Tin Roof Studio

On my table...

2012-02-16T21:04:00.002-05:00

I've been working on a few smaller girls, trying some different looks and practicing hair. These are 5 x 7 canvas panels.

This evening I worked on a few tags and atc's, trying to catch up on a few challenges. Art is such wonderful therapy.

Have a great Friday.

Happy Valentine's Day...

2012-02-14T07:17:00.003-05:00

Love

Artist Trading Card

I hope your day is filled with love.

She was grateful for everything...

2012-02-13T22:26:00.002-05:00

12 x 12 canvas

Yes, another girl, my first with a background scene.

Have a great week!

Sharing...

2012-02-10T12:45:00.004-05:00

I absolutely love these birds! You can read about them here...http://thekathrynwheel.blogspot.com/2012/02/tweet-tweet.html

I follow her blog, she is super creative. I love her use of color in everything she creates!

Had to share.

A bird and another girl...

2012-02-10T11:03:00.000-05:00

Girl No.5

Still trying to get a handle on the hair, having issues. I'm into week 2 and working on scenes. Have two finished, just need to add the girls. My friend, Jean, has also finished a few girls of her own...you can see them here. Now she can do hair!

A busy weekend ahead, hope yours is great!

A little bit country...

2012-02-08T09:52:00.001-05:00

Girl No.4

I think she looks a little bit country, my first attempt at shoes and pants. She is actually girl 3 from the workshop, she's my fourth. I'm also, working on a series of smaller pieces, 5 x 7 canvas panels. Just having too much fun.
Off to run errands, have a great day!

A little art...

2012-02-07T21:23:00.000-05:00

A few artist trading cards I've done for challenges...

She is shy

Theme: paper doll

The king...

Theme: King of the road

Pink Carnation

Theme: Pink Carnation and a PickUp Truck

Just having fun...enjoy your week.

Girl No.3

2012-02-05T07:48:00.002-05:00

She lived the simple life
Just couldn't resist, had to post another girl. Just having way too much fun with this workshop. I've just begun to watch the videos for week two and am excited to get started. Christy also offers several other workshops including She Art Girls Part II. She's a fabulous instructor.

Another busy day ahead, lots to get done before the big game this evening.

Have a fantastic day!
Note: She is my Girl No. 3 however she is actually a second girl 1 from the workshop.

Faces...

2012-02-04T10:15:00.003-05:00

Thought you might be getting tired of seeing girls although I do have a few more done. Today I'm sharing a few faces...

Her eyes see

Artist Trading Card

Applied gesso to a vintage image and then used ink and paint to alter.

Reflecting

Artist Trading Card

The background for this piece is a piece of paper towel that was left from another piece I was working on.

A busy day ahead...errands to run, orders to work on...have a great weekend!

Girl No.2...

2012-02-03T02:38:00.001-05:00

She was happy just where she was

Still in week 1 of the SheArt workshop and this is girl #2. My first attempt at blonde hair, think I like the darker hairs...easier to do. Love this phrase, it speaks volumes about me and my life today, guess it's only fitting the she is blonde.

I find that my favorite part of the whole process, of creating these girls, is the clothes. I love making the little outfits. Interesting since I'm not a big fashion or clothes person, my style in comfortable and urban thrift shop, prefer blue jeans, tops and cardigans. Only own 5 pairs of shoes. I think it's just my inner child that takes over when I am playing with these, just as I played with and made paper dolls when I was young girl. Having so much fun.

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Groundhog Day...

2012-02-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

So, will we have an early Spring or 6 more weeks of Winter?

It has been in the 60's here the last couple of days and I am loving it although I'm certain the cold weather will return soon. That's okay, need several more weeks to finish up numerous projects. Here are a few Artist Trading cards I just finished...

Go Fish

A Bird

Working in as much of the SheArt workshop as I can each day and have another girl to share. Have I mentioned how much I am loving the workshop? Yeah, it's that good!

Happy Groundhog Day!

And the winner is...

2012-02-01T07:00:00.005-05:00

Lee Weber is the winner of the Alphabet Giveaway I posted about here.

Lee is a member of Paper & Digital Art and hopefully will be participating in the Artistic Alpha challenge with me. You can visit Lee at PDA or check out her blog.

In addition to all the alpha goodies, here are a few of the vintage items included...

Still a bit of room in the box, so I'll add a few more things before sending it off.

Congratulations, Lee! Enjoy.

Have a fantastic day.

SheArt Workshop...

2012-01-31T13:15:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm taking an online course and I have to say that is is one of the best I have ever taken. It is hosted by the very talented and creative, Christy Tomlinson and it's called the SheArt Workshop. Still in week one, here's what I've done...

I covered several canvases with vintage papers, sewing pattern pieces and patterned papers.

