Anniversary Celebration Continues--Featuring The Artist Alley

The 1 year anniversary on Etsy continues....remember to leave a comment for a chance to win one of my new prints coming out this week. Contest ends on Friday, August 8th!!

(((new work in progress--one of my largest yet. 24 x 30))
I don't have a title for it yet. I'm sure though, something will come to me in my dreams..lol.

One of the best things that I have done this year is to join the Carolina Mixed Media Artist Guild which although membership is open throughout the Carolina's, the most active members are from Central Carolina and meet monthly in Raleigh or a nearby area for play dates. I can't tell you how much inspiration I've acquired through this group and the new friends I've made.

(Amy, Olivia, and Jean in the background)
I stumbled upon this group when I happened to visit a local shop called Artist Alley which is located in downtown Southern Pines. Artist Alley displays a variety of art in just about every genre you could imagine, from jewelry, to painting, fabric art, mixed media, metal, and pottery to name just a few. I believe it was Penny that I met first that invited me to join the group, and if anyone has ever met Penny before, her personality is as lingering and delightful as her soaps and candles she creates. Jean, the owner of Artist Alley is warm and friendly. I've never seen her without a smile on her face. She also extended the welcome to join the group and I started to feel like, yes maybe I could do this even though it was moving far and away from my comfort zone. I'm glad I joined though as the meetings have evolved from a once a month visit to a complete network of not just peers, but inspiring woman I also consider friends.

I visited Jean's shop again on Friday of this week to take part in the First Friday Celebration. I think First Friday is a fantastic idea. Not sure who thought of it but what better way to advertise your shop and rub elbows with those that create the beautiful works of art. Normally at least one artisan is featured on the First Friday opening and is on site to discuss what it is that they do up close and personal. In a store like this, you must go back, and back, and back again because it is forever changing.

I'd be remiss not to mention one of my favorite artists featured at Artist Alley, the wonderfully talented Amy Smith. Amy has an entire wall of her artwork displayed as you can see from the snapshot above. She is fearless with color and creates work that has many layers incorporated into her whimsical pieces. I just adore what she does and am finally a proud owner of one her lovely pieces! Amy has been extremely supportive of my development as a mixed media artist, even going so far as to introducing me to many different mediums such as tar gel, molding paste, and golden fluid acrylics when she graciously allowed me to purchase some of her overstock and duplicate supplies.

Doesn't this flower just sing happiness?

Some more of Amy's mini's on the right.

I wish I would have wrote down the name of the last several artists I took photos of but I didn't. I just love the vibrant colors of these flowers and animals which are created on wood.

Talk about inventive and imaginative, bet you didn't know that shovels and cast iron pans could be so funky!

I'm not sure what this sculpture is made out of, I think some sort of blade or farm equipment? I have no idea and it really doesn't matter because it's now a person strumming the guitar and dancing to the beat of their own drum. Amazing.
After the First Friday celebration all the ladies mentioned as well another dear friend who is a mixed media fiber artist, Nanette, went out for some snacks and a drink. We couldn't hear each other to save our lives, but it was fun. Being in the company of such wonderfully talented individuals motivates me to forge ahead and continue on this journey. Nanette has been instrumental in guiding me on the writing portion of my next phase of my own personal journey which is to achieve being published in art magazine(s). She's taught me several things about writing and the process of how to submit work and so one. If I do achieve this next goal, I know it won't be because of what I have done by myself. The goal will be achieved because many had their hands outstretched, guiding me along the way.

Thank you all for joining me on my little tour today. Hope you have someone(s) in your life that have been instrumental in help you achieve your dreams and goals. If not, open yourself up to the opportunity. You'll never know when walking through a strange door will open yourself up to a whole new world!

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Update--after posting this, I saw that I was featured in a post from my online mixed media team from Etsy-'Metsy'. The blog author, Yin, asked for feature ideas and after writing to her about my anniversary giveaway, she suggested doing a post about my first year on the site. Thank you Yin for the feature!

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Don't forget--contest ends Friday, August 8th!!!

The House on the Hill

Sorry about the assortment of pictures, just couldn't pick any one to show and tell today. I'm pretty proud that I actually finished several things this week. Crossing off the list and accomplishing what you set out to do is a good feeling. Wish I could do more of that at my day job!!!

Anywhoo--having lots of fun at my part time job working from home in the luxurious studio ala dining room!!

Quick art card 4x6 "Send Me a Sign". There's very light journaling on here that starts off to say "When one door opens, another closes.....or is it when one door closes, another one opens, how will I know what is right, who will show me the way...........Someone please, send me a sign. Oh Dear Lord, send me a sign." Don't read too much into it..lol...I just was thinking about the bird whispering in my ear as I stamped and embossed this image and imagined it being my messenger to all of life's secrets....my 'sign' in essence.

Awhile ago, I made a quick sketch and then painted out the basics of the sketch on a small art card so I used that idea and made this 6x6 piece on wood called, "It's My Birthday". Every girl deserves a little indulgence once in while. Why do we have to hide behind our desires??? Can't we have our cake and eat it, too?? Well, we can but eventually the hips catch up to us--but a little cupcake here and there surely can't hurt!

Pretty polka dot sprinkles, sweetheart lips, pink and brown cupcake, aqua and pearl background, what more could a girl want?? I am going to make a couple more in this same style.

Anyone have any ideas on cute whimsical but indulgent topics I could make into a painting??

Finally finished these three 6x6's on canvas.

