Manifesto

I read about a neat idea on another artist's site about writing a manifesto (Kelly Angard at http://www.creativecollage.blogspot.com/ a really cool site with lots of great images and info.
A manifesto is your own policy or standard for who you are and who you are becoming.
I decided to do a collage of words on an old watercolor landscape painting.
Here it is. I did add one more word after the photo so I just tagged it by cgi. It's a good exercise in deciding what is important to you. Something positive to focus on is better than fretting over any negativity.

New Studio Part II

Still evolving and organizing and planning and cleaning and whew! I'm tired. I had to stop and make art. Cleaning out your art areas or obtaining something new for it is a great catalyst. Yesterday alone I:

• finished a collage
• started a full sheet watercolor
• prepped pages for the collaborative woman journal
• planned another piece
• sketched new ATC's for Artella swaps
• sketched heritage women on a 2X3 foot canvas

I'm telling you. It works! If you haven't cleaned out your studio in a while or haven't went through that old box of stuff you were saving for "someday" or found a new item for you studio organization, then do it now. You will suddenly be making art so fast you want hardly be able to stand it. Just do it!

Here is a sample of that list:

Heart Felt Wishes

New studio

Well, not new but in the process of adding a huge work table and rearranging and discarding all the junk. I will post a picture when finished but for now.........here is some eye candy.....

How to stand out??????????

My art is growing with leaps and bounds but I still feel like my work looks like a take off on other peoples' works. So how do I make mine different?
I would love to have you browse my blog and give me some constructive ideas for finding my own style or tell me mine are very unique. I love what I'm doing but I need to step out of the crayon box and go for the WOW-I NEVER THOUGHT OF DOING THAT response.

Be thankful

I am thankful for my husband.
I am thankful for my son.
I am thankful for my mom.
I am thankful for my dad.
I am thankful for my God.
I am thankful for His Son, Jesus Christ.
I am thankful to be who I am.
A CHRISTIAN!

Creativity

I have been working on a zine about creativity. I am happy to share it with anyone reading this blog.Just email me and I will gladly send it to you. cqt144w@mindspring.com
It is a word file so most can open it easily.
Here is a sample page.

Time for Art keeps me sane

In all the commitments and things to do I keep finding new stuff to do with my art and I am having a ball. Here is the latest and another version is in the works on canvas to give my friend.

Monday isn't here and my schedule is full!

I taught all last week and thought this week would be free for my own art and regular chores but now I'm doing a backdrop for church, teaching one day, meeting a friend, getting oil changed, and on and on and on.
When will I ever learn to say NO!(?) Probably never!
Meanwhile here are some more of my funny heritage women.

another day another dollar

I am teaching an art camp this week and I really would rather be making my own art but instead I am trying to get 13 busy elementary kids to appreciate art, instruction and opportunity. Four days left and I am wiped out. I still had time to work on some lettering last night as I sat in front of mindless TV trying to unwind and get ready to sleep.

I think I'm on to something new

How in the world can I get my ideas out there and published and start making a living doing what I love? Is it even possible. I keep trying and dreaming and playing and maybe someday.....Here's a new image, using markers, Crayola Colorwash, regular Crayola and various others.

New series-Name?

I have been obsessed with a female doll pattern from Somerset Studios Workshop. I have traced it, doodled on it (inspired by Traci Bautista's new book - Collage Unleashed), put it on canvas, watercolor paper, etc.
I don't know where it is leading but I am having fun and know a new series is developing. I even think I will buy a HUGE canvas and paint it (my design teacher is always telling me to work larger.) I also learned that the Crayola Color Explosion markers will erase some other markers which really adds lots of neat detail to drawings. Try it and let me know
what you think. And what do I call the? At present I am calling them Heritage Women for lack of a better name. Here are some samples.

I need more time and energy

My mind is exploding with ideas and there just isn't enough time and energy for it all but I AM NOT GIVING UP! Why can't I just admit I am a full time artist and punch the clock at 8 AM, go to the studio (spare room) and create for 4 hours. Have lunch. Paint, collage, sketch, frame, etc. for 4 more hours and even put in overtime at night?
One day I will! And maybe even make a living at it! Here's a self portrait I did last year about this time!

Ready or not!

How do you ever decide if a piece of art is finished? Maybe you can't. Maybe no one can but at some point you move on. You either have no further ideas to express with it, no more things to possibly add (less is more) or you are just plain tired of looking at it. I like to place a piece I'm considering finished in another place other than my studio and go by several times a day and look at it with different light and eyes. This also keeps me from fiddling, picking up the brush or another element for collaging. This usually helps me more than anything. I also have a dear number of friends (artists, teacher, realist) who can look at it objectively and give me feedback, critique and still make me feel like I have accomplished something nice.
Here is my latest piece I am considering finished. Feel free to comment!

