New acrylic painting- Daffodil Daze

Happy Sunday all, I finished my newest piece in my daffodil series and just wanted to share it.  I think it's ironic that I'm constantly inspired to use the color schemes that I find the most challenging to work with; in this case, yellows AND whites.......anyway, even though it took me awhile to get the effect I wanted, I am pleased with it and VERY pleased to be able to focus all my attention on finishing my new Tulip painting which I'll share tomorrow in my "What's UP in the Studio" posting along with progress in my new altered book......

If you're interested in seeing more images of it click HERE!

Cheers and Sunday hugs,

Stephanie

Go ask Alice.....

I LOVED the new Alice in Wonderland movie and my daughter did too- so much that we are going to see it again in IMAX format for her 16th birthday.  In the meantime, I haven't done an artist feature lately, so since I have Alice on the brain, I thought I'd feature artists who have featured Alice and friends in their work.  Curiouser and curiouser.................

"Alice in Wonderland- Print 2" by Seedsstudio

"Queen of Hearts" Steampunk charm bracelet by Jezebel

"Down the Rabbit Hole" by Fairy Dusted Mermaids

"Drink Me" Steampunk Necklace by Talulabelles

"Storybirds Three" by Phantomwise

Update on our Auction at Inspiration Avenue

Hello all, our auction at Inspiration Avenue for Angel Faces is in full swing and I thought I'd pop in with updates on current bidding.  I've also added a link to each artist's post where you can add your own bid if you like.

1.The current bid for  Angie's Butterfly Painting/Collage is at: $32.00

2. The current bid for Lisa D's  Mermaid Painting is at: $25.00

3.The current bid for Cyndi's  Blue Dangle Earrings is at: $8.00

4.The current bid for Stephanie's (yes, that's me:)) Pansy Painting is at: $25.00

5.The current bid for Chris's Rose Fine Art Print is at: $10.00

6.The current bid for Luthien's Estella Necklace is at: $27.00

7.The current bid for Lisa D's  Angel Face doll is at: $30.00

8.The current bid for Cyndi's  Chocolate Brown Post Earrings is at: $7.00

9.The current bid for Cyndi's  Green Dangle Earrings  is at: $10.00

10.The current bid for Charlie's Fine Art Tote Bag is at: $28.00

11.& 12. The current bid for Maggie's TWO Original Mixed Media Fairies is at: $25.00

13. The current bid for Art Ist's  greeting cards is at: $6.00

14.The current bid for Lisa W's  Original Painting "Enchanted" is at: $40.00

15.The current bid for  Julie's  Original Mixed Media Painting is at: $52.00

16.The current bid for Beth's TWO Handmade Pin Cusions+ Corsage is at: $20.00

17.The current bid for Shels' Metal Sculpture is at: $8.00

18.The current bid for Tammy's "Love One Another" is at : $15.00

19. The current bid for Tammy's  Mixed Media Wall Hanging is at: $12.00 

As you can see, all of the current bids are still at very reasonable levels.  So, here's your chance to obtain some very affordable art at the same time as contributing to a very worthwhile charity; Angel Faces! 

 I hope to see you there- cheers!

Stephanie

what's UP in the studio- or not as the case may be.....

I know as artists we all have those weeks where no matter what we're working on, nothing seems to go exactly as planned.  I got my daffadil painting almost completed, but after working and reworking and REWORKING the shadows on the petals, it's still not quite where I want it to be.  For the moment, I'm putting it aside lest it become completely overworked!
Then the Joie de Vivre painting for my altered book was AWFUL, it started out great but quickly became "cute" and the more I tried to "uncute" it, the cuter it became.  I think it was too big; with this series suggestion and movement are key elements and painting it as an 8" x 10" piece there was too much room for details and once I got bogged down in the details, I lost the spontaneity which is what "makes" the Joie de Vivre paintings.....anyway, I'm doing a redo this week, and then maybe I'll reveal the awfully, hideously cute version that's making me nauseous even as we speak- I'm just too embarrased to show it right now.

Here is what the Daff painting looks like at this point.....just so I have something to show for the last week :)

My goal for our show was to have 15 paintings- right now I have 10 not counting the Daff which WILL be done then.  But the other half of my goal was to create paintings of flowers that can be grown from seeds and then incorporated as prints into affordable altered books which was one of my best sellers at the last show.  Of course daffodils can't be grown from seeds so I've already diverged from my plan......so why not move a little further off the path and treat myself with a tulip painting......
SO, my goals for the week are to get a new painting in the works- probably featuring a parrot tulip- I'm feeling something like Rococo withdrawal.....
Redo the Joie painting and get it installed into it's book and prep a couple more books to feature printed versions of my flower paintings and seeds to go with them.
Happy Monday, have a great week!
Stephanie

Art Auction for Angel Faces

Let the bidding begin!