The series is sold separately but desperately wants to go to the same home :)
"The House on the Hill"
I messed up the order of these pics. The Flower should go in the middle. It's symbolic of the desire to plant roots, to have a place to nurture and cultivate of my own.

This is the first piece...."The House on the Hill: The Dream

Then we have the last:

The House on the Hill: The House (lol creative, huh)

I just love this funky bird and crazy sweet pink house. The little lady is listening for her sign from thebirdy, and dreaming about the house on the hill--the garden, the place where she can plant her roots and fulfill her dreams.


Phew. Uploading, editing, resizing and listing these puppies took me a little short of forever to do!! All but one of the features tonight are listed on Etsy. Check em out to see a few different pics as well.

Oh...I FINALLY figured out how to use that little link icon!! Dang, what in the world was I thinking typing out the html code over and over again??? Am I the last to know these things??

Jane-(and others who have commented about this over the last few weeks)--thanks for the observations about my artwork. I think last year at this time, I was really confused, saddened by a lot of difference things and really struggling with a lot of emotions. I wasn't depressed, but more angry and confused, thus the darker more all over the place type collages. This year and over the last few months, I definitely have developed a sense of peace about my life. I've become more hopeful and inspired along the way AND with every passing day. Not saying I don't still struggle with questions about so many things that have happened over the last couple of years, but through this blog, my friends and family, and of course my artwork, a lot of healing has happened. I'm more inclined to reflect that in my pieces than I was earlier in the year.

Thank you for checking in here with me. I hope you have a creatively good rest of the week. I wish peace and strength for you and your journey for finding all the answers to the many questions and struggles that we all face each and every day.

Learning to Sing

Happy Mother's Day to everyone, especially to my Dear Mother!

When I think of sources of inspiration for my art and life, there is no one that even lights a candle to the one person in my life that has provided me with more inspiration, more guidance, more encouragement, than My Mother. She is a woman who raised three girls on her own, working 2 jobs or more for most of our lives and yet still had time to give her all to us and STILL gives her all to us whenever we need her. She gave me the strong work ethic I have today and taught me to take every opportunity you can and do your best at whatever it is that I do. My Mother also taught me that a woman can be independent and successful in her own right just as much as a man can be, it's all within each of our reach.

Recently Mother let us know that she had been diagnosed with a form of Leukemia and it was like a cold steel dagger was sliced through our hearts. The thought of our Mother not being here for the rest of our lives is really incomprehensible and something that none of us can imagine. It does want me to make sure she knows how much we love her and cherish her and that if nothing else, she should know that she has made a difference in this world with being our Mother and we love her dearly. Luckily with medication her condition is treatable and containable, but it is something that will be there for the duration of her life. The one thing I do regret is the distance that is between us now and how I wish we just lived around the corner again like we did for so many years. How I miss our Friday lunches and Saturday shopping excursions and Sunday dinners together. But I know my Mom would say, there is a reason for everything and because the road has lead us each to the place we are at right now--it is exactly where we are supposed to be.

Although our family is spread out over 1200 miles now from NY to Florida, I know I speak for my Sister's in that our hearts are held tightly and closely together by the one bond that will never be broken, the bond of a Mother and her daughters.

With Love and Gratitude,

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!

It is because of you....we can soar.

This is snap shot of many of my works in progress. I think I have 8 projects going on right now..lol. I think I have AADD. Artistic Attention Deficit Disorder! No seriously, when you work with paint and collage, it's wise to have several projects going on at once because often times you have to wait for a section to dry before you can go on to the next because of all the layers incorporated in the pieces. In addition to that, I like to use all my paint up that I pour out so I try to utilize it by creating multiples pieces in the same color family.

I drew this picture a while ago and made it into a little art card, now I'm taking this sketch and making it into a 6x6 mixed media painting. She's too cute sneaking a big ole chunk of this low calorie cupcake!!

I'm doing better at sketching out be fore I start going at it. It's really necessary when I'm working in 3 or more pieces that I want to go together. These pieces are the same ones feature in the beginning of this post with the other works in progress.

The one orange and brown one is just an experiment so far...now that one I have no clue what I'm doing with it!! LOL Those dots are the result of alcohol inks dropped on the painted canvas. Cool huh! If you want to know more about some the many ways to use alcohol inks, try checking out Tim Holtz's video where he demonstrates the proper usage of them. Many awesome possibilities.

Adding more detail, you can start to see the pieces come alive. This three piece set is going to be called "The House on the Hill". I started to think about the number 3 as I was working on the paintings and it is becoming more and more apparent that it is a number that keeps re-occurring in my life so I incorporated many different threes in them--some apparent, some hidden.

Paint & other material used is a combination of my new love, Golden fluid acrylics, regular craft paint, alcohol inks, pearl ex powders, charcoal pencil, and of course underlying is a multitude of papers and tissue for texture.

I wanted to add some journaling to the lady on the left but I think I'm going to have to wait until I work on a bigger piece. I wanted to say on this one:
I was afraid the music would stop before I learned to sing.
It kinda relates to my fear that I won't be able to do everything I want to do before my time is up. But the fact that I do try to take steps to 'learn the music' leads me closer to the song itself, even if I never really learn to sing it correctly, at least I'm practicing and giving it my all.

...and here we are at the house on the hill. How sweet the journey has been.
Thank you for sharing it with me!!


Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

I Know a Good Actor if you Need One!