You can see the sewing pattern pieces behind the paint. I then began adding layers of paint.

Here it is with more paint, some rub ons and a stenciled bird.

Fast forward several hours and more paint, rub ons and a girl...

She made today count...

Okay, so I'm totally crazy about this entire process and have a second girl in the works and another that I'm starting today. Love this workshop!

On my table...

2012-01-30T15:39:00.000-05:00

and spread all over the kitchen are half a dozen canvas pieces I'm working on.

Thought I would share a few bits & pieces...

I'm taking an online workshop with my friend, Jean and we are working on backgrounds. I'll be posting more from the workshop over the next several weeks. Hope you enjoy the sneak peek. Have a great evening!

Three Wise Women...

2012-01-28T17:01:00.001-05:00

Artist Trading Cards - Series of 3

Images courtesy of Kim at Paper & Digital Art.
I cut a background I had painted into small pieces, added gold tissue paper and images.

Inspired by three of my favorite women, very wise women, Helen Keller, Maya Angelou & Eleanor Roosevelt.

Enjoy!

From small beginnings...

2012-01-23T08:40:00.003-05:00

From small beginnings come great things. -Proverb

Happy Monday, hope you had a great weekend.

Mine was great, spent time with Tyler, our oldest grandson, watched a bit of football and had many hours of creative time. Lots to share.

There is still time to comment here to win my "alphabet" giveaway.

Here's to a great week!

Go...

2012-01-20T08:51:00.000-05:00

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. -Confucius

10 x 8 on watercolor paper

One of my new pieces, very bright! My favorite process, layers and layers of paints, oil pastels and ink.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Life's a beach...

2012-01-19T16:27:00.004-05:00

I would love to be at the beach right now but it will be another 24 weeks before we head to the Outer Banks. Our first vacation in 7 years and so looking forward to it.

Life's a beach is one of the current tag challenge themes at PDA...

Let's go for a swim

Creating faux sand is easy. Apply matte medium to the area you want sand and sprinkle with a light colored, course glitter. Once dry, paint with sand colored acrylic, I used a craft acrylic in peach. It looks like the real thing.

Have a wonderful evening, off to create.

Texture, Part 2...

2012-01-17T21:08:00.000-05:00

There are many ways to create texture in your art and if you have been following my blog for a while, you know I love experimenting. Every time I sit at my worktable, I try something new, always experimenting.

Here is another process I like for creating texture and dimension...

I used a border strip from K&Co...

I cut the strip into pieces to fit my tag and then adhered with gel medium.

I then applied layers of acrylics and oil pastels in shades of red and yellows...

Embellished with a piece of scrap copper, a bead, ribbon and a Pentel Slicci pen.

Easy and fun, the way it should be.

Make sure you get entered for my giveaway, drawing will be done on February 1st.

All you have to do is comment on this post.

Hope you are having a great week.

Texture...

2012-01-16T15:38:00.005-05:00

Texture is the theme for one of the current tag challenges at PDA.

There a many ways to bring texture to your art.

Here is one of my favorites...

I adhered a piece of a vintage sewing pattern to my tag using matte medium.

Once dry, I applied dimentional paint using a stencil.

Next, I applied two coats of acrylic paint, for this piece I used red and then blue.

Once the paint had dried, I applied a layer of gold. Sanded lightly, once dry, to expose the first two layers of paint.

She sang a little tune

Several tags and ATC's created this past weekend, it was a productive 2 days in the studio.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend, have a great week.

A giveaway...

2012-01-15T18:41:00.000-05:00

The Artistic Alpha Challenge at PDA is going to be active for 2012 and I am so excited to be moderating. You can read all the details here.

To celebrate, I am giving away a box (a medium Priority Mail) filled with alphabet sets, stickers, chipboard, rub-ons, stencils, vintage dictionary pages and much more.

Here's a peek...

To enter to win, leave a comment on this post. The challenge at PDA begins on February 1st and I'll draw a winner then. This is a 10 month project and we would love to have you join us but that's not a requirement to win this giveaway, only a comment here is necessary.

Best of luck!

Live Simply...

2012-01-13T14:49:00.000-05:00

Several weeks ago, I received 3 of these from a fellow artist...

She had issued a challenge at PDA to use them in our art.

I tried a few things, nothing was working, so I put them away.

Several days later, I was working on an ATC and was stuck. I wanted to add a stick pin and could not come up with a way to attach it and I thought about the "thingies" I had received. My original idea for the stick pin didn't pan out and then I had another thought...I cut off the black cord and used the silver piece as a little bucket. Added a few flowers (actually beads) and here it is...

Live Simply

Artist Trading Card

The image was a gift from Lee Weber.

Some things work better when taken apart.

Have a great weekend.

Dream...

