tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62614881886211982712024-03-13T05:14:38.634-07:00Unusual Girl StudiosC.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.comBlogger254125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-41387512009930365672014-09-09T05:30:00.001-07:002014-09-09T05:33:54.256-07:00Just a peekI have been up to a lot of differnet things....yep...a lot of different things. I might be busy with the not so new job that took over my life and swallowed me whole but art.....art is like oxygen and it sneaks in to my life through any crack or crevice it can find.<br />
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I have decided that art does not have cumilate in a perfect peice of art and that "craft" is not a dirty word and not evey idea that I expound on has to originate in my pea brain and that....donggone it....I need to have more FUN!!!!!<br />
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So- I made a mask for a friend. Now, this may have been a slight regression, because it was to be a mask to obliterate all masks that have come before it. Friend said- "Will you help me make a mask for my husband's work party?" "Sure." I said. "Let's work on it at work because I am kinda busy on the weekends." "Great!" she said. "I just want a little help because it's a contest." 380 degree turn of the head. "Whoa, back up the train...did you say contest? Do you mind if I just take all this stuff home?"<br />
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And then I may have added a few things to it. And when it was done....I put a bird on it. And that's why they won the contest- because I put a bird on it- it's a sure thing.<br />
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I also made this sign for the Lone Willow Riding and Rescue. I think it is super cute. I had to glue on the horse shoe because my lettering was way off balance and leaning to the left. I tried not to sweat it and just embrace the imperfection but unbalanced???? Yeah, I am just not that zen.<br />
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I might be remodeling the Lone Willow barn with the help of Pinterest using wooden pallets. I call it "therapy". The owner of the barn thinks I am nuts but has decided my therapy is working out well for her. Below is my wellnes station. Can you guess what is in the vintage lunch box???</div>
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This is the fam at the orchard which has become an annual destination for us. The two tall guys on the right are Cousin Bobby and Cousin Jerry. Why do we feel the need to add the descriptor before their name? I don't know but we always have and probably always will.</div>
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Here is Bobby showing his softer side.</div>
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This is Jerry after I coached him to find his inner child.</div>
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This is Bobby falling prey to the call of his phone while smashed into a 50 gallon drum painted like a cow. Yes- we did take the ride.</div>
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Ok, that's it for now...Hope you are all well and enjoying this beautiful fall.</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-20616382071966816242014-01-05T17:23:00.000-08:002014-01-05T17:33:51.807-08:00I might just be the best Mom ever!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How dare I brag? Well, I think it's pretty well known that anything I say- dramatically- which is how I say most everything- has to be taken with a grain of salt. Or, feel free to just pour that white substance right on your tongue. It may be necessary. </div>
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I had one of those ideas. You know, the kind you do because your child must have the best of everything except that your wallet doesn't support that concept. The kind of idea that takes months to execute and way-ay-ay too much money.</div>
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I decided I would make Brooke a horse ranch. All I needed was a 4x8 sheet of plywood. I poured bottles and bottles of white glue all over it and pressed in sand to make "dirt". (Who, besides me, tries to make dirt?) I colored it up with spritzes of paints. Then....well........</div>
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Well, there had to be a mountain for the horses to climb. Every path must go somewhere, right?</div>
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Only this mountain has a secret cave where wild mustangs hide out.</div>
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This mountain is made out of chicken wire, paper mache, paper clay, real clay...ya know- everything I could get my hands on. The rocks are made from that expanding spray foam insulation. </div>
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And every horse ranch has a stable.</div>
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This was my first effort at barn raising. I used the stock sizes of balsa wood an thin plywood that I could readily purchase at my local craft store. Most of the decisions made were based on what was available in precut sizes. </div>
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I have to say I am amazed it turned out. I also have to say- I am glad it is done! So is the Brookster. She would have been happy with a cardboard box and sign that said "Horses" written in sharpie marker! (Oh, and the wallpaper on the ceiling? Good ole' scrap booking paper!)<br />
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What is this? </div>
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It is the beginning of an idea. A spark. An inspiration. A wiggly, itchy germ of an idea. Its also a handmade bead that I purchased at a beading show that came to town. I was told it was hand blown glass from India. I told them it was part of a future sculpture. </div>
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Stay tuned for that one as life permits.</div>
<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-49326241824528065192013-06-16T18:56:00.000-07:002013-06-16T19:04:57.345-07:00Come! Take a peek!She's done. Finnito! Pardon my one zillion pictures but I am trying to decide which to submit.<br />
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I will be submitting her to ADQ for consideration of publishing. Are there any among these pictures you like better than others???</div>
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And lighting is always an issue. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIwSy_yktmw/Ub5rSHZdnDI/AAAAAAAACnY/A0eKCCe9-Sk/s1600/She+waits+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIwSy_yktmw/Ub5rSHZdnDI/AAAAAAAACnY/A0eKCCe9-Sk/s640/She+waits+4.JPG" width="422" /></a>And the backdrop...well, I just couldn't get that one wrinkle to iron out.</div>
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But she's done...</div>
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What do you think?</div>
<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-79705426453663026132013-05-07T18:19:00.000-07:002013-05-07T18:19:25.514-07:00Have you ever felt like ripping someone's head off?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I did! And I did just that. Poor Amy! Poor Headless Amy!</div>
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You see...I never really liked the end result of my first attempt. I liked the idea....I thought she would need some help navigating and a compass would certainly do that. But for all my shopping I could not find the right size. And it all looked a little...contrived...aye yie yie...the worst criticism other than "it's cute". Those flowers had to go....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-LjTX9UO-s/Twu4QoRq3oI/AAAAAAAABkg/DDHZJLge8Lo/s1600/IMG_4982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-LjTX9UO-s/Twu4QoRq3oI/AAAAAAAABkg/DDHZJLge8Lo/s400/IMG_4982.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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So one day I was walking by her and I said "That's it! YOUR head is TOO SMALL! It's coming off!" and I ripped it off.</div>
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This proportion is so much better, this timepiece found at an antique store. I love the patina of the brass. I did reuse the brass piece that says "Clover" I don't think you can see it but it is there. I had to do a little repair work to her neck and shoulders so I added some blackish paint.</div>
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The 7 Cent can opener and base are still way too cool.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63cxfvPZDqU/UYmnrZRxvcI/AAAAAAAACmE/8PIBh9D02iE/s1600/IMG_5561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63cxfvPZDqU/UYmnrZRxvcI/AAAAAAAACmE/8PIBh9D02iE/s400/IMG_5561.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and Headless Amy still has a zipper foot...I like her. I feel like her. Yes, done!</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-87063674675653363582013-04-25T17:54:00.000-07:002013-04-25T17:59:51.360-07:00Dead Bride Makes Comeback!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Or something like that. I like to start my posts with a catchy title. Shock effect...me and that radio guy with the long black hair...we like to use the old shock effect technique! </div>
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So this is the haunted War Bride sculpture I was making for the ADQ Bride challenge. She was coming along nicely and then...life got in the way. Big, hairy, unforgiving life...sigh.... <br />
