Making some long overdue postcards - they'll be sent out soon. Sorry I've been slow responding, but don't give up on me. Watch your mailboxes! :)
Showing posts with label mail art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mail art. Show all posts
7/7/15
6/18/14
week 25 for 365/2 (part 1)
June 16-22
#168 - MMSA mail art with a summer theme
#170 - Documented Life week 24 - theme to use book pages. I made a collage of random torn pages, pushed it back with gesso. Then it took a different direction than I'd planned and I found these painted book pages to cut/tore tree shapes and some sloppy marker trunks .....added words.
Stay creative!
#168 - MMSA mail art with a summer theme
#169 - two more summer postcards - to me summer is often about travel - taking a trip somewhere far or sometimes just in our own area......
Stay creative!
6/8/14
4 little questions
Over the last couple weeks I've read a number of responses to these 4 questions across the web. I was asked to participate as one of Karen's 3 'forwards' but totally forgot last week, so here (a day late and a dollar short as my Mom would say), are my responses:
1. What am I working on right now?
Well, as usual, I have many projects in various stages of disarray. I'm joining in ICAD for the 3rd year so make a little piece of creativity every day for that. But, prior to Tammy's challenge, I'd set one for myself to make something every day this year - it's my second consecutive 365 project and I'm exactly on track so far. ICAD is just a way to accomplish two things at once.
I bought my stack of 4x6 index cards at the dollar store and always have them on hand because they also make a perfect postcard size, which is another thing I'm always working on. It seems the postcards come in faster than I can return them sometimes, so I have marathon card making every few weeks to try to catch up. I always have a couple postcards sitting on my desk ready for a bit of left over paint or collage bits.
Finally, I always seem to have at least one canvas in process. I work them slowly because it takes me awhile to figure out what to add, where to add it, what is needed, what I like and don't like. Here's my current 12x12" WIP.
2. How does my work differ from others in the genre?
The short answer is: I guess it doesn't much. I don't innovate - I have yet to come up with a new technique, a ground breaking composition style or unique color combination. I'm in the "try this", no, "try that" phase of my art development. I consider imitation to be the highest form of flattery (me imitating someone else). From that imitation I feel like I can learn how to apply a certain technique or use a new tool. From that imitation I learn what I like and don't like to do or to see. Gradually I move away from imitating a style and incorporate just the pieces or colors or techniques that I like and it becomes mine - a conglomeration of all the imitating and influences that I've encountered.
I've been thinking a lot lately about my style and how I want to define it. The thing is, I like so many things - how do I combine them in a artful way? As I've pondered, I've come to realize my strengths and loves. I love photography and have a huge personal library of photos I've taken all over the world. I love collage and marrying textures and colors effectively. I love playing with paint and the splash of color it can add to an image. My goal - combine all three! I am going to focus on finding a way to incorporate my photos effectively into my art. I'm not sure what that'll look like just yet - but it's going to become what differentiates me from others.....(she says hopefully! :)
3. Why do I create what I do?
I have created something all my adult life. Cross stitch, quilting, cards, jewelry, whatever......I always enjoy learning and trying something new. Why? It's challenging, it's fun, it's necessary. What do people do with their time who don't create something? Dunno - I just know I prefer spending time with my glue, my bits of paper, my paint brushes.
4. How does your creative process work?
Hmmm....my process? Sometimes I have an actual idea, a sketch or plan or color that's calling to me and I can start and finish something with intention. More frequently, I have no idea what I'm going to do - I just go into the art room, look around and whatever catches my eye, that's what I work on.
I'm so lucky to have a generously sized art room that is filled to the brim with 'stuff', so much stuff waiting for me to be inspired or to just "show up and do the work". My work table is a reclaimed door, so it's nice and big and often looks like this - stacks here and there. My inspiration bulletin board is there to keep me motivated, some of my favorite creations or works in progress are tacked to the wall. I LOVE my space - messy and yet inspiring. And I actually know what's in most of the stacks!
These utility shelves used to be in the garage, but work much better to hold my books, paper, found treasures and bins of ...... stuff. My process is to grab a book and rip out a couple pages, grab some scrap paper, pick up a brush, grab whatever catches my eye and work with it.
