ndenommee

The Real World

2011-12-19T21:10:00.000-08:00

At Christmas my adult children, their spouses and my husband and I fill stockings for the adults. I usually put a magazine into each one. The last two years I have been unable to buy any magazines at all after the trauma of "going through" the hundreds, yea thousands of magazines that my mother had collected while dealing with her funeral, house and all manner of other things. This was a good thing for me actually because I realized that I didn't really need certain things. This year my search for the perfect addition to the stocking of my daughter-in-law became a problem and a thump on the head. She has cancer on top of MS. Every magazine had an article on "how to lose belly fat", how to cook amazing meals for your children, how to invest, the top hairdo's for the season, make-up tricks, all things that seem so trivial now. Good health is our treasure, our investment, the most important thing in this life.

Vodka Martini Gardener

2011-08-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a really good book right now called "The Gin and Tonic Gardener" by Janice Wells. It's very amusing but very helpful, too. I am more of a vodka martini gardener myself. I work in the garden until martini time which is 3 o'clock for me. Now don't gasp that it's too early for a cocktail at 3 because it usually takes me about three hours to drink the whole thing down. Here are some pictures of the front yard, known affectionately as "the semi-barren wasteland". I won't even show you the backyard, which is overrun with English ivy, an invasive plant in the area. I will tackle the back another day or should I say month. I had a couple of landscapers come in and at least chop down the "pricker" bushes; blackberries. I'm thinking of a rock garden for the front. I have been wandering up and down the allies with my shopping trolley picking up likely suspects. I found two beauties at the air show that we went to on the weekend and another couple at a rocky beach in Point Roberts, Wa. There was so much beautiful silvery grey driftwood but I didn't know how the customs people would be about me bringing back to Canada. My daughter and two grandchildren are at a cottage this week and I have given orders for rocks, rocks and more rocks. After looking at a gardening magazine I'm thinking maybe a dry bed stream might be nice too. I have also added a picture of my next door neighbour and friend's front yard and porch. You can see what I have to live up to.

I'm also starting a new series of paintings using the "impasto" method, huge slabs of paint piled onto the canvas. My studio is upstairs in our 100year old house and it's hot as hades up there in the afternoon.

blocked!!!

2011-04-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

Last week I was really excited about the new nude paintings I decided to concentrate on. Today they all look horrible and I hate them. This is a really slow time of year and every year I do something new and risky. This year I first started to do the cities in abstract, well I did one. Then I did the nudes, all different sizes. What to do now? I have a stack of blank canvasses. Maybe I should do some collages, that sometimes wakes up my creativity. I am listing more work onto Etsy.com, I'll see how that goes.
We are having a federal election in a couple of weeks and I am in a tizzy about that, too.

Cities in abstract.

2011-02-22T13:41:00.001-08:00

So I have finished my first "City in Abstract" and listed it on ebay. I started off with New York City, of course. I've done many paintings of that favorite city but this is the first textured abstract. Next will be Seattle, or maybe San Francisco, or New Orleans. How will I decide?

Fear of "THE BOMB"

2011-02-16T19:24:00.000-08:00

When I was eight years old my mother let me watch an animated film about a nuclear bomb even though it was preceded a warning that children should not watch it. I was a very spoiled and precocious only child so I watched it. I have never forgotten it and for years (actually until after I married at 17) I would pray every night to "please not let the bomb fall". It was horrific. I've often wondered just what it was and if, as I seemed to remember, it was on the Ed Sullivan show. Well of course, good old google came through. Some other person has had it on their mind all these years too. It was called "A Short Vision". I really cannot bring myself to watch it though.

My walk yesterday was all about smells. A lovely cigar aroma as I walked past one of the Italian coffee shops, the smell of the fire from the brick oven readying itself for pizza, garlic cooking, piles of apples outside the produce store, all wonderful. I have been taking Paxil again after two years of being off it. I had really just wanted to see if, after taking it for over ten years, I really do suffer from depression. And guess what? I do along with anxiety. I felt cranky and short tempered all the time, couldn't make any decisions, was afraid in the car. So what if I have to take it for the next twenty years, I'm quite happy.

Excited about ABSTRACT!

2011-02-14T15:00:00.000-08:00

While I was on vacation in September I could hardly wait to get home and really put some time into my blog. I even bought the "artful blogger" magazine for inspiration. This was a really big step for me since I haven't been able to buy magazines since clearing out my mother's house last summer. Here I am more that five months later just getting down to it now.
I'm working on a new series; large, textured abstract cityscapes. I have almost finished New York and the ideas for Santa Fe and Seattle are rushing around in my brain. February is usually a slow month for sales so I always have a new project ready. I rearranged my studio by clearing my sewing table to use as a drawing and "idea" space. Of course I'm still working on my Sock Monkey series and my country sheep.

Forty Fridas continues.....

2010-08-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

Here are my newest Frida Kahlo paintings. I have done these in a naive, primitive style. They are also ACEO's. I'm nearly half way through this personal challange I have set for myself.
I've found a couple of new websites for selling art, one of Artfire.com and the other is Zibbet.com. Both are free to list. Zibbet takes a percentage when an item is sold. Anyone heard of them?

Latest Addition to Forty Fridas

2010-08-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

I have been working on different sizes for my Frida Kahlo paintings this week. These are both 8 x 10" but one is on a flat canvas board and the other is on wrapped canvas with black painted sides. These are both on auction at ebay. I'm still having serious questions about the viability of ebay as a source for artists. I looked into another site today called Artfire. It seems to be very similiar to Etsy but the basic subscription is free! Hard to believe but I think I might give it a try.

Forty Paintings of Frida Kahlo

2010-08-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

I am now working on forty paintings of Frida Kahlo and listing them on ebay. They are in different sizes; ACEO standard size of 2 1/2 x 3 1/2", 8" x 10" and 5" x 7". I was originally planning on doing one per day but have decided that is too restricting. I am now working on the 12th painting and it's just one week into my project.

Glorious day!

2010-06-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

There is only one word to describe today and that word is "glorious". The sky is so blue and the cherries that I complained about yesterday look like bunches of brilliant jewels. Even the bindweed (wild morning glory)that is the bane of my gardening existance is in bloom and looking quite wonderful. My mallow is full of blooms with many more to come. I was worried about this plant, it was blown onto it's side during a very strong wind storm. I actually like it better in this position. My "nonstop begonias" are living up to their name as well.

I have been doing some ink drawings this week, very detailed. I love to do these while "watching" some of the shows I have recorded on my fabulous PVR. The fashion channel is such a treat for me. There is one show called "Signe Chanel" about a complete season of the designing and execution of a Chanel line, from the drawings of Karl Lagerfield to the putting together of the pieces by the ladies in the atelier, to the fitting of the models and then finally the runway show.

cherry tree

2010-06-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

I have been watching the thousands of tiny cherries on my neighbours cherry tree that seem to be waiting to burrow their way into my flower bed sending out roots as big as my arm and as hard as rock. They are really pretty, the red and orange against the green leaves, but a real nuisance when they drop.

