Artwork Adventures

I thought that it was about time for me to share with you, my loyal blog readers, some of my recent artwork.  The jewellry making supplies have been set aside for now, the knitting needles lay unused in a drawer, and the inkle loom has been idol.

My art form of choice recently has been artist trading cards. I found a new group that strictly trades these little works of art. No random discussion, no confrontation, just trading. And it is a very active group, so I have a binder almost full of artwork from around the globe.

I've been experimenting with a variety of different techniques, styles and materials with varying levels of success. Even the not-so-successful efforts have taught me some important lessons, so it's all good. Here I go with a sample gallery of my recent work, along with simple explanations of the process.

I did a series of these owls for the trading group. The backgrounds are made with hexagons punched from security envelopes, the kind that you get cheques in. The accounting department at work has been saving me all the incoming envelopes and not only have I acquired a lot of used postage stamps, I've utilized some of the interesting patterned paper too.

Vintage photos seem to be quite popular with the artists making cards, so I have taken advantage of some of the old family photos that I have been scanning for my ongoing genealogy project. I simply reduce them in size and print them off for use in my creations.

Acrylic craft paint from the dollar store has been one of my favourite mediums for creating interesting backgrounds. I apply it with brushes, sponges or spray bottles and have used various stencils and tools to create one of a kind backdrops for my cards. Google has been my friend when looking for quotes and sayings to add to my cards.

I have collected a number of paper punches of various sizes and shapes and often use the punched out shapes to embellish my cards. I've printed images, such as this little monster, and fussy cut them to apply to my ATCs. I try to pick images that are not too detailed, they can be a pain in the neck to cut out.

And speaking of used postage stamps, they too have been utilized for my artistic endeavours. My postage stamp mandalas have proven to be quite popular with the trading group.

I have a variety of patterned scrapbook papers that I cut or rip, along with old book pages and magazines that I've used to create unique backgrounds for my work. This one pictured above was done on a piece of 8.5" X 11" card stock, then cut down into ATC size pieces (2.5" X 3") and embellished like the one below.

A printed phrase, punched out star and an acrylic stick-on gem was all this needed to complete it.

A friend and fellow ATC artist provided me with the die-cut windows to create a series of these cards using old Christmas cards as the outdoor scenes.

An old holiday greeting card was used for this one too. I scanned it, then reduced it in size and printed it for this series of ATCs. Mounted on card stock to frame it, with a punched out star and short phrase made these ones quick and easy to make.

I've experimented with a grunge technique using crayons and black craft paint creating a background like a scratch & win ticket. First you colour the entire surface with wax crayons. Then you cover the whole thing with black paint. Once it's dry, you take a coin and scratch away as much of the black paint as you want to get this interesting effect.

I've also used these die-cut windows to make cards that are looking to the inside, instead of the outside. Patterned scrapbook paper, along with a printed image of Mona Lisa and a phrase complete each of the cards in this series.

I've been playing around with embossing powders, rubber stamps, a heat gun and distress ink to add interest and variety to my card backgrounds.

I've even tried colouring a printed image with pencil crayons. Add a couple of punched out butterflies and letters to make the words 'BEST FRIENDS' and you are done!

That brings me to yesterday when I got the bright idea that aluminum foil, something we all have in our kitchens, might be a fun collage element on my ATCs. I was able to achieve a cool textured look by crinkling up the foil. It was fun to experiment with but I won't likely use the aluminum foil very often. As you can see, this card uses a lot of the elements I've already mentioned...vintage photo, printed word. patterned scrapbook paper and a couple different sizes of star paper punches.

So, I've been having a lot of fun with this and the adventure will continue. *smile*

Positive and Negative Impact

On the radio this morning, I heard an interview with a teacher and former student. They were discussing how a teacher could have a long lasting, positive impact on a person’s life.

The former student, now a well known international musician and entertainer, recalled how this teacher had literally pushed him onto the stage that very first time. The boy had been very shy and lacking confidence but the teacher had recognized the immense talent of the youth.

The host of the program asked others to call in who had similar experiences where a teacher had positively impacted the direction of their lives.

While it was a very uplifting and heartwarming interview and story, it got me to thinking about the negative impact that a teacher, perhaps inadvertently, can have on a student. A former creative writing teacher of mine immediately springs to mind.

Even after all these years since high school (and I’m not about to tell you how many), her words still sting. What she said actually stopped me from pursuing the education and career that I was steering towards, journalism and/or novel writing.

Picture this if you will; a naive 16 year old girl with a head full of romantic notions and fairy tale ending. I wrote a ‘love story’ for one of my class assignments. I was quite pleased with myself and thought it was pretty good.

The teacher’s one and only comment was, “You should stick to writing about topics that you know something about.” It was like a huge slap in the face! There was no constructive criticism offered on how to do better next time, no encouragement to try again.