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But truth be told I had a little creative block going on, as well. I couldn't mesh her story line and a backdrop. She sat on that trunk and just stared at me. I started to make little suitcases to add in there but it seemed really forced. And, really hard. I didn't want to make suitcases. Just plain didn't want to. And I made the base look like wood planks and that wasn't working because I felt like she was waiting for someone to come to her...she would be on shore..on pavement or brick or such. I couldn't wrap my head around it.</div>
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But most of all I felt like it looked a little too much like the background I did for Sara Crewe not very long ago. I think that was it. That was really the sticking point. So here's a new take. She's a girl...sitting on a garden wall.....waiting for her lover to come to her...</div>
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She's still pretty greyish and I love that about her so...I don't know...is she a ghost? Maybe. Do I just do a greyish theme? I dunno. We'll have to see. Hey! Do you like the back drop? New comforter I scored on clearance for $50.00! Best of all- same color as the doggie who likes to sleep on top of it! </div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-42969832922734319632013-02-24T13:13:00.000-08:002013-04-25T17:58:20.634-07:00Sharing the 9 to 5.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wonder why I disappeared? I really didn't. I'm here. I pop in to visit once in awhile. But, alas, the real world has taken over. If you want to be taken seriously you have to put in the time. And I do want to be taken seriously as a designer- as long as I don't have to be too serious all of the time. </div>
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Below is a little bit of what I do. This is a bathroom I drafted up. First I did an elevation that I can order from. It tells the mechanical story- what sizes, which style of cabinet and how I want them installed. This drawing is first a selling tool and then becomes a communication drawing. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KkqVMWfa2w/USp3ZRDvBWI/AAAAAAAACkM/A73vbXM0vsU/s1600/Mills+shared+Bath+Elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KkqVMWfa2w/USp3ZRDvBWI/AAAAAAAACkM/A73vbXM0vsU/s400/Mills+shared+Bath+Elevation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But that drawing in itself did not tell enough of the story. In order to sell my concept I have drawn another type of drawing- a perspective. Its not the best perspective out there in the world. It doesn't have to be. It just has to get the idea across. This one, however, could not help itself but to turn out really cute! Its the little boudoir chairs that do it.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNIllcCFIns/USp322FgQLI/AAAAAAAACkU/n88-o44L0oA/s1600/Mills+shared+bath+perspective.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNIllcCFIns/USp322FgQLI/AAAAAAAACkU/n88-o44L0oA/s400/Mills+shared+bath+perspective.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The reason behind this design is budget. We had a nine foot run and I really didn't want to fill it with cabinets- that would be a budget buster for sure. However as this is a shared bath- who wouldn't want to use every little bit of counter space available? These girls are young so there is plenty of time for squabbles over the years. I like to think that each of them having their own designated space will prevent a few? </div>
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Now, lately, I don't do a lot of drawing. I am learning how to bid on a large scale. And I bid a lot. I'm bidding anywhere from one to three projects a week. I receive a set of plans via e-mail. I forward them on to my estimator. I print a set for myself and then mark them all up with what floorings I want where and what prices to budget them at. That part is interesting- especially as I knew nothing about budgets and how to set them. Now I am working on setting up an entry level, a mid level and a higher end budget. </div>
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If the company gets the job then they will send in the client and I will spend hours with them while they select their finishes. Sometimes there is another designer present. Sometimes not. Its never the same and its always challenging.</div>
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So what do you think? Drafting isn't really art. Its a technical skill. But I love it just the same. </div>
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Take care- I'll be back!</div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-74274153611392784162013-02-17T14:16:00.000-08:002013-02-17T14:16:00.890-08:00There are always exceptions....<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gal pal, Chinamommy and I were talking about how good parents let their children fail.</div>
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That's right. You don't learn a lot if you don't ever encounter challenge. And those that are afraid to fail never really challenge themselves to exceed expectations. Yep. Makes sense to us, right? But not when it comes to art class.</div>
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Case in point. This is a Valentine box. Kayla's class was challenged with the task of creating a 'creative' container to hold their Valentines. "What are we going to do?" She asked. "I don't know what YOU are going to do but you better get on it!" I said. Days went by. "Why don't you tell me some of your ideas." I said. They were insane. Huge ideas with no concrete plan. "And do you have some ribbon?" she asked. "And do you have feathers?" "Can we go buy some?" "No, I don't have time to take you to buy things and I am not spending ANY MORE money on you until we go shopping for a prom dress. I am not made of money and I am not the Bank of America. So you had better figure out how YOU are going to do this project." </div>
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Blank stare.</div>
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That's it. I am the meanest, smallest person in the world. Plus, ideas are popping into my head. I fold. But I shush my ideas and at least say "Draw me what you are thinking." (A concept- right? Educational- right?)</div>
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Well, strangely enough this was the second thing she drew me. We can do this. I can show her how to do paper mache. If I can restrain myself, I can even have her do the bulk of the work. This will make both of us grow.</div>
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It started out to be paper mache that she would paint and then cover (or goop up) with all kinds of ribbon and feathers and jewels. You get the idea. </div>
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I got out some chicken wire. Everyone has chicken wire hanging around, right? I showed her how to push and pull on it to shape it. Then I let her take over and make the shape. It was hard. She didn't do it right. Ok, she didn't do it my way...but I let that go. By letting go I mean that I showed her a barbie doll and said- copy this- and then I left for a few minutes. Man, it is hard to separate oneself from someone else's art and still .instruct. Then I showed her how to mix flour in with white glue and we started draping paper towels over the frame. This was so much easier for me as there really is no right or wrong way about that part- just drape it on the frame and let it dry.</div>
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The next day it was dry and she was pretty geeked about it. So we moved on to the paper mache portion. I showed her how to mix it- trickier than it may sound- when I was new to paper mache it took me a few times and some calls to Chinamommy to get the consistency right. "It says it should be the consistency of toothpaste. Is that how you do it?" I would ask. "No, more like oatmeal." She would say. "And its ok if your oatmeal has fruit and raisens in it. Just keep working it until they go away." Then we would discuss oatmeal vs. Malt O Meal and which one our Mothers made us eat..which would lead to questions like "Hey- remember Tang? That was good stuff!"</div>
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We actually did a pretty good job of working together. I showed her how to glop on the mache and smooth it out and smooth it out and smooth it out. We discussed how big the boobs should be which was funny. </div>
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'Mom! You are making them too big!" "Hardly," I said, "hardly. Wait till we make the butt cheeks and they won't seem so big." </div>
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Then we left it to dry. Three days later it was still not dry and it became obvious we would not have time to paint it. I explained to Kayla that the paint would trap moisture in the paper and eventually it would mold. Black, deadly, killer of small children everywhere mold. Our only choice to make the deadline was to ......DECOUPAGE it!!!!! Yay!!! I tell ya...when you are as busy as I am and you long to make art but you know you don't have time to go to the really nice restaurant you only have time to go through the drive thru....decoupage will satisfy the hunger.</div>
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And Kayla really did do most of the decoupage herself. Now, that's not to say I didn't touch up a few areas when her head was turned. I did glue on the tulle because smart mom's don't let their kids use hot glue guns. (Falls under the category of gun control and gun safety even if it doesn't use bullets.)</div>
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And don't you think that the first question out of my mouth wasn't "Did you win?" because you would be wrong- it was. Turns out the third graders voted it 'Most colorful". I'll take it- any kind of a win is a win.</div>
