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These letter masks are my not-so-new favorite thing. I've had them for a year but often forget to pull them out since they are stored differently than my other stencils. I've been loving using them with spray, and then going back in and redefining with acrylic or pencil.
I've been asked about taking apart my journals. The detail below should explain it.
I like to work on journal pages after I've removed them by opening up the spiral. That allows you to work on a few pages at a time. It also doesn't limit you to which direction the page is oriented. The example below illustrates how this page ended up with no real "this side up".
And after I scan in a page I like to mess around with it digitally. The original page is above, and below (click to enlarge) are manipulations with colorizing, saturation, gradient, and curves. It's all part of learning things in Photoshop but it also gives me a different perspective of how I might approach things on the real page.
EDIT: Oops. Made this post and this journal page was missing. Often I will take quotes from my journal and give myself a digital assignment to continue teaching myself process. The journal page started on craft paper, striped gesso, rose stencil, watercolor pencils. The digital piece below incorporates a topper that is from a frame I photographed.
So it's been a while since I talked about our favorite band HIM. This weekend is the official day to celebrate the Heartagram....unless you are lucky like us and get to attend the NEW dvd preview and party in Philly on the 9th. Road trip! Who else is coming? This will be the only preview in the country!! And how about that logo? Roses!
EDIT AGAIN: this rocks! Just got these promo posters from Warner Bros. Time to be a good Street Teamer and put them up.....I'll save you one Judy, and Paula, and Carrie, and Cindi.....who else?
I AM SO MUCH MORE PSYCHED NOW!!!!!!!!
First, some more ETSY love. Gosh I adore that place. It's so cool to see artists making and selling their heartfelt creations. It's like having an indie boutique down the street. First up: Art and Ghosts. The masked girl on the right has arrived from England. Just charming. Check her out.
Next, Julie @ Puffluna. HAD to have that red rose ring. I see she is now selling black and amber too. Might need one for every finger. Check her out....maybe a Valentine gift to yourself?
And then I found these cameos and cabochons from Robin at A2Z Designs....supplies for your heart art??
And last for today, Nicole's custom die-cut paper shop HERE. Yes, you're onto me....I'm going to use them as masks. I know what you're thinking: Better go get some for yourself.
And more lovin' at my door....from Susan Warder, who blew me away with her clever heart stencil on the envelope, mimicking the postage stamp. And what a delightful surprise to open and see a stencil she cut for me. THIS ROCKS! Thanks Susan!
More cool stuff from some love-spreaders who Get me. I'm such a lucky girl. And Faye, my mail carrier, gets a kick out of delivering the goods.
And a last thought for the day. We are heading off to a comedy club for dinner and a performance as a fundraiser for a family we love who lost their son this year. He battled cancer and was finally C-free but was taken by the angels in April. I cannot begin to imagine their pain....but applaud them for moving forward by establishing a foundation that will do good things in Sean's name, and to do so with an event where we can all bury sadness for a breif moment, and laugh together.
Laughter, the best medicine. Write your own Rx as needed.
I met Seth online....not sure how, or when - but I just enjoyed his art so I left a few comments. That's all it takes to meet someone you might never have met. He's just over the river in NY! This week and next he's posting the answers to questions he posed to a list of artists. Day one was today. Click HERE and see if you might click with some of the artists and/or their answers. Cool idea, thanks Seth!
There are some people you just click with. You strike up a friendship that accelerates as though you've always known each other. THAT is how it is with Edie. You don't have to talk every day, or see each other every month, it's just there, ready to be picked up where you left off. Last weekend was proof we should do it more often - kept her up until 3am!
We talked, and ate, and drank, and even played in the studio. It was clean enough to have a clear work surface, and organized enough for some show and tell. I think I whiffed her out with the spray paint - next time we'll stick to acrylics. Let's not wait so long to get together again ok Edie?
If you've been following along you know I made a post HERE where I inadvertently dissed buying the latest IT purse (excuse me, handbag), not for any specific reason, just part of a point I was trying to make. Well, looky here. I'm IT now. Thanks Edie, this red handbag ROCKS.