So many people mention working to music or a TV on in the background. I'm the opposite. I like a quiet house and almost always work in a quiet room. I do have a radio in there, but it's rarely on. I get so engrossed in what I'm doing, I wouldn't notice music anyway. Sometimes I only have 10-15 minutes, so I dash in and make a postcard or work in my art journal - something that doesn't involve a paintbrush and clean up. Some weekend days, I have all day so I putter in and out of the room - I'll work with focus for an hour or two then take a break and let stuff dry and go do something else. An hour later I'm back for more and adding more layers or making more messes. I love those days!
So, there you have it - a peek into how my brain works, how my creative process works and where I hang out. The request for this series of questions was to ask 3 other bloggers to answer them as well. Instead, I'm just putting it out there to anyone who feels inspired to answer.....do you? How would you answer these questions? I'd love to read your take - your process and background. Let's hear it!
1. What am I working on right now?
Well, as usual, I have many projects in various stages of disarray. I'm joining in ICAD for the 3rd year so make a little piece of creativity every day for that. But, prior to Tammy's challenge, I'd set one for myself to make something every day this year - it's my second consecutive 365 project and I'm exactly on track so far. ICAD is just a way to accomplish two things at once.
I bought my stack of 4x6 index cards at the dollar store and always have them on hand because they also make a perfect postcard size, which is another thing I'm always working on. It seems the postcards come in faster than I can return them sometimes, so I have marathon card making every few weeks to try to catch up. I always have a couple postcards sitting on my desk ready for a bit of left over paint or collage bits.
2. How does my work differ from others in the genre?
The short answer is: I guess it doesn't much. I don't innovate - I have yet to come up with a new technique, a ground breaking composition style or unique color combination. I'm in the "try this", no, "try that" phase of my art development. I consider imitation to be the highest form of flattery (me imitating someone else). From that imitation I feel like I can learn how to apply a certain technique or use a new tool. From that imitation I learn what I like and don't like to do or to see. Gradually I move away from imitating a style and incorporate just the pieces or colors or techniques that I like and it becomes mine - a conglomeration of all the imitating and influences that I've encountered.
I've been thinking a lot lately about my style and how I want to define it. The thing is, I like so many things - how do I combine them in a artful way? As I've pondered, I've come to realize my strengths and loves. I love photography and have a huge personal library of photos I've taken all over the world. I love collage and marrying textures and colors effectively. I love playing with paint and the splash of color it can add to an image. My goal - combine all three! I am going to focus on finding a way to incorporate my photos effectively into my art. I'm not sure what that'll look like just yet - but it's going to become what differentiates me from others.....(she says hopefully! :)
Photo of arches at San Juan Capistrano
3. Why do I create what I do?
I have created something all my adult life. Cross stitch, quilting, cards, jewelry, whatever......I always enjoy learning and trying something new. Why? It's challenging, it's fun, it's necessary. What do people do with their time who don't create something? Dunno - I just know I prefer spending time with my glue, my bits of paper, my paint brushes.
4. How does your creative process work?
Hmmm....my process? Sometimes I have an actual idea, a sketch or plan or color that's calling to me and I can start and finish something with intention. More frequently, I have no idea what I'm going to do - I just go into the art room, look around and whatever catches my eye, that's what I work on.
I'm so lucky to have a generously sized art room that is filled to the brim with 'stuff', so much stuff waiting for me to be inspired or to just "show up and do the work". My work table is a reclaimed door, so it's nice and big and often looks like this - stacks here and there. My inspiration bulletin board is there to keep me motivated, some of my favorite creations or works in progress are tacked to the wall. I LOVE my space - messy and yet inspiring. And I actually know what's in most of the stacks!
So many people mention working to music or a TV on in the background. I'm the opposite. I like a quiet house and almost always work in a quiet room. I do have a radio in there, but it's rarely on. I get so engrossed in what I'm doing, I wouldn't notice music anyway. Sometimes I only have 10-15 minutes, so I dash in and make a postcard or work in my art journal - something that doesn't involve a paintbrush and clean up. Some weekend days, I have all day so I putter in and out of the room - I'll work with focus for an hour or two then take a break and let stuff dry and go do something else. An hour later I'm back for more and adding more layers or making more messes. I love those days!
So, there you have it - a peek into how my brain works, how my creative process works and where I hang out. The request for this series of questions was to ask 3 other bloggers to answer them as well. Instead, I'm just putting it out there to anyone who feels inspired to answer.....do you? How would you answer these questions? I'd love to read your take - your process and background. Let's hear it!
