'Earth Laughs' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5"
'Believe In Yourself' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5"
'Deep' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5"
In my little carry case, along with pens of every kind, pencils, watercolor pencils, markers, a multitude of pre-cut ACEOs, prepped watercolor ACEOs, ephemera, cutting tools, the works!!
The pre-prepped watercolor cards are often great inspiration and they are perfect for backgrounds to the multi-layered pieces, too. Oh, how I love the this little thing called an ACEO!
'Growing' - Original Mixed Media Collage ACEO 2.5"x3.5"
I create because I have to. It is who I am. I am not an artist that will ever only work in one medium or one style. I experience just as much excitement with a palette full of color as I do with a palette limited to only black and white. Choosing one material or craft or technique would be like choosing only one of my children. It is impossible to choose. I love them all. I have spent the past year or so really reading and studying many other artists and their work. Examining the diversities, the successes, the many aspects of working as a professional artist. 'Don't rely on income from only one source'. 'Create a recognizable style that becomes your own'. 'Brand yourself'. 'Create what you love'. 'Don't limit yourself'.....and a partridge in a pear tree (hmmm, just thought of a design idea...oops, sorry...back to what I was saying). Growth sure does make my head hurt!
Ultimately, there are some things that will have to change. I have to make, perhaps, some difficult decisions in both creative and business areas of my life. It is imperative that, as an artist, I do NOT forsake anything that fills my creative cup. As a business woman, it's time to establish a specific artistic business plan and commit to it.
I am still working through the many details and I know limiting myself could be dangerous, too. I don't want that. I also know that I need to hone in on my strengths, determine what sells, what could reach a wider range of customers/clients, what could expand into larger venues, etc., etc. Whew! and Egad! So be forewarned, you will start seeing some changes around here, some restructure, some redesign, less of some work, more of others (perhaps combining mediums and styles), probably even some test runs here and there. I want to go where everybody knows my name. I look forward to feedback, too. Inquiring minds want to know. Giveaways and interviews are also things I have wanted to implement for some time now. Check. It's on the list. I feel like this is the first day of the rest of my successful creative life! How exciting is that? It's very exciting! Now let's get this party started....
My beautiful Hannah just had her 12th birthday and I swear it was just yesterday when I brought her home from the hospital. I know I'll still be saying that when she's 22, but for now I am in utter shock that she is already 12. I am watching her become a young lady...scary and beautiful all at once.
And then there's Nathaniel, my little man! 6 going on 26! He's graduating from Kindergarten this week, and as it looks, will be heading to 2nd grade. I am really going to have to get a new pair of roller skates to keep up with these guys. I really didn't know I could love anyone so much! They are my life.
For Hannah's sleepover birthday party, I had purchased some air drying modeling clay that I thought would be fun for the girls (6 of them) to create some little sculptures, pendants, etc with the clay, and then paint them the second day. Well, let's just say that when you get six 12-year-old girls together for a sleepover, getting them to sit still for a 'project' is a bit hit-and-miss. I missed! No biggie, more for me. It's been a while since I had played with the clay and it didn't take long before I was HOOKED...again! I sculpted several little figures and the owl is the only one finished so far. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do with him though. Thought I might turn him into a brooch or pendant, or some sort of mixed media piece, maybe. I have some 3.5"x3.5"canvas covered blocks I made a while back that might be fun to add the head and paint in the rest of the body on the canvas. Hmmmm. Many choices, but one thing for sure is...I LOVED making these. I LOVED working with the clay again. I so feel some changes happening.
And here is one more. A painting that I have been working on this past week that isn't finished yet. He is much bigger, 20"x20". The Bug-Eyed ACEO from my last post actually inspired this piece and I am considering some new ideas, so we'll just have to wait to see how it gets finished. I don't have the photos ready, but I have some pen and ink/watercolors to show you, too. It's been a busy, messy week and it really shows in my studio. My mind feels a little messy lately, too. Ultimately, I think I am headed for some CHANGE...but I will have to talk more about that next time. See you then......