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Well, so much for letting your kid learn the lesson of failing. I'm sure there will be other chances for her- like algebra and physics. I'm learning to say "Ask your Father, he's smarter at math than me." That works, believe it or not because what man wants to admit he's really not that smart? And after that we can always rely on Google. YOU can Google anything....amazing, but true.</div>
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Ok, folks- still no dollmaking going on here, but I do have some ideas popping in from time to time. And in the mean time.. getting a little art therapy in the form of glue, tissue paper, napkins and markers. Can't complain about that! </div>
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C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-11880413158419763922013-01-20T12:01:00.001-08:002013-01-21T17:11:33.940-08:00My friend made this....My friend Kristi, from Cheeky Green Designs made this. <br />
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It's made from repurposed sweaters that have been cut and serged together!<br />
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And I love how carefree her pose is in this shot! I'm a little jealous and wish I had one!<br />
Great job, Kristi! Now, go make another! (I like green, just sayin')C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-67924936441857592642013-01-06T16:56:00.001-08:002013-01-06T16:56:13.962-08:00I'm trying a new art technique!!!!<u><br /></u>
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NO I am NOT! Ha! Fooled you!</h4>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">This is a drawing Kayla brought home. I found it while I was cleaning out her school bag. See, once in awhile I don my HASMAT suit and shake out her duffel bag. Today this fell out. I lifted the visor of my helmet and yelled for her. </span></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"What is this?" I said incredulously "Tell me about it!" </span></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"> "I DID NOT STEAL IT!" She yelled at me. </span></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">I gave her the look. "I did not mean that! Did you do this?" </span></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"Uh, yeah..." </span></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"It's awesome! Did you do it in art class?" </span></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"Uh, no....I did it at Mackenzie's." (You can tell there is a lack of trust between us- she still thinks I am trying to catch in the act...of something.) </span></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"Cousin Mackenzie's?? last night?" Again with the 'yeah....' like I've lost it and gone crazier than normal.</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"Well, why did you you use dark paper?"</span></a><span style="clear: left; color: black; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"It was all she had."</span></a><span style="clear: left; color: black; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"Well how did you know to use that color to make her skin?</span></a><span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; color: black; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></span>"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">I just thought it would work."</a></span></span><span style="clear: left; color: black; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"Well, what made you think to put stars by her lips?"</span></a></span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"I thought it would be cool. Do you like it?"</span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"No, I love it. Any reason you gave her blue and yellow hair?</span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"I thought it was pretty. Do you?" "Are you kidding? Its great! I even like that one eye is bigger than the other! (I might have been testing her a little, there.) "Yeah, me too." She said walking away.</span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">"How dare you walk away from me when I am critiquing the best piece of naturally occurring art I've seen in months???" I yelled. Ok, no I really didn't yell that.</span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">Do you ever get the feeling that as grown up artists we might be trying a little too hard? I mean really! Look at those lips! I can't DO THAT! I'd have to work for hours to make it look like that! I'd have to have a concept sketch! I'd have to have a reason behind the two different size eyes! The hair would have to symbolize SOMETHING!!!!</span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUxdsuBGlbY/UOodIGWOFeI/AAAAAAAACiU/WK5M7NIis9c/s1600/headache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUxdsuBGlbY/UOodIGWOFeI/AAAAAAAACiU/WK5M7NIis9c/s320/headache.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTpuEkjmdg4/UOoTaa-Ed-I/AAAAAAAAChw/4FgJ5K5aXcg/s1600/cola+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><br />(You know what causes us to lose our inner child artist? Children. And their stinky laundry. And their temperatures when they whine.."Mommy, my head hurts!" Yeah, its their fault...)</span></a>C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-14808880466448835292013-01-01T16:52:00.001-08:002013-01-01T16:59:40.439-08:00Hey there! I'm stopping in to visit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, someone said "just publish when you can..." and here I am! Its been a few months of hard work and not a lot of art! Work has been challenging and I do love a challenge! Crazy as it may seem- just a few months after I started this new job and opportunity came up to manage a builder account. The designer who held the account was retiring and they asked me to think about taking it over. "Think it over? Done. I'm in." So at one point I was working my regular responsibilities, training and teaching. When will I ever learn? Probably never. I figured out a long time ago not to say no to opportunity. And- who needs to relax and just breathe anyways? </div>
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So these cute little boxes are the only thing I've done since I last posted. Totally missed the challenge date for ADQ's bride challenge and I am very sad about that. But...it is what it is- she is still waiting for me.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIzEoAi8niY/UONqj7WmeiI/AAAAAAAAChE/iunTKgP5f4s/s1600/decoupage+boxes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIzEoAi8niY/UONqj7WmeiI/AAAAAAAAChE/iunTKgP5f4s/s400/decoupage+boxes2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Remember those blue jewelry boxes I made for the girls? These are the same heart shaped paper boxes from Hobby Lobby. They are for some friends of my girls who kinda feel like they should just be part of our family. Once, when we asked if Star could come over for a playdate, we were asked in return- could her older sister come too? I was a little taken aback because I think we all know that children in multitudes scare me. Was I ever glad I said yes. The older sister was so quiet and well mannered. Now they always come as a pair- that's how we want it!</div>
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I'm telling you, folks, if you ever want a no stress project this is it! Its decoupage. How easy is it to tear up peices of paper and glue them on to a surface? Just don't put any rules on this project- it all works. I used some pretty wrapping paper that I have from a dollar store, a pretty printed napkin and tissue paper. Any knob will do but you will probably have to use a shorter screw as you are not going through a wooden door.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Jy9tbZPOc8/UONqU-Jz1dI/AAAAAAAACgc/KOTssUQpU-k/s1600/decoupage+boxes+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Jy9tbZPOc8/UONqU-Jz1dI/AAAAAAAACgc/KOTssUQpU-k/s400/decoupage+boxes+bird.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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See the yellow bird? From the printed napkin! See the girl? That's Janaya. I took a photo of her into a program that let me play around with the color. Then I did the ole transfer technique wherein I coated the top with gesso, let it dry and then rubbed the paper off the back. Its somewhat sheer and lets background color come through plus just not as thick on the surface of the project. I tore the edges of everything I used vs. cutting because I think this looks nicer and is also thinner on the surface.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTgewyIRhX4/UONqX-YYvAI/AAAAAAAACgk/PzlLRryUcfU/s1600/decoupage+boxes+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTgewyIRhX4/UONqX-YYvAI/AAAAAAAACgk/PzlLRryUcfU/s400/decoupage+boxes+close+up.jpg" width="400" /></a>This is Star's box. Hence a quick shopping trip for tissue paper with stars. Naturally sheer and thin, I thought the tissue paper looked fantastic. I had a little fun with her hair- hope she doesn't mind! The wrapping paper- Well, I used some marker on it, as well, to pull the black from the lettering and her hair through out the composition.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6uxZkofT6M/UONqd5CMeDI/AAAAAAAACg0/5I4MpCEXgwA/s1600/decoupage+boxes+straight+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6uxZkofT6M/UONqd5CMeDI/AAAAAAAACg0/5I4MpCEXgwA/s640/decoupage+boxes+straight+on.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lastly the lettering is plain old rub on transfers. I was not about to try to align them perfectly! I like this look better, anyhow. I top coated with one more layer of gesso and then sprayed it with a matte varnish to take the gloss down and make it less tacky. Because I am super smart...OK, I worry about every little thing....I used a candle to wax where the lid meets the box. Adding paper and gesso thickens things up and I didn't want the boxes to get wrecked by careless youngsters so I made it so the top slips on more easily. </div>
