bossy bird

Bear with me.....

2009-11-15T05:02:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the lack of posting --- I am having some health issues and not feeling well at all. I will be back as soon as I can.

new day, new collage

2009-10-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

Having fun in my studio. (Who doesn't like a bunny?)

Collage made with antique book page, various papers, colored pencil, mounted on black matboard.

New blog colors and new art doll

2009-10-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

I had switched my blog from a black background to a white one. I tried it for about a month and, I tell you, it just wasn't doing it for me --- I needed some color!! Well, how do you like this?! I absolutely LOVE it, and I think it suits me and my style much better. (Ah, but knowing me and my many moods, this could change without a moment's notice. Don't say I didn't warn you.)

Anyhoo, here is my latest creation.

She sat for awhile at a certain stage, while I pondered and pondered what to do. Finally, I just kicked myself in the butt and got to it! I finished her yesterday. The 'in disguise' theme is kind of fitting for Halloween, don't you think?

Finley

2009-10-08T16:34:00.001-07:00

Meet Finley, my latest doll creation. I didn't have a plan; he just turned out as Finley! I love him --- he kind of has a Teesha Moore feel to him. All that color and texture. He wasn't even shy about the camera; in fact, he just loved it! (I mean, look at the pout.)

Vacation!!

2009-09-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

I will be on a much-needed vacation from Friday, Sept. 11 through Saturday, Sept. 26th. First we'll see Boston, then visit family in Jackson, Wyoming. I'll take lots of pics!

2009-09-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning with this little bird in my head. After I painted her, the rest just happened.
I love it best when it works out like that.

Collage made with vintage book pages, acrylic paint, pencil and oil pastels. Mounted on acid free matboard.

Softie Love

2009-08-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

For all of you softie lovers out there, hope this brightens your Monday like it did mine :)

Studio Pics

2009-08-28T10:15:00.001-07:00

I came across these older photos of my studio several months ago, and thought I'd let you see a glimpse of where I create. Trust me --- my room does NOT look like this now. You'd be stunned at the difference. Gives me incentive to tidy up, anyway!!!

This pail came from one of my favorite stores in Santa Fe, called Poem.

My sewing table is the area that is the messiest right now. I can't seem to ever get a handle on that one! Sheesh!

My paint, paper and collage area. Come to think of it, this is a mess too! Haha!

My inspiration board. It has a lot more on it now.

Anyway, this is my little space. I do love it. I'd like to paint it someday. Hmmmmmm.......what color?

Santa Fe Indian Market

2009-08-27T12:44:00.001-07:00

A beautiful day in Santa Fe last weekend brought us to the Indian Market. Too many people, but look what I found --- and for only $10.00!!! It makes a statement with anything I wear; I don't think I've ever gotten so many compliments on anything!

And look at this little doll we saw there. My husband snuck a photo of her.
Now, really, does it get any cuter?!
(Click on the image to see the full cuteness...)

Collage Journals

2009-08-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

Hello! Wow --- I found these really great simple small journals on clearance at the bookstore, so I thought it'd be fun to collage the covers. And I was right!!

Who doesn't love the shape and design of repeat circles.....

Random!!

I love little houses and flowers....

A little more elegant........

I would love some feedback here......... I feel like I jump around to so many different kinds of projects and techniques! I look at other artists, and see so much more of a consistency. I have such a desire to try so many different things. I guess I shouldn't overthink this and just have fun, but I would love to hear from others on this topic..... Let me know!!

Now on to my next random project!!

'Morning' doll and estate sale finds

2009-07-31T08:40:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm still in my doll-making phase. This one's a lot different than the previous two, but I had just as much fun making her. She turned out 'sweeter' than I intended; wanted her to be a little more funky, actually.... Oh well. I'm still happy with her. If you click on the image, you can see more detail.

I love to go to estate sales with my mom, and I found some great things this time! Check these out! And all for under five bucks! Who can beat that?!

The fabric underneath the salt and pepper shakers was one of the treasures.

Can you believe this crazy quilt block? I try to imagine who did this, all the love that went into it and the history behind the fabrics........

I always have so much fun with my mom at these sales. What do you like to do with your mom?

Frida doll

2009-07-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun with my first doll, 'The Old Rose,' that I had to make another one. You know how much I love Frida, so here she is! I love her. I have found that I really enjoy making dolls. With each and every step, they become more 'alive' and 'real,' and I get so attached to them. Hope you enjoy her like I do.

The old Rose

2009-07-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

This is Rose.
Actually 'the old Rose.'
Rose is much older now, and she thinks quite often about her younger years.
When she thinks back to those times, she calls herself 'the old Rose.'
She remembers the simpler times when she was surrounded by her family and her friends.
Rose is all alone now.
She spends more and more time thinking about 'the old Rose' and
all that love.
It's all she has now
and it makes her smile.

