Back in the art-saddle again!

(Click on image to enlarge)

Swap theme: What's in Your Head?

OK, that was a lame title, but it's true. It's been months since I've found the time to do any art. Larry Gene, my family and going back to work full time keep me plenty busy! I forced myself to get out the Exacto knife and PVA adhesive by signing up for three fun postcard swaps. This is the first, completed last weekend.

(And, yes, that's my son in the picture! Isn't he adorable? He smiles all the time!)

My Cutie Pie!

My clever son has a sly little smile that promises lots of eye-winking trouble later on!

He is loved so much.

Photo taken in September 2007, 3 months old

My beautiful baby boy

Larry Gene, you have my heart forever!

Born June 4, 2007. 7 lbs 13 oz, 19 3/4 inches.

Fairieland Postcard

This is my latest postcard for my Letterheads art group with a "fairieland" theme. I was aiming to not make your typical cutsie fairy images. And in Letterheads, there are always some words or phrases included.

What is the Question?

(Click image to enlarge)

My contribution to a Shakespeare-themed postcard swap.

Little Clipboard

(Click images to enlarge)

On the left is the front of a custom clipboard I made for another artist in a swap. I glued fancy paper to chipboard, distressed it in chalk and some inks and added words and images. I used Modge Podge to give it a final finish durabality.

Mona Lisa Altered

An irreverent postcard swap from my Letterheads art group. She was fun to make! I've received some really neat ones in return from the other players.

(Click on image to enlarge)

The words along the side say:

"Lusciously embroidered with a creamy rococo floral pattern, thisgolden mule must-have had a devasting effect as it dangled fromthe foot of an eighteenth century coquette."

Art Quotes, an ATC swap

Click on any card to enlarge for details

Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)

Mark Twain postcard

Click on image above to enlarge

The postcard above was created for a Mark Twain postcard swap on one of my art groups. The rule was have at least one of Mark Twain's quotes included. Mine says:

"If you tell the truth,

You don't have to remember anything!"

The background was made using a replica of the Territorial Enterprise and Virginia City News, for which Mark Twain once wrote in the 1860s. The image of Twain on the left is a print over vellum, creating slight transparency effect. It's hard to read, but the tag at the bottom says "The Good Old Days."

Monte's Fairyland swap

Click on image to enlarge

Monte's latest set of ATCs, completed tonight. The swap, from one of my art groups, is called "Fairyland."

The pictures just don't do justice to Monte's creative mind. Some of these gorgeous cards have fairies "hiding" underneath elements that can be lifted to see the complete picture, such as with the single blade of grass on the first card, and the autumn leaf on the fifth card.

Also, the mermaid fairy is "underneath" a sheer overlay transparency printed with a circle design in blue, giving the effect of depth and water.

The swap called for six cards, but as usual, I had to steal one for my collection! Can you guess which one I kept? :-) It was a tough decision!

Finally back at the drawing board!

After a long, wintry hiatus, I'm slowly getting back into creating art! It feels wonderful, and it's a nice change of pace to be doing this again instead of freshly mourning for the loss of our loved ones last year.

Plus, Baby Larry joins me now (still in my belly), and makes everything so much more special! (Soon, my next project will be decorating his room!)

This piece is a Winter Art Doll for one of my art groups. I will be sending her off to my partner very soon. Although this doll is supposed to have a winter theme, I couldn't seem to glue down anything but these colors! I love them. Perhaps a burst of winter florals?