Her Vintage Stage

The Keeper of the Colors...

2012-01-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

This is the first page of a class to make a year Journal.
The back.

With flap closed. January lesson done. I still think that I paint better than I draw but this class will give me practice with free hand drawing.

Looking Forward to a New Year...

2011-12-26T04:25:00.001-08:00

Two New Acrylics...

2011-09-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

Mini Scrap Book Fronts

2011-08-30T08:36:00.001-07:00

Next step adding some bling maybe.
I have a thin strip of velvet to put on the side. These little books will have about 10 pages inside with different paper all ready to scrap or use for journaling.

Mens Tie Purse...

2011-07-24T08:46:00.001-07:00

Retro wide ties sewn together. I have been experimenting on making purses. I like a lot of pockets inside and longer straps, but not too big and I decided the only way to get this is to make my own. An old bow tie from the Sixties out of velvet for decoration. The color combinations are so fun to work with. I need to take more pictures to show other colors.

Two different styles of portraits...

2011-07-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Mod.
Fifteenth Century.

OK, here is my newly painted bath...

2011-07-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

Bathrooms are hard to photograph!
I love the egg shell blue.

I even made a collage for one end wall. Lots of silver in this that doesn't show well. Buttons and a real feather!

Painted cupboards...

2011-07-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

During my recovery from knee surgeries my Aunt and Uncle helped me paint my dry white washed cupboards gray. I love how they turned out! I also got my front bath painted blue. I will have to show that later.

Grandaughter in acrylic!

2011-07-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

I have finally gotten back to my painting. Although I love a vintage look to my paintings, I used some very bold colors here. Have a safe weekend and thanks for stopping by!

What was I doing all last year?

2011-06-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

3 of the months I was taking care of this guy (my dad) after he slipped and broke his leg. He was in bed 6 weeks and 6 weeks with the boot after surgery to mend. My mom does not drive anymore and is losing her eye sight so that is where I came in.

In December I had a knee replacement with a second one on Valentines day. I am now ready to tackle what may come next!

Oh, to be twenty-six again!

2011-05-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

I am just seeing if I remember how to post and do my blog! It has been so long. No promises but there is still hope.

Hey, hey, it's "The Monkees" !

2010-06-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Great estate find for me last year! The whole deck one at a time in the bottom of a box.

For a look at Davy visit my other blog-Artist's Gypsy's and King's under family blogs.

From a Book of Days...

2010-06-09T10:49:00.001-07:00

Old Postcard Time...

2010-05-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

These two are tweet sweet!

Great girl for paper dolls?

2010-05-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

It's 2010 and I'm back!

2010-03-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I had to go AWOL for a while! It might take me a while to get back in the groove. Any suggestions or ideas? I love dog prints so I am going to start there. Here's to the new year in almost April now! I have to go see what you guys have been up to. I have a new computer and all my winter visitors are gone so no excuses from me now. Hope your winter went well.

Good daughter helps Mom but I am back!

2009-12-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

My mom was in the hospital for 4 days. I mostly kept my dad company. She's all fixed and I am back to my blogging.

All three of these cards match in colors. They are probably similar in age too?

Cute old fashioned couple!

Tranquil Scenes...

2009-12-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

Still a tradition the peaceful view. I like these because of the dark burgundy red.
It doesn't show well but there is silver on this card. I miss snow!

Made in Germany...

2009-12-03T09:11:00.001-08:00

This is a card from the 1930's. So old fashioned! Very beautiful as many things made in Germany.

Dated 1936 and catch the two different spellings of 'Merry'. All dogs and Scotties were very popular at this time. Almost half of the ones I find in mid 30's have small dogs on them.

Inside.

Love those mod colors...

2009-12-01T15:32:00.001-08:00

Both of these cards are little like a gift card, they just have to be from the late 60's.
Cute mouse in the corner!

Christmas Card Parade...

2009-11-30T05:42:00.000-08:00

Coming in December!

Christmas Card Parade.

Retro, old fashioned and just plain interesting and

beautiful to me. Cards, a dwindling tradition? I hope not,

but I know I send few, so I will put them on

as a parade for all of December.

More Photo Booth pics...

