A New Market For My Followers Who Sell (or Buy!) And A Killer Deal!

This is almost a blog giveaway, but better.......
I had the opportunity to talk with an on-line marketer for handmade items, and after viewing the site, I have to say I was impressed. While I did not go through every category, there is a wonderful amount of funky, interesting, quality handmade items posted for sale and the perk, in my eyes, is it is not so incredibly massive that new sellers work gets lost. The site is Trendy Indie and their stock is everything from Accessories, Art, Baby/Children Items, to Supplies, Going Green, Vintage, etc.---too much to list! The front page is a delightful, colorful and artistically designed intro with everything easy to find. There is a New Sellers section as well as a Supplier of the Week section.
Why am I promoing this when there is the *other* massive site? (no, I'm not mentioning names...)
A few of reasons:

1. Everyone can use another venue to get their work out there.

2. You have a sterling opportunity to try the site and lock in a long term price for your store page (see the pic below and click for the link) but this deal is only good for 30 days! Take note---30 days only!

3. I like the quality of the work and the prices, especially in the jewelry section. :-)

Gentle readers, you know I seldom do this---generally I promote other artists I know or a blog that I feel deserves more followers, but this seemed to be a good way in a tough economy to not only promote other artists but maybe help you find alternative sources for your products as well.
Now for those of you who strictly buy, I would highly recommend a trip there to peruse the merchandise! I could plunk down some bucks.....oy.......

Click above for 30 day special info!

Go take a look and if you know someone who might be interested, please send them here to my blog post and let's just have fun with this!
Now for you all, go do something creative and maybe a bit of shopping too..... ;-)

Pax.

"THE LOVERS" Mixed Media Salvage (or why I love this art form!)

As much as I hate to admit it, I make things occasionally that just DO NOT turn out. You know, the things you want to shove under a pile of papers when you hear someone approaching or give to the dog to chew on (or in my case, put in the bottom of the Budgie's cage.......)
At any rate, I'd had a collage I had done on a *no brain* day, just tearing and gluing paper, adding a bit of paint and why I kept it around, I don't know. I had it pinned up on the wall, irritating me each time I saw it.
During the current sorting and throwing binge, I yanked it off the wall and as I did the light showed the texture as opposed to what was supposed to be seen. Hmmmmmm.......so instead of the garbage bag, it went to the studio table. It was somewhat vaguely oriental themed and I had glued three fake Chinese coins on it. Those went. Then I pulled some stamps, some tracing paper and let it sit.
I started with some oriental characters on the tracing paper, covered most of the background, then kept pushing. Some ink around the edges, some stamping in black, the paperclay to make the individual words......but what next?
More washes, more tinkering----I needed an image that was bright to offset the dark toned background. So I began digging as I recalled having some oriental images a friend had given me. I was thinking Geisha at first and then found this, "The Lovers" from a tarot deck page she gave me. (Thanks Val!) It was perfect. Everything began pulling together, setting the card and the paperclay pieces in heavy gel medium and using fine black glass glitter to cover the edges of the gel.
I added more ink around the edges and some interference paint here and there. A bit of glitter paint. I stood back and looked at it.
It just couldn't be the same piece.
And I was delighted!
Sometimes we keep things we don't need. But often, we keep things that need finishing, fixing, a different approach. We save things that can be taken apart and reused. We cleave to things that need refining---we are able to see past what is actually there to what could be. It's a wonderful way to learn to look at work, especially the things you just plain want to dump. It's a pretty interesting way to look at life too.
I learned a long time ago from art magazine articles that if something really turned me off but I kept returning to it, there was something important there for me to learn. It is a lesson that has paid off in the long run!
Please click on the photo so you can get a good look at the details, particularly where I have used the clay. The size of the piece is a mere 5"x7" canvas panel but there is a lot in that little package.
I wish you a day of pleasant surprises, things to recycle, and above all else, an artist's eye and creativity.
Pax.

Right Before The Rain.....

....I happened to get good photos of these delightful and extremely red day lilies. I always refer to them as my "Vampire Lilies" because they truly are blood red. The weather this year has produced much smaller blossoms than normal, and fewer of course. After weather, the petals water spot and the beautiful pigment is muddied or gone. These still do not display the true color and they are extremely thick petaled flowers. I love them and desperately need to separate them....but I don't think I can dig them this year.
I had also spotted my hummingbird moth, but it disappeared before I could get the camera around the other side of the phlox. If you have never seen one, well, they are quite appropriately named. What an amazing little creature!
Managed a bit of studio time yesterday and also decided I needed a *time out* and went to Quilt Guild. Wonderful program put on by Linda Grey, who does exceptional art quilts and when they asked for holders and folders, I was up as fast as I could go. (not that it was fast......) Saw old friends and it was a generally delightful evening, even with the rain.
Today it's back to the studio to put some finishing touches on a small piece that I have had for a long time, hated, nearly threw away and then decided it would make a great background for a proper collage! Ah, how I love this art form! Hopefully by tomorrow I may even have a picture of it on here to share! Have some other work to do also, and the usual about the house that is very slowly getting caught up since "the great fall". I hate cleaning but dang......it's beginning to look like a Frat House here and that is beyond even my tolerance! LOL!!!!!
I hope you all have a creative, fun, productive day today with whatever you do. Talking with a friend last evening who has her own blog, we decided bloggers are pretty much the best! (but you knew that!)
Pax.

