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.

Happy Halloween

Have fun and please be safe.

Happy home...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Sunflower

5 x 7 on canvas

I will miss the sunflowers most of all.

Hope you are having a wonderful week.

Faith...

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.