Just a quick note to post a sweet ACEO I did recently.
'Earth Laughs' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Watercolor, Pen & Ink, White Gel Pen, Scrap Art Paper on 180 lb.Hot Press WC Paper Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop
Even though I am deep in thought, decision-making and ideas about my art and where it is headed....I always have time to get an ACEO done, using every medium, style and method that I love (and even try out some new ones).
When your weeks are filled with appointments, of every kind, it can be quite difficult to create...and that's the way it has been these past few weeks. Whether it has been for me or the kids, I just have not been at my studio to create for a good portion of every day. No fear! These are the times that I especially work on ACEO's. Ahhhh, the wonderful, magnificent, tiny, travel worthy ACEO. How perfect.
'Believe In Yourself' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink, White Gel Pen, Scrap Art Paper, Ephemera on 180 lb.Hot Press WC Paper Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop
I have a great little carry case (as seen here in this post) that holds almost everythingI need to get ACEO's started (and many times finished). So, while waiting in waiting rooms, at the park, or wherever, I can pull out my supplies discretely and work on an ACEO. The kids even know to make sure, before we leave the house, that I have my carry case with me. I don't leave home without it!
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!
Direction. Diversity. Dilemma. Decisions. Growing! Growth is good. And for me lately, a bit challenging. For some time now, quite a while actually, I have been struggling to 'find' my artistic me. To hone in on what ismy strength, my passion, my style. Who I really am as an artist.
I am torn. As an artist, while I work on one medium or style, I am dreaming about another. I can't wait to try a new technique or color combination. Creating for me is like dinner. Many foods. Many ways to prepare them. I just don't want the same meal every single night. But yet, I love it all. This is my dilemma. And this can be critical when you want your work to be recognized as your own. I have numerous pieces of work, in all styles and mediums, at Green-n-Groovy a local gallery downtown and Lisa, the owner, tells me all the time that patrons are shocked and amazed when they come across my tags, realizing that they were all created by the same artist. Yet, I sell pieces from every collection of work. Advantage or detriment? They like the work, they buy the work, but do they know my name?
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'm ready!
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....
Just a quick post of a new ACEO. I did this one recently using my layered technique; one layer in watercolor, one layer in pen and ink, with the pen and ink cut out and adhered to the watercolor. I really think he is so cute!
Here are a few more ACEO's that I did recently (mostly while I was under the weather). I really love these, especially the intense colors. I especially love creating them.
'Joyous Song' - Original Mixed Media 3.5"x2.5" Pen & Ink and Watercolor on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper
I also love the 3D effect....2 pieces of artwork that come together and become one. These images just do not do them justice. They are so cool to look at in person. The little bits of shadow the second layer creates really adds great interest.
Well, I am going to try to catch up a bit. There is so much to share, I am not certain where to start. One of the most exciting event is the solo trunk show (me) next week at an amazing boutique here in town. Barbara, the owner of Mirage Boutique, contacted me after coming across my work and the rest is history! Barbara and the store are amazing. I secretly coveted almost everything in the store! I had a few delays due to health and kids, but it's finally coming together and I am so excited!
It will be just in time for Valentines Day so I am really trying to create accordingly. Lots of hearts and feelings of love and dreams. I am also creating for Green-n-Groovy at the same time and this amazing art filled weekend downtown. Fort Myers Art Walk is tonight and then two days of the Southwest Florida Premier ArtFest Fort Myers which is an event not to be missed!
I also created the new logo for Green-n-Groovy and I have to say, I really love it. And it looks great on the glass doors. The store is amazing! So many great artists, many of them using organic or recycled/upcycled materials....and all of them groovy!
I did have time to do some little pieces, too (ACEO's). They are always fun to do and allows me to experiment without committing to a huge piece. I really enjoyed working with the collage and I know this style will creep into my art more and more.
There really is much more to show but it will just have to wait until next time. Blessings to all!
Happy New Year Everyone!
2011 is already showing itself to be quite busy and among other things, I am really trying to clean up anything 'unfinished' from 2010. I thought I should at least post a few of the most recent ACEO's I did in 2010. December was CRAZY for me (as I am sure it has been for many!!) so the one way I could make sure to always create was to carry my little travel kit with blank ACEO cards and my Micron ink pen...ready to use at any down-time (waiting rooms, taking the kids to the park, really bad traffic, etc) away from my studio. Let's just say there was A LOT of pen-and-ink work in December! Not a bad thing though. I really love pen work and I love ACEO's, so it was a successful month, too.
At the end of 2010, I finished everything that was commissioned and started on several new pieces. The kids and I worked on several artistic gifts for family and friends and I created some random artwork, too. All the while, my mind is filling fast with all that I want to do in 2011. I am really looking forward to all that lies ahead (regardless of what my life looks like right now). Something that I have wanted to do for quite some time is some sort of 'ART A DAY' venture, challenging me to create every single day for an entire year. Well, I was reminded of it recently from another member of the ACEO Etsy Street Team that I belong to. So I decided, what the heck...let's do it! Since I wanted to be as realistic as possible I decided I really needed to work small...for some days are just simply filled to the max. ACEO's are my answer! These would allow me to try new techniques, styles, mediums, etc. and they would be small and hopefully quicker. The problem will be getting them posted, but I'll do my best. I have already created the first 4 (still have to do today's) so I am off to photograph them and get them posted. I will try to do all 4 today and since I often do ACEO's very late at night, each piece will probably be posted the following day. I hope to stay faithful regardless of what is going on each day. I hope.
'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....
'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" 
'Pretty Peacock' 5"x7" Pen & Ink on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper
It will be just in time for Valentines Day so I am really trying to create accordingly. Lots of hearts and feelings of love and dreams. I am also creating for Green-n-Groovy at the same time and this amazing art filled weekend downtown. Fort Myers Art Walk is tonight and then two days of the Southwest Florida Premier ArtFest Fort Myers which is an event not to be missed!
I also created the new logo for Green-n-Groovy and I have to say, I really love it.
And it looks great on the glass doors. The store is amazing! So many great artists, many of them using organic or recycled/upcycled materials....and all of them groovy!
I did have time to do some little pieces, too (ACEO's). They are always fun to do and allows me to experiment without committing to a huge piece. I really enjoyed working with the collage and I know this style will creep into my art more and more.
There really is much more to show but it will just have to wait until next time. Blessings to all!
'Thinking' 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Watercolor Paper
' Treasure Found' 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Watercolor PaperClick here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop
' Peaceful' 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Watercolor Paper
'Trees' 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Watercolor Paper