2009-11-11T08:13:00.000-08:00

A banquet of colors!

Love Gertrude's hair!

Pals or father and son?

Fashion beauties.

Such a cutie!

This guy is giving a cautious look, if any body has a picture of themselves or anyone else, I'd love to see yours?

Photo Booth Pictures...

2009-11-07T10:05:00.001-08:00

I love these pictures. The history is interesting to me and the many different poses and their backgrounds fascinate my brain. I have one of my great aunt with a frame as this.
Here is an early booth picture that I got out of an amazing book I found last year. The ones that I remember from the 70's had more curtains and a darker feel to the inside.

This little lady, also from the book "American Photobooth", is so cute. Do you think that she made her hat? If you look closer you can see the netting that goes completely over down to her shoulders.

This is my favorite of course because of the cute dog, but the lady has a great style too. It is very hard to find strips like the one on the right, still intact. They were always snipped up to share. I will show some more of these later. All the ones I ever had were in black and white. I just love the colored ones though.

Tom Waits, poet, song writer, and yes, free spirit...

2009-11-04T07:32:00.000-08:00

He is also an actor. I love reading this guys lyrics! I don't know if he has lived a heavy life but he writes like the blues. His voice is indescribable but definitely unique.

If you know any more about him, let me know. He is definitely my new muse.

A Warm November 1st...

2009-11-01T08:47:00.000-08:00

This is a photo from a book called "Women See Woman". This is how I feel this morning. Pretty happy to be alive. We are warm here in Az. but looking forward to milder temps. Maybe I'll go shirtless too! No. Wouldn't want to scare the town folk!

Happy Halloween Week...

2009-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

I just want to pet his fuzzy little head!

Cover for Halloween Album...

2009-10-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a little break from Atc's to show this album I started working on. The concept of Atc's can be carried over into bigger projects. I found a back ground I loved, creepy but not goofy or gory. Then cropped to fit my project and found a subject to add and some German trim of black.
This is the back. I love this background paper from Prima. I added a big moon here and a small moon on the front. I have some cool ribbon of black, dark purple and light green to adorn later.
I will now seal the whole thing with a satin finish after spraying with a preservative to check against fading. I also use this same method with some of my Atc's. It gives them a nice finished look and makes the colors pop out.

Ahhh, The Men...

2009-10-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

I called this one "Midway Bouncers", A circus theme led to these trapeze artists- a photo from a book, to be placed in front of this circus tent painting. I added the ticket stub to camouflage the little people sitting at their feet. A Rube is a non circus person. When some one calls " Hey Rube" it is a call to all circus folk to come brake up a fight or throw a drunk visitor out on his ear!

This was a western theme. I really enjoy doing the guys for a change as most of my cards are women, children, and animals. I love making up phrases to add on.

Here are some sexy guys. Cary Grant, Peter Frampton, and Cristobal Balenciaga (fashion designer).

I think the themes for these were 1. Celestial 2. Western and 3. A is for apple.

Last but not least those seventies guys I found accidentally on some deck of cards from a thrift shop. I think these cards, every one different are my most famous. I used the actual card parts and had to add the little pumpkins and put them on retro paper reflecting the era. By the way these two were the most handsome to me. Others with Afro's and balding guys got the most laughs. Sorry guys the seventies had a charm of it's own and when naked how can a girl not laugh.

Raining in Dogs N Cats...

2009-10-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

I love dogs and cats as subjects for my cards. I want to talk about the middle card. Occasionally you will see cards a little taller than the usual 3 1/2 in. As long as the card can fit in a baseball card size folder it is okay. The top just sticks up a bit. Don't make them fatter, for they will not slide in a sleeve.
Dogs at the beach.

Equal opportunity, here's some cats!

ATC A Simple Beginning...

2009-10-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

These first two cards I made in the beginning. I still like them today. You don't have to make each card with tons of stuff on them. Some times I don't have words and then I'll make some that do. Ruby's eyes didn't show up well so I put a drop of diamond glaze over orange to make them pop. The candy corn too.
The name DIVA was made with a labeler. I just cut out a shape for the hat and it really needed the black lace to create some texture.

