The Faerie Factorie

Etsy Shop!!!

2011-06-10T07:09:00.000-04:00

Finally, I have my shop up & running. Stop by and have a look :D
FaerieFactorie

COMING SOON!

2011-02-14T15:07:00.000-05:00

I am working on my Etsy store where I will be selling prints and notecards of my illustrations along with my "Junk Drawer" Jewelry. Stay tuned :D

More Character Cards

2011-01-18T11:40:00.000-05:00

Character ATCs

2011-01-16T09:24:00.000-05:00

5X7" Character Drawings

2010-11-28T07:56:00.000-05:00

Alice

La Fae Verte

Red Ridinghood

Cats & Comfy Chairs Board Book

2010-11-11T09:35:00.000-05:00

Cats & Comfy Chairs Board Book:
I found this chair shaped board book in the $1.00 bin at Michaels! I covered all the pages with cut out scrapbooking papers for the upholstery and pillows, then hand drew the cartoon cats.

Random Character Cards

2010-09-22T08:39:00.000-04:00

Apparently it's been a while since I posted anything!
Here are 4 character ATCs made for various swaps.
Top: Marie and The Mad Hatter
Bottom: Elizabeth and Red Ridinghood

Not In Kansas Anymore....

2010-07-19T07:43:00.000-04:00

This is a journal page I did for a Wizard of OZ lover from one of my ATC trading sites. Done with Pastels and Prismacolor pencils.

2010-04-21T16:29:00.000-04:00

The koi pond at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center.

Pastels on Bristol smooth vellum.

Rainy Day Kitty

2010-03-30T13:06:00.001-04:00

It has been raining for days here, ruining my plans to do some drawings outside in the park, SO, I made do with what I had to work with: rain and cats. This is Alf trying to figure out if he can grab one of those things.
18X24" conte crayon, vine & compressed charcoal on gray Canson paper.

Promotional Postcards

2010-02-11T15:05:00.004-05:00

I've been fooling around with Photoshop to turn some of my illustrations into postcards. So far so good, I think.

The Stonecutter's Apprentice

2009-12-03T17:12:00.003-05:00

This is my very last piece for my CBI III class. The premise is based on the fact that Michelangelo was apprenticed to a stone cutter at the age of 7 for 3 years. Not sure if he had a dog :D

Homework; My Favorite Children's Book

2009-12-01T01:44:00.003-05:00

Alice falling down the rabbit hole in gouache, cut paper, collaged magazine cut-outs and Micron pen. This is one of my final pieces for CBI- III

Homework!

2009-11-06T10:48:00.003-05:00

Part one of a 2 part assignment for Children's Book Illustration III. Create a storyline/character that revolves around a holiday theme. My concept is a small town called Holiday Haven, where all the families of various holiday icons (elves, vampires, Easter Bunnies, Cupids, etc) live in the "off season". Of course the kids all go to the same school. This is the 2 page spread, second part of the assignment is 2 separate pages depicting some of the same characters.
This is 11 X 21", goauche, cut paper and micron pen on 140lb hot press Arches paper.

Illustration Friday: Frozen

2009-10-19T23:25:00.003-04:00

"All winter, the children skated on the frozen pond."
It has been a while since I did an "Illustration Friday" submission.
This is an oldie from my first year CBI course but it fit the topic!

"Whoooo are you.....?"

2009-10-14T17:01:00.002-04:00

My own version of Alice and the Caterpillar. The background is a watercolor wash. The figures are cut from various printed papers with ink details. Check out that psychedelic mushroom!

Umbrella Girl

2009-09-29T13:50:00.003-04:00

Here is my first homework assignment for my CBI III class. The text is from the book "Umbrella" by Taro Yashima. We had excerpts from several different books to choose from, but this was one of the few for which I didn't have a preconceived picture in my head. (see my "wild thing" post below)
The figures of the girl and duck, and the sections of the umbrella are gouache on 140lb hot press watercolor paper. The background is collaged old sheet music with a diluted gouache wash over it. The girls dress and boots are printed papers.
I had a blast making the figure as if it were a paper doll which I then "dressed" in the cut-out clothes! This is meant to be a 2 page spread with each page being 8" X 10".

I'll Eat You Up!!!!

2009-09-24T12:15:00.003-04:00

My Children's Book Illustration class is in week 2 and we were given the choice of several excerpts from famous books to "re-illustrate", in our own style. I initially planned on doing a scene from Where The Wild Things Are" but have since changed my mind. That didn't stop me from getting Max finished! He is about 12" high, face is gouache, everything else is cut-paper with gouache details. Maybe I will eventually finish this.

Gardening At Midnight.

2009-09-21T10:03:00.003-04:00

I love drawing variations of this little Goth Girl! Here she is tending to her lonely little thorn bush (a black rose bush perhaps?) accompanied by her black kitten. This is done in prismacolor pencils and markers. It's about 8 X 10".

