Collage Pair Done! (unbelievable.....)

I have come to the conclusion that I am slower than the seven year itch about getting things done that I should. Such as, the simple photos of these.

They have laid on the table a couple of days, finished, waiting and while I decided it was much more entertaining to make merry with a baby pic of myself, the art was languishing in the computer, pounding and yelling at me to be posted.

Thus, for your approval, the pair. I like them. I know I should be a better critic, but, I just plain like them. The way they work side by side, the way the square sets off the odd and unequal rectangular shapes, the botanical stamps......I can't be a good judge here.

Previously, I felt the colors were too bright and everything was too rigid and straight; that the pieces did not meld into the background better. I had tried a few types of gel mediums and ended up wiping them all off--they were not *it*. Then I decided I would try one of my template marking pencils, but it was upstairs and I was lazy (okay, I did not feel physically like running up two flights of steps....) but on the table in front of me was a soft graphite pencil. I looked at it, it looked at me......I tentatively tried a tiny bit. Perfect. PERFECT! Better than the other would have been by far! The embossing was picked up, the brush strokes of medium, everything began to take on a slightly aged and lived in look, exactly like I wanted! And all due to my complete and utter sloth-dom....  ;-)  Hey, there are perks for laziness, though few.......

Or maybe this is one of those happy accidents that makes art so pleasing and exciting, and constantly a learning process. I don't know, nor do I care. They are as I mentally visualized them! What more could I ask for?

Do click the photos; they should enlarge enough to see some of the small details.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday greetings yesterday, cyber and in hand---all y'all are a fine bunch of bloggers and blog readers! But you knew that already, yes?

Content may be sparse as I prepare for surgery next week. I'm hoping to at least produce a few more ATCs but honestly, sleep seems to be what I'm doing well at the moment.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, a creative time during this festive season, and truly above all else,

I bid you......

Pax.