I will be adding some paintings to my blog that I will be selling here exclusively, so stay tuned.

Lost three pounds! Oh frabjous day!

2010-05-31T07:53:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to have lost three pounds in a week just by cutting down and eating more fruit. I'm back to yogurt on my cereal instead of heavy cream and it really works, as I've always known but I just get into these moods of thinking "life is short, I'll do as I want".

It's raining this morning so no acrobatics by the crows. I like the rain because it means I don't have to water my flowers but on the other hand I can't get out there and plant more or dig up all my voracious bindweed. My beautiful iris blooms have passed. I'm so glad I took pictures of them. No one picked them this year which is nice. I really don't know why people think it's okay to pick flowers from yards. Obviously someone has planted and tended them.

Today I am going to do more abstract ACEO's for Ebay.

Show of Crows

2010-04-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

Every morning as I sit out on my front porch with my first coffee of the day the crows put on a show for me. This morning was very special. Some pig of a human (maybe) had thrown a takeout box onto the middle of our street. It had been driven over and was flattened. A few fries had made their way out of the box. A crow wasn't satisfied with the flattened ones on the road, he knew there were more inside. He worked at that box until he had it completely open. He picked up two fries in his beak and flew under the rear wheel of a car and put them down to hide. I thought that was all, but he flew a couple of feet away, picked up and leaf and covered them up with it. I had heard of crows doing this, hiding food from others, but this is the first time I had seen it. They are such amazing birds.

New Ebay paintings

2010-04-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

Here are my two newest ebay paintings.
I still can't decide what to do about my ebay store; cancel and just list in auctions or keep it and deal with the lack of exposure.

etsy again

2010-04-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I am planning to close my ebay store and concentrating on Etsy.com. I let my listings slide since I was doing quite well on ebay but with the new changes they have implemented it's too pricy and my items have seemed to been moved into oblivion. Most of my sales are from repeat customers who seek me out. When I was selling my artwork at art fairs and markets I always avoided anything that smelled of a yard sale or flea market, it lowers the tone and art seems to be overpriced for the average buyer looking for "something for nothing". Now it seems that ebay is really just a humongous flea market in the sky.

ebay disappointment

2010-04-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

Well, Ebay has really done it now. Seems they don't want "little" sellers on their monster site anymore. First they raised the fees, eliminated the stores, and now have sent out emails saying "you are performing under our standard". I spent the last couple of days looking after my grandson because my daughter-in-law is in hospital awaiting cancer surgery. I arrived home this morning anxious to do some artwork and listings. I knew I had sold some paintings and was expecting to pack and ship. Opened my email to the message from ebay. I felt sick until I looked at the forums and realized that it was just their newest insult and I wasn't alone. Of course I will be closing my store.

Other than that little hiccup in my artsy life I have been once again concentrating on crows and ravens. Every morning when I sit out on my front porch with my coffee the crows pose and perform for me. It's as if they know they are my favorite subject.

New work

2010-01-12T08:19:00.000-08:00

I don't know why I can't seem to get to this every day! I must admit that I have a new PC and have been playing solitaire much to often! I tell myself that it limbers up my wrist and gets me comfortable with my new mouse. Haha.

I have been working on some new collages. Every day I pull out my storage drawers and put them on my bed to go through. It's quite exciting to see all the paper and cut out images that I have accumulated over the past couple of years.

This one is my homage to Marilyn Monroe. It's done on a wrapped canvas. I love these because the edges can be painted and they can be hung directly on the wall with just a small nail or even a tack.

I'm also revisiting my Sock Monkey series. I am currently working on a little book featuring his adventures.

Volume volume Volume

2009-11-20T07:54:00.000-08:00

I have decided to list some of my artwork at extremely low prices. I'm going for volume. I have been watching a few other artists on ebay who seem to sell a ton of pieces this way. I have so much stock that I just list and then let the listing expire. Because I do like to create something every day these just sit in my storage. It's fun to go through work that I have done in the last couple of years. I often wonder if I try to do too many things. When I was doing craft shows I felt I had to offer variety. It was as if other artists were not even there, I had to offer it all. A couple of years ago I started a series of ACEO's featuring Sock Monkey. A cute little guy doing different things in all sorts of places. I had a few left so I listed those and started to do more. I wake up in the middle of the night and think of places for Sock Monkey to go.

I have also relisted my rainbow series of paintings and some collages.

Determined to keep up!

2009-11-09T15:07:00.000-08:00

I am finally back to writing in my blog! I don't know where the time goes. I have been working on collages this week and last. After coming back from clearing out my mother's house I was determined to get rid of all of my "stash". I got a garbage bag and pulled out a drawer that was full of collage "fixings"; letters, papers, pictures, and of course found new inspiration. So I have been a busy bee, painting, gluing, cutting like mad. These are a couple of the new ones that I have listed on eBay.

folk art sculpture

2009-08-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

It has been many months since I last posted. I did mention that my mother died in November and I have been consumed by worries and dreams of clearing out years of "things" from her house. Well, it is now done, the house sold and I am back home trying to restart my life. I took my 13 year old granddaughter with me and it was the most wonderful experience. She was a big help of course, but the closeness I felt was very heartwarming. I looked after her until she was about five but the intervening years have flown by and she is such a young woman now. The bond between is very deep.

One thing I did discover was that my father was a very real and accomplished folk artist. My mother had always made dolls, sewn and knitted. Her unfinished things were everywhere, she had a hard time finishing anything. There were always a few of the little creations that my father made around, little fairy houses made from pieces of wood, creatures made of stones and bits of wire and wood. I found a box filled with these wonderful things in a damp and mouldy box in the basement. I had always thought that I got my talent from my mother but now realize that my father was much more creative. I don't think we took him seriously and I want to change that and honor the artist that he truly was.

Taking control

2009-03-18T08:36:00.000-07:00

I have been remiss in writing for quite a while. My mother died the end of November and apart from the issues that I have had to deal with since then I have not gotten back to my "normal" everyday life.

