A new atc for Danny, "Life In The City". Pastel on cold-pressed watercolor paper. 

"Manhattan" 

"On Angel's Wings" 

A new abstract ATC series: "Don't Fence Me In"... this one going to Elle! Acrylic and ink on canvas card/paper. 

I created this acrylic abstract ATC for a new artist friend down in South Florida, who just has to be the nicest and fun sounding person I've had the chance to email. She makes gorgeous painted atc's... sings... plays music in her own string band... WOW. Well, I had to make something fun and upbeat for our trade, so I created "Bumblebee Boogie". I'm just waiting for the paint to dry, so I can let it fly away to Elle in tomorrow's postal run. She's sending me "Hot Tomatoes". I can't wait to see it. 

Okay, so it's not THAT cold down here in Florida, but my husband wrapping a bath towel around his neck for warmth while taking the dog out for his evening walk was my motivation for getting a "manly" scarf started. I haven't tried knitting in years, and it took me 20 minutes to decipher the instructions on how to cast on the dang stitches. At my rate of speed, the scarf won't be ready until next Florida Winter. I really need to get back to my painting projects.  

I found this great paint bottle spinner rack at Michaels---it came into my life just at the right moment. I desperately needed to organize the space on my work desk before I lost my mind. I use these inexpensive craft paints to prep my pages in my composition art journal. This nifty rack spins too--giving me something to goof with when I'm stuck in creative la-la-land. 

Here's a photo of my art desk that's been altered. It was taken with my cheap Vivitar camera ($19.95--Walmart)---then altered using the colored pencil filter in Microsoft's Picture-It. I need to stop playing and go back to work on some of these art projects that are due. ;) 

I got a little carried away with the glazing technique! This Artist Trading Card has about six color layers and a textured gesso base. I added the line work with black acrylic ink when it was dry. 

I recently created a small Yahoo group for artists that wanted to explore traditional art media and trade hand-drawn or painted Artist Trading Cards. We currently have an abstract swap underway, and I became obsessed with this means of expression. I signed up for six partners, and I look forward to receiving the surprise creations in the mail. Abstract ATC Project. Title: Confetti Celebration 

Abstract ATC project. Title: "Kite Dreams" 

Abstract ATC project. Title: "Still Unfolding" 

Abstract ATC project. Title: "Top Of The World". 

This morning I worked on preparing my Italy collages for the ATC World "Around the World" swap for January. I enjoyed creating the layered background in Photoshop combining the Leaning Tower of Pisa and a map of Italy. I collected additional images and hand cut these, adding them as collaged elements. This will be a 10 for 9 swap, and I should get back cards representing other countries. Fun! 

Another miniature watercolor. 3 x 3 inches on Arches cold press watercolor paper. 

I worked on some miniature paintings today. This one is a small watercolor of colorful pansies. 

Here is a start on my composition journal cover. I will probably stamp some title or cut out words to embellish it more. I loved the way the acrylic glazes worked here to give it depth. Here are the colors I used in order over a gesso base: Pumpkin Spice (orangey), Forest Green, Holiday Red (bright), and finally some School Bus Yellow. These were all cheapie acrylic bottles from Michaels. I can't wait to do the back now. :) 

I journaled about our recent trip to Tampa where our daughter participated in All-State Orchestra. She auditioned when we arrived and made concertmaster (1st chair). We are so proud of her. I still have more pages to write about the trip. For some of the artwork, I selected photos of windows that I took in St. Augustine, Florida.

All State Concert #2 

All State Concert #3 

This was a page I did for a watercolor deco. I used Arches pure cotton watercolor paper and professional quality Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors over a sketch done with a Pilot Uniball micro pen. 

I worked on some decos today for a swap that will be mailed this month. This was a beautiful booklet with a beeswax collaged element on the front and beads threaded on wire. I used chalk pastels for the shading and did a relaxed calligraphy with an italic dip pen nib.  

I have been busy with art this week. It feels great. I finished some blue atc's for our Blue Gluecard swap. I have three others waiting to have last minute glue bits added---back to the junk bin and magazine pile for me!

For the January Postcard Exchange, I felt like designing in the abstract. I loved the bright, cheery colors of these acrylic paints. Each hand-painted card will be sent through the mail as a postcard---hope the postal clerks have sunglasses handy. LOL 

I was feeling experimental the other day, and hubby had to use my computer to post to his own sports blog, so I grabbed my crayons and tried a "frottage" (to rub) project. I had a blast finding textures around the house.