Two More Days To Enter!!!

I've started to list a few of the prints I just received this week and wanted to share with you some of the features. I still have several more to go yet but may not get them listed until next week because.....

I got some good news that my Sister Sherry and her boys will be dropping by for a visit this weekend on their way home to Florida from their summer stay up in New York!! I'll be honest, I am panicky about getting my nest in order. I just got done mowing 1/2 my lawn, doing laundry, ran the dishwasher, swept the floors, cleared off 1 of my craft tables so we have at least one table to eat at, took the garbage to the dump, cleaned the kitchen.....and there's still more to do.

Now, don't go thinking I'm a slob or anything..lol..I just well, don't do the white glove every week so when guests come I feel the need to go over board and make sure the palace is in spit shine condition. Not to mention the fact that since I've taken on my part time job as an artist, I have more craft supplies then one can probably use in a lifetime at this point (that's not to say I couldn't take on more..lol) and not enough storage to put everything up properly and beautifully (like I see some of your studios when you feature them...I know 'you' are out there)!

It'll be nice to have a visit with the fam though, it's something that happens not enough with all of my family. Tis the price we pay for chasing after our dreams, it has put a very real physical distance between us. I happen to live in the middle of everyone so at least I get the benefit of 1/2 way drive thrus when the fam travels from NY to Florida or Florida to NY. My house in NC is pretty much the halfway point, funny how that worked out isn't it?

Don't forget, the last day to get your name in the drawing for one of my new prints (could be one of these or one of the 3 or 4 more I have yet to list) plus goody box I have started to compile (you don't want to miss out now, do you???))!!

Simply make a comment on one of my posts from August 1st on and you'll be automatically entered my very scientific drawing (cut up names and draw out of a hat)! LOL

Thank you for all your support, kind words and encouragement! My blog readers are the best!!
xoxo

lucy

Blue Creek

She's been busy visiting a town far, far away.

Blue Creek, I believe is the name.

A place where there are buildings that have a personality and can speak of a day gone by,

whispering of times when life was so much more simple and anything could be possible and as real as our dreams.

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!

Lots of Goodies!

Just a quick post to give a special thank you to darling Mrs. Kwitty for making me a special order business card wallet which I purchased from her Etsy shop. It is simply adorable and I love it. I convo'd her asking if she had any suggestions for me for a business card holder and she replied back quickly that while she didn't have anything, she would be more than happy to create a few things for me to pick from out of her shop. In lightening fast time, she created this wallet as well as several others I could pick from . (((another one like this as well as a few additional styles are now available in her shop))

Run, don't walk to her shop!!

She also packaged the wallet in the most adorable box, lace and topped with one of her little birdie tags that I just adore!! She also sells the tags in her shop!

Thank you Ms K for your hard work, attention to detail, and excellent customer service!

Monday was our send out for the Sweet Goodness Swap: "Springtime in Paris" and this is a sneak peek of my hand crafted item....go figure a sweet little collage for partner Jen. Our color theme was blue, black, and white. You must check out our flickr pool for MORE lovely creations and package. If you joined our swap, please be sure to upload your sent/received packages so we can all drool over your goodies.

I'm off to finish sorting through all my "stuff" as I am having a combined yard sale with some friends on Saturday and I still have LOTS more to go through. Lucky me has 2 days off to get things going so I better stay off the computer and get busy!

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom and feng shui-energy advice. As I'm cleaning and reorganizing today, you can be sure the rubbing alcohol and incense will be coming out to cleanse the chaos out!! :) luv ya all!

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!!

I'm Pumped Up To Be Here!

I'm not sure what ticks me off more. The gas prices lately (once again), or the cold weather. Well, I guess the gas thing gets my goat most of all. The cold weather, well, at least I know that warm weather relief is on the way. I seriously doubt if there will be relief anytime soon with the rising fuel costs. Ugggh. Well, there's no use crying over spilled milk, we just need to plan our trips to town even more frugally than we've been in the past, right?

