Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Vintage Girl Holiday Ornaments


Here is one of the ornaments made from a vintage girl picture with beads & baubles added. The other will follow as soon as I get the pictures up.

More ACEO's and Christmas ornaments





I have been making more ACEO's and incorporating them into holiday decorations. These satisfy my need for instant gratification. This is fun and I enjoy these mini portraits on whatever subject I feel like at the moment. The mouse is just a little whimsical fella and I did the angel with my sister Kathi in mind who just got the news she is cancer free! ACEO is an acronym for Artist Card Edition Originals. They are also called ATC's short for Artist Trading Cards. Sized to 2.5 x 3.5 inches, they are a perfect way to collect art work like some collect baseball cards or incorporating in other work. I am incorporating them into Christmas ornaments to sell & give as gifts.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

ACEO's





I have been playing with artist cards and working small! I am going to incorporate these into Christmas ornaments, but wanted to share my progress so far. I have used acrylics, pencil, markers, glitter, paper in my little creations. I have had a blast with this!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

My Art Journal




I have my little sketchbook and I have been practicing my portraits and journaling in it with different media. I am drawn to woman, animals & birds in my pages. My faces are improving but I have a long way to go. I am going to be brave and post a few of my pages. I finally have a few days off in a row and art will be big part of my time. I can loose myself in the process and just create. The best stress relief I have come by yet!. Today is Thanksgiving and I am thankful for my family and friends. I am also thankful I have a job as so many do not. Even though I struggle, there are those much worse off. I am thankful that my sister is "cancer free" and my children are beautiful, smart ( honor roll for both ), and funny. I am thankful for my animals who provide me endless amounts of joy and my husband, Dan, that I love in spite of the rocky road we are always on. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Vampires , Tigers & Bears...OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, yes, I have succumbed to the vampire frenzy. I got into the Twilight books awhile ago through my 14 year old daughter, who had also read them. Coincidentally , I just finished New Moon last week and cannot wait to see the movie. I am not big into crowds & waiting in line. Once some of the hype is gone, I will be all over that. In the mean time I will pick up the 3 rd book, Eclipse, which I am told is the best, and fulfill my hunger ( pardon the pun ) for Edward. It has been a long time since a book has pulled me in like this. I find myself thinking about the story now & then through my day. I saw on Oprah, the author , Stephanie Meyers. What an inspirational story. It all started as a dream and she acted upon it. Makes me think of all the possibilities. My daughter, Mariah, has the most vivid imagination of anyone I know. She has been writing stories for as long as I can remember. She illustrates them as well. I tried talking to her about Twilight's author. She just dismissed me and said that her books are not any good and no one would want to read them. I emphatically told her otherwise! Everyone including myself needs to believe in the possibilities.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

UPDATE

I am on a business trip and left my Found Art in a Barnes & Noble in Nashua, NH. I hope it makes somebody feel good.......:}

Monday, November 2, 2009

Found Art!



I was surfing the web reading various blogs and came across a blog about found art. http://rosamurillo.squarespace.com/what-is-found-art/ For whatever reason, this struck a cord with me. I was going on a business trip and thought why not give this a try? Leave a piece of art in some random place far from home. So before I left, I took an old Altoid tin and altered it. I painted a portrait ala Kelli Rae Roberts style, and titled it "Believe". I attached a tag to it with my blog address and e mail. Maybe I will get a response, maybe not! Whatever the outcome I had fun doing it. I am already thinking of what I can do next. I am in New Hampshire, and haven't left it anywhere yet. The pictures aren't great. I was in a hurry to get it done before I left.I will follow up on where it ends up.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Mojo......maybe??????????????


Okay, I took one of my sketches, transferred it to a small canvas and started to play. I collaged. I painted. I textured. I love texture. I had a real hard time getting the color right on the horse. I'm not sure if I am thrilled with it, but here it is. I am just using cheap acrylic paints. I am always very hard on myself. I started another canvas with my other sketch. I need to do some other things today so I'll just let that one sit at the moment. At least I am somewhat motivated to do something the past couple of days. I have in the back of my mind to do metal clay bezels, photoshop my paintings to fit, then fill with resin to make pendents. I am also thinking about transferring my work to fabric and doing something there as well. Lots of ideas, lets see what becomes of them.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Lost my mojo......