I did do one thing in her honor though that I am going to "rant" about. My mother was very nice, too nice I often told her. She had people calling her and talking for way too long, telling her boring stories about their life. I also had one person in particular that did the same thing to me. I had a friend that I met online who happened to live in the area. I actually had to stop answering my phone because so much of my time was being wasted. I am an artist, as you will know from my blog, I also have a husband and do want him to have a good dinner every night. Every day I try to create something as well as do the chores that go with living; shopping, cooking, etc. Two years ago I sent this person a link to the little story about me that was written in the Mexico City Reforma newspaper. The next email I had from her said that she was still "hacking" her lungs out, her son was practically at death's door. I stopped emailing. Anytime I actually was able to tell her anything about my life she had a friend,relative,neighbour that was sicker,richer,more talented,more famous and on and on and on and on. A couple of weeks ago she emailed me and we decided to get together. I agreed to this because my doctor had told me that it was very important to socialize, to see friends often to try and get out of the house. I thought it would be a good idea, after all, you get different things from different friends. BIG mistake. We spoke on the phone once, emailed a couple of times and spent a morning together. That's all, but in that short period I heard the same story three times, about friends that wanted to learn to make Christmas cards. As she was leaving she said "now you can start answering your phone again" At that very moment I was thinking "now I'll never be able to answer my phone again". There was new item about a young woman accosted by three young hoodlums in my area at 2:30 one morning. I received an email from this person saying "you've got to move, you really do". I was furious. There are problems everywhere and we all have to be careful. To end this epic, she said that we probably should not continue with our "renewed" friendship as we had differing views. Free at last, I can now answer my phone when I want to. I stood up for myself against one of the most self-centered and boring people I have ever met.

On a happier note, we took our grandchildren out in the blustery March rain to see the bald eagles. Very exciting. I wasn't sure if they would be bored since they love their games, but they loved it.

New Inspiration

2008-08-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

I bought myself a new art book the other day using my birthday check from my mother. I felt I needed some new inspiration and this book is doing it! "Modern Art despite Modernism" is the title. I have always loved Fernand Leger's paintings from the 1920's. So industrial, with sharp angles and bright colors. I did a little painting in that style. I had also gotten a little bored with my nudes always in the same positions. I have been using drawings that I did at life classes years ago as studies for my paintings. This book has some new ideas for me in that vein as well.

I've also been making some of my little bears. I bought some fat quarters in a quilt shop the other day for this. These little fabric pieces are perfect. I can make just one or two out of one piece and have much more variety. Not as much waste and I don't have the huge stash of fabric bits left over. Of course I still do have a huge stash of fabric but I'm really trying to use it up.

Here are some of my latest ACEO nudes that I have listed on ebay.

Compassion?

2008-08-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

The other day my husband yelled at a homeless woman that was using the area between our sidewalk and garage as a bathroom. This woman is a regular in our neighbourhood, sometimes she is quite scary and other times just sad and pathetic. She is an addict. I was furious at first that she did this. I have my grandchildren over and there is a five year old next door. Who knows what we are walking through and tracking into our homes. In the middle of the night I started to think about her and wondered if I should be showing some compassion for her, she is a woman after all, and life can be hard for anyone. I do believe that everyone has choices in this life, though.

Everything old is New again

2008-08-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

Well, once again my messiness has caused me time. I sold a small painting this week. I printed off the invoices and the certificate of authentication and put them all together ready for my shipping day which is today. Last night I pulled them out to pack and I couldn't find the piece. Grrrrrrr. I went through everyone with help from my husband. Looked under my printer, behind my file drawer. I went through the boxes of tiny paintings to see if I had somehow refiled it there. Nothing. Of course, I lay awake for hours, well I lie awake for hours every night but this time I had a specific theme going through my head. Where is it, where is it, where is it. By morning I realized that I must have missed it while going through the others, it couldn't just vanish into thin air. I sorted all the paintings into style and type and there it was! The good thing to come of all this was that I now have a whole pile of them to list on ebay and etsy. I watched a segment of CBS Sunday Morning a couple of weeks ago about messiness and the creative person. They said it can actually be an advantage to be messy, that an empty work area does not inspire, that we need to have everything out and in the open where we can see it. Maybe, but this is ridiculous. I have had the absolute perfect item for something I am working on fall onto my foot, but that doesn't happen every day.

I did a couple of series of ATC's two years ago featuring a sock monkey in different occupations and activities and also one of Eric the Tabby as a world traveller. They sold like hotcakes. I still have a few left so I think maybe a new audience will appreciate them.

The Graduate

2008-08-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

I watched the movie "The Graduate" last night. Now this has always been one of my favorites. Dustin Hoffman's lines are soooo funny. I was quite surprised at the end to realize that I had a completely different feeling watching this at 62 than I did watching it at 21. When it first came out in 1967 I thought it was so romantic at the end when they jumped onto the bus together. Last night, now that I am 62 and more worldly, or cynical maybe, I had very different feelings. He did not even look at her, he was just staring straight ahead. Was he thinking that he had "won" her? And so many emotions seem to move across her face; joy, fear, trepidation. It was quite a funny feeling.

I have been listing some paintings that I did a couple of years ago now. My studio is so hot that I haven't been spending too much time up there.

My eight year old grandson spent the day with me on Tuesday and we had such a wonderful time. I looked after him when he was a baby and we developed quite a bond but I hadn't really spent any time with him alone lately. He took me out for lunch, we went to the bookstore, he asked me to teach him how to sew! I showed him how to make fabric bookmarks and coasters. Then he spent some time drawing. It was great!

link turnaround

2008-07-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I have had a complete turnaround about the linkreferral site. It's fun and I love it! I have searched for etsy stores only so far and have found so many new ones that I have "hearted". I have three reviews so far now if I could figure out how to get my other sites on there I would be happy.

I decided to go out and take photos today. Just closeup street scenes; graffiti, etc. It was fun! Now I'm going to turn them into greeting cards! Thought getting out and about would lift my mood which was through the cellar and halfway to the center of the earth yesterday. Depression is a constant struggle it seems.

Old work added to eBay

2008-07-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

I try to create something new every day but I have a pile of stuff that is just sitting around. I decided yesterday that I need to list some of it. It's funny how you look at work you've done and see that it's quite good!

I've been reading a book by one of my favorite authors: J A Jance, called "Web of Evil". The main character has a blog and gets so many hits and has a real following. How does this happen? I keep reading about other bloggers that have people contacting them as soon as they post. What am I doing wrong? Or not doing?

Here are some of my new/old listings on ebay.

Waste of more precious time.

2008-07-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

I just tried a link referral with no success at all. I thought I was computer savvy but I am now so frustrated that my day is off to a really low and depressing start. I started out the day by cutting some lavender and hanging it right by my PC. I walked around my garden while drinking my coffee and then this! Why do I do it? I know my time is limited. I should be creating something not trying to join a site that will only add to my angst!

Back from vacation and full of ideas!

2008-07-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Just spent two weeks with my mother in the hot and humid east. I had forgotten about mosquitoes, too! She is a hoarder, boxes and boxes and boxes of fabric, yarn, magazines, books. Since I am well on my way down that same road I got a little frightened! Since coming home I have been making coffee cuffs and coasters from the bits of fabric that is "too small for anything but too beautiful or cute to discard"! It's like Christmas opening up my bins of fabric and finding gorgeous stuff that I had forgotten about. I've added them to my new Etsy store.