P.S. Since I finally could access the icons for everyone, I think I have all your blogs listed in "Places To Visit". If I should have somehow missed you, it is unintentional---please let me know via e-mail and I will get your blog posted. Thanks!

Fighting the.........

........migraine demons. That's what's at the bottom of the picture, just in case you're wondering.

Holy moley....I haven't had a whopper like this in ages and don't want another. So just in case you think you're having a bad day----I WILL TRADE YOU.

Nominal studio work done yesterday as the body started the pre-headache meanies. That's okay; there's another day for it all. Life is too short to worry about what you can't change. I should have known I was getting sick when I willingly ran the sweeper and wanted to clean. That is NOT normal! LOL!!!!

So here is hoping you all have a really GOOD day, good enough for two people and that by the time I start getting totally awake and with it, the migraine-from-hell will be nothing but a memory.

Albeit a nasty one.

Like the bottom of the pic.

Keep repeating Anne: It's only a bad dream, it's only a bad dream....with a conga drum going full bore in your skull!!!! (everybody Rumba!!!!)

Have a good one!

Pax.

P.S. As I have mentioned frequently, I try and do my posts the night before so they are ready for early risers. I am happy to report that as of this minute, my head is back among the living and I think I have pretty well subdued the *Migraine Demons*. So it will be an early morning in the studio and a little art therapy to make me feel happy! I think this is a day for the stamps and paper clay. I shouldn't be able to hurt myself with that...... ;-)

Fiber Art, Fiber Friends and Another Blog To Check (Psst! Giveaway!)

Well, first things first; the long hanging is finally done, and not what I had planned but I like it a lot and will definitely hang it somewhere in the house! YAY! Now that means the table is really clear for the unfinished project (banners) and
I don't know about the rest of you, but trying to get the momentum back and restart a project is exceptionally difficult for me. My attention span must be as long as.......oh..........one of these little punctuation marks? It is always hard to restart.

At any rate, before I blither too much, I want to thank Leslie for the lovely blog post she put up about the piece of art I sent her---it's always nice to hear someone appreciates your effort and it's even more fun when BOTH of us were somewhat clueless to why the other was asking for things..... :-)

It turned out to be lots of FUN!

And before I forget, hop on over to Yoborobo because there's a cool give away and you can check out the interesting art, especially, if---like myself---you love "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and anything Halloweeny! I would insert another photo here of the giveaways, but I am having a hard enough time with three pics

all on the left side without tearing my *naturally blond* hair out by the dark roots......so you have to go to the site....okay????
Now back to my hanging; finally this afternoon I got all the doo-dads on the bottom and am HAPPY. It meets my requirements for gaudy, dangley and close to glow in the dark. It also has a lovely

Oriental feel to it that sort of just happened and those are the types of happy accidents a girl can really enjoy!

And it's long too, about a yard and six inches all together with the dangley bits. The close ups show the use of the Angelina I fused, cut to back the leaves And Linda's marbled flowers were absolutely perfect.

Plus, the best part, this uses only about 2/3's of a fat quarter. Yes, one little fat quarter can go a long way if it's the right print and you don't get scissor-happy. (or if you're lazy like me and find a few seams are better than a whole lot!)

I had some cool glass leaves that were meant for jewelry, but I have had them stashed away for a long time, waiting for the right project. I think the bottom close up shows them pretty well.

Besides this, I got all the old plastic drawers emptied, and have them cleaned and ready for their new home, when I can get a schedule set up, or when I get the seats pulled out of the back of the Cruiser, because there is NO WAY they will all fit, even with the seats folded down. It's going to be interesting to say the least.......

Now off with ye all! Go have a wonderful Monday, get
signed up for another giveaway and have a great creative start to the week!

Pax.

Beautiful Sunrise....

....and hoping your day is lovely too. Restful or productive, may you have time for whatever it is that your creative soul needs for recharging and starting a new week filled with promise!

Pax.

As an reference to yesterday's post, I still have the bees. I checked last evening and there were even more in the lilies......sufficient that I am almost sure someone has lost them from a hive and they are coming here for the night. I guess I am a bee-keeper after all!!! (and wish I had a box to keep them in....)

Nature's Amazing Photo-Ops

I had planned, for today, to do an update on the fiber piece I was working on with the marbled flowers; had taken photos, everything so I could sit and post.

Then I decided to wander around the flowers a bit to see what was still in bloom and if anything interesting had opened. And I looked at these Lemon Lilies and thought they were full of Japanese Beetles, the scourge of the gardeners world. I shook one of the flowers, and to my surprise, it was not the offensive beetles at all, but BEES! And not just one lily blossom, all of them along my drive that were this shade of yellow or a darker chrome yellow.

