between assignments

2012 Starting Off Right

2012-01-30T13:58:00.000-05:00

It's always a wonderful thing to start a new year with some good news. Three of my mixed media pieces were accepted in a juried show called Urban Edge at the Grosse Pointe Art Center. YAY!

SwapBot 100,000

2011-11-29T07:42:00.005-05:00

Sorry this took so long to post:) Here's the SwapBot themed item I sent to my partner, Ellen. The finished stuffie was about the size of an ATC (3.5 x 2.5). I tried making two at the same time, because I wanted my own, but one didn't turn out as well, so I sent her the good one:) I'll try again later.

Details

I wanted this to be a functional "envelope". I added a little snap on the back so it would stay closed.

Kewpie has a new friend:)

SwapBot special event swap -- Join the Fun!

2011-09-23T10:48:00.002-04:00

I swap with Swap-bot!

I just signed up for this fun, history-making, swap on SwapBot.
There's plenty of time before it needs to be mailed. I'm going to start my trade item next week. I made a stuffie before and I think that will be the route I'll go again. Stay tuned. I'll post the finished piece by mid-Oct.

Artwork Sold and Summer Vacation

2011-07-20T14:12:00.016-04:00

I was very excited to find out that the two pieces I submitted to the Grosse Pointe Art Center sold!!! YAY! Now, I need to get busy and create more to send out into the world:)

It's been a busy summer so far. We went to Belize in June with my brother and sister-in-law and my two nephews. The guys all went scuba diving (something I will NEVER do) and my SIL and I hung out by the pool, did water runs and just chillaxed.

the hotel's chatty welcome committee

It was very hot and if it weren't for the ocean breeze it would be brutal. It was cloudy most of the days and the water was a bit rough but when the sun came out full force all the colors popped:)

The food was delicious as well.

fish tacos at Wild Mango's

plantin empanadas - spicy and sweet

cloth coasters

There was a lot of interesting things to see. I loved the colors and textures.

little "nests" made from seaweed

shot through a peephole - wall was erected around cemetery to protect it from vandals

This was the view from our balcony.

New Art, New Inspiration

2011-06-08T09:00:00.021-04:00

There was a time this year that I didn't think I'd ever see my artwork out and about again but that changed yesterday when my husband told me the Grosse Pointe Art Center called to let me know that BOTH my pieces made it into the Word Play show! YES!

I had submitted this piece for two other shows earlier in the year and didn't get in. I'm chalking my acceptance up to the fact that the juror was able to see the actual art and not just a photograph. I need to get better at photographing my artwork:)

The second piece accepted was something I've been working on for awhile and when I found the words "No Worries" it completed the image of the open hand with the textures radiating away from the fingers, expressing the idea of letting go and being receptive to new experiences and taking chances. I guess that's what I love most about creating mixed media art, you never know what little bit of paper or text will fall into place and make something entirely different from what you originally intended.

And on other note, check out this blog I read about by Austin Kleon, very interesting. Good advice and I liked his writing style. He's got a book out called Newspaper Blackout. What's funny is I've been doing this with old book pages and always called it found poetry. It really is a fun technique to recycle text and come up with some really amazing passages or phrases. Things you normally wouldn't think up out of thin air. These are a couple I did for an ATC swap back in 2007.

Artfest Creation #2

2011-04-17T22:35:00.000-04:00

And now the by-products of my class The Art of Silliness with Carla Sonheim, her highness the Squeen:) Not only did we have fun being silly and drawing randomly I got a button to boot. (I'm easy to please)

These are blob drawings, you scrape a blob of paint down and then try to find the image with what's presented. I think mine were a snail and a walrus.

Another drawing exercise we played with was called one liners. You had to draw a shape using only one continuous line. I like my elephant and even though my cats are whonky I like the childlike quality to the drawings. I can't remember if it was this exercise or another where we had to draw with our non-dominant hand. That was really interesting to do.

One of the last exercises we completed was to make a wire "drawing" of a bird and then flesh it out with fabric scrapes. I haven't given him a name yet but yesterday he learned how to stand on his own two "feet". He slightly bobbles around a bit when you first let go, but settles down and stands up straight:) He's wearing the button I got.

It really was a great class and good to have on the last day, since I was exhausted from staying up late to wrap up my earlier projects in anticipation of show and tell night.

Artfest Afterglow

2011-04-17T07:12:00.000-04:00

Another year, another Artfest, another fabulous creative time. I was extremely pleased with my classes this year (Mary Beth Shaw (the queen of stencils), Misty Mawn (the layer queen) and Carla Sonheim (the squeen).

But enough dallying with words, on to the pictures:) This is the I work did in Misty's class, Black on White, where the focus was to create using only black & white and all the shades in between. Some of the new tools I'll be using in the future include black gesso (love this stuff), black masking tape, hand carved stamps (thanks to my tablemate Antoinette for the use of her carving tool), and handwriting in longer, looser marks. We started simple and just kept adding layers upon layers. I'm still looking at some of the pages and wanting to add more:)

HatchBack5

2011-04-16T21:23:00.005-04:00

YAY! I got a great surprise the other day. I was accepted into HATCH's annual juried show, HatchBack5! It really was a surprise since earlier in the week I gotten notice that I hadn't made the cut. People make mistakes. I was just overjoyed that a piece I had worked on this summer made it in. The show is up until May 21 at Cafe 1923 in Hamtramck.

