Saturday, February 02, 2008

Artist Trading Cards


Making ATC's is a very individual undertaking. After being taught to make them, I began the slow process of trying to put together something appealing. Eventually, I was creating ATC's with the best of 'em! I traded and created sending envelope after envelope in the mail. It didn't take long before my mailbox was full - and then my ATC keeper was full- and then the shelves in my bookcase were getting very full. I knew I was being overrun by them. What to do?


I decided to gather all of my ATC's together and choose the ones I liked the very best. I came up with 72 cards. I bought a poster frame and make a blue background. Down the left side, I allowed myself a couple of inches and used that to display some blue buttons. I, then, tried to come up with a system to give some sort of continuity with all of the colors and subjects. At last, I finished the process. There was one glitch - isn't there always? The back would not fasten to the front of the frame. Each ATC was of varying thickness according to how many embellishments the artist used. My eldest son was visiting and I asked for a suggestion. He immediately knew what to do. He attached the front to the back using Super Glue! It worked like a charm.


One side of my living room wall had been bare for some time. Now I had just the thing to decorate that wall. Using some greenery and side mirrors, I was very pleased with my finished project. Each ATC is unique and created by all of those friends I have met along the way. Look carefully - you may see your own.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Lonely Tree


Imagine living in this remote, desolate place. The solitude is deafening. No wind blows, no birds sing. How long has the tree stood here? The tree's leaves are gone and the branches look frail - unhealthy. Overcast skies add to the gloom. Not a bit of color touches the place. Imagine spending every day the same as the day before. Would this not make anyone unhealthy?


Saturday, January 12, 2008

Hmmm - - what to draw


There are millions of things in the world to draw. Me? I couldn't find a single one. I was determined to get one sketch finished. According to my 2008 goals, I needed to get started. Perhaps, it was anxiety that caused me not to be able to find anything to draw. Carrying my sketch book, I climbed into bed. I looked around the room and wasn't impressed with the options. There was a laundry basket of clean, folded clothes but I wasn't ready for that. My night stand looked like a commercial for "Geriatrics Today." That didn't appeal to me either.

As I felt Mr. Sandman hoovering above me, I knew that I had to make a choice. What to draw - - what to draw - - what to draw. Then, I had it!! Slowly, I moved one foot from under the cozy comforter. I'd draw a foot! Diligently, I looked and drew, looked and drew. Why didn't that darn foot look like the model I was using?! As carefully as I drew, the foot remained peculiar looking, at best. Nevertheless, I am blogging this sketch. It is a symbol of my intention not to be afraid to show my work.