Art journaling by Candylei Yap

Drawing, designing and painting are each in themselves a beautiful process. We are not limited in any way, yet we tend to limit ourselves. We are our own worst critic, right after our children. They in innocence point out what they like and don't like. First we need to remember that not every drawing or sketch is meant to be sold. Each sketch is a learning process.  The more we wield the pencil the more it frees our mind and opens our heart. Freedom is what gives us confidence in the art world and what a beautiful world it is.

Often when cooking if we don't have an ingredient in the recipe we improvise according to our taste and substitute a different ingredient. This is slightly where I am at adding a little more abstract backgrounds to my aceos. Different, but overall reads the same!

Stop by my little aceo shop called Dictionary Reader  

Alice in Wonderland Art

Every day we choose a path to take. Often we cross paths with others which are not confrontational, but a new acquaintance is made. We are so happy for those we meet that open up new ideas and cultures. It adds a little more wonder to our world.

A sweet aceo painting a day is one of my new challenges. When I put myself to a commitment it cultivates the mind like a farmer who tills the soil. I am surprised what is in my mind and heart and how the art and ideas shoot forth like a fresh spring. So much is hidden away in each heart waiting to grow! When I get a pencil and start sketching it frees me and lets me dream as well. And sketching is an art form we can do anywhere. As the weather cools outside, my drawing table inside is filled with sunshine.

View more art if interested here. Candylei Illustrations   

Bad Apple Tablescapes Salad

Who was it that said there's a bad apple in every bunch?
This one just looks a little bad but tastes delicious.

It was cored so it would have room for a rose
(made from a endive crown) hat with feather and sets
on a frilly bed of lettuce. My young son was amazed
when he saw this, "Who did this?"
I guess he didn't think I could carve an apple
into a pumpkin, but he should be the one to know
we have fun with food.

Pull up to the table for some artful fun and
good healthy food!

Linking up to Common Ground Halloween Nostalgia

and French Country Cottage

Primitive Doll Clothes and Brown Transferware

I found three small collector dolls for 1.32 each at a thrift shop. They make wonderful styling props. The very first thing I did was take off their hats, their coats, their dresses right down to their whites. Doesn't she look beautiful, cool and carefree? It's hard looking at dolls bundled up in coats in 100 degree weather.









She helps hold a brown transferware teacup for me to photograph. So helpful. This tea cup is from the Royal Staffordshire group.






A little pinch of red for spice. Ruby slippers or red mary janes? Just cute!

I also found another metal plate from England. Vintage. I gave it a white wash with paint and love the change it gives the plate. It looks so peaceful, calm and shabby. The gentleman is buying flowers for his love. He seems to be having a hard time letting go of the money. Just kidding.






Happy White Wednesday. Be sure to go to Faded Charm Cottagefor all of the lovely White Wednesday posts and blog party.

Sweet Looking Westie Dog-Not Looking

Westies are bright spots on a rainy days. Radar ears up and listening to every chirp, cricket, and squirrel chatter. Our westie, Sir Salty, is a bit camera shy. He does not like to look directly at the camera. I'll whistle, jump a bit, call his name and sometimes in desperation pretend to fall down to get him to look. (They could have a tv series called Desperate Photographers.) I can't get all black and blue just trying to get a good photograph that is for sure. I can see myself twisting my ankle and having to go to the doctor and it would go like this:

Doctor: You said you twisted your ankle taking a picture of your dog?
Me: Yes, I do it all of the time.
Doctor: Take pictures or fall down?
Me: Both.
Doctor: I'm confused.
Me: Now you're sounding like me. I think I'll go for a second opinion.

This could be downright embarrassing.

You are probably saying, "Call his name." I do that too. The problem is that there are alot of beauty and animal/bird sounds outside so Sir Salty looks quickly and then turns his attention elsewhere where he thinks its needed most. All the while my camera is still focusing.

I have a new trick though. Put the treat on top of your camera. A no-fail way to get his complete attention for a few minutes! And while I'm focusing to remember if I left the iron on or the water running in the sink.

New original oil painting aceo titled "Rain Gear" up for sale on ebay.

