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Leaf x 101 = Growth

February 20, 2016 · 1 Comment

Unlocking Your Creativity:
Learn to Think Like a Designer a class taught by Faye Brown on Skillshare
In this class I had to choose 1 item to illustrate in 100 different ways,
using a variety of techniques.
This would force me to think beyond the obvious.

My chosen item was a “Leaf”, simple but so essential in life.

Leaf Baby Growth © Lisa Rivas

Started out with baby-steps and a glimpsed at my pin-board “Leaves” on Pinterest.

Leaf-Moodboard

You are welcome to visit it and maybe follow me there. Enjoy!
So here I start with some simple line drawings, most of them will be numbered.

Leaf1-13

Every LEAF speaks GROWTH to me, towards becoming the PLANT, or even a weed,
then perhaps a TREE and maybe wonderful FOOD too!

Leaf-TheBrainstorm

Then I took the Leaf to a “Brainstorm Session” today and had a blast …so many ideas!

Leaf 14-18 © Lisa Rivas

It almost felt like it went to The Courtier’s  and had a fabulous outfit made, a true ensemble!

"A Leaf in The Branch" by Lisa Rivas

After looking at the pics taken from a day of snow, I then saw the “Leaf in The Branch”…

Leaf-20-26 by Lisa Rivas

This little collection of leaves were done with a ballpoint pen and pastel pencils.
They were fun to do, almost like miniature Kandinskys!


“In every change, in every falling leaf there is some pain, some beauty.
And that’s the way new leaves grow.”
― AMIT RAY


Leaf27-32

Are there any more creatures I might have missed? Let me know, thank you.

Leaf-33-45 ©Lisa Rivas

Tried some gloss medium rendering with watercolor washes…
…with a few boo-boos sprinkled around.

Gingko-Leaves © Lisa Rivas

Some dried Ginkgo Leaves I had collected and then painted. They have such beautiful shapes!
They are like feathers, fleeting clouds, falling snow, a rainshower or a ray of light.


I saw the sunlight in a leafy place,
Bathing itself in liquid green and amber–
Where every flower had tears hid in its petals,
And every leaf was lovely with the rain.

—ERNEST RHYS, “April Romance”, The Leaf Burners and Other Poems

Leafs in a Circle by Lisa Rivas

These are repurposed Brie Cheese Box-Lids with Leaf Paintings… might do a few more.
I think a Leaf within a Circle is so uplifting.


Promise of Spring by © Lisa Rivas

Half way there… with a “Promise of Spring”. #50
Done with an ink drawing and then digital manipulation.

Leaf-51-60 by © Lisa Rivas

Going from painterly to graphic… black and yellow so effective!

“Ain’t made of jello, get behind a fellow, black and yellow!” –BEE Movie (2007)
…should I add a Bumble Bee Leaf?

Gold-Leaf 61-64 by ©Lisa Rivas

I felt myself slipping into that dip and got to thinking about that leaf,
when it dawned on me: “GOLD LEAF”.

So I did a quick attempt using some “gold leaf” in my sketch book!

Line+Shapes=Magic © Lisa Rivas

Worked on some more leaves… line drawings… and then finding the shape…
Going more for a graphic feel here.

I never know what will pop-up in my sketchbook. It’s like magic!

Sewn-Leaf #1 by Lisa Rivas


“Every leaf is a spacious plain; every line a flowing brook; every period a lofty mountain.” – JAMES HERVEY


Sewn-Leaf-Collection

Leaf-83-84 © Lisa Rivas

This is for someone who loves this leaf! – Simón Berges

Happy-Valentines © Lisa Rivas

The Earth shows love in so many ways. ♥ ♥ ♥ Happy Valentine’s Day ♥ ♥ ♥

Leaf-86-100

I found some homes within the leaves. And it’s finally here #100 – a leaf for meditation & prayer.

And softly through the altered air… Hurries a timid leaf. – EMILY DICKINSON, “Indian Summer”


This class forced me to be pretty inventive on such a simple item: a leaf! A very rewarding experience.
Thank You Faye Brown… would do it again!


 

   

Filed In: Blog

LOVE for 2016!

January 1, 2016 · 2 Comments

“And we are put on this earth a little space that we might learn to bear the beams of love”
~William Blake

 

2016 Love by Lisa Rivas

A beautiful tree crafted from the loving hands of artisans and made with tiny seed-like beads.


“To those who have given up on love: I say, ‘Trust life a little bit.’”
~Maya Angelou


   

Filed In: Blog

Whispering to The Stars…

December 22, 2015 · 1 Comment

A small painting created from magic, with a new method and medium.
If you have followed me on Instagram, you would have seen all these images…
…sprinkled here and there, whispering.
They have now found a home together under the stars!

Whispers of The Stars by ©Lisa Rivas
“Whisper to The Stars” © Lisa Rivas
• 11.5″ x 11.5″ • Mixed media on Birch board, ready to hang – BUY


“I will love the light for it shows me the way,
yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.
~Og Mandino

   

Filed In: Blog

For my Dad…

December 4, 2015 · 2 Comments

A tribute to my father

A Tribute to my Father - 120412

My father gave me two very precious things to my life:
One was unconditional love / support ; the second was the direction / acknowledgement to be creative.

Today, it is 3 years since he passed on to the other world. He is very much missed.  :heart:


“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone can give another person, he believed in me.” ~Jim Valvano

   

Filed In: Art Every Day, Blog

Into the memory of…

December 1, 2015 · 1 Comment

Just a day ago, the most beautiful bird was brought home to me by my little friend Madison.
it’s terrible when it happens… any bird or creature. But it is the way of nature, a cats course…

What totally caught my eye was it’s refinement, the stunning delicate patterns!

Rest in Peace dear bird - Lisa Rivas    Your Feathers - Lisa Rivas

It so impressed me that I took some photos of this flight-gone beauty. The more I looked, the more amazing…
There were secret markings and subtle worlds locked in it’s fabulous plumage.

Into Memory by Lisa Rivas

"Into the Memory" by ©Lisa Rivas - charcoal on paper

I wrote about it in my journal and decided to do a sketch in it’s memory.
This tribute reminds me of cactuses & rocks!


“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.”
~Emily Dickinson

   

Filed In: Art Every Day, Blog, Cactus & Succulents

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Go joyfully through life... listen, observe, dream, create & smile!
~Lisa Rivas

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When I take the time to look and to really see and to apply my "foolish" imagination, there are worlds within worlds within worlds to be discovered.

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