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The very last thing....fill them with things that girls like- nail polish, eye shadow, candy, etc. A pretty bow tied around that knob is all they need. Now, they just need to get delivered before...well...Valentines Day??? Hey! I'm trying!</div>
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Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year to you!</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-38102674951431562422012-11-04T16:41:00.000-08:002012-11-04T16:41:14.327-08:00She's so pretty!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm in that stage wherein I can not stop staring at this lady. She is soo pretty!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_Bvv3JuLkY/UJcIWQYbEiI/AAAAAAAACfs/Z-gQvBHylMA/s1600/war+bride+11-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_Bvv3JuLkY/UJcIWQYbEiI/AAAAAAAACfs/Z-gQvBHylMA/s320/war+bride+11-4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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If she looks a little grey around the gills- its because she's supposed to. Remember- she's a ghost. A haunted war bride.</div>
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She's waiting, trunk packed for her serviceman to arrive. But sadly he never does.</div>
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I thought I'd sew her dress on. Instead I hot glued it. Sewing and I don't mix well.<br />
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I challenged myself to use pieces and parts of some antique ladies dress gloves and believe me- I about went bonkers trying to create a dress. Everywhere there was a pretty detail or pattern there was a seam as well! </div>
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I have an embroidered hanky that will be her veil but I will show you that later. The next steps will be creating the platform that she's attached to. What will it look like? I don't have a clue! I do know that I will paint the dress white (some of these gloves were badly stained) and then wash over it with grey. I have to get her a little more ghostly looking.</div>
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Well, really, I have to get prepping for tomorrow's class. Ugh. Obligations keeping me from the tasks I want to do!!</div>
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Take care everyone!</div>
<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-41158633285756664582012-10-24T17:52:00.002-07:002012-10-24T17:52:39.769-07:00I'm so excited!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just wanted to share with you......my very first published article!</div>
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I submitted my Sara, "The Little Princess" for the Art Doll Quarterly challenge and they very kindly asked me to do an article. Of course, I said yes! (And then I called or texted everyone I knew that would even begin to care and shouted the whole story to them!)<br />
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I'm having a hard time keeping up on my blog. I'm back to working full time and teaching part time. I have another sculpture going and I can't wait to get a minute to put some paint on her- "The Haunted War Bride."<br />
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She has hair, shoes and a dress. She needs paint to make her look ghostly. A black steamer trunk and maybe just a few other details. The hardest part will be making her look ghostly! Luckily its Halloween and I should have lots of inspiration!<br />
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Hope everyone is well and busy being creative~ take care!<br />
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-79579236779634274812012-10-07T14:14:00.000-07:002012-10-07T14:55:39.665-07:00She's been gone so long...so long...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Has it really been since August 22 that I last published? I told you all that I would be away studying for a licensing exam and that I was. Every last waking moment has been spoken for. I started up my fall semester of teaching as an adjunct. I started a new job and got the girls started up in school. In the moments left between all that (I think those moments were meant for sleeping but what ever...) I studied my proverbial butt off. Only somehow it didn't get smaller- if anything it got larger. So much for the exercising I did in the months of May, June, July and August.</div>
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The exam? Brutal. I was told it was like nothing else I had ever done and that was correct. Two days- one of multiple choice exams that lasted three and a half hours each. The next day was practicum. That was two four hour sessions that were so crammed with mind boggling drafting exercises that challenged all my skills and knowledge so much that I dare not even harbor the thought of taking a break to go potty. How did I do? Well, I'm pretty sure that I did not pass all sections. There were several people in the room taking it for the second and one taking it for the third. I feel it is pretty likely that my poor time management on the first exercise led to mistakes on the following exercises that I will not recover from. By the end of that day I was shaking with nerves and exhaustion. But it was done and in 8 to 12 weeks I'll let you know the outcome!</div>
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So back to art.</div>
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Here is the war bride who actually did get a little attention from me over the last month and a half. Why is she green? I had added color to some clay that I watered down into a slip for the Matriarch. Never one to let anything go to waste I used it on war bride.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJbke0N7nVQ/UHHpUPtd3sI/AAAAAAAACd0/aLEGPMm_NgA/s1600/war+Bride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJbke0N7nVQ/UHHpUPtd3sI/AAAAAAAACd0/aLEGPMm_NgA/s640/war+Bride.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Both hands are done. I fleshed her out a bit more in many places and I no longer feel that she has man hands. Her head seems huge but some hair will help that out a bit.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHSv8sCTfSU/UHHplWRHaoI/AAAAAAAACd8/IBX9CZ_D6kw/s1600/war+bride+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHSv8sCTfSU/UHHplWRHaoI/AAAAAAAACd8/IBX9CZ_D6kw/s640/war+bride+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Her dress is crafted from a stash of white dress gloves. I've been wanting to do something with them and she is just the perfect application. Each pair of gloves are tattered and stained but have some redeeming detail that I plan to take advantage of. I'm trying really hard to keep the style of dress realistic to the 1930's/1940's period.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q11WvI_fgJI/UHHpoZcdPEI/AAAAAAAACeE/G5I3jxMZO7g/s1600/war+bride+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q11WvI_fgJI/UHHpoZcdPEI/AAAAAAAACeE/G5I3jxMZO7g/s640/war+bride+3.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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She has a name and a story which I will share with you a little later. She just gave me the full details over coffee this morning and its a long story so it will wait for now.</div>
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Mostly, I wanted to touch base with my blogger friends. I've popped in to visit your sites from time to time. You have all been busy and creative but mainly busy. </div>
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Ok, I'm off to catch up on a bit of grading. My students will expect it done and a plan of action for this week as well. If only they knew how anti- action I am feeling at this moment!</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-69765337524618549252012-08-22T13:50:00.000-07:002012-08-23T07:03:12.943-07:00Excuse me- could you pass me my clothes?I'm naked and I have man hands. <br />
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Not really sure how to follow that statement- except with the evidence!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JmefrQW7Jqg/UDU7eR2e_zI/AAAAAAAACbc/dEp9nauhxfE/s1600/IMG_5456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JmefrQW7Jqg/UDU7eR2e_zI/AAAAAAAACbc/dEp9nauhxfE/s400/IMG_5456.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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This lady is my haunted war bride in progress. Its for the ADQ Bride challenge and I have until Dec 15???? I think??? to finish her. Which considering all I have going on would seem impossible. I'm starting a new job and I am very excited about it. I'm preparing for the NCIDQ exam and am very apprehensive about it. (That's certification for interior designers and its a humdinger of a two day exam that a lot of people don't pass on their first go round.)<br />
But, I don't want to talk about those things right now. I am just popping in to show you my naked lady.<br />
