Summer Workshops 2013

This summer I took a couple of workshops. You can see some of my photos here Workshop 2013. The years not over yet so I hope to take more.

Art work and famous people

Last night I had a dream that Valerie Bertinelli bought a piece of art from me. I was so excited! Too bad it was only a dream. This brings me to a question. Has anyone ever sold a piece of art work to anyone famous? I would love to hear your stories so please share.
I actually almost sold a piece to Meredith Vieira at a craft show many years ago. Said she would think about it but never came back (sad face).

piece in my dream

Mystery Caravan Swap

A few weeks ago I was part of a swap held by a group on Facebook called mixed media art on Facebook. We created a "mystery caravan". I just want to share some of the great piece that were made.
This is the one I made for Ivy Wolfe Small.

and this is the one I received from her.

 

Some others that were done. 

Sale in my etsy shop

My birthday is on April 9th, so I am having a 20% off sale to help clebrate until that date. By sure to stop by ansd share in the fun. Use code BDAY43.

little BIG news

I have mentioned in past postings that my youngest daughter was born premature (28 weeks). She has Cerebral Palsy but is high functioning. 
To most of you, when your child losses a tooth at 7.5 it isn't a big deal. Hope's baby teeth came in later then the average child's. Feels like we have been waiting forever for a tooth to come out. Well today it happened. Congrats Hope!

SIMPLICITY

Hi everyone, 
I have been working pretty hard (maybe i could work a little harder) on keeping my word on producing more artwork this year. But I haven't been that bad. I have been trying to list at least one new item a week on either etsy or eBay. You can check my etsy shop to see what I have listed and on the 20th I will be posting on eBay a small painting nibblefest art contest. this months theme is Domestic Animals.
Meanwhile, I am a member of a ning site called Community Thrive. It's about mixed media. They had a word challenge, and the word was simplicity. This is what I did.

New Year ---> New Start

It's the last day of 2012, I sit here and think about the past year. I know it wasn't the greatest for a lot of people, but it really hasn't been that bad for me. I have to be thankful that my family is healthy and we have a roof over our head. To me that is the most important. So I just want to wish everyone a HAPPY & HEALTY NEW YEAR. I hope all your wishes come true.

Hope to see you in 2013. I will be producing more art this year. (my new year's resolution)

HURRICANE SANDY

I live in Northern NJ, even though my town was hit by the hurricane, we
(me and my family) have not suffered nearly as much as those that have
lost homes, or even worse, lost lives. The worse I have suffered is trying to find gas and having my kids miss school for over a week (they are driving me crazy!!!!).                               I would like to help where I can so I am going to donate 75% of this sale to the red cross. You can find it here on ebay.

The idea for the painting came to me when I was  reading about a challenge from community thrive. It was a word challenge, and the word was strength. All I could think about was how strong the waves were during the hurricane and the damage they caused.

SWAP DOLL CHALLANGE

Wow, I can't believe it's been over two months since I've been here to blog. Guess I haven't felt there was anything worth writing about. I haven't been creating too mush lately but I have joined a group on face book called MIXED MEDIA ART ON FACEBOOK. Here's the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/mixedmediaart/. I joined in on an art doll swap/challenge. It was so much fun. I haven't received my doll yet but could not wait to post picture of the one I created. My partner just moved and needed a little more time. I will post pics when I receive her.

supplied I used

I forgot to take a picture of the back of the doll, her wings were from a butterfly that I removed the body from.

Not sure who created this piece, but I was inspired by it, and that is how I came up with the dress on my doll. Thank you .

A Great Sunday

Hi everyone-
 I have to tell you what a great day I had yesterday even though i was stuck in traffic for about an hour. It was all worth it.
 I took a workshop called Art Journaling 201: Staring Down  A Blank Journal Page(for newbies...) with Michele Luxenberg (little bird creations). It was so fun, met some great people that i hope to meet again, and I learned some new things. She put this together through "Meetup". I have joined a few groups but this was the first to actually do a "meetup" that I was able to attend.
Anywho, Michele showed us some techniques with using Dylusions ink spray and we also use molding paste. She had loads of rubber stamps and stencils to play with along with various other things. She was very generous. This is what I did. I can't wait to do more, we got to go home with goodies!!

She has some wonderful classes coming up with well know instructors. Take a look here.











This wasn't the end to my already fun day. We (my family and I) went to a friends house for a BBQ. There is nothing better then getting together with friends, enjoying  nice weather outside on a summer night. I wish everyday could be like this.

New materials

Since I went to the the Create retreat, I have had this urge to try new materials. Well it was a mixed media retreat after all. I bought some distress stains from Ranger. Haven't really figured out how to use them yet (if you have suggestions please share, besides from all the videos techniques on you tube). I am so use to using acrylic paints, not sure they work together.  Also bought other things too, but haven't tried them yet. I will keep you updated on that.
I have been using these little wood frames from Ikea. They came three in a pack and were a great price. Guess what, they are being discontinued. So sad!!! While I was there though, I noticed these large cork coasters. So I thought these could be fun.  I also wanting to incorporate fabric into my work but don't know how to sew. While looking through my stash, came across some trim I have and came up with this piece. Finished it and it is up on etsy. tell me what you think.

