Ripple - Digital Collage

 

Ripple 

For Digital Whisper challenge #87 - prompts were "Introspection" & a photo of Gloria Swanson from the 1919 film Don't Change Your Husband. 

I merged this with the stock image "Heather" from Jazzy-stock on DeviantArt: http://jazzy-stock.deviantart.com/art/Heather-141872940.

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By the way, the next random drawing is for a copy of the book Photoshop Elements 9, The Missing Manual by Barbara Brundage. To enter simply leave a comment on this blog before 3/10. Click Here for giveaway details.

Shiver

Shiver - digital art

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice. 

- Robert Frost, Fire & Ice

Created for DigitalWhisper challenge # 85 - Frozen. Digital Whispers is a great site on ning.com. If you play around with computer art, I suggest you check it out. I'm a couple of challenges behind (the new prompt is Introspection plus a photo of Isadora Duncan).
 

The only instruction for the Frozen challenge was to "Create an image that sends a shiver down our spine." This brought to mind wastelands, Robert Frost and Dante -  

Thereupon I Turn'd
And saw before and underneath my feet
A lake, whose frozen surface liker seem'd 
to glass than water.....thus low

Blue pinch'd and shrined in ice the spirits stood. 

-Dante Alighieri, Inferno Canto 32

So, off I went to one of my favorite sources for stock images, DeviantArt.com, where I found these lovely bits & pieces:

Model -  http://tasastock.deviantart.com

Snow Glitter - VampyriccadenceStock.deviantart.com

Rock Candy- Stock7000.deviantart.com

Blue Glitter Texture - Reno-fan-girl-stock.deviantart.com

+

 some helpful tips from Vampyriccadence's Glitter & Ice Tutorial

While I was pretty happy with things at that point, another layer was needed to pull it all together.  I  altered Jan van der Straet's Map of Whole Hell illustration of Dante's Inferno (found in WikimediaCommons) and faded it into the picture.

Jan van der Straet's Map of Whole Hell

Some believe that Fire & Ice mirrors Dante's Inferno. You can find more about this here or here. At these links you can also read about Frost's conversation with astronomer Harlow Shapely concerning the end of the world, which may have inspired the poet.

Well, that's what I've been up to lately. How about you??

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Totally off topic, there are still a few more days to enter the random drawing for 250 custom printed business cards. Click here for details

Almost Wordless Wednesday - Umbrella art challenge

Too Little Too Late

For Digital Whisper challenge #67 Umbrella we had to use this image:

I tweaked a rain texture stock image from Fear-Fixation.deviantart.com & then added figures from some of my original drawings.

Mix It Up With Melange Challenge - CHANGE

Time Traveler

Hey there. How've you been? I've been a bit overwhelmed with life lately - leaving blogging & art by the wayside more than I'd like. But I think I've got things sorted out once again.

This week's Melange prompt is Change. The 1st thing that comes to mind is Alchemy. I've been rather obsessed with the idea of transmuting one thing into another as far back as I can recall. I think I've mentioned The alchemy website before but its an interesting read & has some cool art.


The pic on the top, Time Traveler, is my response to the challenge - I printed a digital collage & then went over it with pencil, markers, watercolor pencil, & ink. Started with a photo taken literally 1/2 of a lifetime ago. The big Four-Oh is next week. Don't ask me how; last time I looked I was only 2o. Talk about change!

When I'm messing with a piece I often listen to music. Sometimes I have a specific tune or musician in mind to set the mood. Other times (like last night) I go random till something gets the fingers flowing & then play it to death. (Just a little obsessive, but it works for me). Last night Sondre Lerche's Like Lazenby seemed to hit the spot. Perfect theme song for me lately too...

If you like listening to Sondre, have you checked out his Tiny Desk Concert on NPR video? CLICK HERE & then click on the video to play. I really enjoyed it. There's also a great interview from All Things Considered where he explains George Lazenby as muse, among other things - you can find it HERE (pop through & then click the listen now icon. The whole interview is good listen but the Lazenby bit is about 5 minutes in)


By the way, Time Traveler measures 5" x 7" and is mounted in an 8" x 10" acid free mat. It is now available in my ArtSnark etsy shop with free shipping and your choice of mat color.

Want to see more interpretations of change or add your own? Click Here to visit the Melange Team Blog and go to the comment section.

But before you go, check out tomorrow's prize - Harry Boardman's matted print Sunset Parking Lot, which will be given to 1 lucky winner at noon tomorrow (10/5). You can see the print at the bottom of Thursday's post. To enter this random drawing just leave a comment on this blog before then.