Mungojerrie Collage Cat

2009-09-20T16:51:00.003-04:00

This is a cut-paper, gouache and acrylic mixed media/collage inspired by a character in T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" (once famously illustrated by my hero- Edward Gorey) It is about 9" X12".

An Altered World is a Good World!

2009-09-17T10:23:00.003-04:00

My grandchildren insist on "fast-food" when they visit, and who am I to deny them? But do I REALLY have to put up with the ugly little yellow and red whats-its they get for prizes? I think not :D
Voila! 2 cute little Goth Girls made from re-painted ...what-ever those things are.

Childrens Book Gallery Show!

2009-08-19T16:40:00.003-04:00

Since I am enrolled in the Childrens Book Illustration program at RISD, I had a chance to show 3 pieces in the upcoming "Imagination" show at the URI Feinstein Gallery in downtown Providence. The show will run for the month of September. I included my Gold-Tinted Dragon, Mother Nature (Autumn/Winter), and Snow Queen pieces. Here is the post card being sent out to advertise the show. My name is included in the list on the back!!!

Happy Birthday to a Wild Thing!

2009-07-10T12:06:00.005-04:00

Another birthday ornament, (an homage to Maurice Sendak), for Max, who's going to be ONE soon ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY :D
Made in the same manner as the fairy ornament, but with a less stylized face.
I had to hand cut the boat shape for this one since a pre-cut sailboat shape didn't really resemble the boat in the book.

Birthday Fairy!

2009-07-01T14:06:00.003-04:00

This is a hanging Butterfly Fairy, commissioned by a c0-worker for her grand-daughter's 1st birthday. I used the little photos as a reference to draw the caricature. This is about 6" wide made with cut paper, colored pencils, gel pen, ribbons, fiber and sparklies on a heavy cardboard base.

Art Filled Weekend!

2009-06-25T08:16:00.004-04:00

I spent this last weekend in Indianapolis meeting up with about 35 of my online ATC trading group, making art, taking work-shops and TRADING! Here is a pic of some of the cool art I brought back.( That's my nametog for the event; middle left. ) I took watercolor, metal manipulation, and calligraphy workshops. It was so much fun to be able to meet people, some whom I have been trading with for 2 or 3 years. We are hoping t make his a yearly event.

Illustration Friday: Craving

2009-06-08T09:40:00.002-04:00

"Just thinking about Mrs. Toad's yummy home-made fly pops made Freddy's mouth water."
This ATC was made for a swap at Illustrated Atcs but I thought it fit the topic perfectly!

May Flowers

2009-06-01T01:16:00.004-04:00

May is just about over and my little garden is looking pretty happy. Could be the fact that it has rained EVERY day this month, or maybe I really am getting the hang of this "green-thumb" thing!
Anyway, here are a few pics.

Miss Kitty

2009-05-27T14:39:00.003-04:00

Absolutely no 0ne in my CBI II class would believe this, but I actually spent the day painting an ACRYLIC and paper/fabric collage, 8X10" canvas, ON PURPOSE! I mean, it wasn't something I had to do, like for homework or anything....
This is a gift for someone who is nuts about cats. Hope she likes it. OK, so this painting thing isn't so bad, not really.

The Lad and the North Wind: Final Project

2009-05-24T07:42:00.003-04:00

My Childrens' Book Illustration II final project was to pick one of 4 folk tales, make a thumbnail storyboard for the whole 32 page book, choose one 2 page spread that included the child main character, and make a true to size acrylic painting. As I have stated time and again, I am not much of a painter! So, after whining and moaning and trying to use some collage elements etc, etc, I finally just painted the darn thing. I went for a vintage Disney-esque look rather than try with my limited abilities to make realistic people. (OK, how realistic is a giant, fat cheeked man in a 3-point fur hat anyway?) This is the scene where the wind gives the boy a magic "cloth" that will provide him with food whenever he asks it to. Since in the final scene the boy puts the cloth in his back pocket, I figured it couldn't be too big. Well, that's all for CBI II. I'm taking the summer off from classes to devote all my time to mindless recreational activities :D

Inchies: Teeny Tiny Stuff

2009-05-17T08:23:00.003-04:00

I started making inchies, tiny 1X1" art squares, for a swap at ATCs for ALL and now I'm hooked! These are hand drawn with graphite pencil. I just divided a 3X5" index card into 1" squares. I guess I'll save these to trade at the Art For All meet-up in Indianapolis next month.

Illustration Friday: Parade!

2009-05-08T13:13:00.002-04:00

The Magnificent Meerkat Marching band Making Merry Music!

Absolutely the FINAL version!

2009-05-08T08:12:00.003-04:00

You are all probably so tired of seeing this Dragon piece, BUT, I promise this is the last post. This is the version Is submitted for my class , and, I plan on having it framed for a friend's daughter's nursery.

