Sincere Thanks

I would like to mention at this point in my art journal blog, how much I appreciate all of the help that I get from my husband Frank. Many of the pieces I have made require drilling, sawing, nailing, and other things that I am not confident doing. Frank is always happy to share his skills and help me with these tasks. Thank you Frank for your constant support, encouragement and the freedom to pursue my passion. Frank built this wardrobe for our youngest granddaughter, for her doll clothes. I painted it.

Completed Projects

Like many artists, I have numerous projects in various stages of “undone”. My goal, during this winter season while we are stuck indoors for longer periods of time, is to complete ALL of these projects. Some were started several years ago, some are older than that, and some newer. In addition, I am working on new ideas and paintings. I want to take these projects from sitting around looking like junk/stuff – to a finished piece of art. I am simultaneously working on 6-7 projects at a time. (You should see the mess, in four different places) I will begin placing them in my Art Journal as they are completed, photographed, and the text is written. Here are the first pieces I have finished.

More Halloween Boxes

When my friend and fellow artist Debbie Garrity introduced me to these – I call them Halloween Boxes, for lack of a better title – I went a little crazy. I love miniatures, and I love to make things. The only reason I go into a Salvation Army store is to purchase things that I can alter. It’s very difficult to pass up a good deal on one of these little, old jewelry boxes. They are perfect for Halloween Boxes. I always do a painting on the back, which I think/hope make mine more unique.

This Halloween box took a lot of time. It has a lot of detail, and a lot of it is hand made.

I loved this jewelry box when I found it. It was black, so I painted over it with a Red Oxide, and love that the black shows through. I really enjoy making these Halloween Boxes, but someone needs to make me stop. Help, I need an intervention.

With each Halloween Box, I try to push myself and come up with different looks, using different colors, embellishment, and finishing details; to make each one unique. I love using my creativity to make miniature things out of other objects.

A Few Original Designs

Had these wings made many years ago, and I’m trying to use up supplies that I have. Because of the hardware I used to attach the arms and legs, I thought that they have a “steam punk” kind of look” – hence the title.

Painted this canvas many years ago, then got this idea – Oh, I don’t know where. One of those projects that just kind of created it self as I went along. Thinking about getting in a show in Mexican Town this year in the fall, this kind of thing might go over real big.

More Altered Art

Found this neat old press at a garage sale for $2, I knew right away what I was going to do with it. I had to make the paper mache head in two pieces on a form, then put them together, a time consuming project. It took me weeks to find all of the words in the newspaper.

Found this small, old mantel clock, took it apart, and reassembled it as this. I just love nests, birds, eggs – nature.

This has been in the making for several years. So pleased to finish it. I often start out with and idea in mind, but the piece begins to create it self. I’m not always sure what will happen.

Interactive Art

I’ve looked all over to find the name of this project. I was inspired by my granddaughter Brittany. She learned to make them at school, and made one on an Artist Trading Card. I call it Interactive Art because as you move around it, it changes. Straight on you see the different strips of color; but move to the left or right and you see one color or the other. I will be making more of these, different sizes/colors. It’s a little time consuming the construct the base that the art is attached to, but the effect is well worth the effort.

Another interactive art piece, not as dynamic at the one I did in purple/orange, the contrast makes all the difference. But, this one was quite time consuming as it is the largest one I’ve made so far, it is approximately 20”x20”. I spent a lot of time constructing the base that the art is attached to.

Corn Stalks

This painting was done in the fall of 2011, but I hadn’t painted the bottom of the canvas or signed it. While I had several photos of corn stalks in a field, most of it was out of my head.
I often find inspiration during the season we are in at the time. Next fall I would love to find a corn field and sit outdoors and paint. Painted with oils.

Golden Rose

Painted this pretty little rose and placed it in a canvas that I cut out
and painted to look like a frame. Frame and rose both acrylic.