With that said, road trips are still an economical way to go, and that we did just that this last weekend. 7 children and 7 adults caravaned to Atlanta, Ga to see the Super cross indoor dirt bike race at the superdome. I took buc-ooos of pictures, not sure if you'd want to see them but one thing I thought was soooo cute was the little racers (7 and 8). Can you imagine, being 7 or 8 years old, on your mini dirt bike and racing on the same track your 'heroes' were about to race on...in front of 70,000 people and televised all across the country?? The one child that placed second place summed it up, "I'm just pumped up to be here! I'm really pumped." in his little southern twang. LOL. The lil guys (and 1 girl) were too cute. All the children we had with us were all racers except for my youngest and that's only because he doesn't have a bike of his own (yet)....and the littlest boy. The big boys were heavy into routing for their favorite racer once the professionals took to the track, (Chad Reed), who with all his cockiness about him, lost control of his bike about halfway into the last race and ended up placing 6th. I say this as if I know him. Perhaps he's really not cocky, but the interviews they played in between qualifiers proved me right.

I think you have to have a degree of cockiness when you are in the midst of 25 racers, doing jumps no humans should be able to do. But don't ever underestimate the will and the drive of the guy behind you waiting to take your place. No one stays on top forever. We go through peeks and valleys, and sometimes in the end, decide we've gone done this road long enough. There's another road beckoning us. There's always going to be someone better than you, too. Harsh reality but it's true. Does it matter? Nope. Did you do your best? Okay, well--then just be "pumped" to be here and get back up on your bike and at least finish the race. You might even pull ahead and finish first. Anything can happen. If you try.


******

Featured is my Blue Sweet HeART wall decor. These are too cute. I haven't offered it up for sale just yet. I'm trying to decide if I should add some sort of hanger to it as it is too top heavy to put on a picture stand. It is sturdy though, and will sit on a shelf. I'm just trying to come up with a solution as to how potential customers would want to have it displayed and make it as easy as possible. Any ideas?? I think I'm going to try drilling holes before I begin the painting process going forward on certain pieces so I can add a wire hanger. I'm just not a jewelry maker so I don't have beads or embellishments to add bling to the hangers. (I don't need anymore hobbies either). Well, I'm sure it will come to me. Probably in the middle of the night in bed, or in the shower. 2 of the best thinking places in my house!

Happy Friday Eve!

With That Said

I'm sitting here pretending like I'm a full time artist. Got up at 7:30, thanks to one of my peeps texting me ((my new found technology love since upgrading to unlimited texts...lol), did a little product research ((not that I need anymore products in my arsenal, but what developer doesn't need to research what's going on in the industry)), refined some of my 'product' photos, marketed my wares a bit on some community threads, uploaded pics to my shop, and now I've come to chat a bit with my friends on the blog. Did I pick up a brush yet today? No, but the biz ness side needs to be attended to in the artist's life as well.

Okay so it's not my full time job, but I can pretend, can't I?? I have two days extra off this week. I'm sure my work peeps aren't happy with that but since I was away for so long this month, I needed a work break. Catch my breath, catch up on the cleaning, spend time retooling what ever it is that needs retooling around the palace, then off for some fun this weekend.

About a year ago this month, I really started with my collage/mixed media work full speed ahead. My house hasn't been the same since. Bulging at the seems with supplies, paint and paper every where you turn. I am definitely more at peace with myself since last year. My Sweet HeArt in Pink reflects that mood. Fun and whimsical, yet reflective and appreciative. The month of February has been a turning point over the course of my life in many different areas. It was February when I was almost killed at 14 in a bicycle/car accident...that forever changed my way of thinking. It February that my best friend met her husband when the two of us were out declaring the holiday "Black Friday (Valentine's Day fell on Friday year). 2 of my sister's children were born in February, it was February that I ended my relationship with a great love of mine, it was in February that I decided to truly embrace my art in order to find peace in my life.

