Monday, December 31, 2012

Published Art – Embellished Cheese Box

 

DSCN7250

This project was made for Stampington & Co. Spring Inspirations 2007. It is hard for me to believe that I made this 5 years ago. Time sure flies. The stamp, S7126 Ornamental Arches, was the starting point. You can find this stamp here.  I had a small wooden cheese box, to this I added some mica, buttons, tiny shells, and the metal seal from the top of a wine bottle.

DSCN7251

To finish the edge I added a ribbon and metal buckle. You are welcome to take some inspiration from this piece. What would you change? A different image? What would you want to keep the same? Make use of embellishments you already have, and let your own creativity shine through. I would love to see your inspired piece, just leave a comment with a link to your blog.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Published Art - Storage Boxes


DSCN7206
There are many pieces that I have designed and have been published in magazines. Since they were published a couple of years ago or more, I feel that I can now share them on my blog.
I used to work as an “artist on call” for Stampington & Co. That is how I became friends with Jill Shulse, who was also an artist on call, but that’s another story. We would be given assignments or challenges with the resulting art for possible inclusion in one of their magazines, most often Inspirations, which is not currently being published.
This particular project was given significant exposure in one of Stampington & Co. magazines. I had wanted to include which one since it still may be available, but if I wait to find it this post will never get published. If you happen to know, I would love if you would message and share with me!
For this particular assignment we were to use Somerset Artist Papers. We had our choice of three collections of papers, vellums and transparencies reflecting the beautiful hand-tinted photographic imagery of Angela Cartwright. They are currently available here.
DSCN7207
Stampington & Co. no longer carries this particular style of paper mache suitcases, but they do have other styles that could be used.
DSCN7208
I embellished this one with an old horse bit and some silk flowers with muted colors to match the feel of the paper.
DSCN7209
For this suitcase I used a section of garden fencing that I cut to fit. I also drilled holes so that I could attach it to the box. Some artificial fern moss to add to the garden feel!
DSCN7210
I thought a cast iron key would be a nice compliment to the ornamental iron gate on the paper. Plus more silk leaves to give a cohesive look to all three boxes.
DSCN7211
I made embellished manilla tags with the transparencies from the collection. Once I started it was hard to stop. So much fun to figure out the embellishements to compliment the images!
I placed a picture of my Granny behind the transparency so that she appears to be gazing out the window.  I like to use images of family members in my art.
DSCN7212
An image was stamped on the background and silk flowers encased in the Tea Room transparency by sewing around the edges. I like to sew precisely and neatly but leaving loose thread ends is my venture into being free and spontaneous.
DSCN7213
A bit of frayed edge ribbon was all that I felt this tag needed.
DSCN7214
A stamp from Stampington’s collection, metal finding and a bit of raffia to add dimension to the nest.
DSCN7217
Some feathers for this angel.
DSCN7218
Stamped image of writing is the background for this transparency.
DSCN7219
Metal embellshments and stamped image gives layers and depth to this tag.
DSCN7222
Instead of stamping words I chose to handwrite a message.
DSCN7224
Simple cord wrapped around the tag was all the embellishment this transparency needed.
DSCN7220
Green ribbon & a metal brad. Notice the repetition of colors, stamps and embellishments. This is why the tags although each very different all match with one another.
DSCN7225
I happened to have a compass in my stash. Perhaps it is an unfounded fear of becoming lost in a desert that inspired this design. Mostly unfounded because we don’t live near a desert.
DSCN7226
Some simple brads and a bit of lace.
DSCN7221
DSCN7216
DSCN7221
A few close-up shots for you.
Someday I would like to print some artist papers and transparencies from my own photographs and create art from them. Another addition to my to do list!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Estes Park Art Summit 2012


DSCN7046
Jill K.Berry organized an Art Summit in November at Estes Park, Colorado. It has taken me awhile to process all that was shared. I wanted to give this experience justice and completeness, but I have finally succumb to posting a few pictures and notes of the summit before too much time has passed.

DSCN7066 
 Art Summit 2012. A group of art teachers came together to talk about art, make art, share art and think about art. This is the only journal page that I consider completed at the art summit. Attendees were Carol Sloan, Liz Kettle, Jill K. Berry, Kim Rae Nugent. and  Libby Rehm who visited and also shared.




DSCN7047
Jill is quite familiar with the park and reserved a wonderful cabin with beautiful views just off of the porch.

DSCN7048
Due to Jill’s excellent fire starting and tending skills we were treated to a fire every day. I even started a couple morning fires being the first one up on a couple of the days.

DSCN7060
We even ate a meal around the dining room table the first night. Then the art took over.

DSCN7059
So instead of clearing off the dining room table for each meal we ate the remainder around the coffee table. Which still needed to be cleared before we ate there. Seated Libby Rehm, Jill K. Berry, Liz Kettle, Carol Sloan.

DSCN7058
One of many delicious meals that we enjoyed! I wish that I had taken pictures of the other ones!

DSCN7067
The paper border that I placed around the negative was the inspiration for this page.

DSCN7068
A journal page with “Bernard” the moose started.

DSCN7069
Another journal page with Jill K. Berry’s stencils in the background.

DSCN7070
A picture of a butterfly was the inspiration for this page. We all brought supplies to share. Other people’s stash is always so inspiring! I found cheesecloth on dress pattern, piano roll paper, leaf and address label. To this I added rice paper that I had brought.

DSCN7071
Another started journal page with a map of Estes Park included.

DSCN7072
This page needs more work.

DSCN7073
Another started page.

DSCN7049
Liz brought her felting machine and showed us how to felt. Fun! Fun! She teaches classes using this technique and I would highly recommend her! Actually I would recommend any one of us!

DSCN7055
We went for a drive through Estes Park. Beautiful scenery!

DSCN7053 
Jill K. Berry

What a wonderful experience! I encourage you to get a group of friends together and treat yourself to some time to create.