We have a twelve year old....and it has come up from time to time the stuff that happens with girls and groups in school. I've been thinking about this alot - the difference between Click and Clique. I was never part of any particular group, I had all kinds of friends. There were neighborhood friends, skiing friends, some who were artsy, some who were boy-crazy, some who liked my kind of music, and some who didn't. I am so proud of the individual Fallon has become. She is so confident and certain about who she is and what she likes, regardless if it's popular or not. It took a while to get here, and I'm sure it's not over, but clique isn't even in her vocabulary. The definition of it doesn't sound bad, to have a supportive group of friends, but we know how awful the real junior high school cliques can be, don't we?
And to express her individuality, she got a second hole pierced in each ear, and the latest......
And back to Clicking for a sec.....in the summer of 2005 I met Susanne, here from Sweden. We clicked, at a parking lot concert. It's so cool when you find the people you are meant to know. She paid us a visit on a recent return to the States. She's already back home, but I know we'll see her again, and pick up where we left off. It's just that way with click friends.
And before you think it's all about drinking and late nights.....sometimes it's coffee. Like yesterday - I got to spend the morning with Susanna, getting to see her home and her art. I don't have a photo this time, but you can visit her site. We met because of a magazine. You never know when the click will happen.
And know what else? I have clicked with so many new friends because of this blog, and our Street Team. Artists who are tuned in and plugged in to creativity gather at our cyber address. Hopefully I'll get to meet some of them in real life, but for now we've found a way to click online. You're welcome to join us (I promise we aren't clique-y).
Be the Click.
My studio is in a state of Upheaval. With company coming I'm scurrying to finish the clean&purge I started earlier this week. I wish I had one more week, and a dumpster. Feels good to toss out stuff. If you don't USE it, shake it off.
Still infatuated with the classic red rose.
Journal page: craft paper background (always a great way to start!), tissue paper and wrapping paper scraps, red staples, ribbon, stickers, rubber stamp alphabet, stencil, acrylic paint, gesso, spray paint. To get the spray paint to drip down your page simply hold vertically against a cardboard backdrop, spray onto cardboard just above the page, and "catch" the drips. Set aside, remaining vertical until paint dries.
I'm waiting to hear from my friend Anne who was possbily going to the National Gallery for a viewing of the new HBO documentary on The Gates. Christo was going to be there for questions. Cool. Look for the film to come out in February. Loved The Gates - was able to witness them twice during their fleeting 16 day installation in Central Park. It was like walking through one' man's dream. His next installation will be over the Arkansas River in Colorado in 2012. I've invited myself for a visit with Lisa to see it.
Next up for NYC: Waterfalls on the Waterfront. Mayor Bloomberg is expected to announce the porject today. No pictures yet - renderings should be released this afternoon. Here are photos of his previous waterfall projects, the amount of scaffolding is a little alarming:
From the New York Times:
Four man-made waterfalls, 90 to 120 feet high, will punctuate New York’s waterfront for three months starting in mid-July. The creation of the Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, the project is a collaboration between the city and the Public Art Fund, the nonprofit organization that presents art around the city. The waterfalls have been designed to be environmentally friendly and will be in New York Harbor at Pier 35 in Lower Manhattan, at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge and between Piers 4 and 5 in Brooklyn and at Governors Island. (It will be on display from mid-July to mid-October, and will be illuminated after sunset.)
EDIT: these just in.....
Masterpiece Theater is treating us to 13 weeks of Jane Austen. First up is Persuasion. I can't be certain, but I believe this was the first Austen book I read. My friend Anne persuaded me - by pointing out on the first page the mention of Kellynch Hall. She's a Lynch, I'm a Kelly. Apparently she thought I needed a sign. It worked. I was hooked. She keeps me up to date on the sequels and prequels and spin-offs written in Austen style including two more books that arrived this Christmas. She's got my back. And I've got yours. Put on the kettle and revisit, or discover, some Jane tonight.
EDIT: I meant to remind you to look for these dvds in February - 2/5 The Jane Austen Book Club (which I missed in the theater) and 2/12 Becoming Jane, which I loved!
Wasn't it delightful to check your mailbox in December as you received so many hand-addressed envelopes filled with holiday cheer? Getting "real mail" is a treat, something we also discovered during our Crusade a few months ago: Spread the Love. Laura reminded us that this is National Letter Writing Week (and she's hosting a party on her blog!) What? You didn't get the memo either? It's never too late to make this a priority, to not just think about writing a letter, but to do it. Now that I think about it, Kathy also blogged about writing a letter. Here's a *smack to the forehead* - write someone today.
