scissors paper glue

Psst...

Where did Jen go?

I don't know, I think she signed herself up for a bunch of fun swaps but then work got really busy too.  Double whammy, ya know?

Oh?  Yeah she's been gone a while!

I know, she'll be back soon.

ok, cool!

By the way, what the hell is wrong with your scarf?

Yeah I don't really know!

The above ornaments were totally inspired by the genius that is Hillary Lang.  See her version here.  I wanted to try to make these for Christmas but never got a chance so these were my Christmas in Progress project for January.  They took a little longer than I thought so only two got made.

Tagged and tagged again

So I've been tagged (twice) to confess six weird things about me and what books are on my nightstand.  So here goes

Six weird things:

1.My nickname for my husband and him for me is Wiener and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with what you are thinking.  It is from the movie Mr. Holland's Opus.  Remember the girl named Rowena? Yeah weird I know but... not as weird as the looks we often get in stores when he yells "Hey Weiner come here"

2. My studio is often a mess but god forbid you move or take anything because I WILL know.  The same thing goes for my closet.  My sister used to steal clothes from me and I would know exactly what was gone.

3. I HATE frosting!

4. I'm allergic to wool.  In the 80's I used to wear berets all the time but would get a red line across my forehead, couldn't for the life of me figure out why.  Duh!!!!

5. I have trouble eating anything but breakfast food for breakfast.  This is derived from a tramatic car experience and a McDonald's Cheeseburger.

6. I have an aversion to the color purple.  Won't buy anything that color and don't use it in my artwork.  Not sure where this came from as I had Donny and Marie barbies when I was young and loved them.  Purple outfits and all.  My favorite album in 1986 was Purple Rain. Plus my friend Anastasia made me a beautiful scarf last year that I love.

Now on to what books are on my night stand:  None.  I read.  I love to read and I used to read a lot of books.  Now I read on my couch.  Magazines, lots of magazines.  Home Companion, Somerset Studio, Country Living, Marie Claire Idees, In Style, Marie Clarie, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Weddings.  I read craft books too.  They are piled high next to "my spot" on the couch but not on my nightstand.

I am not gonna tag anybody but if you'd like to join in the fun be my guest.

Before the intervention

Hi Everyone!

This piece was completed before the color intervention.

See it's humble begininnings here.

I will often complete a canvas long before I even decide what to put on it.  It is something I learned to do from collage artist extaordinaire Claudine Hellmuth.  It is an exercise to do if you are stuck in a creative rut.  Sit down and just make backgrounds for your collages to get your creative juices flowing.  By the way, if you are interested in learning about collage, Claudine is the most generous teacher I have ever encountered.  Not to mention hilarious.  Go here to learn about Claudine's classes.

Oh and the above work is now in my shop.

Other people's art

Hello Everyone!

I hope your weekend was what you wanted it to be.

I post most of the art that I work on here.  However I do like to purchase other artist's work whenever my budget allows.  Here is what I was able to buy in this last year.  (This post will be showing only wall art)

   

"untroubled" by beth berst-gregory

buy beth's stuff here.

I bought this because how could I not?  I love everything about it, the title, the colors, that bike.  Everything!

"Be Free" by Alena Hennessy

Buy Alena's stuff here.

I bought this for my daughter's birthday.  She loves horses and this looks so pretty against her soft pink walls.

"War Bingo" by Lisa Congdon

You can buy Lisa's stuff here and read her blog here.

I bought this because Lisa's work is simply amazing.

here's a close up:

see what i mean?

Finally, a wall + pocket

Not art in the traditional sense, but art none-the-less.

If for some reason you have not heard of Sally Shim, I dare you to go here and try to not be inspired.

The rights of the above work is retained by the original artist.  Please do not steal these images, that would be like stealing their work.  Stealing is NOT nice.

self-indulgence

I love my new shoes

Work has been really busy for me this week.  Busier than it has been in months (and months).  That is a good thing.  So to give me a little "me time" I skipped over to what our town claims is a mall and picked up these patent leather cuties.

What is your favorite thing to indulge in?

One down...

Wow!  That was a lot of color love.  Thanks you guys.  I was inspired by all of the color combos you came up with.  I also loved how you gave me detail, visions really, of how you imagined I could use the colors.  So, I guess I have my work cut out for me the next few months for sure.  Well, believe it or not, I am done with the first collage.  I used Kate's colors choice of pink, cream and black.  Simple with clean lines.

Here it is:

 

I must confess I had already started this collage last week before I even thought to ask you all for help.   It was in a very preliminary stage.  After reading your comments I received the inspiration I needed to finish it. I hope you like it Kate!  I will be sending it out to you in the next few days. 

Until tomorrow!

In a rut

Hello everyone

I have a problem.  An aqua and red problem.  I seem to be stuck in a color rut in my artwork.  I love these two colors so much I seem to be using nothing but.  Well that all needs to change in 2007.  Read on for a fun challenge.

These are the New Years Cards I finally sent out.  It seems to have been a year of aqua/red for me.  I believe it all started with the aqua and red swap that I did not participate in but wanted to.  Then of course there was this amazing box (below) made and sent to me by Kristin for our three thing swap.  Who wouldn't be inspired to use these colors after receiving something so beautiful.

   

Then I sent this out for my intial swap.

Then here is one of my latest works

So you can see I need to mix it up with different colors this year. A challenge to you dear readers. The first three people to leave comments with new and interesting colors schemes (no more than 3 colors per scheme please) I am pledging to make three 12 art pieces using those colors. I will send you the piece after it is complete. Sound good? Let's go then!

Edit: Everyone is coming up with so many great color combos I am thinking of making this a year long project.  All the spots are currently taken.  Feel free to leave a color combination if you are still inspired.  Thanks again for playing.

new beginnings

Hello out there!

About a month ago I decided to move my blog over to typepad.  There are many reasons why, but the most important is being able to email you all back directly.  For me blogging is as much about interaction as it is about expressing myself creatively.  You all have become a big part of why I do this.  I feel like if you take the time to read my blog, then leave me a comment or ask me a question, the least I can do is answer.  So I hope you all will change your bookmarks and meet me here instead of on Blogger.  Here's to new beginnings and a fresh start in 2007.  Until tomorrow!