2012-01-10T08:45:00.001-05:00

10 x 8 on watercolor paper

layers upon layers of paints, pastels and paper.

Hope you are having a great week...dream!

Art...

2012-01-08T09:41:00.000-05:00

Light tomorrow with today.

5 x 7 on watercolor paper

Image courtesy of Dover Publishing

I've been lucky to have so much time the last week or so to spend in my studio, it's been quite productive. A few more hours this morning and then it's back to work, have a few orders for Photography Art. Here's to a great day, hope yours is fabulous!

Dream of Paris...

2012-01-06T14:50:00.001-05:00

Artist Trading Card

Just for fun of it!

Hope you have had a wonderful week, have a great weekend!

Dance...

2012-01-04T08:32:00.000-05:00

10 x 8 on canvas

I've always been fond of this quote, it was one of Debbie's favorites and she lived by it.

paper from old books, acrylics & ink, vintage image: digital imagery plus

We've postponed our day at the market until all their maintenance is complete. An extra day to work on inventory is much needed so we'll clean and rearrange early next week and it's off to work for me.

Have a fantastic day and dance as if no one were watching.

Finding treasure...

2012-01-03T08:42:00.008-05:00

Thrift stores are one of favorite places to wander, the perfect cure for cabin fever.

Here are a few baubles I picked up on Saturday at our Goodwill...

I've already taken the watch and earrings apart. Nothing of value in the sense of jewelry but what a treasure for me.

Here's what I did with one of the pieces...

She holds the key

Artist Trading Card

The red bead also came from a thrift store find, more on that in another post.

Getting back on track after the holidays...off to the market tomorrow for cleaning and rearranging, making new for the New Year.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T11:55:00.007-05:00

2011 ended and 2012 begin in a flurry of paint, paper and whatever else I could get my hands on. I celebrated by spending a full 3 days in my studio, it was wonderful and quite productive.

Here are a couple of tags I created for challenges at PDA...

International Tag...I chose Italy, a country I hope to visit someday.

Round Tag

Image is from an old mail order catalog.

With the holiday season behind us, things will begin to get back to normal. A long list of goals for this new year and I'm ready to get started.

Hope your new year is a great one!

The best gift...

2011-12-28T12:31:00.011-05:00

was spending time with the little ones...

Tyler

Hannah

Brandon Lewis

Gabriel

Graylee

Madelyn

Emma

Aubrey

Our six grandchildren and two neices.

We had a wonderful Christmas, lots of family, too much food and great fellowship and fun. We received the exciting news that my youngest brother and his wife are expecting and due in August.

Now that our busy time is behind us, I'm spending as much time as I can in my studio working on a variety of projects. I have a hefty list of goals for 2012 and will share more on that later.

I hope your holiday season has been filled with peace and joy.

Have a very happy and safe New Year.

Joy to the World

2011-12-20T12:53:00.000-05:00

Created this tag for the Winter Green Tag Challenge at PDA...

Joy to the World

The photo is not very good and scanning the tag was worse. If you click on the image and zoom you will see more detail.

I used a Martha Stewart punch for the tree and added white paint to the tips of the branches. The star is an old button. The wire holding the beads or ornaments, wraps around the tag. I added a spritzing of Glimmer Mist.

Hope all is going well this holiday season, we have been extremely busy and I just took another order this morning that has to be ready by Friday. Shopping still to be done and Christmas Eve day will be spent listening to Christmas music and wrapping gifts. Hard to believe it's almost here.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

Tag Booklet Swap...

2011-12-12T17:48:00.008-05:00

As busy as I am right now, sometimes I just need to take time and create.

Mistletoe Market was fabulous again this past Saturday and I spent all day

Sunday in my studio, it was a very productive weekend.

Signed up to participate in a Tag Booklet Swap at PDA and have been working

on my tags. The theme is Shabby Chic, Vintage, Victorian using pinks, sage and cream and each tag had to include a stick pin or a charm. There are nine of us participating. Here are a few photos...

Putting them together.

My first ever stick pins.

All done and ready to go. I secured the tags to

black chipboard with a brad because the are going in the mail.

A close up.

We will each send one tag to the other 8 participants and once all tags are received we can put them together to make the booklet. Super excited to see all the tags. I will share them once they have all arrived.
Hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season.

Very little time...

2011-12-06T08:15:00.004-05:00

My Photography Art is keeping me extremely busy right now and not much time to play.

Many orders to fill before this weekend and hoping to have another great day at Mistletoe Market.

I try to get to my table for at least a few minutes each evening.

Artist Trading Cards are the perfect art when I am short on time.

Here are a few completed pieces...

Art Colors Life

PDA ATC Challenge & Swap #25

Hope

I Can Fly

Bloom

Hope you are enjoying your holiday season...no decorations here yet, it's that time thing that keeps it from happening.