I had also made up my mind to join Weight Watchers when I got back but of course now that I'm home I'm sure that I can "do it myself". I've been riding my exercise bike every weekday morning plus I'm building a rock garden. Bending and digging and hauling rocks from one area to another. Surely the weight will just melt off!

New Etsy Store - Fabimaginations

2008-06-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

I've opened a new Etys store for all of my fabric creations. I came up with the name in the middle of the night. I've put in my frisky faeries, my posh birds, pin cushions, and my mini art quilts.

I've been ZAZZLED!

2008-05-28T21:53:00.000-07:00

I've found a fabulous new website for selling and buying all kinds of wonderful things. http://www.zazzle.com/ I learned of it from an artist at an open studio weekend. It's easy and so much fun to see your very own artwork on all kinds of items.

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

offensive nudes!

2008-05-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

I received a message from a person this morning about the nude paintings that I have listed on eBay. She said she was offended that my paintings are in the "family" section of ebay and not the "adult" area. She is going to report me to ebay. Now, I have been selling on ebay for a few years now, and was unaware that there is a "family" section. Obviously there should be a pathetic, self-loathing, blind to the real world section. Nudes have been a part of the art world for centuries. I think I will take this as a compliment. Many famous have suffered from the ignorance of others. Here is the offending painting by the way. It's an ACEO 2 1/2 x 3 1/2", not a huge painting that could be seen for blocks.

Botanical Illustration

2008-04-11T09:42:00.000-07:00

I have been going back to my "roots" this past week by doing some botanical or floral paintings. Several years ago while I still had a "day job" I created a floral painting on a card for Mother's Day. I was so proud of it that I took it into work to show it off. Now, I would love to say that that moment was the start of a multi-million dollar business, but alas. I did garner orders for cards for a couple of years from my co-workers, but as with most things that I do, I slacked off. Well, I shouldn't say that, what I really did was branch out. I started painting the flowers on fabric items. I sold these for about ten years, (by this time my job had been "outsourced"). I then started to make my figurative sculptures, large paintings, collages, abstracts, ACEO's. I forgot how wonderful it is to paint a flower.

large abstracts

2008-04-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I have finally gotten some large abstracts finished and listed on both ebay and etsy. I've been having fun with a paint scraper to apply layers of paint in interesting textures. The tulip painting is a combination of paint and collage. I did start out doing mainly floral and botanical paintings, usually in watercolor. I have added a bit of that in these very different works.

Abstract paintings

2008-03-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

I have been working on abstract paintings for the last couple of weeks. I love texture so much that I decided to just let the texture tell the story. And of course I have been creating intriguing titles for them since I love words and phrases. These new paintings are quite large. Yesterday I decided to make some tiny abstracts as well. I have a huge supply of tile samples so that became my canvas. I added different colors of paint with my pallette knife and went to work. I added a jump ring to the hole at the top and voila! One of a kind abstract pendants! These are so much fun I can't stop! The colors and combinations are infinate.

Ruby Dog's Art House - A Dangerous Place for me!

2008-03-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

A fellow artist from the Etsy contacted me last week about getting together since we live in the same area. We met this morning and since we both love paper and collage and painting we went to Ruby Dog's Art House. This is a fantastic place, full of all types of ephemera, books, magazines, anything you could imagine. Of course I have tons of stuff at home waiting to be put to good use, but somehow when I get into a shop there are all these goodies that I absolutely must have. There was a stack of magazines from the sixties. I have been going across the border to an antique mall to buy them.

I sold a collage on Etsy this morning. I'm pretty happy about that. I also listed some original mini paintings that I made into magnets.

I'm so happy that the days are getting longer. I am now able to sit out on my front porch with my coffee and watch the sun come up and listen to the birds.

I'm on fire!!!

2008-02-27T16:13:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited about collage now thanks to my images from Artchix Studio. I also found some fabulous vintage magazines and books on Saturday at an antique mall in Bellingham, WA. This hot flashes ACEO has an image from an old Good Housekeeping magazine from 1952. It's strange looking at these old magazines. I probably looked at them when I was a little girl! My mother might still have some of them piled under her bed! A strange thing: there was a letter in this magazine asking about the dangers of lead paint in children's toys and furniture. 1952!! We knew then! Why have we accepted lead paint from China? This is one of my pet peeves. I was disgusted to learn that nearly all the garlic for sale here is from China. I have been going out of my way to buy organic garlic from California. It's not only the human rights issues, the bird flu, the dirt, but the cost to the environement of shipping it all that way, spewing greenhouse gases all over the world! Grrrrr.

Well, back to something more exciting: ART. Here are some new collages that I did this week.

Artchix Studio Mermaid

2008-02-26T11:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I received an order of images for collage from Artchix Studios. They have such wonderful things that really get the imagination off and running. I worked up my courage to cut off the legs of one of the nudes to turn her into a mermaid. Hopefully I will find a use for the bottom half of her sometime in the future. I have also finally finished a larger mermaid collage featuring a day in the life of a mermaid mom with three little merboys. I found a vintage Golden children's book about the seashore in an antique mall on the weekend that had the perfect seashell images to snip out.

Favorite ACEO so far!

2008-02-25T08:10:00.000-08:00

I was going through my cutouts and piles of vintage magazines and papers when I spied out of the corner of my eye an image the just jumped out at me. It was this painting of a woman on a sheet of gift wrap that I bought in the gallery shop last year. The paper is made up of dozens of small paintings by famous artists. I intended to make magnets with it. I cut out this image, went through my words and phrases and created this ATC that I think is my favorite one. I have realized that words mean so much to me. I have always wanted to (or intended to) write stories. Now I haved decided that I will create a story with my artwork. I did that more of less, with my Sock Monkey series a couple of years ago, but I have moved on since then. I like dark things, or funny things, or "tongue in cheek" things. So, here she is!

spring, has it really sprung?

2008-02-19T14:24:00.001-08:00

Two weeks ago yesterday I was shovelling off my walk and steps. Yesterday I was cleaning up my garden! Today I bought many packets of seeds. I'm so excited! We are very lucky here on the westcoast. Of course, the downside of all this nice weather means I have to continue last year's search and destroy mission on the English ivy in the back yard. I went to a few websites looking for an easy (and earth-friendly) way to get rid of it. Hah, very funny. It seems the best way is to kneel down and pull on a six foot area at a time. Then roll up the tenacious little buggers and put them into bags. I thought the soil underneath might be quite good, but apparently it sucks all the good out of the soil. That means I will be adding more dirt and compost. I probably won't get it done this year anyway.

