The Paris Salon

Revolutionary lettering....

2012-01-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

I have a very nice sketchbook that is about 5" x 5" so I worked in there a bit. Put some paint down, sprayed a little Glimmermist, then did some lettering with green India Ink and a DIP pen!! A little stenciling too.
Just playin'.

First Life Book Page

2012-01-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

Here's my first page for Tam's class. This is the first time I have drawn and colored a face. Definitely room for improvement but I'm pleased with this as a first outing. The words on the page are some of our positive qualities.

I am feeling quite ENGAGED these days.

Life Book 2012 Underway!!

2012-01-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

I found out about this class via my friend Tracy Verdugo on Facebook. After reading the class description for a whopping 30 seconds (!!!) and seeing Tamara's article in the current issue of Somerset Studio, i signed on post haste.
Here is a sketch from the first video I watched today. I have NEVER drawn a face before and have had major anxiety around this!! Tam is so encouraging and loving in her instruction, and breaks the process down into manageable steps. Will get this page done in the next few days <3

The theme is celebrating our goddess powers. I used a drawing of Athena, which i found online, as a basis for this sketch, since I feel most aligned with her.

The Eve of....

2011-12-31T11:24:00.000-08:00

2012!!
My word for the year is ENGAGE.

BTW have you checked out the current edition of 'The Pulse' here and all the wonderful info there?? Some fabulous artist profiles there!!

So Happy New Year to all and let's be fully....engaged.

WOW

2011-12-30T07:12:00.000-08:00

No posts for over a year. That's just SAD.

Well that's a changin' right now. Work keeps me busy, but I MUST have art in my life. Part of my self-care.

Happy to say I am currently enrolled in 4 - yes FOUR - online classes. Expect sharing, updates, epiphanies, and enthusiasm. Come to think of it, there's a good word for 2012:
ENTHUSIASM

Why not?

Love all of you!!

2-fer Tuesday goes PINK

2010-10-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life just feels a little crazy. At least to me it does. I have to say that this past summer, with the death of one of my brothers, I experienced a major personal 'reset'. The shift in perspective for me is strong and still evolving. My priorities are different. I am more patient with myself and my students at school. I am more calm. I choose my battles ever more carefully these days. Some things just don't need to be mentioned or made a big deal of. It's easier and more natural for me to demonstrate affection and kindness. I am more free to give with less fear and thought about running out.

Since it's October, and Women's Health/Breast Cancer Awareness month, I have decided to have a focus on PINK this month. In terms of my art, that is!! I have always known that October was a time for particular awareness about these health issues, but really never gave it much serious thought. My perspective on this has shifted recently, too. I have two people I know whose lives have been directly impacted by breast cancer. One of these people is a very dear friend, and her younger sister is ill.

Survivor's Heart ~ ATC doodled on PINK cardstock

If you are reading this I invite you to join me. Make PINK art this month and please post your work here with a link to your blog, Flickr, etc. so we can all see what you have created!! In the meantime I'm adding some links here to a few other places dedicated to this cause....
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Website

National Breast Cancer Foundation Center Inc

Boobie-Thon for Bloggers

By next Tuesday I will have some resources for you to share or donate your PINK art pieces to patients currently undergoing treatment. So let's make some pink art that celebrates, encourages, and ****uplifts**** ;) wink wink

Coming up for air...

2010-10-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

... after a very busy 2 weeks!! Hectic at school, and I was ill last weekend. Happily I had time to play this weekend and made a few ATC's. Hope you like them!! Oh yeah, 2-fer Tuesday is NOT gone, just slipped away the past couple weeks. Tune in Tuesday folks, I hope you will!!

Meet & Greet w/Mona
Mona image from collage sheet from Ten Two Studios, background is from a recent Paper Source catalog ;)

Halloween Sparkle

Mona's Lament
Mona image from collage sheet from Ten Two Studios, background paper received as a RAK in an ATC exchange, black bug is a freebie from JackandCatCurio - printed on vellum

Le memoir du Paris
Background is torn and painted corrugated cardboard, Tim Holtz stamp, Prima flower

Halloween Brew

Halloween Mix

2010-09-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

Here are a few ATC's and a skinny I've made. Some are light while others are kind of dark and pensive, actually. I seem to back and forth between those 2 poles fairly regularly these days!

You Put a Spell On Me

Mixed Media skinny

jack-o-lantern in window from Dover

Vintage beauty from digitalcollagesheets.com

This is SO much better in person, the scan doesn't do justice to the sparkle and color here!!

Haunted

Mixed Media ATC

this girl is a freebie I got from ??? {can't remember}

the flower bouquet she's got is an old old stamp I have

the text is from abook I have of short stories by Guy de Maupassant ~ this story is called

"Letter on a Corpse" ~ I took a little artistic liberty with the order of the words!

Mysterious Fear

Text from same story as above; I also changed the order of the words slightly here ;)

The woman is another freebie, same group as the one in the card above.

Halloween Spirit

The skull and sentiment stamps both came out of the $1 bin at Michael's. The orane oval was cut from some packaging on a Martha Stewart product ;)

Wishing all of you endless treats and few tricks!!

New Bird Species Found!!

2010-09-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

Right here in Moorpark,CA... straight out of my head and inspired the California Quails who visit with us daily, morning and evening!!

New Bird

Blick Studio Markers and Micron Pen on Bristol Board

How about you--spotted any new wild life lately?

The 2-fer that ALMOST got away!!!

2010-09-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

Ok I started 2-fer Tuesday a couple of weeks ago in order to improve my relationship with the number 2... and yesterday completely got away from me!! This day job keeps me pretty busy most of the time.

I guess my "theme" (????) for this week is doing more with less. Last week I was in my classroom for a couple of days, without students, preparing and organizing for the arrival of the students this week. All teachers have bulletin boards in their classrooms. This is a universal precept of all classrooms and requires specialized training as part of our teacher preparation courses. I like the bulletin board: great for sharing important info with the students, displaying their work, making the room look nice... but I am not big on the 'traditional' border trims for these boards. Have you seen these in the Teacher section at Staples or Office Depot? A long series of A-B-C's that appear to be written in chalk? How about those fun little green frogs over and over and over ......... So I'm trying to think of another way to 'finish' the edges around the blue construction paper I covered the board with. Of course I don't want to spend any $ on this because I have all ready spent some on other things for my room. Then it hits me: I have got a vast collection of patterned papers because I am addicted to beautiful paper and have been for my entire life. Since childhood. Not kidding or exaggerating here. I gathered a selection of patterns and colors and got out my wonderful Carl paper cutter, with the deckle edge blade :)

Cut and trim, cut and trim, cut and trim...all pieces 12 inches x 3 inches, with a deckle edge to face the interior area of the board.

NICE!! Got out my glitters and added dots of sparkle somewhat randomly along the deckle edges.

This photo is not very good as the glitter accents look more like little mouse poops here :( ---but they look great in real life!!

Off to the classroom they go

and around the board!!

Unfortunately I only have this one bulletin board in my room. This border beats those repetitive frogs 8 days a week :)

These pieces are visiting there as well, so students get a peek at my work and some techniques I'll be exploring with them. Like ZENTANGLING and subtractive painting techniques inspired by Jesse Reno and some of the work by Suzan Buckner and Michelle Allen. Pop over to visit these super talented and inspiring painters, if you have not seen their work!

The super talented Jesse Reno has wonderful posts and a video of a live mural paint in Mexico city on his blog. Sit back and relax, this is wort your time!!