Later I started filling the entire card with more. This is a bird from a card set and the flowers are cut straight from an old calender with tons of flowers. I can't remember where I got the little hat, but probably from another picture.

This one I made for a trade from an old cabinet card showing the baby sitting on the creepy but interesting bench. I cut that to fit from a copy and still had room to add some friends and polka dot paper to keep it whimsical. It should say "who opened the closet door?"

Artist Trading Card Themes, Pick a Subject, Match a Back Ground...

2009-10-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

If you are in a trade, there is usually a theme for every month. Examples: "Vintage Halloween", "Thanksgiving", "Beach Fun", even "Artist Choice" etc. You will then make at least 6 cards to hand in to the trade. At Mystic Paper's trade the store keeps one and you will get 5 different cards back. I always make 9 cards the same. One for myself, 6 for the trade, one for my bff Debbie, and an extra for my mom. When I make copies of the subject for cutting out, my printer will put 9 on one sheet of paper.
I made these three cards at Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. Since they go together they are considered a set, or a series. If you are in a private trade you will likely only make the exact number of cards as there are people. You can make every card a little different or exactly the same. Remember each one has to be made by hand, not just copied from printer of the first hand made card. The cards also can be made vertical as the first example or sideways like these next two. Most people keep their cards in baseball card holders. I have mine in albums. And I have a portfolio album of just my cards.

The theme for these cards was Thanksgiving. My first thought was turkeys but I decided on subjects portraying a woodsy feel and family and giving. When I got the other peoples cards back every one of them had a turkey on it! I was grateful I chose something not so typical.

Subject Picking

Some times it is as easy as finding a picture in a book.(dog) Then I had some stickers with the bird with his berry. The dog had a lady next to him so I cut her out of the picture. Made copies of the dog head and stuck the bird on paper and made copies, I don't like actual stickers on the cards so by making paper copies the image doesn't have that shiny sticker quality.

The next cards I am going to make is under the theme "Babes in the Woods." I have some ideas of what babes I may be picking but in this case the woods will be what I look for first. I will find my woods in some books or postcards first and match the babes after. Examples coming in a later post. Remember these cards are for fun and trading. As long as we aren't selling them the pictures for our subjects can be borrowed any where and altered and collage together to make a new piece of art. If you want you can paint or color your own subject. I often find black and white pictures that I love so I color them. The card on the last post "Age of Aquarius" was colored in by me. I love picking what colors to use therefore matching the back ground I picked.

I hope I am covering the basics. Later I will show actual process of cutting out and picking faces to put on your cards. #1 tip: Always have a face! Animal, person, big or small. You want to tell a story, you will need a subject. I have some cards with flowers on them that are beautiful but usually a face is more interesting than just a number. I will have more examples later.

History (ATC's), and getting started...

2009-10-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

In 1996 M. Vanci Stirnemann created 1000 individual little cards and displayed them in his Zurich book store. He then encouraged others to make their own to trade at the end of the exhibit. His goal to create "A Collaborative Cultural Performance" may have led to this craze and wonderful art event.

Let's jump in:
The first step is to cut the stiff card base. 2 1/2 by 3 1/2. Then I usually use the stiffest card stock, Bristol or any paper that is heavy. I picked up Manila folders in large quantity at a local thrift. They are then cut the size you need. There is nothing more disappointing than receiving a flimsy card made with one piece of thin paper! This is going to be your art work, make it sturdy.
I make these some times in big batches so I have them ready to design on a whim. This card was made with rounded corners and you can cut them square. Don't be afraid to experiment.

The card is then prepared for adding a back ground. Some times just another piece of paper with design glued to the front. I also add a back piece at the end, I often use scrap that is light colored enough to add your name and info that may be required at your trade. After gluing three ply of paper and the glue adds stiffness, you have a great base for your art. I will some times wait to round the corners at the end and finish the edge with ink pad to dye the edge so it isn't bright white. A chisel Sharpie also works to make edge seem more finished.
I usually pick my subject first and then decide what background works best. More on subjects and back grounds next post.

Welcome to "Sandy's October ATC Workshop"!