So far so good. I can escape and yet do it in a healthy way. I can dream and make those dreams come true. I can have color on the days when it only seems that I can see black and gray. I can see myself grow and share those moments with many many people that I would never have met otherwise.

I hope to come back next February and be able to say I was published in an art magazine, have more and more sales of my work, I hope to say that my day job is still going well and that I have been promoted in some way, I hope to say that a new great love has entered my life in a more positive way, I hope to see my kids happy and content and doing even better in school, I hope that over this year I can get out of debt created from some recent events of the last 2 years, and a house or big move is in the works.
February has always been a turning point for me now that I think about it, but maybe it's just a coincidence. Are there coincidences in life or coincidences merely the hands of fate showing there face more concretely to us??

Well enough rambling for today. I'm off to shower, clean and hopefully I can make it to my favorite thrift stores today or tomorrow. It's been way to long since I've rescued other people's stuff!
With that said,
Enjoy your weekend! It's Friday Eve!

Little Pink Houses

My these are very big pictures. I've completed several of my WIP's over the last couple of days. WHOOOO HOOOO. It's a great feeling to actually be done with somethings!! I think with being away from my artwork for almost two weeks, I am bursting with inspiration this week. Which is a good thing, hopefully I can refill my etsy shop with some more pieces. (((((UPDATE-- LOVE SHACK NOW AVAILABLE))))))

This little piece is a paper mache house, collaged with a variety of different elements, papers, music, painted, stamped, repainted, using acrylic paint,water soluble oil pastels, charcoal, dye inks and More!

Some of the pieces incorporate some swap items I've acquired along the way...

In fact, this Love Shack was acquired at the last NC Mixed Media Guild I went to. ((((((UPDATE)))) I didn't realize that one of my last pieces is featured on our Carolina Mixed Media home page!!!! how cool!!!)))see it here

One of my dreams that has yet to become a reality, is for me to have my own home, maybe not with a white picket fence, but somewhere where we can at least plant some roots, grow some flowers and dream of all that the future holds.

I am going to be offering this for sale in my etsy shop this week--stay tuned!

For more of my completed works--I will be posting more items later this week--gotta spread the love over a few days as I'm sure I'll be busy when I get back to work (for all of two days this week..lol....I'm taking Thursday and Friday off to catch up then going to Atlanta with the boys and some friends this weekend to catch the Supercross races)---check out my flickr page for other photos if you can't wait :)
Last but not least--thank you to Gretchen who has a blog that features art of all kind (her own and featured artists) that pertain to hearts and so kindly posted about some of my heart mini's!. Be sure to check out her blog!





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Have a great week!

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

Sweet HeARTs by Sweet Repeats

One nice thing about blogging, just when you don't think you've accomplished enough, you start taking pictures and next thing you realize how far you've really come.
Right about now, I have no less than probably 8 projects going (that are on my craft table), and another 10 or so that are stashed away for a rainy day. More than likely, I'd feel better if I'd finish some of these works in progress. The hard thing about painting and layering though, is waiting for things to dry and set before going on to the next layer. The answer to this? Start another project and that's where the trouble begins!

4 projects in this picture. Two backgrounds that will become the base for my mini collaged hearts to the left (pink and blue), then my home I'm "building"--I think I'm going to call it "The Love Shack" LOL. I'm going to use some of my mini hearts for windows. That's as far as I've gotten the planning stage for this house. Aren't you supposed to have a blueprint before you build a home?? To the right, you'll see my new book--basically it's an old book. I think the copy right says 1963. I've been practicing drawing lips and eyes which are my down fall when drawing the human figure. If I'm being truthful, drawing the human figure really escapes me all together, not just the eyes and lips. I figured I'd take a cue from another blog
friend who is "unschooling" herself in the field of painting and art. I'm a student at heart. If it weren't for the money issue, I'd probably never have left school. I'd still be taking classes in a wide array of subjects to this day if only I could!

