"Art Queen"

"Art Queen"

Mixed Media Wall Hanging
(Click on any picture to see the details.)

Some of you may remember this piece as having it's beginnings as an original journal page that I created created back in June. It happens that this is one of my favorite pieces -- something about this lovely face speaks to me.

 The Original Journal Page

Over the past few months, I've used this page for postcards and bits and pieces have been included in other artwork. Inspired by my friend Trudi Sissons' fabric pieces, I decided to transform this piece once again.

 

I printed the original image onto a sheet of muslin that was coated with Golden Digital Grounds medium, and embellished it with beads, machine stitching, hand embroidery and paint. Whenever Trudi posts one of her fabric creations, I drool all over my keyboard! (Click here to see an example of Trudi's beautiful fabric art.)

After the piece was finished, I attached it to a vintage, hand-crocheted doily, hung sari ribbons on a piece of driftwood that was a birthday gift from my daughter in Maine, and added a green gem "for luck and inspiration".

This piece has a new home - (It was a gift for dear friend's birthday.) -  but I thought you might enjoy seeing how a journal page can be transformed into something completely new and wonderfully different.

*****

My Givaway

"Childhood"

Don't forget about my giveaway for this little canvas.  You can read more about it and see more pictures if you click here.

In order to be eligible for the drawing, just leave a comment on this post, and a blog or email address so that I can notify you if you've won. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 4.

May your day be filled with creative pleasures!

A Little Giveaway!

 "Childhood"

Canvas

3"x3" (7.5x7.5cm)

In honor of Spring's arrival, I think it's time for a celebration. What could be more fun than a giveaway?!?

A few months ago, when I was shopping for art supplies, I found these tiny canvases and fell in love with them. They're a perfect size to send in the mail.

There are no flaming hoops to jump through or special dances to learn in order to enter this giveaway. Just leave a comment on any of this week's posts, and leave a blog or email address so that I can notify you if you've won. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 4.

Everyone is welcome to join in the fun. If you've been lurking in the shadows, it's a nice time to introduce yourself - I love making new friends!

May your day be filled with joy and a little luck!

Credits: Thanks to DeviantScrap.com for the lady and her leafy hat; to TumbleFishStudio-Etsy for the eyes; to Dover Publications for the butterflies. The quote was saved from a fortune cookie - may it bring you luck!!!

"Tweekles"

 "Spring"

(Click anywhere to see the details & read the jouraling!) 

Several weeks ago I mentioned to my friend, Roc, that I had "little people dancing around in my head". When I doodled a quick pencil version for her, she told me that I should get them onto paper. So . . . on one of my many trips for art supplies, I picked up a tiny Strathmore Visual Journal (the mixed media one - approximately 3.5"x5"), and have been keeping it handy.

"Happy"

These little people are practically dancing onto the pages, and I'm really enjoying the playtime in my tiny journal. I've named them "Tweekles" because a dear friend gave me the nickname "Tweek" years and years ago, based on my initials "TWK".

Sometimes it's just fun to head in a different creative direction with no big expectations other than to doodle and play.

May your day be filled with the joy of creativity & discovery!

"Ageless" - A Journal Page

"Ageless"

(Click on her hat to see the details!)

Isn't it amazing how one little change can make a whole world of creative difference? A recent swap for my art group entitled "The Black Project", suggested that we create a 5 1/2"x8 1/2"journal page using a black background. This fun challenge led me to discover a few new techniques and expanded my colorful, artistic horizons.

It's always serendipitous when a piece fulfills not only one, but two challenges. This week's challenge at The Three Muses is entitled, "Land of Odd". I think my ageless little Zetti will be right at home! If you have a few minutes, stop by The Three Muses for a ton of inspiration. You'll be happy you did!

May your day be filled with new discoveries!

Credits: Thanks to Tumble Fish Studio-Etsy for the alphabet borders, ticket and bingo numbers; to Ceremony-Etsy for the petals, heart and wings; to  Land of Nod for the top piece of the hat; to CrowaboutStudioB@DeviantScrap for the word, dream; to Dover Publications for the butterflies; to Crowabout Flickr for the word exquisite. Woman from the public domain. Roses from Pringle Hill Studio.