Art Class

A new art school is opening. I am so happy!!! I am always saying how there is nowhere around me that teaches art. And when I do find something, the timing is off. It either starts when I am taking my kids to school or ends after I have to pick them up. This class is perfect, starts after I take them and ends way before I have to pick them up.Best of all, I got $50 off cause I registered before July 31. I am one happy camper right now. After I did Create NJ, I knew I needed to do more.
If you live in Bergen county NJ, or not too far. Check it out, it's called One River School.

Such A Good Time

From Wed July 18 to Sat. July 21, I had the most fabulous time with some really talented people. I went to Create New Jersey, an artist retreat. All the instructors were wonderful.
My first class was with Jodi Ohl. If you ever have the opportunity to take a class with her, do it. She is so sweet and helpful. I know she has online classes, but there is nothing like having the teacher there with you.

Next I took a class with Joanne Sharpe, Her class was about the different type of markers and what each can do. Another great instructor, she was so informative.














On Thursday I took a class with Cindy Wunsch. Again, a super duper person. She was so upbeat and fun. Her work is incredible. She was so good at teaching us about using texture and how to get it in your work.








 On Friday I took a class with Mandy Russell. I really did not know what to expect from this class. I thought it was going to be a simple cut and paste type of thing. Boy was I surprised. She taught us how to use alcohol inks  in a way I would never have imagined. I really can't wait to try this one on my own. She is so sweet, I hope she will do an online class. The piece was suppose to be a circus tent, but mine turned out looking more like a cabana.

My last class was suppose to be Friday. It was like what I have been waiting for for so long was ending. I drove back and forth ( about an hour each way) each day so I could take more class and not pay hotel fees. When I got home Friday night, my husband said "so take another class, it won't be until next year that you'll be able to do this again". I thought about it, and registered dor a Saturday evening class. The instructor was Stacie Swider. I loved how she taught the class. It was called collaborative collage. Everyone has a hand in each project. It was really fun. I didn't get to finish mine but I learned alot.  

I learned so much about mixed media these last few days. This was one of the best decisions I have made for myself. I love all the people I have met. Can't wait to do it all again next year. I strongly advise, if you can't get to one of these retreats, go for it.

Create Mixed Media Retreats

Going to my very first artist retreat today, I am extremely excited, like a kid at Christmas. Not knowing what I am going to get but knowing it will all be good. I will post picture of the great creations. So check back.

Europe, here she comes

Today marks a milestone in my daughter's life. She is going to Europe with a bunch of kids from her school. I don't know if she realizes how lucky she is. I'm 42 and I've never been to any part of Europe and she is going to (I think) 5 countries.

I am very happy she has this opportunity, and very nervous. Didn't think I would be, but every time I think about it I get butterflies in my stomach.

It's been awhile

This month has been crazy with all the end of the school year stuff. There was the dance recital weekend, school productions, and 2 graduations (one elementary and one middle school). I've been a little busy! I will eventually post pictures.

I just listed two small paintings on eBay. I will always find time to do the NFAC if the theme interests me. Check it out and see all the great pieces of art work. It end on June 27.

Thank you

I just want to thank Ayala Art for hosting the 29 Face challenge. Even though I didn't do all 29, I had lots of fun and really enjoyed looking at all the other wonderful faces that were created with all different kinds of media and unique styles. I must say there are really brilliant artists out there.

#21- #26 OF 29 FACES

Sorry I haven't posted in the past week. just couldn't get motivated. But here I am ready to get my faces up.

#21- color pencil- more or less a doodle

#22- mixed media- journal page

#23, #24, #25- one is oil pastels, one is wax crayons, one is soft pastel- just wanted to see the difference between the three

#26-mainly markers- journal page

#20 of 29 Faces and art journal

I have been wanting to start an art journal for awhile now, but really didn't know how to get started, I was doing a little cleaning the other day and came across a blank scrap book that I had bought at Barns& Nobles about 10 years ago for a dollar. I don't scrapbook but couldn't pass it up. Well I found a my answer for the book. Here is what I did for my first page and I really enjoyed doing it. And I have one question maybe someone can answer for me. When doing  an art journal, do you put a finish on the page like varnish? I am not sure I should put it on or just leave it.

29 FACES and NIBBLE FEST ART CONTEST

I combined my two projects into this post. I have 2 faces for the 29 faces which make it #'s 18 and 19. Now I am only 2 behind, I hope to catch up.

Nibble Fest Art Contest is a group on ebay where every month a theme is chosen and whoever wants to join creates something for that theme and starts their bidding at .99 cents. This months theme is elements: earth water, fire, and wind.go take a look. Either press on the link Nibble Fest Art Contest or just put in NFAC in your search on ebay.