think I need stronger card so it can stand up.. Talking of which, today is of course Valentines Day and Also my wedding anniversary, my Mum makes cards in her free time, she is very good. This is what she made for us today, has my favourite things on the front, nice glass of wine or two and my dogs.




Hope everyone is having a lovely day today, I will update what happens next on the orange peril when its done, fingers crossed.

~SimJaTa~

My first Mandala

Not much going on in my art world or Etsy shop just now, needing to care for a family member so may well be a bit quiet for a while. The beauty of my new art discoveries though, means it is something that can be done 'on the move' or in waiting rooms etc, also does help you not to go quietly insane (honest).

Whilst having a free hour to browse a day or so ago I discovered a wondeful art site called 'Artisfun.com' has a lot of free teaching and ideas, that is were I discovered the Mandala, of course I have seen many around but not actually known what they were, here is the explanation from the Artisfun website:


What is a mandala?
A mandala is a complex abstract design that is usually circular in form. In fact, "mandala" is a Sanskrit word that means "circle". Mandalas generally have one identifiable center point, from which emanates an array of symbols, shapes and forms.

Mandalas can contain both geometric and organic forms. They can also contain recognizable images that carry meaning for the person who is creating it.

In essence, mandalas represent the connection between our inner worlds and outer reality. Designing your own mandalas can be both inspirational and therapeutic.



Read more: http://www.art-is-fun.com/how-to-draw-a-mandala.html#ixzz1jp13uhxn


If you look around Etsy there are many of these wonders, far better than my first attempt, in the future I will show you an improved version (not done one yet of course but I will).






See, anyone can do this - and I can tell you its very relaxing to do. Mine was done in mixed media, inks, pastel and watercolour.


Have a good week, and be sure to do at least one thing you want to do!

~SimJaTa~

Time to try ACEO

Each day whilst I browse the daily listing thread from the Craftyfolk team on Etsy Craftyfolk
I alwasy admire our artists, they are so talented. I have noticed that many of them do very well with ACEO's, which are minature art trading cards 3.5" x 2.5". So, I thought I would have a go at these, wow what hard work it was, hard enough trying to draw on a normal scale, but I found trying to draw so tiny even harder, makes me realise just how talented these artists really are, and its nowhere near as easy as they make it look. Here are my attempts from this week... Not sure how this got in here, its my pastel drawing of a donkey, not an ACEO but now he is here you may as well see him too..



Here is one of the first ACEO's, not brilliant as my poor deceased Greyhound is not that good a likeness, this was done from a photograph taken on our holidays a few years back, meant to be my beloved late Greyhounds Dave and Zola.



This one is my attempt at a tiny tulip, done in watercolour and pencil.




Here is my ACEO Sunflower..




This was 'meant' to be poppies, but think we will just call it 'flowers'




Yes, I do have a thing for donkeys, here is one from a photograph taken at the Donkey Sanctuary in Derbyshire..



Having joined the Strathmore on line art class, this week our course work is on Doodles, believe it or not I have never done doodles before.. this lead me to take a closer look at Zen Doodles which I have had a play with, wonder what Zoe our Queen of Zen Doodles will have to say (sorry Zoe, not quite in your league yet). This is the second one I did, I really enjoyed it, very relaxing and a lot of fun..



This was the first one I had a go at, more research was needed clearly - so had another look around after this..




I have finished my course work for the class, and taken the photo's - oh dear me, really not in the same league as the other artists there, but still it was a lot of fun and I got to make an awful lot of mess using all the media, as the first class is to try mixed media and a stencil and free doodle drawing. Might treat you to that one next time, meanwhile I am awaiting OH to set me up a new email so I can create a new flickr account and join in there with the other class members. Now the rest of today is 'meant' to be working on my Etsy shop and sorting out some listings for the week.. will I do that? or will I just start doodling again...

Hope you all had a great weekend, and my attempts make you smile..

~SimJaTa~

2012 and the Craftyfolk team

I did say yesterday I was not doing enough for my shop or my Etsy team, so today I will introduce you to a few of our newest members and their latest listings. You can find the Craftyfolk Etsy team here Craftyfolk
I also managed a treasury today too. (You can find that on my page on Etsy, just click the link on my shop slideshow).

Not the best of art days so you are spared from that one today.

Starting with Gelert Design and his latest item



Some lovely new items from Lynwood Crafts, I liked this one best



One of the artists I have always admired, an ACEO from MaxineVeronica



A simply lovely addition to Beadingbyshaz




More wonderful artwork, may be sometime before I reach these standards, from Virgillaart




Loved this from Diomoglass




..and lastly one from me here at SimJaTa, I am listing each day this week to catch up from my Christmas break, this one even comes with free make up bag to match




Hope you have enjoyed today's selection, as usual just click on the photo to be taken to that item and the chance to browse the rest of the goodies in the shop.

Stay safe in the terrible gales the UK are experiencing just now, hope it all settles down soon.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

First attempt at pastel

I have been challenged to put each day's artwork right here on my blog! Dont worry, I have NOT taken up that challenge, but do intend to keep a record here in the hope we will all one day say some improvement. Today was not a good day at the easel.

Somebody thought it would be a good idea for me to try pastel, might have been an idea if I had learnt how first, not straight in then think... 'this is not going well, maybe I should find out how' Of course drawing is not my strong point, so I did a quick frog sketch then went for it (feel free to laugh here)



Its meant to be frogs in a tree hollow surrounded by flowers and trees, at least that was in my head. On a quick spot of research I found you can also add water to pastels, so I tried a bouquet from my head (yes, it is supposed to be a bouquet, LOL)



Disovering that a wee bit more research was quite obviously needed for the pastel thing, I got out the new brushes and had a quick practice, in case you were wondering I have been studying chinese art - I have the theory, but not quite the practice yet, but still I did enjoy it.





During today's research and study I have reached the decision it is highly unlikely the SimJaTa Art shop will be opening on Etsy next year - just now I am planning around 2017, so make yourself comfy for the wait.

One of my jobs before the end of the year is to work out a schedule so I can fit in the sewing to keep the Etsy shop fresh, and pleny of art time and study, this inbetween life in general - there must be a way, after all I only sleep for around 7 hours, so that leaves 17 hours in theory, 3 hours a day dog walking, cooking, washing, parent sitting, dog club, shopping..... well maybe the sleep will have to go? sure there is a way, just needs some thought....

Off to do some sketching..

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~