Sharon's 100th Post

Everyone, trot yourselves over to Shardon Exclusives blog for her first give-away in honor of her 100th post and 1-year birthday. She has beautiful Victorian works of art that will make you melt.  Her beaded jewelry is to die for!

The Pulse

I just received my copy of The Pulse compiled and bound by Seth Apter of The Altered Page. So wonderful to read all the replies to his questionnaire of 100 plus artists. Thanks, Seth for such a huge accomplishment!!

Map Face

Adding drawing to my daily.

Another Daily

Another sit in front of the TV mini collage.  It's a great way

to use scraps -- you know, all those little pieces

of paper or ephemera you couldn't bear to part with.  Maybe it was something about the texture or the color, but you just could

not toss them in the trash!!

And this one needed something to pull it together....

Daily 5 x 4

When I complained to my artist friend, Jacki, that I didn't have enough time to spend with my art, she said she couldn't go a day without making at least a small (4 x 4) collage of torn paper. She says she does them in front of the tv. So, I thought, "Well, any fool can do that". And I immediately put together some supplies -- glue stick, magazines, newspaper paper, wrapping paper, etc. That's it!! So here are my firsts ones. I think the top one needs something else to bring it all together, but I must remember this is just practice. Usually I fall asleep in front of the tv. This kept me awake but I still couldn't tell you what the tv was about. That means tv is a waste of time!!

Stencil Fun

For all of you who purchased Tim Holtz' mask, you can remove the negative from sticky back. You probably already knew this. I did not realize this until I saw Irene's blog. In removing the negative, I did lose a couple pieces because it is really sticky, but it's just another way to use this fun design. I sprinkled a little baby powder on strategic spots so I could work with it a little easier. You can try the "stick it to your clothing first" trick to remove some of the tack. I just love scrolls and swirls. Oh, and anything metallic, and glitter!!!

This is What I've Been Up To

My choice from my various attempts for the class ATC swap.  You can see the first "prototypes" below.  I also found the soap webbing is better on glossy cardstock.  The soap webbing is easy to do.  In a small container mix 2T water, 1/4C fabric paint, 1T clear dish liquid.  Using a drinking straw placed straight down into the container blow slowly and pass strips of cardstock over the bubbles as they rise to the top of the container.  It's easier to use strips.  I sprayed over the dried finished product with a mister for a second color.  I added a bit of glitter glue for the eyes and colored around the edges with a contrasting pigment ink.

Maybe this is better?

Let's see then, how about the discus -- colors are too boring....

This was my first idea - nope, the koi is too big for the ATC. 

The soap webbing looks good.

Inchies on Canvas

The almost finished product.  I wanted to display

all the inchies, and what better way than 

to mount the individual "canvases" on a larger

canvas.  The black squares are waiting for 

the ones made by people who were not at class last time.

I will post the finished canvas as soon as 

I receive the final works of art. Be sure to click on the image to 

see more detail in these little minis.

Why?

Why don't I post more often???  That is the question.  Some of us are very prolific and others not so much.  I've given it a lot of thought, and for me I've decided it's because I think I must wait until I have something "worthy" of posting.  What determines "worthy".  Is it because I'm concerned about how others will view and respond?  I mean I like my share of comments as well as the next person.  But when I think about it, it's really more important that I make marks on the page, so to speak, for myself -- not so much for others or for the praise or criticism I'll get from peers.  There are so many days that I get involved and don't make my art.  And why is that?  Because, truly, I love doing it.  I used to think I would do so much more art after I retired and I had lots of free time.  This is not true.  I just have more things to fill up my time, and art gets put on the back burner more than I'd like.  

I sincerely like trying all the new techniques and I devour tutorials on other blogs.  But what is my style?  After 10 years of doing this, I still don't think I have a style.  Do I need a style?  Why can't I just do what I see and like in the various publications and on others' blogs?    Can you tell I've had a couple glasses of wine??     Yep, DH and I had appetizers and wine at one of our favorite restaurants.  I don't want to sermonize on this subject, I just question my motivation.  I remember when I started going to the gym some years ago.  I told my son that I just didn't have the time to go to the gym every day or every other day.  He told me, "Mom, it's a lifestyle -- you have to make it a part of your day".  I think the same might apply to my art.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox now.  I need to commit to make it a lifestyle.  And, I need to post what I do, whether or not I think others will like it.  It's 8pm, do you know where your style is?