The teacher and the student

2010-09-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I see my students. Love that. They help me everyday, often in ways I see more clearly when they are NOT around... I don't understand this but I accept it.

last year's panorama photo

The other excitement today is the this teacher becomes the student with none other than *drumroll * Chris Cozen!!!

I'm sure many of you are familiar with how talented and fabulous she is!! She is teaching the following class in my area:

Driven to Abstraction: Deriving the Abstract from the Actual

2 Day Workshpop
Instructor: Chris Cozen
Dates: November 13 & 14, Saturday & Sunday
Time: 10 am -4 p.m.

I am beyond excited for this opportunity and am sure I will be filled up and super-inspired!!

WOOT WOOT

Now I have to wait...for November... but I'm sure I'll have plenty to do between now and then ;)

Let the Dia de los Muertos fun begin!!!

2010-09-11T19:55:00.000-07:00

I made quite a few ATC's today, all inspired by Dia de los Muertos.

La Muerte Verde

text, Twinkling H2O paints, fiber paper,stamp, sequins, ink

La Bella Calavera

Background done using part of an embossed invitation colored with Pan Pastels

Pensando de mi Madre

Pan Pastel background on embossed invitation cardstock

Para mi Hermano

thinking of my brother Jay who recently passed away ~ this card will be incorporated into an ofrenda to display in my classroom. We run a total theme of Dia de los Muertos in my Art classes.

Baile de los Calaveras

I love the 'cracks' in the corners - thanks to a Martha Stewart punch

Another Pan Pastel background :)

Muchas gracias para visitar a la Salon de Paris!!

The Plate Fills Up..........

2010-09-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

.........and I'm off to a new school year!! The past 2 days were spent prepping and making policy decisions, dividing up duties, etc. Students arrive on Monday the 13th. In case I didn't tell you before, my 'day' job is teaching science and all visual art classes at an 'options' high school. I love it and I love {most of} my students {most of} the time. So cool ~ to be able to combine 2 areas for which I have great passion ~ and then to share this passion with young folks and see their perspectives on things as well.

Here are two more ATC's recently completed. I'm really enjoying these and have been trading again. which is such fun and a great way to meet people ;)

To the Jewish friends out there, L'Shana Tova...........

Takin' It Easy

song title by Woody Guthrie

Silent Sunlight

song title by Cat Stevens

p.s. this is part of the canvas from this post

2-fer Tuesday, Number 2

2010-09-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hi there! Welcome to the 2nd edition of 2-fer Tuesday, where I am engaged in improving my relatonship with the number *drumroll* 2!!!!

Recently I have been delving into doodling, drawing, and zentangling. If you had asked me a year ago, "Will you ever doodle or draw, or do you plan to stick with collage and rubber stamping for your images?", the answer would have been, of course, strictly collage and stamps, thank you very much! But I have become emboldened to draw and sketch, and then to show the results.... I don't know what has gotten into me but I am definitely enjoying this freedom from my most stringent critic, moi. I have purchased 2 books for help and inspiration in my zentangling and I love both of them!!

If you enjoy tangling all ready, or just need a fresh view of things, I recommend both these books to you!! There are loads of patterns here to try, and even combine together ;) So many possibilities, need more pens ~ I've all ready drained one Micron pen, and my second one is fading now too.

Shaky Town

Done with my (fading) Micron pen and Blick Studio markers

I hope you like it and see the fun I had creating this doodle. Will it win an award? I don't know. Will it be 'popular' with visitors here? I don't know. And, while I hope you enjoy it, my greater pleasure here is sharing it with you.

Be bold and follow your art heart <3. I feel so much better since I have crossed over into this zone!

Until the next 2-fer, stay well and MAKE ART!

ATC's without labor!

2010-09-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

Made some ATC's yesterday. No labor here, just love ;)

Isn't She Lovely?

Ramblin' Rose

Statement of Fact
{these men with checkered pasts are stamped and embossed onto semi-metallic paper that is a deep eggplant color - difficult to capture all that in the scan}

Back to work tomorrow!!

Oh yes, tomorrow is 2-fer Tuesday.....

Revealing Journal pages

2010-09-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

This 2 page spread in my new Handmade journal book is so reflective of where I am now... artistically, spiritually, emotionally. The whole package. Plus I really like the way the colors turned out.

Slooowly I learn.... to be fearless.

2-fer Tuesday!!

2010-08-31T11:10:00.000-07:00

I hope any of you that are reading this semi-regularly, or at all for that matter (!!) realize that I HAVE ISSUES.... A major issue is my obsession with the number 3... give me things in threes, the number itself looks so darn cute, three in a row, you see where I'm going right?? So in order to improve my relationship with the number 2, I hereby declare 2-fer Tuesdays . You'll have to come along with me each Tuesday to see what the 2-fer is. I can assure you it won't be the same from week to week!

Today I have, for you,

Product Review and Tutorial (all photos can be enlarged with a *click*)

Have you seen Claudine Hellmuth's Sticky Canvas? I have been wanting to try this out as I love the look and feel of paint and collage on canvas but would like to incorporate elements using canvas into some of my other mixed media pieces.

Recently I gathered up these supplies...

and began mixing and applying paint, mostly in linear or rectangular forms. When my intent is to paint and layer for use as elements or backgrounds, I often begin the paint layers this way.

The canvas is unprimed and I used it this way. Next time I play with this I'll definitely apply some gesso to see the difference.

So I began painting and mixing, painting and mixing....

and here is where my first layer ended up. The canvas took the paint beautifully. I didn't have it taped down while I was painting so it curled A LOT. When you painy on this with acrylic TAPE IT DOWN. The curling didn't stop me but it does become bothersome. I taped it down here after the paint was on and it flattened out beautifully.

Next layer now: I {rarely} work in single layer of anything. I don't really know how to do that but I'm learning with my doodles, sketches, and zentangles. But one layer of paint only?? Fuhgeddaboutit.

The next layer involves stencils and pigment ink pads:

Here are my initial stencil selections. Maybe I'll use all of them, maybe I won't. I have to see waht develops during the process. I like to use pigment inkpads for stencilling as I can control the color application very well with these. I used stencil brushes to apply the colors and designs here:

So here's the {finished for now} canvas. It is easy to work with and lays flat (!!).

I can see these colors and designs becoming parts of art journal pages, flowers, or possibly ATC backgrounds. Haven't decided yet so have just cut them into 3 pieces for now. This canvas cuts well and the paper backing is not wanting to peel away.

I recomment this product very highly, the quality and performance are superb.

Hope this 2-fer was good for you, I enjoyed it. Hope to see you again next Tuesday for another 2-fer :)

ATC's that are Winging It...........

2010-08-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

Carry Me Above the World
Healing ATC#5

Your Song
Made for a private trade :)
Beautiful girl from collagestuff.com

I notice that lately I am using many song lyrics and/or titles in my artwork. Has this happened to you??

Unfolded

2010-08-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

Micron pen on 4 x 4 Bristol Board

Art Saves

2010-08-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

It truly does. My sad quota has been exhausted for this summer.

Here's an ATC I just finished.......

The Power of Love
thank goodness for it!

And a sketch/zentangle I finished the other day, still playing with my new markers!! I really like them :)

Sleepy Owl
4 x 5 on Bristol board

Have an awesome day guided by love!!

The Best Dog EVER.........

2010-08-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

..... has left the planet :'(. SUCH a good girl ~ Samantha was with us from 6 weeks old to this morning.