Mix It Up With Melange Challenge - Believe

Believe in your dreams and they may come true. Believe in yourself and they will come true. - Author Unknown

Come play with us! This week's Melange challenge prompt is Believe. Click here to visit the Melange blog. Then check out the comment section where artists will be adding links to their pieces all week. If you'd like to add one of your own, please do. The challenge is open to anyone creating in mixed media.

I uncovered this piece today during the ongoing studio clean up. It is adapted from a photo I took of a nautilus shell about 10 yrs ago. Last year, I tweaked it on Photoshop Elements & printed on archival photo paper that feels like watercolor paper. Wire & bead words were added. Sorry the scan is a bit hard to read. The words are believe, imagine, hope, inspire, dream, create.

The colors were not bright enough, so I went over the piece with watercolor pencils & markers today. It measures 6.5" sq. It is mounted on acid free mat board & has a top mat that is 10" on the outside. I'll finish framing & take some better pictures before adding it to ArtSnark.etsy.com.

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By the way, last chance to enter tomorrow's random drawings. Click following links for details.

At noon (EST) 1 lucky winner (picked from all the comments left this week) will receive the mixed media painting Inspiration from DJ Arts.

Then winner #2 will get a free custom printed vinyl banner from Uprinting.com. This one has a couple of rules, so click for details.

Also if you want to win a piece of my art, Trevi Letters, click here to visit DJs blog by tomorrow & leave a comment

Mixed Media Melange Challenge - FALLING

Spiral Diver ACEO

This week's Mix It Up With Melange Prompt is Falling. Click Here to see other entries or to add your own. If you have a minute, check out this slideshow featuring the art of some Melange Team members. Slideshow created by the wonderful Glenda Bailey of TwoCoolTexans.

New Wall Sticker Giveaway for 2 Winners PLUS "Naughty" challenge piece

You know you have your secrets....

This week's Mix it up with Melange prompt is Naughty. Now how fun is that!

I'm entering this secrets journal. It was inspired by an antique french postcard. Originally the woman was made into a watercolor & rubber stamped art trading card. I scanned the card & altered it in my ancient copy of photoshop elements. After printing on petal inclusive paper, I embellished with pencils, watercolor, & metallic paint. I then burned the edges - guess she was a little too hot ( sorry couldn't resist).

Final piece was treated with a UV-resistant finish & then adhered to a blank book. This journal is available in the ArtSnark etsy shop with Free Shipping, by the way.

To see other Naughty pieces or add your own sometime this week, click here & go to Melange blog comments.

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New Random Drawing will have 2 Lucky Winners!

Yes, Tomorrow is still Thursday Giveaways - tomorrow I'll I post 2 winners of the custom greeting card giveaway and announce the prize for a new drawing. Today though I want to share another contest that is just too cool to wait:

The generous folks over at OnlinePosterPrinting.com are offering 24" square custom printed wall stickers to 2 random winners. These stick to a variety of surfaces & can be repositioned (like the Fat Head stickers you may have see advertised on TV).


OnlinePosterPrinting prints your custom photo, pattern or artwork onto special adhesive fabric that will stick to any flat surface. It is printed with the same details that you would get in a regular poster print so is perfect for whatever image you choose.

I'll be ordering one for myself. I'm thinking about enlarging one of my smaller art pieces, maybe Wallflower or The Sinister Gentleman (the originals are hanging over at Arts On 9th but you can see them HERE.) Or maybe a cropped Hot House Flower:

I'll have to think about it....

To Enter: Leave a comment sharing what you would do with a giant wall sticker of your own design. I know you've got some great ideas - can't wait to hear them!

2 winners will be randomly selected on Sunday September 13th. The following week, OnlinePosterPrinting will award winners via email. They'll send coupon codes & directions for claiming the prize.

This contest is open to US residents only & shipping fees apply.

So, c'mon - what will you do with a big Custom Printed Wall Sticker if you win?

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A reminder that there is still time to enter 2 other random drawings on my blog. There will be two winners per random drawing. Feel free to enter both drawings. Click to see details & enter:

The giveaway for 250 CUSTOM GREETING CARDS ends tomorrow at noon (EST).

The giveaway for 500 CUSTOM BUSINESS CARDS ends 9/10.

Trying Out Tags

Hello all. This week's Mix it Up with Melange Challenge is Abundance. Bitten of a bit more than I can chew this week, so I may have to pass on this one. To post your own interpretation or view others click HERE & go to comments section for links.

