Cover of Ruler Book

Realized after checking the blog that the image of the cover doesn't show the title very well so here is a close up. I used different letters because it was what I had on hand; I think it works.

another given by God

O Lord of earth and sky,
Stay in my heart close by.
Supply me with your spiritual armor to fight daily battles
Helping me know when to turn away and when to tattle.
Through your Son, Jesus Christ, I survive,
And with your Holy Spirit I thrive.

Measure of Man Ruler Book

Here are some photos of my latest project. The ruler book is a great concept but it sure makes a tight opening book. I did email the company that makes it and got some professional tips that helped. I love the look but probably won't do another one.

Art highs and lows

I feel like I'm making more and better and truer art than ever but I sell so little. Is making it and sharing it enough? Yes except how do I continue to afford the supplies. Thank goodness I'm so into collage and assemblage now cause so much of that is recycled art and supplies except for the adhesives.
I pick up the hearts and flowers work tomorrow. No sales unless I finad there was a sale when I get there. Oh, well, I loved doing the pieces and it cost me nothing cause I used supplies and framing I had.
I have made a new altered book I will photograph and share later. It's one of the Tim Holtz ruler books and it's called Measure of Man all about the neat men in my life.

So I'd say generally speaking, my art is still on a huge HIGH! I love it. It's who I am and what gives me pleasure and defines my day to day existence. I will make it and share it as long as humanly possible.

It's Just ME!

I took my own image and did it like the Stone Woman I did for my Imagine pages for the Woman Journals.
It's a quick and easy way to make a striking image of anything...people, objects, landscape.
Try it and have fun!

Woman Journal Project Update

The collaborative round robin Woman Journal I hosted is nearly over. Everyone is to be working on one final page for each journal and be ready to share them at the local I Am Woman show exhibition in April in Kings Mountain, NC. I have made individual entries for each journal until now and was recently inspired by a poem called Imagine A Woman. I am including it here and the author's info and site since I did not ask permission to share it, I hope I will be forgiven and you will visit her site to tell her how much you like it as well.

The image is inspired by the woman in stone stamp from Stampington. I altered and simplified it in Adobe, put it on watercolor paper (already tinted with watercolors) with a light box and then wet the design and dropped in various colors to mingle. The page will be about 8 1/2 by 11 for each journal with the poem printed on vellum on top of the image. Each person will have different colors of watercolors.

Imagine a Woman

by Patricia Lynn Reilly, M. Div.© 1995

This poem inspired the book Imagine a Woman in Love with Herself.

Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is woman.

A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories.

Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life.

Imagine a woman who believes she is good.

A woman who trusts and respects herself.

Who listens to her needs and desires and meets them with tenderness and grace.

Imagine a woman who has acknowledged the past's influence on the present.

A woman who has walked through her past.

Who has healed into the present.

Imagine a womanwho authors her own life.

A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf.

Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and to her wisest voice.

Imagine a womanwho names her own gods.

A woman who imagines the divine in her image and likeness.

Who designs her own spirituality and allows it to inform her daily life.Imagine a womanin love with her own body.

A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is.

Who celebrates her body and its rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.

Imagine a womanwho honors the face of the Goddess in her changing face.

A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom.

Who refuses to use her precious life energy disguising the changes in her body and life.

Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.

A woman who sits in circles of women.

Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.

Imagine yourself as this woman.

For more of Patricia Lynn Reilly's inspirations, visit her site:http://www.openwindowcreations.com/

Here are all the images and the one with the vellum poem overlay.

Art is my life

Lately, I feel as if I just can't make enough art. I want to make art 24/7 but with a husband and college age son, I know there are other needs and priorities. I am constantly planning, thinking and wanting to complete all the ideas in my head but time, space and moola won't permit.

Meanwhile I'll just make all the art I can and share it with as many folks as I can.

If you remember an earlier post called Given By God, I'l love to share that little booklet of artwork and words with anyone interested. Just email your comments and address to me and I will gladly share it with you.

Here is the cover and a recent "given by God" poem, not included in the booklet.

Sitting by the creek
Feeling humble and meek
Save and protected by God’s own mercy and love
With angels soaring above
I feel His blessings and grace
Warm as the sun on my face
I look up and see the blue skies
Of God’s own eyes
Thanksgiving and gratitude
Are me current attitude
Knowing He care
Gives me all I need to bear
The struggles of this life
And all other strife
Peaceful and content
Will remain my mind’s bent

Who I wasn't yesterday

The moon wanes in the west as
The sun rises in the east
A new dawn
A new day
Lord help me be
Who I wasn't yesterday

I am always trying to be more caring, more creative, happier, kinder, calmer, more helpful, more Christian, healthier....all the things I think I should be and never succeed, so maybe each day should stand alone and I just try to be who I wasn't yesterday.

Image is wings to fly ATC

How long?

How long can I continue to make art for the Somerset artist calls? How long can I afford the postage to mail it and for return? It's very inspiring and challenging to do them. Maybe that should be my reward. I had this silly dream that I would be discovered and asked to design a line of work, be part of a book or have some other gem of recognition and possible income tossed my way. Wish there was such a company to work for here.

After yesterdays worries and borrowed troubles I 'm surprised I can even think art but I am. I am almost finished with 4 new ATC's for the next Artella Swap and here is a piece for the upcoming SS take in for Vintage Halloween issue. I call it Key to the Coven although I do not believe in witches and this lovely woman is certainly not a witch but I do believe women have a kind of personal magic within them and they hold the key to its power for their lives. Unfortunately, my key seems to fail to open the door most every time.

The image is a collage paper doll on a painted and textured piece of foam core with a message written in about my beliefs about this inner power women have. The key is an aged piece I found at a local craft store.