Creative Souls Greek Myth art swap

Pandora ATC by Jeanne Draachreider

As soon I heard there was a Greek Mythology art-card swap over at Creative Souls,  I just had to play along. Good thing I did - now this lovely collage from Jeanne Draachreider is in my collection. I've been playing so much in the digital realm lately that it was with great pleasure that I opened Jeanne's puffy package! The pillar and grape vine add a fantastic 3-d element to this lovely card. They even  grow on the backside.

Pandora ATC back by Jeanne Draachreider

Now how cool is that

Perhaps it was fate that Pandora found her way into my mailbox... as the ATC I send to Jeanne was of Pyrrha, Pandora's daughter:

Pyrrha ACEO

If you've been around these parts for a while you might remember this piece from the Artarazzi mix-orange-&-Waterhouse challenge back in '09. If not, here is a bit of info about the daughter of Pandora:

Child of Pandora, Pyrrha was also the niece (& daughter in law) of Prometheus. When Zeus decided at the end of the Bronze Age to flood the world, Pyrrha & her husband Deucallion built an ark, survived & repopulated the world by tossing rocks over their shoulders. The rocks became the next generation. For more info, here is a link to her wiki page. 

The plan had been to create something new for Jeanne, but life caught up with me. Instead I embellished a print with markers and inks before sending it off. A nice bonus.... this challenge finally made me get around to printing some of my digital art, something I have been procrastinating for a loooong time. So, double thanks to you, Jeanne!

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A quick note: Last chance to enter the eye-spy contest. Identify the pieces which feature the eyes in last Friday's post. The person with the most correct answers by 8/12 will win a print. Click here for image & details.

Also any comment on this blog before 8/18 enters you in the random drawing for a Mary Shelley ACEO . Click here for details & photo.

Digital Whispers Art Trading Card Swap

Blue Alchemy ACEO

A couple of weeks a go I shared this shades of blue piece of mini-art created for the latest Digital Whispers min-art swap.  I also posted the wonderful ATC the talented Fiona Randall was sending me:

The Hatchling by Fiona Randall

 Lucky Me! Fiona sent some additional lovelies. And, lucky you, I'm sharing them here today:

My Dream Place by Fiona Randall

Catch of the Day by Fiona Randall

Want to see more of Fiona's whimsical creations?  Click here to visit her Digital Whisper page. 

Have you joined Digital Whisper yet? If not, you wont be able to visit this artist's wonderful work. DW membership is free, so why not go for it? You will enjoy amazing creations, chat with some wonderful artists, and participate in all sorts of challenges and projects. 

Already a DW member? Pop by my page & say hello. Be sure to leave me a link to yours, as I would love to see your stuff!

"One Color" ATC swap

Alchemy ATC - digital art

Finished my Art Trading Card for the DigitalWhispers swap. The theme was "1 color", which made things very interesting. If you like to play with digital art and are not a member of DW, hop on over there and sign up. It is a free ning site with a great group of talented people working at all levels. Everyone is super helpful and there is always a fun challenge or swap going on. If you do join, look me up - my page is here.

Many thanks to the DeviantArt stock providers for use of their fantastic images:
Kristhania - Dark Widow 

SpyHawkStock - Ice Ice Baby

Jenna Rose - Stock-Frost Texture1

There is also an original photo & medieval alchemical drawings tossed in for kicks.

The Hatchling ATC by Fiona Randall

Lucky me! The Hatchling is the card I will be receiving from the talented Fiona Randall. Here is the link to Fiona's Digital Whisper page, where you can enjoy more of her fabulous creations. But I think you have to be a member of DW open the link - like I said it is free, so why not sign up today?

Tomorrow I'll share the dimensional ATC  from my partner in the Creative Souls Greek Mythology themed swap. It is really really cool!

