March 22, 2009

Free home addition

Subtracting can be a funny thing. Especially when you think about it in terms of cleaning out, decluttering, organizing, rethinking all of that “stuff.” Sometimes you have to subtract to add space, gain perspective and enjoy what you already have. Less IS more. Drawers, closets, maybe even a room can be added free of charge just for subtracting. I’m a big believer in the one bag in, two bags out rule. When one bag comes in from the thrift stores, yard sales or wherever else, I try to make sure I’m sending out an equal amount…better yet more.

An illustration about subtracting was the perfect opportunity to finally use the vintage flashcards I picked up a few months ago…decluttering the art related stockpile is another story by the way. It was the last day of this retreat, when instructor Michael deMeng announced to us eager students that we should look through and take anything we wanted from the shared mixed media goody pile. I spyed boxes of vintage flash cards and admittedly geeked out. I shoved them into my already overflowing supply bag while holding the art created in class plus my 50lb+ art bin. Well the cards spilled. Everywhere. Michael joked, “you’re losing your flashcards.” Which was really funny…since it was true literally and figuratively. I laughed, blushed a little and reasoned that he understood (artists and our cool junk) as I hurried to gather up the ever multiplying cards.

As I was finishing up the piece above, another idea came to me. While I was on my flashcard kick with numbers and signs floating around I went for it. More flashcard inspired art currently drying. I’ll be sure to add that piece later this week.

March 10, 2009

the secret to happiness (well one of them anyway)

Don’t you feel all content inside when your coop…errrrr i mean…house is clean?? Not to be confused with the actual ‘cleaning of’, but you know what I’m talking about…the aftermath when everything is in order, nobody sticks to the kitchen floor and there’s not a dust bunny or stale crumb to be found. ahhhhhhhhhh…Happiness.

I took a trip across my studio into the craft supply closet to pull out a few tricks for this one. I reasoned that old latchhook canvas would be perfect for coop walls, as would raffia for nesting. Then I chose a funky paper for the hen. Yes, everything you see above was attached to canvas with some big dollops of matte medium. My paint brush took over from there. This silly hen print can be found over in my etsy shop. I’m thinking it’s a nice reminder to have hanging around for the rooster (and peeps if you have them.) Everybody knows there’s nothing worse than a grouchy hen.

March 5, 2009

Fruits of labor

Here’s a peek at one of the bigger projects I’ve been working on over the past two months. I was commissioned to do a total of fifteen paintings for a Catholic Motherhouse cafeteria of fruits, vegetables and in one case flowers. I came up with the idea to incorporate Bible quotes that involved food and harvest in a modern, more unexpected way.

These are 18″ x 18″ paintings on gallery wood paneled canvases. I used a mixture of xerox copies, acrylic paints, matte medium and charcoal. The paintings have lots of earthy texture.

I finished wiring the last of the fifteen yesterday.Today, they all got a second coat of satin varnish. I’m actually kind of sad to be finished with the project. I absolutely loved taking a closer look at the subjects working to capture their simple beauty while translating into my mixed media style.

To keep parts of the passages showing through I used a rag and even my fingernail. The selective reveals also served as highlights.

Tomorrow I’ll be putting my designer hat back on as I tackle several projects lined up for the next few weeks. I so enjoy the variety of work I do. Much to be thankful for.

February 22, 2009

A little bird…

…told me. All of those whisperings. Did they start in my head or my best girlfriends? Are the whisperings instincts gently leading me or was it something I read? I’m not sure…so I’ll just say I must have heard it from a little bird.

Above is a look at the beginnings of this piece. First, I primed muslin with gesso adding lots of texture. Once the gesso was dry, I painted with various shades and sprinkled paint droplets on top. I then cut a piece of the muslin to size for the canvas of “A little bird” saving the leftovers for another project. I matte mediumed paper scraps, trim and ribbon on top and then went in and painted more detail. I used embroidery floss to hand stitch the lettering and outlines on the bird. I finished with a variety of swirly machine stitches to suggest all of those whisperings we hear. Zigzag stitches enhance the texture of the grass. I think throwing sewing into the mixed media pot adds unique elements of interest and charm. I’ll definitely be experimenting with more of that.

A little bird is now available as a print over in my etsy shop.

February 20, 2009

introducing…Funky Feathers

You may have noticed what has flown into my etsy shop over the last couple of weeks. I figured that it’s about time I gave them a proper introduction. You meet Funky Feathers… Funky Feathers meet You.

My sewing machine has been busy cranking out original soft sculpture personalities which I’ve been wanting to bring to life for some time.

The ideas for these quirky birds have been coming at me fast and furious. Making my vision a reality involved many trails, errors and redos.

Take the legs for instance. I purchased more different types of wire and bendable-this-and-that than I care to admit. The legs had to be just right. I tried everything before deciding that I liked paper wrapped floral wire (painted) the best for it’s texture, thickness and bendability.