Van Gogh, Chagall and Degas with crows and cats

2008-02-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this series for a couple of years now. I paint my own version of one of my favorite paintings by famous artists and add crows or cats. Most of them are Van Gogh look-a-likes but I got a Chagall calendar this year and each month I will be inspired anew. I did a large version of "The Acrobat" with crows, then I thought about Degas' ballet dancers and how cats would look quite wonderful with them, then I wanted more Van Gogh. I do love to paint his bedroom, this is my third. The others had crows though. This is just so much fun. I read up on each artist and think about them and the lives they had while I am working. I've just listed them on ebay.

yippee for imagekind

2008-01-25T14:46:00.000-08:00

I did look into and even join Imagekind a few months ago, but as with most areas of my life, I have put off organizing my gallery there. Yesterday I decided I could wait no longer and have listed some of my paintings on there. This is a wonderful site. Buyers can choose to have a print of my work at a lower cost than my original work plus they can choose a frame and mat.

This is one of the large paintings that I have sold that is now on imagekind.

Oh no, I've given Emily Dickenson a bloody lip!

2008-01-14T14:13:00.000-08:00

I have been working on collage ACEO's. I was applying glue to the back of an image of Emily Dickenson and when I turned it over to attach it to my card SHE HAD A BLOODY LIP. Not only was it bloody, but the blood was dripping down her chin. Actually when I laid the image down there was some dried red paint on my work surface. I couldn't decide what to do. Make a statement about abuse? I really didn't want to use Emily for that. I decided to give her a red rose which I painted in. After that, I scrubbed my table. Sometimes accidents add to the creativity of these projects.

A Blah Day Turned Around

2008-01-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

This morning started out to be one of "those" days. I couldn't get going. I usually have a system; I turn on my computer, pick up the kettle, fill the kettle, on my way back from the stove I pick up the kitty dishes and put them in the sink to wash, grind my coffee beans, and on and on. I don't like to waste a step. I thought that I wouldn't even bother to turn the PC on yet, I don't have anything finishing on ebay for a couple of days so it can wait until later. But my system has me programmed so well that I did bring up my email and I'm so glad I did. A couple of days ago I was looking at the EBSQ galeries and there is one artist that I keep coming back to. Her work is just so unique and wonderful that I emailed her to tell her how much I love it. (check her out http://drawingghosts.com/home.html ) There was a reply from her and it just "made my day" before it even got started. She is witty as well as talented. Being an artist is such an insular pursuit that it might be weeks before we are able to hear any feedback about our work. I used to do art fairs and shows and I loved talking to the buyers in person but it just got to be too much trouble; getting up at the crack of dawn, loading up, setting up, standing for ten hours, breaking down, packing up, and on and on again. It is especially rewarding to hear from another artist, especially one as talented as Leigh Elise.
So now my day is full of possibilities, and it looks like the sun might even come out! Oh yes, her email also prompted me to write in my blog!

New Work

2008-01-10T08:32:00.000-08:00

I am doing a lot more collages this month. After having 11 days of not doing much creative work at all because of the holiday I was starting to get very frustrated. It's hard to explain to a partner that just wants to "get out and have fun" that I really need to create something every day. I did one drawing for a New York City painting and my head was full of ideas for new work which was good. Here is some of the things I have done just in the last week. I am working on a huge abstract of three Statues of Liberty, part of my ongoing New York Times series.

Of course spending time with my grandchildren was wonderful. They change so quickly, they're no longer my little cuddly babies.

What day is this?

2007-12-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

What day is this? Where am I? What season is this? Am I writing a letter? Who are you?
I have been so remiss in blogging lately that I keep forgetting my password. Thanks to Jennifer Gordon, fellow Etsian and my favorite artist on Etsy, I am actually here in blogland on a Saturday! I have to say I will be so glad to get back to "normal" next week. I really miss creating. I try to stand at my work table each morning and at least do a little something, or do some sketching. My mind is full of ideas for the new year. Can't wait to get really into it!

New collages

2007-12-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

I havn't blogged for months it seems. I have been busy creating some new work plus the holiday rush is on as well.

I am sure I have said here that I am addicted to books and words in general. I love the titles of artwork and find they add a depth to the piece. I also choose a bottle of wine that way, if it has a great name I want it! If it has a great label, even better! "Red Truck", "Fat Bastard" and "Goats Do Roam" are just a few of my favorites. What I'm getting at is my new technique: every morning I go through my collection of words, letters and phrases that I have cut out and saved. When I've chosen a couple that strike me I put them on my work table with my prepared boards and move them around and think about my next creation. I have painted and textured and added bits and pieces to these boards and canvasses in advance so I don't have to wait for the paint to dry while inspiration is hot. I have been painting figures and then adding collaged items to them. The title is key though, it is sometimes a whole phrase that I have found or I make it up using cutout letters. I also have a couple of vintage movie and hit parader magazines from the fifties and sixties with songs that really are fun and inspiring.

Every month a group of ebay artists have a "nibblefest" contest. We put a piece of art on ebay for only 99 cents and the person that gets the most bids wins. This is a win-win situation for both the buyer and the artists. New and repeat buyers get to see new work and are able to buy something at a very good price. This month the theme is "nudes". I have been painting nudes for many years and decided to combine my new mixed-media work for my entry.

More ink blot collage fun!

2007-10-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

I have been playing some more with ink blots. I decided that they really should be attached to matboard for stability.

I also decided to put them on ebay.

Hope you enjoy them.

I don't know what my plan is for tomorrow. Back to the magazines for inspiration.

Playing with ink blots

2007-10-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

The latest copy of Somerset Studio had an article about creating ink blot pieces of art. I thought I would give it a try. I thought mine all came out looking the same, like exo-skeletal insects. I did perservere however, and managed to get a little more creative using doing some drawing and collage to them. Here's my first one.

They are kind of funky and fun. Texture of the paint after it has been "squooshed" is quite amazing. All sorts of lines and veiny looking squiggles. I had done a similiar thing a couple of years ago by just putting blobs of paint onto shiny cardstock and then squooshing two pieces of cardstock together. Think I will have to do some more of these. I'm not sure what I will do with them. They would look good in a clip frame though.

Oil painting at last!

2007-10-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

A month or so ago I was buying canvases at my art supply store and as I was pawing through the discount bin I discovered scads of the water mixable oil paint starter kits. They were greatly reduced so of course I snapped one up. I have wanted to use oils forever and when I heard about this new non-toxic paint I was very excited and curious. I just got around to trying the paints out this week. They don't have that familiar "oil" paint smell, though they do smell like cod liver oil. yuk. It is amazing to be able to wash the brushes out with water and use water to thin the paint. I did, however, forget that oil paint takes a looooong time to dry. I am so used to doing a couple of paintings, taking them downstairs, photographing or scanning them and listing them. I could take pictures of these before they are dry but what if they sell and are still wet? Wishful thinking about the selling I suppose.

