1st of the Fever Dreams

Thanks to all for your kind wishes & for putting up with my whinging.

Here are the 1st images from my recent delusional state.

Each measures 2.5" x 3.5 " . They are available as a set in my etsy shop, ArtSnark's Artifacts

Monday's Muse - Fever Dreams

Well... it was either that or Monday's Muse - Crud

Fever Dreams sounds a little sexier at least.

Hope everyone had a wonderful _____ !(enter holiday of choice)

Too much fun was had by all & once the final obligations were met, the Control-Freak (that would be me) collapsed into a sweaty pile of feverish snot. Could I make it sound more unpleasant? Yuck!

The plus side of a 3 day phlegm filled delirium:

• My husband was forced to play with our son & not go immediately back to work
• I may have lost a few pounds ;D
• Great Freakin' dreams! Don't get me wrong, there were some scary a** nightmares! ...and way too many cameos by people made out of Lego's. But other dreams were really floaty & angelic. Lots of steampunk images too.

The combination of sky-high temps, dehydration & heavy duty cough medicine had this real visionary state going on. Unfortunately I was too out of it to get my sketchbook, but still have a bunch of ideas swirling around.

Will be fun to see what twisted stuff leaks out of my uptight little drawings next.....muhahahaa

Monday's Muse - Lovely Blogs

Can't believe it's here already!

Today's inspiration is creative folks & their blogs!

There are so many great blogs "out there", it is mind-boggling. Several days ago I was honored with the Lovely Blog Award by the talented SueAnn Lommler. A fun, wonderful artist SueAnn always has a kind work to share. You can view her blog & latest pieces here .

Now I am supposed to recommend 7 of my favorite lovelies. Tough to narrow it down. SueAnn already mentioned some of my faves back on the 11th. You can find them here. Check them out when you have the time - there are some amazing things going on.

Now... the 7 I list are then supposed to link back & suggest 7 others. If any of you don't wish to "play", that's cool. You're still Super Lovely in my book :)

Here are my seven beauties; just click on them to visit! Go on now, you'll be glad you did....

januarywish
vintagesnapsandscraps
sweetrepeats
sandraevertson
nancylefko
papermischief
ewian

A quick note: there is so much inspiration out there in the blogosphere,including maternalspark where I was 1st introduced to the idea of Monday's Muse!!

So grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy!! Anybody bothers you tell them I said "Shoo!"

Steam Dreams

Renewed a couple of pieces on Etsy: A Blustery Day and
Penny Farthing Dream

Click image for closer look at each piece & a shortcut to ArtSnarksArtifacts
All items on sale (20% off + free shipping) through Dec 31st.

Red's True Love

Took a break from the Holiday Madness to push some pencils around. As with all my WIPs, who knows when I'll pick this piece up again, but here's phase 1.

Monday's Muse - A Classic Combination

I can't believe it is already Monday again!

(click above to visit the great blog Maternal Spark)

Today's Muse is Procrastination ….. & Possibilities.

Through my own foolishness, I have become Queen of Procrastination lately. When I was younger I had lots of practice avoiding things, but now it happens by accident more often than choice. My studio/home office/Santa's workshop resembles hell on earth. I can't even show you my planner because it is lost under piles of stuff. To be honest, I am deeply afraid to find my To Do list - I feel overwhelmed as it is. So, I'm supposed to be cleaning this pigsty & instead I'm typing away .......

Sorry about the rant, now for the Possibilities! As I scrape away layers of accumulated stuff, scraps of paper, items to repair, etc. I keep finding lots of really cool materials & many many unfinished projects. Last night I uncovered my markers & a fairy-tale collage started in October. I gave up on cleaning & started coloring. Here is the latest incarnation:

Not done yet. I know what I want to add and I know it is here....somewhere! Time go pick up some more

R.I.P. Dark Angel

although she has left this world, her glamour will always remain

click here for more about the glorious, notorious Bettie Page

And The Winner Is.......