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See, I have to sculpt the body even though it will be covered by a gown to get the gesture correct. By gesture, I mean the over all positioning of the figure. What I didn't count on was how therapeutic this work would be. There's so many things going on that I can't control that at the end of the night when my mind needs to rest but my hands want to be busy...well, this lady gets a foot or a hand or a thicker thigh. Strange, right?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnkIIxAI190/UDU8xyWQwHI/AAAAAAAACbk/p8pyEPFe36Q/s1600/IMG_5457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnkIIxAI190/UDU8xyWQwHI/AAAAAAAACbk/p8pyEPFe36Q/s640/IMG_5457.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I don't think it looks as bad in this picture but that's her <i>man hand</i>. In real life it looks huge! Maybe not so much when I get the rest of her bulked up more but- right now- <i>Man Hands</i>. In the last issue of ADQ there was a tutorial on how to do hands so I thought I'd try it. Actually I did do articulated hands on the Art Prize Sculpture but they were fairly easy as they were as large as mine so I had an example- right at hand, so to speak! Ahhhhhh! I'm so tired that I find my self even more hilarious than usual. Please bear with me- 'tis a busy time of year.</span></div>
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Hey- ever wonder why I never have pictures of me? Because this is what happens when I am not behind the lens. This is me and the hubs at Houghton Lake, MI on our quick little vacation. I loved Houghton Lake. We stayed at a Comfort Inn that was right on the water so this was our view out the window.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LXHgsz6KVA/UDVA3a2_E_I/AAAAAAAACdE/ZYbqFlBx7Eo/s1600/IMG_5410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LXHgsz6KVA/UDVA3a2_E_I/AAAAAAAACdE/ZYbqFlBx7Eo/s400/IMG_5410.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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It wasn't horribly expensive either! Hot during the day but cool enough for jeans at night- in August!!! That's what you get up North, though. Come September you're wearing ski pants. Well, Chinamommy would be. Yeah, who is that? She's a friend of mine that USED to blog but quit for a while. I will keep up the good fight. I like to have a place to post pics and talk about- MEEEEE!</div>
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I'm going to have to wrap this up- This is Kayla, daughter/niece who just turned eleven.</div>
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The Brookster- 9 1/2.</div>
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Pretending to be nice- because that's what I just screamed at them. Yes, it was a good time!</div>
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I HAVE to go- not that I want to but there's a ton of work awaiting me!!! Feel sorry for me- everything always happens at once in my life....I'd go on.....but....</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-86714370466840290662012-08-15T11:50:00.002-07:002012-08-15T11:50:35.299-07:00I'm a little side-tracked right now, folks! I've got some things going on and they are all good! Can't wait to share but I need just a little more time to nail the details down. BE RIGHT BACK!C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-38451708385541953752012-07-30T11:47:00.002-07:002012-07-30T11:57:54.167-07:00The Matriarch and the Maiden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I don't know what you guys were all worried about!</div>
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She turned out just fine. I gave the Matriarch an underskirt and now you can see the Maiden. There. Simple, easy, done.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMeNk0C4Xxk/UBbMbw-9RyI/AAAAAAAAB3U/2YDlPYF2kyY/s1600/The+Matriarch+and+the+maiden+full+frontal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMeNk0C4Xxk/UBbMbw-9RyI/AAAAAAAAB3U/2YDlPYF2kyY/s640/The+Matriarch+and+the+maiden+full+frontal.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
Ok, so really it was me that was in the proverbial quandry, I admit. Sometimes it gets near to the end of the project and you think you should have been done already but you know things aren't quite right. And, if you are a busy person this can be a bit frustrating. After all- I'm on to my new challenge. Haunted Bride! Do you know if you research these words on the internet there's really not much out there? I thought the internet had it all but I was dissaopointed.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjJbCDGqXXQ/UBbMweCqbJI/AAAAAAAAB3c/Coq8Dsx7wec/s1600/IMG_5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjJbCDGqXXQ/UBbMweCqbJI/AAAAAAAAB3c/Coq8Dsx7wec/s640/IMG_5279.JPG" width="352" /></a></div>
I took a bazillion pictures because I'm insane that way. Plus I wanted to try back lighting behind the fabric which the above shot shows quite clearly. Not sneaking that one past anyone. <br />
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and I should have brightened up the picture of the back for you but I'm a little lazy.</div>
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But feast your eyes on the little Maiden! Isn't she wonderful? As long as she stays up on her little hook I promise to love her unconditionally. (See what I did there- ha!)</div>
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You know how I usually have a story with the sculpture? Well, I don't. Just the title- The Matriarch and the Maiden. So how's about you make one up for me. Tell me what you think this sculpture is all about? Why is the matriarch so still? Who's really in charge here? I suspect it may just be the little person. What kind of creatures are they, anyways? Boy, you have some work to do.</div>
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She really has a lovely face. This is my first use of glass eyes and while I still am a big fan of the painted eye, for this project- the luminosity and depth was perfect.</div>
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Yes, she's done. Sigh of relief and accomplishment. I should probably clean a bathroom, or two, now. Or find a job. Or pay bills. Or develop the story of the haunted bride. She's from the 30's or 40's and was a war time bride. She was waiting for her husband to come back from over seas and thought she'd surprise him by greeting him in her bridal gown. Only he never got off the ship. Knowing deep in her heart this was a bad sign she decided to wait right there on a bench on the pier. And there she is to this day- waiting in a beautiful white gown....creepy, huh??? Well, ok, I guess the yucky bathrooms could come first.</div>
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Now- tell me what you think the story behind the Matriarch and the Maiden is! I can hardly wait!</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-43079256739341564382012-07-23T18:43:00.001-07:002012-07-23T18:43:44.030-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember how I said I was painting the girl's room a shade of turquoise that was so pretty I wanted to lick it?</div>
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Well, this is it. I don't know if it shows as well in the picture- perhaps you have to be right on top of it to fully enjoy its depth and luminosity. Maybe you do have to lick it. Just sayin'.</div>
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Accessories are the finishing touch so I had to get rid of their old jewelry boxes and came up with something new. By 'came up with' I mean 'wasted a whole Sunday on them'.</div>
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Thought I'd share with you- but be kind- I am not the queen of decoupage.</div>
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A couple of heart shaped paper mache' boxes and some glass drawer pulls and my stash of images and I was set to go. For Brooke's box I had altered photo's of the queen herself. </div>
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For Kayla's I used her drawings- the super cute blue line drawings of fashionable ladies. <br />
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This way they each had a reflection of the individual girl's personality yet they look great together. </div>
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The last touch was glitter- which really didn't mesh with the vintage-y, paper-y feel of the project but once its on...there's no getting it off so I embraced it as well- GLITTER! Because in the land of glitter MORE IS MORE! </div>
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Happy Monday, Everyone!!!</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-63718800936122138152012-07-17T07:55:00.001-07:002012-07-17T07:55:08.167-07:00You, too, can do this....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, I do believe that. And to help you along I am going to give you instructions. First off- you must have photshop and be able to open it. You must already be able to open a file in photoshop. Laugh if you want, but I had to take a class to even do that. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QMCwyoWEcLw/UAVwQz3fVII/AAAAAAAAB1M/6jMVjWYfZnU/s1600/orangeyellowgirl+with+butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QMCwyoWEcLw/UAVwQz3fVII/AAAAAAAAB1M/6jMVjWYfZnU/s640/orangeyellowgirl+with+butterfly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQsyq0XMErc/UAVv5kwBqlI/AAAAAAAAB04/8tESW5NUHwM/s1600/IMG_5209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQsyq0XMErc/UAVv5kwBqlI/AAAAAAAAB04/8tESW5NUHwM/s400/IMG_5209.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Start with an image that speaks to you. I thought this one would give some interesting contrast because of the light on the face. Open it as a new file.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mgssg9jAmxY/UAVwEnn9IXI/AAAAAAAAB1A/eB54BT1UTVI/s1600/orangeyellowgirl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mgssg9jAmxY/UAVwEnn9IXI/AAAAAAAAB1A/eB54BT1UTVI/s640/orangeyellowgirl.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then start messing around with those filter options. I like to pull down the filter gallery. In my humble opinion filters are the very best part of this program- SOOO FUN! Now, I'd like to tell you how I made the image look like this.....but I don't remember. Actually it went something like this....hmmm, yeah...this is ok...but let's try another option....Oh...COOOOL! Uh, crap! How'd that happen? (Yeah, its that kind of tutorial- did you expect anything else from me???) It may be 'bas relief'. With that filter you choose a color and it it will alter the look and color of the image. Or it may be two effects combined. If you look down to the right while the filter gallery is up on the screen you will see that Photoshop lets you combine filters, you can turn some off or even delete the filters you don't like. Its really sweet.</div>