I have been selling a lot of paintings on ebay lately. Because of their "listing sale" I listed like mad. I already told myself that to interest people in my work I had to have a "ton" of it listed. The sale gave me the push to do just that. I have often wondered if my variety of work works against me. I look at artists that sell lots of stuff and their work is very recognizable. I like to do many different things. I do work in series though. I'm really inspired by outside influences; our vacation road trip to the Southwest, Sunday drives to look at the autumn colors, trips to local galleries, art magazines, it all fills my mind with ideas. Right now I am working on a child's board book. I peeled off the shiny pictures and am adding squares of different papers. I plan to layer pictures, drawings, laces, maybe some beads. I have two stacks of books on my work table to use for different projects. Sometimes I just take them down and look at them, looking for an idea, or ripping out pages to use in a collage or to add to a painting.

It really feels like fall now. I love the colors and the fresh air but the dark mornings are not my friend. I like to start work before seven or so and it's too dark right now. I have a skylight in my studio but it only brings in more dark that early.

What shall I do with aaaaaall that stuff?

2007-09-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

I watched a scary program on TLC the other night called "help me, I'm a hoarder". Now I'm really scared of having my life taken over by my stuff. This morning I ventured down into my basement. I have been creating and selling things for about 13 years now. I get an inspiration and go crazy making something new. I'm sure that "this is it!!" this is what I want to do forever. A week goes by, or maybe even just a day, or an hour and something else catches my eye. I did a lot of local craft markets and fairs and sold a lot of things. I have now given up on the markets. I can't stand getting up that early to set up my booth. The outdoor farmers' market that I loved would be awful in the rain and worse in the hot sun. I started to do really well on eBay so decided to just sell online. Which means that I have containers full of things that I really have to get rid of. Cushions in fabulous fabrics, dolls, plastic bag holders handpainted and funky fabric, (these make great gifts though). I brought some of my pocket dolls up and put them on Etsy. Then I photographed my yoga mat bags, everybody is into yoga again, these should sell. I'm thinking of donating my cushions to a worthy cause, maybe a hospice or children's hospital. I also listed another in my "moonchild is a grandma now" series. These are so much fun, fun to make and fun to see the reaction from women my age.

Now if I just get rid of all my fabric and concentrate on my painting and collage I will have more room all through the house.

Autumn artwork

2007-09-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

I love fall, the fresh new smells in the air, the colors, the Halloween themed magazines! I collect these and love to bring them out and go through them for inspiration. I also pull out any of my artwork that hasn't sold and put it out there for new interested customers. This week I have been creating some new things, wooden placques done in a primitive, naive style. It is a departure for me, but I do like to vary my work.

I've had an errant pumpkin plant growing out of my strawberry pot. I couldn't imagine where it came from when I remembered that last year the pot was on my front porch with my carved pumpkin sitting on top. I left it there till it collapsed into itself before throwing it away. I guess I never did get all of the seeds out! This plant doesn't have pumpkins on it, the flowers just wither and drop off. They are beautiful blooms though and the vine is snaking across my back deck.

I've just finished a great book:"A Year Without Made in China" by Sara Bongiorno. I read an article in the Globe and Mail about the problem of Chinese imports and her book was mentioned. I new that it would be of great interest to me but I never expected to be so entertained. It's hiliarious. She is a business writer and really knows her stuff but the book itself reminds me of Erma Bombeck or another humourous writer. I actually had tears running down my face during the "sunglass" bit. I highly recommend reading it.

New Art Work

2007-08-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

I had so many new ideas while I was on vacation but once I got home I couldn't seem to get going. Finally this morning I finished a couple of mixed media paintings that I had been working on before I went away. It's quite hot here and my studio is upstairs in our very old house so it can get uncomfortable.

I took a printout of the article about my Frida Kahlo dolls into a store nearby that sells Mexican art. The owner was interested in selling them. She was able to translate the article for me and yes to my disgust, it does say that I am 71 years old! Now that reporter did not even ask me my age! I don't think, he was a tiny bit hard to understand. Oh well. I am working on some Frida Kahlo angel dolls to take into her store and also to put on eBay. After going to Georgia O'Keeffe's home again I have the urge to make another doll in her image. This is one that has been sold.

Back from vacation!

2007-08-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

Well, we are back from our wonderful road trip through Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and New Mexico. We actually came back a couple of days early because we missed our cat, Odin. I know, it may seem silly but he means a lot to us.
I always feeled "recharged" artistically after such an adventure. The creative urge increases dramatically in New Mexico I find. The colors of the landscape are extraordinary and visiting the galleries and shops in Santa Fe as well as going to the home of one of my idols; Gerogia O'Keeffe, really give me inspiration. I took tons of photographs to use as models for new paintings. I want to rush out and buy ochers, rusts, reds and oranges, and of course new blues for the marvelous skies. I have to say though, that my favorite place has to be the coast of Northern California and Oregon. The sand, the waves, the rocks, the sounds of the birds, the cool breezes, it's overwhelming. I was very disappointed in Cannon Beach shops though. It has long been known as a place full of local art (or at least American art). Now there is an abundance of "made in china" crap as I have been calling it for years. I'm glad to see that so many other people are waking up to the fact of what is happening here. It's a shame that it took the deaths of beloved pets and the health risks to our children to bring it more into the open. It started as the depletion of North American jobs by manufacturers moving production to China and now we know that it is an even bigger problem than just lost jobs. I do remember though, as a child shopping for souvenirs and finding them "made in Japan". Now Japan is a leader in quality items. Japan has a very different outlook. It is an honourable country. They would never want to "lose face" by making inferior or dangerous products. China is a whole other matter.
Well, off my soap box and back to my easel!

FRIDA KAHLO 100th anniversary

2007-07-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited about being part of a special article on Frida Kahlo in the Mexico City newspaper; REFORMA. This it the 100th anniversary of Frida and of course they are honouring her around the globe. A reporter contacted me after finding my website by doing a search for Frida's name. http://www.taliswomandesign.com/ . I had coincidently just sold a large diptych painting of her and a doll. I was a little hesitant about having a photo of myself in print for all to see but I have pictures of Georgia O'Keeffe and Beatrice Wood on my walls to inspire me. They were much older than I am now and were beautiful. I read a funny thing that Beatrice Wood had said; "Every morning I look in the mirror and say Who's that old hag?. I slap on some makeup and don't look for the rest of the day". I love that! She lived and created until she was over 100!

I'm working on some new paintings on canvas cubes. I bought a couple of these last year and couldn't really get into it. Now, I'm going to paint a different cityscape on each panel. This makes five paintings in one. The first one I did was different views of the Statue of Liberty. It took a lot of research and imagination, especially to do the view from above her head. I am absorbed in paintings of New York City still. This has lasted longer that any of my other "brainstorms". I suppose because I love it so much and so do millions of other people.

We will be travelling to the southwest next month and I plan on picking up newspapers along the way to use in my "News Works" series. The New York Times paintings have been very well received and I am anxious to do some of other cities, like San Francisco. Small towns would be fun, too.

