The Desk is a Mess

 Somebody I follow on IG asked a question I thought was interesting and funny...  "Are you an art monogamist or an art polygamist?".  I had never really thought about it that way before, but I almost always have several artsy endeavors going at once.  Definitely a polygamist.  My desk always looks chaotic.  The thing I like about this is that while I'm working I discover random bits laying around that end up being perfect.  If I was neat and tidy things wouldn't come to me so naturally and it would be harder for me to be creative in the moment.

Here's what's been going on for me. I FINALLY finished a big project...a 4'x6' forest painting for my friend's newly opened cafe.  Yes!  I have never ever worked that large so it was a big sigh of relief to install it in its permanent home.

As always some ATCs are in the mix too.  I went through a mad phase of signing up for SwapBot swaps and I've been getting busy getting them done.  

"Connections", green-themed swap

"Weirdo", interactive swap

"Oops", tan-themed swap

"Killer Kitty", extra sent with a swap for her son who collect cat-themed ATCs

So many more to make...

Until then, happy creating, or blog-scrolling, or whatever...😉

"Hey, Little Boy" Canvas

 Here I am again with another 6"x6" canvas.  I think I've told this story here before, but it's an important part of this canvas's story.  

A friend of mine has four amazing sons.  When her oldest was 11 (about the time of the Ferguson riots) she made a comment about the discussions she has to have with her boys starting when they are very young; they are an African American family.  I was shocked.  It had never occured to me to have those discussion with my two caucasian sons.  It was an eye-opener and game-changer for me.  This is a great family - they are kind, compassionate, intelligent, thoughtful people  pillar of the community types.  Over the past seven months she has shared some of the experiences her sons have had out in public with people being blatantly racist, hostile and rude.  I don't know why I continue to be shocked that some people feel it's okay to treat others this way; we live in the Pacific NW, not the deep south.  

Anyway, I thought of her boys a lot as I finished this piece (this is not what I started out to make).  I thought of other kids who come from families that struggle economically, socially, and with other issues.  This quote, from The Help by Sue Monk Kidd, felt like a perfect fit.  I wish every child had someone whispering this in their ear each day.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings.  😃

Heart's Journey Mixed Media Canvas

Today I have another mini canvas to share.  One of the artsy groups I'm in has a project theme of "Hip to Be Square" this month.  Yesterday's canvas and the one I'm showing today are my creations to send on to two of my arty friends.

I used Distress inks, dye inks and stamps, acrylics, a torn book page, stencils, alcohol ink, washi tape, scrapbook paper, gold crackle texture paste, modeling paste, and Dylusions-stained paper towel to make this one.

Now that I'm moving up from ATC-sized projects to 4"x 4" projects maybe I'll try to tackle a larger canvas sometime soon.  ;)

Have a wonderful day!

Dreamy Square Mixed Media Mini Canvas

I have a quick post today to share a little project that I recently finished.

It's become apparent to me that mini art is my thing.  Veering away from my typical minis - ATCs - I delved into mini canvases this time.  I found the 4"x 4" base at Hobby Lobby.  It's about 1/8" thick and covered with gessoed canvas.  I knew what I wanted to use on it as I recently finished Marjie Kemper's Inventive Ink class.  Feeling pretty comfortable with Distress products and what I could do with them, I was kind of wondering when I signed up if I was throwing away cash.  Not true.  I learned a lot of little tips and techniques from Marjie. She's an incredible teacher and if she's over this way I'm definitely signing up for a live-and-in-person class! This is what I came up with after being inspired by her.

I used Distress inks and stains, dye ink and modeling paste as well as some ephemera and thread.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.  I hope the person I'm sending it too likes it as well.

Have a great day!

Holiday Rituals Remembered and Artified

I am so excited about my latest project.  Kate Crane posted a photo of a journal page recently on Facebook and I was immediately struck, as if by lightning!, with inspiration.  The theme of her page was the Christmas hymn, "We Three Kings".

When I was growing up we had a table in the family room dedicated to gift wrapping at Christmas time.  We were a very fortunate family and this area was a beehive of activity in December.  My dad would cackle with glee when he tricked us into helping to wrap one of our own gifts (usually by requesting a finger to secure the bow while he tied it).  We also had friendly competitions to see who could create the most outrageous bow.  (I wish I had photos of some of those - they were pretty amazing.)

One of my favorite traditions, however, was the one my third sister, Kim, and I shared.  We would each hold a wrapped gift in one hand and hold our other hands together up in the air regally.  Next we would belt out the hymn "We Three Kings" as we marched from the family room to the living room where our tree always sat.  We would do this for each gift we wrapped and I suspect some members of the family grew tired of the song.  We didn't though.

When I saw Kate's page I KNEW I had to create something for my sister.  I liberally borrowed from her to create this mini We Three Kings canvas.

It's been years since Kim and I have celebrated Christmas together - we live in different states. While I won't be there to see her open this, I'm confident that she'll grin.  And I know for a fact, that the next time we do get the chance to spend Christmas together, there will be some processionals to the tune of "We Three Kings".

Wishing you a fabulous Christmas!