Hope you have a fantastic day.

Christmas spirit...

2011-12-02T19:37:00.002-05:00

Listening to Christmas carols and working on cards.

This is one I created last weekend.

Poinsettia image courtesy of Paper Digital Art & Images by Kim.

Are you in the Christmas spirit?

Hope you are having a wonderful evening.

Love these colors...

2011-11-29T16:11:00.002-05:00

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...

2011-11-28T16:51:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-11-22T16:58:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-11-18T08:45:00.002-05:00

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...

2011-11-17T14:57:00.002-05:00

May you live every day of your life. Jonathan Swift

10 x 8 on canvas

Friends...

2011-11-15T14:35:00.005-05:00

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...

2011-11-14T07:05:00.002-05:00

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...

2011-11-13T07:38:00.001-05:00

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...

2011-11-09T21:55:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-11-07T16:47:00.002-05:00

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...

2011-11-07T12:54:00.000-05:00

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.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T16:01:00.000-04:00

Have fun and please be safe.

Happy home...

2011-10-29T15:00:00.003-04:00

10 x 8 canvas

This canvas was inspired by a tray, created by Tracy Nuskey-Dodson, featured in the Summer 2011 issue of Somerset Studio Gallery (page 55).

A fun piece to create...and it sold today.

Quite cold here this weekend, much below normal and our autumn is quickly fading due to lots of wind and rain. A good day to stay indoors...going to watch a bit of college football and create.

Have a great weekend!

Beauty...

2011-10-25T14:49:00.000-04:00

let the beauty of what you love be what you do

I love this piece, the quote, the colors, the texture...it's waiting to be framed and then it will be hung in my studio. It's funny that I fell so much in love with this one because it's not at all what I had started out to create. I originally planned on it being a piece for Halloween, which is why I had chosen the colors orange, purple and black, the touches of green came later. While working on this piece, I came across this quote and Halloween was forgotten. It's rare that I keep a piece for myself but I love looking at this one.

I have my first show of the season the first weekend in November and have been working long hours to prepare, not doing much else. It's hectic but I love the challenge.

Hope you are having a great week.

Change is good...

2011-10-14T07:49:00.001-04:00

If nothing in the world ever changed there wouldn't be butterflies.

A beautiful time of year for change, what would Autumn be without the beauty of the changing leaves. It's been a week of rain but the trees are still gorgeous.

We are headed out this weekend, to Washington DC, for the ALS Walk on Sunday. We are walking in honor of my brother in law that was diagnosed 4 years ago. Go Team Steadman!

Hope you have a fanastic weekend!

Sun, sand, seashells...

2011-10-10T15:08:00.003-04:00

Set of Artist Trading Cards.

Lately, my art has been very beach inspired.

After spending a beautiful week at the

Outer Banks, it's all I can think about.

I'm in love with all shades of turquoise.

Hope you are having a wonderful day, have a great week.

Art and life...

2011-10-06T10:25:00.007-04:00

Dreams...

6 x 4 postcard art

Bloom

5 x 7 canvas

The last of the roses...

Madelyn celebrated her 1st birthday in September

She's wondering why everyone is singing.

Sweet face...

One cupcake plus Maddie equals lots of fun!

Hard to believe how fast the time seems to be flying.

My busy season is about to begin, two shows in November and Christmas orders are already coming in. Lots to do!

Hope you have a fantastic day!

Just having fun...

2011-10-05T06:46:00.000-04:00

Live in color

4 x 6 on watercolor paper postcard art

I've been creating like mad since I returned home from vacation and getting a lot of pieces ready for the gallery...this piece was just for fun.

Have a great day!

As summer goes...

2011-10-04T18:39:00.000-04:00

Sunflower

5 x 7 on canvas

I will miss the sunflowers most of all.

Hope you are having a wonderful week.

Faith...

2011-10-01T18:54:00.000-04:00

Faith is spiritualized imagination. Henry Ward Beecher

5 x 7 canvas panel

acrylics, charcoal pencil, glass bead gel

First time I've used glass bead gel, mixed feelings about it, not as much of an impact as I was hoping for.

Enjoy your weekend.

Magical...

2011-09-22T09:20:00.014-04:00

Sitting on the beach, listening to the waves crash and watching the most beautiful sunrise...what could be more magical...

I took over a hundred photos that morning, these are some of my favorites. I love the outline around the clouds in the first ones.

Hope you are having a great week.

Playing around...

2011-09-21T15:19:00.003-04:00

Before I left for vacation, I finished a couple of pieces...playing around with a few different ideas..

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. John Keats
10 x 8 on canvas
I was inspired by a piece by Rita Maria in the Autumn 2011 issue of Somerset Apprentice.