What a month. I'll be glad when it's over and school opens.

Go hug everyone you know. Do it TODAY.

Samantha ~ Girlfriend ~ Pup ~ Baby ~ Shamalamadingdong
Run free!

Product Review

2010-08-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

For a LOOOOOOOOONG time I have wondered about Copic Markers: what are they? Why do so many people use them? What can they do? How permanent are they? Why do they cost so much??!!

I have never actually used one. The cost is prohibitive to me. I'd rather spend my art supply $ on other things that I KNOW are worth the difference, yet still financially manageable. Now that I am venturing into doodling and sketching more, however, I have been wanting to try some sort of colored illustration markers. I was cruising the Dick Blick website recently and spen a lot of time looking at the Blick Studio Markers. I read all the reviews and compared them to the Copics and Prismas. These Blick markers are the least costly option so I went ahead and ordered the set of 12.

LOVE the colors!! Each marker has a broad chisel tip and a fine point tip. So I used them first on some vellum paper ~ often a challenge to color, in my experience.

The photo above was taken on a glass table top in ambient light. I'm pleased with the color and coverage, still working on getting used to the broad tip :)

This sketch was done on Bristol board, 100 lb smooth finish. Really easy to work on and the inks flowed well.

Here is the vellum layered over the sketch. I like the color on the vellum, and the translucency of it, a LOT. Nary a wrinkle anywhere ~ NICE!!

I think these are a good choice, certainly for the price! When looking at the product reviews a common thread seemed to be that some of the pens were dry, even when new. When I received mine I immediately checked them all and they were fine. Blick is such a great company to work with, I'm sure they'd rectify any problem. So I heartily endorse these, for whatever that may be worth!!

Now, onward to some drawing and doodling.........

New Journal!!

2010-08-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

Look! Look! My very FIRST handbound journal book with SIGNATURES!! I finished this last week actually but have been busy with some other things....LIFE in general I'd say. The cover will be altered and added to as the pages are filled though.

YUMMY blank pages made of Fabriano 140 lb watercolor paper ~ DELISH

4 signatures!!

Yesterday was my first opportunity to play in this book, and I sure have missed journalling over the past few weeks. I had some scrapbook paper laying around that I had covered with gesso, so I began CHANGING that ~

with some stamping and embossing

then adding color with these oil pastels, schmearing with my fingers, and finishing with a baby wipe.

Mixed media art is so attractive to me vecause I can begin with the paper above and end up with THIS.

And a fish is born!! With beautiful pink lips, definitely influenced by PJ's Beautiful Folk Art. Background is painted, stamped, collaged, chalked, and detail bubbles added with paint and gel pens. Oh yes, and some stickles sparkle too ;)

I LOVE the film 'Finding Nemo' and use the advice from Dory all the time.... no matter what, JUST KEEP SWIMMING !!

New characters with faces!

2010-08-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

I'm having so much fun creating new 'friends' with my hand-drawn faces and then constructing the rest from papers, paints, stamps, etc ~ all the creative tools I love to use ;)

Flutterby Friend
watercolor background, stamping, collage, stencil, ink

Spirit Friend
napkin piece, printed vellum, textured/painted dictionary page, ink, paint pen, watercolor background

A new face!!

2010-08-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of ATC's finished today.

Dear Friend

For this card I COULD NOT find a face I liked for her {believe me I am not short of face images and stamps!!}. So I made one!! For so long I have been PETRIFIED of drawing or coloring or creating a face. So........leap of faith time..........on a small circle of vintage paper, with Micron pens and some leftover dye from the stencilling on the background. YAY me!!

Renew
Healing Card #3

Another Heaking Card. The first 2 healing cards have been traded all ready ;)

Not just working on ATC's BTW, am finishing assembling my first handmade journal book with signatures :) Will reveal more on the 'morrow.

<3

More ATC's finished today!!

2010-08-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

Given

Healing Heart

Yesterday I made several backgrounds. The text on 'Healing Heart' is from a book published in 1914 called The Flower Finder, written by George Walto, M.D. Apparently there is a flower named the Floating Heart.

It both amazes and reassures me that there are so many things about people that seem to never change ~ such as wanting to feel heard.

Peace to you for the week ahead.

'Shine'

2010-08-08T08:12:00.001-07:00

'Shine'
Originally uploaded by Gaye ~ Paris Salon

Yesterday I played around with colors and making several different ATC backgrounds.
Here's one I finished this morning. This is Healing ATC #1. I sense a set of healing ATC's coming up. I plan to offer them for trade so the healing aspect can travel along. That seems like a good thing to me.

Sooner rather than Later.........

2010-08-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

Collage image from Suzan Buckner

As I mentioned yesterday, things can change in the blink of an eye. My brother's condition has deteriorated rapidly so I'm leaving in a few hours to go be with him and my other brother as well. I'll be offline for a bit but look forward to seeing all of you again soon.

Ending July on a PLAYful Note

2010-08-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

Here's my journal page from July 31. Ending on a PLAYful and somewhat melancholy note here. One of my older brothers is dying. Six weeks ago he was working. Now he's in the hospital waiting to be discharged to home hospice care. Things can change in the blink of an eye. I'll be travelling to see him in about 10 days (or sooner if the situation requires).

So this page is soulful for me, as this situation with my bro brings up old stuff as well as the consciousness of sharing things before he is gone.

detail of tag

tag opened up with photo of yours truly in ~ 1959, that's right!

Happy August to all ;)

Meet Mr. Fantasy!!

2010-07-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

Got your attention, eh? Hehehehehe.

Really, though, the owl in this painting IS Mr. Fantasy (a la song recorded by Traffic).

This week's challenge at Sunday Postcard Art is OWLS. I do enjoy working on this postcard size, and had some canvases laying around that are the right size. I also love OWLS. Combine this with recent inspiration from Suzan Buckner , Michelle Allen , and watching this video from Jesse Reno , and Mr. Fantasy EMERGED from

here

based upon this calendar owl and becoming the unique

Mr. Fantasy

It was a lot of fun creating him and this is a VERY fun way to paint!!

enJOY!

Summer Glory in the Garden

2010-07-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my summer.

Lemons to refresh you.

Turn your head and look to the east.

Walk on a carpet of purple blooms....

that fall from this magical tree.

They soften hard edges.

The path from west to east draws you into the rosebed.

Beauty requires slowing down and savoring.

Abundance.

Ravishing.

The gazebo is the place for....

morning coffee, evening quiet, book reading, visiting with birds, bunnies, and, of course,

my summer buddy Samantha { 14 summers together now }.

The flowers are always glad

and waiting for company.

ATC Fun

2010-07-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

'Serenity'

'Step Away'

My FIRST ATC's of 2010!!

Journal Page with a new twist.........

2010-07-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a page I did the other day, with a lead ~ inspiration-wise ~ Patti Digh's July 21 post at 37 Days Website. The new twist for me is that I WROTE AN ENTRY on this page!!!!! Then I mostly covered it up. I definitely FELT better after I wrote this. AMAZING. All of this is connected with a difficult family situation currently underway. The poem on the top ~ printed on vellum ~ is the same one Patti posted on her site. It leapt off the screen at me. I've been looking at it EVERYDAY since I first saw it on Thursday.

Workin' on some BIG LOVE here...........

Things that made me happy yesterday!!

2010-07-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

New flip-flops!! CLEARANCE price = 97 cents. NICE.

New uber-sharp scissors for the Salon!! WOW what a difference these are making all ready........