Illustration Friday: Theater

2009-04-29T09:26:00.003-04:00

"Jimmy knew that he could never face his baseball team again after they saw him as a Happy Sunflower in the 3rd grade Spring play."

Just a quick colored pencil drawing this week as I'm crazy with homework!!!

Illustration friday: Impossibility

2009-04-17T11:28:00.003-04:00

I thought that my final (?) spread of the little girl taking a ride through the air with the help of her dragon fit the theme of "Impossibility "! This is cut paper with metal and fiber on a watercolor wash background.

Illustration Friday: Fleeting

2009-04-13T22:29:00.004-04:00

Alice caught a fleeting glimpse of the White Rabbit before he disappeared through the tiny door.
(Cut paper & colored pencil)

The Gold-Tinted Dragon

2009-04-10T15:14:00.003-04:00

Here is a mock-up of my 2 page spread with text in place. None of this is gled in place so I I'm going to try a few different backgrounds. This is watercolor using salt to add texture.

2009-04-08T20:39:00.004-04:00

I have made some changes to my dragon! He is almost half again as large, and I have toned back the use of the marble paper. I know a LOT of people liked it, but I think it shows up better with the textured green paper next to it. This is tough to scan because of the 3D elements I've added. I think I will also add a black seed bead for the dragon's eye. I plan of lifting everything above the background a little with foam dots so there is a slight shadow. I'm not sure about the background yet. I might try some torn tissue in shades blue.

Dragon Wagon Collage

2009-04-07T14:14:00.003-04:00

I'm still working on ideas for the Dragon illustration. I re-made the dragon's body. It's now a little sleeker and, since the title of the poem I'm illustrating is "The GOLD-Tinted Dragon", I figured I'd better add some gold highlights and wings!
The little girl has the same marble paper in brown for her hair. I made her as a complete figure, so I would be sure she fit in the wagon properly. The wagon is cut from an old advertisement.
This is NOT the background I'll be using ( I'm not sure what I'll use).
The dragon, girl, wagon and reins are all separate pieces and none of them are glued in place yet so I can still play around with them.
I like the idea of lifting the dragon and the wagon off the background with foam dots to give them a little depth. I might find something else for the wheels, too. Maybe buttons?

Spring Has Sprung!

2009-04-05T15:04:00.007-04:00

I am really enjoying drawing flowers, birds and butterflies these days. I suspect it's a bad case of Spring Fever! The Passion Flower ATC is for a hosting gift for a swap at IATCs. I used a photo from Google Images for reference. This one took FOREVER! The wings on the Hummingbird in the photo, (also from Google Images ) were just a fuzzy blur. I think I did an OK job of indicating the wings are moving REALLY FAST!!!! LOL

Flutterbyes!

2009-04-04T13:23:00.004-04:00

4 butterfly ATCs for a swap at Illustrated ATCs
All done in prismacolor markers and colored pencils.

Illustration Fridays: Talisman

2009-04-03T11:12:00.003-04:00

How about the Cowardly Lion and his newly acquired Medal of Courage?
This is one of my Fairy Tale themed tarot cards.

Sample Collaged Dragon

2009-04-01T19:09:00.003-04:00

I'm trying out different methods of making a little dragon (pulling a wagon, of course) for my next CBI II assignment. I found this great marbled paper and thought it would make nice scales. It's kind of a pain cutting pieces this small. The whole thing is about 4X4". He would be part of an 8X10" picture if I decide to use him. Oh, the shading on the wing isn't quite so "peachy" IRL.

More Harajuku Girl ATCs

2009-04-01T13:12:00.003-04:00

Made for a swap at Illustrated ATCs

Mother Nature Homework FINISHED!

2009-03-30T15:39:00.005-04:00

Hooray! I survived my first watercolor assignment :D

Illustration Fridays: Poise

2009-03-28T10:26:00.002-04:00

A Winter Faerie; poised with snowflake in hand. This is an ATC, in colored pencil and fine line marker. I made it as an entry for the monthly themed contest at ATCs for All. (I came in 2nd)

They Don't Call It Home WORK for Nothing!

2009-03-25T14:12:00.002-04:00

I have been working on this all day. I am taking a break until tomorrow. Think I'll go shopping or something...

Mother Nature DO-OVER!

2009-03-25T07:34:00.003-04:00

OK, I'm taking back ALL the bad things I've been thinking about water-colors :D
After last night's class critique, I really needed to re-do those heavy handed, muddy purple flowers. So that is why I was up at 6:30 this morning with paintbrush in hand. Lo and behold, you can "wake-up" water-color and wick it right off the paper! (Gouache, too apparently) So, bye bye green and purple bushes! I have painted the "flowers" with masking fluid before I try again. And, for good measure, I thought I had better mask off the area where the text fits between those butterflies and daisies. Now I just have to be patient and let the whole thing dry (again)

Critter Cards

2009-03-23T16:45:00.003-04:00

These four ATCs were made for a Pick-A-Theme swap at IATCs. All are prismacolor marker and pencils, all from photo references (gotta love Google...)