Waiting on the storm 9 x 6
This is my first ever attempt at doing a watercolor. I've been reading several books on watercolor painting and am fascinated by the process. I'm currently working on a few smaller pieces...still a learning process.
Vacation was absolutely fabulous...lots of photos to share soon.
Hope you are having a great week.

Back from the beach...

2011-09-20T20:22:00.002-04:00

Sunrise...Outer Banks, September 15
Wish I was still there. Had a fabulous time, now playing catch up.
Hope you are having a wonderful week.

Life's a beach...

2011-09-08T13:54:00.003-04:00

and that's where I'm headed in a few days...a much needed vacation. I plan to read, explore and soak up the sun.

8 x 10 canvas
Hope you are enjoying the end of summer, I sure am loving the cooler nights we've been having lately. Still a bit of packing to do and a few projects to finish up before I leave, have a fantastic weekend.

Small art continued...

2011-08-23T10:28:00.005-04:00

A few more Artist Trading Cards to share.

I'm back to working on canvas this week but progressing slowly. Sometimes it happens that way, I'll start out slow and by the end of the week I'll be creating at the speed of light...well, maybe not quite that quickly but you get the picture.

Hope your week is a great one.

A bit of humor...

2011-08-18T19:25:00.006-04:00

Just finished up 15 artist trading cards, here a few with a bit of humor...

When pigs fly!

Time flies when you're having fun

Life is good

Be silly. Be honest. Be kind.

Hope your week has been fantastic, have a great weekend.

Love...

2011-08-16T17:50:00.001-04:00

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
May your days be filled with love.

Same products, different looks...

2011-08-11T13:08:00.006-04:00

I still spend a lot of my time learning and experimenting. This is my most recent experiment using the same products on canvas to create different looks. These are 4 x 6 canvas panels to which I applied a thick layer of gesso and then used different items to create texture. I then applied color using 2 acrylics, 2 inks and 3 oil pastels using various methods. The only tools I used were a spray bottle, eye dropper and my fingers. I ended up with 3 very different pieces...

Bubble wrap was used to create texture on this one.

A comb was used on this one.

For this one I used a foam stamp, it's my favorite of the 3.
You are welcome to download these to use in your art.
Off to finish up another batch of Artist Trading Cards.
Have a great afternoon.

New day...

2011-08-10T19:47:00.001-04:00

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. Eleanor Roosevelt
6 x 8 on watercolor paper

Oh how true. Today was market day, heirloom potatoes, cucumbers, peaches, blueberries and a candy onion that's supposed to be so good you can eat it raw. Blueberry muffins made this evening and hoping to get a peach cobbler and cucumber salad made tomorrow. Dill potatoes and homemade onion rings later in the week, oh my goodness I am hungry now. Love this time of year with all the fresh, local produce.
Have a great evening.

My favorite quote...

2011-08-08T17:57:00.003-04:00

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. Author Unknown
4 x 6 canvas panel
I have a collection of favorite quotes...this one is my very favorite.
Always searching for quotes to use in my work, if you have a favorite you would like to share, please do so.
Have a great week.

Live well, laugh often, love much...

2011-08-01T09:07:00.007-04:00

live well, laugh often, love much
4 x 6 canvas panel
This piece consists of many, many layers...I just kept trying different things until I had something I was happy with. I find that the happier a piece makes me feel, the more I like it. To me this is a very happy piece.
Have a happy day.
Note: I forgot to mention that this is my first dimentional piece...that's a silk butterfly.

Humor...

2011-07-31T07:39:00.001-04:00

I think I have a pretty good sense of humor and I find that it often transfers into my art...

Toyko Rose...I think it's funny
I imagine that many won't get this one without Googling.

Laugh
This one always makes me laugh!
Nothing is better in my book than a good laugh. I believe it's been the secret to the success of my marriage, we manage to make each other laugh several times a day.
Have a good laugh today.

Live, laugh, love...

2011-07-30T12:43:00.006-04:00

Live

Laugh

Love

These are all Artist Trading Cards.

Hope you are having a great weekend, stay cool.

Just a few more...

2011-07-26T09:09:00.002-04:00

One more batch of ATC's to share today, many more to come later...I've created 111 to date and have several more in various stages. My box of odds and ends is starting to get full again so I better get busy.

Currently working on 3 different pieces, all on canvas and hope to share them soon. It's been so hot and humid and I find that I move at a much slower pace these days...

Have a fabulous day.

Summer favorites...

2011-07-24T14:19:00.014-04:00

A few of my favorite photos from the last few weeks...

zinnias in beautiful shades of yellow and pink

our sweet Madelyn

fried green tomatoes, the perfect summer meal

Hannah's summer hair cut...precious

blackberries, they were in abundance this year

Miss Aubrey, sweet as can be

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

A few more...