Artfest 2011 Gallery Art } ATC Nest Book Part 2

2011-03-26T18:01:00.007-04:00

*** follow up ***
Thank you to whomever bought my little nest book:) I hope I was able to make something that brings you joy. Take care.

I finished the storage box for the ATC book. It fit perfectly:)
Checkout my previous post for details on the book itself.

Artfest 2011 Gallery Art } House of Eggcellent Inspiration

2011-03-21T19:56:00.010-04:00

I had so much fun coming up with this participatory art piece:) This is a little wooden bird house that is filled with seven "inspiration" eggs.

Each egg represents an art-making technique (line marks, painting, collage, found poetry, image transfer, frottage and stencilling). The idea is to tip the bird house until one of the eggs falls out of the opening and the word on the egg will be your starting point for the day.

I also made a companion mini-zine that elaborates on each technique in more detail. Go to the corresponding page and crack open the egg. On the left are possible materials to use and on the right a list of applications for those tools or materials.

I attached a strap on the back of the house to store the zine. My hope is this little house and it's "eggcellent" inspiration will help someone discover new ways to approach art making.

Artfest 2011 Trades

2011-03-21T19:53:00.003-04:00

After a long week of working on gallery pieces and finishing up my trades I finally got a chance to take some pictures.

These are metal "nests" with an egg being protected. Three leaves add to the tree symbol and the whole charm is attachable with the little garment pin attached to the tag.

The "birds of a feather flock together" was the idea behind the button trades. I thought it would be fun to find your "flock" by looking for those who have the same bird "song":)

My final trade is an ATC made from a handcarved rubberstamp I made at my summer play dates with my friends at Art Zoo.

As soon as I can figure out why I can't upload more pictures, I'll do a followup post with images for the two art pieces I'm planning on submitting to the Artfest gallery show.

Artfest 2011 Gallery Art } ATC Nest Book

2011-03-21T18:25:00.023-04:00

I wanted to make a small ATC-sized book to show at the gallery this year. I loved the bird theme and was drawn to nests as the focus of this piece. I did a little online research and found out that there are nine different type of nests (scrape, mound, burrow, cavity, cup, saucer, platform, pendant and sphere). That sparked my direction in making different "nests". I poked holes in the card and wove in different materials to form the nest. I used yarn, twine, painted paper strips, cut book text and other miscellaneous papers I had laying about.

I was thinking about how this all could relate to art making and came up with fragile possibilities which to me represented the inspiration or spark of an idea that can be lost if not nurtured carefully.

I had some wonderful handmade papers that I wanted to use for the main cards. These were thicker than the nest cards which are two regular weight ATC blanks glued together.

This is the cover.

My all-time favorite binding technique is called "single-sheet sewing" and was developed by Keith Smith. I learned it from Cindy Hollander from Hollander's in Ann Arbor. It's really not that hard to learn and is very flexible. You can bind a mix of any kind of material, all the pages do not have to be the same size or thickness.

After I chose phrases that described the essence of a nest and egg, I encapsulated the words inside paper eggs that went into the nests.

incubation

nurturing vessel

quiet architecture

woven intentions

place of refuge

I am still finishing up a small wooden box that will house the book. I'll post again when I get more pictures:)

Great Things in Small Packages

2011-03-04T08:23:00.005-05:00

I am so saddened to hear that this little gem of inspiration will soon be no more:( My favorite little ATC journal ATC Quarterly published by editor Ronna Mogelon is calling it quits due to declining subscriptions (evil recession). Coming on the heels of the closing of three local Borders bookstores near my home, this news is a huge shock to my creative sensibilities.

I have all the issues including the current one (#22). There will only be three more issues published and then no more. I was fortunate enough to get some work published in issues #6 and #7.

Take a look and maybe consider getting a subscription or a few back issues. It really is a great little zine. Thanks Ronna for publishing such a labor of love:)

Where Did January Go?!!!

2011-02-05T22:14:00.011-05:00

For Pete's sake. So much has happened last month. I started classes (two Flash classes teaching animation techniques and ActionScript coding) and a digital photography class!!! My brain cells are being stretched into really odd shapes (or at least that's what it feels like):P

And even though I've had a few "rejections" of late, I am trying to stay positive. It's the risk I take when I put artwork/design work out there for people to judge. But I can't make art to please others, it has to first satisfy my creative needs and if someone else finds it "worthy" that would be icing on the cake.

For now, I need to focus on my class projects and my Artfest artwork.

I also need to apologize for failing to stick to my plan of a weekly post. Obviously that is not happening. So it's back to my previous schedule of posting when I have something to share and to make up for my bad, here are some photos from my new digital camera (Nikon D3000):

a series of pod portraits

so excited to see how close I could get to a subject

found this interesting word combination on a boat trailer

a 2011 goal fulfilled - replacing burlap with real sand in my shell table

my furry baby

All the photos were shot on manual setting, with auto focus engaged. I have never had a formal class in operating a SLR camera. I used to have a Nikon FG20 old school SLR many years ago. But when the digital point-and-shoot cameras came on the scene I was hooked. I love how you can shoot away and not have to worry about changing film rolls or not knowing how the shot turned out. I AM SO EXCITED!!!