I had a rough night last night, not like a 21 year old running on the town rough night (good old days, remember those?), but a 39 year old with a triangle creating chaos in her life rough night. (((anyone see Chuck and Larry?? Triangle's not good....circle good...LOL)) Long story short, I was up at 2:30 this morning and I ended up staying up all night and into the morning before hitting the big old yard sale early on, and the craft show this afternoon. Lord knows how I'm still standing at 7:30 in the evening. I can't pull all nighters anymore!
The good news is, I was really really productive during my early morning escapade. I worked on all of my projects and this is where we are today. My productivity today in my artful endeavors is a perfect example of why I need to have this in my life. I would have sat around and cried or stewed all day if I didn't have my projects to escape with.

Sometimes people aren't all they are cracked up to be. It's amazing how good some people are at acting. How they can live with themselves when they are pulling the wool over someone else's eyes is beyond me.

Anyway, I've stewed over this all day long and I know I'm not making sense because I'm not rehashing all the details, but the main point is, I was put in situation that I didn't ask to be put into yesterday...I was working last night on my heart magnets, minding my own business when chaos walked in unannounced. Drunk as a skunk. Anyhoo--suffice to say, I learned some things that really really tipped me over the edge to say the least. So I decided to call someone on the lies--and well--same old same old. Not that I'm surprised but it really drives me nutz that chaos is obsessed with me and will not leave me alone. Go on with your life and LEAVE ME ALONE. Don't play me like a fiddle and think you are the best actor in the world because your not and I see right through it, and for what I don't see through, other people are happy to tell me. Especially when I go through your cell phone and find their numbers. HA!

Okay...enough venting. Aren't my newest pieces in progress cute as can be?? I'm using some of my new Golden Paint that I bought from Amy, another mixed media artist that lives in the area. I took a trip up to her house last week and bought a bunch of duplicate supplies she had for sale! whoooo hooo. These little 6x6 canvases are part of an order we purchased together. I have 12 total to work with for upcoming projects and another 12 on the way. I'm trying to beef up my inventory for 2 reasons. Number one, I am going to put some of my artwork in a local store so I want a nice collection of new items to display as well as I am going to...yes, I declare right here right now to do an art show this year at one of the local festivals. ALSO--I am going to submit some of my work to Cloth Paper Scissors...my favorite art magazine, so I need a few things that aren't in my shop to send to them as they can keep items up to 6 months or so as they jury you for their publication. This is going to be the year for me that I really make some moves to step it up notch in my little 'part time' job.

It not only keeps me busy, it keeps me sane!

Here's some more of my Sweet HeART magnets that I have going for another special order. I'm doing 24 of them this time for a customer. These buggers take a LONG time to make. First you have to cut the wood, then sand it, then prime all sides, then coat with black paint at least 2 times all sides, cut the background papers, cut the hearts out, cut the inspiration words out, then decorate. Final step is to seal on the front, let dry, then repaint the back because inevitably there is glue or XS paint from the decorating on the back...then seal the back and add the magnets. That's a lot of work for a 2.50 item. That's why I'm raising my prices on these!! LOL Not to mention, the new set of magnets I'm making are bigger than the last set.

Well, thanks for listening today even though half of it is in riddle for those of you who don't know who triangle chaos is. Sigh.....it's like a bad dream that keeps coming back every night and Ican't get rid of it no matter how hard I try.

Thanks for visiting and hearing me roar!!

WIP--Name that Painting

Wow! It's been awhile since I've blogged. I've been down and outright sickly from last Wednesday through Monday of this week with a case of strep throat, ear infection, fever, migraine...you name it. The good news is that I lost five pounds. Now--for the other 35 I want to loose!! It's been a chore to get anything done this week but I did manage to get started with my color challenge project I'm doing with the new team I joined on Etsy, called METSY (mixed media artists on Etsy). We picked a color palette from an ultra cool website I'll have to back through my favorites and try to find...believe me if you click on the website, you'll be lost in a sea of colors and be lucky to escape alive :). We voted on some of the top color palettes the team chose and the winner was this one called "Purple blossom". Our challenge is to create a piece or two of work that we can sell in our etsy stores as well as use to promote each other in treasuries and blogs. The deadline is April 30th--so I'm moving along pretty decently for me, little last minute lucy ;)

Isn't this color combo cool?? Reminds me of walk in the garden at dusk. I'm not sure if I see purple in it, but that's what the curator of this color palette chose to call it. Maybe I do.

I started with a blurry drawing of my vision--loosely inspired by one of my 5000 magazine cut out inspiration photos so I'm not exactly where it came from other than my box of cut outs.

This is a piece of thin wood board, sanded and primed with gesso and then I brayered some yellow green on the base using a piece of textured wall paper.

Next, I lightly drew the main image of the girl holding the flowers and her skirt. Added a second layer of brayered greens as well as scrap papers in various places. For pasting on the papers I purchased a big ole jar of heavy gel medium---it's like a can of crisco modgepodge...lol. It works fabulously!! I had no issues with bubbles on the papers at all as I do with modge podge. It's expensive but I used a 50% off coupon at Michael's so I saved about 9 dollars!!

When you have a layer of glue or varnish on your work, not everything will write over it so you need to either use a charcoal or graphite pencil. That black thingie is a graphite pencil which I dropped on the floor (accidently). It will write over anything!

An example of the textured wall paper used. My Sweet Goodness Sister Jane gave me this wall paper as well as a bunch of other collage goodies that I have been using lovingly. I've used this piece alone about 50 times already!!