Here is my assistant randomly choosing a name from the “Goblet of Fire” (Guess what we’ve been reading lately) The flames seem to be switched off for safety reasons...And the Winner is:

JOY

After cries of "Again! Again!" my Harry Potter fan & aspiring model changed costume & picked a runner up:EMMMALIEGH

And for his 3rd & final Act, Mad-Eye Moody chose:

SASSY DESIGNS

Congrats to the Winners!! Joy will receive a customized necklace & the 2 runners up will get... something cool - I have to poke around my studio & see what I can come up with ;D

Thanks to all who played along & added their inspirations! It has been fun reading them! Seems you’re a bunch of literate nature lovers who listen to music while searching for vintage items. You creative souls are also inspired by other artists, even while observing everything (& everyone) around them. …. Does this sound like you????

Could the 3 selected please leave your emails or convo me on etsy www.ArtSnark.etsy.com . I’ll get your prizes out right away..… Joy, just let me know which pendant style you want & that will determine the size/shape of your image. Then you can send me either printed image or (preferably) jpg & I’ll create your necklace.

Again, thanks for playing! Please stop back when you have a chance. Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season!

Monday's Muse - Butterflies & Customized Givaway

Bit chilly in Tampa this morning.

When I went out for the paper I spotted a butterfly on the grass. Thought it might be dead but it was simply waiting to warm up

It flexed its wings a little & later it was gone.

My mornings are always a bit like that. I start out slow & chilly but eventually take off

Butterflies seem to appear often in my artThey Have Given Me Much Inspiration NOW I WANT TO INSPIRE YOU!

I'd Like to customize a butterfly necklace for 1 lucky winner!
Simply comment on my blog with what inspires you (between now & Friday) to enter a drawing for a custom necklace ( based on 1 of the 3 designs shown here). I will draw & post the winner Saturday morning so check back to see if it's you. I will then ask the winner to choose a pendant design & send me their image to put in the center.
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Most of the art & jewelry here is available at ArtSnark's Artifacts just click photo for more info.
Only the top piece with the dragonfly & face is unavailable at this time.
Please note, I am running a December sale of 20% off+free shipping.
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I look forward to seeing what inspires you!!

Day of Sharing Song PART 2 -If I had a boat

I'm a huge Lyle Lovett fan & If I Had A Boat is #1 on my itunes.
Listen Here

Still working on my Pony picture; been a chaotic week. Hoped to post it with this song but got tired of waiting for it to be done. Here are a couple of my boat pics insteadIf I can get my act together both Morning Fog (the top image) & Ship of Fools (just above) will be available in my etsy shop, ArtSnark's Artifacts this weekend.

Some of the Angels will be too. A couple have already been sold however. Just click on image & once it's in the shop you'll be taken right to it.

For the curious here are the Lyrics to If I Had A Boat:
If I had a boat
I'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I'd ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat

If I were roy rogers
I'd sure enough be single
I couldn't bring myself to marrying old dale
It'd just be me and trigger
We'd go riding through them movies
Then we'd buy a boat and on the sea wed sail

And if I had a boat
I'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I'd ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat

The mystery masked man was smart
He got himself a tonto
cause tonto did the dirty work for free
But tonto he was smarter
And one day said kemo sabe
Kiss my ass I bought a boat
I'm going out to sea

And if I had a boat
I'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I'd ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat

And if I were like lightning
I wouldn't need no sneakers
I'd come and go wherever I would please
And I'd scare em by the shade tree
And I'd scare em by the light pole
But I would not scare my pony on my boat out on the sea

And if I had a boat
I'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I'd ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat

If you have the time, please leave some of your favorite songs in the comments - I'd love to know what you're listening to!

A Day Of Sharing Song - Calling All Angels

"Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought. " E.Y. Harburg

Playing with another great idea from LK Ludwig:

"Songs can move us to places we haven't been in a long time, places we long for every day, or places we some day hope to be. The combination of music and poetry can transport us across distances, and through the years... Meeting new music, musicians, composers, poets, new ways for my soul to sing, is an intriguing concept. Want to go on this adventure with me? It will be easy to travel along...Dec 3 ...post a song that touches you...."

