Thanks to Mom

After sitting half way finished since October, I have finally finished my first 6x6 inch canvas. I had completed the background-and used it as the background for my holiday cards- and the drawing on the right side and then I got stuck. So for months this piece sat in my studio. No matter what I thought of to compete the piece, nothing felt right. I was inspired by an article I read in Cloth Paper Scissors and added the strips of colored paper to the bottom. Again, the canvas sat. But this time only for about a week. I was going through some photos and found an old photo my mom took of the redwoods when she was in her teens. I actually cracked the photo a bit in attempt to uncurl it. The photo corners are originals from my mom's scrapbook as well. This photo combined with a quote from a Dave Matthew's Band song finally finished the 3 month long piece. 

It's amazing how quickly some pieces can be finished after having sat for so long. This is one of my favorite pieces so far and I look forward to creating a similar piece to go with it. I still have 3 more 6x6 canvases that I bought from Dick Blick last fall. They have AMAZING deals on canvases. The best part is that their bulk prices start at about 5 pieces, instead of 20 or so like most companies.

Photo Transfers Rock My World

i think i created a piece of art work in record time this week. eve

n after going to the gym 3 times this week, i was still able to accomplish this. usually, i get so stuck and hum and ha back and forth that it takes me close to 10 hours when it's all said and done just to complete a 4x5 piece of artwork. i think my success came from using a different subject matter, and a cool new technique.

this is the coolest-best-new technique for making photo transfers. courtesy of the book  The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery, i learned how to make simple transfers with a laser copy, clear contact paper and water. 

1. make a copy of any image with a laser copier

2. place the clear contact paper on top of your image and burnish it down real good

3. cut away the excess paper

4. soak the sheet in water and gently rub away the paper

5. presto! you have a clear transparency of your image, glue down with gel medium

this is the technique that i used for the cowboy and indian in the center, as well as the wagon wheel and arrows at the top.

Banana Pancakes

I made banana pancakes for dinner last night. I had been craving pancakes and had totally forgotten about it until I saw a picture online. 

I received my check for December sales of my artwork. It was the best so far-out of 3 months. And I would hope that December would be the best month. Hope my artwork and cards continue to sell. Even with the economy sucking, it's encouraging to see that my work is selling.  I'm just excited for when things pick up and I'm thinking my work will really take off. I'm worried about the shop my work is at though, if sales don't pick up for her, she might have to close. So those of you in the Denver area, make sure to shop at Rejuvenest in the Highlands. Beautiful, cute, little boutique.

No luck in doing any art this weekend. I played the "i'm going to a party, no i'm staying home" game last night and surprisingly the "i'm going to the party" won. I was going to stay home and do art, but I wasn't feeling it, so I went to the party. And good things came from it, I'll be getting CS4 from a friend. Score!

Just discovered a new musician. Check out Justin Nozuka, particularly his song Criminal.

Resolutions

January always starts this way, a list of things to improve upon, new experiences to enjoy and daily activities to add to the list. and december always ends the same way, self improvements tossed to the winds and "it's the holidays" excuses for the chocolate, sleeping and over eating.

•i'm joining the gym-what?! if you know me you find this to be an unexpected statement

•work on getting my 2-5 servings of veggies and fruit a day, i actually got in 6 one day last week

•create one page a month in my calendar from last year

•this blog

•actually track the sales of my cards (www.lexisworks.etsy.com) so by the end of the year i know just how much i made and how many of what designs sold

•and as always create create create

tonight's goals is to get my gym pass. first obstacle is the sleeping boyfriend on the floor, i'm adding my membership to his existing account.

good luck to all of you on your new years resolutions