Thank you cards

There is always a reason to send a thank you card. I like to do mine uniquely and creatively. Recently I had a commission for some and it got me started on recycling those little bits and pieces I had kicking around the studio. I make them smaller than my usual cards: 4.34 by 5.34 inches.

Experiment Plus Recycle

I am currently in greeting card making mode. After surgery I am tackling small commissions for original one of a kind cards, some of which are for the coming holiday season.

So where to begin was my thought. As I searched through my studio I encountered several experimental pieces. As a work of art they didn't quite make it. In my mind I either lost interest, failed to see a future in them or just felt ambivalent and needed to purge. But years ago my art teacher told me never to throw any artwork away because it stood a chance of being reworked, recycled, chopped up and reused in collage.

So that is what I did. I started by cutting up pieces of work into 4X6 pieces. And some pieces got chopped even smaller. There are so many ways to renew a piece of paper. This is the very essence of my passion for collage.

Anthropology

When I first graduated from college and got my bachelor's in education I was excited about having accomplished this goal. At the same time I was worried that my mind might turn to mush if I did not attend any more college classes. So after a 3 month tour of Europe which ended in Greece, I decided to take random classes of interest just for fun. Still one of my favorites was Anthropology 101. We studied African tribes and their customs. We explored communication of various cultures. Every once in awhile this interest in other cultures pops up in my collage work.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

THis is a tribute to my Mom. Here she is as I saw her in January with her great grandaughter, Zoe. I just love this photo. She probably would have an issue with her hair. But I see the beauty of the link between generations in their eyes.

I made my goal - 50 cards by Mothers Day

I worked daily to produce the cards for my goal of 50 by Mother's Day. I worked at 6 am on those days I worked. At 10 pm I would do a little prep work for next day's assembly. By morning the coated pieces would be dry enough to assemble into a card. And so the goal kept me focused. And when I presented the collection to my coworkers, they had this to say: "I can't decide, they're all so wonderful." Sometimes you just need to hear that from someone else. At the same time I was producing my cards, one of my coworkers e-mailed us and said she was raising funds to do the Avon walk for breast cancer. I offered to donate $1. for every card I sold. I hope it inspired some of my coworkers to choose a work of original art over a hallmark card. "Make it special, I said."

Inspired

Last weekend I took a workshop in embossed papermaking. It was a great opportunity to try something new. This card is made from the embossed paper I made. I like the texture that is so subtle.

Celebrate

With some true signs of spring in the Chicago area, I feel like celebrating. My goal of 50 flower inspired cards is getting closer to completion. I have 38 done. Setting goals really pushes you forward. Even with only smidgets of time I feel extra motivated to keep on going. The studio is a mess but I can still crank out some cards. Those remnants of old work can still be re-used, recycled or reworked and altered to a fresh look. I feel energized.

Musical Inspirations

Rolling along with the goal of 50

Not all my cards are collages. Sometimes I am in the mood for a spontaneous watercolor. Florals lend themselves to working in watercolor. I feel a sense of freedom when I paint in watercolors. There is never an intent to recreate a botanical image. The genus and species are yet unknown to man with the florals I paint.

Another recycled watercolor

More Cards for Mother's Day, Weddings, Etc.

Between Obligations

In recent weeks I have been creating Mother's Day cards of a floral nature between family obligations and work. The joy comes from taking old watercolor paintings, experiments etc and recycling them into another kind of art. Here is an example. I am hoping to have 50 cards done by the end of the month.

I really appreciate all the positive feedback. I feel blessed

I just had to share what a client wrote to me.
“I just saw the cards and they are absolutely gorgeous. What a talent you have! What beauty they represent. They are the best expression of Irish culture I think I've ever seen.”
M. Thomas

The St Patrick's Commission is Completed

Today I delivered 25 St. Patrick's Day cards to my client, Julia. She had only ordered 20 but when I presented her with 25 so she could select her favorites, she could not choose and decided on all of them. I was thrilled that she liked them. One is never sure how the client will react to the finished project. I took the cards to my work one day earlier this week and the reactions were so positive that I was confident that I was on the right track. Three cards were bought at the office which only inspired me to dash home after work and create some more designs. I was on such a roll that I could not stop. The ideas just kept coming like an avalanche. It was the most exciting feeling. I have a new appreciation of the many variations of green. Some preliminary research on the symbols, customs and history of St. Patrick's Day really helped me generate ideas. I remembered that a friend once said: There are two kinds of people in the world: The Irish and those who wish they were Irish.

