Friday, January 30, 2009

Dazzled By Texture

This young lady "dazzled" me! She was beautiful, and had quite a flair for fashion. The texture of her skirt....the obvious texture of her personality (as I imagined it)....the texture of the art. Layers of interest...layers of history...layers of a story...layers....

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Texture Translated to Art

All this talk about texture...why not put it to art. I thought I had finished these pieces of art...then I started thinking about layering more and more...and went back and added just a few more layers. I kind of like it....

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Day 2: Texture

Day two of texture: I've spent the last couple of days observing texture. Nothing better than beads..... My daughter has had the good fortune of experiencing many forms and textures of art through her school art class. She has tapped into many different mediums and created some of the most wonderful art. Texture plays a huge role in developing your inner artist....
Even the simplest of items can provide such a visual slide of texture. Old bobbins dumped in a jar....texture!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Notice The Texture!

"Texture is the most enduring
and ubiquitous underpinning of form...
certainly a calming, meditative and
appealing world for both the eye and mind."
-Lynda Lehmann
I recently joined a very cool year long artful color journey through ArtsyMama's blog . "A Year of Color" is now my favorite place to check in and see the great photos, wonderful projects and the link to other artists with creativity bubbling over! In just my few days of checking in to see the latest and greatest color photos...I have found myself categorizing many things by color and adding my own visual layer of "texture". I thought it would be fun to join in a creative, artful way but, featuring texture for a few days.
The definition of "Texture": 1. the characteristic physical structure given to a material, an object, etc., by the size, shape, arrangement, and proportions of its parts 2. the characteristic visual and tactile quality of the surface of a work of art resulting from the way in which the materials are used.
Texture is such a great visual...but, you have to start looking for it. Can't wait to start adding layers of texture to my art! Stop and notice the texture!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

We Are Dressed For A Winner!

Just a little paper doll dress revival...it reminds me of a former Brownie Dress...just needs a beanie and your fingers held like a closed peace sign (I think this is how you take the oath?...I was not a very good Brownie...only wanted to become a Girl Scout, so I could sell the infamous cookies. My uniformed, badge earning career was limited to one cookie season.) We Have A Winner For The Valentine Card!
We are going to share the love with Natalie from Natalie's Sentiments . I just need you to email me with your mailing address. Thank you to all who participated...and thanks for all the kind words! You make it fun!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Share The Love!

It's A Valentine Give-Away!
Just finished this little Valentine piece....at the swim meet! Had a few extra hours while waiting for my little friend to swim...and this is what happened. I thought it might be fun to share the love...so, if you respond to this post...you are in the drawing!
Made of all kinds of vintage goodies and perfect for hanging!
Will pick the winner on Wednesday! It should arrive at your home in time to hang for the the infamous holiday of love! Happy Pre-Valentine's Day!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Collecting Typewriters

I have a huge fascination with typewriters...even the toy "cub reporter" variety. I'm still trying to figure out how the page was actually typed. Plus, every one of these has a sign on it reading "DO NOT TOUCH". My curiosity is going to get me some day and I'm going to whip out a sheet of paper roll it into the machine and begin the type written word. Collecting typewriters has always been a "want"...but, where do you put them? Thus, the collection of photos. It's really the only way to do it. Typewriter trivia is fascinating to read. Found these fun little tid bits...thought my fellow blogger/typers would enjoy! 1. one of the longest common words that alternates the typing hands: antiskepticism 2. one of the longest common words just using the top typewriter row: typewriter 3. the average person's left hand does 56% of the typing 4. "stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand and "lollipop" with your right Just a few cool nuggets from http://nimblefingers.com/

Thursday, January 15, 2009

The Jury Is Still Out

I just read a blog about the resurgence of embroidery in art....just recently went in a bookstore and saw that the "how-to" books featuring embroidery have multiplied...and I personally have found myself doing more of it as of late. My "motherhood" role puts me in a waiting position approximately two hours an evening while my daughter participates in some type of practice. This two hour window of time has honed my embroidery skills! The mobility of the craft...the ease of doing it without the aid of electricity....and the broad array of colors and creativity available with the art has certainly made an impact on what I'm doing. Little snippets of hand sewn cloth are showing up everywhere! I did this about ten years ago...and now a decade later the same craft is blazing new artistic trails. My embroidery used to be only on cloth...now it's showing up on everything...clothing, paper, canvas, photos and book covers. My former embroidery life consisted of following others patterns....this has changed significantly. I start sewing and that is what is created. It's freestyle sewing! Lots of artists incorporate this into their art and it is outstanding! I hope I can figure out how to do the same....the jury is still out.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Finding My Canvas!

