Monday, October 7, 2013

Inspiration Ave Challenge

Inspiration Avenue's Team Challenge this week is Faces  
and the timing couldn't be any better!


Just over a month ago I rediscovered
the satisfaction one can get from creating faces
when I participated in the 29 Faces Challenge Sept 2013.

From my first awkward drawings to 
modern stylized digital faces, 
it was a terrific growing experience.

One face, that at first I thought was too depressing, grew on me
to such an extent that I have just made it my new profile pic.

It began like this



Then I played around with it
(I think this is really cool)
and becausse I love color, played around some more
and more

I see so many possibilities with this face that I
made a rubber stamp of it to use in my mixed media work.
 My lino block skills are quite rusty and
 the image isn't as perfect as I wanted.
Note: technically this isn't a "lino block" as I did this in rubber;
However when I am able to get more supplies
I will attempt another go at it.

Thank you to Maggie  
& Inspiration Avenue for this weeks challenge!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Mini Autumn Swap

What is a mini Autumn Swap you may ask?
Well it involves mini art in the format of ACEOs.
ACEOs aka ATCs are Artist Trading Cards
and measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches.
They can be in any medium any style the only rule is the size.

Well the ACEO team from etsy was holding a swap.

It was real simple - theme,  Autumn
& we exchange with just one person!

I was really blessed to get Lee of Watercolors or Else !

She sent me not one, but two beautiful aceo's
and they arrived in a handpainted card!
All are most certainly frame worthy!!
I love the tree and the shadow under the leaves - gorgeous!

My offerings weren't nearly so grand -
a collage made using handmade artisan papers, 
"an Autumn Day" is from an old vintage book,
and a genuine maple leaf I saved from last autumn.
this I did in water colors

 and I enclosed them in a collaged note card

So thank you very much Lee for being so generous
with your beautiful art
and thanks to the ACEO etsy team for holding this swap!!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

the final face!

 What an awesome experience the 29 Faces challenge has been!

 At the beginning I felt a bit discouraged
 thinking it was way over my head;
but my fellow artists kindly encouraged me to continue.
It was creatively stimulating seeing all the
unique  faces and styles of art while stretching my wings.
But I think my favorite part was
connecting with other artists through our blogs!
.........
Well without further delay on to the final face!

For quite awhile I wanted to attempt a self portrait
but I also wanted to incorporate my artwork within
it & digital photography seemed to be a way of doing that.
A portion of one of my  abstract collages
 is seen in the foreground .




Thank you so much Alaya for hosting this challenge &
to each and every visitor for every encouraging word.
 I hope we stay in touch through our blogs!!






Saturday, September 28, 2013

a single bloom


The SoArtful's  current challenge a minimalist single flower.
This is the first time I have entered
one of their art challenges. 
I enjoyed it & hope to do more of them!
.....
This one began as a photo of
a rose in our garden.
It was loaded with sharp thorns but 
it's fragrance was oh so sweet!





and then there's this one
created with the digital tool, Scribbler

Why not check out SoArtful & have some artsy fun?! :D


One day left in 29!

Well here it is day 28 of the 
29 Faces September 2013 Art Challenge!
Last night I spent a couple of hours trying to create 
one of those cool faces that my friend
Karla of Poetic Postcards makes.
Alas, it was not to be.
So I did what I love and
created another face with Scribbler Too.



and for those following 29 Faces, 
you know how much i love color 
so.....
 
and....

and


Friday, September 27, 2013

Number 27 of 29Faces

Only two more faces to go and 
the 29 Faces Challenge will be finished.
For number 27 I did something
different....  minimalist & rather depressing



Thursday, September 26, 2013

just 3 left!

Here we are at number 26 of 29 Faces!
Originally  I had Scribbler wings but
thought Butterfly wings added a whimsical touch


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

29 Faces - day 25

OK i confess!
 i'm cheating on this
i did this about a week ago
for a new profile pic
but today was a bit of a rough day
so i'm using this as the face for day 25




Tuesday, September 24, 2013

29 Faces Challenge

Face 24
Back to Scribbler today!


and of course I had to add color
but i couldn't decide which one i liked the best
so here are both versions with color




Monday, September 23, 2013

29 Faces #23

For a blue Monday, here's a sketch.
She is done in pen and marker 
& the background, digital.
I'm not too crazy about this



Saturday, September 21, 2013

29 Faces #21

 Took a break today from Scribbler
and sketched with a Faber-Castell Pitt pen in Sanguine
I used graphite for her eyeshadow
but the rest of color was digital




Thursday, September 19, 2013

Lucy in the Sky.....

29 Faces Challenge - Sept 19 & 20


 I thought that this one was cool

 but when I was playing around with backgrounds 
I knew i found it and the title!



Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Monday, September 16, 2013

Faces 16 & 17

29 Faces Art Challenge - Day 16

I had so much fun with Fran and her new hat!!



Day 17:
Continuing with light hearted sketches  with Scribbler Too

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Face 15

29 Faces day 15


Happily surprised to find that my abstract piece
 "Les Miserables" was bought by a lady in New York! 
 I wrote about the making of it in a blog post if you want to take a look.




Saturday, September 14, 2013

29 Faces - 14

 

Can't stop making faces with this tool, think I'm addicted to Scribbler Too
Have to say that this isn't a favorite.... 
she seems too serious like she has an attitude! 
& i want to move that hair away from over her eye!


Friday, September 13, 2013

29 Faces Challenge 13


Day 13 - face 13


well it's Friday the 13th, are you superstitious?  I'm not! I'm so glad it's Friday and now the weekend can begin! I have so much happening right now, can't share all of it but I will say that I'm nearing the final stages of designing a Bible cover for a local church!  I will fill you in on more details when it's off to the printer :)

And now my face for today with thanks once again to Scribbler Too   



Wednesday, September 11, 2013

29 Faces - 12

Number 12

ok here's the story... i liked the sketch  except for her hair, 
so i thought how about elaborate fun hats?! 
and so for your amusement,  here they are :)






oh i changed my profile pic, did you notice?


29 face 11

Number 11

I was thinking of my daughters when they were young and suddenly this one came into being. Her face & hair are a blending of the two.


Monday, September 9, 2013

29 Faces 9 & 10

Sept 9 & 10

As you can tell i Love Scribbler Too ! i really liked this one so i went back and played around with color for day 10



Sunday, September 8, 2013

29 Faces Sept 8

Face Number 8 - Happy Sunday!

I discovered Scribbler Too & LOVE it!! For someone who has difficulty drawing due to hand tremors, this tool is a dream come true. I love the ease at which I can make lines again & will be doing more with it.


Saturday, September 7, 2013

29 Faces Sept 7

Face Number 7
this is how it started -  a really fast sketch,
 but after i added it to the post
 i wasn't that happy with it so.......
i took out the eraser & made a couple of changes, then i added some digital color