Aaaarrrrrgghhh...........Where has it gone? Why can I not get it back? Lately I cannot bring myself to do anything. I have been sitting here looking at the 2 horse sketches I did a few weeks ago. Maybe, and I mean maybe, I will be so inspired to do something with them. I was just sitting at my desk and sketching while reading my Facebook page and was very happy with the results. I wasn't trying to hard or expecting perfection and whoola! Usually I do try to hard and am VERY critical of the results. Time will tell where these sketches will lead.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Fall Harvest & Memories




Fall.....my favorite time of the year. I love the colors, the crisp air, and all else that comes with it. Yesterday, I took a short trip to Schoharie, with my Mom, to buy vegetables to freeze and can. I remember taking this trip as a child with my Mom and Grandmother. We would stop at all the farm stands and load up on apples, potatoes, and if I was lucky cider donuts, YUM! I also remember the 50 lb bag of carrots my Grandmother inevitably would buy every year. I considered buying a bag this year, but mostly for the horses. Once home, potato peelers in hand, we children would have the task of peeling that 50 lb bag of carrots. Not so fun. Nonetheless,I still begged to be included on this annual trip. I'm not sure just when this annual trek ended. Maybe around the time my parents divorced. In later years this trip was replaced with our fall trip to Vermont, up historic Rt 7, to the Jelly Factory. Shopping & eating on those trips, no veggie buying. The Jelly Factory closed a few years ago. That was always our destination point. It was a huge barn filled to the brim with antiques, gourmet food, trinkets & treasures. Tons & tons of eye candy. So sad that it is now gone. I have not been inspired to make that trip since. My grandma has been gone for about 6 years now. We all miss her a lot. She was truly our family matriarch. My trip yesterday was a chance to spend some time with her again, at least in my memories. I took along my faithful camera. Enjoy the shots I took of the farm stands, full of color and all those glorious crops. Happy fall everyone!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

18 Years Ago Tonight.......






Exactly 18 years ago, I was 2 weeks over due for my 1 st child. My sister, Kathi, who had shared my pregnancy with me, had her daughter, Elizabeth, a week before on October 1 st, while I was in a room a few doors down being induced. I was sent home, my baby was not ready to come that night. So another uncomfortable week in sued. I held my sisters baby, which only made me more impatient to hold my own. At that point I did not know the sex of my baby. I wanted to be surprised and really didn't care what sex it was, as long as he or she was healthy. My Mom invited me over for dinner and had made some extra spicy chili. She had been told that eating spicy food could bring on labor. Well, we will never know for sure if it was the chili, but I went into labor a few hours later. After a difficult labor & delivery, I met my son. We had already picked out his name, Jordan Daniel. I was expecting a Gerber baby, and what I got was a very pink, marked up ( from forceps) baby, who at moments resembled a little old man. I remember looking at him and falling deeply in love. Everything had changed! Jordan was the happiest little baby, smiling and belly laughing at the slightest inkling. He had the blondest hair, almost white and everyone adored him.

My son is now 18 years old. He has grown into a handsome young man who has a wonderful soul. He is smart and charming and I am so proud he is my son. He still can win me over in a minute with that smile of his. It is hard to believe all that time has passed. Where did it go? I sat this evening and looked at some pictures of him as a younger child, getting all warm with the memories. I don't think I can love any deeper than I love my children. I am sad that those younger days are gone but am excited in what the future holds for this young man. He is still trying to decide where his future will take him, but whatever he decides , he will do well at it. He has been a wonderful son, always worrying about his Mom, making sure I am OK. I trust him because he has never given me a reason not to. He takes care of his sister and watches over her and helps keep his Dad in line. He truly has been a gift and I am so glad he is my son and been a part of my life. Happy Birthday Jordan. May your life be filled with the joy you have and still bring to our lives. I love you!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Not feeling the love................