So what has made YOU happy lately? Ya gotta make time to note these things, life is far too short not to :)

Kissed by the Sun

2010-07-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's Journal page, with lots of inspiration from my garden!! The page got a little busy for me, but I really enjoyed creating some of these flowers and then placing them around in the garden :)

Still tangled up!

2010-07-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

A couple of tangles here for ya!
Dealing with some difficult family issues presently, am slightly distracted here. I'll try and refocus in the next few days, it's good for me to remain grounded in my art.
Peace :)

I've been told...

2010-07-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

... that God doesn't give us more than we can bear. I believe that.

The JOY Gang: Original Gangsta Hope

2010-07-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have decided to create my own gang, The JOY Gang. Why?? So many of the gangs around that get the publicity are focused upon and practicing such poor behaviors, choices, and lifestyles for not only their members but their families as well. My gang is focused upon JOY, of course, as well as other positive aspects of this life we live - and the choices we make to get there.

Today I'd like you to meet Original Gangsta HOPE. HOPE is a key member of this gang because, really, without HOPE there isn't much else left regarding JOY!! HOPE just popped into my head yesterday and finished revealing herself a short time ago. She has beautiful colors and is clearly busy, based upon her steps in a forward direction :) She's having a good time too, and not trying to take anything TOO seriously. HOPE sometimes sneaks up on us when we might not expect her, but the bells on her shoes do send a signal that she's on the way. BTW those bells are magical as they play all BEATLES music ;)

HOPE is pleased to meet you and so glad you stopped in today!! Have a JOYous day!

Journal Page from today

2010-07-07T18:18:00.000-07:00

A page I finished today.

Butterflies seemed a good way to speak of emerging. This is how I feel these days ~ as though I am emerging and breaking free. It's wonderful!

ADD in Serious Overdrive!!

2010-07-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

I can't post without a picture, so here's a page from a couple of weeks ago....

ANYWAY I am working and thinking about so many projects these days!! Thus far my summer vacation has been very productive, all in a good way. I can't remember the last time I felt this way....

The current list includes:

several art projects underway - some will be revealed at a later time ;)
lots of gardening!!
socializing with friends
organizing new projects and courses for the new school year
teaching myself Photoshop Elements (any pointers would be GREATLY appreciated)
finishing work for several online art classes - and thinking about starting ANOTHER one
preparing to return to school in the fall to complete my Master's degree.....

I'm enjoying myself immensely though...

What's on your current 'to-do' list??

Zentangling

2010-07-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

I've been trying my hand at zentangles and am getting into it. It's very relaxing and great for me in front of the TV ~ that way I can be with DH AND doing art at the same time ;0)
I don't know if these are true zentangles since I aften feel compelled to add an additional color besides the black.... I just love color!!
Hope all of you are having a wonderful Monday.......

Journal page

2010-07-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

I'm really focusing on the words 'BE HERE NOW'.

Anyone else out there have difficulty focusing on that??

This page used some images pulled from my scrap stash, a printed transparency that I cut down and it became a PERFECT FIT in every way :) ~ love that ~ chipboard button covered in paint and a little sparkle ** and the 'C' circle from a set by Graphic 45.

Now I'm off to BE HERE NOW so I can CHERISH THE MEMORIES that result from it. I wish the same for you!

Mixed Media Piece

2010-07-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a piece I made for a student of mine. He showed so much growth and positive change through the year, I couldn't help myself. He also painted 2 incredible murals for us at school!

The cardboard idea was fueled largely by watching Sharon's video over at All Norah's Art . Go visit with her, you'll be truly amazed and inspired by her lovely blog posts. Check out her morning video section too!

Been so long...........

2010-06-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

......... since I dropped in on my sorely neglected Salon here ;) and had time to visit with all of you too! My bad.
Short list of last 4 months:

have satellite radio in my car and am LOVING it!!
very busy school year which closed last week
lots of students successfully completing science classes with me * VBG *
preliminary organizing for next year (hopefully I'll be at the same school)
feeling better mentally than I have in oh so long
artful creating and experimenting has been ongoing but is really in full swing now - thanks to all sources of inspiration
having fun with my friends
working very hard at school but reaping the rewards as well :)

I am catching up here with all of my bloggy friends and making some new friends along the way too.Here's a recent journal page for ya!

xoxoxoxoxo

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2010-02-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

Here's a big green heart.....

and a greeting....

froma heart overflowing with

beauty and

the promise of a day well lived.

xoxoxoxoxo

Using some leftovers!

2010-01-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

This week at the Mixed Media Monday challenge we've been asked to use our leftovers ~ got plenty of 'em, as I'm sure we all do! OK, maybe I'm really obsessive about these; I recently showed my husband my envie with the label of 'Tiny Paper'. It's moments like these that you KNOW you are truly loved *sigh*.

My 6" x 12" canvas board began with paint... several coats of it! The skyline piece is built from cutting strips of paper scraps and gluing them down on cardstock. I traced the skyline outline (modified from some of my clip art) on the back of the cardstock and cut it out. Some Titan Buff paint was smeared around on the skyline to unify the scraps a bit. I stamped and embossed various star and swirl stamps directly on the canvas ~ I've never done this before but it was easy and the effect is great! I also used a Tim Holtz mask in the upper right corner and applied embossing around it as well.

The angel image is courtesy of the lovely Karen, The Graphics Fairy ~ this is the only NON-leftover on this canvas. The phrase ~ and inspiration ~ are courtesy of Sir Paul and a tune by this name on his new CD, 'Good Evening NYC' (a wonderful gift from said wonderful husband above ;). The song and the words are so uplifting and positive. Oh yes, the gorgeous tinsel style glitter is by Martha Stewart and available at Michael's in many splendid colors.

Metamorphosis Journal Cover

2010-01-04T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the front cover for my journal, currently in process and unbound at the moment. This is a large journal, about 9.5" x 13". The central flowers are from a calendar and I painted over the parts I did not want to emphasize (many thanks to Lisa Bebi and her fabulous 'paint-over' technique ~ enjoy a visit with her at Lisa Bebi's blog). I really love this paint-over technique and have found it to be so freeing.

Here's some detail... I used my Caran d'Ache crayons to add some color and definition.

The 'Peace to all who enter' image came from a catalog... I glued it to a piece of Tim Holtz' harlequin grungeboard that had been inked and sanded. I love the elevation this has on the cover!

The letters are stickers from Rusty Pickle, they were just the right size, color, and feel for this.

This is the inside of the front cover, all collaged and inked. Used some art paper from a Somerset publication, scraps, and some images from K and Co paper! Love smooshing the color around with baby wipes :)

I really like how this came together....

and this too!!

Following (and TRUSTING) my instincts a lot more these days, it's great!

Hope you are living with intent....

Happy 2010!!

2010-01-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

Here's hoping all of you had wonderful holidays and the opening of the new year brings promise, hope, and the enthusiasm for new beginnings.

My word for 2009 was 'FULL'. The year definitely lived up to the word! So now I need a word for 2010, a year which I am very excited about for reasons yet unknown to me. After several days now the word is clear to me ~ 'INTENT'. Definition courtesy of Dictionary.com:

in⋅tent /ɪnˈtɛnt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [in-tent]
–adjective
1. firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed, as the eyes or mind: an intent gaze.

2. having the attention sharply focused or fixed on something: intent on one's job.

3. determined or resolved; having the mind or will fixed on some goal: intent on revenge.