2011 One Goal

2011-01-09T12:17:00.009-05:00

Happy New Year! My first post for the year and my newly intended goal of posting weekly for my blog has begun:) Woohoo! This is kind of a big deal for me since the usual posting frequency has been monthly (barely). I decided I need to TRY to post on a regular basis and monthly was not working. I'm hoping that making the process more frequent will help me to develop this into a habit. Sundays seem like a good choice to but at this point any day will do.

I also wanted to share how my final project in my Photoshop class turned out. There's still some minor tweeking I'd like to do but for now I'm pretty happy with the final outcome. My instructor, Brain Sauriol, introduced me to this style of illustrating with Photoshop (gaussian blur the most, layer mask the least). I plan to try this technique on other images in the future.

Now that the hubbub of the holidays has subsided and things are starting to settling down, I want to make sure I keep creating artwork. It's going to be a bit of a challenge this winter as I am again enrolled in classes full-time. But I am excited for this semester since one of my classes will be a digital photography course. Oh, the possibilities for image making:) I'm also gearing up for Artfest 2011. This will be my tenth year attending. I'm currently working on trades (which include 1-inch buttons, hand-carved image ATCs, recycled fabric bird stuffies, metal bird "nest" charms, inspiration hangings) AND at least two pieces to sell in the attendee gallery. I'm fortunate to be taking classes again with Misty Mawn and Carla Sonheim. I will also be taking a class with Mary Beth Shaw, whose work I recently discovered. I cannot say enough about the quality of instruction and inspiration that comes from this fantastic art retreat. I have learned so much from all of the instructors and from other attendees. So much creativity and energy all bundled in a beautiful scenic setting. I can't imagine not having this yearly experience in my life:) Thank you Teesha!!!

I hope this year brings new insight into my work. Recently, I found a book at Borders that spoke to this interest. It's called A Daily Creativity Journal: 365 Make Something Everyday And Change Your Life!.

The basic premise is to take a theme or medium and make something everyday around that subject. Kind of an in-depth exploration of one topic, variations of a theme. I was rolling this idea around a few years back but never took it to heart. The book itself is in a great format, fun to look at and hopefully fun to actually use as a journal.

Wishing everyone a happy new year and continued artmaking in 2011!

2010-11-30T23:28:00.003-05:00

So this is my last post for this event. Hopefully next November I'll be able to keep up:)

AEDM_30_Photoshop Project Continues

2010-11-30T23:15:00.003-05:00

Wow! Ten days can fly by and now it's December. Trying to post everyday was fun but just not practical for me:) One day regular blog posts may be a priority in my schedule, but for now, once or twice a month will have to do. It's not that I haven't been creative in my posting absence, it just takes time to make the art to post. This is the latest installment of my final Photoshop project for class. It's getting there:)

AEDM_20_End of Year Ritual

2010-11-20T22:02:00.007-05:00

Every year about this time I start prepping my new Moleskine daily journal for the upcoming year. Usually the back pocket of the journal is stuffed with ticket stubs , receipts and business cards. I'll go through and glue or tape them back into the pages. I also like to go through highlight the new quotes I jotted down. But since this is a blog post about art, I thought I'd share some of the little drawings I make in my daily journal.

Sometimes the drawings are just notes to myself about something interesting I saw in a magazine.

Sometimes they are from what I observe that's happening around me.

Or merely records of the everyday ordinary things in my life.

AEDM_19_Running on Empty

2010-11-19T07:46:00.003-05:00

It's been a few days with no creative post and I apologize. I had every intention of staying with this through the end of the month, but as it happens, life takes over. But that's okay. I can't force creativity. It become affected when I do that and not from the heart. So in lieu of posting just to post, I thought I could at least make some recommendations for a few books on creativity that have been an enjoyable source of inspiration.

Patti Digh has written a couple of wonderful books, Life is a Verb and Creative is a Verb. I'm just starting Creative and so far it's just as inspiring as her first book. She is a wonderful storyteller and I've found meaning in many of the anecdotes that fill these books. I highly recommend both of these.

aedm_15_Flash Presentation Slideshow

2010-11-15T13:01:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm not sure how to upload the .swf file so it can be accessed via this blog but I thought I'd post the layout until I figure out how to do that. I exported my Flash file as a Quicktime movie but that didn't work. So much to learn. Maybe I can make a movie of me using the slideshow and then post that...possibility:P

The fish on the side glides through the background and there's a bigger fish that comes in from the right. It really has been quite fun learning how to make my static layouts come to life with movement:)

AEDM_13_stencil

2010-11-13T22:50:00.004-05:00

I used a brass stencil and scraped matte gel medium over it with an old credit card to embed misc scraps of paper and fabric onto a piece of artwork. After the gel medium is scraped, I lift off the stencil and let it dry. It gives a somewhat raised effect. I want to try using this technique again, maybe for a series of ATCs.

UPDATEAEDM_9_Out for a Walk

2010-11-13T15:05:00.002-05:00

My husband found several blogs that posted about leaf stains. Apparently it's tannic acid that leaches from the leaves that stains the cement:) Here are the related blog posts: Mike Ettner, Neighborhood Nature and BioJournalism.com.

