I put the final touches on my fifth canvas and prepped them for the ride to the florist! All signed and tagged. I am actually only selling 4 of them, the fifth was a gift to Frankie, the shop owner. I really enjoyed making these. I have tried so many "styles", but I always go back to simple Folk art pieces. I guess it is what I crave for in life... simplicity.

Mixed Media Collage... I prefer the flat panel canvases and alot of texture. My all time favorite is to create a distressed, faux barnwood background. Layers of paper, different types of mediums, pan pastels, acrylics and inks...

An Old World Santa sketched onto watercolor paper and painted with Pan Pastels. His beard is light modeling paste applied with a spatula. I then hand tore
him and decoupaged him to the faux wood panel.

The stars are faux rusted metal. I plan on sharing this process in a future post.
the title of this canvas is; "BELIEVE"

My next canvas is "ANGEL AMONG US"

I free hand sketch all my pieces and then hand tear. I like the aged look it gives and it "fits" into the Folk art theme.
This next canvas I love... I titled it; "PEACEFUL"

The next was a fun piece... a winter wonderland after a big snow. I thought about my Grandson playing in the snow, as I created this.
Titled; "LET IT SNOW"

My final piece is not for sale, but a gift to Frankie. She is the shop owner in a restored gold mining village in Gold Hill, NC. Frankie made all the beautiful flower arrangements for my daughter's wedding. This is the village I used to display some of my albums I made. I was also Paula's partner in the bakery. Oh, how I miss all that! Now is my time to get back to that little village... this time with my art work.
To Frankie, thank you for hosting my art! "THE GOLD MINER'S DAUGHTER"



I hope you have enjoyed seeing my art... as much as I have, creating it!

If you are interested in purchasing any of the pieces, please email me at;
vintagebeginnings@yahoo.com Historic Gold Hill Village

ALL CAUGHT UP... well, almost

All my "work" projects are caught up for now... just waiting on a number for making class kits. That means, I can play all I want and not feel guilty! Thought I would share one of the Christmas Class projects I have been working on.


The next 3 days, I am planning on creating for myself. My art has taken the wayside the past few weeks... life in general...things... just things... tend to bog me down at times... and this time change... gets me every year. I hate when it gets dark so early... "lights out and it's time to sleep"! Guess that's why the bears hibernate! Haha...

Good news last night! My limited edition Halloween kits are almost gone! Thank you to all who purchased them and supported me. I have ideas for one next year already. Keeping a journal.. because I tend to forget as fast as I come up with them! ideas, that is... I'm working on a few ideas... have some preparation before I can execute... military strategy...

This is one of the items for the Children's craft day in Dec.



For more information on classes, please visit;
http://www.donnadowney.com/index.php/donna-downey-studios

"A GLIMPSE"

Wow, what a day! I started out with a visit to my daughter's OB appt. Bentley (yes, it's a boy!) is growing just fine! I even heard the little stinker's heart beat, when he would stay still. Next was breakfast at Cracker Barrel... have to feed this little guy... and Mommy!
Last, a quick trip to Hobby Lobby to pick up a snow flake die. Of course, once again, I waited to long to go back and get it. The lady in line (can you believe,in front of me!) had it in her basket. How dare she!! An urge came over me... I could yell, "Would ya look at that!"... grab the die and run the other way! That was the evil side of me (lol). Instead, I folded and told her, I was going to her house to play. After all, The Mind's Eye paper in her basket "was to die for" too!
I finished my second Christmas project today, an 8X8 Angel canvas. It came out completely different than what I had anticipated, but I am actually very pleased with the changes! It will be a class at Donna's studio in Dec. Watch her calender and upcoming events for more information! I think I'll tease you with a little glimpse...

(laughing) You really thought I was going to give you more??

Tomorrow... another day... a day to start my third, but not final, Christmas Whimsey!

FIRST KIT COMPLETED

A new week. A new list of "to doe's". First on the agenda is to find the floor in my studio! Between the puppy getting in the garbage bag, strewing little clippings of paper and chipboard all over and my piles of unfinished projects, magazine issues to file and stashed bags with new goodies just waiting to be played with.... well, you can only imagine!

Last week was exciting for me. My very first, original design, "Trick or Treat" album was listed in Donna Downey's Online store! It was a long process. Many hours! Designing is the best part! Then of course, you have to write all the steps down, list of products, cut each individual piece for multiple kits, emboss, stamp and stuff. I have bought many "kits" and gone to classes of all kinds, but have never really stopped to think about all the work and time, people have put into them. It is amazing and time consuming! This week, I will start the process again. A new album, Christmas goodies and a few other surprises! After all is said and done... I'll be looking for my floor again!

'TRICK OR TREAT"

It's done! My first workshop at Donna's studio is set up for the 13th of October! I am super excited and a little nervous, but over all... I'm good.




“TRICK OR TREAT” A 6x6 HANDMADE CANVAS ALBUM; 6-9 pm $40

Come join me for a frightful night of ghoulish laughter and haunting memories. At the stroke of 6 pm, I will guide you in how to create your own spooky, canvas album. You will be using “secret potions” of paints, inks and modeling paste, along with stencils and objects to add layers and creepy texture to the canvas and chipboard. Add layers and distress each piece. Make it creepy, make it yours ,to remember the horror on this special night!




Hope to see you there!

ME... A DESIGNER?

INSANITY!!!! Have you ever just had a moment... I mean a REALLY, good moment... like... the lights flickered, and you literally yelped? It starts like this...

I have never thought of myself as an Artist, just a crafter of many types. I've tried all kinds of things, some successful and others not. I have been building my base knowledge of ideas, techniques and abilities with workshops, tutorials and just experimenting. A couple weeks ago, Donna and Bill Downey approached me about designing for them. Of course I was flattered, but also, scared to death! What did I know about designing... let alone showing my art to a broader interest? I would be exposing myself, letting down the shield that I've been hiding behind. A mask, of sorts, that covered my face, so people could not see me grimise at my mistakes and failures. I've never been one to blow my whistle, I sat at the back of the class... (still do).

I thought it over and said, "Yes". What did I have to lose? Other than my sanity and my self-esteem. You see... I'm still scared. I've been questioning myself, second guessing. I sat for a three days, with fabrics, ribbons, paint and albums in front of me... NOTHING... N>O>T>H>I>N>G>.
I hadn't even started and I was already a wash-up! I surfed the internet, looked at magazines, took a trip to Ben Franklin. Oh, the goodness. All there in front of me, flaunting, begging me to play. I still needed a spark, something to send me in a whirlwind with ideas. I decided to walk away.

The fourth day, I still had no clue. I went to bed so tired that night, just wanting to shut down and sleep, but my brain had other ideas. It all came at once. A craft I used to love as a kid. I could incorporate that craft in my pieces. My signature! Then, other ideas... I was in overload! Had to write it all down or I would forget as fast as it came! That's when the lights flickered and I gave that yelp! I think John thought I had lost it!

So there you have it. I have given it more thought. Am going to try my very best to stop second guessing myself and just enjoy the creative process. I can't please everybody and there is always going to be someone who thinks my art is unacceptable. I have to do this for me and me only. It's better to have tried something and have it not work, than to ponder about what never happened.