The time has come for the Inspiration Avenue art auction!

Starting this Sunday, March 7th at 7:00 am and ending next Sunday, March 14th.  100% of the proceeds will be donated to Angel Faces a wonderful charity dedicated to helping restore the self esteem of young girls with facial disfigurements through the means of art therapy and counseling.

 women helping young women through art.  This charity has truly touched our hearts, and it is sure to touch yours as well.  What could be wrong with the chance to win some beautiful art and change a young girl's life at the same time?

Please come participate in this very worthwhile event; not only will you be getting some beautiful art but you will have the oppurtunity to change a young girl's life
I've donated my original acrylic painting "Lilac Ruffles" for this event with the starting bid of $18.00. 
For more information about this piece, please click HERE
 
It's So easy to be part of this auction, the rules are simple:
1. All bidding will take place at Inspiration Avenue 
2. Bids must be in USD with $1. bidding increments.
3. Bidders must include their email address for their bid to be valid.
That's it, please join us for this worthwhile event!
Thanks,
Stephanie

Still playing with dolls; why am I still fascinated after 30 years?

One of the best parts of One World, One heart for me was meeting new friends and discovering some amazing art and the blogs that go with it along the way.  I've always been intrigued with altered art and constantly find myself compelled to use that venue for artistic exploration.  So, it's not surprising that a lot of the artists and their blogs that captured my attention were focused on mixed media.  Lately, I'm seeing a LOT of paper dolls, and I LOVE what I'm seeing.  I want to make some to accompany my altered books......this is what's been niggling in the back of my mind the last few days-and my muse is getting louder and louder in her emphasis that I NEED to make a paper doll  Or two, or even three, but definitely at least one.  I've told her that I don't really have time right now- I'm supposed to be getting ready for a show in six weeks, she doesn't care......

So, you'll probably be seeing my efforts at altered dolls in the next week or so, unless they're awful.  For now, please allow me to show you some examples of art dolls that have been a major source of inspiration for me.  Not to copy mind you, but to get in step with and make my own........

"Don't Wake the Gryphon"  by Laura Haviland of Creative Whispers

 

This is "Grandmother Tree" by Cheryl of Healing Woman

"Letters from Paris" from Bockel24

And here are several that I admire from Etsy artisits....

"Messenger of Spring" by Julia Peculiar

Faerie Paper Doll by Paper Whimsy

"Jumping Jack Ballerina Doll Lousia" by Hope and Joy Studios

what's UP in the studio?

This week I'm working on a couple of projects and I'll show you what they are, but first I want to show you how I finished my "Before the Seed" Green Envy Zinnia altered book.  You might remember that it was almost done last week except for the back....... 

                                   

 And here it is; I kept it sweet and simple since the other side has so much going on- just a little more torn paper, a collaged butterfly and my signature & date. 

Now for this week; I have two new projects.  First up is my second painting in my daffodil series.  I took this picture last Spring and have wanted to paint it ever since.  It has that glowy quality of light that attracts me so often- maybe I have a little of the moth in me?  Anyway, here's one from the series of photos I'm using:

evidently Blogger's having issues with me today, because it's insisting on uploading this image UPSIDE DOWN!  Why, I don't know, maybe it likes it better that way?  It should be enough to at least give an idea of my general effect I'm going for.....

I got much of the background laid in yesterday and hopefully today I'll make good progress with the actual flowering parts of the plant.  For those of you who are cat folks, my assistant of the day is Latte who has won temporary custody of the desk until I remove him to the chair.....Peri, my muse from last week is holed up in the bed;)

My other project is for this week's challenge at Inspiration Avenue .  Cyndi, my team member in charge of this week's challenge wrote the following, "this week’s theme is all about changing the world in all the many forms it can take. Perhaps a beautiful piece of jewelry will change the world of the wearer. A small knitted booty will certainly change the world of the baby who wears it. Perhaps your piece will have a powerful message … for example; a piece using recycled materials can change the world with its Eco-friendliness. Or maybe a piece will elicit strong feelings of compassion, love and kindness. A painting … a sculpture … a collage … all can have power."

For my entry, I'm planning to create one of my Joie de Vivre altered books using butterfly wings, recycled book pages and tissue and a small painting......wait and see!
Here's to having a Happy Tuesday!
Stephanie