The Lost and Found of Art and Memories During a Mid Year Review, Turtle and City

The post on growing lettuce on the windowsill had this image tucked into the collage.  Didn't realize at the time that this aceo hadn't been shared in its own post.  It was made years ago with acrylics on cold press paper and gotten lost in the image folders for a while.

When I painted this, I was remembering my little turtle from my childhood.  That was back in the day when you could buy tiny turtles at the Woolworth store.

Whenever I think of him or her? I see shell, tiny head and legs which he used to full advantage while he explored the grass in my backyard.  Lost him once!  Green turtle in all that green grass wasn't easy to find him.

Let free from his turtle house, my tiny turtle would walk pretty fast for a turtle.  It was as if he was born to roam. The same way I enjoy myself on a trip to NYC or other city.

This aceo is city, buildings, lights, traffic, taxis, and turtle shells altogether.  It's dark and striking, confusing, congested, slow and fast at the same time.  Best of all, it's full of opportunities to explore and enjoy.

It's nice to sometimes find myself renewed through bits and pieces from the Lost and Found.

If you liked this post, check out some other aceos by clicking the Art Label in the sidebar or typing aceo into the Search bar.  You may like this one, a paper and collage plus digital version Love Always Hands Theme ACEO.

It's Time for Second on the 2nd, Plane to Sea At the Beach Aceo

Waking Up to Rainbows

Water is on my mind.  

An immense, unmeasured body of water that seems to go on forever and is so deep that it's a challenge to navigate, explore, and impossible to control. 

Ever since going on my trip last year I daydream, more than a little bit, about going on another ocean voyage.   If wishes came true, I'd be posting this while looking out to the horizon, where only waves, waves, and more waves surround the ship.

I'm entertained by their songs.  The waves are more than chaotic, small ones, huge ones, little ones being pushed forward and side to side.  They confide, no brag their secrets to the wind and offer to protect the treasures of the third world many fathoms below the hull.

I don't succumb to their calling, more or less their temptations, because I have miles to sail, or is that, cables, before I close my eyes to rest for a while.

It's Groundhog Day, so ocean wistfulness is a far away scheme.

I'm sharing Plane to Sea At the Beach Aceo  with you for Second on the 2nd  linked at Altered Book Lover.  It's a chance to share an older post once a month, on the 2nd of each month.

My aceo was first published way back on  July 25, 2011.  Thanks for visiting.  

What if Everyday Was New Year's Day?

Another twelve months spent as the sands of time run between our fingers.  Did we reach for the stars with the help of a step ladder?  Is a try as good as a win?  The To Do List gets longer, not shorter. But isn't that the way it should be?  

Are we wiser and not just older?  Are we happier or better by savoring contentment?  Have we reached any of our goals?

What if everyday was New Year's Day?  It's the day after the party, after the expectations and the list making.  Resolution and forward thinking plus planning finds its way into the week after Christmas and before the long weeks of winter and hibernation ensue. 

What if everyday was the day commitments were begun?  What if all day long, it being New Year's Day each and every day, the promise to ourselves took the best seat in the house.  

Every day we get a chance to start our Second Act.  Our New Year's is not inscribed in stone, not yet.

I was looking through my photos (the ones the computer didn't lose for the third time) and saw this one of my aceo, Second Acts.

2013 was to be the end of one era for me and 2014 to be the Second Act so to speak.  But, as things happen, I'm still going to be in a 2013 state of being for the foreseeable future.  2014 living will be my New Year's Day whichever day it falls on in the new year.  

I said this last year , and it's worth repeating:

"Thank you for bringing laughter, wisdom, and heartfelt tears."  

Let's renew and continue to meet again in the New Year..."

All the best to you in 2014 and may your plans be well played out for you and those you love.  See you soon...

Are You Killing Your Creativity When You Strive to be Perfect When You Are Chosen For Custom Projects?

