MAMA

done... I had to whip out this art for an upcoming show.. to be delivered next Monday.

Never mind that I have known about this show for months.

Last minute creating.

But I really am happy with the way it turned out.

I think I was thinking about the love of my mama.

All the care she gave me and  how loving she is with my daughter and my grandaugher.

She is so loving and generous.

at times to a fault.

So this is about mother's care and love and

how blessed I have been to have her in my life.

HEART WINGS

24 x 24 mixed media

titled

HEART WINGS

I used Starbuck cup sleeves to make her wings.

Her dress is painted paper collage.

I have used this method before but not as painterly as this attempt.

I think I am hooked. 

Really fun.

Birds were torn from painted dictionary pages.

I have about 6 dictionaries that I use for mixed media.

I find them at the thrift shop.

I especially like the kind of paper in dictionaries.

I used a pencil to outline some areas.

Kimberely brand #9xxB

works beautifully over paint.

These are painted linoleum squares.  Another fun experiement I tried. 

Linoleum cuts so easy to make any shape.

I have to find some more of this "medium"

I love it!

This piece will go into the upcoming show at the Glenwood Springs Art Center.  It was so great

to be back into doing art.  I have been so busy through December with orders.  It's really, really cold outside these past few days.  Single digit.  I am not a winter person, especially when it gets this terribly cold.

So doing art in the studio with my wood burning stove crackling softly in the back ground,

Marley laying peacefully at my feet, and mom reading while she's here visiting..  we have had a nice

time.  Life is Good.

New Year.

Thinking about what my new word for 2011 will be.

ta for now.

ORANGES ON A SNOWY DAY

Here is my attempt at using Citrasolv to alter magazine pages. I found this method in the latest issue of Cloth, Paper Scissors and decided to give it a try. It's quite smelly... the orange cleaner is pretty strong. I didn't find that offensive, but certainly my studio will be
orange smelling all day, if not for longer! It's all natural: says it's made from a clear liquid peel of the orange and also an essential oil blend
and biodegradeable cleaning agents derived from coconuts. hmmmmm.

It is messy, so be prepared to have stack of newspapers handy. Also it will wreck your manicure, but as an artist I never have manicures...


another note: be sure the pages don't touch as they dry.. because it will dry stuck. I did find the pages would dry on newspaper which eliminated the runs I got when I hung the papers on the clothesline.

fun morning! Next will do some art and show the results in a week or so.

ANGELS IN THE WINGS

My paper mache angel... and more in the WINGS!

I don't work with paper mache nearly enough.  It's so fun to get all gooey and play!

My first angel flew away yesterday, so I decided to make a batch this morning.

Because one is never enough!!!!

DADA ON A STICK

This DADA was challenging for some reason.  I used an old  brush that must have been used

for some strong varnish because I could smell it in the bristles when I heated them for distortion.

And noteably, I did it outside as I am fairly certain the fumes where horribly toxic.  Even the handle seemed

soaked with the old varnish.  Mind you old brush, but still present.  I started with his head using paperclay.

He just popped out.. and I loved his face.  After the clay dried, I lightly sanded it and then painted the colors.

Next I found some wacky wooden frog arms that I attached and I liked that they were open and out.

Next he asked for a bow tie and I of course gave him a polka dot tie.  An old button just seemed perfect to top it off.  Next his body.. I tried numerous things, and finally found an old nose complete with the

fuzzy mustache.. oh it was perfect.  But still I felt it wasn't complete.  Then I found in my junk box,

a wheel.  ohh sweet, perfect perfect. Even the outstretched  arms seem to say balance.  The challenge was I had to shorten the handle before attaching the wheel to comply with the 12x12x12 size rule for this Small Wonders Show. 

Here's what I am discovering the longer I do art.  I am beginning to get my level of "done".  You know, you

start a piece and when do you decide it's done.  Here's what I have found works for me.  It's in my gut.

I don't "think" about it.  I feel it.  Gut art.  Yeah..  that works for me.