I finished another batch of mini hearts last night. Some are going to become magnets, and others are going on the two backgrounds I have going. I perhaps have found a new obsession!!!

Whatever it is that I have found, I hope that 2008 proves to be another year in which I progress on this journey. I think I'm really going to focus in a few areas in order to hone my skills and to work in groups of the same topic. When I look at other peoples work, there always seems to be a common thread where you can identify that artist just by looking at the work. I am lacking that. My stuff seems to be slightly all over the place. Maybe that's not unusual when you are learning new techniques and playing with new 'art toys', but I do feel I need to reel it in a little bit and find my 'muse'.

I'm surprised at how much I accomplished this week art wise. Work has been pretty chaotic lately. One of my employees who backs me up has been on vacation, I've been working on digesting all my material for my training mission I'm going on this coming week for 10 days, working 3 nights this week to finish up projects that were due and I'm still not caught up. I have tons of customers I need to touch base with, and then to top it off, I was picked to be a mentor for new manager just hired (which I am very excited about doing....I love mentoring)--the down side was since I'm going away for the merger next week, I had to slam in my mentor certification training in last week, too. In between everything there's been DS basketball games to go to, personal appointments, cleaning the house, getting ready for my trip---yikes. I've turned to drinking WAYYYY too much caffeine. I think I need to reel that habit in as well. I have high blood pressure so caffeine is not good for it--I can tell I've been a bad girl because I've been getting terrible headaches. The other day I was driving home with DS and thought my head was going to explode. My little man said to me---Momma, don't cry, don't think about it and it will go away. ....((((awwww--my answer to him when he's hurt--don't think about it and it will feel better before you know it)))). He tries to be so grown up!

Perhaps I've done more this week because I've needed to wind down more than usual?
Here's the beginning of what will be the background for my hearts. You can see the several layers already that are coming to life.

Although I didn't complete these this week--I finally got around to take pictures of more mini clipboards (about 1/2 the size of regular clipboards). I'm definitely putting these in the shop soon.

Wishes

Remember

Wish

Notes

I think I like this one best, although they all are super cute!

Last but not least--I've made an effort to start reorganizing my creative space. Proof is in the puddin'. No mind you, this is about 1/50th of what I have...LOL...but ya gotta start somewhere!

Tomorrow I'm going to haul butt and clean up this popsicle stand. I have no choice, I have packing to do, organizing, studying, more organizing, more cleaning, and I took on someone's taxes to do as well. I HOPE I have time to finish at least one of the heart pieces and time to relax a bit. Oh crap. Forgot it's the Super Bowl tomorrow as well! Well, I guess it all needs to be done by 6 pm. It's not like I'm having a party or anything, but I feel like it would be sacrilegious if I didn't make some snack foods and put the game on.
So much to do...so little time. I better relax tonight because I don't think it's happening tomorrow!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Painted Love

Today's post will not only be about creativity, it'll be about a bunch of my senseless ramblings. Because, that's how I've been feeling this week...pretty much all over the place so sit back and enjoy the read :)

Yes, Virginia, North Carolina does get snow! So for all of you Northerners who wish to escape the snow and bask in our balmy sun---guess again! Heh! At least once a year, the Sandhills seems to prey victim to the sneeze in a Northern bound snow storm. (I made that up not sure what sneeze really means in weather terms). We woke up to this last Thursday--and yep--it was all gone by noon. Not good if your a child and wanted to build a snow man. Would you believe they postponed school the DAY BEFORE the snow was scheduled to hit?? Yep. That's how we roll here! THEN--we get a call at 6:30 am from the school VRU to say, well, it's really not that bad so come on in at regular time. Geesh. Make up your mind. That musta sucked for the kids that had to be on the bus by 6:45 am! Good thing I didn't call the principal, you all could have been hearing me on You Tube this week!