AEDM_12_Carved Stamp

2010-11-12T16:38:00.005-05:00

So this was one of my first attempts at rubberstamp carving. It really was fun. I used a funky rubber slab that I found at Dick Blick. It was cheaper than the Speedball carving blocks and not crumbly like SpeedyCut. Cuts very easily. The piece I bought was separate and not in a kit.

AEDM_10_photo from a rainy day

2010-11-10T20:56:00.003-05:00

I've been very busy today (excuse #10: small business workshop, prepping for class, class, registering for next semester) and couldn't get to any new artwork so I found a photo I'd like to share.

This little guy was getting soaked and it was cold out:( I think he was a baby and I wanted to bring him in but I'm sure he wouldn't have appreciated all the attention he would have garnered from the kitties:)

AEDM_9_out for a walk

2010-11-09T10:52:00.004-05:00

Took a walk this morning and found some interesting things. I don't know why this happens every fall but the leaves make imprints on the sidewalk. And it only seems to be the maple leaves. And for some reason the manhole covers were requiring my attention. I can almost see a painting foundation if I squint and take away the details and just use the lines and shapes.

AEDM_8_travel journal

2010-11-08T12:23:00.003-05:00

When I travel I like to take a small pocket-sized Moleskine to record my trip. I collect found ephemera, draw the local scene or even do a quick daily list using this great grid stamp. I stamp it on small pocket envelopes that are attached to the pages, then I can tuck away receipts, ticket stubs, business cards.

AEDM_7_Arthouse Sketchbook Project 2011

2010-11-07T19:39:00.004-05:00

I'm participating in another Art House Co-op Sketchbook Project. My theme this time was: This is not a sketchbook. I'm not doing any drawing or painting in it and the imagery is totally made up of found objects. It's pretty interesting what you find when you look down:)

AEDM_6_journal

2010-11-06T16:50:00.003-04:00

I feel like I am copping out but I've been way too busy with school and everyday life to sit down and make new artwork:( But I want to keep this commitment so here's another page from my everything-and-the-kitchen-sink journal. The receipt was my grandmother's. I found it in some stash I collected when we moved my mom to an apartment last year. Stuff like this I couldn't just toss so I decided to use it in the beginning stage of this journal spread. I wish it had listed what items she had purchased. I am also leaning toward the colors brown and turquiose lately, not sure why but they always catch my eye.

AEDM_5_security envelopes

2010-11-05T12:21:00.004-04:00

Not sure where I got this idea but I've been collecting security envelopes that come in the mail with various financial statements and/or bills. These envelopes have the coolest printed patterns on the inside. I'm taking a class at Artfest with Misty Mawn called Black on White and I thought these might be a great source of B&W patterns to use in my project.

AEDM_4_storyboard

2010-11-04T11:58:00.006-04:00

This was one idea I had for an animation sequence for my AfterEffects class. Unfortunately, I don't think I will have enough time to render this for my final project but I do want to animate it in the future. The audio I wanted to use was a refrain from Lisa Hannigan's Sea Sew CD. The song is called Lille. When the xylophone begins to play that's when my little crab would "play" the shells on the beach:) I wanted to draw the crab in Illustrator. We reviewed in class how to create a character in Illustrator using layers for each segment of the body. This helps isolate each part and gives you the ability to move them separately or parent together to move as a unit.

Painting with Photoshop

2010-11-02T22:32:00.004-04:00

Today's AEDM post is the first stage in an illustration I am doing for my Advanced Photoshop class. I have never "painted" with Photoshop so this is all new to me. My instructor, Brian Sauriol, is teaching us his illustration technique. He makes it look so easy. Right now I am a little worried:) He warned that for the first 75% of the illustration it won't look like it's working and only at the very end, when you add all the little details, will the illustration finally come together. So this is my first 10%.

AEDM_1_journal page

2010-11-01T14:49:00.004-04:00

This is from a journal I started this past summer. I wanted to try and use up the misc. scrap papers and ephemera I had accumulated over the years instead of going out and buying brand new collage supplies. I also wanted to loosen up and not plan out anything. This is the first step. I'll add washes of color over everything to unify the background, maybe had some more imagery and then the final step, add text (either rubberstamp a quote or just journal) I also want to use this journal as a source of inspiration for colors and shapes. I might make separate paintings or collages out of cropped sections of the finished pages.

November is Art Every Day Month

2010-10-31T11:28:00.004-04:00

I did not know this! I'm going to try and participate starting tomorrow. It's going to be a bit hectic at first until I get into the groove of what I want to post. I'm not going to nail myself down to any particular project. This is a small list of what I am considering:

School projects already in the works that need planning and creating

Scan journal pages from work I did over the summer, can be an inspiration for possible future work

Artfest trades need to be figured out

Artwork I'd like to submit to another local art show coming up this January

So the projects and art are there and my attempt at participating in this year's AEDM event is a way to move them forward.

AEDM is the brain child of Leah Piken Kolidas who is an artist living near Boston. Every November she leads a project called Art Every Day Month.