2009-10-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

What is an Atc? Atc stands for Artist Trading cards. They measure 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. They are made by doing collage, art work, painting, embellishing, and coloring your little card. Almost anything can be applied. If you do Atc's you can probably call yourself a mixed media artist. They are then traded in many ways. My girlfriend Debbie and I always trade each other every card we make. I also participate in a trade at Mystic Paper in Mesa Az. I have traded to people on line and I had a nice Easter trade open to my bloggers last year.
I am hoping at the end of this month you will want to start making these fun and creative cards or you will get some great ideas to make yours highly desirable and of course, more idea sharing.

These are some publications I purchased when I started and I may use examples from these books along with my own examples. Every post will be dedicated to this little card making trend in October.

A lot of the books are great for ideas and I was gaga in the beginning so I bought them. You don't need books and other magazines can work for ideas.

This is a regular card making book and because it is concentrated on Vintage it is also a great example. I love the vintage look and it can be applied to all era's. A sixties trade is fun.

This book involves rubber stamping and all though these are wonderful in this book I only use rubber stamps in back grounds and as an extra touch. I like a subject not stamped. Many people like using them and have stamps that can be applied for different looks. Tomorrow a little history about this craze that actually has been going on for over 12 years!
Stay tuned for more and I hope you will enjoy. It would also be nice to have a little trade at the end, feel free to comment and add your own ideas in the comments!

My Version of Alice in Wonderland, A Portrait...

2009-09-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

My Alice...

2009-09-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

She's waiting for her collage. I think I'll do it in pinks.

Fall Inspires Me...

2009-09-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

The first day of Autumn I started putting together

this collage. It has many papers, cloth

and an acrylic face that I enlarged drew and

painted on.

Because of the different textures the lens had trouble,

getting the face as clear as really shows up.

I am trying to decide to seal it with wax or an acrylic
finish in semi gloss. I think wax looks richer but if you want
to mail or transport, not as versatile. I have heard of a wax
additive to ad to allow it to harden but never have used.
Any body out there with info on this I'd greatly
appreciate.

Coming in October, Atc Workshop...

2009-09-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

A while back I started adding tips to the back of my Atc's. In all trades it seems that some cards needed some help. I got a lot of response about putting these tips on my blog. I also got many replies about how to make them and what they were exactly. I love doing them. So I have decided to have my blog focus on the wonder and amazement of these very addicting little pieces of art. And for free! All of October will be spent talking about tips and showing to the best of my ability what they are exactly. October is a great month for Atc making. I would bet more Atc (Artist Trading Cards) are made in October than any other month! Please pass the word and to my other followers who are not into this hang in there for a month. I will have tips and supply info for just about all art also. I am not an expert but it seems there is a need out there for the information, so I'll try my best. I have made over a thousand cards and have many examples. Come join me in October and if you would like to add this picture from my side bar
you are welcome!

Marie Antoinnette's Garden....

2009-09-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

I love how the colors turned out.
I would like to take a walk here
with Ruby!

16x24 and that is why it took me so long. I still have to wax
finish. I have to say that her class was easy for me as I had
some knowledge of face painting first, but if you want to learn from Suzi Blu,
Take her longer class Petite Dolls first. It was loads of fun!

Beauty in Blue...

2009-09-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

I ran across this
image and thought
I would share it
with you. Kind
of how I feel
today!

Too Quiet Wednesday...

2009-09-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

Petite Marie-Suzi Blu on line class...

2009-09-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

I am taking this little on-line class for a mere $15.00. It is pdf's and video's to walk you through the steps of this painting. I will make mine a little different but basically Marie. I'll let you know how this goes with pictures this week!

A Friday Fantasy... Unicorns

2009-09-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

I don't usually like the art containing unicorns, but I have found a book with a few images that I do like. This one is beautiful to me I hope you enjoy.This guy is interesting, hard to say who he is waiting for?

WORDLESS Wednesday...

2009-09-09T05:33:00.000-07:00

Evaline Ness Picture...

2009-09-08T11:30:00.001-07:00

The only picture I could find of her. She is gazing at her famous husbands picture.

Little Tid Bit on Evaline Ness...