By the way, have you entered my 7/28 random drawing for a free ACEO? Until now I have only sold originals, but recently decided to carry prints in my ArtSnark etsy shop. They finally arrived and I have started embellishing with markers & inks (since I can't leave anything alone- haha). Leave a comment on my blog before the drawing date & you are entered. I will have about 20 - 30 Art Cards in my shop by then to choose from. The winner takes home their favorite one. For a sneak peek check out these blog posts: 1 & 2

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Butterfly ACEO

Butterfly Art Card for Etsy customer

 I had a grand time playing with this (slightly 3D) ACEO for a recent Etsy customer. I seem to be low on these little pieces of one of a kind art in my Artsnark shop & will have to make a few more this week. They are so much fun to make and collect! Measuring only 3.5" x 2.5 inches, they can be created in any medium. They are also an affordable way to collect art. If you aren't yet hooked on Art Trading Cards, you must give them a try. 

By the way, this is your last chance to enter the new giveaway that I am hosting for Uprinting.com. On 6/24 one lucky winner gets 250 custom printed color flyers. Simply leave a comment on my blog before 1 am (EST) to be entered in this random drawing. Click here for details. 

Flowers For Mother's Day

ATC for swap

“I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.”– Claude Monet

I'm participating in some great groups over at CreativeSouls.ning.com. May's Art Trading Card swap has a fun flowers theme. 

I came across this wonderful Claude Monet quote recently & it seemed to a good starting point for new ATC.

The photo of Monet is from Wikimedia Commons. The lily photo is one I took years ago. When I stuck the two together the melange reminded me of handcolored antique postcards, so I tossed in some faded hues to complete the vibe.

Happy Mother's Day!

Random tunes & doodles

Ripe Fruit ACEO

I hadn't put pencil to paper in a while, so last night it was time to let my mind wander over some scraps. I set Itunes to shuffle & had fun scribbling. 

Here are some little 2.5" x 3.5" pieces and the songs that were playing at the time.

woman & fruit ACEO

If anything catches your eye, they are now in my ArtSnark etsy shop ($4 each + free shipping). Just click the captions for more info.

the psychic ACEO

Remember Crash Test Dummies? Man - I loved their 2nd album back in the day. Brings back some memories.....

bird girl ACEO

And this last less-than-lovely lady is just cuz I like zombies. Although I did have the phrase "Don't worry. I will never leave you" creeping around in my noggin.

Ghoul Girl ACEO

Well, that's all I've got for tonight. Still redoing the workspace so I need to go organize lots o' glue - woohoo! Actually I have a bit of a thing for adhesives and have  been looking forward to this. Weird I know. But, that is mixed media for you. Hope you all have a creative day!

Goodies from July ATC swap

Bird Love ATC from LemanchiDesigns.etsy.com

I'm finally posting all the lovely little pieces I received in last month's Art Trading Card Swap. I'll also include links to the artists' Etsy shops. If you would like to see more of their creations, just click on the caption below each image.

Encaustic "Wild Rose" on handmade paper from LizAnnasOnTheLake.etsy.com

By the way, if you are wondering "What is an ATC?" click here for more info. Basically it is a playing card sized (2.5" x 3.5") piece of 2-d art. Art Trading Cards can be created using a variety of materials.

No.1 Beauty from Whyte.etsy.com

The artists who participated in this swap are also members of the Melange Team On Etsy, a mixed media Etsy Street Team. So for this swap, the only requirement was that the pieces be mixed media.

from MidwestieLady.etsy.com

If you haven't tried your hand at ATCs yet, I highly recommend it. But beware - both creating and collecting them can be very addicting!

from ElenaMary.etsy.com

Once you've made a few cards go find some other folks to trade with. You can find many people trading online - search around google or your favorite artsy forums. You may even find a swap-group in your own back yard. I just stumbled upon a local trading group this weekend while dropping off some drawings for a juried show.

Ornament from ElenaMary.etsy.com

Or if you are an organizer, start up your own swap. This little something extra was included in my package from the sweet Elena Mary Siff who started this fun trade. Thanks so much, Elena Mary! And thank you to everyone else - this was a blast!!

IF - Caged

"...the lower side of me, so long indulged, so recently chained down, began to growl for license."

- from Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Illustration Friday's prompt was too fun to miss today so with a bit of luck I figured out how to add an image on this borrowed PC. (Many of you know I am seriously clueless, so this is more impressive than you might think).

This summer I've been returning to stories from my childhood & just reread Stevenson's entertaining "shilling shocker." So the caged beast was the 1st thing that came to mind. This led me to this ACEO, titled The Impostor in my Artsnark Etsy shop.