Well, I was thrilled, as I have never witnessed this behaviours in bees before and so I trotted in for the camera to record it. The insects were completely non plussed. They kept in the flowers, moved slowly, made no attempt to run me off. (which probably is a very good thing as I am not yet quite at the running stage.....)

Over and over they would crawl around the inner cup of the flower, occasionally peeking out but not leaving, as is evidenced in this close up.

If any of you who might happen to read this know anything of this strange behaviour, I would love to hear about it! I have gardened for more years than I care to put into cyber-space and have never seen this!

Bees are magnificent creatures, and it is a miracle I have not ended up in the hospital from examining them close up, coaxing them into my hands, holding them and placing them in flowers when they have been stunned. My grandfather kept bees, and I guess that somewhere deep inside, I would like to do that too.

In the meantime, I'll let the lilies do it for me. ;-)

Pax.

P.S. I discovered last evening through an e-mail that the white stole I had worked on (yesterdays post) was finished just in time---it will be worn during a wedding ceremony today! How cool!!!

No, this is not the same........

.......I had work to complete on the white stole and thankfully, yesterday, I managed to get it all done. The last linen collar/fabric protector I made I swore I would never do another. That tiny edge is all thread crochet---nothing fancy but it is proof that I am too old to be using things I can neither see nor feel! Yet, the collar calls for it, so I respond. The beads are tiny, the pearls a nuisance to match but it does look good. :-) The whole time I work with white fabric I live in absolute fear of dropping something on it or pricking my finger and getting blood in the fibers...ay yi yi.
I am hoping to deliver this today, get to the Post Office, get the oil changed in the poor Flame-Mobile, do a bit of grocery shopping and then come home and pile up in a heap. I have a few books I have been reading and would like to either finish them, or start another. And then there is still the mess in the studio that is out of control, and some ideas I'd like to tinker with in the wet studio.
And ironing. Yes, I still do lots of that.
So pick one dear readers---that's what I will be spending my day doing!
And by the way, has anyone had any issues with not being able to click on the photos of followers? I've had that for several days and am not sure if I need to further tinker with computer settings or if it is a Blogger issue. I have a new follower I would like to Welcome!
Normally I will do a link to their blog, but Bunny, I can't till I get this issue resolved! So enjoy, or put your blog title in a comment.
Now off for a busy day---wishing you a productive and inspiring Friday, with lots of good things and creativity!
Pax.

Grace and St. Stephen's--or--Leslie's Piece of Art

(all photos should be clickable for larger, more detailed views, which represent the work better)

When I read Leslie's blog post, quite a while back, about her church basically being held hostage, of the congregation not having their traditional home of worship available and the trials and tribulations that everyone went through in the process of waiting for a court to pass judgement on the issue, I knew that somehow, this would have to be incorporated into her piece of art. And when they made their return home, that was when the creative juices began to brew.
The front is a transparency of the building, sepia toned and muted---I wanted a hint of abandonment in the flavor. Then, coming from all directions, the small butterflies, the souls returning to their home. The peonies are snagged from a photo from her blog, that are in the actual gardens the members returned to a state of proper care.

The sides show two larger moths, a bit tattered, representing the guardians of the property and symbolically representing the clergy, standing firm, reopening the doors for all to enter. I found a marvelous rubber stamp that suggested the ornate designs on old doors and added a brass nail to the center for the door handle.

The back of the piece was an utter delight to work on, as I knew I would be using gold leaf, along with stamped tissue paper on the inner *walls*, another transparency, and assorted other items. By the time I got to this point, things were going well and it was just a matter of being patient enough to let each layer DRY!

Here is a full back view; St. Stephen (the first Martyr) with a halo of German glass glitter, three stones in the corner as he is always depicted in paintings and a martyrs palm in the opposite corner. The one thing I added, as I felt it would be nice, is the small *candle*, lit, reminiscent of the many, many vigil candles I have lit in my life, or those used at Christmas Eve service.

The gilding holds more color than showed up in the photos, and I was pleased with how it came up in the process of glazing it. Everything shines, but there is still that implication of wear and age.

There is so much I could write about this piece---how many stages it went through where I thought I had completely failed, how I had to be sneaky to ask Leslie about photos, playing dumber-than-usual and using the excuse of collecting images of church spires....well, actually I do! And then just plain keeping my mouth SHUT!!!! To not give it away in an e-mail or an off the cuff comment on the blog.

So Leslie, for you and all those in your congregation, this is your piece of Art. May it bring you joy and happiness, and may you forgive my slowness with it........but I think after seeing what I had to collect and figure out how to put together properly, you can understand why.

May your studios always be the home of your art, and may you all have a special place that is the home for your soul.

Pax.

One more day.....(but check the bottom of the post!)

......of mediocrity and then I will be posting normally again.

Out on the road again this morning, with no idea when I will be back. A ton of trying to catch up on all while trying to keep up. The studio is so torn up at the moment I don't have a space to set a cup of coffee so that is the major offensive when I get a second breath!

