Love these colors...

The best and most beautiful things in the world

cannot be seen or even touched

-they must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

10 x 8 on canvas

I've had this quote on my mind for a while,

waiting for just the right piece to use it in.

Then I came across this image online and knew this was it.

A few of my favorite colors plus bits and pieces and it all came together.

A beautiful quote...what an amazing woman.

Hope you are having a great day.

Shimmery, glittery gold...

Star of Bethlehem ornament.

I created this for the Shimmery,

Glittery Gold challenge at Paper & Digital Art.
Found the tutorial and template at Art Studio.
I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving.
Have a wonderful week.

A little bird...

Enjoy the Journey

6 x 6 canvas

Game spinners and the enjoy the journey stamp are from Tim Holtz.

Working on 4 of these, all with birds but each one different, lots of bright colors.

Trying to get a handle on all that needs to get done over the next week and beyond. Orders to fill from the show, projects to complete, challenges to do and the list goes on and on. I was hoping to get my daughter's wedding album done by Christmas but it's looking like it will be an anniversary gift instead. She understands, thank goodness.

Off to get busy...have a great evening.

Tag...you're it...

This is the tag I made for the Crete Paper Tag Challenge at Tag! You're It! This is one of the groups I belong to at Paper Digital Art and Images by Kim (aka PDA). This is a great site for images, challenges, swaps, making friends and getting inspired.

Dance

PDA is one of my favorite sites, wonderful selection of images and there always seems to be something creative going on. Great group of people!

Off in a few hours to Winter Market...a bit nervous since it's the first show that will include my mixed media art. Oh my.
Have a fantastic weekend.

Something to think about...

May you live every day of your life. Jonathan Swift

10 x 8 on canvas

Friends...

hold a true friend with both your hands

Image courtesy of Pringle Hill Studio

I've had a number of close friends over the years but only one true, best friend. Not only was she my best friend, she was the sister I never had and she was my stepmom. We became even closer in 1998 when she and my father relocated here and we saw each other almost every day. Next month is the 3 year anniversary of her passing, she was only 54 and I still miss her very much. If you have a special friend in your life, make sure they know how wonderful they are.
Have an opportunity to have my mixed media work in a new gallery that is opening in Bedford and in my spare time have been working on several pieces on canvas. Also, played a bit with watercolor last night and have a long list of challenges that I'm working on. Never a dull moment!

Hope your week is going great!

Photograpy Art...

Faith

In addition to mixed media art, I also dabble in photography. I prefer black and white and have always been a big fan of Ansel Adams' work. This idea came about in 2007 while trying to come up with a gift for someone. A lot of folks are doing these now and there are many online companies offering this service. My art is unique in that I take all my photos locally. I currently have 20 different words and also accept customer orders. This is why I am so busy this time of year...this is the art that pays for me to play with my other art.

Have a great week.

Imagination...

Is more important than knowledge.

6 x 9 on watercolor paper

I am quite fond of the colors I used for this piece. Layers and layers of paint & ink. I even added a few rub ons to this one.

Look closely at her crown.

We have frames and photographs scattered across our living room and kitchen...a day of assembly ahead.

Hope you have a beautiful day.

Creating a background...

I am often asked about my process for creating backgrounds. I wish it was that easy, my process is always changing as I love learning and trying new things.
So, I thought I would share one of my favorite methods. If I'm ready to create and find myself at a loss for where to start, this process never fails...

I begin by choosing my colors, normally 3. I usually end up adding a 4th color or black at some point later in the process. This was done a 9 x 12 watercolor paper.

Several drops of acrylic.

Spread acrylic, I used a dry brush. Let dry.

Added water to acrylic and splattered.

Spread using an old gift card. Let dry.

More splatter. Let dry.

Stamped acrylic using a variety of items and several shades of color.

Bubblewrap.

Foam stamp.

Rubber stamp with ink.

Plastic cap with acrylic.

Repeat, repeat, repeat. Let dry between colors and mediums.

Once complete, I cut this piece into 6 pieces for ATC's and 1 6 x 9 (not shown)
Here are 3 of the ATC's I created using this background...

I stamped a tree on each piece...

I cut houses from vintage & patterned papers...

Added a few embellishments...
Home Sweet Home

Happy creating...

Although I'm in the middle of my busiest time, I decided to participate in a challenge swap at Paper & Digital Art. I was so intrigued by the challenge which is to alter a large match box. This is a first for me...it turned to be a lot of fun.
Here it is...

I chose a non-traditional color scheme for this Christmas box honoring Jolly Old St. Nicholas. I covered the outside with music from a vintage songbook and it was printed in blue so I picked blue and silver as my main colors. Image on front is a stamped image using a Tim Holtz stamp.

I strayed from the assignment just a bit. Rather than filling the box with goodies, I created a little dimentional scene.

A close-up of the inside.
I learned a few things and will do them differently next time. By covering the inside box it made it a bit too tight for sliding in and out, next time I'll paint the inside. I added a long ribbon at the top so that it could be hung as an ornament. Also, I used a box I had on hand and it wasn't very sturdy, maybe a new box next time.
I know it's a little early for Christmas but I wanted to share before it's sent off to it's new  home.
Have a great evening.

All of our dreams...

6 x 8 on watercolor paper

Great quote, how true it is.

Off to my first show of the season in the morning. All packed and ready to go. A bit scary that I'm ready with time to spare but great because I can relax and enjoy my evening...I'll worry all evening that I've forgotten something! Headed downtown this evening to participate in First Friday's. It's an evening all about art, the galleries are open along with other businesses and the Lynchburg Museum offers free admission for this event. Should be fun.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend and if you are in the area, come on out to Bedford tomorrow. Details are on the sidebar.

Vintage image courtesy of Pringle Hill Studio.