Pop on over to IllustrationFriday.com for a variety of takes on this fine prompt. Be sure to add your own if you have the time.

By the way, there is no studio tour on the blog this weekend. Things will return to normal around the 12th  when I pick the winner of the random drawing for Risa Tritabaugh's painting Among The Flowers. Click here to view the painting & find out more about this contest. You can also enjoy a visit with the artist.

Catch you later.Hope you have a fantastic weekend! 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

When Housecats Dream... ATC for swap

By the way, tonight is the last chance to enter the random drawing for Maureen Tillman's Glass Tile Mosaic Box. Leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 12/10 to enter. Prize ships free to 1 random winner. This contest is open to USA addresses only

Mosaic Box by Maureen Tillman

Click here for details & more photos of box.

Mix It Up With Melange Challenge - Heavenly

Calling All Angels ATC

I made this ATC for a swap & (lucky for me ) it kinda fits this week's Mix It Up With Melange prompt. If you have any Heavenly mixed media art you've created, click through & add your link in the comments. If you just want to check out some cool art pieces, that is where you'll find them.

This atc started with a photo I took years ago that was altered in P.Elements. The angel was then printed onto textured paper & enhanced with watercolors. This was trimmed & glued to a piece of red mat board. The whole thing was worked over with colored pencils,pastels & metallic gel pen. Then colored swarovski crystal pieces were glued on. Unfortunately I had a hard time getting a good photo of the little sparkly bits

On different note, I finally had a sale on Etsy - feels like it has been forever! It is easy to come up with excuses, but the reality is that I've not listed anything new in ages. I've just been making stuff & setting it aside.

My drawings have not been selling, so I've pulled out the mat cutter and am busy making acid free mats. These will allow the art to fit easily into standard sized frames. I'll be adding these to ArtSnark.etsy.com this week & sure hope this helps make them more appealing.

By the way, If you haven't signed up for tomorrow's 2 random drawings, you have until noon (EST) on 9/24. Click through for details:

1 winner receives a custom printed 18" x 24" poster from Uprinting.com - US only

The 2nd winner chooses 1 print from Koniver.etsy.com - Worldwide

IF - Magnify + new ATC

Got My Eye On You

I'm submitting this necklace (something a little different) for this week's Illustration Friday challenge. The prompt today is a fun one - Magnify. A print of my charcoal drawing rests in a silverplate pendant & is covered it with a magnifying cabochon and faux tears. (available at ArtSnark.etsy.com) To see more interpretations on the Magnify theme or add your own, just click the prompt.

Lots of challenges/swaps with deadlines of the 31st so I'll be trying to knock a few out this weekend. This art trading card is for a Lazy Days Of Summer swap over at OutsiderArtists.

poppet holiday atc

I based it on a "Circus Doll" stock photo by Mizzd-stock on Deviant Art. If you haven't seen her stock images, they are outstanding. I highly recommend them.

We were given trading partners & I was paired with mixed media/collage artist Jann Clark. Poppet Holiday is a bit of a tribute to all of the wonderful big haired ladies she creates. You can check out what Jann's up to lately over at her blog, ForeverJann. Can't wait to see what she sends me - I'll be sure to share it here.

Well, I have to get back to work. But first a reminder that I've got 2 different giveaways going on right now. Each random drawing will have 2 winners:

The 1st pair of winners (picked next Thursday) each get 250 custom greeting cards - Click HERE for details.

The 2nd set of winners will be picked on Sept. 10th & they get 500 custom business cards each- details HERE

Thanks for stopping in. Hope to see you tomorrow for Studio Tour Saturday. I'm planning to feature a new artist's studio/workspace every weekend. If you'd like to schedule your creative space for a stop on the "virtual tour", there are open slots in October onward. Just let me know either in comments or use the email in my profile.

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...

Musical Monday's Muse - Pay It Forward

If you've got the time, click the button & play along. It'll teleport you over to Good Mourning Glory for more Musical Monday goodness. If you're having a manic Monday, open this tune & enjoy a mellow minute or 3.

Over at Maternal Spark, their asking What inspires you this week?

