Introducing My Friend: Lynn Devine McDonald

I want to introduce Lynn because she is a phenomenal woman, artist and someone whose work you will want to see more of! Please enjoy!!!! And all images in this post are the copyright of Lynn Devine McDonald, 2009. (yes, I'm sewing....or prepping to....)

Lynn and I met, quite by accident, when I had some of my shrine quilts on display at the Indianapolis Art Center in Broadripple, for their Dia De Los Muertos show/celebration. We talked first either via e-mail or through a phone call--I can't remember which--but set up a date for her to come up from Indy to my studio. She and her sister Gail were afraid I would be some "young, perky thing"..............HA! Not that way for a looooooong time!

We all hit it off immediately with our like of similar things; my work was quirky and a little dark, but with influence from Frida Kahlo and religious images. Lynn's work used found objects from flea markets, yard sales---anything for texture--- multiple stampings, paint, more paint, more stamping........see where we're going here?

Lynn loves the use of milagros in her work as much as I did sewing the numerous tiny ones on my shrine series. While we differ in technique, we still have these threads that cross....color, texture, hearts, Frida..................

To quote Lynn, when describing her unique and eye catching work:
"Many times I use text as texture. I love to play with layers of meaning and layers of materials,I see them as stories, visual fragments of a moment. I seem to work in series; Frida, Mexican tin hearts, renaissance women, circus., dreams etc. "

There is always a quality of depth that I enjoy looking at. A sense of so much more to see if I just look a bit longer.

You can visit Lynn's Etsy shop and see what's for sale, or visit her blog through the link in my sidebar.

She also has a website, Lynn Devine McDonald, where you can go take a look-see too.
We have shown together (along with Bernadette Ostrozovich) and we are truly an interesting trio when we are thrown in the same boat, or gallery, as the case may be!
So take a moment to check Lynn's work out and leave a comment; she's new to Blogland and I think you all would enjoy what wonderful eye candy is available.
I sure do---my daily dose of Lynn! :-)
Now repeat the matra; "Go make art......go make art.....go make art....."

Pax.

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.

Quick updates.....PLEASE READ

Hi Valued Readers,

This morning is non-art related, but I'd like you to stick with me for a bit anyway. It seems of late I have been getting a few comments that are kind, BUT are adding a website that has nothing to do with what I feel *we* are about, and I have had to make the choice to permanently delete them, as there is a website link attached in the comment.
If you just like the blog and want to comment, please do! I love comments! And please introduce yourself so I and the readers know a bit about you. I just am suspicious of comments followed by web links that aren't art related....so if you have a link built into whatever you post and sign, please delete it here. Most appreciated.
But---if you are an artist, quilter, anything related to making any form of art, anything photographic and of content that is not adult in nature, or you are in music for that matter, or you are with an organization that supports the arts, feel free to leave a link in the comment field.
HOWEVER!
Anything else, such as links for plastic business cards, windshield repair, etc. will GO. FOR EVER. Won't have it; don't want to have to go to moderating comments but I will delete the comment, end of story. Sorry, but this is a networking tool for all art-type folks and we work very hard to have nice places to visit and I want to promote others in the field (as well as myself a bit too...!). This is a blog of friendship and laughing and learning and helping to get artsy type people together. This is not a place to promote a business if you are someone I've not a clue about. So like I said-----the comment with hotlink attached will GO to the cyberspace dumping grounds. I DON'T DO SPAM! My followers---you know you're welcome to promote your art or Etsy shops or whatever. No questions.
Nuff of the *legal stuff*. ;)
Yesterday I had a follow up with my doc on the leg and I am awaiting the scheduling of a CT from knee to groin and then PT in Kokomo, which---where I will be going---is about 30-45 minutes drive from here. I do not, at this time , know how I am going to make art, blog, work with our local art group (see pic at bottom of page) and manage everything else until the leg issue is taken care of. It breaks my heart to be posting this as opposed to art, a friends art and blog, or some funny picture and a completely off the wall funny story. But sometimes life gets in the way, and you do what you have to do to get better.
On the upside, DH took me shoe shopping yesterday, and I found 5---count 'em FIVE pair of acceptable flats until I am back in heels. I figure it was "Husband Hell", having to wander around the shoe store, carrying boxes while I tried on shoes! Like I have said before, he must have the patience of Job...... (that's why I love him and have been married to him for 24 years!)
So thanks for hanging in here with me. As I progress, the content of the blog will too. If you are a faithful follower and I have not done a little post on you, and you would like that, please contact me off-blog and we can work on setting that up. I have time to sit here and type---I'm still able to do that!
I wish you all the day I so want to be having; creative, inventive, filled with those moments that you are artistically lost in the zone for hours----pure bliss.
May you have an abundance of these!!!!

Anne

P.S. Have changed how the comments are left. If you cannot leave a comment, please e-mail me and let me know. Thanks!