DADA ECCENTRIC

Be ECCENTRIC.. it's a joyfull state to be in.  It's one of the delicious perks of getting older.  I am way past

caring what some people think.  I walk in joy and surround myself with positive people.  Keep the wonder

of life within me.  It's the only way to trek through life. 

And here's my dada eccentric - completed.  Two more to go.

(SOLD)

His body is an old can of some kind of goop that came with a twist off lid with a brush attached.

The Goop is long since hardend and remains in the bottom of this can.   The stem of that brush

reminded me of his spine and the goop his gut intentions.  I used old measuring spoons for his

arms, bending them to hold the "ballon" and the other one open ready to receive life.

I like this little guy.

ta for now.

ORGANIC DADA DOLL

Just finished this 2nd piece. Today, I worked for an organic idea of nature.  I thought about the ancient people living in nature and how it was such an enormous part of their lives. I thought about the Chaco Canyon people. The elements of weather, changing of seasons and how their lives were often dictated by that force.  How nature and elements possibly forced them to move away, though there are several theories on that.  Compare that to our present world and how we as humans often think we are above that force, and then when typhoons and hurricanes and earthquakes hit, it quickly reminds us of the power of nature.  I know even on a basic level, the absence of sunshine can pull down my spirit if I allow it.  Wake up to a cloudy day like yesterday, and how it compels me to nest inside and my ambitions seem tampered down.  Then wake up, like today, to a beautiful blue sky and the sun bursting into the studio, gets my energy flowing and I am ready to tackle anything.

I did no face.  Sometimes the general head shape speaks more than features of a face.  Keeps it more
of a broad representation. 
ta

SELF DETERMINATION

There comes a time in our lives, when you hit a wall.  When you know, no one else can rescue you

but your own free will.  This is a life lesson that has come to me time and time again.  It has

built my foundation, it has fortified my support beams, and it continues to propel my life.

When I see people being led around life with a ring in their noses, it makes me angry. Sometimes, I am even full on pissed off.  But the sanity of maturing has lessened --- " lessoned " that for me.  I try to live my life

 "live and let live".

I try HARD not to judge, though it's a habit that is hard to shove off sometimes. 

This is especially true when it's someone you love.  I have managed to shut my mouth and

allow the courses to ride, come what may.  Well today, the wall rose up.  And that person

saw the light.  Finally.  The struggles are not over, but at least she is driving her own ship now.

And to me, that is really what life is all about.  I can only hope she will stay fast and firm and

keep her hands on the wheel.  And close her ears to the nay-sayers, even the ones who mean well.

Because when it really comes down to it,

WE KNOW BEST FOR OUR SELF.

period.

it's about trusting that inner knowing.

it's about turning off the chatter.

WINTER'S GIFT

Finished this piece just as the weather has turned here in Colorado. BRRR~~~  We are expecting snow in the mtns today.  I am holding on to the notion that it will warm up again, and this is just a passing front.  But oh, the passing of summer always leaves me shivering and a little sad.  So into my art I focus on the beauty of snow and cold.  Trying to alter my mood.  Showing some of the progress here.
  Out of the background I found this girl walking in the woods with a nesting bird in her arms.  Polka dots
sparkling on her coat, her joy in nature and winter embraces her season.  As I am looking at the piece

here I see a heart that is calling out so I will have to bring it into the scene.

And there's the heart..  and I couldn't stop!  More small hearts in the branches and the bird is holding one in his beak.  I added some more details to the bird and now I think I am done.

ta

MUSIC IN MY HEART

This sweet bird flew into my art this morning.

She knew he was there.  She could hear his song.  As he came closer, she looked into his eyes and felt his music in her heart.  It lifted her spirit and she felt the wind bring her closer to the autumn sky.

