My first art demonstration video!!

I've wanted for a long time to be able to make videos like the ones I love watching on youtube.  To share techniques, teach others and eventually create online classes.  I built a set up for my camera and a space to work and did a little test video a few weeks ago.

Test Video

Its was so much fun and so ridiculously thrilling to see my work that way.  After finishing a few projects and a death in the family, I was finally able to work on my first full video.  I'm learning a lot of what to do and what not to do and hope that I can quickly reach the point where I can produce the quality videos that I'm aiming for.  I'm very pleased with what I've been able to do so far.

"Bloom"

I'm so excited to have reached this long time goal and I'm excited to see what's next!  Any feedback would be appreciated!  Enjoy!

A Little Workspace Wednesday for ya!

I've taken the summer off from stressing about my art "business" and I'm back to enjoying my first love...art trading!  The creative juices are flowing and I'm creating things I love so much they make me want to cry...and not stressing at all over whether anyone else likes them!

Here are a few pics of my worktable with various projects in the works.  I'll be posting some finished stuff too just to share my joy.  There is nothing in this world that gives me more complete and total satisfaction than creating something from nothing.

Happy Wednesday, all!

WOYWW 28May2014 Fun with my Gelli Plate!

Having just finished the canvases I was working on and looking to the next set as well as the next week of the Chronicles project, I got out my Gelli plate from Gelli Arts and some new paint colors I got and made some prints for backgrounds and such.

I love the Gelli plate and every time I play with it I get the same thrill I did with my very first print.  I feel like I have so much more to learn and I see things others have made on theirs and think..."how'd they do that?"  I used the fabulous Quasi Crystals stencil set from artistcellar that I won last month and I LOVE how they turned out.  These stencils are fabulously versatile and I've been able to use them in so many different projects with fabulous results every time.

The prints I made tonight will be added to future projects...bits and pieces here and there and even full backgrounds.  I'll add things to them to give them more detail and depth as the projects demand so look for these to turn up again.

Thanks for stopping by!

Workspace Wednesday!

so...too much going on around here with the last child getting ready to graduate in a couple weeks.  we had Band Banquet, the last band concert ever (last of 4 kids through the band program), Prom and Senior Pictures all in a week's time.  needless to say...not much art has been getting done but i try to get a little in each day.

these are projects im currently working on...

Week 17 of the Chronicles Project at Wonderstrange Arts is done...i think.

and these are a few little canvases im working on.  having fun playing with this style.  hoping to have these available in my etsy shop soon.

i love trying new things but im still hoping to find that one thing that is truly mine.  the only way to get there, im told...is to make more art.  so i will!

thanks for stopping by!

Always a day late and dollar short!

At some point I will be better about getting this post out at the beginning of Wednesday and not the end but better late than never, right?

Anyway...here's what's going on at my desk today!  I just finished up the last of the commissions I had so now I can work on some things I've been wanting to do just because.  My amazing friend, Sarah Trumpp of Wonderstrange Arts sent me a handmade journal that makes me happier than words can even convey and I've been dying to take part in her wonderful Chronicles Project.  Check her and the project out at Wonderstrange Arts.  I'm also several lessons behind on the wonderful Lifebook 2014 class in which I was blessed to win a spot so I'm also working on the next lesson.

Here is the fabulous journal Sarah made and pics of what's on my desk...

I hope your Wednesday was wildly wonderful and that your Thursday is totally terrific!  :)

Hey! It's Wednesday!!

Here's another peek into my "studio".  Lots of things going on including some experimenting with the fabulous stencils I won from Artistcellar and projects in various stages of completion.  Thankfully its been a productive week so far.

I'm not sure what details would be of interest so if you have any questions about anything I'm working on...please feel free to ask.

As I was going to bed last night I was hit by inspiration.  Horrible timing, I know.  I'm looking forward to seeing if I can bring it to life.  If so...it should be AWESOME!  Hopefully you'll see some of it in future Workspace Wednesdays.

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

Layer upon layer...in art...and in life!

