Whimsical Wednesday

I realized it’s been a little while since I created a cupcake for my cupcake series, and I found a great crown image that I wanted to incorporate in my art, so the Ruling Cupcake is what I came up with!

I’ve been wanting to make a heart with layered wings for some time, so I also created Winged Heart with french ephemera in the background:

And to continue with my Law of Attraction series, I also created “Life is a Mirror” Wings:

And remember last week when I mentioned I found some open frames at the antique shop?  Well I painted and distressed one of them and decided to frame my Intentions Girl piece, the only piece I’m not willing to part with, despite several requests to sell, as it’s such a personal piece.

I didn’t get get a chance to create any original ACEO’s, but I think I still got quite a bit done.

Thanks for taking a peek at what I’m up to!!

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Whimsical Wednesday: New “Wings” series

Oh my, time is flying.  Why is it that the days seem shorter?  Why am I so behind?  Is it bad that my suitcase from my trip to CT two weeks ago is still sitting on the floor…unpacked?

Ahem.

I went to the antique store yesterday and am out of my mind with ideas.  Creative inspiration is not an issue here, just time!  (more on what I found there later this week)

Okay, so as mentioned on Sunday, I did quite a few pieces on Saturday, including 2 pieces from a new series I’ve been wanting to do for a while that focuses on the theme of the Law of Attraction.  As I’ve stated before, I consider myself a student of the Law of Attraction.  It continues to work in my life, so I wanted a way to include it in my artwork.

And all my Oprah pieces have been sold so I decided to continue making more (have about 10 more to do), so I did this one but have decided it’s WAAAAAY too green, so I’m going to have to redo it, so consider this only a “first draft.”

It sure is GREEN!  Hoo-wee!  I’ll repost once I fix it.  I think it’s good to not only post the good stuff but also the not-so-good!

Anyhow, that’s what I’ve been up to on the art front.  I have a bit of new blog material that I’ll be posting this week, so perhaps the writer’s block will be coming to an end?  If only the universe will create more time perhaps. 

Hope you’re having a great week!

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Whimsical Wednesday: How ’bout some coffee and cake?

Several months ago, I shared a post about the different steps I take in creating a mixed media “girl”.  And in this post, I talked about all the girls I sketched while visiting my elderly in-laws in February (I still have about a dozen of those girls to paint out!).

However, when it comes to coffee and cake, sometimes I shoot from the hip and just spontaneously create.  Most times, however, I refer to my journal where I sketch ideas down so I’m not twirling my hair for an hour before I decide which direction to go.  Here is an example of some rudimentary coffee sketches I have in my journal…

And today, this lil’ sketch

turned into this:

As for cakes, well I’m still on a cupcake kick and even sketched a whole bunch of ideas the other night while watching TV in bed.

And churned out 3 pieces, including this guy (still a little bumpy from still being wet…wanted to photograph before I lost light!)

And so that I force myself to spend more time on art, I’ve decided to do a collage a day project on small ACEO (art cards) similar to the pin-up cards I did a couple weeks back.  Because these are so small (2.5 x 3.5), I can prep backgrounds ahead of time and churn out one in less than 15 minutes.  I already prepped a hundred of them so that I can quickly work on them and continue to try new techniques (these being eco-friendly, recycled, acid-free chipboard):

And I plan to give many of these lil’ pieces away, so if you’re interested in getting a small piece of original art, subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss out!

I hope to start sharing those collage-a-day pieces each week so stay tuned.  If you’re interested in seeing more of my artwork, check out my art shop.

As always, thanks for following my work and seeing what I’m up to. ♥

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Whimsical Wednesday: Cupcakes on the brain

Well, since it’s my birthday this week, I thought it’d be fitting to share some fun cupcake pieces I did recently.

I’ll be spending some downtime in Rocky Mountain National Park (more on that tomorrow!) and hopefully I’ll be able to sink my teeth in a lovely confection such as these (and if all else fails, there’s always Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory…we have a love/hate relationship *wink*)

Got Cupcake, Eat a Cupcake, and Long live Cupcakes will be coming to my shop (originals and merchandise) soon.  Thanks for taking a look at what’s new with my artwork

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Whimsical Wednesday: New Girl and Heart

I’m trying out a new schedule (this being about the 56th one I’m trying since being self-employed).  Now don’t take me for complaining, but it’s challenging to find work/life balance when you work where you live.  I love working from home, but I’m noticing that home is not the refuge it used to be as I work and craft in every room of the house.

So I’m trying a new schedule where I work during the day, then that’s it.  I wrap it up around dinner and no more into the evening.  I can already feel a difference!