CHEERY BLACKBIRD

Another collage/painting finished!! This was great fun. The background is muted lavenders that
created a serene sky which then inspired me to do blocks of printed art papers and fabrics. I then saw the houses and created the dictionary painted roofs. Then I felt I needed white daisies in the foreground so I painted them in. I sat with the piece for a few days and then saw a big blackbird wanting to fly into the piece. I decided to cut out the bird from polka dot fabric. I like the whimsey of the polka dots. Cheery!

ta

HEART SONG

This is a mixed media assemblage I created this morning. The background board I found at the dump. Yep. When my husband goes to the dump, I love to tag along and sometimes can score some cool stuff. I found this board in a pile of wood that appeared to be from an old house.

Her head is piece of strange scrap metal I found and have been saving for years. They had two holes punched in the metal which became her eyes. The body is another piece of scrap metal

that had a body shape when I picked it up somewhere, can't remember where. Her arms are a doll's arm on the right and a spring on the left. Her feet are from some old piece of metal I found up in the mtns.

Her hair is threads and twisted paper clip wires.

Her eyes glass with a rusty bottle cap pounded flat then cut to create the eyelashes.

Her lips a piece of thin copper cut, tinted and creased to create lips.

I used the words for one of my favorite songs by Jack Johnson title "HOPE"

which I love.
Like her? Yep, I do.

ta.

HERE'S YOUR SIGN

I decided this morning to do some artsy signs..

tonight is another market night.

And what the heck.

I had a lot of fun.

Found the wood signs cheap at an estate sale last weekend.

I painted each one white - they were plain wood.

Then collaged fabric, pictures, words, etc for a fun background texture.

Next painted lightly to blend the background.

Stamped the words with black acrylic.

And added some embellishments.
And to finish them off, beaded and tied fabric strips on the hanging wire.
Too fun.
Spent way too much time on these... must get to work now.
ta

GOOD MORNING ART

NEW DAY. NEW YOU.

This is a painted, fabric collaged, mixed media piece I did on a tabletop ironing board. Because you know, I would rather do ART than IRON! I added 4 pegs to hang

things from. I will take this to the

Tuesday's market to see if it sells,

but if not, it looks great hanging

on the door to my laundry room! :)

I painted directly on the ironing board cover.. a canvas like feel and found it took the embellishments quite well. I used good ole gel medium, my trusty standby.

Surprising, even to me, I made the squares out of various pieces of fabric and machine stitched them to create a quilted look. What? me on a sewing machine? That is new for me.. But you know, it's a NEW DAY! NEW ME! or YOU>.....

But truly, I used to do a lot of sewing when the kids were little. Really when I got pregnant. I sewed all my maternity clothes! I lived in Hawaii and the buying selection was dismal. So I was motivated to learn how to sew. I had a neighbor who helped me learn. Then I made overalls for both kids. Loved it. Then, through the years, I find I rarely pull out the sewing machine unless I need to do some mending. So to rediscover this is a surprise...but anything for ART, right?
ta

edit: See where the fabric art quilted squares ended up in a new design @

http://www.freshofflunardesignsdrawingboard.blogspot.com/

SHE IS A SCRAPPY WOMAN

SHE

IS MADE OUT

OF ALMOST

ALL SCRAP FABRIC.

"SCRAPPY WOMAN"

scrappy and happy

I have always wanted to quilt. I love quilts, especially the amazing art quilts I have seen. I am in awe of the work, the time! But the tediousness of it, yikes, makes me run away and not even think about trying it. So I have been having a blast doing fabric/painting collages, my version of "quilting"! I started this morning picking up a small birch board panel in my stash and painting a blue white background. Then I added some fabric strips top and bottom. I also patch collaged around the border of the frame. I loved all the different colors and patterns...reminds me of a quilt. Then I decided to cut a woman's face and neck/shoulders out of an old white piece of mattress padding. This is lovely old padding fabric that I bought years ago at the thrift shop. Soft and quilted. Not like the ones they sell these days. I decided to paint her face, and then I machine stitched some details like her eyebrows and nose. And of course, lots of funky hair elements, from corrugated cardboard strips rolled up, to magazine shreds, to threads and even an old bracelet I had made out of beads and fabric. Button earrings and then a ruffled blouse completed her.

