On The Edge

And here is another piece I completed last week.  A friend gave me a ton of handmade papers that she had brought home from Thailand (thank you Lorraine!), and I decided to tear them into strips and "dye" the strips with fluid acrylics, inks, and dyes.  The horizontal strips are those papers.  The vertical strips are some handmade tissue papers I created a couple of years ago.

Gluing them to the substrate was tricky because of the weave effect, but I managed to do it without getting too messy.  I love the white frame and the white space between the strips.  It almost tells a story of its own. It feels to me that the edges of the strips is the important part here, and thus the name.

What Do You Expect?

This is a piece I finished last week.  I love the vibrant colors, and circles seemed to emerge from everywhere.  The more I looked at it, the more I "saw" a pregnant woman, so I began to bring out that form.    Then I added the collaged pieces of a woman's head and her hands entwined with grapes.  She is so fruitful! Her pregnancy shines as though it is holy.  Not sure if I will keep this title, but it is a bit of a pun, no?

Artist Coach - Career Coaching for Artists

Artist Coach - Career Coaching for Artists

I just read this fascinating article about being in touch with your art as a means to being able to sell it.  At first I thought, "Well, I DO just create art as though it were an out-of-body experience!"  But as I continued to read, I began to understand her point, and I do agree.  What do YOU think?

EVOLVING

 Now that my art show is done and my "old" pieces are stored away, I have freed up space in my art head to  continue evolving.  I had a lot of fun doing this piece, using mostly my fingers.  "No brushes were harmed in the making of this art!"  I really like getting my fingers dirty and directly connecting with the canvas.  It does make for messy hands afterwards, but I don't mind that either.

I also completed this piece, recycling an old canvas that I didn't much care for.  I black gessoed the entire canvas, chose greens for the rough squares, and then collaged from there.

I am feeling inspired to get into my studio more now, and loving the creative energy that has returned.

Getting Organized for Art Show!

 This week I'll be busy getting organized for my Art Show on Saturday.  It's called "Offerings of Gratitude," and will be held Saturday from 1-4 at Grace United Methodist Church in Joliet, IL. I am so grateful for what Art has brought to my life, how it has touched me spiritually, and I want to share that with friends and family.

  I am going through all my art, altered books, and assemblages: cleaning up, pricing, packing, and making lists.

I'll be selling some of my newer pieces, also.  I really need to get my art "out" there, (as opposed to in MY house!) so I am trying to price very reasonably, and still take into account the materials and labor required for each piece.  Not an easy task.

Hope to see you there!

Back in the Saddle

 Now that the busy-ness of Summer is slowing down, I'm back!  Actually, I've been making Art during the summer, but haven't been sharing.  Here's a collage I did yesterday.  It was just one of those serendipitous days when all the pieces came together, with very little help from my brain.  It just flowed.  My favorite colors, too.  It's called "Grounded for Life."

 Here's a canvas I did last month. I had bought a 5-pack on clearance from Michael's, and they were sooo cheap!  Probably because the top canvas had a gash in it.  Twas simply an opportunity for a niche! .....

.... And here's a close-up of the niche. (I just love feathers.)

 This canvas I did in June. This is an example of my "new" approach to art, which is much more intuitive.  I simply play with paints on the canvas for a good long time.  Then I stop, go away for a while, and when I return to it, I look at it from a distance to see what seems to be emerging.  And then I try to bring out those images.  Kind of like looking for pictures in the clouds.  And just as fun.

 Another canvas I completed last month.  For this one, I played around with stencils and spray paint in the backyard.  (The grass stayed blue for a LONG time, since there was no rain!)  Then I brought it in and added acrylics and texture.

And here's another intuitive canvas.  This one feels very spiritual to me; not sure what all the images symbolize, but I will journal about it to discover the meanings.

It feels great to be back in the saddle!

My New Necklace

 While shopping in downtown Wheaton yesterday, we ran across a bead shop.  All the selections were nearly overwhelming--so beautiful.  But this pendant caught my eye; I thought it would be a perfect summer necklace.  So I found some chain that looked lacy and delicate, and  a clasp.  When I got home, I put it all together.

I just love it.  It looks like a seashell, but is actually (I think) Mother of Pearl, which I also like. Materials cost $20.  And now I have a beachy necklace for boating this summer.