Illustrating with Illustrator:)

2010-05-19T22:51:00.006-04:00

This week has been a little weird for me. Winter semester classes ended on Saturday. I was really enjoying getting back into a classroom. And even though I've been using Illustrator and Photoshop for a long time, I never had formal training with it. IT WAS GREAT! I learned so many new time-saving techniques and I finally did an illustration with Illustrator!!! Who knew:) I've just used it for creating logos. There's a whole other world out there and I am digging it:)

The small photo is the source I used for reference for the finished illustration (thanks Anita for snapping this at Artfest). There is so much more I'd like to try with this image but for now I'll bask in my own amazement that I actually did a real illustration. And it was fun!!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall | My Artfest Muse

2010-03-16T11:49:00.014-04:00

I found the base for this piece many years ago on the beach at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend , WA during one of my Artfest retreats. I think it was a piece of a boat that washed up on the beach but it had always looked figurative to me and I finally decided to use it to create something that summed up my experiences at Artfest.

I've always used the time spent there to reflect on where I wanted to go with my art so the mirror was the perfect symbol for this and reminds me to look inside to find inspiration. A crown of confidence and wings are symbols for my belief that Artfest is a nurturing place that helped build confidence about my artwork and a resource for exploring different media and techniques of image making.

I made a detachable easel stand to give added flexibilty for display either on a tabletop or as a wall hanging. There are two sides to the symbols I've included, those on the left represent the actual physicality and presence of being at Artfest, on the right side are the creative aspects. All the items are attached using these wonderful garment pins I found at Archiver's (Making Memories Garment Pins)

I've learned that you need to follow your heart when you create and for the top left symbol I chose a small copper heart with gold filigree wings. The chain of small leaves, 11 in total, represent the years that Artfest has been in existence.

Fort Worden is a beautiful state park with wonderful trees full of crows and has a gorgeous beach that looks out to the Puget Sound. Many early morning walks as the sun rose has been the perfect start on a new day of creating. The fish and the pinecone became symbols for these rejuvenating aspects of the locale of Artfest.

Getting away from the routine of life at home and work has always been what's drawn me to Artfest. It's a respite from all that is going on in my life. The three word charms, Be -- Here -- Now, sum up what my focus becomes once I cross through the park entrance. The blue skies, the bird calls, the wind in the pines all bring a sense of calm and serenity to my mind.

I never know what masterpieces will come out of the classes I've taken at Artfest. Every one of the instructors I've had brought a wealth of information and inspiration. They've always managed to get my mind thinking and the creative juices flowing. Four arrows represent any direction you may go in as you learn new ways to communicate visually, the small gears are the creative processes turning in my mind and all that culminates to a treasure to take home with me.

The key to unlocking creativity is to have fun and be open minded when taking a class outside of my comfort zone. I always strive to not have any expectations about the instructor or the class subject matter and let the inspiration flow. And I like to take what I'm learning and put my own spin on it.

The last set of symbols on the lower right rung is what I feel is important to creating any work of art. You need time. Time to think, time to let what you've learned sink in and setting aside chunks of time to play. The hourglass represents the passing of moments and the watch date wheel represents the months it may take to truly make something you've learned become your own.

And the final word on Artfest...DELICIOUS:)

I plan on displaying my muse at the Artfest 2010 attendee gallery next week!!!! Hope to see you there:)

HATCHBACK4 Hamtramck Art Scene

2010-02-27T21:30:00.006-05:00

And I get to be a part of it:)

This little piece made the cut and will be exhibited along with 17 other artists in a group that I hope will be a great art networking opportunity. I dropped off my submission at the cool headquarters of HATCH, a little coffee shop/library in Hamtramck called Cafe 1923. I didn't get to stay long but will explore more at the opening reception on March 6. HATCH was recently interviewed on WDET's The Craig Fahle Show. They have been chosen for WDET's Support The Arts (STAR) Program "which provides free on-air promotion and air-time to Southeastern Michigan's non-profit arts and cultural organizations. Hatch is the second organization of 36 selected for this program."

Michigan Annual Exhibit at the Anton Art Center, Mt Clemens, MI

2010-02-22T10:52:00.003-05:00

This piece was accepted in the Michigan Annual at my local art center. I created "The Queen of the Forest" in one of my classes at Artfest with instructor Anahata Katkin. The Queen will be on display until FEB 27.

I did it! 1105 blog viewings!

2010-02-10T00:26:00.002-05:00

I have spent the past two days and a good portion of today blog hopping through the One World, One Heart blog event.

There are so many wonderful artists and crafters out there. I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed that I win something this year:) And once my brain gets some rest and few more braincells grow I'll go back to my bookmarked favorites and read some more. Thanks to all the bloggers who participated and contacted me about my posts. One day I'll get my act together and reply:)

Until then Good Night!

One World, One Heart Blog Event

2010-01-11T10:36:00.006-05:00

I had SO much fun blog hopping with this event last year. I visited over 900 blogs to get inspiration and post a comment to be entered in each blog's giveaway of some really fantastic prizes. Many were beautiful handmade items, others were works of art. It took quite a chunk of time and perseverance to view all the blogs participating but it became an addictive treasure hunt. I didn't win anything, but if you don't enter you can't win:) Lisa Swifka of A Whimsical Bohemian created this event in 2007. So if you want to enter or participate mark you calendar for JAN 25 and check out the link in my sidebar.