The Pocket Book Reader for Virginia Woolf.

"I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process."
Vincent van Gogh

Quantity Vs Quality

I choose both but due to time quantity is a problem. I have so many ideas and not even enough time to write them all down but I seldom have a lack of something to do. If only I could work an 8 hour day with art and not feel like I was wasting time. Maybe I'd actually start to sell more if I did this. Marketing is not my strong suit but I can truly produce quite a bit when given the chance...
I would love responses of how you feel about quantity, quality, time, etc.
Meanwhile, here is another project in the works for my collaborative journal project. I call it A Woman's Center.

So excited

Here is another piece I am working on for SS.
It is an 8X10 canvas with lace background, polymer clay cake, letter tiles, bottle caps, clear word embellishment, metal corners and wire swirls.
It is not finished but it is progressing.
I am also working on a Virginia Woolf pocket book reader. I found this cute tiny purse at a dollar discount store and am embellishing it with altered pictures, handmade tiles and broaches, and excerpts from her work. I could only find decent head shots on the internet so I actually altered a photo of my grandmother and put Virginia Woolf's head on her body. I am attaching that image until the purse is dry and will post it.

Time to organize

Having people into your home is a great way to get things clean and organized. I can actually get into my studio to paint, work, and find things. So if you find yourself having a problem with space, stuff, and lack of motivation to take care of it, then invite someone to visit and you will suddenly be cleaning and organizing up a storm.

I am working on new art to submit to Somerset, for upcoming shows, and working on the woman journal, making atc's and just dreaming up even more wonderful projects. I am also preparing to teach a kids class themed "under the sea".

Here is a page from one of the journals.

Where did my blogging go?

It seems I have once again let life's little details take charge and keep me away. I like to get my ideas down for me if no one else.
I am pleased to announce I will have more art in the next issue of Somerset Studios (July/August 06). I am so pleased with this I could scream....maybe I will....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I don't remember if it's the Bohemia or Paris issue but I will have it in a couple weeks and know.

Here are entries from both to look for:

Turn North

I know it's best to not take scripture out of context but I just read Deuteronomy 2 and these words stood out.

"You have made your way....long enough....now turn north."

What a grand thought!

My respite at Kiaway is fading fast....I have to stay in that mode or frame of mind or I'll not make the turn.

time for respite

Day after tomorrow we go on our annual beach vacation to Kiawah Island, SC. I can't wait. It's the only time of year I truly seem to rest and retreat from the daily grind called LIFE.
I am attaching a photo to show you it's beauty.
In the meanwhile, I am working on a free e zine about creativity and nurturing it in your life. If interested, contact me for a free copy.
Blessings to you as you read this and find your on getaway from life.

Decision time

As a teacher you strive to teach kids the right way to do things without compromising their own intelligence and creativity. With this thought I am in a dilemma. I teach for two different art programs. One is open to being very free and expressive while learning some techniques. The other is very rigid and "stay in the lines" kind of style. I am drawn to the expressive and creative format. So I need to explain this to my supervisor with the other program. I hope I can be honest and true to my beliefs while not getting chastizement or critcism.
Here are two samples of each style. Tell me what you like or don't like. Can you tell the difference. Leave me a comment and I will send you a free booklet on Sacres Landscapes and the freedom to play and create.

stresses and strides

I am so happy to say the collaborative journal project started small but spectacularly. I am enjoying the process and camraderie for fun journal art on the theme WOMAN. I am attaching a working journal piece for the first round and a piece I did for mother's day.
I am stressing myself though by trying to change and conform which is not what my journal is about (woman, be true to yourself without apology and conformity.) Oh, well, I AM WHO I AM and that's hard to change.
Celebrate strides and ignore stress.

Elation

I am easily encouraged.
I have been submitting work to Somerset Studios and been rejected twice but am happy to say I will have work in the upcoming Gallery V, summer 06 edition of their sister magazine. My "Girlfriends" canvas and board book were submitted and I don't know yet if they are using both or just one, but I am elated either way. You can preorder the issue like I did at the following link. http://www.stampington.com/html/gallery.html

I also have a new mini canvas I made yesterday between classes.
I call it "Wings to Fly" an altered image of me as a child with wings.
My mom and dad always encouraged me to do all I wanted and keep
trying my best with all endeavors. They applauded my successes and encouraged me to keep trying when I failed. They gave me wings to fly.
The whole wing idea I guess started too from my rejection of my "flight" pieces recently submitted.