2009-03-20T11:45:00.002-04:00

I have been working for 3 days on the 2 "Mother Nature" spreads for my CBI-II class. I used a resist for the first time. It's very time consuming but I'm happy with the results so far. I am SO not a painter!!

ATC Faeries

2009-03-18T07:47:00.003-04:00

Here are three Color Faeries made as hosting gifts for various swaps.

ATC Break!

2009-03-12T12:01:00.004-04:00

Taking a little break from Homework to catch up on some ATC swaps. I really like the Pick-A-Theme swaps. Everyone signs up in groups of 5 and posts a theme for the cards they will receive. When everyone's cards are swapped out by the host, each member of each group ends up with 4 cards in their theme made by 4 different artists. It's a good exercise for a budding illustrator, too! Just like in real life some people request weird shit :D

Artist Shout Outs

2009-03-11T12:35:00.005-04:00

Check out tthis Artist blog which features a blurb (and pictures!) about my humble little studio :D
http://artshouts.blogspot.com/search/label/studio

Rainbow Color Wheel :D

2009-03-10T13:22:00.003-04:00

My first completed homework assignment for CBI -II is a "creative" color wheel. It is also my first attempt at using watercolors. I used prismacolor pens for the detail work.

2009-03-05T01:05:00.005-05:00

Here is the first sketch for my Children's Book Illustration II homework. We have to illustrate the text provided, using vignettes (ie: leave white around all the text). These are pencil sketches on tracing paper placed over print-outs of the text.
Oh, the other requirement is that there is a child depicted in each 2 page spread. This is # 1 of two. My BIG problem is that I have to use watercolors. I am a total watercolor idiot... really.

I'm a Cool Pool Fool....

2009-02-20T00:54:00.004-05:00

So I designed a logo for one of my pool teams' shirts (I play on 3 different teams) They are called the "Skunky Overtones" (don't ask....)
The Skunk will be on the front pocket and the full name will be on the back. I'm thinkin' red shirts but that's up to the captain!

Matchbox Mania

2009-01-27T10:58:00.002-05:00

I love creating these little shrines out of 32 count wooden match boxes. I'm planning on hosting a workshop at the Art For All fest in Indianapolis in June :D

Back to basics - Colored pencil 101

2009-01-24T08:34:00.003-05:00

I LOVE MY NEW PRISMACOLOR PENCILS!!!
I received 2 gift certificates to the RISD art store for Christmas (thanks guys, you know who you are), and spent them on a brand new set of colored pencils. Here are 2 ATCs drawn from a couple of those "stock" photos available on the internet. They are for a swap at IATCs.

I've Been Tagged!!!!

2009-01-23T02:38:00.019-05:00

My mission, thanks to Shel; AKA PotbellyArts....should I choose to accept it....is to list 6 random facts about myself.

1. I am REALLY short (4' 11")

2. I am absolutely terrified of mice.

3. I never learned how to swim.

4. My favorite holiday is Halloween, and I rarely miss the chance to get dressed in a costume.

5. I LOVE to do the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle; in pen. My personal best time is 45 mins (OK, that was ONCE, a few years ago, and I've never matched it since!)

6. I have complete faith that the Boston Red Sox will win the World Series at least one more time before I die!

I'm tagging:

Cathy:Pieces of me
Dar: ArteDar's Attic
Tracie: Purple Realm
Sue: Scribble-n-Paint
Brittany :You Made What?
Karen: Can't Get No Artifaction

THE RULES

1. LINK TO THE PERSON 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 ARE TAGGED AND LEAVE A COMMENT ON THEIR BLOG

6.LET THE TAGGER KNOW WHEN YOUR ENTRY IS UP

7. DON’T BREAK THE CHAIN

Busy Month!

2009-01-21T10:02:00.004-05:00

Well, I thought I would use the month between school sessions to catch up on as many Mail-Art swaps as possible. Here is a picture of my creations so far:
8 Pick-A-Theme ATCs
8 Movie ATCs
5 Chunky Book pages (5 more to go)
3 Wizard of OZ ATCs
3 Matchbox shrines
2 Heart ornaments
2 Collaged postcards
1 Altered Tin ornament
Whew..... Now all I have to do is get to the darn post office!

Harajuku Girls from OZ!

2009-01-14T04:53:00.004-05:00

A Munchkin, Glinda, Dorothy and Elphaba as Harajuku Girls!
These ATCs were made for a swap at ATCs for All.