Latest Journaling Project Wrapped Up

2010-01-01T22:15:00.005-05:00

Finally finished scanning my journal submission for the Art House Sketchbook Project. This was an interesting project. I signed up and received my blank journal with the theme Elephant in the Room. It was a tough subject but I did a little research and found this great book, The Elephant in the Room: Silence and Denial in Everyday Life by Eviatar Serubavel. It was really interesting and gave me lots of inspiration.

Just in case you haven't heard about The Art House Co-op it's an online community that

creates massive, nationwide art projects that tie hundreds of artists together – and anyone can participate.

The Sketchbook Project: Library
Before joining a permanent collection, the sketchbooks will be exhibited at select galleries across the US. The library will house thousands of sketchbooks from artists that reside all over the globe. We'll be touring around the United States with the collection, followed by a permanent location for the library in 2010.

In the spring, I'm hoping to go to Chicago which is supposed to be one of the stops on the collection tour. I'm very curious to see what everyone else did with their themes.

SwapBot 090909 Postcard Swap

2009-10-10T20:41:00.007-04:00

Well this was a fun (but slightly stressful) postcard swap. Stressful because I was camping on Sept 9 and didn't know if there was a post office nearby. So I sent my cards early (which kinda defeated the whole mail-on-a-specific-date theme) but I didn't want to get out in the boon docks and not be able to mail them. And wouldn't you know it, there was a post office right at the entrance to the campground. I felt so bad that I bought some of those generic P.O. postcards and sent again on the 9th anyway:P

On my original postcards I had asked the recipients to send me a photo of the card at it's new destination. Here's the photos of those who responded to my request.

Carol from Phoenix, AZ

Kim from Texas. The card got to visit the Alamo in San Antonio:)

And my special new pen pal, Airym from North Korea. The landscape is an island her mother visited called ULLEUNG-DO. Reminds me a lot of the Channel Islands near Santa Barbara, CA.

Thanks to everyone who humored me:) Oh! and thank you to Nikki (only in cambodia) for hosting this swap. There was over 400 people who played:)

Fireplace Mantle Clean Up

2009-09-22T23:30:00.013-04:00

Finally took the time to take everything off our fireplace mantle and wipe it down. After paring down the items I wanted to display, I packed the leftovers safely away in the closet. I am so pleased. I don't walk by and cringe anymore (there was way too much stuff vying for my attention, it was overwhelming to look at).

The main focus is a piece of artwork my husband bought for me. It's a pastel work by our very talented friend Felicia Macheske. She does wonderful nature inspired pastels. I love it:)

The left side is the "travel section", vacation souvenirs from our foreign travels.

The right side is the "art section", some of it is my artwork (the vintage guy with wings and Lost/Found) and the rest is artwork I've acquired over the years (the sweet little blue bird is by LK Ludwig and the line drawing with the man in the funny hat is by Claudine Helmuth).

Nutty Happenings

2009-08-25T09:27:00.006-04:00

I was sitting at my computer one morning and this moving shadow caught my eye. It was pretty entertaining watching it run back and forth against the brick wall of our patio.

So I grabbed my camera and snuck (is that a word?) out to the breezeway and caught him in the act.

Ah the simple things that amuse me.

FAV B-DAY CARD

2009-08-15T14:06:00.003-04:00

This has to be my all time favorite birthday card. It cracks me up EVERYTIME. But then again, I am easily amused.

I think it was from the Shoebox Division of Hallmark.

NEW ATCs

2009-07-27T23:28:00.013-04:00

I've been mainly creating 1-up originals for the various WTAs (Winner Takes All) that I've been playing in. It's a blast to win one of these art lotteries but losing isn't so bad. You just have to send one card to each winner.

Inspired by all the sea monster images I researched for my art retreat Artfest, I started with an acrylic painted bkgd then layered with rubberstamps and drew in the octopus with colored pencil and oil pastels.

Most of my ATCs are mixed media collages using various techniques which include gesso stenciling, paint textures, 3-D elements, staples, dimensional stickers and image transfers.

These are a series of bird ATCs created using stencils and rubberstamps.

Luv me those cat lips

2009-07-13T03:36:00.003-04:00

"I want to hold him and squish him and squeeze him. He's my friend."
(those of you old enough to remember the Warner Bros. Bugs Bunny cartoons will recognize this quote)

This is Tommy, aka L'il Man, aka Lester "L'il Man" Mumps (his blues name). He's two years old and such a cuddler.

SWAPBOT Stuffie

2009-07-03T00:04:00.006-04:00

I had so much fun doing this swap. I made a 5-inch stuffie based on the SwapBot logo. I've never learned to properly embroider so was this definitely a challenge but very fun. I wanted it to be a "real" envelope so I cut another piece of felt to cover all the thread work on the back and made a template using a real envelope to figure out the flaps.

I asked my swap partner to send me a picture of him in his new home in England. I'll post if I ever I receive one.

Artfest 09

2009-06-20T21:58:00.013-04:00

Wow! I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I last posted. I apologize to anyone who takes the time to read this. I'm trying to prep several posts at one time, that way I can try to put something new up every couple of weeks instead of every 2 months:P

As usual I had a blast this year at Artfest with my two art peeps Susan Williamson (left) and Anita Webster (right).

And this year, feeling adventurous, I took the Bainbridge Ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. I'm still trying to figure out how to get all the way to PT by just using the public transportation system. But for now Anita kindly picked me up at the ferry terminal and off we went to Port Townsend.