For the next step--I tore up bits and bobs of scrap booking papers and some music to create texture on the skirt. I might not be a scrapbooker but the allure of all the delicious papers available is hard for me to pass up anytime I walk in a craft store. I wish Michael's had the variety of papers that Hobby Lobby does. ((Only because Michael's is 15 minutes away from me and HL is an hour....otherwise HL would be my artfix joint of choice)) ;)

First layer of color on the skirt was scrapings of white, then the purplish mauve that I came up with for the challenge. Background you can see coming alive with more greenery. I was watching the Martha show one day (I forget if it was the craft show or regular show) and they featured a shadow garden. I've never heard of a shade garden before but I guess it's one that has only greenery-shade plants and ground cover. It's a place where you can go to just relax and get lost in the shade of the leaves and reflect on your day, your life, your place in the world.
I love that thought. This is where this young girl is going--to her shade garden.

I took this picture at about 10:30 last night so it's a lot darker than the real picture is--but you can see now how it's all coming together with the addition of her bouquet of fresh picked flowers as she heads towards the shade garden.

I'm attempting the scary hand. eeeks. There are some things I am just deathly afraid of painting. I'm still learning and well--I just didn't want this hand to turn out like a claw and ruin the blessed piece!

So far so good. It's hard to tell from this picture but on top of the first skirt layer, I added a layer of paint I made by taking some of my lumiere powders ( you can see the tiny jar of EXPENSIVE powder in the upper left corner) and adding a bit of gel medium glaze. This creates a translucent layer of color. Lots of fun being an Art Scientist! I'm not quite sure what I'm going to call this yet..but the main feeling I"m trying to convey is that of peace and reflection....any ideas? Hopefully this piece will be finished by next week so I need your input! Should we cast a vote for the name???? Please chime in if you want to title this latest work!!

I will send you a small prize if I pick your name!!

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I have about 4 other pieces in the works right now, it's just slow going as I spent the majority of the last several days on the couch. My glands were so swollen on the right side of my neck, i looked like a freakin football player. Thank goodness that has started to go down...my neck doesn't need to be any bigger than it already is!!

I'm on vacation the rest of this week so hopefully I can knock out a bunch of projects and get my house in order. This last week I've read chapters in my book The Secret on Money, Relationships and Health. To play along, I'm going to have a yard sale (soon) in preparation for a move. Am I moving anywhere?? No, not yet. But it says in the book, if you want something, act like it's already yours, see it, feel it, believe it..and the universe will start to align itself so it will indeed be yours. What does that have to do with a yard sale?? Well, heck, I don't want to move all this stuff for when I get a new home!! Heck no! I'm going to get rid of stuff my rapidly growing boys don't play with, fit into, or don't want anymore--Mama is going to clear out her closets, cupboards--and pair down as well.
It also says if you want to be in a relationship--you shouldn't have full closets in your bedroom. There's no room for anyone else if you have a full closet. Hmm. I didn't know it was that easy of a fix. I would have cleaned out those dang things awhile ago had I known! Once they are clean and ready to go...I'll let you know then if you have a rich brother or uncle--or heck, grandpa...let me know!! ;) Okay maybe not grandpa but definitely brother or uncle. :) LOL

Have an artfully great day!

WIP and GIVEAWAY!!

This weeks Creative Everyday WIP (((LOL....my everyday last a week...sigh....sometimes life just gets in the way with our fun, huh??))):
"A Nest of Her Own"
I'm continuing my series of painted ladies and creating a collection of "Altered Thoughts of Women". Women basically means me and my altered thoughts but I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who thinks along the lines of my created pieces. In this piece, I'm creating a lady who is firmly planted in front of her own nest. She is finding her way in this world. Goals, achievements, mean nothing without a solid foundation of faith, family, friends, and love. My little lady's nest is simple but nevertheless, it is hers and it is where all good things begin.
I hope to have it done by next week. My goal is to have at least one new artwork completed every other week at least. Some weeks are easier to do than others based on my day job work schedule--but I'm VISUALIZING that I can make it happen!

In the mean time, for those weeks I can't make it happen--I'm listing some new prints in my Sweet Repeats Studio Shoppe on Etsy (please stop by to see what else is new!). To promote my new prints (I have a few more left to list yet) and to THANK YOU for all the support you have given me, I am offering a GIVEAWAY of my "Blooming Hearts" print. I only had 3 of these made so please jump in, comment! April 1st (no fooling;) I will draw a name! I hope to see YOUR name in the drawing!

Last but not least, myself and the other Goodness Girls are OVERWHELMED by the HUGE and QUICK response to our Springtime in Paris Swap!!! We had to cut off the entries early as we already had our maximum amount by Monday afternoon (the first day of sign ups)!! Not that we are trying to be exclusive--we just have found that keeping our swaps a midsize, it is easier to keep up with. We now have all the partners matched up and will be emailing everyone by the end of the weekend, so be checking your mailbox!! For everyone else--our next swap will be early summer and it promises to be a cool girly swap!!! Set your bloglines to Sweet Goodness Swaps so you get the news and updates first hand!!

Have an artfully wonderful weekend!!

Learning to Love--WIP

I bet everyone was thinking I truly took off with the singer from Rock N Roll band, didn't ya?? Nope. Hate to disappoint ya, just had a very busy work week it seems so not a whole lot of progress on the art front. I did manage to get some playtime in yesterday in between errand running, cleaning, and checking out the tornado warning yesterday to work on this piece I started back in January.

Here is the progression of my latest piece:
"Learning to Love"

12x12 canvas, layers of yellow, tan and pink. Texture is created with using a brayer and decorative wall paper. (((I cover my work surface with Freezer Paper---it's the bomb!!!)))

For this step,I've added some additional colors, paper cut outs, and sewing patterns, stamped with some found items (bottle caps, doilies, and more).

