New work - Map of I AM.

During a small bout of restlessness, I got the idea that it may be fun and a great challenge to compete in a few art competitions.  I love the feeling of being pushed to do better and to create something that is true to me on a subject matter that I might otherwise never consider.  I hit up the theartlist.com and found a call for entry with the theme of maps.  The only requirement was that the piece must include some element of maps within it.  The following is my creation and hopefully will be juried into the show.  We shall see.

I am asked a lot about my process and how I create one of my mosaics from start to finish.  Here is a journal in pictures of sorts.  The original drawing was done on a 12x12 art board.  I start with an idea on how to do one small area and do not think about any other part of the picture until I get there.  With so many pieces to the puzzle, it is too overwhelming to think about it as a whole.  I let the picture unfold organically.  The pictures where I remove thought from the process and just let it become what it does, are always the most enjoyable to make and the most pleasing to view.

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.

'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...

Earring Give - Away!!!

Get prepped!  I'm going to be doing a give away of a custom colored (to your choosing) pair of earrings on Monday, December 17th.  How can you win? It's easy.  Just like Little Circles on Facebook and tune in on Monday for the deets.  Hope you win!

http://www.facebook.com/LittleCirclesEverywhere

A few updates and new beginnings.

The above is a very small picture of the girl and myself that I just completed for a competition that is being held in Canada.  It needs to be sent out this week.  I am still undecided if I want to send another work as well.  I probably should since you are allowed 2 entries for one registration price.  The picture measures just 3X4.  I have never done a competition before and must say I am super scared.  At least I do not need to be present, so if my work does not cut it, I do not have to hear it...  They reserve the right to sell the works as well and that would be nice.  It was interesting doing such a small piece.  I based this painting off another painting of larger size that I have done of Marnie and I but have not yet began to quill.  Way more challenging in the smaller size I assume.  I have been procrastinating sending it off because I need to include a portfolio and I have none.  I have never done anything nor sold anything, so I am unsure of what to include.  I guess I will have to figure it out however since it has to be sent out by the end of the month.  Due to our vacation in Disney that begins next week - I will need to have it sent out by next Wednesday.

Since I have made the decision to attempt to make a little money off my work and prove to myself and my family that all the time I spend rolling paper is worth it - I have been reading article after article about how to make money off art.  The general idea is that you need to sell prints.  This sounds great to me since often time a picture can take me 100 hours or more to complete.  It would be nice to have something to sell while I create new works.  It is pretty pricey to get prints made, so for my first time out I have decided to appeal more to my local demographic.  Traverse City is known as the Cherry Capitiol of the world and we get thousands of tourists each year for various events.  I painted this silly little thing as my base and will see what comes from it.  I always get a bit frustrated when I first paint something since I am really quite bad at it.  I do not know why it bothers me so much since I am just going to cover it up anyhow and my finished work will barely even resemble what is underneath.  It still ticks me off though.  Probably because I have to look at it for so long before it is complete.  Blah.

Here is another base I have painted and just begun to quill.  It may be a bit too much detail for the size paper I chose to quill to.  It will have to do though because I am running super low on materials.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to have an Etsy shop now.  It is nice to have my stuff out there in any capacity.  Unfortunately until I have some prints made, most of my stuff is is a little up there in price.  I want to be able to have a few less expensive items available at all times as well so I can reach more people.  I made up the little wind chime below and put it up on the site -   http://www.etsy.com/listing/69985545/quilled-paper-mobile-wind-chime?ref=pr_shop   There are quite a few more pictures there.  I am hoping it will do well.  I am going to make a few more in different color combos as well.  I have a few ideas for a few jewelry items I would like to sell as well.  I have too many ideas in my head to get everything out there.  

I need to get more organized and finish the few items that have deadlines first before finishing some of my pet projects.  We shall see how it all goes and I will keep you updated...