2009-09-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Evaline Ness the last posts illustrater has many books that she did art work for and she was a successful advertising artist. She won the Caldecott Medal for "Sam, Bangs, and Moonshine." What I didn't know was that she grew up in Pontiac Michigan and was married to Elliot Ness. The actual Elliot Ness of crime fighting that is famous and portrayed in TV show and Movie! Funny the things you learn on the internet!

Illustration by Evaline Ness...

2009-09-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

Only sepia colors but the expressions really come through.
A real New England feel, maybe fall?

I love this book about a girl that can tell a tall tail.

This little girl Sam is great!

Hope you liked my little 3 day weekend illustrations posts!

More 60's Illustrations...

2009-09-06T00:29:00.000-07:00

This book is mostly about bugs and science.
This is the inside cover. Most of the pages are a lot of black and white but with some color.

Fireflies are hard to show. They did a great job.

Very good science book.

This had all kinds of styles of art in the era.

Don't have to name the next two.

Love this girl with her black tights and cute bow!

Who's at the door? 1959 Book

2009-09-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

I was very surprised to see this was copy written in 1959. I love the pinks in this and the story is funny to me now as the children let in everyone that comes to the door. The story might be different 50 years later.

This is so cute! The lace curtains and shapes seem to be block stamped.

Now if a monkey came to my door I might let him in, as long as he was sweet like this guy.

I had to add this funky chair page. Seems to me it needs to be on an Atc. I will have more in the following days. I am so happy because it is raining here in our dry desert. I hope Cali gets some help from rain to put out the fires too.

Funky Fantasy Art Friday

2009-09-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

One of the many things that I have collected are books from the end of the 60's, beginning of the 70's that have art work of a certain look. I don't know if there is a name for the style of art or it was just popular then. The art or illustrations have bright colors or 70's colors and a lot of straight lines versus rounded shapes. This book is a good example.
The artist here is Morritz Kennel also spelled Maurice Kennel inside the book. It definitely has that 70's look.

There are so many pictures to choose from that it was hard to choose. I think it is nice to see a little different illustration of this story than the usual. I will show more examples of the art I am talking about all this weekend! Happy Labor Day!

September Atc's : Dolls!

2009-09-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

The topic is "dolls". I used my sewing machine. My favorite doll is probably a cupie doll. Third card is a paper doll made from one of my paintings last year.

A Picture and some of it's parts...

2009-09-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

This was a wonderful background to do. Book pages applied and then pink and white tissue that was striped. Followed by a little white gesso and then clear gesso over that. Painting and staining and background to dry.

The cut out dress parts. Finding the papers for the colors to mix was my hardest problem.

I like her hair and you can finally see my style coming through.

She needed a butterfly bow!

I still have the final painting of lips and eyes so they will show better and of coarse the satin finish. This is destined for my granddaughter. 11x14.

Acrylics Art Collage...

2009-08-28T10:53:00.000-07:00

I got this image and just had to do something with her. A little coloring with pencil and acrylic paints plus water color acrylic crayons and it got pretty colorful compared to original image. I am not catholic but did have a third cousin that was a nun and she visited us in the 50's with similar style garment. She seemed so content.

Stylized Drawing becomes Portrait Journal cover...

2009-08-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

Looks like puppet head. Her lips got to be voluptuous so I guess she won't be a little girl. Kind of mousy looking at this stage.
More color, a neck, but still a little lame brain looking. I am getting the feel of the color pencils and love how they cream together.

I added more shading to bring out autumn browns and tweaked the eyes for a more direct look and put her on the journal cover that I keep all my practice portraits in. Now she seems sophisticated!

WORDLESS Wednesday...

2009-08-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Childe Hassam painting...

2009-08-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

I love this painting. I am in constant battle with work projects versus clean and neat order of my areas. Even 150 years ago some artists studio can be beautiful and cluttered. I'm not sure if mine looks this colorful but you can see the organization among the clusters of things in every space available. Where are the pieces of paper on the floor and waste baskets at every table that I have? Mine has lots of soda cans and a few cats and dogs thrown in too. I really love the brightness and sun, got to have lots of light!

Thank you so so much for all the kind and loving words...

2009-08-22T10:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for leaving your comments to let me know others feel the same and were thinking of me. A special thanks to my friends Susan, Debbie and my sister Patty for helping me out these past weeks. I hope every one has a great weekend! I am going to paint something!