Last year I bought a bunch of altered Tags from the etsy shop QueenBee's Altered Needs for gift wrapping. They were so cool, I had a hard time parting with them. Each measured about 2.5" x 5" and had a fun vintage look as well as a sweet vanilla scent. I did keep a couple for myself. Here is 1:

I then picked up a few from another of my favorite etsy shops, Glimmering Prize. These are mostly vintage images stitched onto tags with text and fiber embellishments. Here's my fave of the lot:

So now I've got the bug! Carol over at QueenBee is hosting a tag swap that I managed to get in on. While I've been having fun with ACEOs, I kept meaning to play with tag. This is getting me jump started at last.

Woo Hoo - Finished my 1st tag! This is front & back of a mermaid tag. Need to add some string & I'm afraid I didn't leave much room on the back for anyone to write ....

Decided to tea stain 5 of the blank tags. I like the old look.

Left more room on the back of this 1 but didn't realize the ink would leak through once I sprayed a protective coating.

This is the last 1 I played with before bed last night. Same ink problem on back...harumph. I also need to decide if I'm going to embellish these with any fibers & sparkly bits too....

That's about it today. Day 2 of Kindergarten for the little guy. Now that I've some extra time on my hands, I'm trying to catch up on all of the tasks left unfinished this summer. After that & a deep studio clean I hope to schedule a bit more art time in this fall.

By the way, here is your last chance to enter tomorrow's noon (EST) random drawing for 1 of Felicia Kramer's Liquid prints! Just leave a comment before then to enter. To view some of Felicia's colorful artwork & read her interview CLICK HERE. If you'd like a virtual tour of her Studio, click HERE.

Also over at her blog, Felicia Kramer has another bright idea, Felicia is holding a random giveaway of my original drawing/painting Idle Hours. Winner will also be picked at noon tomorrow from those who comment on her blog before then. CLICK HERE to view this one of a kind prize & enter her contest

"Here Be Dragons" for Melange quote challenge

When I was a child I loved maps, the older & more exotic the better.


My favorite parts were the edges,


sometimes covered with fantastic drawings of creatures from Beyond.


There you would find the magic words ....

HC SVNT DRACONES : Here Be Dragons


I spent last weekend rereading Moby Dick (1 of my favorites)


and started making a map for the Melange challenge

Then decided I'd rather make an adventurer's box. Travel sized (2.5" sq x 2" H) for a small compass perhaps. Eventually I dumped the compass in favor of some trinkets an explorer might carry.


A tiny bottle of earth from home. Another filled with treasures for his love. A seeing "stone ", actually abalone. A figure he's been whittling. I'm not sure if I should leave the pin or not.....

It still needs some finishing touches. The abalone needs some roughing up. I need to replace the red sculpey with "wax" once I find the mislaid cork. I'm also missing a brass pin on the box front . Once finished, I'll add it to my ArtSnark etsy shop.

Find links to other fun quotable artworks in the Melange Team comment section HERE. While you are visiting, check out their new prompt, FLIGHT. Play along if you like, all mixed media pieces are welcome!

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Just a reminder, tomorrow is a new Thursday Giveaway. This week's prize is a $10 gift card to Michael's Craft stores. Just leave a comment here before noon (EST) tomorrow 8/20 to enter the random drawing. Click HERE for details & link to store locator.

Also, tomorrow afternoon I have a new artist interview & prize, so check back when you get a chance, okay? In the meantime, hope you have a creative day!

IF - Wrapped ... plus some random thoughts

Out After Curfew

Illustration Friday Prompt this week is wrapped. I've got some new ideas but in case I don't get any studio time this weekend I'm recycling an ATC from last Halloween. To see a variety of artwork on this theme, or add your own interpretation visit Illustration Friday.

Also the Melange Team blog has 2 different challenges up right now - anyone can enter:

The Mix It Up With Melange challenge is to "use your favorite quote" in your mixed media piece. Fun, yes? Click through & visit the comments to see the art or add your own. The prompt will change on Wednesday

The other is the Make A Transfer challenge. Basically you submit a something you've created using any kind of transfer process. Deadline is August 31. Your art gets you into a drawing for Book Art: Handcrafting Artists' Books by Dorothy Simpson Krause. Click HERE for details.