New York Times paintings

2007-06-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a group of paintings for the past few months using the pages of the New York Times to give texture and uniqueness. I hate to throw the paper into the recylcing bin after I have wrung every little bit of information out of it so during a sleepless spell (every night between 1 and 3am) I came up with this idea. Of course the paintings themselves are of New York City. I let some of the print show through the paint. I also do this with the New Yorker Magazine. Here are also a few of my crow homages. This week the local contingent of these black beauties have been very helpful in pointing out the family of raccoons trying to break into our roof. The raccoons are very cute but ver destructive. And finally a picture of the lilies in my garden.

Paint? Garden? What to do, what to do!

2007-06-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

I got a mad urge this morning to do a number of Chagall inspired paintings in different sizes; ACEO's, 4 x 6", 8 x 10", huge ones. I cut some 2 1/2 x 3 1/2" watercolor papers to get started, did some drawings, started painting. I then did a Matisse-like painting of "The Dance" but with cats dancing instead of people. I was determined to spend the entire day doing this. Then I had my second cup of coffee outside on my front porch. Looked at my garden, got the mad urge to do some gardening. So here I sit in front of my PC doing neither!

This is world's ocean day.

2007-06-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I painted an ACEO with a theme I have wanted to use for some time. I've seen bumper stickers, magnets and buttons with this on it. I love a play on words. I have used the term "world peace" in an entirely different way.

I have always painted fruit and vegetables and peas in a pod are one of my favorite subjects. I thought the image of these little worlds nestled inside a cozy pod would make a pretty little painting. Since today is world's ocean day I thought it quite appropriate.

Matisse Inspiration

2007-06-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a series of line drawings in honour of Matisse. When I was a teenager I was in the National Gallery in Ottawa (a favorite Saturday pastime of mine) and came upon his gigantic painting of the ring of dancers. I was on an open mezzanine and it was below me. I was just stunned. I have loved his work since then, the colors, the lines, even his cutout paper works are so wonderful.

I visited a favorite gallery of mine in Anacortes, Washington on Saturday. http://www.mccoolart.com/gallery.html

Anacortes is the most wonderful little town. Galleries, bookstores, thrift shops and antique stores. They have great events, too. In July there is a gigantic swap meet that takes over four blocks of the main street.

There is one thing though that really annoys me about one of the antique malls, this happens many other places too. When we go on these day trips we go as tourists. It's like a one day vacation. My husband is a photographer and carries a rather large camera bag with two cameras in it, film, lenses, a digital camera and all the extras that are necessary for his craft. The people in this mall want all backpacks, large bags and large PURSES to be left "oh just put them down there". We are in our fifties, respectable and honest. I know theft is a huge problem. I sell my art at public art fairs and know it is imperative to keep your eye on buyers, however, it is unreasonable to ask people to leave their valuables "just down there" where anyone could walk off with them. We won't be going to that particular mall again and it's a shame since they have a number of things that I would consider buying.

http://www.moma.org/collection/printable_view.php?object_id=79124

Here are some of my paintings.

New collages

2007-05-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

I've been working on some new collages the last week. We have been having a new deck built and since we live in an ancient house with electrical power limitations I did some artwork instead of spending as much time on the PC.

I joined the Yahoo group collageartists.com a few years ago. I had gotten away from posting and it seemed that a lot of other members did likewise. Now with my rekindled love affair with collage I have been posting again. It really is a wonderful group and so inspiring to see what other artists are doing with this media.

My poppies have bloomed! Of course instead of the little urchins in the neighbourhood picking them they have been harmed by the heavy rain on the weekend. Luckily I have taken a picture of them every morning and there are over a dozen buds yet to open.

Shooting the Past - Hulton Getty Picture Collection

2007-05-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

I love to browse through old books in antique stores. Just the feel and smell of some of them are such a delight. Last week I bought a couple of old books that are just perfect to use for a collage that I have had in my mind for a couple of months. I have actually gotten over the terror of cutting up books, (well almost) the covers make such wonderful collage supports and if the title is appropriate I include the spine in the artwork. Yesterday in yet another antique mall I came upon a real treasure, more of a treasure than I even realized at the time. There are wonderful old pictures in it (some have been cut out) that I hope I can work bits into some collages. It is a book of photographs from the Hulton-Getty photographic collection. During one of my "lying awake" spells during the night I remembered that this collection was the basis for a fabulous Masterpiece Theatre production called "shooting the past". This is the most magical television piece that I have ever seen. I could watch it every week and am able to since my husband bought the DVD set as soon as it became available. When I looked at the book this morning I recognized some of the photos that had been used and this evening we just had to watch it again. I would see a photo on the screen and know I had it in the book and sure enough there it was right under my fingers! Oh yes, this treasure cost $3.50! I'm not sure if I will be able to use them in my artwork because of the copyrights but just looking at them is divine.

Feels Like Summer

2007-05-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

This morning I counted 17 huge buds on my Oriental Poppy plant. Now I will be diligently watching passersby who seem to like to pull them off. I can understand in a way, they are odd looking bulbous, hairy things.

what makes you happy today?

2007-05-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

This was one of the topics on one of the etsy forums today. Monday morning I woke up feeling very happy that I am an artist. My husband and I had spent Sunday touring artists' studios, a yearly event that we try not to miss. I love to see where other artists work and live. Getting back to Monday morning, we are so lucky as artists to change our own piece of the world, to add color, imagination and beauty. Horrible things are happening every hour in the world. It's so hard to find contentment or even acceptance with everything that is going on. Being able to create a thing from an idea we have is helpful in being able to carry on.

Here are my latests attempts.

ebay frustration!

2007-04-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

I have a pile of new paintings sitting here beside me waiting to be listed on ebay. Yesterday I spent hours and was only able to list one item. Not productive. This morning I wasted more time trying to list one item for the fifth time. It might not be as bad if my paintings were selling for thousands of dollars but they aren't and I depend on volume sales for income. I checked out the user answer page and there are a large number of sellers having the same problems. Ebay has just "upgraded" the listing page and it looks good, now if it would only WORK! It has been locking up my whole system and I have had to reboot numerous times. I was just starting to feel that I was getting somewhere, I had had a number of sales and was pumped to do even more. I guess I will be looking for a more reliable site or just put it all into my Etsy store. Here is the painting that I've tried listing five times at least.

new ATC's

2007-04-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of my new one painting a day ATC's that are on Etsy.

As you can probably tell, I'm crazy about crows and ravens.

New Contest!

2007-04-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

Another new contest for me! This one is an EBSQ nibblefest monthly contest. Each month there is a theme, this month it is "doors". On the 20th of the month contestants list an item on ebay for .99. Whoever has the most bids (single bidders only) wins! This is great fun. A good push for creating and a possible large audience. Here is mine.

contest

2007-04-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

I belong to the ebay ACEO group. Every month there is a contest with a theme. This is my entry into the April "flowers and showers" category. It might seem to take away time needed to work on other artwork but I find it does help to "organize" thoughts and ideas. Plus it's fun!

frida kahlo

2007-04-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

I've finally photographed and uploaded my diptych of Frida Kahlo and her twin skeleton. I did this on two heavily textured canvasses. I used layers of paint and modeling compound to achieve this look.

