enLiven with cards

My current exploration in art began with crafting paper cards.  The words and textures were received with gratitude, inspiring me to continue creating outside of a small card face.  I still take time to craft the cards though many hours are devoted to exploring pastel.  They are handcrafted from a base of card stock.. any color that feels right for the elements that inspire me.  I save HOT coffee holders for the lovely texture and bits of ribbon or twine.  I may cut up an acrylic study that didn't work or layer  small pieces of mat-board from a framing project.  I sometimes use a card front from a greeting card that gladdened my day.  The words are typically from my collection of rubber stamps, often embossed.  Anything that may enLiven, to create a bit of art to brighten your day. 

The dragonfly reminds us to embrace change…living life to its fullest.  It leaves the underwater world it has called home for years to live at the whim of the winds in its brief time as a beautiful flying being.  One can never know what extraordinary adventures may be awaiting us just beyond what our eyes let us see.  Let the winds of change carry you in directions of which you may never have dreamt!

                                              The dragonfly is my touchstone. 



I loved the tag from a shirt and  matched it with this card front.  Inside is reads BLISS







Imagination is more important than Knowledge - Albert Einstein

Art Design & Dine

 Georgia moved here from Atlanta with her art centered family jut a few years ago.  They purchased a craftsman style home in the avenues of Cheyenne and created space for the Artful Hand Studio and Gallery, in addition to their home.  Georgia pulled the arts community into a organized consortium with the monthly art tour creating Art Design and Dine. 






 http://www.artdesigndine.com/    Each month Georgia creates a show and in April I will be her featured artist.  click on the link for the date and time.  Hope to see you there.

Another Show

Harvey Deselms has operated his Gallery in Cheyenne for around twenty years.  He offered original art when limited prints were in vogue.  I always felt the spirit of his art in his funky little gallery and bought a few pieces that spoke to me.  Now he is in the renovated Whipple House and has space for a zillion more pieces.  The Laramie County Art Show and Sale opened Thursday during the monthly Art Design and Dine - with suck in your tummy crowds.  I had to leave early and discovered by email, from my pastel pal Gail,  that Ivy and Aster - AKA as Terri's bouquet -  won second place in Pastel.  

The awards are an affirmation of my potential as an artist.  Selling art is the next step.  What makes a piece of art speak to the observer and call to come off the wall and go home to be admired and enLiven the soul?  Tell me why you buy art.

If you want to see another artist I admire check out Teri's site.  http://terigortmaker.fineartstudioonline.com/ 

Weekly Art Challenge

About a year ago I joined the Weekly Art Challenge.  Weekly, a member of the group will email a photo reference to the participating artists.  By the end of the week uploaded images fly out to the group for review.  We typically reply to the artist with a comment.  The challenge may give inspiration and the finished paintings, especially the watercolors, a medium that defies my attempts, are lovely.  This week the WAC photo was a weathered window frame and flower box with a profusion of flowers.  I painted it fast, on Wallis sanded paper, just grabbing colors.....  no value study, no thumbnail... but it enlivens my soul so I share it with you.