I've narrowed mine down to 2 -The 1st is Calling All Angels by Jill Siberry & KD Lang:
You can listen to it hereSanta Maria, Santa Teresa, Santa Anna, Santa Susannah
Santa Cecilia, Santa Copelia, Santa Domenica, Mary Angelica
Frater Achad, Frater Pietro, Julianus, Petronilla
Santa, Santos, Miroslaw, Vladimir
and all the rest

a man is placed upon the steps, a baby cries
and high above the church bells start to ring
and as the heaviness the body oh the heaviness settles in
somewhere you can hear a mother sing

then it's one foot then the other as you step out onto the road
how much weight? how much weight?
then it's how long? and how far?
and how many times before it's too late?

calling all angels
calling all angels
walk me through this one
don't leave me alone
calling all angels
calling all angels
we're cryin' and we're hurtin'
and we're not sure why...

and every day you gaze upon the sunset
with such love and intensity
it's almost...it's almost as if
if you could only crack the code
then you'd finally understand what this all means

but if you could...do you think you would
trade in all the pain and suffering?
ah, but then you'd miss
the beauty of the light upon this earth
and the sweetness of the leaving

calling all angels
calling all angels
walk me through this one
don't leave me alone
callin' all angels
callin' all angels
we're tryin'
we're hopin'
we're hurtin'
we're lovin'
we're cryin'
we're callin'
'cause we're not sure how this goes

Sweet Sales Part 2 & Random Thoughts Tuesday

Had the good fortune to sell a couple of pieces (including the Polaroid transfer Hush ) during my 4 day Sweet Sale. SO have decided to extend it through December just to see what happens. 20% off & FREE SHIPPING worldwide on all items at ArtSnarks Artifacts - Part 2!!
There's so much inventory stacked up in my studio & I'd love to make some space!!! Will continue adding more random pieces & toss in some PIFs so please check back now & again.

Speaking of Random:

Been internet free for a couple of days but popped in on the blog maternalspark
this morning which led me to the un-mom . Love the comic book look & random Tuesday was just too tempting to resist. Like I'm not always random, right ?

* Start with a Congrats to La Donna Welter for her upcoming feature in Somerset Studios !!

*Can't get enough of Monoral & Vampire Weekend lately. Bubblegum Quick Fix for mellow or uppers. My faves are Kiri & Walcott

*I love coffeee- weee!

*Why does it always seem the house is in super mess mode when play-dates are scheduled here - eek! Gotta stop typing & get cleaning :(

*last thought - must plug yet again this great sci fi site: 365tomorrows.com

Sneak Peeks & Sweet Sales

Just past midnight & jump-starting my weekend sale!

Now through midnight Dec 1 get 20% off PLUS Free Shipping on all items in my etsy shop, ArtSnark's Artifacts.

I've also added 3 new pieces. Here is a peek at 1. This is just 1/4 of the image - To view the full piece just click on it.
(this is where the sneaky part comes in)

Here's another glimpse

More to come & probably a couple of PIFs over the next couple of days so keep checking back!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! and the NY TIMES

Just a quick shout out to everyone. May you have a wonderful day filled with family,friends & inspiration!!

On the go today & plan to update later (if the tryptophan & Sangria don't get to me 1st).

Wanted to share this great article in today's NY Times: "Transforming Art Into A Career Choice That Actually Pays" features the fabulous & famous collage artist, ZNE member & author Claudine Hellmuth. It was her book Collage Discovery Workshop that introduced me to the wonderful world of collage. When you have a few minutes to breathe today, please visit her website & etsy shop!

Again, Best wishes today! Hope You Have A Great One!!

PIF Givaway -Blue Angel on Papyrus

PIF Giveaway in my Etsy shop. Totally Free. Just click here. This piece is one of a kind so the first person to put it in their shopping cart gets it! It is totally free, just please Pay It Forward with a random act of kindess :D

Blue Angel is a mixed media piece on Papyrus. It measures approximately 6.5" x 8.5". It was not stored flat so the papyrus has curled like old parchment. However, it could be easily matted or glued flat.