I just need to get it off my chest. I have moments of feeling pretty worthless and unloved. I know in my heart of hearts this is not true, but waves of it come over me. I am striving so hard to find a balance in my life. I have worked unmercifully hard at my career and after having taken many steps forward, I feel I have taken more than that backwards. I have had to defend my actions to a new DM and watch younger people I have trained chosen to do duties I would have liked the chance to do. It is so hard to be motivated when you are never told "good job", even though you know, it is in black & white, that you have done a good job. How can you be expected to go above and beyond every day when there is no outward appreciation for what you do? I struggle with just accepting this or once again stepping up to the plate & knocking it out of the park. If there is no light at the end of the tunnel, why should I? Yes, I will prove to myself I can do it, but I already know that. Maybe, it is just that I was meant for something else on this earth and do not know what that is as of yet. I have always struggled with my self esteem. It has been a life long battle. Upon meeting me you may not see this but it is so true. I do put on a great facade! I need to feel good about something! I need something to strive for and have goals to reach. Right now I am stagnate. God, I hope this passes. I need to feel the love, be appreciated and know I am on this earth for a good reason. Got it out... that's all for now!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

more ladies



My spare time has, at times, been consumed by painting madness. I have recently been inspired by Sharon Tomlinson's work (Norah's Art). Her techniques are fun and possibilities are endless. What I want to do with these little paintings is either transfer them to fabric and incorporate them into one of my mothers projects and/or make bezels from PMC and bury mini collages in resin. Who knows......?????? Whatever I decide, I am having fun doing these. I am getting more comfortable doing faces and will just keep practicing. I bought some "adult crayons" ,Caran D'Ache, water soluable crayons. I plan on dabbling with these next. Pictured are my 2 latest attempts. I named the one with multiple characters, "Pretty Ladies", the other I named "Possibilities", the quote on it says, "what one can be, one must be".

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Night Song


I have spent the last few days working on my 2 nd girly painting. I am calling this "Night Song". I am thrilled how it turned out. I finished the face this morning then the rest just flowed. Before I knew it the day was gone and it was finished. It was a blast! I thought of the title and decided on the quote as I rode to the barn this evening. The quote is an old chinese proverb , and says, " A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song." I am so inspired by the art work of DJ Pettit as well as Kelly Rae Roberts, and Misty Mawn. The ideas are spinning in my brain. It's exhausting but fun. Can't wait to see what I do next!!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

My 1 st attempt at a "girly "painting





I am being very brave showing you my first attempt at doing one of those "girly" paintings. I am not totally thrilled with it and may redo the face. I had a blast doing it. I am basically self taught. One wish I have is to attend one of those artist retreats, but until then, I learn through books, magazines (Stampington Publications, Cloth, Paper, Scissors)and artist blogs who share techniques. I have no idea what my style will be. I assume as I continue to work something will emerge. All I can say is that it makes me very happy to do this. I feel energized & content at the same time. I will continue to post what I do, if for no other reason but to journal my progress.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Thank You


I was on vacation last week and bought the book "Taking Flight", by Kelly Rae Roberts. I had visited her blog awhile ago , then just got away from it. Anyway, I read her book from cover to cover and took the time and did a painting ala "KRR". Her book was so appropriate for me. I always feel there is something missing and I feel the need to create. I am so absorbed & happy when I am in this place. Unfortunately, I do not always have the time when I am working and carting kids around and taking care of animals. This book made me realize that I am not alone in this struggle. My mind is so busy going 100 miles an hour about everything else, I forget about me and the small details in life. I received a lot of "food for thought" from her book and will refer back to it many times in the future. There is an artist inside of me, there always has been. I just need to find my niche, whether it is painting, PMC jewelry, photography, or a combination of all 3! I haven't posted in awhile, summer has kept me busy and I have been grieving from the death of my Dad in April. A gruff man who I loved deeply, but he didn't know how to show his love to me. All I wanted was for him to be proud of me. I don't think he ever was, because he did not know the real me. I helped care for him that last month and I thought I made my peace with him. Events since his death have now made me wonder. There is no way I will ever have an answer so I will just go on and be the best person I can be. I live to make my kids happy and am trying to pick up the pieces of my marriage and make that work as well.

