Play.

I am working on a bunch of small pieces right now because my brain is bursting with new ideas and I can not settle it down long enough to commit to a larger work.  I am still working on my long board surfers as well... which I have been procrastinating on for far too long, but that is not what this post is about.  Yesterday, I was feeling a bit anxious for no real reason, but I am not the kind of gal who likes to wallow in dark.  After a refreshing trip to spend time amongst beauty by way of veggies at Whole Foods, I was ready to lift myself back up and find some words of inspiration that would lead to a new creation.  And here she is:

"Where beams of Imagination play, The memory's soft figures melt away" - Alexander Pope

Play.

5 x 7"

The Bride.

I belong to quite a few different art and quilling groups, both online and off, but my favorite one at the moment is Craftster.  There are so many incredibly talented and inspiring people on there that post pictures of their ideas and projects.  They also hold different challenges and swaps which I adore.  I love swapping.  I do personal swaps at festivals and such all of the time and some of the most amazing art I own was acquired in this manor.  My new obsession in the world of swaps however is one that I  was introduced to recently: Art Trading Cards (ATC).  I posted previously about a card that I created (the robot) and I am back to share my latest with you today.  The thing I love about doing ATC swaps is that the person you are swapping with dictates the subject matter based on their personal preferences.  These likes and dislikes are usually quite different from my own which pushes my brain.  I am creating a work with another person in mind while keeping to my artistic methods and creativity.  The same is done when I do most commission work, but the ATC cards have the added element of being extremely tiny. A finished piece must measure in at 2.5 x 3.5 inches in total.  Which when you are used to working with much more space, is a great challenge.  I love it.  Troy has imposed a limit as to how many swaps I am allowed to participate in at any given time (they take a lot of time and I do create such work as a living normally) but I am embracing it.  The swaps seem to give me the feeling I used to have when I was more craft, less art.  I don't know why, but it is nice to step back once in awhile.  I also get beautiful little cards of art in the mail themed on MY preferences, which is simply amazing.

New Work! Inhale.

I hate naming pictures.  I just do.  I am not good at it and a title never fully gives any real insight into what I am feeling as I work.  That is the true fact about my work.  I never think about what I am doing - I only feel it.  I rarely am inspired to create something off a visual and am instead much more attracted to words and my interpretation of them.  Following this movement in thought, I was touched by the thought to instead include the words that fuel my brain along with my piece and then title it from within.  And here I go:

"You only need one man to love you. But him to love you free like a wildfire, crazy like the moon, always like tomorrow, sudden like an inhale and over coming like the tides.  Only one man and all of this."  -C. Joybell C.

Inhale.

Gratitude Giveaway Monday!

It's going to be a thing....  Head on over to my Facebook page to see what I am grateful for this fine and beautiful Monday and then share your own thoughts of gratitude for a chance to win these little lovelies!

Give Gratitude

Gratitude.

Do you ever have those days where everything seems magical and and you can sense the oneness that we all share - you are completely present and full of peace?  I am very fortunate to have such days almost every day, but today the feeling of love is especially strong. I am moved to express gratitude and (lucky you!) I want to give away this lovely new pair of earrings that I just made this afternoon.  If you like them and want a chance to win, just head on over to the Little Circles Facebook page and tell me what you are grateful for today.  I will draw a name tomorrow and ship them out!

Celebrate Valentine's with a 'lil gift from me!

Happy day-o-love my internet cherubs.  In celebration, I made this darling paper earring tutorial just for you... Oh, yeah, and it's FREE!!!

Enjoy. XOXO

'Heart Throb' Quilled Paper Earring Pattern

Shannon's Perfect Tree

Here is the third piece I have completed for the friend of mine who has started a collection.  It was inspired by a photo he sent me of a tree that his wife loves in Michigan.  The kids call it 'Mom's Perfect Tree'.

'lil Robot

This little guy measures in at just 2.5 x 3.5" and was pretty fun to make.  He is my half of a tiny art swap I am participating in and will be on his way to Canada tomorrow.  He may feature in an idea I have in the very near future...

Newly finished commissioned work - 'Lily'

I was commissioned by an old friend to do two pictures for him and his wife. They bought a small piece from me a few months back and are now starting to collect. They want all three pieces to be nature in theme and be bright and bold. The first work they bought from me was a 5 x 7" retro flower picture that I often do variations of because they are so popular. This go round they requested a 6 x 8" and an 8 x 10". The 6 x 8 was left entirely up to me. The following pictures are of what I came up with. I just finished last night. I am pretty happy with the finished effect. I used all of the colors that I used in their previous picture plus many additional. I plan on incorporating this element in the third as well. The couple plan on hanging their collection as a grouping - and while they will all be different in subject and perhaps even stylistically, there will at least be a little similarity amongst them all. I have sent off photos to him but have year to hear back as to whether or not he likes the work. I hope it is a yes... then I can get started on the next one :)

Here is a photo of the picture I made that inspired the first work the couple commissioned from me:

Put a bird on it.

While hanging out at an art event last week, a fellow artist and friend commented on the fact that I have no works with a bird on it.  Which then lead to us laughing hysterically over the short on Portlandia where as 'putting a bird on it' is of such great importance.  So as an ode to her, I did it.  I put a bird on it.

6 x 8"

And if you do not get the reference - here you go:

Yes, you're welcome.

Love Tree.

I finished this 8x10 work about a week ago but it sold before I was able to post it on here.  I love how it turned out - and so did it's new owner :)

Hawaiian Petroglyphs

The first four in a series of Hawaiian petroglyphs (rock carvings) that I plan on creating.  You can find renditions all over the islands by many talented artists and it was time to do my own version.  Each is 3.5 x 5 inches plus frame size.

Sarah Yakawonis

Sarah Yakawonis is an amazing paper artist that I have admired since I first stumbled upon one of her anatomy pieces a couple of years ago.  She is innovative, original and I love following her work.  Check out her Etsy store, her blog, like her on Facebook... all that good stuff.  I do!

Shop Sarah's Etsy shop HERE

Follow Sarah @ Twitter HERE

Read Sarah's blog HERE

Like Sarah on Facebook HERE