Corset Tip-in Swap FINIS!

What a pleasure it was to do the Corset Swap Tip In swap with such fine artists and people. Here are photos of my finished project. I just did an accordion hinge binding for the individual tip ins, making a simple cover of an old catalog page of corsets with the participants names.

I then constructed a simple 3D corset to house the book. A pocket was placed in the back for a couple of extra pieces that didn't fit my final binding process. I rather like it. The corset is just heavy art paper, stenciled with a doily placemat, eyelets and gold cord.

ATC Program

I've been asked to do a program on ATC's for the Southern Arts Society.

Telling, showing and making. I decided to put together a board of examples of different techniques. I completed it early this morning. Since the flu I haven't been able to sleep. I give out quickly but found I could manage this while resting on the bed.

I think it turned out pretty good. I will take handouts of the history, websites to check out, supply and resources ideas and hopefully my enthusiasm for ATC's.

Still recouping from flu

but ready to make art....working on Easter cards, ATC's, SS submissions and other goodies!

It's spring! I want to get my house spruced up and then spend time in my studion...non stop but Easter, my Dad's birthday and trip to beach are first....anything is possible.

All things are possible through Christ who gives me strength!

Metal ATC

Sorry this one failed to load....argh! slow dial up!

New ATC's

My first metal one, made of wire mesh, cross, word tile, all is attached with copper wire and copper metal tape.
Triptych is an homage to Monet, acrylic background with Prismacolor and gold pen details.
Diptych is an altar card for Madonna, acrylic background with Madonna clipart and gold and ink detailing.
Last cards are made on watercolor paper with fun foam shapes, glazed in metallic watercolors and stamped.

Feature

My "Her" series is featured in today's Daily Muse. Go here to see it.

http://www.artelladailymuse.com/news/129/ARTICLE/5119/2007-03-24.html

You may get a free pass to try it out.

Also, here are other links to my works:

http://creativeinspirations.blogspot.com/

http://artellaartistcards.blogspot.com/

http://www.gastoncountyartguild.com/tessnear.html

http://www.artellawordsandart.com/ChrisTessnear.html


http://www.flickr.com/photos/95185307@N00/sets/72057594104502684/

or http://www.flickr.com/photos/95185307@N00/ or

go to Flicker and search for Chris Tessnear or Creative Inspirations

Image is from Christine altered book.

Frustration but success!

The post page loaded this time. Some days it doesn't allow me to enter text or images! Is anyone else having that problem? Is it because of my slow dial up? Is it just the web goonies playing tricks?

Well, here I am at last able to log on and post and I'm at a loss of what I have thought of sharing all the times I couldn't get on. I am actually sick today with a horrible cold and sore throat and sleep deprivation. I took the morning slow and worked on some ATC's, journaling and even some chores (laundry and cleaning.)

I am sharing a page from the altered book I am doing on myself, using Steven King's book, Christine. Appropriate for my name of course. I started off good and then hit a wall and am now back to some decent pages. Do you ever do that? Start with a good idea, work hard and then suddenly, BLAH! Then get back on track and make good pages again.

I am also going to post some new ATC's. My local group meets next week and I will be sharing with a local art group the next week.

Classes are going well. (teaching 3 kid's classes at the local non-profit school of arts) Yesterday was a challenge, working on art for the booth for an upcoming fund raiser and then continuing the projects with kids in my class along with another teacher's class; it was messy and chaotic to state it simply.

Only two more weeks till we take an early vacation to my favorite spot, Kiawah Island, SC. Check it out on the internet and you will see a little part of heave right here on earth and it's only about 4 1/2 hours from here and 30 minutes from Charleston, a wonderful city of art and history.

This trip always relaxes me, inspires me and reenergizes me.

Well, enought rambling... time to finish up my list of chores to do today, sick or not.

frustrated with this blog

New ATC's and Altered Book

Having been making ATC's for well over a year but I am enjoying them with a passion like never before. Maybe due to a local swap group starting up. I have made hundreds in the last few months. I am obsessed with using tape transfers on them.

I also am working on a new altered book about me, using a discarded Stephen King novel, Christine. Loads of fun.

I also completed an addition to my "Her" series. I had wanted to do one of my husband's Aunt Christine (yes, another one, but she is called Teen).

I found this image of her as a young woman stooping on the ground, beautiful hair, and her mouth open as if speaking. I am calling this one, Her Days are Filled with Memories." Widowed in her early 60's she has surely survived with her memories of her wonderful marriage and enjoyed her daughter and grand children. I'll post a photo of it when I get one made but for now, here are my new ATC's and a page from the Christine altered book.

Living proof

I am living proof that if you follow your heart's desire, happiness follows....

• I dreamed of a romantic man to marry...Terry came my way 27 years ago...


• I dreamed of being a mother...Matthew was born 22 years ago


• I dreamed of being a teacher...after many changes and staying home for years to raise my son, I am teaching ...


• I wanted to be an artist since childhood...51 years and I am an artists and an art teacher....

Follow your heart. Love God. Be grateful! Life isn't as good as we thought...IT'S BETTER!

Hooray for late notices!

I was thrilled to recieve that little card in yesterday's mail, that said I do have work in the new Somerset Studios magazine, March April, 2007.

The women in lit issue and here again is my entry.

Keep on Keeping On

Disappointed that my piece for the current Somerset Studios was rejected. I thought it was great. (The Virginia Woolf Pocket Book Reader. Check blog archives for the image.)

Nevertheless, I have another piece to submit for the vintage halloween issue: Who Needs A Broom? A canvas collage utilizing transparent images on an acrylic painted canvas with copper tape details.

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