I read about a woman named Megan on Kelly's blog who has cancer,but insurance has denied her proper treatment.This is a subject close to my heart after loosing my step mom & dad in the last 18 months and now have my sister being treated for breast cancer. Kelly did a wonderful thing and put a fundraiser on her popular blog to raise money for Megan's treatment. I donated what I could. It was not much, as I live paycheck to paycheck. It felt really good to do that for Megan. I just found out I won the giveaway from Kelly. I am blown away! I didn't expect that at all! So Thank You! May we all be inspired to help someone that needs it and know that even doing something small can have a huge impact.

Monday, May 25, 2009

LIfe is good, not enough time to do all I want to do


I love spring. It never used to be a favorite season...I hate mud! But lately I have been devouring all that life offers. Kids are growing, developing interests of their own. they need me less & less. A good thing and bad. Work keeps me busy as usual, but I relish the quiet of my 5 am country mornings while the birds begin their daily sonata. I have planted flowers to welcome them and butterflies and remind me of my Dad & Gin's wonderful garden. Everything is so green,my favorite color. Babies are everywhere! Human babies, kittens, gangly foals, baby birds in the nest above my deck. Ideas for PMC and collages whirl in my head. I can't seem to sit down long enough to finish much. I've been to a beautiful wedding celebrating the beginning of a new partnership and witnessed the death of my dad who I longed for his acceptance. It's been an eventful spring. Full of life, and it's end. Spring is a stepping stone into the rest of the year and I am going to relish each and every ounce of it I can. Life is good and I am grateful for what I am.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation http://www.trfinc.org


With the economy in a down turn many breeders & trainers can no longer afford to take care of their horses. Some of you may have heard about the recent seizure of improperly cared for racehorses that was in the news locally. Many, many racehorses become injured, or owners, for whatever reason, do not want them anymore. Many of these horses have been sent to auctions to be bought by slaughterhouses. Horse meat is still a delicacy in Asia & Europe. Ferdinand, a Kentucky Derby winner, ended up on someone's dinner plate after his owner claimed him useless and sent him to slaughter. To me, this is a sin! These horses have given us so much. They deserve so much better than this. With some attention and care they can have 2 nd careers as companions, show horses, trail, jumping, dressage horses, etc. We own one of these horses. His name is "Hoy". He came from the Finger Lakes track and ended up in a local rescue New Beginnings Equine Rescue. After the death of my daughters 22 Year old Quarter Horse, we decided we wanted to do our part and adopt one of these wonderful horses. Growing up just outside of Saratoga Springs, NY., I had been exposed to the racing scene most of my life. I always admired them & was in awe of their strength & beauty. Little did I know at the time, the horrors that go on behind the scene. Many good people, are working very hard to change all of that. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, http://www.trfinc.org, is one of those, based in Saratoga Springs. Others include the Excellor Fund, & Canter.

We have owned "Hoy" for 3 + years and have worked hard to retrain him. My daughter, Mariah, shows him in local shows, and will be learning dressage with him this year. He is sweet, funny, and charming, and we love him to death. I wish I could love more horses the way we love him. Space, time & of course money prevents us from doing that. My hope is that by doing my small part and educating others and volunteering my services when I can, I can help in a small way and maybe inspire others to do as well. The Kentucky Derby will be run once again next week. Take a look at the sites I listed . Maybe it will tug at your heart strings as it has done mine.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

I started! Unfired PMC & PPP's



I took some time last week, grabbed some silver and just began! I grabbed my pre made mold of a running horse I had made some time ago and mounted it on a textured disc. Once fired I will string it on a black cord. The back of the pendent says "live to ride". The small discs will be components in another project. The scraps I used to make a focal bead and hopefully will be a component in a bracelet. I will post the results when I finish them.