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I started seeing this altered image as a sleeping maiden and went in that direction. I wanted to eliminate the sections that screamed modern day. The sofa, the blanket, the tank top. So I brought in those butterflies again. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eysoNrj_szY/UAV2P7IuKJI/AAAAAAAAB1g/ZoMZl2R4wuw/s1600/papillons-vintageimage-Graphics-Fairy2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eysoNrj_szY/UAV2P7IuKJI/AAAAAAAAB1g/ZoMZl2R4wuw/s400/papillons-vintageimage-Graphics-Fairy2b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a different butterfly. I have been having a lot of fun using a site called <b>The Graphics Fairy. </b> Tons of copy right free or royalty free images- vintage, mostly. I opened this as a new file and deleted away everything but the butterfly. This can take some time and there are several ways to do it. I'd love to use magnetic lasso but its tricky and gets away from me. To get the large portions out of the way quickly you can use elliptical lasso and hit delete. I do the large areas and then zoom in and get into the really tight areas. To clean it up I use the eraser and kinda roll it over the areas. I know there's better ways...I just don't know what they are. Yes, this is a stunningly professional and helpful tutorial. Once its cleaned up I selected it with the selection tool and dragged into the maiden picture. From there you can turn it in the direction you want by grabbing the corner boxes. Wait for it....I mean the two headed arrow to show up that's the one that lets you turn vs. changing the size. </div>
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I also went to the edit tab and chose "transform" which lets me distort, skew, warp, add perspective, etc. This is one you want to use- a lot. I twisted that butterfly all kinds of up and down and sideways and the image looked great no matter what I did to it! </div>
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But I needed more than one butterfly right? Well, wish I would have thought of that a little sooner. Like right after I brought the butterfly into the working file (that's what they call it- the original file- the maiden- good tutorial, right?) because I could have just duplicated the layer. Which I did, anyways, it was just kinda already twisted up but who cares- this is just practice. So on the bottom right of my screen in the box where all my layers are I clicked on that layer to make sure I was in the right one (ha, Yeah, that's crucial- know which layer you're in) and right clicked to get the duplicate layer option. From there I twisted and turned it using 'transform' in the Edit menu.</div>
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What else did I do?</div>
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There was a flower under her face. I made a new copy of this layer. Selected that flower and deleted everything else but the flower. Then I copied that layer two more times. See how there is now three flowers? </div>
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I also messed around with the properties of the flower layers- one I brightened and one I faded out the opacity so it was not as dominant. I added a directional source of light but am not sure it helped as my focal point is a little lost and the butterflies dominate a bit too much. These actions were performed in the layer box- on the right side, down to the bottom.</div>
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At the top of the layer box there are drop down menus. Opacity it to the right and all these really cool effects (not filters- effects- you won't find them in the filter menu) are located in the drop down menu to the left.</div>
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Whew. I'm going back to bed. Oh, don't forget to save the finished file as a jpeg so you can do your own stunning awesome tutorial someday. By the way- there are lots of REAL tutorials on YouTube. Nothing helps like actually seeing what's going on. The only way to learn this program is to use it- a lot. I recommend taking a class to start out....you know, so you can even begin to open a file?</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-49802959205397325362012-07-16T08:55:00.002-07:002012-07-16T08:56:25.957-07:00Pssst...I did it again...she's gonna kill me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtZsNTaONo0/UAQ2rrRxzxI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/XWpd_MWOJ4w/s1600/butterflybrooke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtZsNTaONo0/UAQ2rrRxzxI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/XWpd_MWOJ4w/s640/butterflybrooke.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My girl doesn't like it when I take pictures of her when she's sleeping. "Don't Sleep." Says woman who gave birth to her. This time, two years later, its morning time that I caught the light on her face. This is rare- me up before her...I'm a night owl and she, like her father is up with the birds. Today it must be the dream of butterflies keeping her in this slumber.</div>
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Ok, so really I'm trying to learn photoshop. Before you are too impressed this took me two hours and I haven't showered yet. On the to do list- everything! I just got the newest edition of ADQ- Art Doll Quarterly and the challenge is BRIDES. Why so excited? Because the idea of doing a haunted or forgotten bride has been hanging around the edges of my creative mind for months! So haunted- forgotten- perhaps war time bride it is!!!!!</div>
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Then there's those paintings in process...can't sell them if they never leave the basement....</div>
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But first....have to remove the black from my hair. uhhh, yeah, that's a story. For two weeks I have been doing my own personal impression of Kim Kardashian. Or Elvira would be more like it. Or Elvis. Either way- its gotta go. </div>
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I took my hair to a job interview, by the way. And I looked that woman straight in the eyes, did not back down and acted completely natural. For a 43 year old woman with Goth hair applying for a sales position, anyways. Hey, I can only control so much at one time.</div>
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And then there is the girls bedroom that I also spent two weeks painting. One week of prep time, one week of painting two shades of turquoise. Folks- if I have said it to one person, I have said it to everyone- these two colors are so yummy I could LICK them. As a designer- with a degree- I am qualified to make statements like that. I will post pictures as proof but I am way behind right now....must go....eat something and then shower...</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-81160150842711681212012-07-07T16:53:00.000-07:002012-07-07T16:53:00.499-07:00Second Commission CompletedRemember this? I sold it. And then commissioned one. Yes, a man was so saddened when he had learned that he missed his chance to buy this that his darling (and she was a sweetheart) wife contracted me to create another one.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p0IkR_f1I-g/T6skSMLDCtI/AAAAAAAABwA/zeW8-b_iP68/s1600/IMG_5147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p0IkR_f1I-g/T6skSMLDCtI/AAAAAAAABwA/zeW8-b_iP68/s400/IMG_5147.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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You know what's hard? Commissioned art. At least with a personality like mine. Will they like it as much as the one they saw? Its not the same. Not exactly the same. Will she like it as much as he did?<br />
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OMG, what if she hates it? <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eS6C1YHaWk/TRS5V8Vm6TI/AAAAAAAAAxs/Ot5qNvqnNv0/s1600/headache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eS6C1YHaWk/TRS5V8Vm6TI/AAAAAAAAAxs/Ot5qNvqnNv0/s200/headache.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
What if it doesn't go with their furniture and then she hates him for it? And every time she looks at it all she can think is 'God, how I hate that!' What IF?????? Really, I like it when people <u>just buy the one in front of them. </u> Sure, it sounds fancy to say "I've been commissioned...." But is it worth the stress? Well, farts and feathers, folks- I sweated this one. I even drove over to the new home of the first painting and held them side by side.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rZM00lIYZA/T_I0UN1D_LI/AAAAAAAABzU/9ObF3PJpbtQ/s1600/August+Glow+commission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rZM00lIYZA/T_I0UN1D_LI/AAAAAAAABzU/9ObF3PJpbtQ/s640/August+Glow+commission.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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But in the end, I think the second one was better and I delivered to said client to give as a gift to her significant other and hopefully..........I may never know...Why? Why doesn't the client call and let me off the hook???Why I ask you?<br />