Goddess Series ATCs

2008-12-06T15:53:00.002-05:00

I just made these 4 ATCs and I am very pleased with the results. They are Mother Goddesses from African, Asian, American and European Mythology. Clockwise from the top left:
Isis; Egyptian
Devi; Indian
Coatlicue; Aztec
Danu; Celtic
I used my usual Prismacolor markers and pencils but I paid a lot more attention to shadowing to give them more depth, somehing that is sorely lacking in most of my work!

Final Project for Children's Book Illustration- I

2008-12-03T13:04:00.006-05:00

Our final project was to illustrate 4 lines from a book of seasons. These are my 4 Winter pictures. They are Prismacolor pencil and Conte crayon on vellum. Not my usual style, for sure, but I had a lot of fun drawing them! I'm all finished for this session. Now I have to decide if I'm going to take another class in January or wait until the Spring session.

Homework...A New Letter!

2008-10-30T15:05:00.004-04:00

Branching out into the alphabet, may I present: "Big Beautiful Blue B", and "Baron and Baroness Baboon Behaving Boorishly".

M is for MORE !

2008-10-07T13:54:00.004-04:00

More homework that is. Here are 2 final "M" pictures;
M is for Mermaid and The Magnificent Meerkat Marching band.

M is for.....

2008-10-03T06:38:00.004-04:00

I'm having quite a time coming up with different styles/themes for my Alphabet illustration assignment!
Here are "Mistress Mary" and "Marty the Monster and his Marionette Monkey named Murphy"

Homework!!!

2008-09-30T11:18:00.003-04:00

It's been a very busy 2 months with 2 motorcycle trips to Pennsylvania and Maine, and a week camping with the grandkids. But now it's "back to school" and here is my homework assignment for Children's Book Illustration I. We had to pick a letter of the alphabet and illustrate a story (a-la Animalia by Graeme Base) So may I present "Mr & Mrs Moose Making Marvelous Molasses & Maple Muffins."

Portable Art

2008-08-24T14:10:00.003-04:00

This Summer as I've traveled around on our motorcycle, I have packed 2 1/2 X 3 1/2"ATC blanks, colored pencils and markers with me. This makes for easy "on the road" Art Breaks! The first card is a colored pencil drawing I did while on vacation last week. The motorcycle picture I drew while in Lake George, NY for the Americade in June.

Black & White "Chunky" pages

2008-08-11T12:45:00.002-04:00

These are 4X4" done for a B&W page swap at IATCs. I drew the characters using Prismacolor grayscale markers, cut them out and then created the collaged pages. These were lots of fun to make!

More Homework!!

2008-08-04T00:32:00.003-04:00

Here are the first 3 pages (line art only) of my final project for Illustration and Narrative.

Homework! "Cat Nap"

2008-06-30T21:05:00.003-04:00

Here is my first homework assignment for my Illustration + Narrative class.
We were to observe an animal and draw an 8 panel story without using any text.
My cat loves to take LONG naps in the garden, so I drew him JUST missing all the critters that wander by while he sleeps.
This was lots of fun to draw :D

Early Summer Garden

2008-06-23T08:11:00.002-04:00

Here is the garden with lots of green but not too many blooms. It's coming along nicely though, don't you think?

2008-05-28T07:57:00.003-04:00

GingerponyArea 51 Pony
Trekkie Pony
Frankenpony

Design -A-Pony swap II
It's another Pony swap, this time at ATCs for all. Once again hosted by the amazing Eraser Queen; who also drew the original pony outline for everyone to decorate.

Goth Wizard of OZ ATCs

2008-05-22T12:23:00.005-04:00

These were made for a swap over at Illustrated ATCs

May Garden

2008-05-19T16:44:00.004-04:00

It's starting to look like my garden will be coming back this year after a REALLY poor showing last season. (the first after the destruction caused by a neighbor's tree landing on top of it!)
My garden philosophy has always been 'The Survival of the Fittest" anyway! As you can see I am not a very "neat" gardener, lol. My yard is rather small and I just plant things where I can fit them and see what happens. If it doesn't look right, the next year I dig it up and move it to another location in the early spring.
You can't really see it, but there is an arbor with a bench in the corner behind the lilac bush. I like to sit there and listen to the water in the fountain. VERY relaxing. It's my own little hide-away.
That stick thingie is made from the branches of my Butterfly Bush that I prune every March. I have a few morning glory seeds coming up at the base and by mid summer it should be covered in flowers.

Artist Trading Cards (again :D )

2008-05-17T08:49:00.003-04:00

I am taking a short break from homework to catch up on all my ATC trades. I made these for a Nerd Pride Pick-A-Theme swap over at ATCs for All that I am hosting. That is Spawn (graphic novel), The Books of Magic (ditto; I used the cover of the first issue for reference) a Gelfling from The Dark Crystal and Ra from the 1994 movie Star Gate. It's great to be a nerd!!!