I also experimented with making photo polymer plates. I finally had all the "stuff" I needed. I used black & white images and made these plates for use with metal clay. I want to make more equine pieces because that is where my heart is. Not quite sure at this point what we will do, but I am anxious to see. I also made a PPP with a horsey quote for use on one of the pieces. I took the quote, reversed it on a transparency, attached to the PPP, it was exposed to UV light for 1 minute, & whoola, a plate for printing. It wasn't quite that easy but that's the abbreviated version. Stay tuned for whats to come!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Life goes on!

Today I need to accept that life goes on. I love making beautiful things and I have been trying to occupy my time thinking of new projects. I am very interested in digital art and am reading a couple of books about it trying to teach myself. I want to use what I make, collages & such, in charms made from PMC or Bronze clay. I have so many ideas that it overwhelms me and I don't start anything. I just need to focus & just start. I will chronicle my efforts in upcoming posts.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

In memorium


It has been a hard few days. I held my Dad's hand Friday night as he passed away. Cancer had ravaged his body. His beloved wife Virginia ( my step mom) had died 18 months earlier from the same disease. My dad tried to fight but we all know in our heart of hearts that he wanted to be with Ginny. They had retired to a cabin in the Adirondacks where they had a wonderful 15 years, fishing, camping, gardening, and just enjoying life. Our family has many wonderful memories of times spent with them there. I was able to spend some time with my dad these past few weeks as he needed almost constant care. I would care for him on my days off to give my sister a break. My other siblings had done the same. Our relationship had been a tumultuous one, but I think in the past few years a peace had come between us. I heard him tell me he loved me many times these past months when I had longed to hear that from him as a younger person. I will miss that sparkle in his amazing blue eyes when he was teasing you and his sense of humor. We never had heart to heart talks, and I am not sure he knew who I really am as a person. I was always able to just sit quietly with him. I will always remember seeing the glow of his cigarette as he watched a night time thunderstorm, as I would usually wake to join him. I laugh to myself remembering, as a child once again, watching him fish while I sat on a hill behind him. After catching a fish he tossed up the hill towards me, made me scream. To his surprise, I ran down the hill right into the lake. He wasn't expecting that! I think he taught every grandchild in the family, not to eat bread crusts and throw them on the floor, and what "pull my finger" meant. Ginny was (is) his soul mate. After her death he would sit in his chair to watch the sun go down, her empty chair right next to him and talk to her. He told me one day when he sleeps, she curls up to his back, as she always had done. However, when he reached back to touch her she was gone. Ginny was cremated after her death. Her ashes were placed in dad's casket with him and they are buried in a country cemetery under an amazing red beech tree . I think I am going to try to find a marker that says "Gone Fishing". That would be so appropriate. We found this amazing picture of them in their beautiful garden, they tended together. It has an ethereal feel to it. It's like they are in their garden in heaven smiling down on us. May you both rest in peace and be there waiting when I come to join you.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Thought for today

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
Mohandas Gandhi

Sunday, April 5, 2009

My baby is 14 today.


Fourteen years ago I gave birth to my beautiful daughter. I was told it was a blustery day like today.Very appropriate because her name is Mariah. I was in labor & delivery and could not see outside. She was born via C-section after some difficulties, and my life was immediately better. I had a little girl! She is my joy. Many say she is a mini me, with the animals,art,and opinions. She has beautiful curly hair which she wishes was straight. Just like I did when I was her age. Maybe someday she will embrace the beauty of it. She is a strong girl who never hesitates to tell you how she feels. I love to watch her ride her horse. They are beautiful together. She's not sure what she wants to do with her life, but whatever she decides , I am sure she will do well. Mariah, I love you with all my heart. I love you baby, and know that everything I do is for you to have a good life. Have a good day!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Motivated, etc.



