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Showing posts from November, 2010

The Winds of Change

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Most everyone reading this is familiar with Seth Apter and the myriad projects he manages, along with creating his own art... does he ever sleep?? He spends so much time and energy on connecting the mixed media community, through his visits to studios, book reviews, and giving us a window into the 'hearts and minds' of so many talented artists. I wonder though, if you have taken a moment to check out his book, created with Roxanne Evans Stout. I haven't yet 'met' Roxanne, but the collaboration between these two is amazing... seamless. The depth of each piece of art makes me want to reach in and, not touch of course:), but study it again and again. A phrase written by the artist accompanies the art in The Winds of Change . They share their reflections, sentiments about Autumn, change, evolution, staying on the path... such an inspirational vision of a time, a life stage, a season, that is often fleeting but lingers in the soul. Earlier in my life, fall was

Skirts for Salvation

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Back in August, we got a call asking if Jim and I would create Christmas tree skirts to benefit our local Salvation Army. How could I say no? The days were long and hot and the studio was the coolest place to be. My immediate thought was to create snow people with funky hats... This endeavor was a big shift from the wedding project and I didn't even start until 2 days before the skirts were to be delivered. Fortunately, my darling husband, Jim, had finished his prancing reindeer skirt in plenty of time to help with the background and mounds of snow. Making the hats was my favorite part. Even in a time crunch I never knew there were so many fashion variations! I didn't even use half my ideas, which made cleaning up a royal mess. If you're so inclined, visit Bluegrass Home Interiors , view all 32 skirts and cast a vote. Or two. It's for a great cause! Real snow people wear hats! And Jim's fabulous contribution - reindeer prancing for charity. A few of my favorite h

I now pronounce thee finished!

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Once in a while, fortune does smile; while I didn't sell any canvases at the gallery show, a woman who loved my journals was also busy with the details of her daughter's impending wedding. She commissioned me to create three projects - the guest book, a box for envelopes and a photo album. Aside from two belts and a bag of jewelry and knowing the colors - ivory and aubergine, she gave me no direction whatsoever. Just do what you do... if you love it, I'll love it. I must admit that, four weeks before the wedding, I was a bit daunted, however, I've never turned away from a challenge. I purchased a 9 x 12 sketch book, blank photo album and pulled a cigar box from my stash. I'd like to say that it was a breeze, but any artist who has ever had a commission with a deadline knows better. I started on the guest book. The background was not a problem, of course, that's always my favorite part - gluing, sponging, dabbing, adding more layers.... The belt buckle decided to

transitions

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It is inevitable... autumn paints fiery colors across the trees, winds shift and chill, light disappears early in the evening. Yet each year it feels like the first, as does every other change of season. I suppose for those of us who do not transition easily, this isn't a negative, as it allows a fresh eye, open to seeing new detail in well-familiar sights. Other transitions are not quite so simple. From fairy princess to teenager, cute little skeleton to rock band drummer... OK, they did dress for Halloween, but aside from the costume, the shifts are seismic and not always pleasant. Does anyone tell a soon-to-be, or new mother that her angel baby will morph into a stranger along about age 13 or so? That so many conversations escalate into arguments... that my 'style' will soon be ridiculous? I suppose the magazine articles were all there, I just didn't read them. Not much for Woman's Day or Good Housekeeping, I went along my merry, blissfully ignorant way in total