5/28/14
week 22 for 365/2 (part 1)
I finally published the Blogger post from last week and I had to do it from work. I wonder if some bug has infected my home computer - THAT would be BAD! Until I figure it out I might have to write them at home and put the pics in (cuz they're all on my home computer), then come in and publish from work. Yikes - I don't like the sound of that!
Enough belly aching...... here's my creative start for week 22: May 26-June 1
#145 - I made a zine for the MMSA theme this week......kind of got it done right at the wire. I used my gelli prints as background, doodled some leaves and added a little quote.
#146 - more MMSA - working ahead, the theme is red/black/white for these postcards.
#147 - more MMSA
Okay - I think I might have found the problem with Blogger - or at least partly. Hopefully this will publish with minimal problems!
On another note - I have a stack of frames in various sizes picked up at thrift shops, yard sales, etc. I finally decided to frame a couple of my newer pieces. I have a wall in the upstairs hall that I use to feature my art - you know stuff looks really SO much better framed and shown with other art - it gives it cache! Here's my wall now:
A little collage, some photography, some watercolor, some mixed media pieces, some digital manipulation.
Enough belly aching...... here's my creative start for week 22: May 26-June 1
#145 - I made a zine for the MMSA theme this week......kind of got it done right at the wire. I used my gelli prints as background, doodled some leaves and added a little quote.
#146 - more MMSA - working ahead, the theme is red/black/white for these postcards.
#147 - more MMSA
On another note - I have a stack of frames in various sizes picked up at thrift shops, yard sales, etc. I finally decided to frame a couple of my newer pieces. I have a wall in the upstairs hall that I use to feature my art - you know stuff looks really SO much better framed and shown with other art - it gives it cache! Here's my wall now:
Isn't it amazing how a mat, frame and grouping make each piece a little more important? I love my wall. And as I make new, more accomplished pieces, I move them in and the old stuff out!
Do you hang your art?
5/21/14
week #21 for 365/2 (part 1)
May 19-25
#138 - finished working on Laurie's round robin journal pages:
Inktense pencils coloring in doodled flowers on the back of the folio.
#139 - the center spread started with ink sprays and drips, layered with colored tissue papers and topped with a napkin flower (love the translucency of those napkins!) then the writing is with a Signo white pen - "flower" in many languages.
#140 - some mail art. I found my spray inks did wonderful things when sprayed on slick cardboard and spritzed with water! One has a cutout of one of my photos and the other has a hot glue doodle glued on.
Keeping busy here - hope you're having a creative, productive week......
My favorite part of spring in my yard is my clematis - it's gorgeous on the railing of our deck!
#138 - finished working on Laurie's round robin journal pages:
#139 - the center spread started with ink sprays and drips, layered with colored tissue papers and topped with a napkin flower (love the translucency of those napkins!) then the writing is with a Signo white pen - "flower" in many languages.
#140 - some mail art. I found my spray inks did wonderful things when sprayed on slick cardboard and spritzed with water! One has a cutout of one of my photos and the other has a hot glue doodle glued on.
Keeping busy here - hope you're having a creative, productive week......
My favorite part of spring in my yard is my clematis - it's gorgeous on the railing of our deck!
5/18/14
week 20 for 365/2 (part 2)
May 12-18
#135 - this week's MMSA theme was really fun......imitation! It was a chance to mimic or be inspired by a favorite artist - I chose two (from many!) - Donna Watson and Rex Ray.
Donna's style is very clean with simple compositions but an excellent use of texture. I particularly like that she uses Asian elements in many of her pieces - they're just so dramatic. The second piece of mail art is inspired by Rex Ray. I've long enjoyed his style......simple shapes, great use of color and seemingly simple compositions. But, as I attempted to mimic him, I discovered it's not as easy as he makes it look :) - I used gelli prints on the RexRay card.
#136 - more Rex Ray inspired mail art
The top card are shapes that Ray uses and painted with acrylics. He doesn't usually use such primary colors, but I this is what appealed to me. The lower piece uses shapes that he uses often and I cut them from my gelli prints.
#137 - I belatedly got started on my next round robin journal page - the deadline really crept up on me. This is for Laurie who picked the theme "flowers". Drawn on watercolor paper and filled with Inktense colored pencils - I LOVE using those!
There are a couple more pages that are almost done.....I'll share them next time.
Have a fabulous, creative week!
#135 - this week's MMSA theme was really fun......imitation! It was a chance to mimic or be inspired by a favorite artist - I chose two (from many!) - Donna Watson and Rex Ray.