I finally finished 2 pieces I have had in the works for literally years. My studio is somewhat in order. ( I know, I promised pictures ) and I was motivated to get my stuff out and get to work. I made ear wires and polished my bronze earrings I made in class. Some of these are listed on my ETSY site. Started work again yesterday after a quite, productive vacation. I have LOTS of paper work to catch up on at work. Sometimes it's not worth taking a vacation. Hopefully this won't keep me from being more productive making jewelry. I have many unfinished projects that need to be strung or something added. I also have many ideas floating in my brain. I am going to donate a portion of any of my equine pieces to the rescue and re training of retired thoroughbreds. This is a subject that is close to my heart. Our "Hoy" is a retired racehorse, who might have ended up in the slaughterhouse if he did not end up in rescue. This, after winning races and someone actually paying $110,000 for him as a yearling at the Keeneland. He was injured and thrown away. It is very sad. Anyway, right now, life is good and I'll keep plugging away.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Adventures in life and bronze clay



I don't post often ,but I am on vacation this week and renewing an old relationship and working in my house. My studio/office has had quite the transformation. Photos will follow. The weather has been awesome and I have spring fever for sure. My daughter is doing some natural horsemanship ground training with her horse to re-develop leadership. It has been 6 months since she has ridden "Hoy", due to moving him and the severe cold yukky weather we have had. Friday she will throw a leg up again.I have enjoyed watching the whole process and I am excited for her. I also took a class in Bronze clay from my PMC teacher, Nancy Miller, in her studio in Saratoga. I did not think I would like it as much as I did. It is a lot less expensive than silver which will allow me to be free in my creations. I am always so concerned about wasting the silver. I need to get a couple of items for my kiln to fire the bronze correctly, but when I do ...look out! The colors are amazing. I plan on taking a metal smithing class this summer as well. I might even pull out the silver I have and make a pair of earrings for my niece . Her 23rd B'day is next week. We are planning a bash @ Vapor, a nightclub in Saratoga at the Racino. I am really looking forward to this as I very rarely get to dressed up and just let go. Take a look at the pictures of my bronze pieces I did in class. The picture on the bottom is unfired, the top is fired but not finished.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

I am lucky!

I am lucky, and I need to remember that. I sometimes get consumed by what I find overwhelming. Money, relationships, my work, my fun, kids, etc., etc. Then I hear about someone else's problems. How sad it is when people cannot appreciate the simple & good in life. The luxury of sleeping late in the morning, having a cute, warm, not fancy at all, home to live in, watching the wood pecker in my bird feeder peck away,. The faces of my children when they accomplish something, the smell of the barn when I visit the 2 nd man in my life ( son 1 st),"Hoy", I can go on & on. I think some people get so caught up in the drama they fail to see the simple things. I am lucky to have a good job in this current economy. I am lucky to have 2 healthy, smart, funny children, who are going to grow up to be wonderful adults, I am lucky to have a supportive, loving family who always make me laugh. Seeing the children in our family growing into wonderful adults, says to me we as a family, have done something right! I miss the companionship of another adult right now. It's just me & the kids. My hope is that someday I will have someone to share my life with & grow old with, but who will not suffocate who I am. I want to grow as an artist and try to do something artistic everyday. I do not want to fight or compete with anyone. I just want to live my life to the fullest. I am the type of person who would never hurt anyone intentionally. I think if people would stop running full throttle and slow down and look around them, they too would feel lucky.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Blah!



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Is it the grey days and snow covered landscape? Is it because I feel like staying warm and hibernating? I have no motivation! I get up each morning and make a plan in my head and then........I can't seem to get moving. Of course, this then leads me to feel guilty and I will feel bad about my actions. I normally like the outdoors and fresh air but for whatever reason...I just want to stay hunkered down inside wrapped in a blanket. I was going to clean the office/studio today. It is the same as when I moved in 4 months ago. I sat down at this computer to check my e mail, banking, etc. & all my motivation went out the window. I am going to post a picture of my mess and maybe that will give me some motivation to get the job done so the whole world does not think I'm a slob. Besides, I need a clean palette to start working. I want to work on my PMC jewelry. I have some great ideas and need to get them out and not just whirling around my head. I hate wasting time. I get so little free time, then when I have it I don't do anything. Aaaargggghhhh!!! It drives me crazy