It's an art day! Absolutely LOVE this young damsel in the photo. She has a great pair of legs.
The flower is made from cigar wrappers and the sizing tape I found last summer. Just found a bag of old skeleton keys at my parents home...so they will be showing up on everything.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Full of Journey!

"Think like a queen.
A queen is not afraid to fail.
Failure is another steppingstone to greatness."
-Oprah Winfrey
I have been sitting proudly on the throne of creativity....every day has been filled with glue...needles....junk...buttons...thread...paper...and pure heaven. There is nothing better than immersing yourself in a room to attempt creativity. Many times the outcome is interesting...sometimes attractive....and there is no doubt often things scream failure! Not to be cliche', but its not the destination, which equals the things you make...but, the journey it takes to make the creation. My year is going to be full of journey!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Talk To The Hand

Could not resist photographing this piece of unique home decor. Yes, this is a white, life size resin hand...ornamented with decorative oranges and miscellaneous miniaturized kitchen containers, pitchers and cups...that delicately house a very medicinal type of clock, complete with red minute hand. This piece of kitchen garnish is certainly one that makes a statement. Although I'm not sure my interpretation of its statement is clear. I would like to have lunch with the creative brain trust that assembled all these elements into a retailers nightmare. Just give this a thought....decorative resin has only been around in the past decade or so (give or take a few years) and molded decorative resin with mechanical capabilities has been less. Yet, a simple little antique mall in 2009, has somehow found four cases of this timepiece appendage and are offering it for a mere $3....and if you buy four or more...the price quickly plummets to $2. Wow...all this visual and useful stimulation slammed into one ornamental doo-dad that seems to be devaluing quicker than the real estate market of 2008. What is the future of our antique malls? I guess you should...'talk to the hand'.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Armed With Pins

"What is success? It is a toy balloon
among children armed with pins."
-Gene Fowler

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Without Pins and Needles

"Every rose has its thorns...
and you never find a woman
without pins and needles."
-Douglas Jerrold

Friday, January 9, 2009

Pins Left Over

"A genius is a man who can re wrap a new shirt
and not have any pins left over."
-Dino Levi
CHeck this out!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Pin It With A Star

"When twilight drops her curtain down and
pins it with a star,
remember that you have a friend
though she may wander far."
-Lucy Maud Montgomery

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Pin Cushion Parade!

Do you ever have a fixation on perhaps a "tool of the trade"...but, not necessarily a fondness for the trade? I have never been a seamstress....probably never will...but, I love one of the most important instruments of the trade of sewing you might say....PIN CUSHIONS! Yes, these little havens of history that house the infamous straight pin is one of my favorite little pieces of creative history. Did you know.... Pincushions were first recorded in history during the Tudor reign in 15th century England. Metal pins were a very costly and precious items in those early days and before the 15th century were kept in small cases made of bone, ivory, or silver. During the Tudor era, simple stuffed shapes started to be used instead of the cases. They began by being made of colorful and elaborately decorated silks and linens, replete with tassels and laces. According to "The Haven For Quilts, Baskets and Patterns". I think it's just really cool that a tool has basically survived the technology era. It has somehow managed to escape the engineers of advancement. There have been no ports...docking stations...or electricity integrated into the housing capabilities of a straight pin. As far as I know...there has been little enhancement from the initial pin cushion to now...and I don't see it changing too much in the near future. It still is a container or pillow stuffed with soft material, so straight pins can be stored easily. Simple. This fascination has brought me to the ongoing pin cushion parade. For the past few days my creative juices have been making pin cushions in every possible way....see what you think...

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Think Pretty!

Very moist day....started this way....has continued on and on.....and now I'm beginning to feel ugly and somewhat grey and damp. Not good....mucho to do....many happy things to think about! Pretty...is only a reflection of what you define as appealing...find the good...it's bound to be there!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Begin the Embellishing!

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
-Leonardo Di Vinci
My year started out in the antique mall...YIPPEE!! I experienced my first "mom and daughter" day of 2009. Upon asking her, "what would you like to do today?", she simply said, "go junking". My first 2009 "I'm so excited she wants to do this" shiver ran up my spine! We hopped in the car and took out to a nearby small town with two large antique malls. We seldom visit Sweetwater because of distance and time constraints, so today was the perfect time. On the third floor we saw this beautiful open antique mall waiting for many new vendors. The magnitude of the room...the light...the glass block windows...the old hardwood floors...the smell (you'll have to imagine this one)...and the simple oak chairs and table made beautiful, simple artistic sophistication. Just loved it! I generally am a proponent of "more is better...then add three more"...but, complete simplicity can certainly find its place. Since this is the start of the year...it's always nice to begin with a clean slate...this was mine. Can't wait to begin the embellishing for 2009!