One of my babies is gone...

2009-08-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Elliott went purring the whole way. He was so weak from renal failure he could not even hold his head up. I have to say he was the most beautiful Snow Shoe I had seen. Like some Siamese he was a one person cat. This made him very special to me. He was a bit of a bully to my other 3 cats, so they don't miss him as much as Ruby and I do. I have two cats much older but they did not go first. Elliot was adopted from the pound as a kitty and I had his company for 15+ years.

Ink and acrylics on wood art plack...

2009-08-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

I'd like to be, under the sea...

2009-08-16T00:02:00.000-07:00

Drawn and ready for painting...

2009-08-15T00:58:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on Wood...

2009-08-12T22:59:00.000-07:00

I did this guy last year. Let's call him Abner!

WORDLESS Wednesday...

2009-08-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Another journal page...

2009-08-11T11:48:00.001-07:00

Sisters are blossoms in the garden of life.

Flower Whisperer Murmurs, Listen, Absorb, and Grow...

2009-08-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

Wisdom for all.

Have a Rocking weekend!

2009-08-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

From LIFE Wordless Wednesday...

2009-08-05T00:45:00.000-07:00

My first Mermaid...

2009-08-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

She's not done but now that I have scanned her, she looks short, on the bottom? Maybe when I fill in background I can shade to make it look longer. I really like the fish! I seemed to be bored already with Woodstock. Maybe it is summer, so hot here, I guess I'll clean my house a bit and see if that helps, how do you cope with "Summer Time Blues?"

1968-1969

2009-08-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

This is me in September of 1969. Being 15

I was too young to go to New York for a concert. But old enough to be influenced for life.
Did I say I was a Gemini? I found this photo booth shot in with my stuff. I guess the serious side of me comes through. I think I was 13 or 14.

I have a pea coat on so it has to be winter.

Goofy Freshman! I remember I straightened my hair and it got a bit lighter. I sure had great skin though. I don't post too many pictures of my self but how do you go back in time with out starting with yourself. My mom will like this, although the dark me she won't remember.

Waiting for Stage Time...

2009-07-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

WORDLESS Wednesday... well maybe a few words!

2009-07-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

A little hint of where my blog is going in August!
For my sister, we have been studying men faces for drawing. I found this in my stash. They all look grumpy and mean. I pick #5 even though he has facial hair, which I usually don't like. I hate mustaches on their own. Any one out there feel the same?

Journey of the 3 Muses...

2009-07-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Long face shape, love the gray green eyes. They all seem so bored? hehe I have blended the colors of the face with paint so you can see the difference. The other two I added more colors and haven't been painted on yet.
Heart shaped face with eyes to match her dress.

I tried to get a younger girl look with round face, I think her hair will be black. As soon as I learn how it is done!

Showing the process, still to be finished...

2009-07-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

The drawing class evolved into color with pencils.

Then a little paint.

Still feeling out the process.

This stylized girl was fun.

More to come!

The colors are bright now but will calm out a bit as the paint and glaze is applied.

It is so new to me it (stylized) is going to be great for journaling and maybe putting these to my real family members for stories. Absolutely fun!

Thrift Store Find Makes Me Happy...

2009-07-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

This book is filled with color pics on all pages.

At first I thought I would use it to alter into 70's hippy book.

But I just can't goof it up so I may use images in

some other art projects.

Inside cover is wonderful!

Each page a fiesta of different mushrooms.

This looks like something under water. Text by Bernard Dupre', translated by David Macrae. From Galahad Books. Printed in West-Germany in 1974. Some times the one good thing you find is a treasure. This one is a color fest!

WORDLESS Wednesday...

2009-07-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you...

2009-07-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

I want to give a big thank you for all the kind comments!

Now I am looking at all the faces I see with

a new eye. This class is opening my mind

to a new way of seeing. I am also collecting

words to be able to write in my journal

with more interest. Does any one have a word that they

absolutely love? It is hard to pick just one, isn't it?

I am drawing...

2009-07-20T10:10:00.001-07:00

I am very timid but, if I can learn to draw it would be easy to take art with me every where.