I am in love with Irish Blessings

I never knew there were so many shades of green

Green Power

Shamrocks

More Irish Inspiration

The Process of Creativity

The process of creativity is often mysterious. Sometimes when you come to the table you have a plan for a project or assignment and you jump in. Other times you have no agenda and simply begin by getting warmed up with a favorite color or a color you never seem to use. I have always been drawn to red but for the last three weeks I have been focusing on green as I worked through a commission: 20 cards for St Patrick's Day.

Here's one I think fits into the theme of Irish.

New Project Begins Today

Now that Valentine's Day is behind me I begin another project that is both challenging and probably a little fun too. I have been commissioned to create 20 cards for St. Patrick's Day. I have begun my research on themes and ideas. A box of different kinds of papers are already sitting in a pile. I have accumulated a huge assortment of green swatches. I can't wait to see what comes out. I will keep you posted.

One more Valentine

Life in the working world keeps me busy

The working world keeps me so busy helping senior citizens with resources that time for art is limited. However, this week I decided to bring the art to work. There is a section on our floor at the government offices that is empty temporarily. The rooms is large and has several large tables. I brought as much of my studio as humanly possible in two shifts and set up a workshop for making Valentine cards. I e-mailed my co-oworkers to drop in at lunch or break and create a card. All the necessary materials were on hand from cardstock and envelope to wide range of adhesives, and every imaginable "junk" that included scrabble pieces, playing cards, failed watercolor paintings, monoprints, fancy scissors, and glitter. I created a handful of samples for everyone to view and off they went to the races. It was very rewarding to hear the comments of folks who admired my work but more rewarding to hear them comment on their gratitude for the experience since all of them seemed to think they had no creative bones in their body. They told me they are craving art therapy in the line of work that we do. I agree. I am so happy going to my own studio on weekends or evenings when I can carve out some time. I offer you a sampling of some cards that served as inspiration for others.

Madam Butterfly

This collage was created about two years ago and I just entered it in the Lombard Art Coalition's members show. It is a quirky piece but occasionally I enjoy working on something whimsical.

Busy weeks and finally an art day

These last few weeks have been hectic with work. My exhibit at the National University of Health Sciences came down at the end of January. To jump start the creative juices I decided to participate in a few workshops. I attended a workshop on mixed media at the Addison Art Guild. This was my first experience with a few materials like scratch boards, plaster gauze on canvas and modeling paste. I even managed a couple of baby pieces.

Some photos from my reception with my Art tribe sisters

The November 2007 Art Exhibit

The Support of Fellow Artists and Friends and patrons

Today I had my reception for the solo exhibit at the National University for Health Sciences. Even though the weather was a little uncertain with snowflakes covering the roadways, I was pleasantly surprised to see so many of my fellow artist friends, past patrons, and coworkers come out to support me. A few faces from the past and some of my husband's associates came as well. The positive feedback I received was inspiring and certainly boosted the ego of an artist putting out some work that not everyone has seen before. Seeing one's body of work is a feeling of accomplishment and validation. I cannot stress how grateful I am to all who came to see my work.

Beneath the Surface

This is the title I gave my solo exhibit at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois. It is the first solo exhibit I have done since 2000. There is a certain sense of accomplishment when one can assemble a body of work and step back and look at it. This particular exhibit is the culmination of several years of work and the evolution of an artist who painted and then moved on to mixed media and collage. The ability to combine media, to experiment and to reuse parts of older work really appeals to me at this stage of my art making life. I hope to have a good reception this coming Sunday.

My entry for White on White exhibit

A stolen moment......

And I took a line for a walk.

One more meditative scribble

Mini moments for mini Art

The time between Thanksgiving and New Years always presents a time of frantic activity with no time to meditate or create art. Yet this year I worked hard at making doodles like this just to keep a sense of sanity. My goal is to keep a stash of these squares and some pens in my purse at all times so when a few moments present themselves I can put them to special use.

Where did the time go?

I can't believe I have not posted anything since October. The days have blended together so quickly. My news is that I have been busy with several exhibits. I participated in the annual Celebration of the Arts at my church, I entered several pieces in the Midwest Collage Society Layers II exhibit and won an honorable mention and I put together a solo exhibit at the National University of Health Sciences entitled Beneath the Surface. Thirty pieces are hung in the clinic and I will have a reception in January. The bulk of my art-making has been working on greeting cards. This last month I made holiday cards of which some are watercolors and others are collage and mixed media. Working full time has cut in on some of my time for creating art. Holidays require attention also but I am happy to say that I still get some work in on the weekends. This week I have been commissioned by a former patron to do 20 cards for St. Patrick's day. This is a new theme for me. But I like the challenge.