So far as my creativity goes--this is my project for the week. I know, I know-you're supposed to be creative everyday--and I try to be--I've done lots of sketches and a few preps of backgrounds I'll be doing, but this is the only thing I've finished all week. You gotta start somewhere. This painted collage was created on wood--one of my favorite surfaces to paint on lately. Once you have a layer of gesso on, it's easy to manipulate the paint as if it were on canvas. Cheaper, too.

A few nights ago-I had the worse dream. What I remember of it isn't much, but I do recall a dead something or another chasing me--his head was cut off, so sometimes it was the head it chasing me and in other parts of the dream it was the headless bloody body. There was a flood in the dream, too. Scary stuff. I've definitely been drinking too much caffeine lately. I remember trying to save a bunch of people but with the flood coming and the army of dead people lead by this headless guy, it was really beyond saving anyone. What could this mean??

Speaking of haunting--what haunts someone with so much talent, and so much promise that somehow, for some reason, they end up dead from an overdose of sleeping pills (presumably)? I was really surprised and saddened by the death of Heath Ledger--which although he wasn't my favorite actor, he seemed to have so much going for him. What kept him awake every night that he had to turn to sleeping pills and anti-depressants to catch even a few minutes of the ever elusive sleep?? I guess all of us backseat drivers will never know and probably it's none of our business anyway--but it is almost surreal to think about. The moral of the story is that fame and fortune doesn't always bring you peace and happiness.

Speaking of fame and fortune--what about the trainwreck singer, Amy Whinehouse?? Meeshka. The crack smokin shot of her this week just made me shake my head---what is wrong with people??? The talent that is wasted on drugs is just shameful, not to mention the lives that are effected by the conductors of the train! Perhaps her hit song, Rehab was should have been the first hint that all was not well in Amy land? I'm not trying to make light of her 'crash and burn' moment lately, it's really sad to me--I guess because I can truly understand the craziness of it all having experienced being affected by someone controlled by drugs and alcohol, the understanding that there are good people underneath it all makes it all that much more hard to accept--even from a distance.

I think when it comes down to it, happiness doesn't come from things--perhaps it doesn't even come from accomplishments because if you can be nominated for 6 Grammy's and be chosen to be in one movie after another, yet you are still running from your life-- it's obvious it's not what you do or what you have that brings satisfaction and happiness. It's gotta come from within and it's gotta come from you. I'm sure there's millions of people who love Amy and Heath--and that wasn't even enough.
How tragic.

I got to thinking the other day, it's probably good that I'm not famous.
I'm pretty sure there's been a few times I've gone off the deep end or was irresponsible with my kids. I mean, not dangerously irresponsible, but I admit, I've taken them out without hats on in the dead of winter. I'm very sure I don't feed them enough vegetables. I've even gone out on the town--but I have not stripped naked in the middle of a store in the middle of the night while shopping with my posse. There was that time I forgot to zip up my pants at a bar after going to the bathroom one summer night. Only to be told by several Buffalo Bills players that, "Hey baby--I hate to be the one tellin' ya this, but ya zipper be down!"
Had I been famous, I would have definitely been on Entertainment Tonight or on You Tube and perhaps CBS This Morning that next week.
Phew. Thank goodness I'm not.

Nope. I'm just me. Boring really. I mean I get excited now at the prospect of going to Michael's to buy more craft paint. Instead of dreaming of meeting the perfect man at a bar like the old days (LOL...joke), I'm thinking if I DO meet someone new down the road, it will either be at Starbucks or the gas station, because those are the only places I really go besides the already mentioned Michael's. Yeah--chances not good from those choices....lol.
Because I can't afford a therapist to talk to help solve my woes and that which haunts me, I paint, create, and make a huge flippin mess of my house with my crappola. I'm not really sure how I would explain what I've done to my dining room table to a visiting guest (read male). I have a picture of it but that was edited from todays rambles. I can't even explain it to myself let alone anyone else!

