Nachooo!

I'm right in the middle of packing for yet another move. This makes the third time my family and I have moved in 3 years, so I've become a pro at this gig. I'm not, however, looking forward to the logistical nightmare that is moving a family where one member is an artist (moi) and one is a computer hobbyist (my better half). Oh, and we're both collectors (*cough* not hoarders! *cough*). We're staying in the same area, so it won't be as difficult as our last move when we found a place 2 hours away. Suffice it to say, this blog will be taking a back seat until we're settled into the new place.

Amidst this chaos, I'm still creating. I was in a swap with a woman whose son is a big fan of the movie Nacho Libre. My son and I are, too, so she asked me to create some artwork based on the movie. She gave me free reign. I'm not the world's greatest illustrator, so I knew drawing Nacho himself was out. I decided to explore the food themes in the movie, and came up with the 2 following mixed media pieces. Both works are done on 5"x7" canvas board.

 "Get that corn outta' my face!"

 "Eagle eggs?! I'm not listenin' to you, you're crazy!"

I'm really happy with how they turned out, and after my initial panic of not knowing exactly what I was going to come up with, I was pleasantly surprised with the direction, and grateful for her helping me to think outside the box a bit. After all was said and done, I realized I should have had the egg opened with the yolk spilling out to add more visual interest, but c'est la vie. Art is like life sometimes, as it can be a learning experience.

I really hope she likes these! They were mailed today, so I've got a few days of nervous waiting to hear back from her.

Thank you, as always, for stopping by! Hope you all have an artful day!

I'm still right here, giving blood, keeping faith.

My apologies to my readers for my silence. I am making art, which is always a good thing. It appears the slump has passed, or at least just faded away. There was no big bang, or major revelation that spurred my recent creativity, it just crept back in, silently, as it's done many times in the past. I'm grateful, but wish I had more insight to the workings of my own artistic mind. I'd love a guidebook on how to not fall into a rut again, but I know at some point, I'll feel less than inspired, and the cycle will repeat. For now, though, I am creating.

Lately, my mind is all over the place. Many days, my mind, as well as my heart, is in a secluded spot by Rush Creek, off of Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It's a familiar place that I've been many times. Nearby, several aspen trees bear the carvings my brothers and I made on past visits. Behind me is a flat-topped hill with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. It's so quiet there you can hear the earth breathing.

Other days, I find myself thinking of the high desert of the American southwest. Red rock country. Another home for my heart.

The traveler in me is restless, and has been for a very long time. I yearn for the ocean, canyons, sagebrush, mountains the scope of which Virginia can't touch, endless night skies where the stars burn brighter than you could ever imagine and roads that lead to new, magnificent discoveries that take your breath away. Forever the dreamer, that's me.

I seek to pour this longing into my artwork. Not sure if I'm succeeding yet, but that's never stopped me before.

Mixed media tentacle triptych made for a swap with an online friend and fellow artist.

Frida, and finding my voice.

Last week, while visiting my dear friend Barb in Washington state (more about my visit in a future post), we watched the movie Frida.  I'd seen it before, but it had been awhile, and this time it struck a chord with me that it hadn't during the first viewing. I had an epiphany of sorts concerning an artist's life and how it affects their work.

Ever since the first time I laid eyes on Frida Kahlo's work, I've been a fan. One of the many things I find very appealing about her paintings is their personal aspect. It struck me during the movie, while ruminating about her life and the obstacles she had to overcome, this is something I should strive for more in my own work. Often, when I don't like a piece, I find it's because it feels contrived and lacks my true voice. Frida's paintings are her paintings; no one else could have painted them, ever. They are true to her, and she allowed so much to be spilled onto the canvas. There are times when I am forcing the work, and struggling. I'd do much better to allow the art to come through. I tend to forget this, and then a wall goes up.

I'm very interested in Frida herself, aside from the artist. She intrigues me. This leads me back to her artwork as my interest in her makes me want to hear what she has to say. Some of the most valuable messages are related through art, maybe especially of the variety without words. Often, the most important things can't be contained with words.

