Jan 31st is National Celebrate Art Day

I must admit, I did not know this before 7:30pm this evening. I was reading the hubpages posts in the art section (I'll put some cools posts at the end for you to link to), and came across a great post informing me it was Celebrate Art Day. I watched this video and saw the artist transform an old crummy back of a picture frame into a beautiful piece of art. Earlier in the day I had read another post with step by step instructions on making hand made paper.

I thought I would try making some paper out of the old newspapers and junk mail I have piled up here. I put about half a pound into the paper shredder. Then I dumped a few handfuls of dryer lint on top of that. I do like to recycle...ahem. I added about 2 gallons of water and let it all soak for about a half an hour while I straightened up and read e-mails. Then I took my trusty hand mixer that I use for smoothies and whipped up a great paper smoothie.

Next, I simply put globs of the pulp onto a big screen set up over a large pan and pressed the excess water out. I shifted the screen over to a pile of rags, lay one over the top and got my iron heated up. Then I pressed more moisture out and flattened the pulp. I put the pieces in the microwave to dry them out further. On a couple of the pieces, I pressed texture into them with various found objects while the paper was still damp, creating a Bas relief effect. They are just laying out overnight now to finish completely drying before I tackle them with scissors and glue and ink and whatever paint of the moment moves me. I think I'm onto something. Nothing speaks more to an artist than free art supplies!

Wednesday is Steve's birthday and guess who is getting a hand-made cool card this year? I'll post photos later so you can see how it all came out.

Here are some links to the neat sites I saw.


This is the video of the guy that made the art out of a frame backing


This is the hand made paper link

What is with all of these Get Rich Quick Promotions?

I don't know about you, but I find it hard to believe that people can get that rich that quickly by sitting around in their pajamas and fumbling around on the internet for a half hour a day!

I have been researching various opportunities of late to supplement my income and help me to afford the expensive art supplies I generally buy. Just see if you have enough cash on hand for the soft and hard colored pencil set from Switzerland by C'aran Dache and you will feel my pain.

You know all of my art needs to be framed for exhibitions, and at $15 a sheet for 350 pound cold-pressed watercolor, the costs can really add up. One painting sale probably pays for 1/4 of my art supply purchases for the year.

Anyway, this one site caught my eye, and the guy in the video says he only wants 1 dollar to get started with 50 pre-loaded and designed websites. Unbelievable!
I am trying to get my courage up to push the button and do it.
If you are more courageous than I am, perhaps you might like to try it and call me from your yacht next month.

Here is the link: Click Here!

Let me know how it goes for you, and I will keep you posted if I opt into this also.

2011 Resolutions...

You all have them, even if you don't admit it outright. At the end of the year, I think we all make a mental note at what we want to accomplish or do differently in the next year. Whether it be health, work or hobby related, I think no one is really void of this. So here are my goals for 2011:

* Sew more. Pretty open-ended, I know, but I think I can count on one hand the amount of garments I *actually* finished last year. That doesn't include the numerous unfinished projects I have or all the ideas I had but never executed.

* Participate in more gallery showings and competitions.

* Join Tarpon Springs Art Society.

* Go to at least 3 art openings that aren't mine.

* Go to the gym a minimum of once a week optimum 4 times and lose those extra holiday pounds that found me

* Learn how to make two really cool hats by crochet and knit for those special hat-loving friends and moments of boredom rotting in doctor's offices. Sigh.

* Make one new friend and stay in better touch with the ones that resurfaced.

Aprons for all gods and goddesses from Zazzle.com

Aprons for all gods and goddesses from Zazzle.com

if you can't stand the heat 1 apron from Zazzle.com

if you can't stand the heat 1 apron from Zazzle.com

if you can't stand the heat 1 bumper stickers from Zazzle.com

if you can't stand the heat 1 bumper stickers from Zazzle.com

Rock Star Couple

Ever Since I bought that Jimi Hendrix poster, I am inspired by rock n' roll. I have yet to actually gift it to my son ( the screamer featured in the foreground). Of course, I claim I am waiting until I can frame it. Smile... Anyway, I love digital painting. There is absolutely no clean-up involved - unless you count de-fragging and file trashing. I am currently working on a calendar of my pieces for 2011, some acrylic, some watercolor, some photography and some digital paintings. Drop me a note and let me know if you want to get one at 20% off. Buy art today...support your favorite artist (that's me).

The Garden Queen is Finally Finished

from December 15th to now...

Garden Queen is coming along nicely. I love painting on wood. It has a textural feel to it, it is durable, and transports easily without damage. I like the structure of painting with my pals every Tuesday and will miss them during the holidays. It is good to be part of a painting group, as a second and third pair of eyes is often needed while I work. I have been playing with the idea of setting a gemstone into the Queen's crown. It would make the piece technically "Mixed media" but when I put one in there, it is hard to resist. I used real gold leaf paint on her crown and painting energy radiation with interference blue in the skies. Her scarf is a shimmering luster green and I am considering using some of the luster in the greenery she walks upon. I will post the completed painting soon when it is finished. Tune in again for the update. Keep painting and appreciating the painter in all of us as we watch the pieces come to life and mysteries unfold.

p.s I did opt for putting the gems in the queen's crown and also on her dress. I will post an updated photo as soon as I have finished shooting and editing it. Go paint the world as you see it!