I desperately need the sewing area cleaned off and so need a few more items to get junk out of the way, and then there's just the OTHER junk that needs to GO!

I think I'll run away to a tropical island, or New Orleans, or someplace where I can have a single, whole day to relax. A stay in a sanitarium is beginning to look really, really good!

In the meantime, I want Leslie to know her artwork is DONE, I am looking for boxes to ship pieces to her, and Tristan and Jean! Hopefully by the end of the week, my mailing committments will be completed!

And to the rest of you, I bid you a good day of studio work and lots and lots of hopping ideas! Speaking of which; you need to visit Gypsylulu Delights and sign up for a delightful blog give away! Yes, photo below! Click it to go to the post.

And to all of you.......

Pax.

This should be my motto.....

Needless to say I snagged this from somewhere; it was in a link from a friend so I have no idea who the credit goes to......but it is an excellent statement of life here at the moment.
I am supposed to get the computer back this morning, however, I have to get cleaned up to go to the Dr. this afternoon, and that is NOT a short process. So how I'm going to manage all this, I don't know. I should have told them I would call when I got back in and life would have been much easier.
No. Oh no. That's too easy. Make it hard on yourself Anne....drink more coffee and really do more stupid things.......FAST.
Last evening DH taught so I took advantage of the time (besides playing on Facebook) to start purging some of the old junk in my studio. I had probably ONE DOZEN bottles of dried up glue. They went. Other thing I don't know what they were or where they came from----OUT. In fact, I emptied one full set of drawers, six or eight, and also the *junque* on top of the drawers. I kept asking myself how artists can be such pack rats and produce anything. Or find anything.
I have put this off for a long time, but the purchase of two new sets of slim drawers for the wet studio forced me to come to terms with a bunch of crappola that had been ignored far too long. If I move THIS over HERE, then I can put THAT over THERE. And geez, that gets old.
I have a feeling you all know the routine far too well........sigh......
The only perk out of all this is there will be several empty sets of nice drawers I can give away when it is all done, which is sort of a motivation for me to keep plugging along. And the second part is usually when I am doing this, the next thing that happens is ART. It is this bizarre ritual of purging (though you could not tell it) then creating. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Now off to transform into the Sex Goddess (SNARF!!!!!!!)......or at least a clean and coiffed version of me.
Drink more coffee Anne; you'll believe anything!
Have a great day folks and I hope your drawers aren't filled with dried up glue.

Hmmmmmmmm........that sounded a bit odd........

Okay you know what I mean! May your studios be filled with plenty and may your creativity be abundant! Is that better????
Pax.

No computer, no photos, no content......

So why am I blogging? Because I miss it! (and you too, gentle readers!)
I am hoping that by tomorrow the computer problem will be solved, as in ---my computer HOME and WORKING and back at my own keyboard where the number of times I have to use the backspace key is less than the total number of keystrokes in the post......We do get accustomed to our own set ups, don't we? ;-)
I have three pieces of art to be shipped, one needing photos and blogging first. I'm losing my mind not being able to get them UP HERE and then OUT to the right people.
I guess, at the very end, I have to sort of blame DH for getting me started on this thing---I didn't think I wanted a blog and now I can't function properly without that post in the a.m. the same as not having my coffee.
Today is the dentist (just a cleaning) then tomorrow back to Warsaw to the other doc to prove the knee is mobile. I'm thinking HIGH HEELS. With very pointy toes. And bunny slippers on the way up, to drive in comfort! Yes, I guess I am Maxine, except with two parakeets and not the dog. Boy will I be a pip when I get older.....I can see it coming and there is little I can do to stop it! HA!
So anyway, I'm done whining to start out this sunny Monday morning, when I should be reveling in a nice bright day and just suck it up like a big girl. Hope you have a good week and that you have pictures and interesting things to put up........sniff, blubber.......
Now go be creative and do something wonderful!
Pax.

Hmmmmmm.....this looks familiar.....

I'm off air till the computer gets back from it's Summer deworming.......I am not a happy camper at all, but so what else is new. Having to post from DH's computer, where I have no files what so ever.
I have art in the studio that needs photographing and that may be the extent of my day. I know somehow I can upload from the camera to this computer, but prefer to just wait as I want the pix on my little piece of electronic hell........ ;-)
And I just thought---how many of us recognize the image above? And how does that date us??? YIKES!!!!!
Anyway, when I get the metal heathen back and reconnected, I shall return with my usual pithy observations of, ummmmm, everything. So have a good one and I hope that you aren't seeing this test screen too!
Pax.

It's one of THOSE days.....