Somehow things come together in the end, and it doesn't really need an explanation. I am who I am. Grammy's or not. It's okay really, because I am relatively happy. Could be richer. Could be skinnier. Could be in a positive relationship. Could make sure my kids wear hats in the cold. Could make sure all food groups are consumed in federally recommended ways. Could but I'm not. Could but I don't. It's okay. There's still time for me to change, as long as I don't become famous, don't let my hauntings overcome me, and I don't choose substance abuse over substance.

Okay--enough ramblin's--coming soon--lotsa good mail and hopefully a little more creative notions!

The World Is Round

I had thought my next post would be of our holiday pictures but I just didn't have the strength to go through all 140 of them tonight to pick out the best of the best. Maybe tomorrow. The holidays last week were extremely wonderful, peaceful, and happy. I was sick though. I struggled to make everything come together as a Mother does to ensure her children have a good Christmas and everyone is happy.
Christmas Eve we had a great get together with an abundance of appetizers and snacks, a few drinky drinks for the adults and then the next day an even bigger spread for dinner---it is obvious what one of my resolutions needs to be even more so than the week before. Diet. oh my..let's not even go there. I declared no pictures of me were to be taken as I got a preview of a few thanks to digital play back and quickly hit the erase button. Years from now, the kiddies will be wondering if Momma was even at Christmas 2007! But it all was soooo good!

Back to work on the 26th and both boys in Myrtle Beach for the week, the house is strangely quiet. Still looks like a cyclone hit it but odd to have so much commotion, then nothing. Quiet. Our get together this year was much like it used to be several years ago. Our dysfunctional family with my 2 ex's who get along and actually like each other all celebrating once again for the children's sake. We all have forged a friendship that may be hard for some to understand but it works for us, especially since none of us has any family around here for hundreds of miles so we have become a family, an unusual one, but a family nonetheless. When I was going with What's His Face, that couldn't happen because he would have none of it and the holidays were always full of shuffling, tension and more than not, chaos. Not this year. Everyone got alone, peace was in the air (except for several phone calls to disturb my peace from what's his face), and life is getting back to normal for the kids after a 4 year break. New beginnings.

New beginnings, and hope is what this latest collage is about. Life slows down in the winter, we gather and conserve our strength, but yet as life cycles around, there is hope for spring time and new beginnings in the air. "The world is round and the place which seems like the end, may only be the beginning." Believe and Receive.
She is actually going to one of my blog readers---I've never been good at keeping secrets...lol...so at least I won't say who it is until she receives it but since I haven't been too crafty and I spent the majority of the day finishing this piece (I still need to do the back and let it dry), I figured I'd share my one crafty thing from the past two weeks. I spent the majority of the day cleaning and crafting, going back and forth between the two and relaxing while it's still quiet here. I've also tried to do some reflecting back on this year this last couple of days and am looking forward to the longer days and hope of new beginnings that this Spring brings with her. The what if's have been killing me lately and bringing me down so I need to focus less on the what I don't have and can't do's and start focusing on what I can do and take action on the rest. You have to put one foot in front of the other to move forward---believe and receive. I still have some winter left to conserve my strength so I may have a fruitful spring. I'm glad the holidays this year are ending on a good note. That gives me hope for a new beginning.

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!

Judy Garland GARLAND-November Sweet Goodness Swap!

When we speak of Goodness, Jane A-must be the definition of it, in so many ways, she has become more than just a swap partner--she really has become a Sister which of course is the purpose of the swap this time around--to really get to know your partner and to share thoughts, emails, likes and dislikes and hopefully make a friend for life. Jane and I have a lot in common and I think I can speak for her as well, and we definitely will continue on our friendship well past this swap. The first photo features just part of the assortment of goodies she sent in our "Tags and Swags-Garland" portion of the swap. Loaded in a sweet vintage case I found a bazillion tags of all sorts-painted, collaged, adorned with stickers, vintage photos and more--so many had the theme of friendship I just can not get over all the time she took to make all these wonderful goodies. She also included wonderful smelling herbal bath and herbal bath salts, a fabulous book "Art and Fear"-a very thoughtful gift as it contains the quote I used in my last swap on a collage I made her (which she had given me the idea in an email she had sent me where she had commented on our progress as artists and the work we create as practicing for "the few to soar". She also included a fun treat for lil man which I thought was so nice and kind :) All the items are sitting on a sweet red and yellow vintage tree skirt which I am planning on using this year with my tree. Jane is a major thrifter and comes across the most unique items--thank you for sharing them with me!