Homework re-do; Part II

2008-05-14T13:26:00.002-04:00

Here are the last 2 Queens! the background for the Queen of Cups has TOTALLY been re-worked and the Queen of Coins simply has a few more "leaves" added to her background.
I am quite pleased with the results. (what do I know, I liked the first versions....)
I am going to have them matted before I turn them in, though.
That is IT for Color Theory. I have signed up for Illustration Plus Narrative for the 6 week Summer session. That starts June 19th

New & Improved Homework!

2008-05-14T00:44:00.003-04:00

OK, here are 2 of my final projects after my instructor helped me "tweak" them a bit. I totally agree on both counts! She is "OK" with the Queen of Coins but I am going to work on the Queen of Cups a bit before next week. I'll keep you posted!

Homework!: Color Theory Final Project

2008-05-13T14:15:00.003-04:00

Here they are! My set of Tarot Card Queens for my final project. They are all original designs made from cut paper and gouache. All are 9"X12", and I had a blast making them. I think I'll mount them on a background or mat them, haven't decided yet.

2008-05-09T01:27:00.002-04:00

POSTCARDS! They are a little bigger than my usual 2.5 X3.5" ATC size. (4"X6") I do most of my P.C. swapping at Swap-Bot or PostDue but occasionally one of the ATC sites will have a postcard swap. I like the fact that they are sent "naked" AKA without an envelope. I get a kick out of pushing the USPS a little. So far I've had good luck; none of my cards have gone "missing"!

Homework! Final Project for Color Theory

2008-05-06T13:57:00.003-04:00

Our final project for Color Theory is to make 4 images that are related but use different color schemes. (The example given in class was a tree at 4 different times of year.)
Since we were allowed to use collage AND gouache, I decided to go with the 4 Queens from the Tarot deck. This is the Queen of Swords, Swords represent Air. The colors are mostly yellows with some browns and peach thrown in.
I will use Blues for Cups (water), Greens for Coins (Earth), and Reds for Wands (fire).
This is the first Color Theory project that I have actually enjoyed!

The Hermit, tarot card

2008-04-29T16:36:00.004-04:00

Rumplestitzkin as the Hermit. I recently saw a show called "Fairy Tales for All Children" on HBO that re-told well known fairy tales by relocating them to different countries. This one took place in the Caribbean and featured a Rasta looking Rumplestiltzkin.

The Devil, Tarot Card

2008-04-29T16:28:00.004-04:00

The Devil; The Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid
I don't know if I am totally happy with this one. The idea of the Sea Witch as the Devil fits the meaning of the card, she is offering the chance to live on land as a human, but at an awful price; but I didn't want to make her look like the Disney version. I thought I'd try an evil looking mermaid, complete with green skin and scales, but she came out looking like Ariel on a bad day!

Just for Fun!

2008-03-27T16:11:00.005-04:00

I took a break from homework and anything due for swaps, and made this altered Altoids tin; my very first!
I aged the tin by sanding and soaking it in bleach/vinegar to rust it a little. Then I painted it with gesso; decoupaged it with torn tissue paper, some lines from an old dictionary and a small "vintage" picture; and glued on a few charms and some wire. I used alphabet stamps for the labeling. I then lined the inside with a store bought black "handmade" paper.
The 3 tiny "Love Potion" bottles used to hold various medications. I am a nurse and every now and then I'll ask my co-workers to save empty bottles and vials for me. I soak them overnight in soapy water and the labels slip right off.
All the potion bottles are decorated with tiny cut-outs, wire, fibers, and charms. I filled them with micro beads or glitter and closed the tops with either a small cork or a bead that I sealed with colored wax.

Homework, the Continuing Saga...

2008-03-22T00:22:00.005-04:00

Here are the last 2-D Design assignments : examples of "Radial Organization" and

"All-Over" pattern (with a focal point)

Inspired by a radial plane engine (thanks hubby!) and the dreaded plaid skirt of my youth.

Back to ATC trading!

2008-03-14T12:58:00.003-04:00

As I posted earlier, the owner of ATCards.com had some kind of melt-down and abruptly closed down the site causing much anguish and gnashing of teeth throughout the ATC world!
Thanks to the hard work of several of the members and former members of the site, we have a new home called ATCs for All
These are the first cards I made for a swap on the new site. The theme was Rockets, Robots and Alien Creatures. I used my new grayscale prismacolor markers to draw my version of some of my favorite 50s sci-fi creatures. Lot's of fun!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2008-03-14T12:41:00.003-04:00

Well, it's been a while since I last posted. With the exception of a 2 week bout of a "flu-like" illness, I have been having a wonderful time.
School has become a scary/challenging/can't-wait-to-see-what's-next kind of experience. After the first Color Theory class, I had convinced myself that I would NEVER be able to do this; but then, the little light bulb above my head clicked on and I suddenly "got it". I do wish that we weren't using Gouache as our primary medium. I have never felt comfortable with a paint brush and the need to precisely mix and apply the paint properly tends to overwhelm me.
2-D Design on the other hand has been great from day one. I thoroughly enjoy the class and the teaching style of the instructor.
So here are a few of my homework assignments for your viewing "pleasure" (?)