2011-07-21T09:27:00.000-04:00

Have a fantastic day!

Artist Trading Cards

2011-07-20T12:25:00.004-04:00

I've had some time this week to finally get my ATC's scanned. Here are a few...

This is what I do with all the scraps and tidbits that end up all over my table. I've finished several this week.

Hope you are having a wonderful week.

Shine...

2011-07-17T09:47:00.001-04:00

May you live every day of your life. Jonathan Swift
8 x 8 on watercolor paper
A favorite color combination, perfect for Summer.

It's been a lovely Summer weekend, not too hot and the humidity is down. A bit cloudy this morning yet perfect for sitting with our coffee enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. It doesn't get any better than this!
Have a wonderful day.

The guys...

2011-07-15T06:32:00.002-04:00

Alone we can do so little,
together we can do so much.
Helen Keller
5 x 7 on watercolor paper

My husband loves this one. For little boys, they look so serious.
Hope you are having a great week.

Journey...

2011-07-14T06:17:00.001-04:00

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Chinese proverb
6 x 8 on watercolor paper

I was going through some files yesterday, cleaning up my computer, and realized that I had not posted this piece. Hard to believe since it is one of my favorites. The little girl was cut from an old sewing pattern package.
Enjoy the journey, have a great day.

Settling back in...

2011-07-11T07:14:00.010-04:00

The only bad part about vacation is that it comes to an end.
We had a fabulous week but it's time to get back to work.

Believe you can and you're halfway there. Theodore Roosevelt
10 x 8 on watercolor paper
Another fabulous quote!
Lots of catching up to do, have a great day!

A little time off...

2011-06-30T21:00:00.008-04:00

Play - 8 x 10 canvas
Our vacation begins tomorrow and we plan to play! We have several days of day trips on our itinerary. Planning to visit Lexington, Charlottesville, Salem and Buchanan plus a few things to do locally. Maybe a bit of rest and relaxation while we are at it. 10 whole days...
Have a fantastic weekend and please be safe.

You never know...

2011-06-28T16:22:00.005-04:00

Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to end up with. Same can be said for a lot of my art. I start out going in one direction and end up somewhere else. I shared this background this past Saturday...

Had a few ideas of where I wanted to go with it but never saw this coming...

You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt.
5 1/2 x 8 1/2 on watercolor paper
Small bits from the original background can be seen in the finished piece. This is what I love about creating mixed media pieces, I just keep going until I'm happy with it.
Hope you have had a fantastic day.

A favorite...

2011-06-27T11:36:00.006-04:00

Not all who wander are lost. J.R.R. Tolkien
5 x 7 on watercolor paper

This is now one of my favorite pieces and I love the quote.
Happy Monday!

What a beautiful day...

2011-06-26T09:03:00.005-04:00

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the air is cool, the simple things. Life is good.

learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow
6 x 8 on watercolor paper
acrylics, oil pastels, tissue paper, black pen, white gel pen, ink, stamps, stencils, gesso, vintage text
It took me several hours going through old books to find all the words for this piece, I think it was worth it, I love this quote.
Hope you have a beautiful day.

Just one more day...

2011-06-25T06:44:00.008-04:00

until my youngest brother returns from his deployment in Afghanistan. So proud of him and his fellow soldiers for the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom and I thank them.

Just two backgrounds to share today...

This piece now has had several more layers added and is close to being a finished piece. I used up a stack of old rub-ons that were in very poor shape and should have been thrown away long ago. It's very rewarding to use something instead of throwing it away.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Hummingsbirds...again...

2011-06-24T06:33:00.003-04:00

Yes, I'm just a bit obsessed with these fascinating little creatures.

Happy Friday to you!

Dance...

2011-06-23T10:19:00.005-04:00

To everything there is a season...and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

6 x 8 on watercolor paper

acrylics, ink, vintage music, text and image, oil pastels, stencils, stamps

I cannot help but to think of Kevin Bacon, in Footloose, everytime I hear this verse. What a great movie, one I can watch over and over again.

Much to do today, off to get started.

Have a great day.

Friendship...

2011-06-22T15:27:00.003-04:00

The language of friendship is not words but meanings. Henry David Thoreau
6 x 8 on watercolor paper
acrylics, oil pastels, rub ons, vintage image, gesso

I hope you have a great friend in your life. I lost my best friend 2 1/2 years ago and my life has never been the same. She was true and loyal friend, I miss her terribly. I dedicate this piece to her.
Have a great evening.

I cannot draw...