I uncovered this odd little painting while cleaning up my studio tonight & thought it would make a good PIF. C'mon now, you know you want to spread some cheer!!

The top image is cropped. To view this piece in full click here.

Monday's Muse

I stumbled onto this great blog last week www.maternalspark.blogspot.com. There's a lot of cool bits but what caught my eye was the Monday's Muse section. I am so NOT a Monday person. The idea of a little jumpstart for my creative juices is appealing. Today's Muse post started with a quote from Sigmund Freud : ‘When inspiration does not come to meet me, I go halfway to meet it.’
....although my troubles tend to be with time management more than inspiration.....

Today's inspiration came wrapped around a lively gift. You know how little kids love getting presents but then play with the box? That is so me!! This is the coolest paper. It speaks of times past & roads not taken. Looking at it makes me wish I had a time machine - so I could walk the streets & see what is around each corner....What does it look like, you say?

You'll have to wait & see. My head's been spinning all day....collage? drawings? Fairy tales? Might take me a bit to sort it put, but something interesting will come of it.....

Preview Sale

Just Peeking!I've decided to throw my first sale. It's a 2 parter:

Now through midnight Dec.1 FREE SHIPPING on ALL ITEMS!
(Yes, this includes heavy pieces & big canvases)

THEN....

November 28th I'll sweeten the pot with additional savings through Dec.1st!
Check back later in the week for details!
www.ArtSnark.Etsy.com

Such Cool Stuff!!

I was lucky enough to be interviewed for the great blog Such Cool Stuff. You can read the interview here. I also recommend a stroll around the site ; it showcases a variety of arts, crafts & more mainstream finds.

To celebrate, I'm going to highlight some of My Favorite "Stuff":

The Very Fine Art of Papercutting. I am just blown away by the patience, skill & eye for detail required to complete a piece. 2 of my favorite papercutting artists are Joe Bagley and LaDonna Welter Click on their names to visit blogs. Joe's work is for sale at papercutsbyjoe on etsy. & La Donna sells at Primitive Folk Art Trinkets & Treasures . She will be opening an Etsy shop soon.

Fresh Bread!!

Art Trading Cards: Totally addictive to make & to swap. Basically it's art the size of a playing card (2.5 "x 3.5"). You can buy them as ACEOs (Art Card Editions & Originals) at places like Etsy & Ebay

Tin Toys. Antique, Vintage or New. I can not get enough of them. Of course junk shops & yard sales are the best. Some fun places online are Tintoyarcade and Fabtintoys

The wonderful world of ReadyMade. Book, Magazine, Blog. They've borrowed Marcel Duchamp's term for their DIY world. I highly recommend taking a peek

Scrapyards: If you've never been you are missing out. This is where cool stuff goes to die. Great prices plus readymade still lifes (for you photographers). Just make sure you've had your tetanus booster.

Renningers, Brimfield and all those other gigantic Antique Fairs / flea markets.

And Paper Paper Paper.....I am a confirmed paper-aholic. New, vintage, fancy, rubbish, hand made or mass produced. I can't get enough!!

I could just go on & on....

How about you share some of your Favorite Cool Stuff ! Holidays are coming.... I can pass it on to Santa ;D

A Day Of Sharing Words

"I seem to have been like a child playing on the sea shore, finding now and then a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay undiscovered before me."
-- Sir Isaac Newton

11:30pm

I was just about to call it a day. Made a quick stop at 1 of my favorite blogs Paper Mischief for some dreamy inspiration. Shelly had matched a lovely photo & with inspiring words from the poet Amy Lowell (whom I'd not heard of till now- thanks for the intro, Shelly)

This was done in response to a call for entries into a "poetry swap" hosted by L K Ludwig . Basically Nov 19 is to be "A day of sharing words". Choose words that move you, add an image & link to here . More detailed instructions at gryphonsfeather.typepad.com. Here is the list of participants. Take a few minutes & enjoy their wonderful words & inspiring images.