By the way, took my 5 yr old to see Ponyo today. I'm a big Hayao Miyazaki fan & Frankie absolutely loves Laputa: Castle In The Sky

& Kiki's Delivery Service

Ponyo was great! Mind you, it's no Spirited Away, but it isn't supposed to be. It is for children and it hit the mark with the kids in the audience. Frankie has discovered the joys of going to the cinema this long hot summer & I have to say this was the best kids' film we've seen by far. No 3-d, no 80s soundtrack, no adult innuendo (thank goodness) - just a really well made kids movie.

Last note: Next Thursday's Random Drawing is for a $10 Gift Card to Michael's art/craft stores. To enter drawing simply leave a comment before noon (EST) 8/20. For details & link to store locator CLICK HERE.

Archetype art challenge + free stuff

Archetype: Primordial image, character, or pattern of circumstances that recurs throughout literature and thought consistently enough to be considered universal.

I really like this definition of Archetype from The Encyclopedia Britannica. It was last Wednesday's Mix It Up With Melange challenge prompt. Here's my response.

This piece has been a long time coming. About 10 years ago a dream influenced this sketch. It's been tacked to my wall since.

Today's variation measures 36" H & is made with a mix of materials on matboard. There's lithocoal, chromacoal, pastel, watercolors, marker, ink and metallic paints. The gator's & girl's eyes are painted a reflective green over faux gold leaf. Makes for a cool flash when you change your line of sight.


Unfortunately I couldn't get the photos right. I've included a few close ups here but none of them really came out. It is funny, shortly after I drew the newsprint sketch we had some ghost hunters (DH secretly called them the "Ghost Dusters") poking around. One of them was convinced that the woman in the portrait was an angry ghost hanging around my studio. Maybe that's why she won't be photographed (insert spooky music here).

I think it might not be finished yet, but I'm at that walk-away point. Needs to simmer a bit more before I oversalt it or something....

To see more interpretations of Archetype visit the the Melange blog HERE & check out the links in the comment section.

Now for the free stuff:

Thursday's Giveaway this week is the matted artwork Alice With Tulips. Just leave a comment before noon (EST 8/13) to enter the random drawing. CLICK HERE to view prize.

Totus Mel's Wunderkammer has a fabulous giveaway going on. Great prizes donated from some amazing steampunk artists. CLICK HERE for pics of prizes & contest rules

Visit January Wish when you have a moment. She is hosting a giveaway of cute items from krize.etsy.com

Ewian keeps adding more & more art supplies to her giveaway stash! Here are details By the way she got 1st worldwide dibs at the new IKEA 2010 catalog. Really. You can read about it here.

A final freebie today. Since we're talking archetypes, here's 1 of my beasts up for grabs. Sorry about the bad photo - the border is refective silver paper. Plus 1 of my photos embellished with mica & glitter and a tiny swarovski crystal

Ego ATC

1st person who would like this ATC, just speak up in the comment section. 1st come 1st serve. Just make sure your contact info is in your profile or leave your email. I'm off to bed but I'll be in touch for your address. I just ask that you Pay It Forward. Other than that, no strings...

Things slowly come together

It was not like the beginning of a journey; it was like the beginning of a dream

I'm so happy to have come across this line in The First Men On The Moon by H.G.Wells tonight. After 30 years, I've returned to his wonderful stories in search of a catalyst for his author's box. As soon as I read that line, things finally clicked.

On the aside, I can't remember the last time I've enjoyed reading this much. While exploring the Island of Dr. Moreau, The Invisible Man & The Time Machine, I've been returned to an earlier time in my life when everything was fresh & new. I was probably about 10 when I first read Wells' books. Some of my earliest TV memories are of Claude Rains as The Invisible Man, Charles Laughton & Bela Lugosi in 1933 The Island of Lost Souls and other early adaptations of his works. I remember how thrilled I was to find there were books that came first... in my local library - woohoo! One thing that strikes me years later is how accessible the stories are. Unlike other pieces written in the 1800s, the language is clean yet riveting - with just enough adventure to keep a kid's interest.

At last I have a line to focus on. Now the box can slowly form itself in the back of my mind while I find the time to build it....

On another note, I haven't had much free time this week. Still playing with the Melange prompt Archetype when I get a few minutes here & there. The pic at the top is a sneak peek. Here's a another one:


If you want to see some cool interpretations by other artists, click HERE & check out the links in the comments section. Or add your own if you want.

I finally got a grip on Illustration Friday's prompt, Impatience, tonight. Another fun challenge, but I've been struggling with it. Finally came together in my head but only had time to lay out a few lines on canvas. Sorry about the bad lighting.