At this point in the painting you can start to see the garden growing and the picture to start to come to life. A lot more texture is added through more found stamps (bubble wrap, drywall tape, more stencils). I added the door to symbolize one stepping out of her comfort zone, opening the door to new things, new adventure, new experiences.

I used both graphite and charcoal pencils to draw on my girl and the flowers in the piece, as well to define different parts of the painting that just sort of happened. By this I mean, I started to find more flowers within the layers of paint and stamping when I really looked. I outlined my blooms that just sort of popped up from seemingly nowhere. On my lady, I gave her shirt texture by carefully stenciling with drywall tape. I used a glaze with the paint on her skirt so that the underlying textures and colors would still pop through.

Added cut text and distressed with brown paint.

I'm beginning to color in the garden and draw/paint the face. Completing the face is the most frightening thing for me to do. I'm terrified that I will trash the whole painting by making a face that doesn't look good at all.

And this is where we are at today.... a few more details still left to attend to then paint the sides and varnish the piece. For the final picture, I'm definitely going to have to take the photo outside as these are not reflecting the depth of color and texture although it is good enough to give you an idea an how this piece has progressed. What do you think so far??

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Swap news---Stay tuned to Sweet Goodness Swap blog---we are about to announce our next swap on March 24th!!!! Whooooo hoooooo. I'd like to give a hint---but my Goodness Girl pals-Rebecca, Heidi, and Leigh Anne might get mad.....oh heck, the girls will get over it. Besides, I think Rebecca gave notice a few days ago--heehee!! Okay--here goes, we are doing a new color swap--this time with not one, not two,but a three color theme!! And-and--theres a great theme behind the colors. I have a small very obscure hint hidden on my blog already.........can you guess what it is??

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Next post I'll show you the finished piece and do the last meme I was tagged for by my fellow Carolina Mixed Media pal, Nanette.

Have an artfully good Sunday!!

Sweet Repeats Love Shack WIP

I can hardly believe I have been away for so long! When I checked my bloglines--I had over 500 some posts to catch up on..LOL. Wow! And that's from only 10 or so days, my fav peeps have been little chatter boxes, haven't you while I've been away?

My work trip went very well. In fact, not only was it rewarding to be a part of such an integral change in my company, I made some great friends along the way. I can't tell you how nice it was to have constant companionship on a daily basis. Most of my social life is really, well, so not a social life. I live a life that is pretty much just me and the kidlets. Not that that is a bad thing, but it was nice to have some laughs, good times, drinks, and adult conversation as we did in the evenings at dinner after work and by the pool over a couple of drinks with the other 3 partners that stayed in the same hotel as I did. Makes me want to start stepping out a bit more in my real life. Life as an artist, single parent, and single in general can be lonely. I did miss my real life though--my kiddies and art of course. I brought an art kit to play with, but in reality, didn't have time to work on anything other than a couple of Valentine Day cards. LOL

When I returned home and after settling in for the evening yesterday, I worked on some previous works in progress (featured here). This house is soooo cute. I can't wait to finish it. I'm not really sure how it's going to turn out, because I have no plan--just going with my artistic flow--but so far I am pleased with the outcome. 39--house address is symbolic for my age. I wish I had a home of my own, but that hasn't been in the cards just yet for me and my kiddies. Soon though--soon.

Front view but has a glare with the flash.

Oh looky here, you can see a couple of my other WIP sneaking in for some of the limelight :) The pink painting will be much like my last collage with the four 3-dimensional hearts on it I did for the Sweet Goodness Swap. In the foreground you can see the long blue one I have going as well. I'm going to do several things with a heart them over the next couple of months--hopefully I won't bore you :) The windows of my "love shack" will have the 3 D hearts, too!

Hopefully you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day! The team I was helping train gave me flowers and a sweet candy bag, my partner in training slipped me some candy, too--then after work all of us ate at Houston's in Pompano Beach. We hit the the restaurant early and got in rather quickly which was nice. I had the most scrumptious Hawaiian marinated Ribeye steak!! YUM. We ate sooooo good this whole ten days, I can't even tell you. We had entertainment at a Brazillian steakhouse, dined on the water at 2 different restaurants, enjoyed seafood at a couple other places, and enjoyed some appy's overlooking the ocean in Ft. Lauderdale at another place. We worked hard during the day and played at night :) Now I must MUST must diet!!

Back to the mound of laundry I have with my name all over it!

:) lucy

Mini Pieces of My Heart and Other Ramblings

Mini Pieces of Happiness.

That's what I spent tonight creating. Many of them. They'll eventually be a part of a bigger piece , which I think is going to be adorable when done. I enjoyed working on these small pieces inspired by the cover artwork from the Jan/Feb issue of Cloth Paper Scissors, featuring Karen Michael. I'm trying to be good and finish up my project ahead of schedule but I REALLY wish I was soooo good at what I do, that I'd actually finish projects to coordinate with the holidays ahead of schedule so I can sell them. I don't know how designers work a couple of seasons ahead of time. I have never been one to decorate for all seasons (at least not to the nines) either. I am, at best, a couple weeks ahead of time ready for the holiday. I probably will never change, but I hope to get more in the mindset of holiday decorating and creating over this next year. Perhaps with the Creative Everyday challenge I'll be more focussed and stay on track with my projects. These mini heart collages are made on wood, which I painted black. I then collaged on assorted decorative papers and then cut out hearts and used gel medium to adhere on. I used black paint and did a wash on the pieces to age them and create a smoky effect, and finished painted on little doodles & adding inspirational word on each. They actually would make cute magnets as well...hmmm.....not a bad idea not that I think about it! Stay tuned!