As part of this new schedule, I’ve also decided to take Saturdays off as I usually only take Tue. off to spend time with David during his days off, but can’t usually take more than one day off in a row if I’m to keep up with orders and emails.  But I noticed that Saturdays are my quietest days for both, so I decided to make those my painting days as a way to carve out dedicated painting time.

Thanks for taking a peak at what I’m up to this week.  Merchandise and originals of Storytelling Girl and Strong Heart coming soon to my art shop!

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Whimsical Wednesdays: 2 new girls!

Well, actually 3 if you count both girls in this piece about Sisters:

This is actually very reminiscent of my sister and I (where else would I draw inspiration from?) – I’m the dark-haired, dark-skinned, dark-eyed one on the left.  My sister?  Yup – she’s light-skinned, blond hair and green eyed.  Sometimes people who see us together wonder how we’re related…others see the eyes and smile and make the connection.

I originally sketched out these sisters in February when I was in Florida, but didn’t actually paint/collage it out until Saturday when I got a sudden urge to paint.  As in, stop what you’re doing, put the laptop down and start painting!  It comes in waves like that.

And here’s another girl I created that same night (and was also a sketch from February).  I am a recovering perfectionist and so this piece speaks to my (as well as many others) struggle with the need to be perfect.  Good enough is well, good enough!  And my stress level is much lower as a result, thank goodness.

Thanks for taking a peek at what I’m up to this week!

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Whimsical Wednesday: Whole lotta boxes going on

So a couple months ago I ordered recycled paper mache boxes for a customer as part of a custom wedding favor I was making for her and her partner’s wedding (here’s what how they turned out):

Problem is, in my haste to get the order in, I didn’t double-check my measurements and ended up ordering the wrong size.  I knew that if I returned it back that I’d have to pay the shipping back and probably a restocking fee.

But I didn’t sweat it because I knew that I’d find a way to use these in my art and this week, I took a stab at it with these whimsical boxes…

I completed 14 boxes in about 6 hours and I am thoroughly painted out.  But I like how they each have their own unique personality and inspirational message.  I’ve started to list a couple in my shop…only $15 for one of a kind art.

Thanks for taking a peek and seeing what I’m up to!

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Whimsical Wednesday – 2 new girls!

Last week I was able to finish up two girls that I had started (one of them months ago).  Love it when you finish a project that’s been hanging in limbo.

The first one is somewhat of a self-portrait, minus the blue eyes (I have brown) and straight hair (I have crazy curls).  But I’m almost always in pigtails, with striped socks and mary janes and yes, I’m most definitely a quirky girl.

And years ago I moonlighted as a labor/delivery doula.  You’re probably familiar with the term, but if not, it’s someone that helps support a woman (emotionally, physically and educationally) through the birth process.  It was a fascinating experience and I witnessed 6 babies being born.  And I am admittedly very drawn to pregnant women (even though I’ve never been pregnant and don’t plan on having any babies).

It goes without saying that I think pregnant woman are beautiful, so it was just a matter of time before I made a pregnant girl.  I’m not strong on side profiles but such a profile is needed to show off a beautiful belly.

Merchandise and originals will be available in my shop soon.

And this is what my dining room table looks like after painting…it ain’t pretty…

But a necessary evil.

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Friday Shop Update

So while it was a busy week, I spent more time catching up on tasks and wrapping up projects, rather than listing new items.  However, here’s what I did manage to get listed in my goodies shop:

And though these pieces may not look new to you, most are new to my art shop (including some touch-ups I did to Survivor Girl and Peaceful Girl):

That’s what’s going on around here…hope you have a great weekend!

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Whimsical Wednesday – new heart & girl

It’s been a busy week creating new pieces…

In usual fashion, inspiration strikes at the most unexpected moments.

I’ve been checking out the thrift shops/antique stores for boxes to use for upcycling into new pieces of art, without much luck.  So it didn’t help when I happened upon a site that sells wood boxes for crafting.  I really tried to resist the urge, but seeing that I haven’t been successful finding much reusable pieces (or the ones I’ve found online, like cigar boxes, charge more in shipping than the boxes themselves) I decided to purchase a few new pieces.

And quickly made this piece…can’t get away from the hearts…

I was happy with what I received but guilt set in and I will probably look for FSC wood in the future.  I also heard back from someone I was conversing with previously who happens to have a bunch of cigar boxes in her shop and we’re going to do trade in exchange for some artwork…love when bartering works!

I also made this piece unexpectedly when I sat down to watch Alice in Wonderland.  I grabbed my sketchpad to jot down ideas, never setting out to do a piece on the Queen of Hearts, but that’s exactly what happened…

I think I may need to rescan, because she looks much lighter/brighter in person than above, but still wanted to share with you…

The box is in my shop now, but the Queen of Hearts will wait until I can get the tone right, so stay tuned!

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