While my blogging life as been on a rather extended break, please follow me over on Instagram @junedaleyart for previews of my latest work!

No it’s not you. It. has. been. awhile. While there definitely was time off from here, I was definitely not away on some exotic vacation for the past 6 months (although I did squeeze in some time away here and there.) Mostly I’ve been working more than ever. From graphic design to pursuing art licensing (FINALLY cards, flags and other items will start coming out next year!), I’ve been busy as a bee. Which segways nicely into the above piece. I created this especially for Cloth Paper Scissors, “Artists Give Back.”

Many contributors (including myself) to Cloth Paper Scissors and Cloth Paper Scissors Studios magazines have created works for the special etsy store “Artists Give Back.” The art is available in a large size (approximately 8″ x 8″) for $100 or a smaller size (approximately 5″ x 5″) for $50. All proceeds will go to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF). The shop goes live on August 28th. I can pretty much guarantee these original works will go fast. Bee sure to check it out.

After a weekend getaway to Art-n-Soul in Virigina Beach (post coming soon…hopefully), I’m busy catching up.

For now, I thought I’d drop by to mention I have several pieces in the show above (my work is not pictured on the *gorgeous* flyer.) Unfortunately, I neglected to take photos of my entries so you’ll just have to come in person to see!  Last Friday in a bit of a last minute frenzy, my art was wired for hanging and dropped off at the gallery on the way to the airport.  Photos didn’t come to mind until I was flying above the clouds.

Evoke III is a group show centered around the theme: to create anew especially by means of the imagination. Opening night is this Friday from 6-9pm at Red Tree Gallery. Stop by for art and wine + live music  if you’re in the area.

It has been very quiet over here…I know. Trust me I’m haunted daily by Blog Neglect Guilt Syndrome. How do my favorite artist + mom bloggers (esp. Anna Maria) keep up? I have no idea. I often wonder if they sleep. They all seem to have pretty rosey glows so I’m doubting that my initial vampire theory has any merit. Without my 8-9 hours I’m completely unfunctional. Not to mention cranky. Along with not getting enough sleep, I know it’s unhealthy to compare myself or to dwell on BNGS. So I’m working to find peace with what I can and can’t keep up with. 

Speaking of peace (and that oh so clever tie in), I’ve added these peace prints available in three different colors to my etsy shop. If you have girls like mine, they can’t seem to get enough of this trendy symbol. My peace signs are working a modern mixed media style with a graphic black and white twist. 

Now to get back to the 15 other things on my list. I’ll return just as soon as I can. Peace out.

I’ve baked a lot of cupcakes in my day, but none with Mylar. That is until now. I’m excited to announce…drum roll… I’m officially a StencilGirl! When one of my very favorite artists asked me if I would be interested in coming on board her stencil company it took me less than two sprinkles (that’s seconds if you don’t speak cupcake) to say yes.  

Artist Mary Beth Shaw is THE StencilGirl. Mary Beth and her team of artists create unique, one-of-a kind designs which are laser cut from 7-mil Mylar. Heat resistant to boot. You can check out the entire line of awesomeness right over here.

Cupcake sprinkles is my very first stencil design which is available in the 6″ x 6″ size. Perfect for greeting cards or whatever else you might have the urge to whip up. I have quite a few ideas of my own for stenciled cupcakes all of course topped with a healthy dose of sprinkles. I’ll be posting project ideas in the near future along with new stencil designs when they’re cut.

Now I need to sign off so I can eat those props. Not the Mylar ones of course…

This year more than ever it seems the turkey a.k.a. Thanksgiving is getting completely overlooked at least from a retail standpoint. What’s with Black Friday starting at midnight on Thanksgiving or even earlier? I have nothing against shopping that’s for sure, but I do prefer one holiday at a time. I mean just look at the poor guy up above in a ridiculous turkey Santa suit! Although I seriously think he may prefer a disguise rather than a table.

I still get many, many requests for my Thanksgiving Day coloring placemats (for kids and grownups) that appeared last year in Family Fun magazine.*Thank you for your enthusiasiam!* I’m posting them again. Click here to print out the first version and here to print out the second. (intended for private use only please.)

We love to use these around here as conversation starters and time fillers while the meal is being prepared. We have so much to be thankful for.

May you enjoy a happy Thanksgiving with family and friends!

I was thrilled when this arrived in the mail. Even more exciting than the book’s actual arrival was being included! My article “The Mixed Adventures of a Superhero Series” can be found in Chapter 4: Collage and Assemblage. I’m honored to be among so many talented artists gathered by author Barbara Delaney. This inspirational book is mainly a compilation including some of the best articles and projects from the first six years of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. The book also includes an intro chapter with tips to start making art and ends with a chapter about getting that art out there. As a graphic designer, I totally appreciated the book’s gorgeous photography and layout (publisher Interweave has quite the talented staff!)

I’ll admit it was pretty fun to discover my leg on the back cover. Well not my leg exactly, but the leg of the apron-wearing heroine I painted. You can order The Cloth Paper Scissors Book right here.

It’s only September, but I’m joining major retailers everywhere in anticipation for one of my favorite holidays. Halloween season along with haunted happenings (cue spooky music) will be here before we know it. This week’s Illustration Friday prompt, “mysterious”, is right up this haunted trail…a trail leading to a very mysterious house made of burlap. Can you hear shrieking from inside the decrepit walls?

A crow named Ted (ha!) hangs out on the rooftop.

I’ll be placing this painting in a thrifted frame spray painted black.

I painted “All I Really Need” several months ago. It was my simple way of summing up a few of my favorite things (besides the living, breathing kind of course.) Recently, I decided to have 4″ x 6″ magnets professionally printed to share the sentiment with all of my artsy friends. This magnet sticks to a fridge or any metal surface (yes…like that file cabinet in your art studio or the one in your office which sure could use a coat of purple paint.)

You can find these magnets for sale over in my etsy shop: Fun little pieces of art for about the same price as a card.

  Note: In the painting above there are several pieces of good chocolate hidden behind the button jar. Now that’s all I really need.

I’ve finished up my first round of poppy paintings. Included are plenty of actual poppy seeds. I kept things relatively simple (no text) to keep focus on the poppies.

(purple poppy print available here)

For all three paintings, I used tissue paper to create the flowers and Mary Beth’s awesome stencils to add texture in the background.

(fuchsia poppy print available here)

Our live flowers have had plenty of April showers for blooming purposes. Now I’m ready for a little sun. please.