4. earnest; intense: an intent person.

Holiday Magic

2009-12-23T15:24:00.000-08:00

Needing some simple but catchy gift card holders, for teen age boys!!

So I looked for ideas and templates at Mel Stampz blog and found this tag box template :)

BTW if you have never visited this blog you need to see all her stuff there......... so tremendously talented and generous in her sharing!!

All the above transformed to

and

Done in one hour - love that :)

Merry Merry!

A Winter's Morn.....

2009-12-23T09:17:00.000-08:00

in a deep and dark December.....

Ah, the holidays

and the view

in my kitchen window

looking into the back yard....

as some flowers flourish

while others are fading.....

Thanks for visiting with me............

Metamorphosis Journal

2009-12-22T09:24:00.000-08:00

met⋅a⋅mor⋅pho⋅sis /ˌmɛtəˈmɔrfəsɪs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [met-uh-mawr-fuh-sis]
–noun, plural -ses /-ˌsiz/
1. Biology. a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly. Compare complete metamorphosis.

2. a complete change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation by magic or witchcraft.

3. any complete change in appearance, character, circumstances, etc.

4. a form resulting from any such change.

5. Pathology. a. a type of alteration or degeneration in which tissues are changed: fatty metamorphosis of the liver.

b. the resultant form.
6. Botany. the structural or functional modification of a plant organ or structure during its development

The above definition is courtesy of http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metamorphosis. My idea for this journal sprouted shortly after beginning my new teaching assignment this year. So much to do! So many new things to learn! So many ideas to develop and implement! So many students with so many needs... sometimes so much hurt.... sometimes so much apathy.... sometimes so much laziness.....

This journal serves as a way for me to have a visual record of my changes and growth through this year, both personally and professionally.

The above page from November reflects the finish of a particularly awesome week in my classroom. The students enjoy my ar class (YAY) and my chairs are always full for that time. It's wonderful and there is such a wealth of talent among them.

Christmas Journal page

2009-12-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

I have a journal project underway with the theme of 'Metamorphosis'. The objective is to create a visual record of this school year for me, as it has brought many dimensions of change and growth for me.

So here's a page inspired by the season :)

Blessings and love to all,

Gaye

Sunday Postcard Art ~ Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-21T16:40:00.000-08:00

VACATION!! At last.............

Here's a postcard for this week's SPA (can't get my linky to work now :(), with a theme of Christmas. All collage here on this card, using some old Susan Branch paper, painted red corrugated paper, an image from Cavallini (YUM!) and a sweet 'Christmas wish' pup from my Blue Book of Dogs.

I've got a couple of other cards in mind, will get back to you later, heheheheheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Dia de los Muertos Cards

2009-10-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

ooooh this is such fun!!

These cards are for a swap on Facebook, with a Halloween theme. such fun to make and color!! The skull is a stamp I got from http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/, stamped with StazOn on white glitter cardstock...so it looks nice and sugary :) Colored in with fine point permanent markers, added some black glitter tree branches below (Martha Stewart) and handstamped, cut paper flowers for atmosphere below the skulls, glued down some orange netting from recent purchases of delicious oranges, and used some text from a book I have, 'Spanish for Beginners' (published in 1958!!).

Stay tuned for more Muertos things.....

Back to School with the Street Team!

2009-09-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

Michelle Ward's Street Team Crusade for September is "Back to School". As a classroom teacher and lifelong learner, I had to step up.

I have not had my own classroom for 2 years but have a (new to me) full time teaching position ~ see the post just prior to this one. The school where I teach is a continuation high school. Students at this school have not been successful in the larger and more traditional school environment. The approach to education for these students at this school is definitely unique and different than any experience I've had before ~ and I've been teaching for 12 years. There are about 70 students total, and I am one of 5 teachers at the school. My primary subjects to teach are Integrated Science, Biology, and Chemistry. I am also teaching 2 electives, Art (YAY) and Yearbook.

Am I learning a lot? You bet! Not only about how the school works, and each of my academic areas, but especially about some of the students. With 70 students there are 70 stories, and AT LEAST 70 reasons why they are here at this school. These students are 'at risk' kids: some are in the court system all ready, some are affiliated with gangs, many have drug abuse issues, and the list continues.

So what are they teaching me?

Plenty.

The common thread I have seen, thus far, is a general lack of being engaged in the system. Many of these students might be considered 'outsiders' on a large high school campus, but at our small school there is a much greater sense of community.

The teachers all meet daily, after the students are gone for the day, and often the principal is there as well. We can all share observations, concerns, and successes. The collaboration is awesome and makes it very difficult for any of these students to be unnoticed or anonymous.

Although overwhelmed at times, I am confident I am in the right place.

My dream as a teacher ~ and as a person ~ is to do my best to make a positive difference in people's lives.

Waiting for this particular door to open, and stepping through, definitely gives me an opportunity to do so.

All of you in blogland inspire this with the constant joy and generosity you share daily.

The Girl's All Right!!!

2009-09-20T15:24:00.001-07:00

Just super-duper-uber-busy with my NEW teaching job!!!

After not having my OWN classroom for 2 years.... I have one now. YAYAYAYAYAYA!

I am teaching at a high school for struggling students, primarily science.

I have students enrolled in Biology, Chemistry, and Integrated Science. As you can see from the book stacks, LOTS of preparation required.

I am also teaching an Art elective (BIG YAY on that) and Yearbook.

After 2 years of trying to find the 'open door', this one definitely feels right.

One-A-Day #'s 15 & 16

2009-08-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

#16 Aug. 26, 2009
#15 Aug. 25, 2009

One-A-Day #14

2009-08-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

Aug. 24, 2009

Wisdom of Heart and Mind

2009-08-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

I read about this in a book I recently added to my library,
Image Transfer Workshop, and played with it when making this mixed media collage. The collage is a 4" x 4" stretched canvas and is for a swap in Trish Bee's Creating Chaos group. The quote must be incorporated into the piece and as I thought about it more and more and then saw this stamp, it hit me that men and women work together and complement one another in this way. There are many layers here, beginning with collaged text bits (mostly scraps and leftovers actually) wrapped around the canvas. The entire canvas was painted with 2 colors using the peeling paint technique. The man and woman are a stamp from Paper Bag Studios (I think!!), and the gold embossed half circle stamp (part of an old barometer I think) is from an unknown source. Both images are stamped on handmade paper. All the words for the quote are cut from various books around here, ranging in publication dates from 1868 to 1980.

The crackle medium was tinted a mossy green color and applied with a palette knife around the edges and onto the top a bit. I wanted the piece to have a sense of the images being 'buried' in those cracks.... I really like this medium it was very easy to work with and apply. It had to dry for 24 hours for all the cracking to develop. Then I painted over all 4 sides with a mix of gold and copper acrylics and dabbed off the paint with a paper towel as I went along. The resulting patina look is really nice, I like it a lot and will definitely be doing more of this. I hope my swap partner Maggi like this!!

This is also a good fit for
Mixed Media Monday this week as the theme there is 'Together' and these complementary wisdom's in the Dickens quote work together, as do men and women. I believe we are meant to be together, I sure love being married to my best friend. *(sigh)*

One-A-Day #13 (Lucky)

2009-08-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

Aug. 23, 2009

One-A-Day #12

2009-08-23T13:26:00.001-07:00

Aug. 22, 2009

One-A-Day #'s 10 & 11

2009-08-22T10:30:00.001-07:00

Aug. 20, 2009 One-A-Day #10

Aug. 21, 2009 One-A-Day #11

So far, so good in staying with my One-A-Days :)

Kind of like 'Art Vitamins'...........