I'm running late; no art pics as the camera batteries died last night and I chose to finish up some work in the wet studio rather than root for batteries. I have a project glaring at me in the sewing studio that just went wrong. Really. And I slowly am feeling an idea emerge for a fixation of said problem, but right now it is still ugly and annoying.
Things still need cleaning, and that's my fault. Dang it, I can't blame it on a meteor hitting the house or being invaded by dirt gremlins......I have to take full responsibility for this one. And that's driving me nuts. Plus I have a business letter I have to write today that I don't want to, but with the hip in it's current state, I am going to have to gracefully decline a day of teaching. Phooey.
And, the capper to all this is, I'm going to have to call the computer techs and have someone come out and work on my *new* computer because I am pretty sure something evil has wormed it's way in, and is causing all sorts of problems. Now that one, I can blame on gremlins! (which means my computer time will be limited and also my money will be going out the door on gilded wings)
Bear with me gentle readers; this authoress apologizes for lack of art content, even though there truly is art abounding in El Milagro.......I just have to get these other details taken care of first. And sadly, and with empathy from me, I am sure you have all been there too!
On the up side---I already have an idea for another give-away down the road a bit, and even DH thought doing these was a good idea because it is the intent of putting something strictly GOOD out into a rather topsy-turvy world/climate right now. If you can make someone happy with a piece of your art, DO IT!
So hopefully tomorrow I will be going full bore again,rather than feeling like the cat; I just want to hide in a bag and peek out occasionally!!! And of course come out for num-nums........ ;-)
Have a creative day; don't hide it---let it out!
Pax.

P.S. Talked with my tech---I may be computerless for a day or two. I am thinking sedatives are in order......AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

AND THE WINNER IS...........

# 19

Gypsylulu Delights!!!

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered. I had the best time visiting your blogs and seeing the art you make; it was as much fun for me at this end keeping track of it all and seeing everyone who signed up.

I think perhaps we need to do this again, down the road a bit---you think?

Gypsy, contact me offline with mailing instructions and I will try to get this in the post by the end of the week.

And thanks to Random.org for their great random number calculator.

Now folks, go have a wonderful day!

Be creative, use all that talent I've had the opportunity to see in these past couple of weeks and most of all:

MAKE ART!!!!

Pax.

In the throes of it all......

I can't take time to do a beautiful post full of lovely photos---I am in the throes of trying to finish this piece, which has gone from wonderful to rotten to great to almost destroyed to, as it is now, blissful! Well, that pretty much sums up art, as a whole.
So you get what you get today; a good look at the inner sanctum, the Sanctum Sanctorium, while magic is happening! (or a big mess is being made---pick one) Yes, I picked through every one of those polished small stones for three that suited my needs. I am definitely OCD. I think that confirmed it. I was even checking under the table, in case I missed or dropped one, just in case it might be better. That's not healthy.........

A little better look at the bedlam-in-progress.......I had to crop this because there was too much going on for the eye to visually land anywhere! HA! I frequently wonder, when I step back and look at work in progress, how I actually produce any art at all.
I am vaguely recalling that a cluttered desk is the sign of a high intellect, or something like that. Just nod and agree. Or I might enlist you to sort stones too.
Off to the Doc this afternoon, then hopefully I will have this finished up to post no later than Thursday, the day after I get to draw the winner of the Blog Giveaway! And thanks to everyone who has signed up and followed and posted on their blog about it. What fun!
And now gentle readers, back to the salt mines.....
Go have a fabulous creative day!!!
Pax.

Yesterday: Slight Change In Plans

It is utterly frustrating when you have your day planned, then all of a sudden, things get changed.
Above, you can see the minuscule amount of actual art I accomplished. And for good reason. When I came home from early service, I was looking at the yard thinking, "Oh, it's cool out, I could mow quickly...." and of course, have all the rest of the day for art. So I slapped some Neville Brothers gospel music on for the parakeets (yes, they get *church* too, and they expect it), slipped into work clothes and bolted to the John Deere. DH was working so it was just perfect---no cooking, no cleaning up, just GO MOW.
Which I did.
And somehow, when I least expected it, I socked myself in the forehead with a tree limb so hard I thought I was going to get knocked off the mower. This, sadly, is not the first time this has happened. I'm not a quick learner in some areas..... ;-) However, this was the first time I did it hard enough that I couldn't see straight, had a headache and felt nauseous all afternoon.
And, oh yes, I forgot I had that short essay to write that required five books so I could get some research right, all through the haze of the head doing the Rumba. This was an afternoon to remember for sure! I think..... But the writing went well, very well, which makes me wonder what braincells were rattled during the swat.
At any rate, I chose NOT to work in the wet studio in the cellar---in case I passed out and DH couldn't find me when he got home from work---and only after dinner did some cutting, placing and thinking. I mean, by then, I was ABLE to think. Such is the life of Anne.
I'm not making plans for today other than a quick trip in to church for some quiet time due to the fact I won't be able to attend a requiem service tomorrow, so will just offer up intentions on my own. That's my day. If art happens I will love and appreciate it.
May you all be happy creating things that don't require tree limbs, motorized machinery or anything else to put you in a semi-coherent state!
And make ART!
Pax.

It's A Beautiful Day......

....and wishing the same for all of you.

Off to early service and then back home for some art therapy before I start the week running again. Today is just art and rest and nothing else on the schedule.

Hope you have the same......put on some U2, kick back, and yes,

"It's A Beautiful Day".

Pax.

Just Plain BAD!

