Take a peek!

Hello dear friends! I know it has been a long time since I have posted here. I apologize, I injured my hand and wasn't able to do any painting or crafting. It was hard, but luckily I love to read, so spent my free time with my nose in good books. :) My hand is now healed and I am ready to get back into the habit of painting! I recently got an invite from Patience Brewster for a Q&A spotlight on my blog. Patience is an amazing artist, check out her Christmas ornaments here: patiencebrewster.com/ornaments.html

1- As a child, do you recall a significant moment when you felt truly affected or inspired by any particular artwork or artist?

When I was young an art train stopped in our small town. You could walk through the train and see artists at work and ask them questions. At that moment I realized that being an artist could be my job! I was very excited. and it changed the way I thought about my future.

2- As an artist, what do you hope to convey with your work?

My paintings are usually inspired by nature. I use my artwork as a celebration of gratitude to God for all the beauty He provides us in nature. I hope my artwork makes people smile.

3- What memorable responses have you had to your work?

I had done some paintings for a very nice woman, she was complimenting me on my artwork and telling me how lucky I was to be so artistic. Then she said offhandedly, you should thank God for your talent. That remark changed the way I thought of any talent I may have. I thank God everyday.

4- What is your dream project?

I am not sure about this one... when I was in high school, I was asked where I wanted to be in 20 years. I answered that I wanted to be sitting in a field of tulips, in Holland, painting. I think that still rings true. I would love to have some of my artwork reprinted onto puzzles, calendars, dishware etc. It would be so wonderful to walk into a store and see my work.

5- What artist of any medium do you admire? (famous or not)

I love Matisse for his bold use of color, Monet for the beauty of light in his paintings and O'Keefe for teaching me to look at things closely and from different points of view. This list could go on and on. :)

I hope that gives you a little peek at the person behind the paintings. Please visit Patience Brewster's Facebook where you can read about her and other artists interviewed. I also have an old blog where you can see even more of my work. www.whimsyartstudio.blogspot.com
Thanks Marietta Gregg for including me in this wonderful opportunity.

Easy key chains- great teacher gift

These are so easy to make- your kids could even help.  And what teacher doesn't need a key chain?
click for tutorial...

a frame? a clipboard? or both

Is it a frame? Is it a clipboard?  I'd say it is both.  I created these easy items a while back but felt they were worth sharing again.  

They are just a piece of 2x6 wood cut to appropriate height.  Add a finial to the top then glue on a clothespin.

Lastly personlize it with glaze or paint, some fabric rosettes, buttons of whatever strikes your fancy.  These would be easy fun gifts for friends or even teachers.

Flower Pot Nutcrackers?

At work I was charged with creating these silly guys using clay pots, paint and accessories.  Just a bit of fun for the holidays.  Can you imagine making them out of huge pots? 

Silver trays rethought.

Trays are usually for holding food - or jewelry.  But here is a new twist.  Use them as wall art. 

Just something to be said for old, shiny silver. 

The Theme is Water

 

 
A blog was doing a water theme for art.  I combined some favorites- mason jars and flowers.
click for tutorial...

Boingo Pumpkin

We have all seen various types and takes on pumpkins this season.  There are fabric ones, plastic ones, real ones and paper ones.  But have you seen one on a spring?  - kinda like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh ready to pounce.

Well I have tons of these springs- yes the previous owners left me a rather ratty sofa and well- my dog chewed it up more than I'd care to share and right before I was going to have my brother-in-law haul it to the dump- my sister said, "cut out the springs and save those.  You might find something cool to do with them."  My sister is a junk nut.  She will pick anything up and try to see a way to repurpose it.  She is not too cool to dumpster dive- no sir. She was right- I ended up using them.

I did two in this fun orange pattern.  It is paper napkins decoupaged over a paper mache pumpkin.  Then I tied some of my hand-stained, hand stamped Halloween ribbon to the spring. 
Aren't you just bouncing to have this?