A trip to Iowa

During a trip to Iowa to visit my daughter Victoria, I was inspired by the vast sky and the incredible colors of fall.

A whole month gone by

A whole month has gone by without a word about art on my blog. I am working full time and the time is so limited and the energy low as I learn the new tasks. Trying to get some kind of balance in place is the name of the game. I was able to do a little doodling during lunch. Then other things crept along that needed my attention. I am currently preparing to participate in an art exhibit and sale at the St. Thomas Church which is what I do every year. It is a great time to talk about my art, to show a little demonstration to patrons and to sell some work. Soon some photos will be posted.

Fragments

Some days I feel like I am doing fragments of activities. A little here, a little there. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for fragmented days. Is it attention deficit day? Is it caused by distractions of things we have no control over? Is it angst? Is it lack of a plan? Or is it catching up day? Maybe it is a day when I have a need to tie up loose ends, to aleviate clutter of personal space, or of the mind. Here is a piece of art that illustrates the kind of day I am having today. There are some good things planned but I am feeling jittery.

How time flies

As I look back at my last blog entry I am amazed at how time flies. Here it is already 12 days later. Family life, work and marketing art and small increments of creating art can take up more time than one can imagine. Yet one needs to have balance. So as I try to make time for exercise, and all the other facets of my life, I see that some days there just are not enough hours. In one week I will begin a new time schedule. I will be working a regular 8:00 - 4:30 job. I can only guess that balance will be ever more important and time will begin to feel more precious. But I am committed to be more efficient and equally balanced so there is time for mind, body and spirit.

Motivated to make more cards

Last week a friend of mine took 33 of my cards which she will market in her studio. My inventory needs to be replenished. Another friend is going to flaunt my cards in her office. I am excited and am working towards building up the inventory. I am also working through my Artist Way by Julia Cameron with a group. A support group is always good for keeping one on track. Also, I am working on drawing skills by reading and doing the suggested exercises from a book called Creative License. The author keeps the chapters short and very humorous.

September 11, 2007

I meant to post this yesterday but just didn't get around to doing it. I spent much of the day in my studio completing small projects. Also, trying to purge some things that are not usable or just plain junk. But throughout the day I kept reflecting how utterly tragic this day was 6 years ago. I created some spiritual pieces in the aftermath. And now I can only wish for P E A C E throughout the world. Global peace is what I wish for more than anything in the world. In wishing this I seek moments of peace for myself by communing with nature whether it is at the beach in the forest or by the river. PEACE to all.

A hike at the arboretum

Saturday was the most perfect day to hike at the arboretum. The weather was crisp yet sunny. My mood was enthusiastic. I had my camera, a bottle of water and comfortable shoes. I decided to revisit a place I used to take my children when they were little, the BIG ROCK. The rock seemed much smaller than I remembered. But I smiled when I remembered how adorable they were climbing the BIG ROCK. Normally not bothered by mosquitoes, today I was being eaten alive. I thought I had everything with me, but the repellent was what I really needed today. Here are the shots from the woods. The fungi were really fascinating. So many varieties. An interesting thought, fungi can symbolize recycling. From the decay comes another. That is what I am doing with some old artwork. Recycling decaying watercolors, prints, acrylic attempts.

Rhythms

I often include musical notation in my collages. When I sat down to ponder why I do that I returned to some fond memories. My father was a choral conductor. In those days when he needed to create scores for the choristers the only way to do copying was with a mimeograph machine. At that time I must have been a kid of 12 or 13 and my dad would let me sit and score out the musical notes onto the stencil. It was the most beautiful cerulean blue color and when you scored it on the lightbox you removed this waxy material and only the light shined through. It was magical. In addition I sang in a choir for about 8 years and never missed one rehearsal. So I guess one could say music is a big part of who I am. My daughter too is quite musical so there is plenty of music in the household.

More cards fresh off the press

A field trip to Chicago

I have been promising myself an artist date (a la Julia Cameron) to Chicago. Well today I got to do just that and the weather could not have been better. I took the train in the morning and walked to the Chicago Cultural center. The air was clean and there was a delightful breeze. I walked past the famous sculptures and discovered a farmers market right in front of the Picasso. Oh the senses were delighted. The Chicago Cultural Center has several art exhibits which were interesting. The best one was of contemporary art from India. The pieces that really spoke to me were 1. a huge paper sculpture called Personal Space (it was huge and full of interesting words, textures, symbols, etc. It was large enough to stand it. Actually several people could stand in the personal space. 2. The other was work done by an artist that paints onto mattresses. It is always difficult to describe art. Unfortunately the exhibit did not allow photographs to be taken.