I am such a sucker for heels, and black shoes to boot, as I own who knows how many pair of them. The only thing worse than buying another pair was trying to get a photo of yesterday's *happy purchase* as holding these long legs of mine upright in the air, then hoisting my upper half off the floor to get the camera in focus and shoot without moving probably means I won't be able to bend today!
Oh, the suffering we girls go through for beauty! ;-)
My appointment went well yesterday---obviously---but again next week I have two in a row on consecutive days in Warsaw, so I am going to be dead on my feet before it's over. And no, I don't believe I will be wearing these to either. I mean, I do have a little sense left.......
Had a few minutes for the wet studio and art last evening, and would have shot photos but nothing is at a point yet where it would make any sense, so you get shoes instead!!! Hey, among some audiences, this would be quite entertaining......ahem!
So now I'm off for a short work out and then hopefully more real art so I have something to post on Monday. The piece I am working on has been swirling in my head for some time and I am hoping I can make it look half as good with the paints, collage and canvas. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. That's the hard part of it.
Have some writing to do too over the weekend, with a bit of research involved so it may be rather quiet at Casa Lockard's computer.
Or maybe I'll blow it off till Sunday, at the last minute.
Naaaaaaaaahhhhh.......
Whatever you do today, I hope it's fun, productive and not too painful! Just make some art!
Pax.

And I'm Off........

Okay, a little self-deprecating humor! But for those of you who know me in person, then this is really funny and right on target! And yes, I am off to the Doc today, so trying to get too many things done all at once--as usual. (actually, the heels would be much higher in real life!)

As to yesterday, I was somewhat good. I did rest, but I also went to the wet studio and got a background going, which helped me zone out more than sleep and medication. And I spent some time on the computer, cleaning things up, debugging, etc---you know, all that stuff you have to do to keep the computer working at least most of the time without major meltdown.

Got into my Gimp program and tinkered with a photo I think I am going to use on the canvas I am toning. Now I have to send it back to ACDSee to finish what I want to do, or maybe Corel Photo House......have to check and see which has what I want. God forbid I learn to use Photo-Shop......it's on the computer upstairs. I don't have the time or desire; my attention span is NOT that long......

Decided yesterday what I was wearing today as that is always a major factor in me leaving the house and of course have to do the hair and make-up; it's that blasted Southern Thing! If you aren't of *the blood* then the whole statement makes no sense and if you ARE, then there is no reason to explain! And yes, you break out the *good girdle* for these trips.

Hopefully I will get good results and some information I really need, so please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. This old gal has got to keep on ticking, if only to entertain you and annoy some others on my list! ;-) SNARF!!!

Til later, I wish for you a most productive day!

Pax.

Day Off

After spending most of yesterday prone on the couch, trying to get *the leg* to quit hurting, I decided I am giving myself a day off.
How long this will last is questionable, as I have tried to do it before and I guess I was just born with ants in my pants---I don't sit still well. But pain makes for bad company in the studio when you're trying to think or create, so maybe, just maaaaaaaaybe, Wonder Woman needs to step out of her satin tights and go for the lounging jammies and bunny slippers. (there's a visual for you.....) And probably be tied down with her golden lasso......in order to rest.
So I hope everyone else is cooking up wonderful things today and send a few good thoughts my way if you have a moment. Or any types of thoughts, for that matter! :-)
Until I am back up and at 'em........

Pax.

Surviving the drought.....

Eventhough we desperately need rain, I took a stroll around the yard while DH had pity on me and watered the small trees we planted back when the soil was soft. (seems like years.......)
I found some hardy survivors, happily showing off their colors and selves!

This salmon daylily is a favorite, given to me by one of my friends. The clump needs digging but my leg says no way--not this year!

My surprise sunflower, surprising me again with a multitude of smaller blossoms coming out at the points where the leaves meet the stalk. The close up on this one is fantastic! How incredible this simple plant is!

And this busy bee doesn't seem to mind the dryness; nor does the decorative thyme it is searching for pollen. I was treated to several shots---the bee must be like me and enjoy the click of the camera!

A pink phlox, slowly opening and still bright with color. These must be the first buds open; they tend to fade as they are exposed to the sun.

And yes, my favorite, an old fashioned double orange daylily. I have dragged starts of these from all over creation. I am pretty sure the first came from Grandmother's or Great-grandmother's. When I move, everything goes!!! There is history and family and friendships in these flowerbeds and it makes the blossoms even sweeter. I walk and see people long gone, people who still actively garden, folks who have had to give it up and in the process shared their precious plants to keep the genus going.

In passing the roots along, they pass love and happiness and joy.

May your garden be full........always.

Pax.