There are many ways to get your message across - you can be all fancy with the pens and wax seals or funky with cards and stamps. You can think big like we did when we wrote to both the Queen and the Queen Mother - and we got letters back*! Or you can just write the most minimal words, from the heart.
I've been writing Fan Mail for years. First letter was probably to David Cassidy, most recent was to David Carson. In fact, this week I sent off a handful of emails to several people who were featured in Helvetica, and heard back from a few already! The cool thing about this cyber world is we can follow an impulse, find a person, and make a connection. Instant gratification. Instant expression of gratitude. I keep a file of fan mail I've sent and the responses I've gotten - both through real mail and via email. Sadly, I've lost some copies because I didn't print them out right away - so learn from me, after you hit send, hit print. (Yes, I admit that most of my letters are by email lately but I'm vowing to change that because how do you know that your recipient is hitting print? Don't you want them to have a real letter from you?) It's really interesting to look back at the letters I've sent as a fan and to remember what struck me to reach out to another person - whether it was an artist, or a writer, or a someone who touched me in some way.
I was doing a little digging around online and came across THIS from Emily Post's Etiquette. She was lamenting that letter writing was going to become a lost art and be replaced with telegrams and phone messages. THAT was in 1922. Hello? Email, texting, voicemail.....she would die! She goes into great detail about the kind of letter we don't like to get - letters no one likes to read. (Not a bad lesson to review for us bloggers!) But she also tells us this, above. Love that.
I'm not dissing email - you got it, use it! It's been a terrific means of communicating. (Leaving comments is like a little letter of validation too!) I'm just saying, write a letter - whether it's a quick note, or a thought-out paragraph, to let someone know you're glad they're around, you're thinking of them, they have influenced you, or you just like their music. *wink*
Who will you write to?
* Because my husband is from England, I made it a practice to send notes to the Queen from our kids. When Windsor Castle suffered a fire we sent $2 from Peter and Sam and rec'd a letter thanking us for the donation and how the money would be deposited. Later, when Fallon was born on the Queen Mother's birthday we would send her cards, telling her it was Fallon's birthday too. Every year we would get a letter with birthday wishes in return. Ya never know who will write back! Of all the letters to people I consider "stars", I've heard back from the majority. Of course it's about SENDING your positive vibes out into the world without any expectation of response, but it's kinda cool to hear back too!
So I was cleaning up the last of the xmas stuff today and came across an opened bag of kisses that must have been leftover from stuffing the stockings. Imagine my surprise when I noticed the trademark tag* was replaced with various slogans (yes, I ate more than one). I'll bet you know what I said when I found this one!
*discovered in specially marked package for Hershey's Kisses 100th Anniversary. Other taglines: Good Luck, Kiss Someone, Cheer Up, I Miss You, Congratulations, Let's Go Out, Looking Good, and Oops!
EDIT: For my international friends, especially Inge ~ yes, those are chocolate kisses, a famous, bite-size treat. Inge also asked me what "xo" means, as I sometimes sign off emails that way. This is for you. Thanks for reminding me that not all phrases can be found in a translation guide. xo
digital art: personal photo taken of chess pieces in front of scenic background (photo), colorized, bible quote added as transparent layer, custom star brush burned, second quote, title, and signature added, framed with custom brush border.
SHE is always five steps ahead of me. While I'm bobbling around in the wake behind her she's lobbing out movie and book recommendations, among many other things. I have a notebook next to my computer (and phone) just to take notes as she rattles off all the things I have been apparently clueless about. For instance, remember all the fuss about The DaVinci Code? SHE is the one who told me to go get it. WAY before anyone ever said a thing about it, SHE had already read it. Like that. So when she said "I just saw this film, don't even rent it, just go buy it", I did. Because, she GETS me. My new nickname for her is PulseGirl. She's always got a finger on it.
THIS dvd is amazing! I admit I didn't know the first thing about the typeface Helvetica, and rarely, if ever use it. I have a much greater respect for it now. MUCH GREATER. The people interviewed are fascinating. The whole thing is simply riveting. It was a real thrill to see one of my favorite graphic designers, David Carson, on the list of participants, and to see him talk about some of his design process. I also scribbled down names of people I didn't know so I can look them up and see what other books or cool things I've been missing out on. I know many of you are font-junkies like me so you will Love this!