2011-06-20T20:18:00.005-04:00

I already knew this and have been taking a drawing workshop. I do however love doodling and always have...got me in trouble more than once when I was in school.
One of the assignments required that I doodle, oh boy, I can do this one...

fish out of water
The assignment was to doodle randomly for 30 minutes using 10 preselected drawing utencils.
I used 2 markers, 1 ultra fine Sharpie, 2 crayons, 2 colored pencils, a graphite pencil, a white gel pen and a black Slick Writer.
Things I learned from this assignment: I prefer shapes, swirls and lines rather than objects; fine tip markers are my favorite utensil, found it hard to resist adding more and I do not like white space. I had a lot of fun with this assignment...I still cannot draw.

On Saturday, my blog had it's 3,000th visitor. Pretfty amazing. As promised, when the milestone was reached, I drew a winner for the giveaway...and the winner is...Stefany Tyree. Congratulations Stefany! Email me and I'll get your box of goodies delivered.
Have a fantastic week!

Hummingbirds...

2011-06-17T22:44:00.018-04:00

So good to see them...

Aren't they fascinating!
While I was taking these photos today, one hummingbird was at a pot of flowers right next to my head. I sat really still and he flew right up to me at one point. It was awesome.

A busy weekend ahead, off the the Gallery at the market in the morning and then a visit with the grandchildren. Sunday we are off to explore Salem and will return home via the Blue Ridge Parkway where we will enjoy an picnic supper.

Hope your weekend is fantastic!

They grow up so fast...

2011-06-16T18:43:00.001-04:00

My baby turned 17 last week and last evening we spent several hours taking photos at the Old City Cemetery. Here are a few of my favorites...

This one is my favorite. Seems like just yesterday, she was a little girl and now she's all grown up.

Hope your week has been a wonderful one.

Confucius says...

2011-06-14T14:45:00.000-04:00

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
10 x 8 canvas
acrylics, gesso, stencils, stamps, oil pastel
This was a canvas that I had started and wasn't happy with so I applied a layer of gesso over the entire. The stenciling in black that I had done bled through the gesso. I applied several washes of acrylic and built on the textures left from the original piece.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart...have a great week!

Oh happy day...

2011-06-13T18:13:00.006-04:00

Received word this morning that my youngest brother is safely back in the United States following a year in Afghanistan. Big sigh of relief...

A "happy" background I just finished up.

Love is the only flower that grows and blossoms without the aid of the seasons.
8 x 8 collage on watercolor paper
acrylics, oil pastels, ink, gesso, vintage image, die cut, stamps

I've also been working on an Etsy shop and my new website that I hope will be finished by the end of the summer, www.tinroofstudioart.com. It's just a basic page for now.
Hope your day has been a happy one.

Where there is love...

2011-06-12T19:43:00.007-04:00

Where there is love, there is life. -Mahatma Gandhi
8 x 10 Canvas

acrylics, oil pastels, pen, vintage papers, gesso, stamps, stencils

This piece was inspired by Roben-Marie Smith's workshop, Lively Layers, in the May/June issue of Somerset Studio.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend, enjoy your week.

Many directions...

2011-06-10T14:31:00.007-04:00

With hours to myself, in the evenings, I am getting a lot done. I find that I work better and am more creative if I am going in several directions at one time. Currently I'm finishing up a scrapbook for a client (74 pages complete, 10 to go), making cards and have 3 canvases in progress. Here are a few items that have been on and off my table for several days...

A page from my Soul Journal.

oil pastels, charcoal pencil, pen

Hope is a waking dream. Aristotle

mixed media collage - 8 x 8 on watercolor paper

acrylics, soft pastels, gesso, stazon ink, vintage images, dimensional paint, stamps

leftovers, anything left on my brushes and stamps, even a few drops of ink

Hope you have had a good week, have a fabulous weekend.

A boy and his imagination...

2011-06-08T08:12:00.001-04:00

I am amazed at the hours of fun Tyler has had playing with Aubrey's stroller. He pretends it's a racecar and does laps around the driveway. He's great entertainment. Summer Camp starts Monday, I'll miss him being here...

A few candid shots...

So grown up. Love this boy!

Hope you are having a fun filled week.

It won't be long now...

2011-06-06T16:53:00.007-04:00

Less that 100 visitors needed to reach 3,000! I'm still working on my box of goodies, adding things everyday, to give away. You can read about the giveaway here.
Thought I would share a background with you today...

4 x 6
acrylics, ink, stamps, vintage text, rub ons, gesso
This background was creating using pieces from color copies of previously completed backgrounds adhered to watercolor paper. I then applied paint, ink & gesso using stamps and fingers. Yes, finger painting is still a lot of fun. Before applying my sealer, I added several rub ons and some vintage text. I had originally created this background with the quote, don't count the years, count the memories, in mind.
Happy Monday!

Life is good...

2011-06-05T22:43:00.007-04:00

Yes, life is good. Many hours to create over the last several days and it felt great.