Running Late

I must admit this is one of THOSE mornings. I am running behind. I thought my appointment with the surgeon was this afternoon.......oh no. It's this morning, so only a quick peck at the keys to report in that yesterday ended up being a *nothing-done* day. My fiber piece was going smoothly until I had a bright idea and then whammo. Everything came to a screeching halt. I had to take a bit of time to put some elastic into the waist of a vintage dress I'm wearing today (yes, fashion before work!) so that was a case of switching out everything on the machine. Then I did some work on the floor on my knees and couldn't hardly get back up.
It was at that point that my better judgement, which I try to keep buried quite deeply, said "Anne, give it up. Go shower, go read, go talk to the birds but get OUT of the studio.'
And I listened, which probably means we're in for some tremendous change in the weather!!! LOL!!!
So sorry my dear gentle readers; this is a post of no content, other than those of you who can sympathize with *nothing-done* days.
And yes, I spent way too much time lusting over liturgical fabrics that neither I, nor any of the churches I do work for, can afford. There's still this one trim though........ ;-)
I hope you all have a gentle, relaxing productive day, and that your creativity switch is in the *on* position!
Pax.

Welcomes, Photos and Shameless Self Promotion!

Good Monday! I've got to admit that I have had more responses to the giveaway than I dreamed I would, which has delightfully brought me some new followers and to them I say WELCOME!!! I hope you are able to glean something good from this page and come back and comment.
Secondly, I have to point you to the Community Artists Co-Op page for a little self promotion. Okay, I'm really asking you to go check it out because my friend Val is working hard to make a nice looking blog for the group, and just because it happens to feature moi, well........just go look and leave a nice comment---okay? Val would appreciate it, I would appreciate it, you'd be doing something kind to start the week---that's all good, isn't it?
Now to my *work* yesterday. Studio-wise, there was little. I overslept, jumped out of bed at warp speed to get cleaned up for early service (which I did make with all body parts appropriately dressed) and then came home and crashed. the only thing I accomplished in-studio was what you see below; getting the marbled flowers with angelina in the centers sewn onto the background.

I had fused a sheet of different colors of the angelina first, but found it too much. It really fought with the other colors. So I tore off bits, rolled one end tight and inserted it where the flower stamen had been and then it worked. Hopefully the photos are clickable so you can see up close how nice this works.

These two show the variation in the colors of both the marbling and the angelina fiber. (it is messy stuff, you know......bits everywhere......)

And this is a great close up of the detail the silk flowers take from the marbling pan. I'm still pretty blown away by it; everything I ever tried to marble turned out looking like something that was regurgitated.......there is a fine art to the process. If you want some of the flowers, go talk with Linda at Marbled Musings and I am sure she can give you a proper deal. They're awfully fun....... ;-)

And to the rest of the day: mowing, scything the south edge of the field and taking the tiller apart and putting it back together. And it works!!!! WHOOOO--HOOOO!!!

Hope you have a productive week and not too much noncreative work to deal with.

Now go make art!

Pax.

May your day.......

.......start and end with all the beautiful colors of nature, wrapping you in it's warmth and glory! May it be serene and may you enjoy every second.

Pax.

Fiber Art Fireworks--or--No I Didn't Lose This Piece In The Piled Up Studio!!!

Remember a while back I was all excited about my lack of massive purchases at the Kokomo Piecemakers Quilt Guild show? And that I got the fat quarter cut and sewn together, and a batik vine pinned on? (at least I think I had that part posted.....well, obviously it was pinned!)
And then there it sat, looking at me, asking for guidance, because my plans were not it's plans.
I was thinking of cutting leaves from the remaining piece of the batik and doing them dimensionally and for some reason, no matter how I tried to find a backing or the *right* fabrics, it wasn't working.
So I put it aside, and knew that whatever was to happen would, at the right time.
In the meantime, I had been corresponding with Linda Moran at Marbled Musings and she had offered me some silk flowers that she uses to capture all the remaining marbling paint in her trays when the sessions are complete. The only caveat was that I let her know what I did with them. I had, during our conversations, still been trying this and that and nothing was capturing my attention, saying "Sew me on!".
Nothing.
Zero.
But the piece was still on the table, in view so I could think while working on half a dozen other little *haf-tos*. ;-)
Then I go to the mailbox and there is THE envelope from Linda. I was working in the yard, filthy from cutting brush and shrubs, so I had to WAIT to open it. I knew what was in it and was just dying to see the pieces. After a bit of scrub-up, I poured out the most lovely little flowers and leaves I have ever seen! Silk flowers---marbled! Oh......the brain gave a large and frightening creak....those just might work.....I wonder.....
Off to the studio I flew, grabbed the piece in progress and laid a few flowers on. PERFECT!!!!!! But they were still dimensional from the commercial shaping process, so I slapped them under the steam generator, flatten them like a pancake and then pinned them on.
And that is where we are now. I'm thrilled! Click the photo so you can see these up close and personal. Of all the things I have seen available for fiber artists, these have to be the most unique and quite honestly, fresh, creatively in ages. It's not trendy, it's not a gadget---it's just perfect!
Thank you Linda!!!!!
Now all you all reading this post that do fiber art, get thee to Linda's blog and see what is happening in her marbling life!
Pax.

P.S. Have a happy and safe Fourth!!!! And if you haven't signed up yet for the giveaway on the post of July 3rd, do so. Get in on the fun!

200th Post and a GIVEAWAY!!!