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Hope everyone had a great weekend (to me it's kinda like Sunday night as I had today off as well). Here's something that I saw while in Myrtle Beach this weekend. Pretty cool, huh?!

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Have you met my Sweet Goodness 'Hanging Heart' Swap partner yet?? Please check out Connie's fabulous home and cottage she rents out to vacationers. She has such great taste and is the sweetest person. Her new blog can be found here!

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If you are in need of inspiration or a cool one of a kind gift for the holiday of love (cough cough), check out Etsy's Valentine's Day gift guide! Fabulous assortment of goodies to be found! I'm only being sarcastic because I will be loveless this holiday...heck even when I was what's his face, it's not like I could expect any sort of LOVEly surprise. It was about this time last year when all heck broke loose. Anyway...maybe I'll peruse the gift guide and give myself a gift of love...LOL.

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Check out this Christmas Journal By Dawn B. (she has a journal book coming out late this spring). Her blog is always full of inspiration and guidance for those who like to journal. I love her style and her handwriting is too die for. I WISH I had cool handwriting!! For beginning journalers, she is putting together a project that may get you published--check it out if you are so inclined!

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Well, that's enough of my rambling for one day. Hope your week is artfully good!

We Win Together, and We Loose Together

Here's a little peak at a (another) WIP I have going for this month. The scan didn't really come out clearly but that's life! I put a coat of acrylic spray on it so the glare from that must be affecting the scanner. Note to self--scan before spray! This piece is going to have some 3 dimensional parts to it which I don't really do a lot of but I coerced a handy carpenter friend into cutting me up many pieces of wood for future projects so some of my mini pieces he cut up for me will be incorporated into this piece. I'm hoping to finish the piece off tomorrow and then after that---everything I make for the next couple of weeks will be for my Etsy shop. I have to buckle down because I haven't added any new art in over a month! I have been working on things, but they've all been for gifts or trades so with almost a month of 2008 slipping by us already--it's time to get busy for the business side of my art.

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In other news, my youngest son started playing basketball in our local town recreation youth league. This is his first time joining a team of any sort, and first time playing basketball with anyone other than me and his brother. Now, I'm no Michael Jordan or anything but some of you may be surprised to know that I can shoot some mean hoops here and there. Mostly there but who's counting?! I actually enjoy playing basketball as a form of exercise! Once it warms up, I think I will play more often because gosh knows I need some exercise! Bleck! I don't want to even go there. Anywhoo--the kids won their first game Tuesday with a score of 18 to 4! It was a total surprise because his team is sorta the Bad News Bears of Basketball and the other team was a more straight laced, organized and tight in their drills kinda crew. We scrimmaged the Saturday before and everyone thought it was going to be a blow out on their part. The exact opposite happened though and it was hysterical! Saturday was the kids 2nd game and this one was more of a nail biter. They didn't win, but it was a very close game, 14 to 10--Josh didn't score at all unfortunately but did do well with defense. As an only child--I think it's especially good he is participating in a team sport. He needs to learn to work with others, not just for himself.

I never played sports in school. I've always worked alone and for myself. Oddly enough, I did become a manager in my career, which in a way is definitely like playing on the team. I wonder if I would have been even better at what I do if I had played on a team growing up??? As I've grown as a manager I've definitely learned that you can't have a superstar on a team and forget about the rest of the team, and expect them to still win. You are only as strong as your weakest person. One person can't and shouldn't row the boat alone--you need to work for the greater good of the group to be successful. It's interesting though, I've found that the more challenges you give your team, the more they rise to the occasion. One thing we go by on our work team is taken from a quote from Coach K--"We win together, and we loose together". No one person should bare the responsibility of winning or loosing--yet so often it does seem to point that way, especially with the media who focuses on the Superstars or the Fumblers. The better person realizes, a team and a group comes to be and exist from all the individual parts-their success or failure doesn't happen because of any one person. I hope Josh learns this as he develops in his basketball skills and his team player mentality. It took his Mama a lot longer to realize it in her life.

I've been thinking about what I'd like to focus on for my artwork in 2008 and I haven't really pinpointed any one theme just yet. However, the team concept is an interesting topic to explore--the realization of how everything we touch is connected in someway in a myriad of ways to a bazillion different things. The chain effect of life. The bigger picture. We may feel alone some days, but we are part of so many different groups (teams), that feeling of aloneness is so unnecessary, if we only open our eyes to it. Connections, our role in this world, the chain effect of our actions, the progression of our development, the ups and downs of that journey--all areas worth exploring. Now to put those thoughts on the canvas. Hmmmm. Dream big, start small.

Have a great week!

Is it really 200 posts from Sweet Repeats??

Can you believe it's my 200th post???
Holy smolly.
Give or take a few drafts that are probably in my post list, it is pretty much my 200th post!
Where did the time go?
I would have had something exciting planned like fireworks or Green Apple martini's to go around for everyone had I been paying attention to my number of posts. Instead, you get a special feature of my latest work from almost start to finish.
I'd love to do a giveaway as well--but it will have to be after Christmas so as to not add any more pressure to my already about to explode head. SOOO with that said, I will still pick a name for a SUPER FABULOUS MEGA FANTASTIC giveaway to be sent out no later than December 31st. What will that include? Ummmm....ummm.....how about an original piece of art from me in the color of YOUR choice and a BUNCH of other goodies that I come up with between now and then!