I never took a creative writing course again and did not move forward with the continuing education that I had planned to. And for many years, I did not write ANYTHING, ever, stymied by the thoughtless comment of one person.

To be honest, this teacher probably does not even realize what affect her words had on me. I just hope that she did not dash the dreams and aspirations of any others along the way.

It's only in the last few years that I have rediscovered my love for writing. At this point in my life though, will it take me anywhere? I'm not sure, we'll have to wait and see. 

People Come, People Go

Throughout the course of our lives, a large number of people come into our lives. Some stay for a long time and others do not but each one of them has an impact on our life, either positive or negative.

And that influence might be transformative, full of joy or sorrow, teachable moments and enlightenment. It might be a single kindness from a stranger or a few words from a friend that changes the course of our lives forever.

What circumstances bring all these people to us? The first, and most obvious ones, our family, our school mates, our neighbours and our teachers. As we grow older, it's our co-workers, service providers (hair dresser, mechanic, bus driver, waitress) and those met by chance at places like the coffee shop or grocery store.

Some people we choose to spend time with, while others are thrust upon us due to circumstances. Each one of them touches our lives in some way, however brief or prolonged that interaction may be. And each one helps to mold us into the person we are today, for better or for worse.

I am grateful to all those who have moved through my life. They have taught me patience and compassion, sparked creativity and interest. They have helped me explore things that I could never have imagined in my youth and taken me to places never seen before.

It's been a wild ride, full of ups and downs, bumps and potholes and forks in the road. Has it been worth it? Yes, it has. I look back with no regrets and look forward with anticipation to new adventures with old friends and those as yet unknown who will join me on my path in the future. Let's get started!

As The Year Winds Down

Typically on this day of the year (December 31st), we look back and reflect on the last twelve months and look forward to the year ahead. We all have our regrets. We remember all the good times and the bad, the people who left us forever and those we wish we had spent more time with. And we resolve to change things in the New Year.

For me, 2015 has been a year full of changes, challenges and crisis (the car accident comes to mind). My pain levels have increased and my mobility has decreased. I've been separated from people and places/events that I used to look forward to. My company, Jasper Moon, is no longer generating the extra income it was and I've been struggling to make ends meet. For the first time ever, I've actually contemplated using the local food bank.

Rudy & Minoux both passed away within 3 months
of each other. I miss them both a lot.

Being a member of the 'working poor' is not a comfortable place to be in and I am forced to do without a lot...new winter boots, haircuts, etc. Many things that I took for granted before are no longer available to me, things that many would classify as essentials. Though I have never been one to covet new clothes or shoes or handbags or fancy household accutrements, I have had to learn to 'make do' with less.

What keeps me going is the knowledge that there are many in the world who are in much worse situations, in war torn countries and refugee camps, their homes destroyed and family members killed, not knowing where their next meal is coming from or if they will even be alive to eat it. I cannot imagine living under those circumstances.

I am so grateful to have a roof over my head and food in my belly. I'm gainfully employed with a steady, though meager, income. I have drug and dental benefits from work which is a major blessing and the national health program covers my basic medical needs. I have a lot to be thankful for and I try to focus on the positive.

What will 2016 bring for me? Brighter days, smiles and giggles, love and friendship...these are a few things that I hope for. A big lottery win would be nice too, or at least a raise on my paycheque. *smile* I have no idea what the future holds for me but maintaining a positive attitude through all that happens will carry me day to day.

In closing, I hope that you and yours have happy & healthy New Year in 2016. I wish you all the best!

Dance A New Dance

I used to love dancing. I used to love going for long walks in the woods. In fact, there are a lot of things that I would still love to do, if I was able.

But I'm not.

My body is failing me; not keeping up to the active mind that I have. And certainly not keeping up with my hopes, dreams and desires; all the things I 'want' to do.

I thought we did not get 'older', but were supposed to get 'better'. That's what the commercial said, right? And what about Freedom 55? What kind of cruel joke was that on a naive and unsuspecting public? *smile*

One thing that I have learned, and finally accepted, is that older is not necessarily better. Older is definitely 'different', and sometimes different can be better. But it is always different than anticipated or imagined.

Frankly, it's not what I expected at all, nor is it how I envisioned my life would be. The dream is not playing out in reality. The movies have it all wrong. People do not always live happily ever after and maybe we're not supposed to.

Those ups and downs help us to learn and grow; expands our horizons; introduces us to new concepts; brings new people into our lives; points us down a different path.

It's time for me to learn to dance a new dance; to find creative ways to add joy to my life; to venture out in a new direction; to share my love with others; to help as I am able.

So, come along and dance a new dance with me. We'll have a blast!