One thing that always draws me to a piece of art and something I strive for in my own is a background full of depth...the kind that can only come with many, many layers.  Almost every piece of art I make starts with a layer of text and book pages.  I'll add many more before I'm done but I'm finished with this first layer and I'm ready for the next...COLOR!

I started thinking about the importance of layers...not just in art...but in life.  As in art, the layers of our personalities, our experiences, or lives...add depth, interest, and make you want to look, absorb, and look some more.  Without the layers art is flat, one dimensional and uninteresting.  Without the layers...even the ones that make us complicated and even challenging...we are as boring and uninteresting as that bad art.

Personally, I'm baklava...layer upon layer upon complicated layer and you know what...considering the alternative...I'm okay with that.

WOYWW - Bringing out the big table!

Working on finishing up a number of requested pieces and starting on a commission.  Time to pull out the big table so I can spread out.  The first layer is always random pieces of vintage and foreign text.  For me it always gives a good foundation and adds to the depth of the background layering and I love the look of old and foreign text.  Some of it is art in itself.

I'm working on finishing up a couple of requested projects and have pulled out an art journal that I work in now and then to add some new stuff to it.  Still trying to figure out this whole art journaling thing.

WOYWW - One of these days I'll have this done early instead of late!

Okay...so...i spent the last week or so again reorganizing and trying to make things work and fit in our tiny little space.  My goal is to create an area where I can not only work on my art but where I can start making videos and tutorials to post here on the blog.  Plans are in the works for regular daily posts and new content throughout the week.  I've also been working on finishing up some commissions and trades.

My beautiful daughter had two music performances this past weekend which we thoroughly enjoyed.  I've also had to dedicate at least a little time each day to working on taming our new little family members...Ginger and Pepper.

WOYWW (a little late ;)

Since I updated you last I've worked on finishing up projects and commissions and I was able to take part in an Art-a-thon on AFA.  Its been a long time since I was able to play in one of those and I made some great trades.  So...today in my workspace I am getting trades ready to go out in the mail and making the final touches to some projects so I can work on some new ones.

WOYWW Wednesday April 2- Inchie-a-thon!

Welcome back to my workspace!!  In between my larger projects I'm doing a bit of playing with some of my favorite arty friends at AFA in a week long Inchie-a-thon.

AFA (ATCsforAll.com) is an amazing community of talented and encouraging people and my life totally changed when I became a part of the group there in 2009.  There is always something going on over there and I have learned, tried and experienced so many things that I never would have if not for AFA.  One of my favorite things to do over there is something called an a-thon.  They usually occur over a long weekend but really can take place anytime.  Its a chance for us to have a virtual play date with each other, create as much as we can and the trading is fast and furious.

This week...the focus is on Inchies (other art will be made and traded too).  Inchies are tiny little works of art...just 1 inch square!  You would be amazed at what can fit into a tiny little square inch!

So...here's my teeny, tiny mess...;)

Thanks for stopping by!!

WOYWW Workspace Wednesday!

Here is my workspace today.  I have a number of projects in varying degrees of completion and I'm having so much fun!!

Project juggling

okay...so ive started working on my next art piece which is based on one of the lessons in the Lifebook 2014 Course that im taking part in this year.  im really excited about this piece and if it turns out the way im envisioning it...it should be fabulous!

at the same time, im also working on an altered envelope that i need to get out in the mail AND some of my favorite arty friends are having a collage-a-thon this weekend on FB that im hoping to take part in.  its been so long since i did an athon and i have made ATCs in a while so my muse is really slow to switch gears.

here is a little peek at the beginnings of these projects.  ill be posting updates throughout the weekend.

blessings to all!

Workspace Wednesday (a day late)

I've been working hard to get some commitments finished so that I can concentrate fully on my Etsy shop and blog.  Hopefully I'll be able to come up with a more regular schedule for things featured on my blog.  With that said, I wasn't planning to do a Workplace Wednesday post this week.  Work on our apartment building has had my work space in a state of disarray but now that that is over I was finally able to make some order again.

Even  though I wasn't planning on a post, a visit from my grandchildren today prompted a couple of candid photos that I couldn't resist sharing.

How could I resist that face?  My projects can wait long enough to encourage this little angel's love of color!