Okay--so leave a comment, a color choice, and if I don't have your email (I have almost everyone's email that's ever been in a Sweet Goodness Swap) or if you don't have a blog, please leave a way for me to contact. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE To hear from any lurkers out there, too!!
I will take names through Sunday evening at 11:59 pm and draw names on Monday, December 10th.
Lots going on this week coming up--it's also just about my 39th birthday---on Thursday, December 13th I'll be just about 40. I'm going to enjoy this year. I think I need to make 39 goals for myself to achieve. hmmmm....that sounds doable. My friend Mizfixit is making a list of a 101 goals in 1001 days. That's intimidating. Wow. Think about it. I'm not sure that I even have 101 things I want to do....LOL....I know, I lead a pathetic life! But I'm sure I could come up with 39 things.
Okay, I'll work on the list and let you know. It will be my Birthday resolution and I'll revisit it before my 40th birthday.

Okay--on to my art of the week feature show. This piece is called "Fly Away" I really favor the metallic paints lately. Don't ask me why. I guess it's the shine and the depth they create instead of the flatness of regular paints. For this, I started on a smaller piece of 140 lb watercolor paper. I did a lot of painting, wiping off and stamping before AND after laying down the images, music, and real stamps (thank you LAURA).

Inspired by a picture in a 1985 National Geographic magazine, this moth came to life. I love all the details on this and am proud at how it came out!

Moving closer to the finish line, I added more details to the moth, sprinkling of paint splatters to suggest definition of the wings, added a "found poem" from a book Jane gave me (thank you).
Beautiful winged moth, fly softly with the breeze."

Lastly, I added more definition around the wording by outlining them, darkened the edges and added a few more rubber stamp markings.
When I think of what this means to me, I imagine the transformation of my self, sometimes its not dramatic, but it is there. And I'm able to do so now, peacefully at my own pace--with the breeze. Here I am flying softly into the breeze--with you all perched on the limb of this tree watching. That's both inspiring and intimidating!!

For those of you who are just meeting me--check out what I was doing last December here.

I had to check for myself to see how far behind I am compared to last year. I'm just a little bit behind all in all. One difference this year is that I am dramatically paring down my Christmas crafting and gift giving. Not that I don't wish to give to everyone I did last year, it's just that the pocket book this year has shrunken quite a bit so there's just not enough to go around. That is what I think is depressing me the most, not doing what you want, because you can't. Sigh.

I was also reading back at my posts and remembered how excited I was at the prospect of a new beginning with my x-other half. I knew for sure this time was different and I just wanted the holidays to be perfect for him coming home so I went sooo far overboard to make everything under the sun and to decorate to the nines, get as much as I could gift wise for everyone--I totally overdid it all and was sorely disappointed shortly there after. I'm still depressed over all that and it doesn't help that the phone will not stop ringing and I keep telling the same story over and over again to him about why I just can't forget and forgive. I'm not mean--I'm not cold hearted, I'm just not going to live with a substance abuser who's schzophrentic personality drives ME and my kids and everyone around us insane. Not to mention the majority of the reason I've been in this financial mess is because of him. The bottom line is, I enjoy slipping with both eyes shut, even if I do that alone!

Anywhoo--this weekend I'm going to start some of my baking, get a few gifts wrapped, and get closer to the holiday pinnacle that is upon us all and it will be a good time--I can feel it! This December is embarking another new beginning for me and my family, I just have to get in the mindset again like I did last year and make it happen. The power of suggestion and positivity is very real-if you believe!

Don't forget to leave a comment for you Artful goody pack in celebration of my 200th post and to leave me a color choice! Good luck!

Pondering Again

Imagine Total Freedom to Be.....

...whatever it is you want to be.


------>>>>>Finished Collag-ifitti------->>>>>

I thought I would share this WIP, which is really just about done. I'm just going to look at it for awhile tonight and decide what else I want to do image or word wise to give this collage-iffiti more depth (((cancel that...I finished it tonight and edited my draft t :))). My goal is to complete 10 pieces by next week so I can start selling my work, both online and in a store nearby. So, to accomplish that goal, I've been busy with getting backgrounds started. Hmmm...getting things started...I'm quite good at that~it's the finishing that I need some pushing on! But who doesn't right?
Here's a backwards view on how I put this together. You can see in the background the tissue paper that I added on to the painted image. Thank goodness for cropping. You can't see all the other shtuff I have everywhere! To the left you can see my new favorite paint tray....the stryofoam meat sits on....it is a great tool to use for paint, glue, all sorts of mediums. And it can be re-used a multitude of times! That's my very weak attempt at being green!



And this is how it all began, which actually looks quite good too....I might be inspired to do some plain black and whites soon!

The green and blue background is going to a watery type of scene. I imagine a mermaid or seahorse emerging from the depths of this collage to be . I just need to find a mermaid or seahorse image...somewhere...anywhere, cuz gosh knows I have not one in my collection (small collection).

And this little sunset gem may have led me to a much bigger commissioned work by fast becoming best customer, my dear co-worker P. He wants something similiar, but on a grander scale for his bedroom. Yippee skipeee!

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I had this conversation today about why it is that I have waited until I'm 38 years old to really start back on my writing and creating art again. Hmmmm good question. I think I touched on this in another post, but I guess there are many reasons. I think lately (over the last few years), I've been more in the mindset to create from my hands and heart. I could climb the corporate ladder if I wanted to, but I have chosen to have the best of both worlds....be in a middle management position that makes decent money, but yet not so taxing onmy time, so that I can be mother, too. Yet there's still a void. A lack of passion about what I'm doing. That's not to say I don't do the best job that I can day in and day out at my day job. But it works for me now because I have stability and it affords me enough flexibility to be a halfway decent parent. So now I'm trying to fill the void by spending a portion of my free time honing my dusty talents/hobbies/skills/what have you. And who knows, maybe one day I will feel that passion about what I do in my career and home. The true best of both worlds.