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-36513175537456418372012-07-02T16:39:00.000-07:002012-07-02T16:39:16.970-07:00Stuck.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You haven't seen this one in awhile! I deviated away from my general course and just came back round to her. I think her name is The Matriarch. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAHiVGcS7g0/T_IVhkGn37I/AAAAAAAAByo/RLItqWW3TY8/s1600/IMG_5204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAHiVGcS7g0/T_IVhkGn37I/AAAAAAAAByo/RLItqWW3TY8/s640/IMG_5204.JPG" width="425" /> </a></div>
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I looked on my blogger profile and it said I hadn't posted since June 14th! Well, all I can say is that things are not normal around here. I am not used to being home and do not know how to structure my time. I'm like this at the 'all you can eat' buffet. I take a little bit of everything that looks good, in no particular order and in the end I have way too much to eat- can't get to it all. That's my life right now. The plate is still overly full- just with different stuff.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91okMPpSxsQ/T_IVnvRYSNI/AAAAAAAAByw/x1Eik0NXMwY/s1600/IMG_5205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91okMPpSxsQ/T_IVnvRYSNI/AAAAAAAAByw/x1Eik0NXMwY/s640/IMG_5205.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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I thought I could organize myself to share this little bit with you. Sometimes I am happy with her progress, sometimes not. Its my first creature and as I really didn't follow a predetermined design concept- well, its been a wandering path to say the least. I did not know she would be so costumed. That kinda happened last night around midnight. And, who knows, it may all be ripped off tonight at midnight. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg058OQxxdM/T_Ipu21PjCI/AAAAAAAABzE/h0Trih41i7g/s1600/The+Matriarch+WIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg058OQxxdM/T_Ipu21PjCI/AAAAAAAABzE/h0Trih41i7g/s640/The+Matriarch+WIP.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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See- there's a problem. As much as I like the gold skirts- they block the light. Without the light its really hard to see the tiny little butterfly fairy in the belly. Not only is that visually distressing its just plain distressing because I went through something like reverse child birth to get her in there. </div>
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I thought and thought before I even attempted it. How would I attach her? She'd have to hang. How in the hell would I get a hanger in there- in the right place, of the right length and how would it stay attached? Then how would I get her up in there on a hanger and make her stay? This is why you haven't seen much of her....I've been devising ways to get this delicate surgery done and done right. </div>
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My first attempt included wiring her upside down to two chair backs (back to back, each had a back rail that I could wire to) and dripping glue down a straw. There was way too much glue. I had decided to try to make things simpler by attaching the hook directly to Madame Butterfly and lowering her into the glue. Then the plan was to leave her there until everything was dry and then flip her over to a successful end. Not so much. I thought everything was ruined. There was glue all over everything especially Mme. Butterfly who got soaked. For sure she was ruined! I WAS SO MAD!!!!! I thought I would never get that glue out of the sculpture either. I stomped around and cursed- a lot. But it turns out the glue was water based and a few days of hanging around upside down between the chairs again, this time with water, was conducive to the removal of said cursed glue. And Mme. Butterfly was just a little stiffer than before. Oh, the angst!</div>
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When I tried it again I used E-6000 glue and separated the hanger. It dried quick and strong. I love E-6000 and promise to never stray again. Then I devised a contraption that would hang the butterfly and gently let go of her once hung. SEE? That's what's keeping me from all of you- the maniac in my brain! Why, I won't even go into how I didn't like the lack of color relationship between the yellow greens and the blue-er greens and spent hours dotting tiny daubs of color to try to make them better related only to wipe most of it off the next day. Long story short- do you think I should do an underskirt of cream fabric so that the teeny butterfly fairy in her belly can be seen better? And can you believe a 43 year old woman is writing a sentence about a teeny butterfly fairy in a belly? I think I need a real job........</div>
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By the way- friend Melanie from The Positive pessimist may be the one that drove me over the proverbial edge. She nominated me for two awards and then tagged me for an 11 things about you post! Man, it takes time to do the bio for those...and its really maddening when the power goes out and you lose everything because you know, you just know that you never ever go back and finish what you started....the pressure is just too much! Sorry Mel! There is only so much cleverness in this girl and I think the storm took it.</div>
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So the Matriarch remains a work in progress but so much closer to the finish line and I remain hunched over in a dark corner wringing my hands and twisting my brains into pretzel shapes to figure her out. I don't even care that I almost poisoned the dog with flea medication and that I bought hair coloring that was way too dark and now my hair is just as dark as Elvis's was. I don't care. Yep, think I need a job....</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-56106098793097540972012-06-14T06:54:00.000-07:002012-06-14T06:59:26.529-07:00Michigan Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Helloooooo! I feel like I have been away. Away in the basement anyways. The last couple of weeks of school are crazy- I think everyone knows this. Field trips, field day, class parties, locker cleanout....and officially this is the first week I have been a full time parent. The girls are still alive but yesterday....it was touch and go on that! I was so mad that when we went to the gym (still HATE any kind of exercise because it takes to long and is yucky and boring- who likes to sweat, really?) I made them walk around the outdoor track twice and told them if they complained or fell behind we'd do it three times. I think they know when I'm at the end of my rope- there was no complaining.</div>
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So back to the basement- this is the next mixed media piece I thought I'd try. Its not finished but I wanted to share with you. I've taken to driving around staring into the ditches for certain grasses and weeds. FYI- the grasses are taller than they appear and you should wear pants to do this... I've brought home quite a few extra friends with me and probably have several more in the car. I'll do a lot for art but if I find a big hairy spider on my leg I <strong>will</strong> scream bloody murder and dance around.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1OGbVLd_JQ/T9njizAX0TI/AAAAAAAAByM/WRvfajOhOEQ/s1600/painting+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1OGbVLd_JQ/T9njizAX0TI/AAAAAAAAByM/WRvfajOhOEQ/s320/painting+for+blog.jpg" width="171" /></a></div>
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I'm calling this series of work- A Long Road Home. (By the way!!!!! I sold the first one and have a commission to do another of the same! Am I officially an artist yet???) </div>
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Why this name? Well, I've always felt I wasn't really "from Michigan" because I wasn't born here. Don't you have to be born somewhere to be from there? And the town I lived in growing up was very small and everyone was born there- so I imagined, anyways. My Mom was 'from New York' where she was born. My father was born in the area. I was born in Minnesota but can't remember a thing about it because my father was stationed in California soon after I was born. Yep, for a short while I was a Navy brat. </div>
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Its silly to feel like I'm not 'from there' as I have lived in Michigan since second grade. I know this. And Michigan will always be 'home'. As an adult my immediate family and I moved to a larger city and I really like it here. I get bored easily and here I have the ability to entertain myself. I have decided that I really never should live more than 25 miles from a book store or art supply store ever again. </div>
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In this series ("series" cuz I can tell that I am a long way from being done with these) 'home' is a state of mind. We all see things in nature that remind us of home. A certain kind of tree or a grouping of trees and the way they grow. A wide open field. A sunset dropping into the horizon. ( I try not to look at those while driving- you can miss certain things...like the road ending....I'm just saying...)</div>
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I also imagine that coming home can mean a return to one's authentic self. We can get so lost in who others want us to be, tell us to be. We can try to be someone else living a life that looks a certain way. But sooner or later if this life doesn't fit we find ourselves in an unsatisfied, unhappy state. I describe that feeling as 'itchy'. Something not right about you and wishing you could jump in the shower and wash it away. But I know for some its a deeper more profound sadness. I, myself, have been way off course for a long time.</div>