Day after Christmas Update:  She liked it!  :)

Chanelling Eric Carle - Canvases for My Preschool Classroom

I think I've mentioned before that I teach preschool.  We moved locations this school year and when we were setting up the classroom (way back in September) somebody asked me if I could make some art for the walls.  I agreed right away as I love working on canvases.  Lots of ideas swam in my head but I kept coming back to Eric Carle.  Even if you don't recognize his name you will surely recognize some of his books.  They are classics for the younger peeps.

I finally got around to creating them this weekend.  Eric uses painted tissue paper to create his masterpieces.  I had never tried this before but decided to give it a whirl.  What a blast!  Here's a pic of some of the papers I came  up with.

Super easy to do with regular ol' white gift wrapping tissue paper, acrylics and matte medium for gluing.  I used 11 x 14 cheap canvases from Hobby Lobby for the base.

I think they'll look pretty cool hung together since the papers are used throughout the whole batch.
Thanks for stopping by!

How does Your Garden Grow?

Greetings!

Original mixed media canvas at ElvesInTheAttic.etsy.com

For about a week I've had a 6" x 6" canvas sitting on my desk that has gradually been transformed.  I started it with a prompt from the SDC challenge to use text on a project.  Acrylic paints dripped down and became a forest.  Paper scraps were doodled upon and metamorphosed into flowers.  Modeling paste, spray inks and little metal pieces from my stash were sprinkled about and finally I ended with this:

Can you still the bits of text from the Japanese book I used?

 

 

 

 

The flower stems are pieces of chain that came from various necklaces my daughter had when she was little.  I KNEW I'd find a way to use them some day!

 

Thanks for stopping by today and best wishes for a fun-filled, happy weekend (that's my plan for the weekend!).

 

 



Heart Canvas

Hello! 

I've had this quote scribbled on my desktop calendar for months.  I'm pretty sure I saw it on Pinterest and I've been meaning to slap it on a canvas.  I finally got around to it.

I gesso'd the background and then brushed on some absorbent ground followed by Dylusions sprays in turquoise, blue and purple.  A good spray of water got the colors to blend nicely.  After that I randomly dabbed on a script quote using violet ink as well as a background stamp in royal blue.  I took an old book page and sprayed that with the turquoise and blue Dylusions sprays, then tore a few strips to slap on the canvas as well.  Bubble wrap dipped in white acrylic paint followed that to complete the background.

The hearts are bits of overspray scraps I had laying (lying?  I never remember which one to use!) around.  I tore them into heart shapes and stamped with text stamps in coordinating colors of ink (orange or pink).  I wanted the text to be visible but not 'in your face' visible.  The green heart is a little different as I stamped with a pencil image in green down one side of that one.  Still subtle but if you look closely you'll see it.  ;)  See how I've got the whole "writing" and "take notes" thing going on?  I finished this heart off with a little blingage just for fun.

I wrote out the quote on scraps of white cardstock outlined with smidges of greens using Copic markers.

Never one to finsh a project in a hurry (pro-cras-ti-na-tor, or as my dear husband would say, 'closure issues') I haven't decided yet how to finish off the sides.  I'm thinking I might rip more book pages and leave those plain (i.e. no color added).  What do you think?

Cheers!

This Delightfully Fabulous Imperfect Life

Today my niece turns 16. We don't get to see her nearly enough but when I think of her I instantly picture her bright smile, keen sense of humor and generosity of spirit. When pondering a birthday gift I hadn't a clue what to get for her.  I decided to create a little something for her to hang in her room.

I started with a 5 x 7 canvas base which I covered with Mowed Lawn Distress Paint (lovin' the new Distress Paints!).  I spritzed it with water to get some texture in the background and after it dried sprayed some Cut Grass Dylusions ink through a letter stencil.  The dots are Picket Fence Distress Paint and then the houses were stamped with Memento ink.  The leafy border is hand-drawn with the leaves colored in with Vibrant Turquoise Dylusions ink.



My little lady is made from old book pages sprayed with Dylusions inks, hot pink wire and doll hair.  The stamped bottom border was colored with yet more Dylusions inks. 

Here's another view of my girlie.  As luck would have it the challenge over at the Stampotique Designers blog this week is to use text in a project.  Bonus!

Happy Birthday, Mara!



Let's go fly a kite...

I woke up way too early this morning and, thinking it would make sleepy (ha!) started wandering around the internet.  I ran across the CASual Friday challenge (things you'd see in the sky) and the Inspiration Journal challenge (kites).  Match made in heaven, that's what I'm thinkin'!

In the corner of my desk is sitting several little 4"x 4" art canvases so I made this:

I inked up the background with Distress Stain and die-cut some clouds from white paper scraps. 

I freehand cut the kite pieces from some paint chips and matted them on black so they'd stand out. The tail is bakers twine that I attempted to stiffen with Diamond Glaze. It worked okay but I bet there's something out there that's better.  The kite is popped up off the canvas.

The sun's face is popped up too.  The rays are cut out of a book page with Japanese text and then I schmoojed yellow Stickles all over it.

I really like this quote: "True courage is like a kite, a contrary wind raises it higher." by Jean Petit-Senn.

Not sure if this counts as CAS but it was fun to do.  :)  The canvas is adhesive-backed so I think I may frame it and put it in my daughter's room.  She just came in and exclaimed, "Oh, Mom!  That's my favorite!".  :D

Thanks for stopping by today.  Happy Trails!