Imagine
Total

Freedom

To

Be....

Lucy

I'm Back From My Field Trip!

I returned yesterday from my short, but gratifying trip to my Sister's house in Florida. My boys and I set out on a road trip Tuesday. EARLY Tuesday. Oh yes, I pulled their little behinds out of bed at 3 am to get a head start on our 12 hour drive. What?? You don't believe me? Okay, so THEY got me up at 3 am, or rather, my oldest did. He's my protector. My worry wart. The one that will make sure every window is locked in the house and all the candles are blown out. He made sure Momma was up so we could get on the road bright and early. Our drive down was seamless, and it took us exactly, almost to the minute 12 hours to reach our destination. Now, on the drive back...hmmm not so much, it definitely wasn't seamless, not even close! But I'll save that story for a bit. First, check out the beginnings of my two latest projects:

I actually started "Faith" down at my Sister's house. I actually like my pen and ink foundation better than I like the painted version.....but there's hope yet....I have more layers to add to reach the depth I am aspiring for on this painting. I had a friend ask me today how much I thought my paintings and collages are worth and I had a real tough time answering him. How does one put a price on your ideas, your work, your craftmanship, your time? His conclusion was that the number I shot out devalued my work by saying "this is all I'm worth", but I guess I am of the school of thought, being a beginner, how could I dare command the high dollar which experienced artists rightfully do for their work. Then I have to take into consideration the quality of tools I'm using, because right now I'm just using regular acrylics and heavyweight watercolor paper or matte board. I suppose if I used gallery quality canvas or acrylics with higher quaity pigment, I would take that into consideration in my pricing....but of course there's more to setting a price than the "tools in your arsenal". It's quite thought provoking and not an easy thing for me to pin down right now, but I'll definitely give it serious consideration when I'm ready to peddle my wares!
Here's the beginning of another background for a more traditional collage I'm planning on doing this week. I am trying to break out of the rut of using a lot of yellows and pinks in my work. For this project, I just closed my eyes and hoped for the best! The first color I picked was a burgandy, and then the second bottle I picked was a brown...then I added some metallic colors as well as cream. One thing I really gave some thought to on my trip was my determination to continue on my artistic journey. I have a habit of starting something and then letting it fall to the wayside after awhile. I loose focus, I loose inspiration, I go onto the next "big thing" and I become a jack of all trades, master of none. Well...no more. I'm turning a new leaf. I'm moving forward, I'm going to hone my skills, and, and, I'm going to try my hand again at writing. I'm ready now....I wasn't ready before (after college). I guess I didn't feel I had enough to say or even know what to say that would interest anyone....I hadn't experienced anything at that point in life, or at least not enough....but now....it's a different story seeing as though I have seen the world (through an approaching 40 year old's eyes) and fought enough battles (with myself), to have something of value to share with the world.

So you see, this vacation was an opportunity for me to plant my feet down and reflect on what I want to do with this next phase in my life. Did I come up with a plan?? Well, a half baked plan, :) but it's the making of a plan. I would list some of the things I want to do, but I don't want to be obligated to anyone but myself to make it happen.
I had a lot of time to think driving...well when I wasn't singing, I was thinking. I sing pretty darned good after 10 or so hours if I do say so myself! I'm proud of myself for being able to pick up the kids, hop in the car, and go on a trip without someone by my side. Not everyone can do that. I'm not just referencing financial ability to do so, I'm talking about the gumption to just do it....get up and do it, whether or not you have someone to help you, or to be with you to do it. Call it what you will....independence, self assurance, faith, whatever, I can do it. It's a good feeling to be able to count on yourself to get things done. Not that I don't want help, or want someone by my side...it's just a good feeling to know that regardless of anything else, I can survive and thrive on my own and not be chained to these four walls!

Would you believe my Sis has these beautiful trees in her backyard and I didn't even steal one grapefruit from them?? Dang, what was I thinking??

Here's her house, hopefully she won't mind me showcasing it because I didn't ask! It's a beautiful home she shares with My brother in law Sam (who cooks a mean breakfast at 5:15 am I'll have you know ;), and their 3 boys. So do the math...her 3 boys, my 2 boys....that's a lot of testosterone in one house!

Here's one of my nephew's, cutie patootie Matthew. Who, by the way, if asked, he will tell you he will be 5 in 1 week. Yes, he mentioned several times this week that his birthday is in 1 week. :) We got to see my other nephew, Gabriel's baseball game one evening. He did great. Their team was behind 4-1 and in the end they came from behind and won. Gabe brought in the winning run, which was great to see. I really miss out on having family nearby to go and catch a ball game, a birthday party, a holiday dinner, or simply to just run over and chat it up for a bit. ((((Sighh)))

I apparently caught DS by surprise in this shot. I about drove everyone nuts with my camera which I had a new memory card in and it was empty to start with....soo.....I went a little overboard with the snap snaps!!

We visited a super nice beach in Englewood...and awwww....had to take some brother love pictures before they dove in the water.

We visited a beautiful shopping area in Punta Gorda called the "Fisherman's Village" and had lunch outdoors on the water. We even saw several dolphins as we were eating. I have about 20 or so pictures to ummmmm not so much prove my tale but I sure did try. Every one of my snapshots were within seconds of the dolphin popping up and out of the water.