See what a difference a typeface can make? One of the questions asked of type designers was "what's your favorite letter?" Imagine having to pick one? This was interesting too.....
Happy 50th Anniversary Helvetica.
Yes, two posts in one day. Do you think it depends on what part of the country you're from if you call it a Purse or a Handbag? Like Soda or Pop? Wikipedia makes it sound like they are equally used, along with Pocketbook. So my post below ruffled the feathers of my dear friend Edie who is a HotShot at this place. And apparently I'm not only using the wrong term, but she thinks I may possibly influence you NOT to get the latest "it" purse (or handbag). And since I'm hardly "in the know" of what's cool in the purse category (proof below), I will make a plug for her company, to get you all stoked up about their newest and their classics just to show I wasn't dissing purses, or the buying of purses. (And if you read the Wikipedia entry on purses you'll learn women buy an average of one purse every three months, so I think Edie's company is safe, but I'll still plug away in the spirit of friendship.)
I finally found two great purses this year - one for concerts, and one for my regular day job as a mom - backpack style. And yep, that Coach bag was a gift, from you-know-who. I use it sparingly as I don't often have something of this caliber in my closet.
My totes are many....can't find them all at the moment for their photoshoot but here's what I found on the surface in my studio. I have 10 times more totes than purses.
Hmmmm. I guess we buy what we like, label or not.....logo or not. (The tote I point out is cleverly made from a HIM tshirt by Vamptropolis @ Etsy.) My favorite band will probably never make the Washington Post "in" list.....fine with me, I'll continue to get good concert tickets. NOBODY can tell me they aren't all that, because to me, they are.
Are pointy shoes still in? Bleh! Who cares. I'll NEVER buy those things. I KNOW that Edie KNOWS my post below wasn't really about not buying the "it" purse. And I know that you GET that it's not about what's Trendy or what's Over. We know what our "look" is when it comes to clothes or jewelry (or purses) or home decor. We don't let the List determine how we will make our selections because we like what we like, regardless of who approves it. Why not figure out what your look is when it comes to your art?
Hey, do you think this post might lure Edie from her lurking position and get her comment? *wink*
Every year, about this time, magazines and newspapers make their "it" lists. Like this one. From fashion to gadgets to celebrities, we read what is the new cool and what is over. Then there are the regular publications we subscribe to that show us what's going on in the industry. For any artform you are interested in there are numerous places to get visuals and information - from books and magazines to websites and blogs. How you process the information is up to you. I like to know what's happening, don't you? Personally, I use these resources for reference of what's been done. I allow that information to guide me in new directions, looking for things that haven't been done. We each have our own reasons for searching and researching. We each have our own creative process. You don't have to be doing the things you see others do.....just like you don't have to buy the new "it" purse.
Want to learn more?
Do more!
Self discovery is the best way to learn, and it doesn't even come with a pricetag.
I'm not talking 'self discovery' as in bettering yourself in mind and body.
I'm talking about your art style.
But believe me, finding your art style will improve your mind, your confidence, your joy.
Let this be a year of finding your own voice, your own style, your one true thing, your groove, baby.
I am often asked where I turn for inspiration, or how I learned to do what I do. I think the most important thing for any person wanting to create is to just get started. You can read all the books and magazines on a subject and it won't mean anything until you start experimenting on your own. Pick up the brush, or the pencil, or the whatever, and begin. Having the impulse to create is a gift. The way in which you do it will work itself out once you get started.
I saw this young man on the Today show. I am still thinking about him. We know art is a channel that lets us express something within ourselves. His story proves that. See a video clip HERE. And visit Seth Chwast at his site HERE. Thanks Seth, for reminding me how powerful creativity is.
Related news: This weekend I saw the new Public Service Announcement by VH1's Rock Autism. I was really moved to see Gene Simmons, Tommy Lee, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler and other rockers supporting Autism. See HERE, click on 2). Then I found their True Life series following three young men with diverse manifestations of Autism. It's compelling and enlightening....and takes about an hour to get through the whole series. See HERE.
It's a new year, a blank page. Put something on it TODAY.
Congratulations to Monica Magness for being the Top Hat Pick for Crusade No. 15. I'll be posting the next Crusade later today. Need a jumpstart for creativity? Come play with us on the Street Team!