I also have more work submitted to Somerset as well as Legacy.
These are great publications if you enjoy altered art, collage, and heritage pieces.

Where's the muse of time when I need him?

After last week's high this week is too low. I am frustrated by demands of commitments, beaureacracy, time, and everyday stuff.
My mind is full of ideas and my schedule doesn't permit unlimited play.
I will get it all done somehow but only by the grace of God.
Meanwhile, here is a variation of one of the original "Her..." pieces having started the suggestions by my design teacher.

Links

Since I don't know if I can have side columns of links like some bloggers, I'll just list a few here to check out that I follow closely and have loads of fun and info in doing so and inspiration by the tons.

http://itsmysite.com/cgi-bin/itsmy/go.exe?page=5&domain=1&webdir=michelleward

http://www.artellawordsandart.com/

http://www.quotegarden.com/

http://www.thetoymaker.com/2Toys.html

http://www.lisavollrath.com/

More to come. This could keep anyone happy for months to come.

Tell me I'm CRAZY!

I had coffee with my design teacher friend Nancy this morning. She encourages me so much and I have all these ideas I want to do.
I now want to do a whole series of interactive pieces. I want all my pages in the journal project to be interactive with everyone else.
I'm thinking of applying for an artist's grant to do the interactive installation pieces. Where could I get a huge bottle made or bought. I'm talking a couple feet tall or larger? Where could I possibly work on a piece this size? How long is the table from Darlene? I have an idea for being able to use it depending on it's length.
Tell me I'm CRAZY! BUT I'm so excited. I want to do so much! Where are the hours? Where is the energy and space and time and money?

AND I have a class to teach in Denver at 2:50 and a demo lesson in Lincolnton tonight. Does the teaching pay off with the cost of gas and need to suppliment the supplies for the classes? How do I do all this I want to do? What and where are the answers?

This is the sample that caused Nancy to give me the idea to do it large as an installation piece with a real bottle and steps to go up and drop your own emotion into the bottle.

Wild Women

Wild women use red in their paintings
Scream a yellow hillside
Push pink into the night sky

Wild women let lives tangle and
Watch as their words skip across pages
Leading to dark planets.
The other side of the moon.

Wild women put the Ph.D.s in chalices
Place them on the altar and run away
To play with color squares and magic markers.

Wild women cry when they remember
Laugh at all they know they know.
Then dance like nymphs in the moonlight.


Have it; have it all:
The diapers behind
The masks put away
Days less tangle, with
Time stretched for weaving.
For play and performance,
Risk and revelation.


From Taproots: Where Ideas are Born by Carol Egmont St. John

More woman images

The text reads:

One Flaw In Women
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

From Taproots: Where Ideas are Born by Carol Egmont St. John

today's quote

Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you. Oscar Wilde

My riches are my Savior, my family, my friends, and my art.
What are yours?

Her world was filled with music

I got into town this afternoon and got straight to work on the piece. It changed a bit from my original intention due to supplies on hand but I think it's rather nice. The support is a piece of gold matboard with white acrylic paint moved about with a design comb. I made the dress and corners from sheet music. The head is from the photo and the arms and legs are from background of the original photo. I adhered everything with the acrylic paint and gel medium (as well as coated with it.) The aged look comes from a distressing ink pad called old paper. My aunt loves music so this is a tribute to her, Opal.

Relaxation Works

I am so happy to say I have finally decided how to do the next in the "Her" series that has been puzzling me. I wanted to do my aunt Opal who is a singer and comedian for local programs and competitions. She has even won in competitions in the state capital. The image I wanted to use is of her dressed for the prom but my full length picture is blurry and the clear one is only a 3/4 view. So, as I was sitting and unwinding before bed as I like to do, I was flipping through the latest issue of Legacy and found my answer. I will cut the dress from a piece of sheet music; I will use the clear face I have of her; and add the arms and legs by hand. It will be a sepia collage on canvas (as soon as I can find the one I bought and then put up when cleaning my studio.) I am excited and plan to start right now. Since tomorrow is Easter and I will be out of town three days it may be the end of the week before I can post the image. Wish me luck! Sometimes my ideas in my head look better than the finished product but many times the finished product is better. In the meanwhile, here she is.
Isn't she lovely? The working title is "Her world was full of lovely music." Don't know how I'll incorporate the words yet, but I WILL SOMEHOW!