Nature is the art of God. -latin proverb
8 x 10 on canvas
acrylics, ink, handmade paper, acrylic gel medium
Not sure how I feel about this piece, it was a big step outside of my comfort zone.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

The Wedding, Part Three...

2011-05-31T19:19:00.001-04:00

I was extremely proud of all that Amy did for the wedding. She did all of the reception decorations, the flowers and the favors. She claims that she is not artistic nor creative but I think she is and she did a fabulous job...

I love the combination of pink and orange and you can't go wrong with gerber daisies, they are such happy flowers. She used 3 cases of clear wine bottles that she bought at a yard sale and a variety of other pieces of glass that she picked up here and there. It was gorgeous.

She had asked me to do the arbor for the ceremony. She showed me a photo she found online and handed me 2 bags containing 2 pieces of fabric (pink & white), floral garland in pink and white, orange tiger lilies and some pearl trim and off I went. After 3 hours, I finally achieved what I felt was her vision...

She was thrilled and it really did look beautiful especially when the breeze blew off the river.

It only took 5 minutes to rip it all down after the ceremony!

Finally back in my studio on a regular basis. 36 cards made last week and several mixed media pieces started. Our oldest grandson, Tyler, was here today and he made a few Father's Day cards. He just turned 8 yesterday and loves "making" things with Granny. Oh what fun we have together.

Hope you are having a great week.

The Wedding, Part Two...

2011-05-23T21:07:00.005-04:00

The beauty of my girls takes my breathe away...

Sarah, Hannah, Amy & Megan

Hope you had a wonderful day, off to my studio to create.

The Wedding, Part One...

2011-05-21T06:59:00.000-04:00

Next to the bride, the grand kids stole the show.
A few photos to share...

Tyler, during rehearsal.

Gabriel, also during rehearsal.

Taking his job very seriously.

The back of his shirt.

Sweet Miss Madelyn. I wonder if she is thinking, why are they making me wear this ridiculous thing on my head?

Hannah, waiting to walk down the aisle. Also, very serious about her duties as the flower girl.

More photos to share over the next several days.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Home Sweet Home...

2011-05-20T13:45:00.005-04:00

and boy does it feel good. We are all moved in and pretty much settled. Loving our new place.
This is the view from our door...

Quite peaceful.
Here is the little fellow we have seen every morning...

The first 3 mornings it was just him. Yesterday we got to see the whole family, Mrs. Fox and 5 little ones. I was so taken with watching them play I didn't even stop to get my camera.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Beautiful weekend...

2011-05-11T08:00:00.003-04:00

Still recovering from a busy yet fabulous weekend. The wedding was gorgeous and you can see some of the photos here. The venue was Clore Brothers on the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg. The weather was wonderful and we had a fantastic time. I'm still working on my photos although they don't do the event justice.
Hope your week is going well, we are in the final stages of moving, furniture goes on Sunday and we'll stay at the new place that night. So excited!
Have a great day.

A beautiful day...

2011-04-29T10:25:00.004-04:00

Photo taken at the Lynchburg Community Market a few weeks ago.

It began quite early, I was up at 4:00 a.m. to watch the Royal wedding. It was fabulous and worth getting up before dawn.

We have a wedding of our own next Saturday, my daughter Amy will marry her best friend, Matt. The ceremony is in Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock River. We are so excited for them as they begin their life together.

Back to packing...

Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

This is fascinating to me...

2011-04-26T14:47:00.004-04:00

Xandi Schawinsky
Found this in a book that I bought at a sale a few weeks ago. When I first saw the picture, I saw the flowers and it wasn't until a few seconds later that I noticed the birds. When I showed it to my husband, he saw the birds first. I just find the entire piece fascinating.

We picked up the keys to our new place this morning. Although I dislike moving and had hoped not to for a while longer, I'm really excited and beyond ready to get started.
Hope you are having a great week!

To plant a garden...

2011-04-22T11:39:00.004-04:00

is to believe in tomorrow. Audrey Hepburn...

6 x 8 on watercolor paper

acrylics, vintage papers & images

peeling paint technique

A lot going on right now as we are preparing to move, this will be our last until we retire. We have finally found a place that is as close to perfect as we are going to find in the area we want to live. It's small and maintenance free and is just what we wanted, living area, kitchen, 2 bedrooms (or 1 bedroom and studio) and a bath. It also means we have another round of downsizing to do. Time to sell, donate and trash. We've already taken a full truck load to a thrift shop run by our local Humane Society, a very worthy cause. Needless to say that internet usage will be limited over the next several weeks however when we get moved, I'll have 24/7 access and will be able to blog on a daily basis again. I've missed that so much the past year and one of the main reasons for our move. I've already begun working on a website.I will try to pop in from time to time since I will still be creating throughout the move. Wish me luck!

Have a super weekend.