I was surprised when I checked the other day and found I was a few posts away from 200. If I recall correctly (and that's up for grabs!) I stated at my 100th post I would have some great, esoteric piece of wisdom to post for the 200th post.
To quote the Grinch, "HA!"
I'm doing good to figure out what day it is, let alone really cut loose with the words---not that I couldn't, I'm just sort of cramped for time.
So in place of a long sermon on heaven knows what, how about this: I give away the little piece of art pictured above. It is a plaster frame, a total of 4X4" square. The heart is mixed media with some depth, it is on artists canvas and has been painted with Golden Fluid Acrylics. There is more fine detail than the photo shows; there is iridescent glitter in the very center of the heart and it is coated with Triple Thick Glaze, so it is quite shiny and glows. The frame is metallic gold with patina in the corners.
Now the rules:

--Leave a comment to enter.

--If you leave a comment here and on your blog about this with a link, I enter you twice.

--You do not have to have a blog or be a follower; this is just a little gift of good going out into the world!

--The drawing will take place July 15th.

--Please make sure I have some way to get in touch with you to announce you've won!

--The winner will be chosen by a random number generator, so I will not be making replys to these posts, or I might win it myself!

Thank you to all my faithful followers; you keep me going through the low spells, slow spells, and times of creative quagmires. I appreciate that. And whether you win or not, you all are winners in my book. :-)
Now leave that comment, make a post, then go make art!!!!
Pax.

Blast from the past.....

Time flies.............if you don't believe it, go back through your artwork, especially those pieces that should, for some unknown reason, have a date prominent in the design. I found these pics this morning while debating on doing a post; I'm still kind of wiped out, I have DH home through the weekend and a load of work both physical and on the computer awaiting. And I'd like to crawl back in bed. The latter is not going to happen........ ;-)
At any rate, of the number of quilts I have made, this is one of my favorites and sadly, the vinyl the jacket was made of is deteriorating. When it was out on tour, it was not stored in a climate controlled space, came home with creases and pet hair and I was sick. That was one of the determining factors in my withdrawal from shipping and showing work, and also a beginning of the desire for mixed media. I just knew there had to be a better way of self expression, and I learned that the lure of money or my name being out there meant little. I guess it was then that it hit me that I do art for the pleasure of ART, and hopefully for pleasure it brings to others (which is why I blog).

The name of the piece is "43 Enshrined: Inner Sanctum". It speaks of that point in life where you are midway. To the viewers right is the sturdy whole column, to the left, the inverted torch and crumbling rock and brick. And there *I* am, right in the middle, my life and loves summed up within the representation of my signature leather jacket. Music, New Orleans, my tattoo artwork, other small charms of protection, and good old skinny me in a pair of leather pants I would give my eye teeth to squeeze back into again! (delusional Anne......carry on) And my favorite bass, a Fender Jazz bass, now sold.......oh the action was smooth, the neck fast and the sound out of this world!!! How I miss it.

It seems like this past year has been such a time of transition in one form or another, that if I was to remake this piece today, I ask myself, "What would the contents of the jacket be?" What would be the dominating themes in my life? Where, exactly, as an artist and as a person am I now?

This was easy at 43. It was a full year, a ripe and verdant time. In the year of the impending 50, I am not sure. Is life defined by decades or moments, sweet and short? Is it filled with pleasure or pain---do we subtly forget the hurt over time and fill our *jackets* with the warm memories of things past and accomplishments achieved? As we grow older, do we wish to DO more but find less time, and have to face the realization that there is a finite amount we will achieve and refine that area?

What fills YOUR jacket at this point in your life? What road are you on?

And the question I perpetually ask myself: Am I where I am supposed to be, doing the work I should be doing, or is it all a tempering of mettle for something else ahead.

So.........where are YOU and what is your life full of?

I hope creativity, in one form or another is part of it.

Pax.

The Yellows and Reds of Summer

It has always seemed to me that summer flowers go by colors. There are swathes of one color, or color family all at once. I seem to be graced with the yellow to red family right now.

Turkscaps tall against a sky that threatens rain but does not deliver. It is quite dry and the flowers are taking the brunt of it, lasting only a short time. Normally these stems would last five days; now if I get two per flower I am lucky.

The firey red of monarda sent to me by my friend Jan is the perfect offset for this soft ivory yellow daylily. They have a vague scent, not much. The monarda, on the other hand, is pungent and delightful!

A surprise sunflower, no doubt planted by that scoundrel chipmunk that has ravaged my flowbeds. This is the only good thing the little varmint has done........ ;-)

A form of loose strife, which--as all varieties do--has taken over a whole side of the yard. It has managed to strangle the low growing evergreens I planted to try and stop erosion. I think the loose strife is more effective, as long as it doesn't take over the house next!

And a cooling combination of a plume poppy and lemon lily, the fragrant variety of daylily. They seem so appropriate together, both sturdy but delicate.

Hope you've enjoyed a bit of the beauty of summer, without heat, bugs or storms! Or weeds to pull (I cropped them out!).

Have a glorious day and enjoy the colors around you!

Pax.