'Bug-Eyed Fish' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5"
'Joyous Song' - Original Mixed Media 3.5"x2.5" 
'Leaf and Berries' - Original Mixed Media 3.5"x2.5" 
'Flower on Green' - Original Mixed Media 3.5"x2.5" 
And here is a new 5x7 Pen and Ink that I did of a peacock. I think she's cute!
'Pretty Peacock' 5"x7" Pen & Ink on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper
I love the look of raw edges and jean material can really provide that. Not to mention, a simple pair of jeans can have great edges, seams, snaps, even the belt loops can be used as amazing design elements.
The 'text' was painted on scraps of fabrics for some artistic contrast and further embellishments came from huge stash of fun. They really turned out amazing and they look great with a pair of white capris. Gotta get back to more fun!
'Wise Owl' 4.5"x6.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper
who passed away February 18, 2011 at the young age of 44, from a long and courageous battle with Lymphoma Cancer. She was such a beautiful person and left behind her wonderful husband, Mike and beautiful 8 year old son, Danny. I can honestly say I was truly blessed to know her! I first met her when we were in our 20's, became immediate friends, had TONS of fun together and I was blessed to extend that relationship to her sister, Julie, whom lives in New York. Julie and I, through this horrible tragedy have been able to reconnect again and I am so thankful. Julie and I were very close for many years and I look forward to having her in my life again! We have come to realize the old saying IS true...Life IS too short and you just never know when someone you care about is gone. I do not want to ever regret not having the chance to let someone know how important they are to me. May God bless Mike and Danny and be with them during this most difficult time in their lives! My heart is broken but I know that she is with the Lord and at peace and no longer in pain.
After the emotional funeral, I was a mess and numb. I felt like I needed to stay busy so later that night, I decided to put some boxes in the attic. While I was on the ladder, the ladder gave way, shifted to the right and down I went. Trying to lessen my fall, I grabbed onto the door ledge with my right arm and came crashing down. Bruised from head to toe, I realized I had hurt my right arm pretty bad. No rotator cuff tear, but fluid, bursitis, tendonitis and in horrible pain for a month. I actually couldn't use my right arm at all until about 1 1/2 week ago! I had recieved some amazing prayer 2 Sundays ago at church and Monday morning, I was actually able to put on my clothes by myself for the first time since the accident. God is good! I continue to improve every day, and although not completely healed and still have some pain, God has provided me amazing strength and healing and I am grateful.
Somehow during all of this (and just prior) I have created many new works and many of these have sold. I am just loving every bit of it. It never gets old hearing that someone loves my work and better yet... purchases it...to be loved forever. It is an absolute honor.
I was also recently blessed with numerous stories written about me by Tom Hall from the Examiner.com. You can read them here. The press has been wonderful and again, I am more than honored!! I just finished a small art show at the Verona in Naples, Florida this past weekend and it was so exciting. The positive feedback was almost overwhelming for me. My sales were excellent (even though I felt like I wasn't completely prepared due to the recent shoulder injury and my printers' print heads deciding to die out this past week) and looks like there will be an outrageous amount of commission work I can look forward to. My work (I brought a wide representation) appealed to those of ALL ages and many returned to my tables repeatedly. It was a wonderful feeling and I can't wait for the next show!
This coming Friday, I have been honored once again as the Featured Artist for Green-n-Groovy during the amazing Art Walk held in our Fort Myers River District downtown. Although I will be presenting works of all mediums and styles, I will be demonstrating the ACEO using Micron pen and the Zentangle techniques. There was so much interest during the art show from this past weekend for the ACEO card. Viewers were intrigued and curious. They enjoyed picking them up, being able to purchase affordable works of art, and just wanted to know more. I love that!
Along with my paintings and illustrations, I have also been working in textiles, too. Upcycling the shoes are a blast and they are definitely a statement piece! Have had several custom orders for them and am excited about creating an entire line of painted and fabric upcycled shoes.
There is much to do still and I have numerous other photos to prepare for posting, as well. I am not certain whether I will complete this before Friday, but I will do my best!! I love where all of this is taking me and look forward to seeing what's around the bend.
