ATC Day (which stands for a number of things....)

***First, before I forget, new WELCOMES aboard this crazy blog! Relax....it's fun here!!!***

I would love to say yesterday was a day of many accomplishments and LOTS of ATCs. Somewhere half way through the day, I began thinking about the initials of artist trading cards and decided maybe in my case, it stands for other things......

Wait.....I'm getting ahead of myself.

I have occasionally had people ask how I get inspired to do a piece, simple or complex, of art. Generally they are treated to the *deer-in-the-headlights* stare, followed by the dropped jaw and stammering. Sometimes drooling accompanies the afore mentioned. Not always.

This gives a good idea how my mind works....or doesn't as you may decide.

I had wanted to start searching my piles for images for the two other medical related pieces that will go on the square canvas that have the texture. While I was looking for the box with that ephemera, I noticed I had not answered a letter, so I sat and made stationery for that. (the letter turned into about a three hour project)

I walked it to the mail box and, as we were having extremely strong winds, I noticed a perfectly formed red Japanese Maple leaf on the ground, which I-- of course-- had to pick up. It was supple and fresh, but I wanted to use it NOW.  (you're right; this has nothing to do with the two medical pieces...)

Continuing.......I slapped it between a folded sheet of waxed paper, and covered that with paper toweling and ironed until it was dry, flat and very delicate. Most of the color is retained doing this. Well, then I looked at the size and I thought....hmmmmm....ATC size.

So off to the computer to print some backgrounds from my file of Oriental freebies I have saved FOR EVER. I printed a page out, sprayed both sides of the paper well with workable fixative then set to adhering one piece to a precut ATC card.

I decided that having the leaf hanging over the edge would look better and gently broke off the excess pieces. I also had covered the background print with a glitter paint, which barely shows in the photo. It needed oomph. Then I decided I wanted the Geisha cut out around the print, and I would make a seperate back for the card. (I know....you're supposed to sign them but....well.....it's ME and I want that back covered! And I want it firm so it won't bend easily.)

So there I am, with half the card and cutting the Geisha and the camera decides it has ingested all of it's battery.

Great.

I had this idea of a detailed photo post, but you get two and we were doing good with that.

Now back to the ATC abbreviation. (notice how I never got back to those medical scraps to sort???) I kept thinking the way I work is much like Billy from the Family Circus (for those of us OLD and DECREPIT ENOUGH to remember that delightful cartoon) when his mother would say "Billy, go straight to the store...." and he wandered everywhere humanly possible.

My *ATC* stands for:

Artist: Totally Clueless

When I get batteries, the finished card will be posted, unless I find something else to wander off to do. And that is a good possibility. Or I may forget to buy them when I am in town, and come home with chocolate instead.

But all in all, yesterday was a relaxing sort of day and fun, and I got to stay in the studio so maybe I wasn't supposed to find those medical scraps after all. I mean, I would have had to really concentrate.....and lately, my brain keeps saying it wants a break!

I think I'll just take a short walk with Billy......and be straight back!  LOL!!!

Pax.