Frida shared herself through her art. We are so lucky to get a glimpse into this other world, a world of deep emotions, secret desires (or not so secret), dreamscapes...nightmares. The meat of it.

Everything I create will have my voice attached in some way, even when I'm "forcing" it; it can't be helped. Because I am the creator, part of me comes through. But I crave more. I often end a day in the studio feeling like I didn't create the art I really wanted to, the art I see in my mind and feel in my heart. Sometimes I tap into it easily, and it just flows, and reaches a point where it feels like the art is making itself. Other times, not so much.

I will not be satisfied until I feel I really allow my voice to speak more often than not. I want to create my art. I want my work to have a personal connection to me, even if veiled and only seen through my eyes. I'm getting closer to this, I can feel it.

Still...the wall has been up. I returned from Washington reinvigorated, refreshed and inspired, yet when I sit down to work, nada. I've turned out a couple small things, stumbling all the way, but it feels like there's something hidden, just beyond, and I can't quite make it out...

This life is a learning process, and so can be creativity. In both, it's important to let go of control (or the illusion of) sometimes and just go along for the ride. Letting go of fear is key if you want to really live, and if you want to realize the potential of the person and artist inside you. (I think I should heed my own advice.)

Work in progress.

Art and life are both works in progress. i enjoy taking the journey, even with the bumps in the road.

Reorganize, rearrange, remember.

Mixed Media Canvas, made for a swap.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by my blog during the A-Z Challenge; i really appreciate it!

i have been so busy lately reorganizing my studio in preparation of opening an etsy shop. i've needed to do it anyway, but the prospect of opening a shop gave me that final push to just make it happen. i'm nearing the end, though later i may still need to tweak things a little, but my space will be much better utilized now, that's for sure. As i sort through boxes and piles of supplies, i am reminded again just how much one can accumulate after nearly 2 decades of being an artist/crafter. It's a bit overwhelming, but i'm not complaining one bit. Having these supplies makes me feel very grateful, and excited to create future projects.

i'll be back to posting a bit more often soon, but for now, it's back to the studio to get this job completed.

Uncage.

i'm finding it difficult to type a long post today as carpal tunnel has rendered my left hand useless, so, i'm cheating a bit and just posting some U related art to minimize how much i need to type.

Just the facts, ma'am.

i had intended J to be about journals, but i've written about journaling several times, and don't really see the point in repeating myself (though i am very good at it) or boring my readers to tears, so instead, J is for me, Jessica. How about a few random facts about yours truly?

1. i had the great fortune to be able to travel a lot in my teens and early 20's, thanks to my dad's job at United Airlines. By 16 years old, i'd been to nearly every state, including Alaska and Hawaii, and made trips to England and New Zealand. These early-in-life travels helped shape me to be the person i am today, and gave me a perspective i might not have had otherwise.

2. i have driven across the country 4 times, and hope there's another such road trip in my future.

3. i'm a cancer survivor.

4. i graduated from high school, but opted not to attend my graduation. Instead, i asked to work that day, which my employers loved, because much of their help was attending graduation. i kind of regret that decision now...

5. i gave birth to my son without the benefit of any pain medication. i don't recommend it.

6. i met my mate when i was 15 through a pen pal ad in a music magazine. We started as friends, but eventually became involved, and are still going strong today, 18 years later.

7. i love history, and for many years planned to become an archeologist. In high school, i'd go to history class early just so i could talk about the subject with the teacher.

8. My mom chose my name before she even knew she was having a girl - the same happened with my two brothers, and she was right about the sex every time.

9. i have a secret (not a secret now) desire to be a singer, though my abilities aren't proficient in that area. It doesn't stop me from singing all the time, though.

10. i don't know how to swim.

Well, not an exciting post today, but hopefully it gives my readers a little background into me as a person. And now, the studio calls...

