pattern - IF - 9/25/09

well, "pattern" was the word for 9/25. i had an idea immediately, but didn't get it started immediately. then the other problem is that i can't seem to work in small sizes. i might think of it small, but it almost always turns out larger than i originally planned.

the original idea is the paisley shape, but also that a paisley is filled with design and pattern, too. so, it's a paisley pattern filled with a group of other patterns making a pattern of patterns. hopefully it worked out to some extent.

well, oboviously, i didn't get this finished in time to post it to illustration friday, but i DID finally finish it and want to post it here.

this is done in a barnes & noble hardback notebook of white paper and drawn w/ a ball point pen. the finished size is 8" x 10".

castle ATC received!

yesterday was my lucky day -- i received this beautiful ATC from tonia. it was done w/ a .25mm ballpoint pen, which she said was rather like working w/ an injection needle! the was done from a picture in a book of the castle of sully.

i am so proud of my few ATCs i've collected! i think i have 4 or 5 by now. it also really puts the pressure on to perform and make a wonderful ATC to send to someone else!

thank you so much to tonia!

spice

the www.inspiremethursday.com prompt for 4.09.09 was "spice" and this was the idea that came to mind. fishnet pantyhose and black high heels certainly spice a situation up, no matter the wearer or the situation.

this drawing measures 5.75" x 7.75" on 9 x 12 white 70# sketchpad paper with fat prang colored pencils and sprayed with a krylon workable fixative to protect the colored pencil from smearing.

altered spoolie swap

this altered spoolie (the spool that holds the ribbon) was done for a swap for a myspace group, scrapbook rink in the lowcountry. the instructions were to take the cardboard spool that holds the ribbon and create a container with fold-out pieces that can be used to put pictures and/or journaling on.

the swap participants were to list 3 things below their names, and the partner was to look at that info and create a spoolie that the other person would/could like. my recipient liked "little girl" stuff and w/ granddaughters -- i could do that!

this is the top of the spoolie that is attached w/ fiber through the top and botton, passing just inside the ring of the spool. the bow is glued in place, but the ribbon has enough slack in it so that the top can open up and lay flat while viewing the inside.

the papers are glued together w/ the ribbon running down through between the layers. there were 8 circles w/ front and back surfaces for further altering or scrapbooking. the 8th circle was glued down to the bottom of the spoolie to anchor the pull-out pages to the bottom. the ribbon sticks out of the spoolie on the other end for easy pull-out viewing.

each surface has some decoration, but still has room for putting pictures, journaling, or other altering paraphernalia. since one side of the 8th circle is glued to the bottom, that leaves 15 cirlces (plus area on the inside and outside lid) to use for more creativity.

this project was made w/ the cardboard ribbon spool that was cut apart and covered w/ cardstock paper, glued bottom piece back to spool ring, and tied top to bottom to create the opening lid. various stickers, brads, silk flowers, cardboard signs, fibers, inks, and artwork were used for decorating. the main color was pink w/ accents in various shades of pinks/purples/yellows.

altered easter egg swap

this project of an altered easter egg swap was done for my myspace group, scrapbook rink in the lowcountry. the swap included the altered egg plus a list of items to include for the other person to use in altered projects or scrapbook projects. as an added bonus, the egg was to contain a creative surprise for the receiver.

the instructions were --

You will need a JUMBO plastic Easter Egg (they’re bigger than the basic plastic egg) and can be found at most dollar stores OR you can use a LEGGS Panty Hose Egg :]

You alter the egg and fill it with the following: (The egg must be decorated)

Theme: Easter/Spring/Pastels
10-Brads
10-Eyelets
10-Buttons
1-Yard Patterned Spring Ribbon
1-Yard Pastel Fiber
10-Primas
10-Rhinestones
1-Surprise (Please be creative with your surprise!)

my egg was a large green plastic easter egg that i used white w/ green polka dots tissue paper to cover. mod podge worked to easily attach the tissue paper to the plastic egg. then another coat of mod podge on top of the tissue paper to protect it. i used clear paint w/ silver glitter sparkles for 2 coats to add some more "finish" to the color. the last outer decoration was to glue some white rick rack w/ pink flower buds and green leaves around the center of the egg to hide the opening seam.

i received my swap egg from my partner, and that was a real treat -- both to see how the decor had been done and to see what all precious treasures were hidden inside! it was a lot of fun to get back to creating something and trading w/ someone else for fun. now i just wish i knew where all of my art supplies were that have been packed for moving to a new spot in the house (and of course, that spot it not yet ready for the supplies to be unpacked!).

loved

the "inspire me thursday" prompt this last week was "i am . . . " with instructions to fill in the blank w/ a one-word description. i was still busy working on the elvis picture, but i had time to think of words that describe who i am. after i thought of several words, i would realize that i was so much more than THIS word or THAT word.

after much time of consideration, i realized that i am all the things that i am because i was and am loved. this security and nurturing allowed me to develop into the person i am today and all the facets of my personality. whether good or bad -- that's who i am and i know that i am loved by those special people in my life. knowing that i have that safe harbor to return to any time makes it much easier to venture out into the world.

this piece measures 6" x 9" and is done with prang colored pencils on white 100 lb. strathmore bristol vellum. i spray my work with a working matte finish to protect the colored pencil from smearing until it is framed or otherwise protected.

legendary - IF - 3/13

illustration friday's theme this week (3/13/09) was "legendary," and i was inspired to create this picture of someone i feel has been legendary in the music industry and pop culture in american society. this picture measures 15" x 22" and is done on stonehenge natural 90# paper w/ a prang #23 sepia colored pencil. it will be sprayed w/ a working fixative for protection until framing.

this was supposed to be just a small picture to encourage myself to get back into doing artwork, but my daughter said she would love to have a picture of elvis to put in their bedroom with the lyrics of "love me tender," which was the song played at her wedding. because of that stated wish, i felt compelled to make this picture big enough to be used for what she wants to use it for. this picture fulfills 2 things -- it gave me an inspirational project to work on and will hopefully provide a piece of art for my daughter's enjoyment.

MUMS the word

i've been playing around w/ the MACRO setting on my camera and snapped this picture of blooming mums at the pitt state homecoming parade. it's amazing the close-up focus that this setting allows, and it's also amazing what can actually be clearly noticed at this close level!

february DT2 ATC received!

dt2 ATC received - graphite dog by debbie byess

we arrived home from spring break to have this little jewel waiting in the mail for me -- an original graphite drawing by debbie byess. i've added it to my growing collection of original ATCs from the dt2 group.

thanks debbie! it's actually 2.5 x 3.5, but my scanner wanted to cut off the white part. i didn't have the patience to fight it any longer, so just posted it in this shape.

dec ATC received

dec ATC from DT2 trade came from vincent whitehead and is done in ballpoint pen. this original ATC is called "looking out". it is absolutely gorgeous. as i hold in my hand, i can tilt it side-to-side to try and see the pen marks or the shine on the ink, but no luck. it's just SO good it's hard to believe it's an orignal piece of art.

on top of getting the ATC, it arrived in this beautiful card that was also drawn by vincent, titled "oliver planter". it's like a double prize -- an ATC and a card that were both done by the artist.

honestly, i had to promise my husband to have a mat made that would show both the ATC and the card. that way, we can frame them both and put them up for display. he really likes this artwork, too.