One-A-Day #9

2009-08-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

Aug. 19, 2009

One-A-Day #8

2009-08-20T11:05:00.001-07:00

Aug. 18, 2009

Morning Inspiration

2009-08-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

If you like patterns and detailed work and inks and pens and charcoal you might like this.

BTW, T- 4:48 to my Etsy shop sale.

Paris Salon Redux Continues...

2009-08-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

and the good news for all of you is a

SUPPLY SALE

The Paris Salon on Etsy

Please come visit to see a

variety of mixed media, collage, and altered art supplies

which will be available for purchase

at extremely reasonalbe prices!!

SALE BEGINS TOMORROW, AUG. 20, AT 12 NOON PDT.

and be sure to tell a friend!!

The Color Purple

2009-08-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

'Dare to...'

A color that is typically NOT a part of my palette!! I participated in a swap with this theme and had fun stretching a bit artistically and creatively. Often I feel that my work with pastels is not too good, but I like this card ;)

Detail view

Stamps are from I Brake for Stamps, Invoke Arts, Inkadinkadoo, and the splatter spots are unknown source. I've had that purple mulberry paper FOREVER, and the big purple-dome iridescent buttons were a recent score at the sewing store ~ I LOVE them and had to incorporate them here for my purple theme!! There are touches of Frosted Lace Stickles on the skirt of her dress, and the cards are outlined in silver pigment ink embossed with 'Psychedelic' ep.

One-A-Day #7

2009-08-19T14:33:00.001-07:00

Aug. 17, 2009

One-A-Day #6

2009-08-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

Aug. 15, 2009

Woodstock at 40: definitely looking ageless and timeless.

One-A-Day #5

2009-08-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

Aug. 14, 2009

40 years ago!!

2009-08-15T19:00:00.001-07:00

The bands came to Woodstock to play...

the crowds came to Woodstock to rock...

everything was perfectly aligned.

So glad to be part of the so-called 'Woodstock Generation' :)

ROCK ON

Paris Salon Redux

2009-08-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

You know it's time to clean the studio
when getting to the worktable has become an X-treme sport.

The desk??

Floor?? What floor?? Who needs a floor??

$1,000,000 (just a refresher for numbers with only 6 zero's ;) to the first one to find my copy of 'Acrylic Revolution'.....

Yet I still feel compelled to accumulate MORE paper.... BETTER paper....

and, of course, one cannot have enough cardboard on hand, can one?

Did I mention we live in EARTHQUAKE country?

A small platoon of fluffy pink and yellow chicks...

Will keep you updated as to my progress here, along with any helpful organizing tips.

EXPECT A GIANT INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE BEGINNING AUG. 20 IN MY ETSY SHOP!!!!

Back later w/some more One-A-Days!

One-A-Day #4

2009-08-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

Aug. 13, 2009
Welcome to the Dark Side.....

Domestic Goddess Journal Page

2009-08-13T15:46:00.000-07:00

This week's elements for Collage Play with Crowabout Group are all fun retro images centered on cooking, food, cakes, etc!! I was outside myself with excitement!! I love cooking and I especially love eating!!!

I'm super pleased with my background work here, which began with collaged text on watercolor paper. Paint was added and some texturizing done with a plastic veggie bag remnant ~ which I could S-T-R-E-T-C-H for added play ;) I used one of my Tim Holtz masks (LOVE those goodies) to make the barbed wire stripes with one of my gorgeous Daler-Rowney iridescent acrylics. The diva herself is copied from a great Dover book with catalog images from Sears' catalogs of the fifties. I have used this particular woman before, I'm drawn to her for some reason....(probably because she's EATING). The chair she sits on was cut from a great sixties-style book published by DK (thanks to the bargain table for that!), which I modified with paint and Stickles Black Diamond glue. The black starry frames were made from paper I used a Martha Stewart border punch on. The borders are made from pieces I cut from Graphic 45 paper (Stunning papers, you must check these out if you haven's seen them) and additional elements from Nancy. There is green cherry lace decorative clear tape across the bottom (purchased at RetroNaNa.etsy.co). All outlining is done with a Crayola:)

Often, in all areas, simple is best.

One-A-Day #3

2009-08-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

Aug. 12, 2009
Simple. Pretty. Enjoy. BE.

One-A-Day #2

2009-08-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

Aug.11, 2009

I love the expression on this pumpkin face and had a lot of fun constructing this prankster!!

One-A-Day #1

2009-08-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

Aug. 10, 2009

Here's an ATC done for my personal 'One-A-Day' project. More will be revealed as time goes by :)

(Zetti) Dog Days

2009-07-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

"Around the Yard"
'In the Nest"

"On the Town"

Here are my Zetti cards for Marion B's swap!! Brought out my dog characters here :) The backgrounds are all results of monoprinting with acrylic paint colors I mixed - these pieces of paper were what remained of the paint after it was monoprinted onto another surface. The puppies are all from a calendar gifted to me. The NEST is from Lisa's Altered Art, and the found text pieces are from short stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Guy de Maupassant, respectively. The 'species' text combines 2 reference sources. All other pieces are doodles and circles I drew, paper scraps punched and cut into different shapes, and a jewel on the blue hat. Thank goodness, especially, for my Signo white pen!!! One of my favorite tools for sure.

There are many of us participating in this fun swap and you can see more of the cards ~ in addition to some beautiful posts of Marion's gorgeous art ~ by popping over to
Mariion B's bockel24 blog. Get your favorite refreshment and plan to stay for a bit :)

Pink and Orange

2009-07-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

I was making the background for this journal page when all that paint play took off (see previous post). Who knew??

This is for the Collage Play with Crowabout Group on Flickr. Nancy provided some very colorful an fun retro images this week, I had to journal it! Lots of fun to make this and thinkin' about my friends (that means YOU ;). I am always so grateful for these friendships. The 2 girlfriends sharing 2 wings was inspired by a glass statue I saw in Philadelphia!

Cheers friends!

paint....

2009-07-26T14:42:00.001-07:00

One thing
leads to

another...

and another

and another!!

Back soon with more.............

Yesterday

2009-07-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

Here's an ATC done for a swap with the theme of 'time'. The background paper has a light gesso wash on it. After that I put down some color with my Neo II's and softened and blended with an old baby wipe. I think there is a patch of monoprinted paint on here too.... Got out my Staz-On inks in Timber Brown and Blazing Red. The stamps are from Gel-a-Tins, A Time to Stamp, and Art Impressions. The cards are lightly embossed with gold foil ep from Bmuse and edged in Krylon copper leaf pen. The beautiful button is actually a brad from K and Co., just the right colors and finishing touch for here.

I love the wistful sense of this card, sometimes a feeling I get when thinking about 'Yesterday'.

Buttons, buttons, where are the buttons??

2009-07-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

This button fairy is for another swap in Trish Bee's 'Creating Chaos' group. I've wanted to make one of these for awhile and here was the perfect opportunity!! The image is from
kumareeboo.etsy.com and I added some 'sparkle' to her dress, a Prima paper rose hair accessory, and wings using a Fancy Pants flourish stamped and embossed on painted paper, then highlighted with yellow glitter glue.

The buttons and beads are all from my stash.

I really like the way she came together, and these fairies are such fun to make!! Have a couple others in progress now. Once I started making this one I got all sorts of ideas for more of them ~ one thing leads to another. Does that ever happen to any of you out there?