The other painting that I have just finished is "The Black Shawl". This woman is a little more realistic than the smaller works I have been doing recently but it also has a semi-abstract feel.

I have just listed both of these on ebay.

Van Gogh, Grant Wood and Dali with Crows

2007-04-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to list some paintings on ebay and etsy that I do off and on to keep myself busy. (haha) A couple of years ago I began to do my own versions of some of my favorite paintings and add crows or cats to them. These were great fun to do and were very popular. For awhile I couldn't do them fast enough. I have a couple left and I think it's time to do some more. I also do commissions like these. If someone would like to have a version of their own favorite painting with an addition I will do it.

ATC EBSQ

2007-04-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

I have been doing one ATC per day for sale on etsy. It was a challenge that a few of us tried and not many are left. I am also doing the one painting per day for ebay as well. A couple of years ago I did one collage per day. Each day I would pull a number out of a small basket and create a collage based on that number. I found it a real challenge to my creativity. With these paintings I am stretching myself even more. I lie awake at night thinkin about what tomorrow's pieces will be. I have also rekindled my love of painting fruit and vegetables.

Another thing I am over the moon about is EBSQ, a group of artists' who sell their work on ebay. I have been a member for a couple of years but am just now taking advantage of the full range of goodies that they provide. I create my auction templates and print certificates of authenticity for my buyers. I also love to interact with the other artists.

favorite website

2007-04-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

One wonderful thing about doing art and craft fairs is the people we meet. I have met so many people over the years that have inspired me, entertained me through long hours of "selling" and given me the chance to see the their work. This is the website of one of these people. www.andreataylor.ca

Here are a couple of my latest paintings. These small works are great displayed on their own or in sets of four.

Junoesque women

2007-04-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

Here are the women I have been working on this week.

This is tulip time here in the Northwest. Every year I am amazed anew at the vibrant fields of color.

favorite etsy artist

2007-04-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

I just have to put this wonderful etsy artist here for everyone to see.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=38394
Her work just amazes me.

New work

2007-04-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

I guess it might be a good idea to post my new art pieces here to make this more interesting.

I have been working on a series of women friends for a couple of years. I like to use the pure color right from the tube for these. This one is called "Gin and Lemonade". The two women are playing gin rummy and drinking lemonade, not sure if there is gin in it or not! The lime green of the tablecloth is a color I obsessed over about a month ago. I just HAD to have lime green. By the time I found just the right color I couldn't remember just why I wanted it so this is the first time I've used it. I do love it, though. I have this listed on ebay right now.

I am also doing two series of "one painting a day". One for ebay and another set of ATC's for etsy. I started them five days before finding out my husband had been scheduled for surgery on his leg. So now I'm running up and down stairs, making trips (on foot) to the drug store, giving him a daily injection, oooh, and drawing, painting and listing two different sets of paintings. Well, the more you do the more you can do I keep hearing. Now to see if it's true!

EBSQ

2007-03-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

I have been a paying member of ebay's artists group EBSQ for a couple of years but have never it to my advantage. I am such a procrastinator! Since I have finally converted to high speed internet it is so much easier for me to organize my day. Before I would paint for awhile and then log on to check my store listings and email. This would take forever! It was like a chore. Now I just put the PC on while I'm making my morning coffee and I can just come back to it whenever I have a couple of minutes. It is just so amazing!
So I decided I better look into just what EBSQ has to offer. It's great. They have an auction template that is very professional looking and forums where you can communicate with other artists. That means a lot to me since the very idea of working from home and from your own mind means that you become isolated from other people, which is necessary. One of the threads was about people creating one painting per day and listing them on ebay. A couple of years ago I did one collage per day to challenge my creativity. I put the numbers 1 - 30 in a basket and every morning I would pick out a number and create a collage pertaining to that number. It was a lot of fun plus they sold quite well. On Friday I did my first painting and have done one per day for four days. I thought it might seem like a "chore" but I find that I can hardly wait for tomorrow to come. I'm going to do them is sets of four to a theme. These first four are fruits.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230110010361&rd=1&rd=1

inspiration

2007-03-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

There was a question on the Etsy Forum today about starting a new project or where we get our ideas. I get my ideas from just about everything around me. I make notes, sketch and take photos of things that appeal to me; shapes , colors or just the way something looks at a particular moment. I visit galleries and go through magazines when I'm stuck. At the beginning of an artist's life we get the idea that everything must be unique, well everything is unique when it's done by a different person. At craft fairs there are always some people who won't share their techniques because they are afraid that the other artist will copy them. I always help other artists because ten people could do exactly the same thing and each one would be different. We all absorb ideas. One of the best ways to learn to draw or paint is to go to a gallery and sit in front of an artwork and copy it. You will learn the basics of how certain things are done plus you will develop your own style and way of creating.

Twyla Tharp

2007-03-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

I started reading "Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit" and couldn't put it down. I had read about it at Stampington.com and got it out of the library. Even though she is a dancer it is a book that everyone can benefit from.

I'm really into the etsy forums now. Communicating with other sellers and artists is very satisfying. It's one way to do a bit of promoting.

I need more time in the day!

2007-03-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else have this problem? I'm sure I don't even have to ask! Where do the hours in the day go? I like to sit on my front porch with my coffee every single day, rain or shine, snow or sleet. I throw peanuts in the shell to the Stellar's Jays. They just inspire me, such a beautiful blue with their cocky black crest. At the beginning of every winter season I say to myself "this year I will have one of them take a peanut from my hand". It's never happened but it's good to have a goal. While I sit out there I plan my day. Today I will be packing and mailing a painting and a collage that I sold this week. I only mail on Mondays and Thursdays so it is a routine and I don't get bogged down. I try to do many tasks at one time. So, post office, pick up prescription, look at new magazines, go to Starbucks, hmmmm. A pattern is forming here. While I'm at home I multi-task as well. Put on kettle, grind coffee beans, turn on computer, start dishes. By the time I get everything done that has to be done my "creative muse" might not be around. I just start to get my juices running when it's time to think about making dinner. And then of course, it's dark, so no painting then. Oh well.

2007-03-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

Didn't do too well on my second attempt to post to this new blog. Forgot my password. This is fun though. I am trying a lot of new things this week. Decided to look into "forums" on the Etsy site. That is WONDERFUL. Like a huge community of artists with ideas and all kinds of help and support.

my first blog

2007-03-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is: my very first blog. The term blog has been living in the periphery of my knowledge base for some time. I sort of knew what it was but didn't know if it was anything I needed or wanted. Decided I should get on the bandwagon. Being an artist and working in my home studio I have neither the time or much opportunity to communicate with other artists. As an older artist but still a relative beginner I would like to talk to artists with similiar experiences.