Meeting a Challenge

 

The challenge has been met. Cathy Johnson has a monthly challenge and this month the subject is the Arlington Hotel. First, I've never done anything like this, so it is a bit scary. The real question: Have I posted it to her challenge group? I really don't know. Again, I hit the computer technical wall and finally folded.  

I am so impressed that many of you have found your "style". Obviously, I'm still on the hunt. EDM does make it an interesting journey.

Heartfelt Wishes

This year's Christmas card features a heart with beads, buttons and doodads. The background is quilted then layered with a product called Angelina. I sewed all sorts of stuff such as parts of earrings, shells and pendants as well as the buttons and beads. The original measures 13"x13".

Wishing all a season filled with love and joy!

Cat drawing

Recently I returned from Ohio to visit my two year old grandson (and his parents). The family has two hairless cats. I was sitting in the sunshine on a chair and Loretta thought that my lap was the perfect place to rest. Drawing a cat while it is on your lap is a good challenge. I showed this drawing to the two year old and recognized exactly which cat I had drawn. That is the approval I needed!

Christmas cards

 

Christmas cards are my gift to my family and friends. I have made them for more than 40 years. The techniques range from drawing, cutting, photographs, acrylics, watercolor to beading designs and many other techniques. The above piece is an acrylic mandala that now graces our wall each Christmas season. To get the designs on our cards, I have placed the photo or computer print out on the card or I have printed directly onto the card. 

The gold tree is all hand sewn with buttons, beads, and doodads. The size is 9" x 12". OK, it did take a while to create this, but that's the way I work.

Guess I'm saying-"Go for it". Express yourself and know that the cards are given with love. 

Now I need to start addressing this years cards! 

ATC Zentangle

OK, help me. This is an ATC and I would be delighted to trade. 

Do I ask you to contact me?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo Journey

My journey has led me to various art forms. One of my sons, now 34, had a website for his adult soccer team. Certainly he needed pictures as he reported about each game. Using that excuse, I bought a nice camera with a 300 mm lens and became the team photographer. I went to one hour photo centers with my film (remember that stuff?) for quick processing. That got old. So, I changed to a digital camera and he gave up the soccer reporting!

 

Looking around, I saw many other photo opportunities. I started taking classes and was lucky enough to find Carol Leigh who teaches internet classes. Two of the subjects were faces in unusual places and diagonals. I would recommend her courses as all the students share their work and her critiques are given with humor which makes the medicine go down easily. Developing your "eye" for art is a forever quest. Carol can be found at: http://www.photoexplorations.com/

Making Progress

The good news is that I have done this sketch with my right hand! The flip side is that the injury lingers. Now the challenge is to make a fist. Thanks to all who have sent encouraging comments.

Here are two of my left hand drawings. Try it!

Before the fall

This mandala was finished about an hour before my big fall. I was looking down the road when I tripped on a raised section of the sidewalk. Chin, shoulder, hand and knee took the impact. Of course, my right (dominate) hand had two fingers receive the most damage. Imagine a splint-now envision a cast covering three fingers and extending down to about three inches from the elbow. This will be on for one week and it should be a maximum of 6 weeks for full recovery. I am practicing drawing with my left hand. A challenge that could be a test for all.

EDM has helped to renew my interest in art and helped me to enjoy the journey. I signed up for a class with Jeannie Vodden who does superb paintings. The technique was to mix the colors on the the paper. I learned a lot and pushed myself to get some darks. You can see more of Jeannie's work at: www.jeannievodden.com.

 

Inspired by Il Lee

A couple of years ago, I picked up an Art in America magazine. Although there were many outstanding pieces of art, work by Il Lee caught my eye. His exhibit of Ballpoint Abstractions was being displayed at the San Jose Museum of Art. My husband and I drove down to San Jose (a couple of hours away) to see his first solo museum exhibition in the United States. He uses Papermate pens and those from Staples Office Supply.

The above pieces are mine-after his style. The figure is on paper and the "bird" is on canvas primed with 5 layers of gesso. 

Not being a computer guru, I could not find his website, but there are articles about him. 

Oldest thing in refrigerator

Actually, I was afraid to discover the oldest item in my refrigerator. But, I felt better when I realized that ink pads for stamping on fabric were the winners!
Oh yes, my neighbor really did want to frame the picture of her house, so I gladly gave her the original. 

From Watercolor to Quilting

I have being doing mandala for years. This design is called the Flower (or Seed) of Life. The original is watercolor. I transferred that image via my printer onto silk fabric, beaded and then quilted the piece which is 10" x 10". I even won an award at our local quilt show.

My neighbor knows

 

My neighbors actually know that this is their house! They always provide lovely gardens for our viewing pleasure. I just hope to do it justice. My biggest compliment is that Virginia wants to the piece.

Makes me laugh

When I saw this pattern, it made me laugh.So, I had to make the quilt. The pattern is by amy bradley designs. My title is Ladies at the Beach, Who am I? Size is 28 1/2" x 28 1/2

Inspired by many who are doing "zentangles", I have begun to do them on greeting cards that I send to my friends for their birthdays or just to give a hug. Sharpie and Micron pens.

My blog has begun!

The First Step

Starting a blog is scary. Hey, I'm a person who has ground ink, cut a quill and prepared vellum for lettering. This computer process is a huge step for me! Somehow I'll figure out to to post a picture-the website acts as though it's real easy.
This site was started due to the encouragement of the many participants in the Everyday Matters group. Amazing how one person, in this case, Danny Gregory, can inspire others.