NOTE: Philly trip was fabulous, no art was accomplished but photos were taken! Will post as soon as I sort through and 'fix' them up a bit;)

To the city of brotherly love!!

2009-07-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

Off I go, to visit with my 2 daughters for the next week. Looking forward to seeing them, getting away, some refreshment and rejuvenation!!

Got some art supplies packed and I'm off till the 20th!

Take care and I'll 'see' you when I return to soCal.

xo,

Gaye

Back in the light!!

2009-07-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Definitely coming out of a slump of sorts.........

Here are some photos of some candle holders I recently made, planning to give these to some friends :). Also playing around here with my camera and Picasa effects. I downloaded the Gimp software this weekend (supposed to be similar to PS, I'll have to get back to you) and plan to play with that some this week.

Next Monday I'll arrive in Philly and be met by my youngest daughter.... can't wait!

Guided by a song....

2009-06-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Another swap I'm participating in for Trish Bee's Creating Chaos Yahoo group has the theme of 'Distress It'. I wasn't quite sure what sort of THING I'd make for this... and then I was listening to a favorite CD one day, and Shawn Colvin's cover of the song 'This Must be the Place' (originally written and recorded by Talking Heads) played. This song is loaded with meaning, memories, and emotion for me. Funny how connections like that are created and linked. I first heard the song in the mid-90's, just before my husband and I were married in 1996. The song is simple, beautiful, and all about HOME. I used to cry like a baby every time I heard this song because it struck such a core with me. I realized, as I listened, that I had found my HOME with my husband. I am so blessed and fortunate to be HOME with him, and we continue to grow together now. I think it was so emotionally loaded for me because I didn't think I'd ever feel like HOME earlier in my life, and I wanted so much to have a feeling of peace and love in my HOME. When he and I met, and fell in love, and struggled through some things, and our love became stronger, I knew I was HOME.

Reconnecting to that song and those feelings has resulted in this mixed media HOME piece. It measures about 6" x 6" and has paint, stamping, some Perfect Pearls for shimmer, mica, and a microscope slide. This also fits the current theme for Mixed Media Monday this week ~ art which tells a story.

"Home

Is where I want to be

But I guess I'm already there

I come home

You lifted up your wings

I guess this must be the place...."

~ from "This Must be the Place", written by David Byrne et al

3 Bad Birdies!!

2009-06-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

I found this stamp in the $1 bin awhile ago and fell in love with these jailbirds on it!! I cut them apart to make them work on this ATC for a swap in Trish Bee's group. The theme is to use something beyond paper in creating the ATC. The pink/black polka dot piece is fabric, which I enjoy working with.

So I thought about all these stripes and circles and just had FUN making these ;) Hope my swap-mates enjoy them too!

Under construction....

2009-06-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peek for you....

Final pictures tomorrow!!

Connections

2009-05-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

This is a 9" x 12" journal page I did for the Collage Play with Crowabout Flickr group. This page geeks very good to me ~ I haven't done any journalling for awhile and I sure do miss it!! Am I the only one who feels the need for days that are 30 -36 hours long, so I can do more {art, gardening, cleaning, working} ??

The photo under everything is from an awesome book that I picked up off the bargain table, called "Earth - A New Perspective", by Nicolas Cheetham (published by Quercus books, 2007). It's a collection of photographs of Earth's surface and they are colorful and abstract and textured and WONDERFUL!! Many of the photos are from sources like NASA, USGS, EROS, etc (the science geek part of me loves the technical info and the arty part of me loves the colors and shapes :). After I glued down the papers and began painting the page guided itself. I did try using the 'paint-over' technique that Lisa Bebi does - she recently posted about it on her blog. I really like the technique, I'll continue playing with this!!

I love these endless connections that we 'see' when we are open and mindful of them.

Sunday postcard Art Challenge ~ Numbers

2009-05-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

I have not played in a weekly challenge since... forever ago!! So when I saw the theme of "Numbers" for this week's SPA, I had to play. I LOVE numbers, especially the number 3. My card, "The Belle of Avenoo A", doesn't have too many numbers, and not even my favorite number is here!

The main image is one I snagged from New York Public Library Digital Image Collection. This is a vintage sheet music image and I love everything about this ~ especially that it was sung 'with immense success' by Miss Blanche Ring!! So I thought about Blanche's success when I made this and her ability to command a 25 cent ticket price, a fortune in her day. Blanche is hidden under the flap so I have a photo here to show you her as well.

I hope you like my postcard and hopefully you'll have 'immense success' just as Blanche did ;)

Zen-T

2009-05-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Here's an ATC for a swap in Trish Bee's group with a green theme. I used recycled cardboard for the base, gesso'd and colored with my Neo crayons. Added a few cut-up Tazo tea envelopes, edged in gold. The gold leaves are called 'Decorative Accents' ~ perfect description!! The stamp I used is from my Technique Tuesday Asian set ~ a Buddha figure, although hard to see due to the embossing. The Asian coin charm is from Sky Blue Pink ( a great place to find fun stuff at great prices :), attached with a Making Memories brad. The card is edged in gold and green, now ready to fly off to the UK.

Hope you are all having a nice long weekend doing things in a ZEN way.

Later I'll be making some cards for CardsforHeroes.org, seems like the right thing to do for those who do so much for us!!

Make It Your Own....

2009-05-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

That's the big idea from Michelle Ward for this month's Street Team Crusade. As soon as I read the post I knew I was in. I missed playing in this challenge last month. If you haven't tried one of these yet and you want to have fun, try something new, and meet some fantastic people, then you need to jump in :)

So this process began yesterday when I saw the puzzle page in the Sunday Magazine that arrives with the newspaper....

I need to let all of you know that, regarding my art, I LOVE circles, dots, etc; and I am obsessed with the number '3'. So when I saw this page, with its grids and STRAIGHT lines, it caught my attention ~ very unusual for me. I thought I better go with it and MAKE IT MY OWN.

I took out a few blank 4" x 4" canvas boards and began cutting, gluing, and combining other papers onto the boards. Here's what I ended up with ~ 3 boards, of course!!

I began working further on the crossword grid because it was the first to DRY :0) How many of you relate to this??!! Cut and glued down some additional paper doodads I liked. Mixed up some paint, nearly dry-brushed it on, then wiped with a baby wipe.... and did it again, with a different color I mixed.

By this time I had all ready decided I would do a gel transfer, and I had my image printed and ready on the transparency. Before I made the transfer I wanted to add some nice asters to the board, above the paint but below the transfer image (it's all about the layers). I found this great photo in a flower book I have, and wouldn't you know there was a MARIPOSA butterfly hiding amongst the blooms - the same image I had all ready planned for the transfer. I LOVE when things like this happen :)!!!!!

The transfer worked well. Now just a few more details to finish up... Earlier when I was painting I had some of each color leftover, which I try not to waste. I had some paper handy that I had punched some flowers from previously... the colors were good and the flower shape is a Cosmos, similar to my Aster flowers in shape = great stencil perhaps??

So to finish up a long post - the details were added with a crayon, glaze pens (black and silver), gold Signo pen, silver and sepia black pigment ink pads. I MADE IT MY OWN!! Thanks for a great challenge Michelle. Check it out at Michelle Ward's Crusade #31.