I submitted two art pieces for the attendee art show: an altered card book (see last post) and a bead-embellished felted octopus.

Due to the lack of recession pricing my octopi came home with me, but that was OK since I didn't feel it was finished completely. This always happens when I spend so much time on a project, I fall in love and can't bear to part with it.

I was working on this right up to the deadline for submission. While in Bainbridge, I found the perfect buttons to use for eyes at a small bead shop called Beads of Bainbridge.

Bainbridge was a wonderful little town, lots of artsy shops and one office supply store that had all the art supplies I could ever need -- Paper Products, Etc. They even had a small post office in the back! I just wish I hadn't been so tired from my flight so I could have enjoyed it more.

Artfest itself was fabulous. I had classes with two of my favorite instructors, Misty Mawn and Susan Wooldridge. And I had my first class with Carla Sonheim whose work I so admire. Very fun. Tracy and Teesha out did themselves. I hope Artfest never ends:)

Artfest09 Gallery art

2009-03-29T06:52:00.010-04:00

FINALLY! I finished ONE of my pieces that I am submitting to the gallery: Long Fingers. I chose the title based on a story found while researching octopi info. It was called The woman and the Octopus

This is a 24-page altered playing card ATC book. I bound the pages (only the number 8 cards) using a single sheet sewing stitch I learned at Hollander's in Ann Arbor, MI. They created a workshop to teach this stitch technique that was developed by Keith Smith.

Spine detail:

I used every "trick in the book" including photocopy heat set and gel medium transefers, embossing powder, oil pastels, rubberstamping, stenciling and gel stencil embossing. I also incorporated some hand drawn octopi and one I created in Adobe Illustrator -- variations on a theme. Here are a few spread samples:

And all this eye candy is housed in a handy dandy custom travel box:)

The rest of my remaining days will be spent getting my second piece, a bead embellished crochet felted octopus named Octavia (or Olivia) finished and packaged. Only 4 days!!!

Artfest 2009 in 25 days!

2009-03-07T13:37:00.010-05:00

I completely missed posting in February. Maybe it was the short month but more than likely I've just been unfocused of late. Not sure why, but needless to say, with only a few weeks left before I leave for Artfest I need to get in gear!

I did finish one project -- my trades. This year's theme is sea monsters/octopi so I drew a few of these eight-legged wonders and make some 1" art buttons.

After making a multiple master and adding a little rubberstamp embellishment, I punched out the images and put them in my button machine.

I have a TECRE Model 100 machine and was having problems with it turning out defective buttons. But once I started using the punch that was designed for it, I've become a button maniac:) I made around 125 buttons, 15 of which, I made into magnets. Here's the finished set of three.

My other two projects are moving very slowly -- a felted stuffed octopus which I think I'll name Octavia and an octopus-themed altered playing card book. I'll post pictures as soon as those are finished.

I am getting very excited about this trip. I'm taking classes with author Susan Wooldridge, mixed media artist Misty Mawn and Carla Sonheim. I've taken classes with Susan and Misty before and Carla's class looks like a lot of fun. Since I'm venturing out on my travels this trip and taking the Bainbridge Ferry from Seattle this year instead of the shuttle, I'm trying to keep my art supplies to a minimum. My friend Anita is planning to pick me up from the island on her way up to Port Townsend. I can not wait for April:)

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-07T21:11:00.019-05:00

I wonder what THIS year has in store for me. I got quite a few chuckles while reading back through my 2008 journal. Who knew it would turn out like it has. But it's not been all bad. I've done more artwork and thought more about starting my own freelance business in the past 6 months than I have in the past 5 years:) Staying positive and being grateful for what I do have and not focusing on what I don't is how I'm staying positive in this seemingly stressful time in my life.

And speaking of being busy, I finally got my Artfest ATC Fatbook cards done and sent out. This year's sea monster theme is intriguing me to no end. Though the cards took a little longer than I anticipated. There were 32 and I made gel medium transfers of the octopus image. But they are done and delivered and I cannot wait till the end of March to see what everyone else has create with this theme.

Today I sent out another huge ATC project: a SWAP BOT swap of ATC blanks using found items. There were 30 different cards. I took all day making them but I had a blast. My favorites are the rubberband card and the aluminum foil with an airline ticket stub and duct tape:)

Paper Giveaway

2008-12-15T14:25:00.008-05:00

My friend Susan Williamson posted on her blog a link to a wonderful paper giveway contest. I found out if I post this link on my blog I'll get extra chances to win so here goes...go to this link to find out how to enter.

November snow

2008-11-17T11:43:00.009-05:00

Yes, we had our first official snowfall yesterday. Big giant flakes that stayed and didn't melt away. I was at my local Borders enjoying a cup of green tea latte with soy, reading the various magazines I no longer have access through work (HOW, Communication Arts) and a few others that I enjoy but don't feel the need to have a subscription.

The snow came in waves. Once when I'd look up from the page, the large store front window was filled with huge white floating flakes, then later, barely visible tiny specks. On my drive home, I noticed the trees devoid of clothing standing stark and bare revealing their true selves. Each unique and individual with the light coating of snow making them even more beautiful in their bareness. I noticed the squirrel and bird nests tucked away high in the branches. I was imagining how to draw the shapes of the tree trunks and the delicate lines of each branch. I need to get outside today and take some reference pictures.