Altered Book Round Robin

i'm still here! i want to update my blog more often, really i do, but it just seems to be put on the back burner over and over. However, i'm mostly not here because i'm busy making art, so i don't feel the least bit guilty...ok, maybe a little. 


i have ideas brewing for a post about fearless art journaling - not an original concept, but i want to offer tips and suggestions of my own to those who don't know where to start with the medium. i actually have a good chunk of the post already written up, just need to find time to finish it. i may use the post as a jumping off point for a swap on swapbot, so any followers here from sb who may be interested, be on the lookout for that!


So, how about some new art?

i joined an altered book round robin over at flickr, and that has been a lot of fun. If you'd like to see what our group is doing, check it out here. i am going to share here my own work, but there's great work to be seen by the other players over at our flickr group.

This is my book:

Front cover.

Inside cover/first page.

Second page/layout.

Third and last of my layouts.

The book is now being worked in by the other players. i chose this theme as a result of missing San Francisco. i haven't been able to get back since we left in 2003, and it eats at me. That place sticks with you, that's for sure.

Thanks for stopping by, and hopefully, i'll be back to post again before too long...

Kenilworth Castle collage

i love so many different types of arts and crafts, but probably my favorite format is mixed media. i love the layers, texture and depth i can achieve in this realm. A few months ago i played around with the following, a mixed media piece on watercolor paper. i used acrylics, matte medium, extra heavy gel medium, watercolor pencils, ink, photocopy transfers, stamps, crackle glaze...and more. i didn't have a strict idea in mind when i began, just wanted to play and see what came of it.



Have an artful day!

Chipboard Book Collaboration.

Not long ago i proposed a collaboration to my super-talented friend Barb - i had some chipboard books i picked up at Michael's for a quarter a piece and my idea was that we'd each start one, then swap books and finish what the other had begun. There were no rules aside from each of us doing 2 completed pages, 2 half-completed pages and one page left blank before sending the book to the other person. They could be done in any media and with any theme. Barb's book, in which she's already done her part and sent to me, is called The Wee Book of Big Imagination and it's awesome! Once i've done my part in that book i'll post it here, with Barb's permission.

The book i started (and have since sent to Barb for completion) is called Home Is Where the Art Is. This was a phrase i kept thinking about, and i love house imagery, so it seemed like a good theme. Following are photos of my book, pre-Barb magic.

 

 

The above page was based on a previous collage that i posted here a little while ago. Barb liked that collage, and it fit perfectly into my theme, so i did another version here. This is my favorite version yet!

This project has been a blast so far, and i look forward to working on something else with Barb in the future. 

i used lots of different supplies here and won't list them all, but mostly it was acrylic paints and mediums, watercolor pencils (Inktense by Derwent, my new favorites!), toner photocopy transfers, stamps and ink. 

Thanks for stopping by, and have an artful day!

A peek inside my current art journal.

First off, thanks to anyone who still visits my blog despite my sporadic posting habits. We're still without high speed internet at home, though apparently the phone company's working on that...ahem. i can't believe we moved from the boonies to a more populated area and still don't have high speed available, aside from satellite, and i am NOT paying those prices.

Anyway, i hope everyone's doing ok! We're good, though the economy is really hurting the tattoo business. Looks like this stay-at-home mom might be looking for work soon after many years of only working at home. That will be a big change! Wish me luck!

With my son back in school, i have more time to work in my studio, between laundry, cooking and cleaning house, ofcourse. i still make lots of cards, but have lately focused more on my lifelong passion for mixed media and collage. The blank book i got in February for art journaling is now about halfway to completion. Today i'm sharing a few snippets of it.


These pages were inspired by an issue of Somerset Studio (or maybe it was one of their other publications...?) that focused on black and white. It's not visible in the photo, but there's a lot of texture here, with embossing and paint. In the bottom photo, the top reads "art saves my life".

Thanks for stopping by, and i hope y'all have a wonderful day!