An ongoing project with no end in view, begins like a tree in the forest, but all that effort in making the work perfect, turns the tree into a toothpick.  A box of toothpicks is a sad display of effort.

When someone suggested I make custom items, I nearly passed out.

My throat tightened, heart started beating louder and blood pressure increased.  The heat rose in my face to the top of my head, and I felt faint. My blood sugar dropped.

I had to sit.  Wait.  I was sitting. 
Dizziness and cortisol were speeding through my muscles, the adrenalin wasn't released fast enough.

On the outside, I looked cool and collected. 
Inside, my hearing went quiet and I just wanted to continue to block out the conversation without being rude.  I wanted to rewind back a minute before the idea of custom work was suggested.

Don't we all (sometimes) want a rewind button?

Perfection and custom work are seriously unmeshed in my book.  I want the work to be the best possible.  Having multiple projects going at the same time helps me to not finish things, giving way to all kinds of time demands.

Okay, moving house is a big time demand, and eye surgeries, eye issues, and regular life does put a big dent into any free time; but, eventually I have to finish the projects.

Copious amounts of honing and polishing the work drag out the inevitable conclusion.  I usually find fault with something, days, weeks, even years later. Laying out boundaries does not come into the solution.  Humor does though.

I'm not perfect.  When polishing and readjusting keeps the item from getting to its destination, it makes perfection a fault.  The recipient doesn't see the imperfection, they only know they are waiting for the finished item to arrive.  I'm usually a bit early, but for something I am so invested in, I will drag out the details, procrastinate, and refine, hone, and repeat.

Worry over what someone thinks or says is not productive, and you can always find a rogues gallery of critics.  Those who receive the item matter.  Those who don't understand the work, don't buy the work- don't matter.  The old saying, "You can't please everyone all of the time, " is so true.

Read my blog post for the Say Yes bouquet.

Taking some wisdom to replace perfectionism procrastination and make a good habit includes: Polish to the best point possible.  Get the work into the hands of those who want and appreciate the idea, time, effort, and expression. Enjoy the process and see it through to its end.

Using the best efforts available, "Finish the work."  
Then let it go.

Are you a stress-free custom project maker?  Do you enjoy custom work or do you like to follow  your own path?  Would you ever refuse a custom request?

More Making Do With Four and an Idea

What kind of April Fool pranks have you gotten away with?  When I was young I put a layer of salt over the sugar in the sugar bowl. My poor Dad got a cup of coffee that morning that was a nasty tasting surprise.

That was the first and last time I ever did something like that.  Although I helped my sister put banana peels inside his shoes that morning, too.  Oh, the things you do when you think you have license to get away.

They weren't very nice jokes, but no one was injured and I did feel bad about what my sister and I had done.  He needed to change his socks and my lessons in thrift and wastefulness were reinforced!  I do forget the punishment and by the next day it was all quiet on the homefront.

So, I had an idea about using four letter words, not the naughty ones, not the vulgar or offensive ones, (not judging or bleeping) but ordinary words that are four singular letters with a certain affect in our lives.  Ordinary, weird, powerful, alluring, cringeworthy; leaving out the other 22 letters leaves but four to make their point.

Today's word is, "More," and that April Fool's Day long ago showed me that one joke was plenty and two were too much, it was more than enough.  Do we ever have enough?  Are we looking for more?  More money, more love, more freedom, more food, more friends, more time?  More can be very good- more clean water, more medical care for people in need, more blue skies on the weekends, more hugs, more flowers, more gas mileage, and on...

Take the Image as a Reminder

Will you join me in a four letter words inspired post?  Show your creation, it can be art, jewelry, needlework, poetry, photo, anything you'd like that ties in to the theme.  If you have a story or recollection, share that if you like.  We could connect these posts with a linky list if there's interest.