#136 - more Rex Ray inspired mail art
#137 - I belatedly got started on my next round robin journal page - the deadline really crept up on me. This is for Laurie who picked the theme "flowers". Drawn on watercolor paper and filled with Inktense colored pencils - I LOVE using those!
Have a fabulous, creative week!
4/21/14
week 16 - 365/2 (part 2)
April 14-20 - a few more projects for you to check out as I keep working on my 365......
#107 - another art journal page on black gesso background, then some brush clean-off swipes. My new 48 acrylics had several metallics which I never really use. I tried it out here and love the shimmer so I'll have to try it again - I like it more than I thought because it's subtle......
#108 - a little digi art playing from a photo I took on my garden walk a few days ago....
original
adjusted with layers and spot color......
#109 - Documented Life for this week challenged us to use a piece of cardboard food box in a creative way..... I actually use food cardboard all the time (mostly for mail art) so struggled a bit to come up with something I thought was 'creative'..... So, I had my popcorn box "POP" apart! :)
#110 - I made a few postcards for the MMSA theme of blue and brown.
Hope you enjoy a creative, art filled week!
#107 - another art journal page on black gesso background, then some brush clean-off swipes. My new 48 acrylics had several metallics which I never really use. I tried it out here and love the shimmer so I'll have to try it again - I like it more than I thought because it's subtle......
#108 - a little digi art playing from a photo I took on my garden walk a few days ago....
original
adjusted with layers and spot color......
Used a free texture called Old Tablecloth from Pixel Dust.....
#109 - Documented Life for this week challenged us to use a piece of cardboard food box in a creative way..... I actually use food cardboard all the time (mostly for mail art) so struggled a bit to come up with something I thought was 'creative'..... So, I had my popcorn box "POP" apart! :)
#110 - I made a few postcards for the MMSA theme of blue and brown.
4/3/14
week 14 for 365-2 (part 1)
March 31 - April 6 - Week Fourteen and still moving forward..... woohoo!
#90 - week 14 of Documented Life: theme this week is to write and embellish your name - oh boy, right up my alley! :)
I've seen versions of this style around pinterest so wanted to give it a try for a while. I discovered that it's most effective when all the letters connect or overlap in some way - that was kinda challenging and took quite a few practice stackings to get it right...... filled in with watercolor pencils ......
#91 - the current MMSA theme is to make cards using transparent elements. Another easy one for me (and for most of us I'm sure) to use stuff from my wealth of translucent materials...... the first card, tissues paper, painted pattern paper and the red splotches are on deli paper and the bug is stamped on tissue.
This second card started with a the polka dot and word tissue paper. Layer some napkin cutouts on top of that and black dots on deli paper.....you can see through all the layers to the blue dots on the very bottom!
#92 - more transparent postcards: - This card started as a veggie print - you know, stamping with the end of a celery stalk - then added a few tissue bits and topped it all with ribbony tracing paper and washi edges.
The above p/c started with one of my flower photos and is topped with a drawn floral design on tracing paper and edged with washi.
I had lots of fun with the transparent theme and made lots more so watch your mailboxes! :)
#90 - week 14 of Documented Life: theme this week is to write and embellish your name - oh boy, right up my alley! :)
I've seen versions of this style around pinterest so wanted to give it a try for a while. I discovered that it's most effective when all the letters connect or overlap in some way - that was kinda challenging and took quite a few practice stackings to get it right...... filled in with watercolor pencils ......
#91 - the current MMSA theme is to make cards using transparent elements. Another easy one for me (and for most of us I'm sure) to use stuff from my wealth of translucent materials...... the first card, tissues paper, painted pattern paper and the red splotches are on deli paper and the bug is stamped on tissue.
#92 - more transparent postcards: - This card started as a veggie print - you know, stamping with the end of a celery stalk - then added a few tissue bits and topped it all with ribbony tracing paper and washi edges.
I had lots of fun with the transparent theme and made lots more so watch your mailboxes! :)
3/31/14
week 13 for 365-2 (part 2)
March 24-30 - Here's the wrap up for week 13.
#87 - documented life theme for this week is to have someone else draw on your page - hmmm guess I'll ask Dan...wonder if I can get him to scribble, draw or glue something down.......
So, look at this adorable bird Dan drew! Who knew? He has real skills! :) You can see from the journal side of the layout that we had one nice sunny day and RAIN the rest of the week. Sigh. Spring in Seattle.... better than the snow some of you are still getting!