Christmas Santa Woodland Gnome ACEO Art

When you go deep into the woods this is what you see. Gnomes and wee folk with their pets collecting pinecones. (You also see poison ivy but we won't mention that.) This is a santa gnome with his pet squirrel collecting pinecones.

Aceo - Art Cards Editions and Originals which measure 2.5 by 3.5

For Sale on ebay.

Frida Kahlo Portrait Painting Folk Art

Frida Kahlo might be the only person to bring flowers to the beach. She has found a beautiful red crab which reminds her of a heart. A heart with a pinch to it. (We must be careful with everyone's hearts.) Plus Frida has found a starfish which reminds her of the falling stars she makes wishes on. Kitty is hoping that crab doesn't go home with them!

The colors are the blues I see outside...no overcast, no smog, just brilliant blues and whites! I love this weather. Too bad the beach is a few hours away...

For more information about this painting for sale check here.


I am also adding a new link I am participating in.

Planting Marigolds

Children love marigolds and marigolds love children and can put up with about any conditions except frost and total shade.

I got to go on a fieldtrip to an agriculture fair with little kids who were more excited about planting their own marigold to take home than they were to see the cute baby animals and the farm equipment. It was even more exciting than the free ice cream! We are raising some very excited gardeners these days in school!

This painting is titled "BIRD WHISPERS." Have you heard bluebirds whisper? They are ever so quiet because they don't want to wake up the cat. Actually the cat is Adriana's cat doll. And Adriana has planted her very own marigold plant.

Bid here.

Frida Kahlo Sisters Folk Art Painting

Love is easier painted than told unless you are a writer. This painting is titled, "Let's Paint" as Frida wants to paint her sister's portrait... And kitties want their portraits painted too. All kitties love chairs because they know eventually you will want to sit down and they can sit on your lap. They are wise. Their little purring motors get louder when we are around. My own sister and I both love cats.

Original painting for sale on ebay.

The Queen Cupcake Alice and Wonderland Painting

RED HOT HEART QUEEN

Cupcakes rule when they are Queen Alice and Wonderland cupcakes. Here the queen has her maid serve her red hot heart cookies. Her majesty has taken her cupcake wrapper and made it into a red Queenly crown. Her maid sets the silver tray on an impromtu cupcake tablecloth. So creative this maid is to be one step ahead of the Queen. But she is taller and must kneel when the Queen is turned her way. This continual exercise keeps the maid the Queen of Pilates.

About the colors that I chose for this painting. Black and white for both the queen and the maid. So very Coco Chanel styled cupcakes :-)!

Check back for more cupcake characters and their creativity in recycling cupcake wrappers.

For sale.

Modern Frida Kahlo Green Earth Day Garden Art

Frida's Green Garden Painting

Green means clean

and safe for the

blooming majestic flowers,

inquisitive white rabbits

singing bluebirds

very clean black cat

Be safe and green

For sale on ebay

Cupcakes Toadstools Alice in Wonderland Painting

Painting titled: UNDERCOVER

Posing as toadstools

these two cupcake kids

are hiding from

the Queen of Hearts.

Do you think she will spy them?

They are crafty and have

used their cupcake wrappers

as toadstool hats.

Yes, there is no end to the creativity

of these cupcake people.

They are very good

at artistically recycling

cupcake wrappers.

I used to dream

of opening a

gourmet cupcake shop,

but for now

I will be happy painting

and not getting up

at 4am to bake cupcakes!

Please check back

for the rest

of the cupcake gang!

For sale on ebay.

Flower Frida Kahlo Candylei Art Painting

Blooming Frida painting

Frida starting to arise out of the bud.

How do flowers unfurl so perfectly from a small bud? Talk about vaccum sealed. They are packaged by nature in a way I wish I could pack my suitcase...and to take things out wrinkle-free like the flower petals. Tell me how to do it; please? The answer I believe is life..it is the flow and energy that enables flowers to overcome obstacles and be spectacular in their place. Life causes each petal to work together.

Is there life in my paintings?... the ebb and flow of a story to be told...an understanding feeling or emotion...a wish or a dream...We all keep dreams alive.

For sale here.