Here are some four letter words to get started:

pray   drum   glow   aura   fade   toss   mend   liar   rise   gild   tool  

blot   free   tint   tail   draw   wink   clue   fire   pipe   soul   boat   rush   hand  

ride   tear   cart   slip   belt   work   girl   wall  bury   band   tire   line   duck  scar


Select one of these or one of your own, such as an animal, or object, or other word that provokes a mood or has special meaning to you, just choose a four letter word.


TOO MANY WORDS?  Choose one of these:   ATOM   DAWN   RUSH   TIME   POUR   NAIL    

How does April 26th sound?  We could post our Four Letter Words on the 4th Friday of each month.  For me, I feel that once a month is manageable.  Any takers?  Hope you will give it a try and have fun with this idea to get minimal with four letters and make a visionary statement, a point of view, an artistic idea...



Some more words to choose from:

keep   hold   lull   iron   give   step   gang   mess   knot   coil   loss   time   love   room

mean   lack   full   sink   pain   zest   move   nest   glee   ease   dear   hurt   nice   gall

sore   hard   well   take   cold   warm   cure   high   airy   link   dump   long   baby   sing

face   grin   weed   sigh   game   doll   play   dice   arch   shoe   salt   joke   cafe   word

life   flat   wild   good   deck   bird   hope   ruin   show   wish   dude   safe   fish   ogle

fool   tank   bead   wise   file   ring   type   nose   star   hero   sign   halo   note   lion   barn

odor   herd   hobo   hair   last   snob   meek   vain   tiny   pomp   club   term   will   open   mate

shut   fair   evil   idol   cage   self   done   oven   rage   coin   pure   cast   name   tone   safe
     

If the Calendar Says Spring

If the calendar says it is Spring, it must be springlike weather somewhere.  As I write this, it's 18F and it has snowed through blustery winds, both big flakes and little ones off and on for the past few days.  The flakes drifted down, covered car windows, and then disappeared in a mysterious way.  It's too cold to  melt, so where does snow go when  you aren't watching?

There is hope for Spring returning as there are signs of it in the neighborhood.  Birds have come back and are serenading me from about 4:30am until mid-day and then they take a break, where they fly to, I don't know.  Maybe they are having a snooze or collecting food and building up the old nests.

Sitting down with tea and something to read, I settle in to hear the birds start gossiping once again.  Their music is beautiful.

Except for one bird who faithfully scratches his bony toes over a chalkboard and screeches, that's what he sounds like.  He does this every day at 2pm.  Every day.  He continues for an hour or so, you can't tune him out.  So annoying.  Wish I could get him to a bird relocator and place him in a different neighborhood this year.

The Aceo Challenge Blog requested theme this month is Think Spring, so here is my card.   Everyone is welcome to participate, you have until March 31 to submit your aceo.    

Sneak Peek for Celebrate Oz, Who IS Behind the Mirror?

Take an ordinary wall cupboard, paint it, sand it, repeat two more times.  At the last moment before you stencil and paint some more, have a brainstorm while laying in bed late at night, so that you can't get up and make noise while working on said brainstorm.

This cupboard has been travelling with me since at least two house moves before where I now live.  I think it used to be in a powder room, but I can not say for sure, it may have been elsewhere. I decided to do something with it.

Altered Oz is the theme of Celebrate Oz, the blog hop where we will be revealing our projects on March 15.  See the button on the right side bar? It's not too late to join us.

Last year for Celebrate Oz I had nine projects including earrings, necklace with pendant, an aceo (pocket art), two paintings, and three painted clip arts on paper. Check out that post HERE.

By the way, that brainstorm?  I didn't use it, I'm on a totally different tangent.  Must follow the Yellow Brick Road wherever it leads me.  At least until the scary apple trees start throwing their fruit.  That part of the original Wizard of Oz used to scare me (along with the flying monkeys), but I could see that the trees were rooted and they couldn't follow Dorothy and friends plus Toto, so they were not SO scary after all.

Did anything scare you in the Wizard of Oz?