Last week we played hooky at the beach. This is my son having a wonderful day! He is at that amazing age when EVERYTHING is new & interesting. So many questions & so much fun!
On the drive home, the full moon was rising before us as the sun was setting behind us

Goodnight!

The Rogues' Gallery

Just re-listed a few pieces in my etsy shop . I've got a gang of shady characters lurking in the dark alleys of my mind ...but....been busy with life stuff so I haven't been putting my pencils to paper as much as I'd like. Itching to get started again. It's getting a little crowded in here ;D

TOOT TOOT TOOT!!

Yep, tootin' my own horn (again). Just so darn thrilled I have to share! Hopped over to ZNE in the wee hours to see what was new & found my latest experiment on the front page. I finally joined the book club there. We are reading Michael De Meng's book Secrets Of Rusty Things. Group members discuss chapters & create their own projects based upon each chapter. This funky flower vase is my interpretation of project# 1 ("Ameratsu - letting daylight out")To find out more about this piece and other ZNE book club projects click here .

ZNE is a gather place for "mixed media & indie artists". It's an amazing community of supportive creative people. There are so many different things going on: ATC swaps, photo challenges, book club, collaborative poetry (finished poems are here ), technique/art supply sharing, a convention , and much more.

Although it sounds corny, ZNE is more to me than a great place to hang out. It was the support of the talented artists I met there that lifted me out of a 5 year art-rut: In 2003 I stopped creating. Last February I joined the group & I started making Art Trading Cards to swap. I started small but now I've got more works in progress around me than I can count! I'm painting & drawing again and trying my hand at something new - jewelry. Through my involvement with ZNE, I've had a piece published in the art book Never Forgotten and participated in my 1st group show in 5 years. I found the confidence to open an Etsy shop & start blogging ( big deals for me as I am not computer savvy or comfortable putting myself "out there").

And I have made some great friends!

If you've read this far, thanks for your patience. I guess, I just want to say THANK YOU! to ZNE founder Chelise Stroud Hery & all of the wonderful people I have met at ZNE. Their patience & encouragement has turned my creative energies right around! Now I just have to find to time to do it all :)

Tag YOUR it!

Ok, first I'm it ... but then it's your turn!!!

I have been tagged by fellow artist & ZNE member Ewian from www.ewian.blogspot.com

Ewian summed up being tagged so well, I'm just going to quote her:

"To be tagged is both positive and negative. On the positive side it is a honor that somebody wants to know more about you, the negative is when you pass the tag along on it's way you are asking people to share more than they usually do, not all find this charming and you have to find 6 new people to tag."

The rules below state that you are to "tag" 6 others. Perhaps because I work for a game company (or maybe it's just my nature) I'm CHANGING the rules just this once ;-D

The first 6 people to respond to this post will tagged next. I'm going to mention this where some of my favorite folks hang out & see what happens. Once I have 6 comments, I'll add a new post to Officially Tag You. Now, don't be shy...come play!!

My Random facts:

1. My favorite movie genre's are silent films & good anime

2. I wish it were possible to live off of chips & salsa

3. I still swing at the playground

4. I've always wanted to play the cello

5. I have a massive paper fetish & have more than I'll ever be able to use.

6. I go to this site once every day: www.365tomorrows.com

Now The rules:
1. Link to the person or persons who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

SO that's it: Now..... TAG YOUR IT!!

Mind Wide Open November Challenge

I've wanted to participate in these monthly challenges for a while. Each month Gail Schmidt puts a great image on her blog mind-wideopen.blogspot.com with a word or phrase for inspiration. Anyone who wants to can submit their interpretation. Readers then vote on their favorite piece. The winning artist gets a gift certificate to her store Shabby Cottage Studios

It is very cool to see the variety of art submitted each month. Go check it out if you get a chance.

For quite some time I've been intrigued by the Al Stewart song Fields of France. This month's MWO challenge image spoke to me immediately. So combining the 2 ideas, here is my end result. It can be hung on a wall or used as a suncatcher:

"Oh she looks, but there's nothing to see....still she looks, saying come back to me..."