The "Garland" Jane made me is truly a GARLAND--LOL---she played on the name and painted, collaged, and adorned Judy Garland on wooden cutouts which hang on a beautiful beaded swag--I can't even imagine the time she took to make this unique and fabulous Garland!! I love it, it is the best :)

Here's another picture of the wonderful assortment of goodies Jane sent--so many things I had the best time opening them--

I have been going through the tags and everytime I look at them, I see new elements I hadn't seen before-thank you Jane for taking the time to do all of these for me!! I'm not sure if I can give any of them up to put on my gifts..LOL :)

Here's another shot of the most unique Garland I've ever seen! I am going to feature this in my "studio" as a reminder of the great friend and Sister I have made though this "Sweet Goodness Sister Swap".

Jane--you rock!

(If you have joined this swap--please remember to upload your November pictures to the flickr site created here
and your October photos here

Collage Mixed Media Portrait -an Evolution of a Painting

As a self taught "Artist" with magazines, books, and the internet at my back, please join me on this journey, the evolution of a collage painting. There are probably a million different ways to travel down this road, so if you choose, use these tips and techniques as a guide, not necessarily a map for your own "masterpiece"!

Tip number 1--work on more than one piece at a time. In this first photo you see a Christmas piece I'm working on that I took a break from while making "This Is What".
I started with a light layer of paint and gesso on 140lb watercolor paper--wiping off the paint with paper towels, spraying with water to get a misty look, and stamping with acrylic paint with foam stamps. (Be sure to immediately clean stamps as the acrylic will dry quickly).

Here you can see the stamps and the variance of color (white, turquoise, and a touch of teal).
You don't necessarily need to start with a rhyme or reason when starting a piece. In fact, I had no idea what I was going to do until the background was almost done. I prefer to start with a color combo that I like first, then let the artwork take on a life of it's own as it evolves with more layers.

I skipped a layer when photographing- the next thing I did was take a paper doily and use a darker contrasting color in a metallic sheen (luminex paint) and stencil on a "pattern" I used the entire canvas, no holes barred. If you like to incorporate and words or pictures, this is a good time to do so--although in many cases, I lay those down first-for this work, I chose to primarily focus on my colors, pattern, and focal point more so than the magazine and picture collage elements that I typically incorporate.
Sketchy out your face & hair and fill in with a base coat. I used metallic bronze for the underlaying color of my lady first, then positioned my chosen words after the outline of the face was completed.

Creating shadows is critical to achieving depth--something that I'm only now beginning to realize as I continue on this journey. I started with blending the wet paint with my finger as you might be able to see along the edge of the face to the left.

Okay so I skipped several steps here--lol--I had no intentions of sharing this initially, I only thought of it as I moved throughout the final stages. For the facial details, I again sketched with a pencil first then VERY carefully added light details, and going darker with the details only after I was satisfied with the results. the inside of the eyes and the lips were done with colored pencils, charcoal pencils, and watercolor crayon. The cheeks and other areas were shaded with pencil and my finger, which was colored with paint from the work in progress. To add more definition to her hair, I added 3 more contrasting colors going from light to dark, then adding more highlights with colored pencils and watercolor crayons.

The face needed more definition, so I outlined again with colored pencil.

I basically matted this to another background on watercolor paper to create a frame of sorts and added the final wording and touches to the hair (more definition with the pencils), highlights with the lips (with chalk and watercolor crayons).

Close up view--