Rosy Outlook for Winter

I was on a kick using these bright acrylic paints and some paper napkins in this aceo.  The smaller strips remind me of candy wrappers and the rose is a rose, well- it's a rose.

Once I scanned the aceo I could see the texture in the napkin much clearer, so I may add something to it to embellish the rose; something lightweight as the coldpress paper will need backing if too much is laid upon it.  Maybe add a little aging to it overall?

It's a little cheery to look at with the dark and dreary winter out here in the midwest.  Last year we were fortunate to not have the usual omnipresent snow and ice for months on end.  We had some weeks with less snow and for that, I am very thankful.  Hope we get an encore this winter, no guarantees, of course..

I started this aceo last winter, and put it aside, maybe I'll finish it
before Spring, lol.

Are you looking forward to the winter or would you like a long autumn?

Remembrances and Intentions

This is such an inspiring and comforting prayer I decided to put it onto an aceo.  I resurrected this aceo just before the recent murders of our embassy workers and the widespread riots and attacks throughout the Middle East and around the globe.  It seems very timely, unfortunately.

Not wanting to distract from the intention of the words, I used clippings for the background which I want to convey a mood of struggle, support and hope.

When I see this prayer, the melody of the song for these words pops up in my thoughts.  It's an easy song to sing, a kind of mantra- soothing and spirit building at the same time.  An adult lullaby of sorts.

I don't know how many versions of this song there are or if Francis  actually wrote any version.  The prayer first appeared in 1912 in France, and the saint died around 1182 aged 44.

To be associated with this powerful message and to be remembered throughout the centuries is a powerful achievement, even if  the composition was intentional and not authentic to the saint.

Francis is the patron saint of ecology and pets.  His feast day is celebrated on October 4.

Do you want to be remembered and for what?




   

Double the Fun Moose Humor

aceo with watercolor, inks, clippings, and copy of original moose photo

If you can look at this moose and get a little grin going, maybe a chuckle, or a great big guffaw- then you understand the thought behind the card.

I like that in you.  That is all.






There's a happy little "In the Mail" post at Paula's blog for people who like getting surprises in the mail; that is-  surprises not involving bills, subscriptions, and other mundane things that fit into a mailbox.  Sign up to send one thing to another blogger that weighs less than 13 ounces and can be mailed unwrapped/without an envelope.  In return you get to wait and find out what is coming to your mailbox.  The possibilities are endless and it sounds like fun.  Are you signing up?

A Future September 11th

Sometime in the future there will be an ordinary day in the first half of September.  That day will find me enjoying the last remnants of summer and the anticipation of autumn.  I'll be thinking that another birthday is almost here and remembering a loved one's passing.

On that ordinary day I won't feel the intensity of a nation in mourning.  The anniversary of the tragedy will be noted, but not overpowering.  That day isn't here yet.  Eleven years on, it's still on the minds and hearts of those it intimately touched and the security of people here and abroad is an ongoing struggle.

I made this aceo from clippings and copies of my original photos of the World Trade Centers and surrounding area.  Previous posts about the day and the area are here and here.

Another generation is a third of the way grown up hearing about September 11th in history books and documentaries.  Thank you to all the heroes of the day and since then.  You are valued and remembered.

As time puts distance between the immediate tragedy and the here and now, how has that distance affected you?
      

Inspired by The Wizard of Oz

In parts of blog land the mood is excitement and anticipation to the max.  The big reveal for Celebrate Oz has arrived!   Let's get right to it.  Make sure to hang around to the end for a surprise.  Read on...

Once upon a time, actually about a year ago, I made this  Wizard of Oz inspired collage aceo.

Fast forward, tornado style as the story goes, over the past couple of weeks I got busy making some new Oz inspired pieces.

           

Tin Man Pierced Earrings

Dorothy's Ruby Slippers Pierced Earrings

Yellow Brick Road Pierced Earrings
Ruby Slippers and Tin Man

To set the theme, I found some Wizard of Oz clip art online, printed it onto songbook pages, and painted in some of the illustration details.