Fair Maidens - SPA Challenge

Fair Maiden Postcard

(Click on the rose to see the details.)

Sunday Postcard Art (SPA) was one of my first challenge blogs, and in my estimation, it's one of the best. When Mandy asked if I'd like to host this week's challenge, I was honored and delighted. 

My postcard began with a background of painted and stamped deli paper. Snippets of a paper doily were painted with washes of diluted Golden acrylic paints, and jewelry items were clipped from a mail order catalog. I dipped a piece of lace from an old party dress into some of the leftover diluted acrylic paints to add a bit of interest and dimension to my maiden's headdress.

If you have an opportunity, stop by Sunday Postcard Art to see all of this week's contributions. You won't be disappointed!

May you have a beautiful day!

Credits: Thanks to SherrieJD @ DeviantScrap for the maiden. Butterflies fro Dover Publications. Roses from Pringle Hill Studio.

A Special Envie

Collaged & Stitched Envelope

(Click to see the details!)

 A Closer Look!

 

It's going to be difficult to part with my art doll . . . but I will have to send her to a new home soon. She has to travel in high style, so I decided to create a special package for her journey.

This envie was highly influenced by Roben-Marie Smith's envelopes created from file folders. I've used watercolor crayons with clear gesso, spray inks, rubber stamps, paint and even a piece of tie-dyed duck tape. If you'd like to see some of Roben-Marie's fabulous (and very sturdy) file folder envelopes, you can click here to see her blog post.

May your day be blessed with creative joy!

Credits: Thanks to LandofNodStudios-Etsy for the image of the sweet little girl. Roses are from Pringle Hill Studio.

My Art Doll

 

"Babe"

(Click on any picture to see the details.)

Every once in a while an art challenge comes along that forces me to flex my creative wings. When I saw a challenge in my art group to create a paper art doll for a swap, I couldn't resist answering the call.

I had no idea of where to begin, but when I saw this little face, I fell in love with those huge, soulful eyes.

After Googling "art doll images", I decided that I'd like my arms to swing freely. That posed a challenge, until I remembered a video that I'd seen on "You Tube" a while ago. A few eyelets and jump rings gave my arms lovely movement.

Adding a few pop dots gave her an awesome 3D effect. I used them to pop up her hat, collar, shoes and the butterfly.

 

 

Accessorizing her with a few doodles and gems, a dash of Stickles glitter and a bit of an orange marabou feather gave her even more personality.

May your flex your creative wings and soar!

Credits: Thanks to Ceremony-Etsy for the lovely face and tiny heart, to LandofNodStudios-Etsy for the fancy hat and the petal collar, and to Tumble Fish Studio-Etsy for the seed packet body, the arms and those fabulous legs. Butterfly is from Dover Publications.

My Beliefs

A Journal Page

9" Wide x 5 1/2" High
(Click anywhere to see the details.)

 Overview

This month's journal prompt for my art group of "What do you believe?" forced me to put on my thinking cap. When I examined my conscience, I found that I believe many things. In fact I have so many beliefs, one small journal page couldn't contain them.

 

The idea of adding a side pocket and a tag to hold my journaling overflow came from watching the latest Strathmore Visual Journaling Class. The current class features techniques on how to add interest to your pages, and it's free. You can click here to sign up.

The addition of the pocket and tag gave this page visual interest and makes it interactive . . . new techniques for my creative repertoire.

Original lettering is not one of my strengths. On my last visit to see my friend, Roc, she gave me a calligraphy pen with a tiny tip. I purchased a bottle of black India ink and decided to give lettering a whirl. I do love the look of the tiny lettering, although a bit of patience is involved.

May you flex your creative wings and soar!

Credits: Thanks to Norma Frances-Flickr for the border and to Deviant Scrap - Somerset Magazine for the image of the woman and her lovely hat and the sequin flowers.