I'm going with PIF's this week... Without going into details, someone gave me a hand today and asked me to pay it forward. Today, I've got this totally free ACEO, Reflection, in my etsy shop, ArtSnark. 1st come 1st serve:

Reflection ACEO

Check back for more freebies this week, I'll have something going on each day. And don't forget to enter Thursday's Giveaway. Just leave a comment on this blog before noon (EST) 8/13 to be entered in this Thursday's random drawing. Click HERE to see the week's prize, Alice With Tulips (a piece of original art). Drawing is open worldwide with free shipping.

The Impostor ACEO

The Impostor

Hey There! How have y'all been? Feels like I've been gone for ages. Work (day job not art) has taken over my life the last couple of days, but it feels like I've been gone for ages. I'll be perfectly content if I never have to hear an Emperor Penguin sneeze again! Don't ask. I'm not allowed to tell....

Totally work-fried last night, so I decided to detox with last week's Melange challenge, Whisper. I had this great ledger-style paper that had been partially stamped with what I think was supposed to be RECEIVED - only the top of the word was printed & I thought how it could also be DECEIVED. That got the synapses going, so I went snooping through deviantArt for a new rogue & found this great stock photo from NobleDeath-stock. Started the piece with the gent above. He was supposed to be looking through a window at something worth whispering about. But.... I liked him too much as a stand alone & he was sized right for an ACEO so here he is.

Now ACEOs are like Lays potato chips ... anyone who makes or collects them will agree. So a couple more followed.

Summer Beauty

This ACEO is based on an old family photo.The colors uploaded a little cooler than they really are. Bit more of a reddish-orange dominates the original.

Reflection

I'm not really happy with this but figured I'd show it anyway. I did manage to list these in my very neglected Etsy Shop, ArtSnark. The poor thing would be covered in cobwebs if it was a brick & mortar store. I actually had to renew most items, they've been sitting there so long.

For anyone unfamiliar with Etsy, you can keep items in your shop 4 months before renewing at a low 20 cents an item. Even when sales are down, rent is cheap! And the camaraderie is fabulous. If you are one of those people who is just sitting on your creations, I highly suggest you look into Etsy. It is easy to get lost in the crowd if you are unknown & not great at marketing. But on the other hand, those pieces are just gather dust, yes?

By the way, to view some cool responses to the Whisper challenge click HERE. You can find the artist's links in the comments. This week's Melange challenge is Harbor. Go HERE to add your own art or see what great pieces others come up with

Before I go scrounge up some dinner, let me remind you of the current Thursday Giveaway. Enter & you could be the lucky winner of a 16" x 20" canvas print of your favorite summer photo. Just leave a description of your pic in this blog's comments before noon (EST) 7/30 to enter the random drawing.For contest details CLICK HERE

We Have 2 winners & 1 studio pic

And we're off....

Last Thursday you got to meet Melanie of Studio27.etsy.com. She's created 6 fabulous ACEOs which will be going to 2 lucky winners today. Winners have been randomly selected by random.org.

The Set of 4 Family Portrait ACEOs goes to K Spoering!

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And the set of 2 Goddess ACEOs goes to PamperingBeki !

Congrats to you both!! I'll be in touch later today so I can forward your info to Melanie.

Thank You to everyone who entered!! Check back later today for the next prize. Remember to leave a comment once the prize is posted to be entered in the new giveaway.

And Special Thanks to the talented artist Melanie of Studio27 for generously donating today's unique prizes!!

She has also share a pic of her studio. I apologize for not posting sooner. My 5 yr old & I were fighting a summer bug this week & it has interfered with art, life & even blogging (Eek!)

I know I said before but I love peeking into artists studios & seeing where they make their magic. Here's Melanie's:

Photo courtesy of Studio27

She says "I live in the world's smallest house - a cabin that we turned into a year-round house. My studio is one half of a room and it is about 10 x 13 feet, with sloped ceilings. It is hard to believe that so much art comes out of such a small space!"

You know what "they" say, it isn't the size, it's how you use it ! Sorry couldn't resist - thanks for popping by. Remember to check back later today for the newest prize.

monday's muse- summer light

The sun illuminates only the eye of the man,

but shines into the eye and heart of a child

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tiny mixed media pieces inspired by my 5 yr old's photos

What inspires you today?