I bought a book "Life is a Verb" by Patti Digh and even though I haven't started reading it yet I'm recommending just on the visuals and quotes that are dispersed through the pages. The subtitle is "37 days to wake up, be mindful, and live intentionally." I was hooked after reading an excerpt on Amazon that had me in tears by the end of the story about Sissy. And this quote from Part One:

We inhabit ourselves without valuing ourselves,
unable to see that here, now,
this very moment is sacred;
but once it's gone--
its value is incontestable.
Joyce Carol Oates

My latest project is a felted octopus that I plan on offering at the Artfest art show. So far I have the main body shape crocheted (yes, crocheted not knitted, two needles--too confusing) and one leg. I'm making him out of olive green wool yarn and plan on adding light green and blue beads. I'll post a photo when I get all the legs done:) This is a non-patterned object (haven't learned how to read patterns yet) and I have a propensity for crocheting in the round...everything I try ends up looking like a bowl. The legs are a bit of a challenge but I think I figured it out. Besides the wonderful thing about crocheting is just pulling it all out and starting over if you make mistake:)

Caribou break

2008-10-18T14:11:00.005-04:00

It's a bright, sunny and warm afternoon and I'm happily sipping my favorite drink (chai latte with soy) in my favorite coffee house (with free WiFi). Just attended a Caregivers Expo nearby. Lots of helpful information from the NFCA (National Family Caregivers Association, www.nfcacares.org). Having no siblings or offspring to help me care for my mom when she needs help is overwhelming at times. Knock on wood, her medical issues aren't happening all at once but even so they are continual and as she ages I know they will only become more complicated.

The main advice I got from the presentations I attended was to not beat myself up with guilt and take care of myself first so I can be around (and present) to take care of my loved one. I learned that there are 50 million (yes MILLION) caregivers, outside the medical establishment, giving aide to family members. Most have no medical or professional caregiving training and have to juggle other responsibilities in their lives. I've been fortunate thus far that when I had a job they didn't have issue with me taking time off to care for her and my income helped offset some of her expenses, but now that I'm "between assignments" this will complicate the situation. Though I have "time" now I still have many things I need to do on a regular basis to find employment or freelance work. And I'm definitely not ready to change my career to caregiving:)

So for now, I'll gather all the information I can, learn to ask for help when I need it and most of all learn to relax and take a break from time to time. I guess that's what this afternoon is about...chai and sunshine.

Where did September go?

2008-10-04T21:56:00.015-04:00

I can't believe it's already the first week of October! I noticed one of the trees on my morning walk had started to turn red about mid-Sept, but the rest are catching up quickly. I usually get a little melancholy with the shorter days and cooler air but this fall is a little more so since I still don't have a job lined up. I am trying to stay productive, getting my resume and portfolio put together and working on getting my freelance business forms together. I didn't realize all the things needed to start a small business but at least it's just me and I don't have employees to worry about:) I still need a marketing mail piece that I can start sending out to prospective clients.

It's been over three months since I've not been working. I've finally stopped being so anxious about it and started getting a routine together so I can work on artwork. Been preparing for Artfest. The theme this year is sea monsters/octopuses. Bee Shay is hosting another ATC fatbook so I'm busy with my cards for that and trying to decide what to do as artwork to sell in the attendee show. Here's my latest creations from some of the other ATC swaps I've played in on SwapBot and ATC World on Yahoo:

Notes from the CFC

2008-09-01T14:21:00.000-04:00

It's Labor day today and it's weird not having a job to go to tomorrow but this past weekend has been such a boost to my employment moral. The Creative Freelancers Conference has been such a great investment. Tons of detailed information on how to start running my freelancing as a business. How to prepare proposals and contracts and the steps in the process you need to take so you aren't being underpaid or working without a written agreement. There's so much more to this than just charging someone a nominal fee for a logo or a flyer.

I've also been mulling over the idea of doing more mixed media work and the reaction I got from my business reviewer, Colleen Wainwright and my fellow conference attendees was very positive. So this past Friday I was sitting outside on a beautiful Chicago morning at the Corner Bakery which has the BEST oatmeal in the WHOLE world. It's the Swiss Oatmeal (served cold with yogurt, almonds, cranberries, raisins, chopped apples) and I got the berry option with FRESH bluberries and strawberries!!! So nummy in my tummy! And they have FREE wifi so I was very happy.

Chicago by rail

2008-08-21T23:45:00.003-04:00

Wish me luck. Heading out soon to take my portfolio for a review at the How Creative Freelancers Conference. I am so excited!!! Of course, my book isn't ready yet and I leave next week... so what else is new. It's hard to keep track of my days when I don't have projects to work on, no real deadlines to keep. Hopefully that will change in the near future and I can get back to designing.

current favorite quote

2008-08-06T02:07:00.002-04:00

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.

Alan Cohen

2008-08-05T21:26:00.006-04:00

YAY! I'm finally online. It's about time. Of course now I have no idea what I want to write about! So I'll just start with this initial post. Gotta start somewhere:)

I'm pretty sure I won't be posting regularly as I am trying to get off the computer and do some actual artwork. It's amazing how much time is eaten up with the button clicking and scrolling. Hopefully this won't be too boring:)