Hawaii...Finished

I decided that the collage elements I added to "Hawaii" made me happier. I had first planned on feathering out the palm leaves either by cutting or painting over, but after I laid down the papers I rather liked the simple lines. They go with the simplicity of the mountains. The foreground I changed to just foliage with some papers. The texture is nice to bring what I wanted to become the secondary focus next to the trees. I really think this is more eye candy, but I'm leaving it at home until I do several more and will let my son choose his favorite.

I'm taking the weekend to play with my husband, to make paper and finish another mold for my next paper cast so I will be on a mini "vacation" from blogging, but will be back after the holiday with a lot of energy and some new work to show. I will, however take moments here and there to check in with all those I follow to see what's up in your world! Can't stay away from the computer totally!

Happy Memorial Day to you all!

We Have a WINNER!

Wow, I didn't expect to be this excited, but I am happy to say we have a winner for the contest give-away! MICHELLE BURNETT. She is a wonderful artist from Utah. Click on her name to visit her blog and see her work. Thanks to Becky Joy, the newest follower I was able to immediately pick. Michelle chose "Aspen". Congratulations to Michelle! Tomorrow I will be announcing the next contest; it will have a twist, so tune in!

I feel like I've won the lottery; not only did I get to give away a thank you painting but I also found out that I have been invited to join the Daily Painters of Colorado which is a blog that showcases the work of Colorado Artists. Please take some time to visit as there is some wonderful art to see. I am quite honored!

AND, as if that wasn't enough I also am tickled to death to find out that the Kreativ blogger award was passed to me from Sema at Affirmart. Sema is a textile artist from India. She has some beautiful work. Thank you Sema. Your inspirational writings often make me smile!

The rules are as follows:

1) List seven things you're grateful for

2) Link back to the bestower of the award and list these rules in your post.

3) Name and link to seven deserving blogs to receive the award next.

4) Let them know they've been tagged.

Here are the seven things I'm most grateful for:

1) That God is real and present in my life.

2) For my two wonderful children and one that came to me through marriage

3) That I found the man of my dreams

4) That I'm lucky enough to love art so much and be able to CREATE!

5) My wonderful new and old (only chronologically) friends

6) That I get to live amongst the trees (for those who've been with me from early on, you KNOW how much a blessing that is!)

7) Each new day I get to live and the wonderful surprises that can come at any time!

There are so many wonderful blogs. I will be pondering this and will post the list tomorrow.

WHEW, and now a little "Eye Candy". This Swan Bling Box is a 2 1/2" tall by 4 1/2" piece. It is covered in different papers and topped with another found object. Three different beads strung together and added to the top. It is a commissioned piece that has already found it's way to the owner. So, for today I say Happy Painting to you all!

Tile Chair

Well, the best laid plans and all that! I spent my Sunday fighting with my computer. I have a new phrase in my life "Your virtual memory is too low". This old girl is fighting it's age I guess. (The computer, not me...though...hmmm, maybe me too!) After a computer doctor worked on it she said it will take some time for my virtual memory to return...I don't really know what it is, but I know it wreaks havoc with an already ancient piece of equipment! So, sorry for the delay.

As I've been posting about lately I've been working on my eye candy...those wonderfully random pieces of art that clean the cobwebs out of my creative brain and sharpen my skills in other areas. "Tile Chair" is probably one of the most random items to have done. I love recycling art projects, and this is one for sure. I took an old chair and painted it a fun peacock blue and made some clay tiles, painted designs on them and attached them to the chair. I also made a cover for the wicker bottom out of canvas, painted it, and put knots all around the edge to bring a bit of the yellow color throughout the design. I think of these items as sculpture, though this one is usable as well. The seat is 25" from the floor. I hope I have inspired any of you to shake yourselves up a bit and PLAY!

I want to thank Sema, one of my newest followers for my kreative blogger award! I will be responding in kind now that I am back on line!

I am so happy we are so close to the goal of 35 followers...can't wait to give that little gift away to one of you...SO CLOSE! Happy painting to you all today!!

Tiger Box

Tiger Box is another piece I'm putting in my Eye Candy section of my website. I put it up awhile ago, but have decided it is eye candy. This is a piece created on a paper mache box carefully lined with light complimentary paper. The tiger is a found object...so I suppose on this one I am green as with my collages. I especially like the bit of blue on the bottom edge...Seems to balance it out. Tomorrow is a very different sort of eye candy...so tune back in! You can click on the title to take you to this little box purchase information!

If you haven't noticed we are just ONE follower away from my give-away thank you of your choice of 5 4x4" basswood panel collage paintings with their own little easel. I'm dying to choose one of you, so pass the word so I can draw! You can see the choices if you look at the sidebar and click on the photo shown to see them all and the easel that comes with them...

"Farmhouse in Wax"

More eye candy which is available on my website! "Farmhouse in Wax" is a 6x12" canvas panel wax collage that was more play. This piece is a collage of paper and acrylic paint glued and sealed with beeswax. This collage is also framed in a pecan color 1" contemporary line wood frame and ready for hanging. I have to say these pieces are great for cleaning out the confusion that builds up in my brain and allows me to approach my more consistent work with a renewed creativity. I encourage everyone to find another medium to play in from time to time to recharge your batteries; that is, if you get like I do where working the same way all the time tends to dull the senses...Who knows, perhaps it is just me...but whatever works, Right? We are litterally in the clouds today; all grey and cloudy and misty...so the color in this is just what the doctor ordered!

I see that we are only ONE follower away from me being able to choose from one of you wonderful people to give a thank you gift of one of the 4x4 basswood panel with easel collages away! (See the sidebar and click on the photo to see the choices) SURELY someone has ONE friend who would enjoy following the ramblings and work of this little artist person!

Have a great day to you all!

Eye Candy

Eye Candy is the title of a new category in my website. I've been puzzling for some time as to where I could put these random items I am compelled to create from time to time in order to refresh and refuel my creative spirit, and this is the spot I'm placing them. These items will be different and one of a kind...meaning I may not do anything just like them again!

The first piece to go in to Eye Candy is titled "Red Barn in Wax". It is a 10x8" canvas panel on which I used beeswax to collage different papers. I also painted some areas and used stamping to add interest to the sky. For those of you who have never used wax it is a lot of fun. The "glue" and sealer is wax. These pieces are not as fragile as you might think. They don't flake and do not melt in a warm room...however I wouldn't put a blow torch to it or leave it in the window of a car in the sun...other than that, they are safe to hang and love! This particular piece is also framed in a pecan color 1" wood contemporary lined frame and ready for hanging. For purchase information click HERE.

Welcome to my latest follower...and if you haven't noticed it brings us just ONE FOLLOWER away from me being able to give a gift of thanks to one lucky follower randomly chosen!