The green border below, was added on PicMonkey.

Some of the song titles fit the character to a "t."
Here is The Cowardly Lion,  "You're a Big Boy Now."   

This is a 5x7 canvas which previously looked like this.  That post was about my first inkjet transfer, a tutorial.

The image was a lovely bride in black and white, alas she's now disappeared under the paint and glaze.

You might say, she's now Over the Rainbow; and
comfortable in her new location!   .  




I'm going to save one more Wizard of Oz inspired piece for another post.  Please come back to see what it is. Hint, the inspiration was something that flies.


In the meantime, the Surprise!  
Are you interested in a giveaway?  You may win my, "Over the Rainbow Good and Evil Necklace."  

The dangles feature a Dream/Cloud charm and a Question/Question Mark charm plus a rainbow, and metallic cord circle hanging from a combination organza ribbon/cord with a lobster claw clasp.  

I leave it up to you to decide which intentions the red and the black indicate in your life.

You do not have to have a Celebrate Oz post to get a chance in the draw.  The giveaway is open to all current followers, and new ones, too.  If you decide to follow, that's terrific, but not required!      

Leave a comment for this post and you are entered.  Giveaway will close on Monday, July 23 and the winner will be announced on July 24.  Come back to see who won.       

I hope you enjoyed my Wizard of Oz inspirations.  Please visit the other blogs on the Celebrate Oz link from the top of the post; there are stories, art, and other creative things. 

While you are here, please click the poll at the top left sidebar.  There are only a few days left and I'd appreciate knowing your favorite color combo.  Thanks for stopping by!

Summer Skies and Skipping Rope

This aceo is saying blue summer skies, kites, chasing butterflies, swimming pools, beaches, and all kinds of other memory making childhood fun!

I'm currently pulled in a few directions with a clouded focus.  You can add clouds to the description, too.  Maybe that's where the tug of war rope comes into play.  Or, this could be the beginning of a tangled web...

I've used watercolors, acrylics, tissue papers, words, and string.  Skipping rope, walking the dog, playing rodeo,  laundry drying out in the sunshine, and more...that's what I see in this aceo.

"Blue skies, smiling at me, nothing but blue skies do I see..."

Father and Child Reunion

Father's Day is around the corner.  My Dad swam in a sea of estrogen.  By that I mean, he had daughters and no sons.  But I don't feel sorry for him not to have had a son; sure to carry on the family name, I think that's one of those goals, but it's not a guarantee in life.  It would have been great to have a brother, though.

Daddy showed me how to hold and use tools, do some lightweight maintenance on my cars, explained some important things he wanted me to know, too.   He had a lot of responsibility when he was a child, and that burden was omnipresent.  I learned from observing the unspoken.


This aceo captures a little bit of the fire of the relationship, it's not tight, clear, and focused, and there is a gap, a threshold of sorts. There's some shine and hardness and a darkness to overcome.  Fire and light.

It's not finished, perhaps it's the text, "Father and Son" that's prolonging the completion.   My Dad died before he had a chance to see the big changes in his children's lives.  I'm writing this on the 19th anniversary of his passing, but scheduled for a later posting.  You might say he died young, and many people do, our  reunions will come someday.

Do you have that special connection in retrospect of your Dad, whether he's alive or passed on?

Five Wishes an Aceo and Cat Stevens

Wish I may, wish I might
Get the wish I wish tonight...

This week's theme at Inspiration Avenue is, you guessed it, "Wishes."

I previously made an aceo with dandelions and wishes, so I've got my wishes all aligned.  Each dandelion represents a family member.

It's a mixed media aceo with braided thread, a scrapbook embellishment and painted in acrylics and watercolors.

At the bottom of the post, there's a video of Cat Stevens, with a song about something vital to getting your wish, if you counted on a dandelion, that is.