#88 - I did about 20+ pages in my restraint journal. This is a simple journal to keep inspirational pics enhanced with a few scraps from my table....quick and no-thought and a great place to turn when I'm searching for a kick start. These particular pieces are using gelli prints and I'm always looking for ways to use what I make with gelli......
#89 - a couple more 'map' theme cards for MMSA. I wanted to make more and more but Karen wisely set a limit of 4 per theme so the rest of my map cards will be just hitting other mailboxes because I think they're fun to make!
Hope you're finding time to stay creative - Actually I know many of you are because I read your blogs and find inspiration and motivation and reasons to keep moving forward each time I read them. What a great community!
#87 - documented life theme for this week is to have someone else draw on your page - hmmm guess I'll ask Dan...wonder if I can get him to scribble, draw or glue something down.......
#88 - I did about 20+ pages in my restraint journal. This is a simple journal to keep inspirational pics enhanced with a few scraps from my table....quick and no-thought and a great place to turn when I'm searching for a kick start. These particular pieces are using gelli prints and I'm always looking for ways to use what I make with gelli......
#89 - a couple more 'map' theme cards for MMSA. I wanted to make more and more but Karen wisely set a limit of 4 per theme so the rest of my map cards will be just hitting other mailboxes because I think they're fun to make!
3/24/14
week 12 for 365-2 (part 2)
Mar 17-23
#80 - another piece of zentangle (poke leaf pattern) for MMSA swap.
#81 - some gelli/deli postcards to send out. Gelli print and deli paper for translucent layers (tissue paper birds). the text is from a copy of Griffin and Sabine (remember those books?) that I bought at a yard sale to cut up. It's a little tough because they're such beautiful books, but they have such fun art and text to use!
#82 - took some time today for a little more gelli play.....used sheet music for my paper.
We're starting to see a few signs of spring around here (Seattle). Still rainy, but we're getting a few more sunny days sprinkled in but more noticeably, the cherry trees are in full bloom and the garden bed is starting to sprout and show new signs of life. AND, Dan had to mow the grass for the first time last weekend. Sigh. I know some of you are still buried in winter and probably would be glad to have to mow your yard!
Make time to be creative this week - try something new and see where it takes you! Thank you all for your nice, encouraging comments as I plug along on my 365 days of exploration. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to know you're out there cheering me on! :)
#80 - another piece of zentangle (poke leaf pattern) for MMSA swap.
#82 - took some time today for a little more gelli play.....used sheet music for my paper.
We're starting to see a few signs of spring around here (Seattle). Still rainy, but we're getting a few more sunny days sprinkled in but more noticeably, the cherry trees are in full bloom and the garden bed is starting to sprout and show new signs of life. AND, Dan had to mow the grass for the first time last weekend. Sigh. I know some of you are still buried in winter and probably would be glad to have to mow your yard!
Make time to be creative this week - try something new and see where it takes you! Thank you all for your nice, encouraging comments as I plug along on my 365 days of exploration. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to know you're out there cheering me on! :)
3/13/14
week 11 for 365-2 (part 1)
The year moves on (so darn quickly!) and my artsy efforts for this week, March 10-16, are shared below:
#69 - finished the last installment of my round robin zine swap. This one has tons of transparent layers - tissue, vellum, etc. and all with a springy theme (it's not too early to wish for spring, is it?!) The bird is on a little pocket of goodies for Dori.
#70 - some more birdy sketches - from my imagination and reference photos.....
#71 - zentangle mail art for MMSA theme
#72 - playing in my art journal which I promised myself I would do more of - the base is a gelli print from my art day last week, then painted the negative space leaving my "lotus" flower. So fun....think I need to add a quote somewhere though.
Check back in on Monday for the completion of this week's artsy projects.
#69 - finished the last installment of my round robin zine swap. This one has tons of transparent layers - tissue, vellum, etc. and all with a springy theme (it's not too early to wish for spring, is it?!) The bird is on a little pocket of goodies for Dori.
#70 - some more birdy sketches - from my imagination and reference photos.....
#71 - zentangle mail art for MMSA theme
#72 - playing in my art journal which I promised myself I would do more of - the base is a gelli print from my art day last week, then painted the negative space leaving my "lotus" flower. So fun....think I need to add a quote somewhere though.
Check back in on Monday for the completion of this week's artsy projects.
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