Been a while....

Wow it is hard to believe it's 2012. I've been busy dedicating myself to getting a permanent teaching position but I am going to try to update my blog much more often. I now have my dream position at a lovely school and am looking forward to settling into a normal routine!!! I am getting back to my studio as well and am finding my way among all of my art supplies and pretty things!!!

Allison

Jean's Birthday Chair

My best friend Jean deserves the very, very best. She rocks and is the wind in my sails. I made her this for her birthday this August!!! Thank you my wonderful friend for always being there for me and for spoiling me when I come to see you!!!!!

Another Collage While I'm At It

Here is another collage I did during my slump. I really love the colour purple and this collage is a testament to that. Purple is such a passionate colour, difficult to resist!!!

New Collage

It's shameful how long it's taken me to do another post. I've been in an artistic slump, not knowing what to do and what to do about it. I did manage some things along the way though. I really like this collage, it seems gentle to me. Gentle is good in a world like today's; gentle is needed in the chaos that's all around us.

Black and White ATC of my Grandparents

Sometimes a picture really can explain a lifetime in one simple moment. This is an ATC I made of a favourite photo of my Grandparents, Rob and Kathleen Ridler. They are both gone now but remain in my memory and soul. I miss them dearly, a sentiment I put onto the ATC. LOVE YOU BOTH, ALWAYS!!!

Altered Gothic Arches

Altered Journal Entry

I am starting to think of more altered journal ideas all of the time and this is one of the first ones that I've done that I am happy about. This is a picture of me as a young child, probably seven years old on a swing. There is a total innocence about this picture that gets lost to us as we grow older. This is the innocence of the enjoyment of life I think sometimes I am missing.

Circles

I love this grid that I just did for Helga's Weekly Art Challenge. I love how the colours in it worked out! It was a fun and easy thing to do and I'm pleased with the results!!! The colour palett is something that I love as well!!! Now if I can only get my lines straight..... Cheers!!

Altered Art Pillow

This is a pillow I recently completed for my AAO altered art pillow swap! I had fun doing this and I am pleased with the final product!!! The ribbons are silk and the fibre went perfectly with my colour scheme. The poem written on the pillow is The Two Trees by William Butler Yeats. This poem is my favorite and holds special meaning for me!!! Cheers!!!

Pink & Green Challenge

Here are my entries for Helga's pink and green challenge....two of my favourite colours when put together. My studio is pink, green and a touch of red!!! I love the energy these colours give when they work together!!!!

I love the way these two little ATC's turned out. It always amazes me how you can fit so much into such a little space, and express so many things.

Bookmarks

I forgot about these. I did them for an AAO swap and I just loved them. I even laminated them with my own laminator so they would be more durable and keep the places in many books.

More Art from my Files

I was quite proud of this ATC. It had many elements in it that I liked. The Santa faces are from old Christmas cards and the tag is vintage. I love the feel of this card.

New Bird ATC's

For another ATC exchange!!!

ATC's For a Swap

ArtChix Collage

New Technique

New techniques - As I try to find my own artistic voice I am discovering many different background and layering techniques. I love the way these two collages turned out. The close-up is of a different collage that hopefully will be published some day (that's why I'm only showing a part of it). I am learning that spray paint is my new friend.

Corsets

These are several of the corsets I just finished for an AAO swap. They are mixed media background with ribbon, lace, sequins and other ephemera. I had alot of fun doing them. I didn't like them at first, but once they were decorated they came to life.

New Art

I am working really hard trying to find "my own voice" with my art right now. I am getting close, but still need to try many things before I can finally settle down and know I have my voice. I think that it 's so important to try many things, different techniques, learning from different artitsts etc. I will publish some pictures of current artwork when blogger is working!!!!

Winning ATC

Here is the ATC that won the ARTChix sticker contest last month.

More Art and a Magazine Cover

I have not been doing much lately. It always amazes me at the impact stress has on my ability and desire to create art. I hope this changes over the summer. Anyway, I have my first cover. Altered Arts Magazine this month has my "flower" book on the cover and I have to say, I am thrilled!!!! I will add the cover when I get permission. For now I am adding some art that I am finishing. This ATC won an ArtChix Studio contest!!!

The Zentangles are soon to be leaving for another swap for an ATC group I belong to.