Do you remember Cat Stevens?  I used to have his songs memorized and as soon as I played this video, well the words came back to me.

What's your wish?
                                                                       

Watch Out for the Upturned Apple Cart

This aceo has changed over time, a few different layers and color changes, too.  I've put different bits of papers, ribbons, and string on, only to change it out time and again.  Do you get like that- revising until your work no longer looks recognizable?

I think the issue is I lost sight of what the original intention/feeling was that I was hoping to convey.  It must be the chaos, it really does upset my apple cart.

Now it looks as if the dream is peeled away in layers, rumpled and aging, bedding, bandages and pieces of time attempting to stall the revelations.  Even with this chaos the colors are light with flecks of sparkle and someone's life's blood peeking through.  

Do you work better in messy and chaotic places?  Can it be too quiet to concentrate?

Love Always Aceo Hands Theme

Thank you Shelly and Loretta for this week's challenge, "Hands" for the Inspiration Avenue blog.

This is a digitally altered image of the original collage which is listed in my Storenvy shop. NOTE: Shop is on hiatus.  Check this blog for news and links to new shop.

The paper and collage aceo is at the bottom of this post.

Thanks for stopping by; click on the above link to visit the other bloggers participating in this week's challenge.

If you want to be a part of the challenges, just visit the IA blog on Mondays to find out what the new art challenge will be for that week. Don't forget to post your work and add yourself to the linky.

To everyone celebrating Mother's Day, be happy and enjoy your circle of love, family, and friendships.  My Mom is in a wonderful place, where the choirs of angels are entertaining and delighting the throngs; until we meet again, love always. ♥♥♥







This is the paper and collage aceo.  All of the colors have more impact than the muted digital version above.

There's a bit of religion, class cultures, and realism throughout.  The woman is Wallis Simpson.

If you enjoyed this post, please take a look at more art and aceos by clicking on the label in the sidebar or typing into the search bar.

Doubletake Surprise Featured Business Linkup

A lighthearted aceo in the shop.

I've been attempting to catch up with all of your blogs and I almost missed being featured over at SJ's blog, Homemaker on a Dime.  Every week she has a linkup for our shops, businesses, and giveaways and another linkup for our creative art/craft/recipe/etc.  

I wanted to say, "Thank You, SJ!" for featuring  my work.  It was a lovely surprise to see my aceos on her blog post, I was just reading as usual and then did a doubletake.  It looked familiar, and so it was!

Do you want to check out the links to her blog in my sidebar and join the linkups?   See the blog buttons "Market Your Biz and Giveaway" and "Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop."

Thanks again!

A Little More Catch Up 29Faces Challenge

Only one more day in the challenge after today, and the delay (read yesterday's post) will not stop me from finishing.  The aceo and the two sketches are part of catching up to meet the goal of 29 faces posted in February.  

Could this be the face of the devil salad?  So glad I'm almost ready to laugh about it.









These two guys remind me of faces from the 1890's,  maybe from photos of men in their workclothes.  When they would pose in front of their shops or near their places of business.

Next month I have a blogaversary, should I do a giveaway?  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
It'll be two years, I'm still in the terrible twos and learning...

Living in a World of Fossils and Giant Cats 29Faces and IA

For the 29 Faces Challenge I've been practicing with watercolors and drawing the cartoon cat.  There are two of him on this page from an old book.  He reminds me of those old 1920's and 30's comics and animations.  I think this fella needs a name.

I like him looking up at the big cat, maybe this is a dream; or he's living in a world of GIANT cats...

Now, my scanner is acting crazy, I worked on scanning this aceo to get it right, but to no avail.  This is an acrylic for the Inspiration Avenue theme of, "Here Comes the Sun."

It's somewhat abstract with the sun, sky, sea, and land.  The sun is rising over a fossil.  I think I'm personally feeling fossilized with the winter weather and the bright spot of sun feels like a new earth is being born.