A New Journal Begins...

2009-07-16T12:43:00.001-07:00

I have only began putting down some gesso and back grounds. Love the painting and adding some collage pictures and papers. More gesso and working with some water soluble wax pastels for shading. I wonder if they make a gesso that dries faster. I won't complain as the summer here in AZ. provides fast drying. The acrylics almost set too fast. Here are the insides below!

WORDLESS Wednesday...

2009-07-15T08:21:00.001-07:00

Lacy Skin...

2009-07-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

I have tattood eye liner. I have hardly any eye lashes so it seemed the thing to do. Now they have some medicine to make your lashes grow. Side effect, maybe irises turning brown. No way, I have green eyes with an uncommon yellow ring. I wouldn't want to goof up natures art! I love these gals though. By the way,I am almost done with "On the Road" and am enjoying it very much. I am a slow reader by nature.

Atc Sneek Peek...

2009-07-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

I am getting all my Atc's done for the next couple of month trades so I will have time to start a drawing class. Do I draw? Not yet. Pictionary is the only drawing I have done. Mostly stick figures. So... a class is called for. Looking forward to it.

Sunday Morning Project...

2009-07-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

I have had this started and finally got to it this morning. I usually shy away from western, (not my style) but this girl on a picture I really liked. I was most pleased with the outcome of the hat. I have an old piece of velvet trim waiting to go across the bottom.

Doisneau 4Th of July...

2009-07-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

Love this pick all though this weather would ruin a few picnics around here. Arizona could use some rain like this.

Atc Exchange at Mystic Paper...

2009-07-02T22:17:00.001-07:00

The subject is black and white with a little red.

To me means sepia.

He just fit great!

Another Wordless Wednesday...

2009-07-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Coincidence of a Beat Nature?

2009-06-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

During the time I am enjoying all of your wonderful comments and suggestions, my sister is on vacation in San Francisco with her daughter who happens to be reading "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac. My sister tells my niece that there is a Jack Kerouac street and they go and take a picture standing by the sign. They go to the "Beat Museum" and have a drink at the bar where Jack and his buddies hang out. I know they are in San Francisco but do not know any of their impromptu plans. Neither of them have seen my posting before they left. I got the book also on Friday to read.
This is another book I found that covers a greater expanse of time and talks about the history of an American obsession with being different and cool but of course in the group setting. Always evolving but ever so cool! I will read this next. Big white book with only this title on front.

I like this picture from the second book. The poster says: PROTEST AGAINST THE RISING TIDE OF CONFORMITY. (I love this!) It reminds me of something a very young co-worker said to me. I wanted to do a little different kind of something in the store and she said," You try to hard, relax into the group." I couldn't believe some one as smart as she would say this. The X Generation is a little more lay back. I was at that moment glad to be older. I belong to the free thinking age! The strive for more group. Maybe the young have so much given them they are content. Boy are changing times going to effect them! Well enough sociology lessons and off to work I go. Hope you all have a great week and thank you for the wonderful comments.

Beatniks...What do you know?

2009-06-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

I am looking for this book. Maybe it will give me more insight on beatniks! What do you know or think about beatniks? I can't find as much info on them as Hippies, and such. I think of poetry, art, a frame of mind in the 1950's? Where did the name come from? Was it a drop out name put on them. Maybe teens of a certain era where clean kids didn't hang out? These are my guesses. Maybe the first pot smokers? I couldn't really find too many pictures of beatniks so I made my own choices. See if you agree?
Patty Boyd, married to George Harrison and Eric Clapton. Beatnik? Most definitely!

First beatnik? Possibly!

Total Beatnik, but one of a kind also.

Dali, I'd say yes! He may have agreed or not. Love the cat Sal!

Finally, my kind of beatnik. Johnny Depp plays beatnik lead in "The Beat". Wouldn't that be a great movie? So let's hear what you think and if you can enlighten me-I want to know more?
Did they have some real music? Any body out there know?

WORDLESS Wednesday...

2009-06-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

Atc Exchange at Mystic Paper...