Rose is a handmade mixed media doll. She is muslin-based, embellished with acrylic paints, pencils, and antique book text. Oh, and a single silk flower. You can prop her in a special spot, or she has a small hook on the back for hanging.

I loved making her.

Flower perfection

2009-06-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

I love me my flowers, but this has got to be my favorite. My grandma called them portulacas, so that's what I call them. They look like mexican paper flowers, and each bloom lasts only one day. I can't get enough of 'em, I tell ya.

'Flowers' collage

2009-06-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

A new collage I just finished with a flower theme.
My scanner kinda cut off the left edge and top, but you get the idea!
(Again, you can click on the image for detail...)

HAPPY SPRING!

HAPPY MONDAY!

2009-06-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

This funny little face greets me every morning.
Hope he brightens your day, too.

Just finished

2009-06-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

Things have slowed down a little bit around here, so I was FINALLY able to finish this little quilt. I kinda like it --- it's different than anything I've ever sewn before. Click on the image to see it close up!

And look at this beautiful fabric I found. I'm in love with it! Now..............what to make?

Life is Precious.

2009-05-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

My mother-in-law has been in the hospital the last 4-5 days with meningitis and encephalitis --- so very sick! Days and nights have been spent with her at the hospital until we hear some better news. It's hard to see my husband watch his mother go through this. He's the only child of hers in town, and he has so much on his shoulders with this. Keep her in your thoughts.

Flowers and fabric...

2009-05-20T13:41:00.001-07:00

Have been sewing this when I can. Inspired by the beautiful weather and the colorful flowers I've been planting --- what a fun time of year!

Mother's Day in Sedona

2009-05-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Well, this was a first -- instead of staying home for Mother's Day, my husband took me to Sedona for a 3-day weekend, just the two of us! I think it's the first Mother's Day ever that I got to totally relax and have NO responsibilities. Aaaaaaaaah..............
We stayed in Winslow Friday night and went to dinner at the Turquoise Room, a great restaurant in the most beautiful hotel, La Posada. What a find!

Off to Sedona the next morning! Actually, we drove right through Sedona to Jerome, a VERY COOL old mining town on the side of a hill, and spent the day there. Good shopping, eating, wine tasting, old mining sites, and a good ol' motorcycle rally too (my husband loved it there!).

The next day and a half were spent in Sedona siteseeing, shopping, relaxing and hiking. I think the hikes were my favorite. So pretty and lots of great people out there with us!

A truck from a favorite gallery there called Lark.

A couple we met had the coolest hiking shoes! They swore by them.

Sedona had some great bead shops too. Here are a few of my latest finds!

Can you even stand how CUTE they are???!!!

TTFN!

Ideas......

2009-05-02T14:22:00.000-07:00

Ideas swimming around in my head....... I'm thinking about making a mini quilt, so I'm putting together some collage ideas for it. This is just one. I get carried away when I'm cutting and pasting, and it's hard for me to STOP! I like it as a collage, too. Well, anyway, we'll see what comes of it!

more journal pages

2009-04-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

A few more journal pages, just having fun and experimenting.

And here's a background just waiting for something else...................but WHAT? I'll get back to it later and maybe it'll come to me.

(Maybe something to do with Frida -- I LOVE her!)

Paper bead jewels

2009-04-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

What a great day! My sweet niece came over, and we made paper bead bracelets. We played fun music, laughed, made stuff and had the best time ever. I sure do love that girl. And look at the beautiful bracelet she made!

Camera --- lost (then found!!)

2009-04-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

Well, my husband didn't actually have the camera --- we left it in a little shop in Santa Fe returning from a Taos trip with my brother-in-law and his wife! It took a while, but after re-tracing our steps, we finally figured out where it was!! WHEW!!! We had a lot of great pics on it, and here are some from the visit.

My daughter, Tracy and my sister-in-law, Tracy in our favorite gallery.

We watched one of my daughter's quartet rehearsals.

Having a margarita at a bar in Taos.

My brother-in-law manages a resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and he got us a great deal at the resort in Taos. It was so beautiful!! The above picture is us at the resort bar. The visit went by too fast, and we had a great time. Wish we could see them more often.

I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of some papers (some from catalogs and some handpainted book pages). My niece is coming over tomorrow and we'll make something together! She's a junior in high school --- very creative and artistic. Stay tuned and you'll see what comes of our time together!

I need my camera!!

2009-04-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

My husband has been testing his project at work, and has had the camera, so I have been unable to post any pictures --- ugh! Frustrating. Anyway, I have pictures of my brother-in-law's visit and new projects I've been working on, so bear with me. They'll be up soon. I'm still here (and busy!!), so stay tuned......

Short trip to Santa Fe

2009-04-13T14:18:00.000-07:00

My husband was off work Friday, so we took a short one-day trip to Santa Fe before the cold, wet weather came in for the weekend.