I have three (3) (xoxoxooxo) art shows coming up this fall. VERY EXCITED! So I have to build up my inventory. It will also let me recycle some of my older pieces. That's when I take a piece of art and re-art it. Evolving art!

But I like SCRAPPY WOMAN. I like saying the word SCRAPPY!

EDIT.. I took the original Scrappy Woman

and scanned her into photoshop and she evolved into an new design for Lunar!

how about that? see what you think!!!!!

http://www.freshofflunardesignsdrawingboard.blogspot.com/

NEW LISTED ON ETSY

Despite last night's slow traffic at the downtown market, I did manage to sell one of these kitchen journal and apron sets...

(thank you Donna for the big helping hand!)

So.. encouraged, I am listing the other three sets on my etsy site.

(click on the title above!)

September will open up a full month of Tuesdays that I can do the market booth, and I plan to make more of these sets.

Plus lots of small art. I think the market is a great venue for me.

I love interacting with the people. It's such a fun atmosphere of

food, art and music. But it is also a testing ground for some new ideas for art and for Lunar. These kitchen journals for instance.

How to market them for Lunar would be fun. Not hand constructing, but perhaps I could find a small journal source and then add my cover art. Will have to pursue this.. Always fun to get the creative juices flowing.

The smaller art I think would be a good sell. I think bigger purchases just won't happen that often at the market. I have sold things for under $50 so will continue that price range.

Today is a full tilt filling order day. No time to play with my art.

ta

TANGLED THOUGHTS

"TANGLED THOUGHTS CATCH AND SNAGS HER ATTENTION @ 2:22A.M."

18 X18 finished mixed media

side view

closeup of face


closeup of house

This has been my habit. I wake many nights at exactly 2:22 a.m. and start thinking.

Many things, work, worries, list of to do's, etc. This has been a long time thing for me.

Why 2:22 a.m.? After a lot of wondering, I finally found the answer. And that

really helped me. I don't seem to wake up at that exact time as much, but it still happens.

But now instead of worrying about it, I embrace it. It's the Divine reassuring me that she is listening.

222

"Trust that everything is working out exactly as it's supposed to, with Divine blessings

for everyone involved. Let go and have faith."

from "Angel Numbers 101" by Doreen Virtue

A note about this art.

I initially thought I would paint over the background.. this has been my usual method. But,

after I finished the background collage with all it's colorful elements, I really liked the

bold colors. They made me feel good. I had no clue what was going to happen

with the image, but allowed the background to speak to me. And she appeared as

did the house. I have an upcoming invitation to be in an art show called "Loose Ends"

about how things in your life need to be dealt with. those loose ends that need your attention.

So, I have been saving the threads, strings,

and fabric bits for this art, how ever I was going to use it.

I like working with no plan. Staying with the muse and not in the "brain" process.

It puts soul in your work.

I am happy with the piece. I had not planned on working on it most of yesterday. But

I was having technique problems with my equipment and the tech worked on it

all morning. It is still not fixed, so he is coming back today. Rather than jump into the

pit of worry, I decided to take advantage of the work down time, and do my art.

It was an unexpected gift from the Divine.

I am thankful and grateful.

ta

TEXTURED BACKGROUND

ART!!!!

I decided to do an hour of art early this morning. Here's what I started out with.

I snagged this on sale picture at Target for cheap. I liked the graphics for background

shapes and color plus it's on a panel board so great for working on.

Next I took a Pier 1 catalog that I had saved and stared cutting shapes of various sizes to collage in a random pattern. I allowed the background image to show through for a varied look.

Next I had a pile of string, threads & fabric scraps that I have been saving to use
in a collage background. I used gel medium to adhere the strings etc. trying to
cover the parts of the collaged pier 1 prices... but choosing to show some letters
and numbers for interest.

Next? I don't know. Tomorrow will tell.
ta for now