I hope to finish these before the challenges roll over (Wed & Fri.) but who knows what, ehem, distractions (work, family, sleep) will have to come first.... Wish me luck!

Just a couple notes:

15% off sale in all 3 of my Etsy Shops this weekend. If you're into art & jewelry start at ArtSnark's Artifacts. There's also free shipping on ACEOs & books. In my shop's "announcements" you will find links to my 2 supplies shops, as well as a list of Melange Team Members who are also having a 15% off sale all weekend.

Plus if you would like to be entered in this Thursday's random drawing, just leave a comment on this blog before noon (EST) 8/13. 1 lucky winner gets this piece of art, Alice with Tulips. Contest is open worldwide with free shipping.

New Giveaway Art, Alice with Tulips - ends 8/13

Welcome back! If you are looking for the winner of today's noontime drawing (for the craft supplies tote bag) click HERE. If you'd like to enter the new random drawing, you've come to the right place. If you want to go directly to the prize & rules, scroll to end of this post.

Had a some time to play this morning with a few stamps I bought at the The Queen’s Ink booth last Friday.

I’d popped into the booth to ask a question about Judikins Diamond glaze and found myself in stampers heaven! (By the way, click HERE to order a sample of Diamond Glaze.)

The selection & quality of designs were truly amazing!

some The Queen's Ink project samples

So was the booth staff. I enjoyed a great demo on embossing. And got answers to all kinds of questions on stamps, glazes & adhesives. But since you are probably here to find out about next week’s prize, I’ll save most of that info for another day.

Next Thursday's Prize was made using a print of my original tulip painting and an Alice in Wonderland stamp from The Queen’s Ink.


The tulips were printed on textured paper & then enhanced with watercolor pencil for some extra pop. I then added Alice, colored her in a bit & sprayed the whole thing with a UV resistant finish. This piece is signed, dated and matted. It fits in a standard 5 x 7 frame.

TO ENTER: Simply comment on this blog before noon (EST) 8/13. It is that easy! 1 lucky winner will be randomly chosen. Drawing is open worldwide with free shipping.

By the way, for those of you into the online Art Challenges this week’s Mix it up with Melange prompt is Archetype. I’m having fun with this one!

Notes from CHA & Today’s Winner

Oops –meant to put up some pics of the craft show last night but fell asleep while reading the little guy his bedtime story. Guess I was more tired than I realized.

The show was full of crafting “personalities”. I confess that I know nothing about the crafty celebrity stuff so it was interesting to go home & Google some of the cool people who took the time to talk to me.

1st person I talked with was Suze Weinberg, of Schmooze with Suze. She was demonstrating her Hot Wax Stylus at the Kandi booth. I’ve been interested in playing with encaustics for a while. Suze kindly answered my questions & I ended up with a great deal on the stylus & several packs of colored wax. I can’t wait to pencil in some playtime with this! You can read more about Suze at SuzeBlogz.

Tandy Leather Factory had some amazing samples of leather work. Loved the intricately carved patterns on the purses. I learned that there was a Tandy Leather Factory Store near me and that they have free classes. Lucky me! Learning more about working with leather has been on my to do list forever, so I’m pretty excited.

The Plaid booth was getting a lot of attention. They were promoting several products including Simply Screen & Extreme Glitter.

The Simply Screen Make & Take was hugely popular with long lines at all times. I watched a couple of people creating some really fun T-shirt designs. Literally just position the stencil, paint & voila. Clicking the pic will take you to the promo page. There you can download a flyer with more info.

The Extreme Glitter was really cool. My photo & the ones on their site don’t really do it justice. Just paint it on to get a sparkly metallic sheen without the crumbly clutter of glitter. I immediately saw the steampunk potential. Also great for holiday decorations. They were offering make & takes of glass ornaments. You simply pour a bit of the paint into the ornament & then swirl until the inside is completely coated. Once it dries, you get a great sparkly look.

Donna Dewberry arrived to demo painting on the outside of the ornament. The crowd started to get a bit thick for me so I moved on. You can read more about Donna & her painting techniques at Donna Dewberry Crafts.

Well, I’ve got lots more to share, but I bet you guys are really here to find out who won Today’s Random Drawing. Random.org has spoken & the lucky winner the Super show swag tote bag is Moni !

Congrats, Moni!
I’ll contact you today for your shipping info.

Many thanks to all who left a comment. I love hosting these giveaways – You guys are so much fun!

Next Thursday’s prize is posted HERE. Click through & then leave a comment anytime during the week to enter the next random drawing.