An assortment of Color Theory projects (including the infamous "Grayscale" chart)
An example of "Economy of Design" (I hope)
A layered cut-paper "Symmetrical" design

New class and HOMEWORK!!!

2008-02-27T13:18:00.003-05:00

Well I had my first Color Theory class last night. Whew! Imagine spending 3 hours trying to do something and still not being able to finish. We were attempting to make an 11 step grayscale chart using Gouache. It's supposed to look like this:

Let us just say, "Mine doesn't"....
Every time I'd get the little suckers lined up, the teacher would point out one that was either too dark or too light and as soon as I made a new block, 3 or 4 others would look wrong and on and on and on....
So she sent us all home to try again. This is going to be a challenge to say the least!
PLUS none of us have ever used gouache before. It's got to be just the right thickness or you get streaks (too thin) or shine (too thick).
Oh, did I mention that I have to go buy a whole bunch of colors too? This stuff is expensive.
Off I go to attempt my gazillionth grayscale chart XD

Things Change.

2008-02-15T18:14:00.004-05:00

Back in May of 2006 I joined an online ATC trading site. Over the almost 2 years that I belonged I found that my art became a bigger and bigger part of my life. I joined a few more mail art sites, branched out to post cards and altered art. Through that site, I became friends with lots of people all over the world. Suddenly a few days ago, the administrator of the site, for reasons known only to him, decided to shut it down; initially at the end of the month but then he started randomly shutting it down and closing out the moderators etc. While it is true that I recently was not spending as much time at that site, I still hosted swaps there (2 which were still active) and more importantly my grand-daughter could swap with other kids there. Luckily a large portion of the members have banded together to form a temporary Flickr site and soon we will have a new site run by former members. So here is the link : http://flickr.com/groups/membersofatcards/
Anyone from ATCards.com reading this should sign in to the Flickr site if you haven't already.

Mindless Fun :D

2008-02-14T14:38:00.003-05:00

I have been a member of Swap-bot since last August. Recently I have been joining a lot of "matchbox fill" swaps. The idea is to take a 32 count matchbox and decorate it in the swap theme then fill it with tiny stuff in the same theme. It's a great way to share the gazillion little things that I have collected over the years. Here are some of my recent sends. (Oh, btw, I send extras to earn "hearts") The themes were: Aquarium, Pink & Lime, and Red Stuff.

Homework!!!

2008-02-14T00:12:00.003-05:00

Well here it is; my self portrait. That's a picture of me when I was about 2 years old that I am holding. I used charcoal and pencil. (I'm told it DOES look like me :D)

Homework!!!???

2008-02-12T14:27:00.000-05:00

I have less than ONE WEEK to do my final project which is a self portrait. I am stressing. I mean REALLY stressing. I've only drawn "cartoony" self portraits. I don't even know how to begin. I guess I'll go set up a mirror next to my easel and see what I come up with. Geez....

Homework!!!!!

2008-02-05T12:03:00.000-05:00

Here is my "almost"final (?) version and my "absolutely" final version of the Durer portrait

Homework!!!

2008-02-05T03:53:00.000-05:00

Master Studies; a nice way of saying "copying". Hey, they don't call them "Masters" for nothing, right? Even if I draw something that VAGUELY resembles the original I'm doing OK!
Here are my versions of Egon Scheile's Seated Woman with Bended Knee and Albrecht Durer's Self Portrait.

Never Too Late

2008-02-04T13:21:00.000-05:00

I have been loving life of late! I have spent a major portion of my adult life mourning the things that could have (should have?) been. Wrong choices all around kept me from doing what I have always loved: ART!
Now, I am that proverbial kid in a candy store. I find I'm running ahead of myself, jumping from one project to the next, like time is going to run out or something.
Since I plan (hope) to be around for a good many years to come, I guess it's OK to slow down a bit....
Last week I had my first Life Drawing class. What a wonderful experience. I may seek out the weekly sessions at the local gallery for some extra practice.
In the mean time I have 2 Master Studies (one figure, one face) to finish for homework.

Homework!

2008-01-22T22:09:00.001-05:00

This is my latest Homework assignment. I thought I'd take pictures as I went along.
I started out with just a wooden spoon and changed it to a whisk and a spoon. Then got rid of the spoon again! Took quite a few tries to get the whisk right!

