The World is a More Colorful Place Because of You Art Everyday Month Day 9

 Don't you realize by now, these are the Artful Years of your life!

 You and your crazy hair, lady its really okay to be different. Our shoes don't have to match our shirt and it's okay to wear a flower in your hair if it makes you happy.

 Not every flower is perfect or the color some make think it should be. It's still beautiful nonetheless

 Celebrate the fact that Art Is YOU!  Live it and be proud of who you are.

Some day perhaps someone will understand that this is who you are and accepts you for it. You need to accept yourself first.

The world would be a lot less colorful if you weren't in it.

:)

Little Pink Houses-Sunset Bay Collection

Little Pink Houses Collection:
Breeze Avenue, Sunset Bay, and Life at the Beach.


As you may have guessed, I've been busy creating away the last few weeks. I set a goal to make 12 new pieces in September, and I'm just shy of that goal but may come in under the wire as I have 2 small pieces and 3 more 6x6's that are just about completed. It's funny how once you set your mind to something, if you are really focused, you CAN do it. Now mind you, I'm not all that focused. I let a lot of little things get in my way and I let a lot of things go that should not be let go of. I procrastinate, a lot. Mostly because I wear myself down and get tired of trying to do it all so then I just pick and choose what I want to do and most of what i pick to do is my artwork. The heck with laundry. There is a price though that comes with letting chores and little duties go. It's that voice calling you to get it done, it's gotta get done, and the stress that comes with it knowing it hasn't been accomplished. I admire those that seem to have it all under control. I surely don't!

My big push to get a bunch of work completed is my new store I'm going to be in starting this week. I want to have a collection of items for my new potential customers to choose from as well as have them all ready to go before First Friday. Do you have a First Friday in your town? What is a First Friday? Well, here, it's really an effort to promote local shops, artists, and musicians. The downtown shop owners stay open late (usually 8 or 9 compared to the normal every day closing of 5pm), and they promote artists openings, host concerts in the park or in the restaurants, shop owners usually set out little munchies and it's as much a social event as it is promotion for the owners of the local shops. I highly recommend you visit your town's First Friday events if you haven't done so already! It's a great way to have a evening out as well without spending a lot of money unless you want to. If you DON'T have a First Friday event, why not start one? There's strength in numbers and the more shops, restaurants, galleries that participate, the bigger the crowds you will gather!


This series is named after my early childhood years growing up in a small town in Western New York called Sunset Bay. It's really a charming place to visit and an interesting place to grow up. Especially before they put the break wall in on the lake. My Dad was a volunteer fireman and every winter after the a big warm up, the ice would churn down the hills of Western NY, log jamming the creeks with mini glaciers of ice leading down to the local bays leading out to Lake Erie which then flooded many areas. We were flooded almost every year. My Father along with many other volunteers would go from house to house by boat rescuing people. I'm very familiar with floods even though I was a wee one when it happened year after year. The land is all flat but the houses now (at least they were) are all built up on a tall foundation. To visualize, we had a above ground pool, well my Dad redid our house and built the foundation up so the above ground pool was flush with our back door.


For those of you who haven't had the pleasure to see our Great Lakes in person, other than the smaller beach areas and the woodsy landscape on much of the lakes, you'd swear you were on the ocean. In most parts, you can not see to the other side of the lake. It is a grand sight whether you visit in the winter when the ice freezes the lake over or in the summer when the sunsets on the horizon. Except for the last 10 years, I've always lived near water and it is quite an adjustment to move to a landlocked area. I miss the peace one feels when staring out on the open water or walking along the beach with sand in between my toes.



I'd love to live near the water again, and the South surely has her range of choices. But we have to deal with hurricanes and the danger they bring to your precious home and town. It ALMOST makes snowstorms and shorter summers that much more appealing again. Almost.
I do miss walking down to the beach though, meeting up with friends at the infamous Beach Club, visiting the little deli which as a child we coined 'The Little Store' because it was the only store in the bay and it indeed was very very very little! It was the happening spot and oh boy did they have great subs, oodles of penny candy, and you could even walk in and not wear any shoes, it was after all, the beach. I wonder if it's still there? Is the Beach Club? What about Calico Jacks, I can remember sitting up on top of their roof at the beach eating seafood dinners, chicken wings, and of course a cocktail or two, later on in my years. Lots of memories, lots of fun....thank you for letting the winds of time take me back to the places I have lived and loved.

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