Toni’s Tuesday Time-lapse Video:) Roses

“Invention is the necessity of motherhood.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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In the Socratic dialogue ‘Republic’, Plato famously wrote: “our need will be the real creator” (Wikipedia.org, 2020) which was moulded over time into the English proverb ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’.Oct 26, 2020

I changed the quote around a little because it seems like if you are a woman, a mother, a wife, a care giver, or whatever your role in life, mothers and women usually come up with some invention to fix a problem or save the day.

Last night, I went upstairs to my “crap room” otherwise known as my art studio, to get a hand painted card for Miss Brenda. We were celebrating more January birthdays. Oh no! I was out of cards.

Well, I did what every artistic desperate woman would do. I took out paints, brushes and cards and started painting. I thought I’d kill two birds with one paint brush and make a time-lapse video of the process.

https://youtube.com/shorts/KfUNt0ujJRE?feature=share

While I was at it, seeing as it was only 1 am, I decided to paint a few extras for the next birthday.

Once you get an assembly line going, and juggle brushes from hand to hand and from your clenched teeth, it goes pretty fast.

Voila! Another artistic crisis averted.

Tuesday:) Toni’s Painting Tip for Today~ Red Roses

“Roses do not bloom hurriedly; for beauty, like any masterpiece, takes time to blossom.”

― Matshona Dhliwayo

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Roses do not get painted hurriedly either, for beauty, like any masterpiece takes a lot of time, patience and love. Always love.

Today, I decided instead of sitting like a lump on a log, I would sit like a thorn on a rose and do some painting. I gathered my supplies, six blank clear vases, put on some YouTube videos to listen to, and spent most the day painting.

(Check out my videos below)

I always feel so accomplished when I set a goal and finish. I sit back, look at my masterpieces and say…”Miss Toni is…. (yes, everyone chime in) AMAZING!” Plus, it’s always fun to share a quick video with anyone interested in the technique.

Wednesday:) What Ya Been Up To, Miss Toni?

“Make something special for the ones you love. That Amazon box at the door just can’t say, ‘Look what I made for you!’ ”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I stayed up late last night to paint the letters for the new baby’s room. Everyone was up to bed, so the perfect time to watch the Hallmark Channel and paint pink roses. I finally finished around 1 a.m. They turned out pretty nice. They will go up in the baby’s room when Daddy has a minute to put them up. That might be in June. They have their hands full.

Here’s how they turned out. They should look nice on the pink walls. I’m glad that I had time to make something special for Sophie.

Tuesday: Taking Time To Help a Friend

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.Maya Angelou

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One of the greatest compliments I receive is when a friend calls me and asks for an “emergency craft or art consult.” 

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Tana called me and said, “Toni, I have a big favor to ask you. I was trying to paint some flowers on a large chalkboard and it turned out terrible. I painted over it. Can you help me ?”

She texted me a picture of a framed board that she had printed all the names of guests and table seating for her daughter’s wedding. It was Thursdady afternoon and the wedding was Saturday. So, I asked what the wedding colors were, and I drove over to her house with paints and brushes in hand. Turns out their colors were white and gold. Perfect! I love painting roses in those colors. 

  
This was a huge, maybe 40x 50 in. frame. I love a challenge. I did a quick practice on paper and asked her if she liked it. She did. I was a little nervous, as she had spent hours writing all the names. 

  
Tana loved the roses. Her husband came home while I was in the middle of painting. They both watched me in awe, and couldn’t believe how quickly and easily I painted the roses. Lots of practice!

In less than half an hour, I saved the day. Well, not really, but they were very grateful for my kindness. I donned my Super Artist cape, rinsed my brushes, and was on my way. Another crafting crises avoided. 

I often get calls from friends asking for help on some project or other. I usually have a good solution. And when I don’t know, I do what most creative artists do…I make something up. Just kidding! Or am I?