8X8" Journal page spreads

2008-01-19T14:14:00.000-05:00

These were all made for swaps at ATCards.com. Generally, everyone in a group of 5-6 people chooses a theme for their journal. All participants make a 2 page spread (and sometimes a matching ATC) for each member of the group.
Beowulf; Prismacolor markers and pencils, acrylic, metallic ink; Illuminated "B" Atc in pocket
The Fate of Atlantis; Prismacolor markers and pencils, acrylic, with micro beads
Red Tailed Hawk and Hawk Kachina; Cut paper, marker and Feathers!
My Childhood Hero:Nancy Drew; Original concept marker and pencil drawing
Faerie Queen and Her Court; Altered magazine cut-outs collage
The Sea; Cut and torn hand-made paper collage with micro beads
The Art Class; Prismacolor markers and pencils

Homework!

2008-01-17T20:18:00.000-05:00

My second big homework assignment was a drawing of something using white on dark paper. This is 18X24" drawn with conte crayon and white charcoal pencil on Canson paper. The "model" is one of my many gargoyles. This is the revised version with "battier" wings and improved contrast.

Design-A-Pony ATCs

2008-01-17T13:50:00.000-05:00

EQ at Illustrated ATCs is running a Design-A-Pony swap. She supplied the outline of the pony and all participants decorate them to their hearts content. Here are my 4:
Paisley Pony (that's my take on "Op Art" in the background for you youngsters)

Pony Totem
Patchwork Pony
Not-A-Pony
All were done using Prismacolor markers and colored pencils and a micron pen. Lot's of fun!!

Snow Day :(

2008-01-14T12:50:00.000-05:00

Here's the back yard this morning after an overnight snow/sleet storm. It's pretty, but this means no classes tonight. (Classes get canceled WHENEVER it snows because the city bans street parking.) Oh well, maybe we get a make-up class later.

Deeply Depressing Gothic Poetry

2008-01-13T15:19:00.000-05:00

I made these cards for a "Darkly Gothic Poem" swap I am hosting at IATCs. We are using a "Goth-Poem-O-Matic" at: http://www.deadlounge.com/poetry/created.html to create our poems, and then illustrating them. What fun!

The Faerie Factorie

Etsy Shop!!!

COMING SOON!

More Character Cards

Character ATCs

5X7" Character Drawings

Cats & Comfy Chairs Board Book

Cats & Comfy Chairs Board Book:I found this chair shaped board book in the $1.00 bin at Michaels! I covered all the pages with cut out scrapbooking papers for the upholstery and pillows, then hand drew the cartoon cats.

Random Character Cards

Not In Kansas Anymore....

Rainy Day Kitty

Promotional Postcards

The Stonecutter's Apprentice

Homework; My Favorite Children's Book

Homework!

Illustration Friday: Frozen

"Whoooo are you.....?"

Umbrella Girl

I'll Eat You Up!!!!

Gardening At Midnight.

Mungojerrie Collage Cat

An Altered World is a Good World!

Childrens Book Gallery Show!

Happy Birthday to a Wild Thing!

Birthday Fairy!

Art Filled Weekend!

Illustration Friday: Craving

May Flowers

Miss Kitty

The Lad and the North Wind: Final Project

Inchies: Teeny Tiny Stuff

Illustration Friday: Parade!

Absolutely the FINAL version!

Illustration Friday: Theater

Illustration friday: Impossibility

Illustration Friday: Fleeting

The Gold-Tinted Dragon

Dragon Wagon Collage

Spring Has Sprung!

Flutterbyes!

Illustration Fridays: Talisman

Sample Collaged Dragon

More Harajuku Girl ATCs

Mother Nature Homework FINISHED!

Illustration Fridays: Poise

They Don't Call It Home WORK for Nothing!

Mother Nature DO-OVER!

Critter Cards

ATC Faeries

ATC Break!

Artist Shout Outs

Rainbow Color Wheel :D

I'm a Cool Pool Fool....

Matchbox Mania

Back to basics - Colored pencil 101

I've Been Tagged!!!!

Busy Month!

Harajuku Girls from OZ!

Goddess Series ATCs

Final Project for Children's Book Illustration- I

Homework...A New Letter!

M is for MORE !

M is for.....

Homework!!!

Portable Art

Black & White "Chunky" pages

More Homework!!

Homework! "Cat Nap"

Early Summer Garden

Goth Wizard of OZ ATCs

May Garden

Artist Trading Cards (again :D )

Homework re-do; Part II

New & Improved Homework!

Homework!: Color Theory Final Project

Homework! Final Project for Color Theory

The Hermit, tarot card

The Devil, Tarot Card

Just for Fun!

Homework, the Continuing Saga...

Cats & Comfy Chairs Board Book:
I found this chair shaped board book in the $1.00 bin at Michaels! I covered all the pages with cut out scrapbooking papers for the upholstery and pillows, then hand drew the cartoon cats.