2009-06-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

As you can tell I am still into the coral-pink combo with some roses. One of my rules of atc making is always have a face on your cards. I like to tell a small story and the minute you add a subject with a face, the story has begun. The face or subject can be animal or human, big or small. Example: The subject is 4th of July, you will see a lot of flags on cards but the more interesting will be a child or person holding the flag! Make it funny even, maybe a turtle with a flag shell?
Here is the dog from the old cards on the earlier post. He is so cute. I liked the geraniums so included them. Rule 2 for me is make your cards with a little thickness. Layering your back grounds and subjects on a stiff card and backing makes your cards sturdy. Nothing more disappointing than getting a card made from one piece of paper. Your cards are little pieces of work, treat them royally by giving them stiffness and support. The glue in between the layers is what holds and strengthens them.

They are not mainstream...MGMT...

2009-06-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

The band is MGMT, 2 guys alternative,

electronically remixed a lot.

Cute as pie.

I have to remember,

I'm not twenty!

I still am into the music,

old and new,

let's dance!

Singer. Song writer...

2009-06-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

If you think you know who this is, you are probubly young. This guy is totally cute but you can tell I'm used to painting women. Let's hear if you think you know who this is?

I am painting again!

2009-06-15T00:14:00.000-07:00

This is from a photo in the 20's. I bet she likes her new flapper hair cut. I did.

NEW>>>>The Sunday Funnies...

2009-06-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

I have a new Sunday format. It will include pictures I found during the week, of interesting, funny, or cute subjects. The one here is a train car of dogs going to Alaska. I think there are 9 or 10 dogs and the more I looked I thought I saw a cat in the corner! This guy probably made some money selling these dogs to the miners and was smart enough to travel partway at least, in good weather. It made me smile, they seem so excited to go for a RIDE!
This guy here was titled (Child needs parents!), I laughed because I thought of the weird humor of the composer of the picture. It might have been something I would have done ( got my younger brother to pose) when I first got my own camera at age 10! Hope you enjoy. I'll see how long I remember to continue on Sundays with more!

I need a title for her!

2009-06-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

Got any ideas?

Acrylic on Tea Tray...

2009-06-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

On my birthday my sister and I painted these little coffee or tea trays. I had a lot of trouble getting them on my camera as it is very glossy and reflective. I love how this one turned out and I 'll show the other view (same tray) below but less glow. I will have to display my tray with my Madonna book. I have a new camera but can't figure how to turn off the flash! I am excited to use it as I am going from 3 pixels to 10! Thanks mom and dad for the present.

Happy Birthday Dad- I know it's a little early...

2009-06-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

I have this little picture of my dad in a leather frame. I don't think it has been scanned before. If you knew how many times my dad stood in front of a pond by a tree for a picture, you would know why I picked this picture. A full view of the picture is in my other family blog if you want to look. This is over 75 years ago and he is under one. Grandma said he walked real early. By the way my grandma is still alive at 98! Too bad she doesn't remember much from those days though. Happy birthday dad.

I Don't Cook but...

2009-06-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

If I did I would have to keep this book! It goes so nice with my pink kitchen. I actually will be putting this in my antique booth for sale. It's so 50's and filled with lots of color pictures and yummy recipes.
I am very tempted to make this as I also have this baking mold for sale. I just have to remember that I can't keep everything. Yes these two items sure get my creative juices flowing, but sadly I'd eat the whole thing too! Enjoy the old pictures.

Image to Share...

2009-06-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Very Regal! Had to share.

June is Birthday Month...

2009-06-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

In the mail box was a present from my Aunt Sharon. An early birthday card. I should say cards, 20 or more! Thank you, thank you! I love old cards from the 50's and older. Some were Easter, Mothers Day and birthday etc. Here are a few for birthday to help celebrate some of the birthdays this month of my families. Dad, me and my son! Yeah, we are a year older! Did I just say that? I think I will have to use the dogs in some Artist trading cards.

In love with roses Atc's...

2009-05-30T06:19:00.000-07:00

Just keeping busy while watching the telly.

Hi, I'm back! Where did I go? Nowhere...

2009-05-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

I just had some family visiting and now I'm back to blogging. Hope you all had a great Memorial Day Holiday! I finished all my puzzle pieces for Mystics trade and will post art soon. Have a great end of May weekend!