Gothic Arches

This is a website that gives endless pleasure! The artwork is phenomenal. I'm going to post an arch for the first time! The theme is black and white with a touch of red. Mine has some sparkly paper behind the figures, but I don't think it comes out in the scan. I'm nervous because the artists are so terrific, but here goes!

Brilliant

Through an e-mail, I was introduced to a brilliant quote:

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”

The author is Karen Ravn, from the Monterey County Herald.

Is It Autumn Yet?

Am I the only one who won't mind the departure of summer? We could use a rainy day here...I feel so bad for Floridians, so much rain! God bless them all!!!

Well, I was cleaning off a few shelves down in my art room and found something from my former life that may help cool me off...for years, I was a tole painter, or better yet, an artsy fartsy painter. I loved it...I couldn't wait to get home from work and get into whatever project I was painting. Now I feel that way about paper. I thought I'd share a scan of my Rusty Bird.

The Pink Artist Project

Here is a really worthwhile project to fight breast cancer. You'll find all the information you need here: http://girl-gone-thread-wild.blogspot.com/2008/05/pink-artist-drawing-august-1-october-15.html and I hope, very sincerely, that you will do whatever you can to help our sisters fight this miserable cancer. My DIL's mom is fighting breast cancer, it's wicked, but so far she is winning and my prayers are with Patricia.

SOS

Does anyone have a remedy for a pinched nerve and pulled muscle in one's neck? I've been fighting a loosing battle for over a week, and have been living in pain the whole time. Well, I guess it will heal when it's ready to, but in the meantime, life is not happy.

I tried creating a little bit of art. PaperWhimsy's Shoppe had these metal tags that called out to me. Lisa's Altered Art tiny fairies were perfect! So, here's "Dream" (with a sore neck :o)

Gardens

This year my purple and white garden came back. I had Shasta daisies that were as high as my front stairs. When I looked out the door, all I saw was this beautiful layer of white, like a cloud with yellow faces peeking through. And I had my Dame's Rockets. They are really a wild flower, maybe considered a weed, commonly found in the alleys and byways in Illinois...but talk about flourescent purple flowers. I love them. And hydrangeas...my beauties.

"Gardens and flowers have a way of bringing people together, drawing them from their homes."
Clare Ansberry

So true.

Wednesday Night

Mid August already! Before you know it...no, I won't say it. But I have some friends whose Christmas shopping is already done! I'm too busy trying to make a little art. I had time to make this metal tag. Been a while since I've done anything with metal. I used to love painting on rusty tin. I might have to drag out the paints someday soon...

Bibbidi Boppidi Ball

Doesn't that sound like a fantastic ball to attend? We're creating gowns for it at PaperWhimsy. I decided to create mine out of paper since my sewing skills are less than....well, less than. I can remember long ago, when I was young and foolish, I decided to sew my wedding gown out of this eyelit fabric. I liked the A-lines (just dated myself) and chose a pattern and went to work. I didn't show it to anyone, and actually sewed a decent hem. Finally came the day to model it for my mom and gram....I was so proud of it...and while they thought I did a good, neat job, they thought I looked like a walking curtain. So much for that dress! LOL! Actually the fabric was more suitable for curtains, I was stubborn and wanted what I wanted. Plus I've had other major sewing disasters...fabric and I don't get along.

So back to the ball, when I decided to do a paper dress, I didn't realize how much fun I'd have. After all, I used to love paper dolls when I was a kid, and it just gave my inner child a chance to get out there and play. Hope you like it. I call it the Flower Maiden's gown.

Anne Le Toux Blog

I found Anne on ArtTechniques group...and oh lala! What an artist. Her work never fails to amaze me. Right now, she's celebrating her blogs 6 month anniversary by sponsoring a giveaway. You can see her blog and her fantastic artwork here: http://bullesdorees.blogspot.com/2008/08/cadeau-plein-de-bulles-ou-giveaway.html

Do a favor and treat yourself and have a look.

August

Here it is, August already. Work is really ramping up, so I know finding time for art will be hard and frustrating. But I did play with Golden's fine pumice gel and mixed it with Golden acrylics. First, tho, I did gesso my watercolor paper. That's the recommended thing, and this time, I listened. All I did, with each color, was use a palette knife and slip slap the gel on. I crossed the line on colors, letting them blend a bit. Then I added beads randomly around the picture of the girl. I think I may add some interference acrylic color, tho, to spice it up a bit. But since this was my first attempt with the Fine Pumice, I won't be too hard on myself. I like the Fine Pumice and will use it again.