This is Love bird, a flirtatious gal in the mood for love. She certainly wears her heart on her sleeve.

Have you ever wondered about the Early Bird’s secret weapon? It’s simple. Lots and lots of caffeine.

And finally, Bird Seed Thief is not content with the slim pickings in the feeder. This mischievous guy is running away with the whole bag.

I’ll have these three versions (no two exactly alike) of Funky Feather wall hangings available over in my etsy store. Plus a flock will fly north with me this May for my first art fair! Can’t wait for that.
Happy Friday!

January 26, 2009

Birds of a Feather

A few weeks ago my daughter came home with one third of a poster from a school group project. It turns out that all of the members of her group wanted to share a piece of the art they worked on. I liked the sharing-of-the-poster idea. It inspired my latest print which is made up of nine cheerful little tweeting pieces of original art. Kind of like a spin off of the Doors of whatever city posters.

Here’s a peek at the 8″ x 10″ “Birds of a Feather” print which is a cinch to stick in a inexpensive frame or frame with a matte if you choose. In addition, I have posted all nine original birds for sale in my etsy shop. They’re ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals) size at 2.5″ x 3.5″ and come with a signed certificate stating that they belong to the original flock of nine.

These are thick ACEOs. I’m not a delicate painter by any means. Gesso, matte medium, paint, inks, vintage music, designer paper, trim and a feather all stuck to what was an actual playing card. In some of the cards, you can see actually still see the hearts or spades peeking through. I love that. Now I’m off to devote 30 minutes to my photos. I have so fallen off the wagon.

January 11, 2009

The making of jail bird

He’d been in and out of the coop ever since he cracked his shell. They couldn’t keep him contained behind bars for long. Once again he was out and headed South for the border.

His story starts with a world map my daughter brought home from school. (The girl knows cool collage supplies when she sees them.) The map, with a bit of designer paper, black ribbon and white card stock make the bird, his scrubs and a post to stand on. Matte gel medium makes it all stick.

The hardest part is walking away so the guy can dry between layers. I made myself refill coffee and do a computer task or two. When things dry, a bit of paint and ink hit the first layer. Next, more of the composition gets adhered including proper jail attire and a key which is floating now, but will soon be hanging from his beak via a key ring.

I step back again for more dry time before building on the last layer. Then, I adhere the type and add more matte medium to create texture which will be painted over in the final step.

A funky fuchsia feather is added along with more paint on top of all of those layers. Finally, a few finer details take place and he’s complete. Jail bird is born. Call the proper authorities if you spot him on his flight to the border.

January 6, 2009

love birds

And they resolved to love each other forever like true love birds do.

I put away the last of the Christmas decorations today…that is except for a lonely wreath on the outside of our house that requires a ladder and a husband and many sweet suggestions that I would soooooo appreciate having that wreath down : )

Now I’m looking toward the February holiday of love. Prints of this illustration will be available in my etsy shop as I decorate things for the upcoming season over there. xo xo

December 11, 2008

Mixing it up

These days things are definitely mixed up around here with the normal design/illustration work, family life and a roaring-down-the-highway holiday fast approaching. Is Christmas really only two weeks away?! I remember as a kid when that seemed like forever. Now I’d give anything to sneak a few more present wrapping, candy making, cookie baking, card addressing, gift crafting days in between now and then. In the midst of the holiday happenings, I have five pieces in this show including the one on the above flyer over the words “Opening Night”.



Here’s another piece in the Mixed show. For my latest series, I’ve been adding my spin to old fashioned sayings the first being “If the Shoe Fits” and now “All of Your Eggs”. I’ve always thought there was a lot of wisdom connected with the eggs in a basket phrase on so many different levels. Whether it be about finances or compartmentalizing one’s self. Both are stifling and even downright risky. If all energy is concentrated in a single area what happens if that one area doesn’t hatch? The egg out of the basket is the one that is hatching wings and will soon be flying. It’s about mixing it up—mediawise and otherwise.

Note: “All of Your Eggs” will be available as a print in my Etsy store later today.

December 9, 2008

The one

Every year, we go through the routine. They all look rather similar, but that never stops us. We have to spend ridiculous amounts of time searching for the one.

Every year, five different perspectives of “perfect tree” wander around the tree farm or in this year’s case the tree lot. We take our time debating which tree deserves a shot at being our Christmas tree. The height, prickle factor, branch sturdiness, shape, price (hello recession), bare spots, trunk posture and overall ‘look’ are all factors that go into this monumental decision. Does it matter that much? After the decorations, don’t they all kind of look…well…the same?

maybe. However it just wouldn’t be Christmas without the evergreen ritual and getting to finally say, “That’s our tree.” And if we’re all still speaking after the annual outing, even better.