Color Me Confused

Ok, so a few posts ago, I told you about getting an email from Somerset saying I was to be published in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Somerset Memories. Now the email I received clearly said Somerset Studios, but the editor I had been in contact with about the pieces I sent, was from Memories. Here is where the confusion comes in. 4 months ago I sent in a submission to Somerset Studios for a feature on "Paper Dolls". Now it has been awhile, and I don't know exactly when that issue is to be published, because looking back through the issue that had the call for art, it does not give a specific publication date. So now I think the pieces I sent to Memories are still in for review and the paper dolls piece is what is going to be published next month. We'll see! So pick up a copy of Somerset Studios and look for my name,because I am not exactly sure what the artwork will look like.

Cosmic Gelly Diptych

I wanted to see if I could do all of the art that I do on canvas, on 1/4" poplar panel board. It is only 6.99 for a 24" x 48" sheet at Home Depot, and I figured I could save some money. This is the first technique I tried, and it came out great. I primed the pieces with gesso first and the applied the heavy gel and paint. They are now framed in 12"x12" frames. The colors are much deeper than shown here, so I will try to get better pictures tomorrow.

Behaving Myself

One of my all time favorite quotes is by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, who said "Well behaved women rarely make history". Now I know this quote was referring to women's suffrage, but I think it goes so much deeper than that. I prefer to tweak the context to fit what I do in my life. I spent many years "not" behaving myself, literally. And now, my behavior, (well or otherwise) is a whole lot different. I believe that in friendships, in faith, in business, and in art; to always go with what society considers "well behaved" is not enough. Not only is it not enough, it is a disservice. I want to be the one who goes beyond, to step outside of the ordinary and to show my individuality, my beliefs and my creativity. I want to make my own history, and I would love it if you all would come along for the ride.

22"x 30" mixed media collage on Fabriano hot press

I am Officially a Published Artist

I got the best email today!! I submitted some pieces to Somerset a few months back, and never thought about it again. (I have submitted so many things, it's just easier to be surprised than to anticipate anything.) WELL TODAY I WAS SURPRISED! I received an email a last week saying they needed to see the artwork in person, so I sent it off, and I got the news today that I will be published in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Somerset Memories. Wow!! I am so excited I can't believe it. When I began this journey a couple years ago, I had three goals: (1)Have someone like my work enough to buy it. (2) Have a piece of my work shown in an exhibit, and (3) to be published. As of today, I have achieved all three!! Time to set some new goals. I am not showing the pieces here until they are published. (Apparently that's kind of an unwritten rule....who knew!)

So, not wanting to leave ya'll with nothing to look at.....here is a favorite from a couple of journals ago. Pretty funny how I picked this, when the title is "Why Me?" ('Cause God wanted to bless me I guess!!)

Journal Pages

Two new journal pages I finished up this evening. One page reflects my thoughts on a discussion on the Many Maniacs forum regarding the word "artist" and who does that apply to. As always, click on the images for a closer look.

Two page Journal Spread

I love this quote. Who said it, you ask?? Why, that would be ME!! I made it all up in my little mind awhile ago, when one of the high school kids from Youth Group was graduating and moving to New York to go to school.

Cosmic Gel-ly's

Somebody stop me! These have been so fun to do, that I can't stop. These are number 3 and 4 that I have done just this weekend. I need to take them outside to get good pictures, because with the acrylic gloss sealer, there is too much glare. But the colors are so rich and the charcoal gives so much depth, that I am loving this set.

Cosmic Gel-ly

11x14 gel medium, charcoal and acrylic on canvas board

Cosmic Gel-ly 1

8" x 10" gel medium and acrylic with charcoal pencil on watercolorboard

New Journal Pages

Here are a few new journal pages that I have done the last two days. One entry is about having my work solicited from one of my favorite publications. I sent an email submission last month, and received an response today, that they want to see the actual artwork, that it would be a strong candidate for publication. I am so hoping that it is. This has been such a huge goal of mine, I am trying not to get too excited, but this is farther than I have ever gotten before, so there's that!!!!

Journal Pages

Happy Birthday Margaret

This is a little something I made for my very dear friend Margaret. Margaret is an amazing woman, who takes care of so many, and so many details. She is truely a joy in my life. Isn't she HOT!!!

Princess Chloe

Introduction to Light

This is a submission for ECVA for their call for art entitled: Light of the World. I have entered this, my interpretation "Introduction to Light"

When I was introduced to Jesus, I believe that God was the one who made that introduction, I felt like a fire was lit inside of me. I felt like if I just stood close enough to that light, the rest of my life, I would be able to feel that warmth. And as long as I kept looking at that flame, I would always know which way to go.