must love quotes

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman. Margaret Thatcher
I've just realized that I haven't shared that I love quotes. I keep files on my computer of them. Search for more constantly and find them everywhere I go. I keep them in books and use them in my art. So why had I failed to share it here. I will from now on and hope you will be saving them in your own special journal or blog or file of just in your own head and heart.
I can't seem to get all I want to say about women finished. I keep finding more ways to show the complexities of women in my art, through my collages. I wish I could truly have 24/7 for just a year or so to completely devote to my art and search for my niche. I seem to have no trouble finding ops to teach or give away my art services but when will I be able to just make art and sell it? Maybe I never will. When will I be able to just make art and not worry if it's marketable. I do use alot of supplies and need to feel I am able to replenish them on my own but after 15 or so years of making much art and not much dollars my husband has yet to tell me to stop. I have often asked him if I am wasting my time and his money. He has never told me "yes." Once he ever gave me his rather large bonus check to use for art. I took a workshop through Northlight, bought a good set of brushes and other supplies. Pretty neat support huh?
I guess art should just be for the joy of it and most of the time that is why I do it. I like to share my art through many forms, sending cards to brighten someone's day, making little devotional books and yes, even giving away paintings.
Make someone happy today with your art!

check it out

Standing on my deck between storms, having my coffee, I saw a flock of Canada geese fly over, and began thinking how blessed I am. I had to come in an share where I am at this moment in time.

I am happy to note that my blog site is on the links at Artwerx.
http://www.artwerx.us/links.html
If you haven't visited this amazing site...do it now!

I am busily trying to do all my own art and fulfill all the projects I have committed to plus start a new collaborative project. I may go crazy trying but I feel that honestly art is what keeps me sane.

With all the troubles in the world and family crises that people go through I am quite blessed to have a peaceful and calm life with lots of friends, opportunities and ideas.

God is using me through my art in ways I don't even begin to imagine.
May we all honor this holy season by thanking him for the blessings in our lives.

Here's a challenge to add to your journal (if you don't journal I suggest you start, write, cut out words that fit or images that tell your story-just do it!) On a blank page add one color that implies who you are and where you are in your journey. Add one word that describes your state of being. Add one image of a flower that expresses your true soul.
Sign it, turn the page and don't look at it for a week and see if it still describes who you are. If not, do it again, and again and eventually you will be journaling every day and finding out who you are and where you want to be in life.

FYI

I am happy to say I have an adcouragement that will be featured in Artella's Monday newsletter.

I have mailed my collaborative journal proposal to 26 artists I know from across the country.
Here is another image of my own in the works for the project about WOMAN.

Are you out there?

I've done little to promote this blog but if you have seen it, I'd love some feedback. Send me your comments and I will send you an image file to use in your art. Choose ferns or angels. They are stamps but you must cut them and supply the adhesive. Thanks.

Woman

The ideas flow. I am working on another Woman piece I really like.
Bottled up emotions........my head on a vellum bottle with emotion words pasted underneath that can be read through the vellum or lift and read.
A small envelope holds more emotion words to choose from and add to the bottle. Here is the working image.

Women always seem to bottle up their emotions for the sake of everyone else but if she gets too full she may blow her cork and spew.

Collaborative Plan

An artist friend and I are planning a collaborative project with other artists. If you have seen TRUE COLORS, you know the beauty and adventure our efforts could produce. I am working on the call to artists, a letter proposal of the project.
She and I are already planning pages and designs. It could end up the two of us only but I am geared to do it even by myself. With hopes of a publication, exhibit, etc. at the culmination.
Here is a working design.

creating time

If only I could create a healthy body and spirit like I can create art.
I never run out of ideas and I always find time to do it.
Resting my back is helping me find more down time to work but I really wish I was on my normal schedule. I'm doing small lap projects, cards, journal pages, journaling, etc.
Here is one little project I completed for the Artella Creative Twist for May...Joy Quilt (paper, batting, stitching and buttons)

an ever present help

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
My back is out again. Due to art again. I was manhandling my huge pot to get the inside covered with glaze and felt it pull. I finished class and even loaded it into the kiln ( a mistake of course.) Now I can't rest in anyone place for more than a couple hours. Heat, hot showers, Ibuprofen and LOTS OF PRAYER!
I'll soon be good as new. I know these times come for the purpose of slowing us down a bit but this is not the time I choose to slow my pace.
I have classes to teach and ceramics to finish and projects to start and spring cleaning inside and outside and ....the list goes on....
maybe a time to plan art projects and classes for the rest of the term.

more from HER SERIES

Here is the altered and completed (?) Her life was one of hopes and dreams.