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A journey is documented by markers. Like this...</div>
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<em> I came this far and paused. I could see the next place that I want to be on the horizon and in just a little bit I will continue on. But for now, I need to be here just a little longer.</em> </div>
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That's what this piece feels like to me. A place I stopped to look around and take stock of my life and surrounding.</div>
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Wow. I'm so deep in the morning. I should get up early more often!</div>
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</div>C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-6513212621137914952012-05-28T09:49:00.001-07:002012-05-28T09:57:45.088-07:00Craft Tutorial Alert!<br />
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Well, its the end of the school year. Time to thank the two ladies that influenced my children in a great direction! I didn't want to donate to the gift card. Why? Because I'm not a joiner? Because I want to stand out rather than share the spotlight? Because I want a personalized gift that they can keep and always remember? Because I want to impress upon them that I can't participate as a classroom volunteer because (loud children scare me) I've been so busy working and being creative? Because I want to do both gifts for very little money but not look cheap? Bingo.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nN9CYANH-Ss/T8OWhnLQF_I/AAAAAAAABxM/2M2eianeJnA/s1600/puzzle+pieces+for+blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nN9CYANH-Ss/T8OWhnLQF_I/AAAAAAAABxM/2M2eianeJnA/s640/puzzle+pieces+for+blog2.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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I saw an ornament made from a puzzle piece in a magazine and it stuck with me. 'I should do something like that' I always think. Then the idea came to me and unfortunately would not leave me- like ringworm. I would make a mobile.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygjYXSzUnWU/T8OjISr4rKI/AAAAAAAABxw/jkczdbOqYuw/s1600/puzzle+pieces+for+blog+in+process+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygjYXSzUnWU/T8OjISr4rKI/AAAAAAAABxw/jkczdbOqYuw/s320/puzzle+pieces+for+blog+in+process+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found the very largest puzzle I could find at my local store. Turns out the fewer the pieces- the larger they tend to be. This 4.00 puzzle had twenty four pieces. That's enough to do 8 of these hanging mobiles. </div>
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I spray painted away the cutesy commercialism of this decade to a creamy white and then touched the corners with a taupe spray paint. Cost? 0.00 because I have oodles of spray paint waiting to be used up.</div>
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Then I took an altered photo of Brooke and placed it on a background of script. I have a low level photo shop type program that did this task quite well. Then I played around with other images- the bird you see in the middle piece is drawn by Brooke and I use it a lot. I keep a lot of the girl's drawings because they have such a mix of innocence, whimsy and fun. (Like what I am trying to recreate as a personal style but in my bitter and dried up adulthood can not quite seem to do.) Some texts were more pleasing than others. I mixed up the fonts a bit and while I just went along with my final result- I was not entirely happy. Better next time, I tell myself.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nN9CYANH-Ss/T8OWhnLQF_I/AAAAAAAABxM/2M2eianeJnA/s1600/puzzle+pieces+for+blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nN9CYANH-Ss/T8OWhnLQF_I/AAAAAAAABxM/2M2eianeJnA/s640/puzzle+pieces+for+blog2.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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The quote is "Touch the life of a child and change the world." I do not know who the author is or I would include that. After I glued the images on the puzzle pieces with decoupage glue I let them dry for several hours and then sanded the edges with an emery board. I glittered the back and edges. For this one I used green and gold glitter mixed with some flowery glitter I've been wanting to use up. This is a third grade teacher and I feel like this approach reflects Brooke's personality.</div>
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The inspiration puzzle piece ornament had a wire hanger and was wrapped in a fine wire with a few beads randomly placed here and there. Loved it! Had to do it! I used those plastic letter beads to spell out thank you. On Brooke's I tried to spray paint them a little. The paint did not stick well and the black from the letters ran into the spray paint. Eventually I decided I liked the grubby look of it and called it 'vintage' at least, vintage enough for this project!</div>
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I wasn't in love with the embellishments. Next time I would stick to perhaps just one or two. Next time. I left it alone because I am trying to escape my perfectionist tendencies. Perfectionism to one extent can drive you to create better work. Take it too far and you never get anything done.</div>
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This one is for Kayla's fourth grade teacher. Kayla is a wonder child when it comes to art. The detail and story telling in each of her drawings blows me away. </div>
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I went a different route with the color scheme- again reflecting the personality of the child. Kayla's drawings are so cool when I alter the line weight in my program to something more like an ink stamp. Its really all they need besides some cleaning up.</div>
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This girl with the big head is walking a teeny tiny cat. On each mobile I left an open space for the child to sign- Love, Brooke. I used the glue to draw a heart and when I added glue to the back all that was left unglittered was the heart shaped area that they wrote in. Cute, if I do say so myself. </div>
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Anyhow- I'm going to make more for my Etsy shop that I keep threatening to open. You know, the one that Chinamommy is going to help me with. If she ever stops running....I keep asking her...'Just what the hell is chasing you? Take a car!'</div>
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Have a great week!</div>
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<br /></div>C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261488188621198271.post-62322476864811797792012-05-20T18:22:00.000-07:002012-05-20T18:22:34.821-07:00A Departure.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a bit of a departure from my usual work. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fz5ujMwXEmE/T7lY7sJjxDI/AAAAAAAABwQ/ReVLWBapONE/s1600/IMG_5150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fz5ujMwXEmE/T7lY7sJjxDI/AAAAAAAABwQ/ReVLWBapONE/s640/IMG_5150.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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The project came about because I had a departure from work.</div>
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Last week was my official first week of being laid off from my job of seven years. Now, this is where I have to break into song- in particular- "Don't cry for me, Argentina~~~"</div>
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This is a good thing, this lay off. At least in terms of making a break and taking a different direction. I will have to tighten the purse strings a bit- thank goodness I have tons of art supplies in my cupboards already!!! The coffee shop called to see if I was ok. Hobby Lobby and Michaels were concerned that I needed only a basket rather than my usual cart. </div>
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A relative asked if I had found any leads yet to which I answered with a resounding "NO." Crimeny, its been like two minutes!</div>
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Oh, the artwork.....Well, that's what I have been busy (obsessed) with! I have some things in a consignment shop, including the painting I just shared with you. These new babies are hopefully going to sell quickly. They are images I created using real vintage ephemera that I had or found locally and altered in my print shop program. Then I glued them to some sample cabinet doors that I've been holding onto. I antiqued them. Or- at least attempted to antique them. God forbid I actually research a technique before jumping right into all kinds of mistakes!</div>
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This is me- looking through the help wanted ads and finding nothing. </div>
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Oh, OK already! It came with a frame from an antique shop. I am keeping that frame because I just started collecting vintage frames that look like they were made from bamboo canes. So I cleaned it up a bit and added a layer of gesso. She's going in the consignment shop where I know someone is going to fall in love with this cheeky damsel. If not- then I will have to adopt her as a member of the family- my Mother's second cousin's aunt by marriage. Don't you wonder what her backstory is? Or her name? Was she a Jeanette or a Wanda? Hmmm.</div>
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Well, that's it for now. Let me know what you think of the wall art and if you think it will sell! Have a great week!</div>
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<br />C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04981597340885016060noreply@blogger.com7