The Postcard Has Arrived!!

There's one thing you can always be certain of, and that's the uncertainty of what my paintings will finally look like and when they will be complete. As many know, most of my works are filled with  hidden items within a mosaic of designs that have special meaning to me. This new piece, The Postcard, is no exception.

What was once this---

 A 12" x 16"  mixed media canvas filled with components of postcards, money, vintage papers, music, rubber stamp images, writings from Signed by Ange, papers from LaWendula  and segments from an original 1964 Worlds Fair Souvenir  Guidebook....

Is Now This!

A mixed media work composed of acrylic paints,  additional new and vintage  stamps, writings, music, postcards, a photo of mine, money,  an original special four leaf clover from Michelle Ward,  Hebrew writing from a Torah and a mother/child picture from my mother's birth certificate.  

  

A few elements remain from the previous version, but if you were to peel off the top layers, you'd be sure to find a painting under a painting here.

Here's to finding color, music and joy in all you see! 

  

Art, Artists, and City Street Textures!

This past weekend, I went to the Affordable Art Fair in New York City, featuring local and international exhibitors showcasing original and contemporary art from $100 to $10,000. I was lucky enough to meet up with Corina Alvarezdelugo, an artist I met through LaWendula's  infamous art swaps.

 Here's Corina beside some of her beautifully textured encaustic artwork.

I was enthralled with the work of  Juan Manuel Pajares- a member of Art for Progress  who is a master at combining the elements of advertising, politics and street life. Here is some of his work.

When I look at his work,

 I feel such a connection to the textures and backgrounds on the streets of  New York City as seen by some of my photos below...

His work also reminded me of some of my own artwork!

Perhaps that's why I liked it so much-  drawn to it- making a connection.  We all have attractions to art, words, sounds, people and our environment- a kaleidoscope of stimulus that we react to and with.    What creates your inspiration?  What inspires you to create?

  

The Post Man Rings Again-Only this time- It's Ange!

LaWendula is sponsoring an April Paper Swap titled Script, Scribbles and Handwriting. I was so lucky to be paired with Angela Negro from France. You can see her wonderful blog here and her website here. Angela is a calligrapher and as a result, I've been blessed with the most amazing handwriting works by her. In addition, she included so many unique vintage writing journal pages, papers with different languages, blue prints, special ephemera, and a picture of Grace Kelly to make me smile from ear to ear. Thank you so much Ange - what an over the top package of such beautiful papers and writings by you. And of course, thank you for those chocolate mints- the perfect completion to this wonderful swap that I'm so grateful for!

In her artwork- Ange wrote:

" Trust in yourself and everything will fall into place!'

"Stillness is our most intense mode of action-

It is in our moments of deep quiet that is born every idea - emotion."

Listen to your thoughts- hear what they are saying- they are your light when you are in darkness.

Numbers and Letters and Words- Oh Yes!

I Hit the jumbo Jackpot when I opened my Mailbox to find a huge package of gifts from Eliza of 2:I6 Druga Szesnascie - a collaboration from LaWendula of Woven Letter's  paper swap exchange! Take a look at what greeted me!   

A BEeaUTifuLLy DECoraTeD Envelop!

And STaMped--

And WrApPed--

   ConTaiNing  buNDLes  and  BuNDLEs-

 Filled with Numbers-- 1234567890

123629372609923000...

And ONE Package ReVeaLing a BEAUTIFUL hand deCorated journal BOOK!  

 ContAining   BeaUTiFuL  pAges and GoRGeouS artwork   

FiLLed WiTh

 ThOugHts  AND  wOrDs  -WiTh  inspiration  for Ideas  

 ThAt made my Heart DANce!

AND A PACKAGED gift of papers filled with LETTERS

AnD bEauTiFul IMageS. 

HERE is a page I JUST love!

******
These are pictures I made for Eliza!

Make your own special magic! Each day- play, laugh, reflect and ApPreCiAte.

BE Kind to others and twoYourself. Create- challenge yourself  - Again and Again AnD Again.  

Reach 

  To FiLL YoUr  heArT!

Crazy Swap Exchange: Crazy Great!

I was so lucky to be paired with the talented Angeline of  Liens dingen   for my Crazy Swap exchange, the brain child project of LaWendula of Woven Letters!

Here are the contents of the overflowing package that Angeline sent me.

Thank you so much Angeline!!

Card Party Time!

Now that Deb Eck from Dryadart and I have each received our card package swaps from one another, just had to show off all of our cards!  First, here are the amazing, most beautiful ATCs that Deb made, each so unique in such creative detail.  In addition, she included vintage pieces of wallpaper,  hand dyed papers form India, postcards, stamps, cards from her own company and those from another talented artist. What is really special is the fact that Deb made an extra effort to make the cards colorful - as she saw the bright color palette that I so often use in my artwork.  Well Deb-  you dealt me the perfect hand of cards!  So, it's card party time- come along and play with me! Here are the cards that are now in my hand - sent to me by DEB! I am so lucky- guess what?  I've now got a full house!

Deb's hand made ATCs.

Note the beautiful thread stitching in the card below.

Thank you Deb - in additon to a full house,  each one is a heart!

In my previous post, I had included pictures of the cards I sent Deb.  Here are the cards that I hand made for her!

The most wonderful part of these card swaps are meeting new artists, learning about their artistic style,  and challenging ourselves to make artwork for someone that we've

never  met. Thanks again LaWendula  for being such a wonderful match maker!