Excited about another project....a collaborative journal project, planning with a fellow artist and friend. More about that later.

Busy day....got to get to it!

Look here to see more of my images....http://www.flickr.com/

Getting there

As you can hopefully see. This idea is working. I have to gel everything in place and add the words, still being edited, "Her life was filled with hopes and dreams." In red.
Much better than before.

Patience is the key

After heading in a similar direction for the "Her life was one of hopes and dreams" to "Her life was beautifully blessed" with the tiled background it dawned on me to do a similar design but rather than picture by picture. Scatter fewer in almost a checker board style but not square per square. Raise some on foam core and some flat to canvas and central image of my aunt perhaps raised as well. I am now literally tearing all the gelled images from the canvas to sand, prime and repaint. You may wonder why not just start a new canvas. One, I don't have another and two, it's one of those nice finished edge canvases so I really want to use it. I have the image of the original piece if I need to show the progression from bad to good. At least I hope the piece is going to be good. The photo will be up as soon as I know. Otherwise just more moaning and groaning.

always a work in progress

Just like God is never finished with me, I am never finished with a piece of art. Sometimes it comes together nicely. Sometimes it takes more time, thought, fiddling and changing and starting over even. I hope I keep trying to get it right the way God keeps trying to get me right. I don't know but I think he has the harder job. I know he does. I know me.
Anyway, here are two "Her" pieces in progess. "Her life was full of hope" (the whiter one) needs much work. "Her life was beautifully blessed" is digital images attached to a canvas with edges and central figure enhanced with paint and words stamped in acrylic around the perimeter. It's another favorite in this series. The other is still a mess but I will get it right.
I can see God nodding and smiling.

Ready to Create

and not enough time to do it all. I want to paint and create for the annual I AM WOMAN show but I have to teach in a couple of hours. Do it now you think, well when I finish this I have to fix my hubby's dinner before I leave for my class. Why didn't I do it this morning? I was in Ceramics class. It's so cool. I'm learning all the details and have made (hand built) two fabulous pots. I made a slab built footed tray and am now making a slab built tea pot. Next I will make a vase form. I love this class. It fuels my creativity but it also zaps alot of energy and fills in time I could be doing other projects. No matter. I love to create and nothing can stop me until I breathe my last breath.

Here is a recent work I am quite happy with from my Her series. Two others in the works, "Her joy was her family"
a small 8X10 canvas with blue and white acrylic paint and the image is my mother in law Lois whom I only knew for about 15 months. She died before we were married one year. She was a very loving and kind woman who did indeed find great joy in her family and was a wonderful caretaker. The background drawing of her face is another favorite image of her as a young woman. The two computer images and the tag with a repeated image under a slide form a very asymmetrical design which I actually like quite a lot.

girlfriends

Maybe.........

I was so bummed out to get rejected with my first piece I sent to a publication
(SS Studios) but with three more submissions in the mail and reading other artists sites and blogs AND getting a solicit from Legacy has given me new hope.
Here is the rejected pieces.
Girlfriends theme.

Stay Creative

The best way to stay creative for me is to have a project developing at all times.
I often start one before I finish one so I never have a break between projects.
I have more ideas than I can ever finish in my life time. I may have an on going project that can't be finished in one work time or even several, like an altered book or my artist journal. I may have my watercolor paints set up with several small paintings being made or watercolor or stamped and collaged greeting cards. My sketch book is always nearby with a pen or pencil to jot down quick ideas for more projects.
So keep working and don't ever finish before you start another project.

Never quit!

I've learned as an artist the most valuable lesson.
Never quit!
If I had never entered another show after my first rejection,
I would never understan just how much joy art affords me.
I have entered shows for about 15 years and I still get rejected but
I often get in and sometimes win a prize but more importantly I keep doing it.
I will do art the rest of my life. I may never make a living at it or
win more than a few prizes but I feel that art has made me grow as a person....
spiritually, emotionally, socially, and creatively.

The piece below was one of three entries that did get in. The one I labored over was rejected but this one "Winter Sun" was a quick less than an hour painting. It was accepted in a show of about 50 pieces where there were about 180 entries. So I'm just happy to be in the show. It's at the Scheile Museum in Gastonia, NC.

So never give up!

Persistence

Disappointed my first submission to a publication of art was turned down but still being persistent in opitmism that my other two submissions are being considered. Also in the process of submitting two more.
Meanwhile the "Her..." series continues.
Here are two more.
"Her loyalty was awesome" and "Her joy was her family"
Be persistent and never give up your dreams