The day was a little chilly, but full of color and as beautiful as always. We travel to Santa Fe often just for short little outings with delicious mexican food.

My brother-in-law and his wife are coming in tonight for a week; we haven't seen them in so long. I can hardly wait! I will post pics when I can.

And....I will leave you with a picture of my daughter (on the right) and her cousins at our family dinner last night. Three beauties for sure.

Finally spring!

2009-04-06T14:47:00.000-07:00

Well, after almost blowing everything to Timbuktu this past weekend (with chilly temps to boot), spring is back today in all its glory. The flowers are especially beautiful reminding us to not lose hope! This is a shrub near our home; I love the lavender flowers against the sage green leaves.

Since the weather wasn't too cooperative for outdoor things, I was able to work on several art projects. Two of them were small canvases ---5" x 5". I had fun with them, for sure. There sure is something about cutting and pasting that brings me great pleasure and makes me feel little all over again (but I guess that what art's all about, isn't it?). I call this first one 'Little Bear.'

Here's a close-up of how much fun I had with the detail!

This next one I call 'True.'

More close-up fun!

I love this next collage!! I call it 'Early Girl." It's not on a canvas; it was done on paper. I didn't plan this one out either; she just became.

I love her! The background page came from and OLD foreign dictionary I got at an estate sale. I don't even know what language it's in! But it makes her look a little foreign too, I suppose. And her arms and legs were cut from the postage part of the those annoying mail-in subscription cards that fall out every time you open a magazine (grrrrrrr). Who knew there could be a use for those pesky things?

Well, I'm off. Better catch up on some yard things while I can!

New stuff!

2009-03-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

They're beautiful, aren't they? Who doesn't love new crayons!?? My darling daughter and I had lunch together today and, afterwards, we walked over to the art store. I had heard all about water soluble crayons and seen them used, but never tried them myself. I had to get some!! Here's a background I was goofing around with, using my new crayons!! So cool, huh? (I am very excited.) I love them, to say the least.

Okay, on to more new stuff!

We have a new bedroom! Will (my sweet husband) and I have been re-doing our bedroom. We wanted this room to be special, and somewhere we loved being. It started with the wall color. Then the pastel painting: we bought it at an art studio tour in Abiqui, here in NM --- it was raining and muddy. This particular artist had her work displayed in a tent outside, with some of her art directly on the ground! I don't think she realized how talented she was, and that she should have been displaying her art respectfully and delicately. We had a difficult time even getting the art to the car, because it was raining so hard. When we got it home, we framed it immediately. Isn't the frame perfect?!! Anyway, we realized that it had to be part of the central theme. After we ordered the bed frame, I spotted the quilt and shams, and everything fell into place. We're still not finished, but here it is so far. I'm so happy. (By the way, only a real man can be okay with a doll on his bed!!)

Completed Frida pouch

2009-03-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

It's finished!! I thought it turned out quite well, if I do say so myself (especially since it's my first one!). The zipper was longer than the bag, so that was a bit of a challenge, but I'll figure it out. I'm sure there are some tutorials on the web to help me too :)
Where has our spring gone? We woke up to SNOW this morning, and it's 20 degrees below normal today --- BRRRRRRRR! Hope all the new little blossoms survive. It's a stay inside kinda day and that's okay with me. Maybe I'll get some stuff done, for pete's sake!

Frida pouch

2009-03-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

I love zip pouches, and I've never made one before. So this is my first attempt. There was a rubber stamp show here two weekends ago, and I found this beautiful Frida stamp. This is the first time I've ever used a machine with wool felt, so we'll see how it turns out!
Sewing is another love of mine. I've been sewing since I was pretty little. My mom taught me, and she was a great teacher. She sewed all of my clothes (and my twin sister's) growing up, and it always intrigued me. She even sewed all my Barbie clothes!! Wow, impressive, Mom!!!

Journal pages

2009-03-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

Spring in New Mexico! I love it! It's gorgeous out --- the temperature is 75 today! Hard to be indoors at all!
Anyway, I said I'd post some pics today, so here we go. One thing I've been trying to do almost every day is to create pages in my art journal. It's not the typical art journal with actual journal writing in it (although I can do that, too); it's more of a safe place where I can just have fun,experiment and learn without any pressures. I'm having a blast with it, and here are just a few samples of my latest pages!

Hello!! It's me!

2009-03-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

Hi! My very first blog posting! Wow! I have been a loyal art blog follower for a while now and have always wanted to start my own. Well, today's the day! This blog will serve as my art 'journey,' if you will. I look forward to seeing myself grow, and you're welcome to, also.

I truly am an artist, and I know it is my passion. I like to express myself in various art forms, and these I will share with you. So you will see several different types of art, with a consistent theme of color and texture.

But, I'm also just a regular person too --- a wife, a mom, a woman. So I will share that part of my life some also. This is exciting for me, and I'll post some pictures in my next posting. TTFN!