'In this Garden' Banner Swap

2009-05-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Angela Cartwright's Yahoo group has a banner swap with a theme of 'In this Garden', celebrating the publication of her most recent book collaboration with Sarah Fishburn. If you have not seen this book yet you must take a look. I had the opportunity to attend a book signing for In This Garden at a local shop last weekend and Angela signed my copy for me!! It was thrilling to meet her and see the original pieces featured in the book as well as lots of other cool art and mixed media supplies at Zinnia. Angela was so sweet and we took a picture together ~ a great Saturday evening for me!!

The banner swap is a 6/5 swap. I love the fact that I had to make 6, there are 6 letters in 'GARDEN', and the set would be dispersed among 6 individuals. I knew I would be making letter charms to add to each banner, but I wanted each banner to contain a word which reflected feelings and thoughts which the garden evokes for me. I constructed the flower characters from a wide array of my stamps, using beautiful Lagoon Blue pigment ink and Kaleidoscope ep. The paper for the words across the top of each banner was painted using watercolor pencils and then going over with clear glitter glue. I used a different set of alpha stamps for each banner (I had forgotten about some of these sets, hehehehehe). The text is original vintage from a book purchased at an estate sale, 'The Riverside Magazine for Young People'; this was published and bound in 1868. The story on the pages used is called "My Three Gardens"....perfect. I stamped some dots on there and crimped the paper too!! The flower petals around the faces were stamped and embossed in black, then cut and assembled along with text flowers. I really poured myself onto these banners as I LOVE the garden and find it always to be such a place of sanctuary and peace. The charms at the bottom of each piece were stamped and inked on shrink plastic, then wired with beads and twists and attached to the banner.

I love the flower characters here and will have them around in future pieces too ;), like a whole new set of friends. I know they are all going to fine homes and, although I will miss these pieces, the sharing is good.

Happy Sunday to all of you, you are all so dear to me!! (My hormones are kicking up BIGTIME I think!!!)

Time for a blog giveaway :)

2009-05-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

First of all HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the moms out there!! Being a mother has definitely changed me, I've thought about this quite a bit today. Those musings are for another post on another day.........

because it's time for a blog give away!! I haven't done this for a LONG time and it just feels right. Here's a photo of a work in progress (WIP). To be eligible for the giveaway you need to identify WHAT this piece is (ATC, canvas, inchie, etc). Leave a comment on THIS post no later than FRI MAY 15, 6 p.m. PDT. YOU MAY ENTER ONE TIME ONLY ~ NO MULTIPLE ENTRIES PLEASE!! There will be a total of 3 winners!! If more than 3 of you correctly identify what sort of piece this is, there will be a random drawing for the 3 winners. Be sure you include your email so I may contact you to send your winnings.

I will provide small clues to help you every day, beginning today. Check this post daily as I will add the new clues here, heheheheheeeeee.

AND THE WINNER GETS: a generous supply of supplies from the Salon :) I have lots of cool and beautiful papers, ribbons, doodads, handmade embossed papers, ephemera, stamped images, napkins, tissue... you get the idea. So let's have some fun with this!!

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Sunday's clue: This type of piece has NOT been seen on my blog before. However forms of it have appeared in magazines like Somerset Studios and Somerset Holidays and Celebrations.

Monday's clue: These pieces are thematically connected, but that's it.

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Sunday May 17: Well I certainly lost track of this........and my life is NOT that complicated!!

WE HAVE 3 WINNERS AS PROMISED, selected randomly as all of you are correct and my photo was (apparently) not tricky enough, hmmmmmmmmmmm.

The winners are Nanke's Stuff, Marion Bockel, and Digital Misfit. Please send me an email with your snail mail info so I can get your packages out by Friday of this week!!

CONGRATULATIONS and thanks so much for playing ;)

Gaye

The Aftermath of Unique LA Prep

2009-05-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

Some photos of the present state of the Salon, post Unique LA preparation.

I'm not going to show you what the rest of the house looks like... (YIKES!!!!!), including pieces still in process and drying IN THE KITCHEN.........

Pics taken with my wonderful new camera, a surprise from my superstar hubby last night!!!!

So many golden moments!!!!

2009-05-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

The Unique LA show this past weekend was BEYOND awesome!! I was so anxious and feeling so unprepared last week....

Then I arrived at the venue on Friday to set up my booth. The place was great and we had a terrific view of the city since we were on the Penthouse floor of the building.

I came back Saturday morning and set up my items in the booth. There were LOTS of people and I made my first sale in the first 30 minutes of the event!!!! WOOO HOOO! My hubby popped in for a surprise visit (he is the BEST) so I had a chance to look around a bit. My FRIENDS are the best, on Sunday some of them came to see me (still waiting for those pics!!). So many talented and creative people were there, it was a very energizing place to be!!

So my wrap up for the event looks like this:

My goals were met
I met many local artists and now have a way to network and connect with them :)
talked with and met SO MANY wonderful and creative people
My artwork had great exposure

The feedback I received was very positive

There is a lot of interest in my work

I was interviewed for a profile piece on a local arts website (OMG)

when asked "Are you the artist?" I cold reply with "Yes I am" (NEVER in my wildest dreams would I have ever seen this for myself!!!)

I sold enough to cover my rental fee!!!!

this experience is a major investment in my art, my practice, and my confidenc

A very FULL weekend indeed.

One of my heroes....

2009-04-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

.... has got to be Susan Boyle.
I'm going to watch this video daily. She is so inspiring!! And her singing is stunning!!! And she's singing 'I Dreamed a Dream'!!!!
OK, message received ;)

Take a look for the FULL experience of her recent appearance on Britain's Got Talent. If you don't feel better after this, email me and let's chat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmbJzH93NU

Garden Muse

2009-04-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a 10" x 10" mixed media collage on stretched canvas. Lots of layers and paint, papers, gel transfer, stamping, collage image, flower. This will be available at Unique LA. The text is from a sonnet by the Bard... such amazing and beautiful placement and use of language.

Time grows very short before the show... now to work on some smaller and simpler items :)

UniqueLA on YouTube!!

2009-04-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to a couple of videos on YouTube about artists connected with the show.
http://www.youtube.com/uniquelosangeles

I watched these and am now in full freakin' out stage. I am SERIOUSLY not confident as well as understocked!! Any suggestions as to HEALTHY ways to not sleep for the next 7 days are welcomed!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH what was I thinking???????

Less than traditional....

2009-04-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

...is the way the Easter Bunny rolls here!

Happy Day to all of you!

Our bunny left us Easter tins, as we have no baskets that are the proper size for these colorful gems :) This is perfectly aligned to the current trend here of using what we have and upcycling (with inspiration from Karen at Beelieve).

Wishing you a basket (container!!) FULL of treats, a day FULL of beauty, a heart FULL of gratitude, and actions FULL of grace.

Sneaky Peeky ~ Reveal

2009-04-10T05:53:00.000-07:00

Hand Made Art Journal, 5.5" x 7", Back

Hand Made Art Journal, 5.5" x 7", Front

Small Ornaments/Tags, Side 1 (papier mache base)

Small Ornaments/Tags, Side 2

Flower Chipboard Deco Pieces, Side 1

Flower Chipboard Deco Pieces, Side 2

I'm busy as a little bee in the Salon, creating inventory for the upcoming Unique LA Show and Marketplace (see sidebar for info and link :). This is a HUGE event, about 275 vendors for 2 days, just before Mother's Day. The Unique LA held in December had over 6000 visitors!!!! So I'm excited, anxious, staying open to the possibilities....finding balance.

Here are some photos of a few of the types of items I'll have available for sale.