Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Happy New Year!


12x12 white doodle on black construction paper
w/ digital manipulation

I've laid my hand on the coming year and I'm officially
ready to take on whatever comes my way.

I am looking forward to our new elected administration
with hope that our country can begin to heal itself.
We must be mindful however, as Gandhi once stated,
"We must be the change, we wish to see in the world."

We can do this, one person, one act of kindness, one day
at a time.

Let's strive to make a difference in the New Year!

All of you my dear friends, have made a difference
in my life this past year. I am grateful and blessed.

Happy New Year!! - Andrea

My other blog is here: "ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Beaded Collage Pendant


It has been awhile, but trust that I've not been sitting
on my hands. In addition to my treasure trove of
interests, I am also a beader. Beading takes time and
patience, which I find myself short of these days.

I enjoy working with beads and just in case the thought
crossed your mind, I am by no means an expert. There
are many professional artist beaders out there.

I'm a bead dabbler.

Now for a longest time I have wanted to learn how to do a
Peyote stitch. I have tried tirelessly to teach myself
through magazines like "Bead and Button" and online
tutorials only to find my fingers tied up in knots and no
where near closer to executing this stitch. It took
some hands on training and a wonderful patient
instructor. I found Melanie teaching a class at one of
our local bead stores The Bead Gallery. Check out her
beautiful work here at "The Magpie".

This two-sided pendant is made up of (2) 1" X 3" microscope
slides, size 11 /15 japanese delica beads, collage fodder,
and LOTS of patience.

The piece is done in an Odd Count Peyote stitch. The
length of each side is beaded for a total of 4 sides, then
all pieces are stitched together around the glass.
The bail was added once the entire glass pendant was
framed.

I must admit there were moments that I thought
ingesting Peyote would be easier than stitching Peyote
but I managed to keep my resolve through the bitter
learning curve.

I'd still like to add few baubles to the bottom of the piece
otherwise I am very happy with the results.

Once I learned the stitch I decided to try a pattern I had
seen in Feb. '07 Bead and Button. It is a pattern of
the face of the Mona Lisa.

Here is my start. This pattern is done in Even Count
Peyote and size 11 japanese delicas. I've started this
piece over several times as I've had to learn how to keep
the tension consistent.

Next on my agenda... to encase (2) of these lovely glass
buttons back to back using the same Peyote stitch to
create a two-sided button pendant. Wish me luck!

Thought for today:
"It's up to each of us to get very still
and say,
'This is who I am.' No one else defines your life.

Only you do."

With much gratitude, I thank you for stopping by,
your friendship and kind words. PEACE.

Please check out my other locale: "ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Sunday, November 02, 2008

2Things Challenge- Textures/Shapes

For this week's 2thingschallenge-Textures/Shapes, I defer to
some landscape images I took on my trip last month.

If you look closely you'll find that our landscapes are much
like quilts with many textures and shapes.

White billowy clouds, with ever-changing shapes we imagine
to feel like cotton. Golden hills shape the land, mounds of
earth covered with rocks and vegetation each in its own
shape. This glassine-like body of water in its organic shape
surrounded by spindly triangular shaped evergreens
and tall slender grasses. Do you see what I see?
Click image to enlarge.

Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana

In this next image you can see that the water's texture has
changed as it is pushed through the narrow gorge. It
becomes thick and opaque as it churns and foams, unlike the
tranquil glassine water of the lake. Each rock or boulder's
shape is constantly evolving, by wear and water erosion, as
rock and water exchange places. Click image to enlarge.

Columbia River Gorge- Oregon

You can see the many different shapes in this pool of
colorful rocks. This image was taken at the water's edge
looking into the lake. Under water their texture is slick
and smooth, once removed and left to dry they are
rougher. Click on image to enlarge.

Lake McDonald -Glacier National Park, Montana

What I know for sure is when you don't look, you can't see.

Please exercise your right to V O T E-Tuesday, November 4

Thank-you for your visits and kind words. -Andrea
My other blogspot "ThE ArTful Eye"

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Shore Memories


9 x 12 mixed media

This mixed media piece began with a few fish image
transfers randomly placed and adhered with gel medium
onto a plexiglass sheet. I then painted over these images
working in the reverse, on the backside of the plexiglass
laying down an array of transparent color. The front of
this piece looked like stained glass. I took a photo of the
plexiglass mixed media painting and incorporated a vintage
photo of two bathers. Using PS craquelure filter, and
adjusting the opacity of the images I created this digital
piece from my original artwork.

I was thinking of the sea and the shore and for some reason
those stretchy bathing caps we had to wear. Mine had flowers.
There was something about the struggle to jam
my long hair into this small tough rubbery cap and wrangle
the chin strap across my neck as though I were going to swim
the English channel. The rubber had a smell, a good rubbery
smell if there were ever such a thing. I can remember it and
I felt fancy in my one-piece seersucker suit. I was 5.

Summer is waning and fall waits in the balance.

Thank you for your visits and kind words.
Cheers! My other blogspot ::: "ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Friday, August 29, 2008

Found Object Bling


Dabbling with bits 'n pieces of chain, buttons, charms and
baubles. I'm just scratching the surface with this jewelry
assemblage stuff and have lots of ideas mulling around my
head and quite a number of pieces started and strewn about
my studio. No expert here, just having fun and enjoying the
journey.

This past weekend was busy with 3 day PMC certification
class at The Shepardess with a wonderful mentor/teacher
Barbara Becker-Simon.

Life's been busy and hectic and the 8-5 has somewhat
morphed into what seems like a never-ending day.

The good news is my husband and I are off for the next
2 weeks and will be traveling the great Northwest, away
from email, cellphones, computers the craziness of the
everyday doldrums.

I've been amiss at visiting most of you my dear blog
friends and am pummeling myself daily. I do want to thank
you all for your visits and most wonderful kind words.

Jack Kerouac once said, "All of life is a foreign country "
I'm off to be an explorer in this uncharted territory.

My best to all of you! "ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Sunday, August 17, 2008

2 Things Photo Challenge - Window/Shop

For this weeks' challenge over at 2things it's
Window/Shop. I had to dredge the archives.

From the living rooms of Hearst Castle located in
San Simeon, CA. So many notables in the day of
William Randolph Hearst including Mr. Hearst himself
have peered from these windows, gazing into the glorious
golden hills of San Simeon.

and from the libraries into the courtyards reminiscent
of the ancient Greeks and Romans adorned with beautiful
sculptures and lush landscapes.

A table with a window view at Bayside Betty's in
Provincetown. Great hospitality and wonderful seafood.

I couldn't resist this photo. "John's Only"
Food and Chachkes (aka knickknacks, souvenirs, stuff)
and when you can't find Burger King there is always
Burger Queen.

No cheap burgers here. I took this pic early morning
we rode our bikes here and stopped for lunch the
place was packed.

The craziest head shop I've ever seen. Three floors and all
the paraphenalia you can dream of, black light posters from
the '60s, clothing, jewelry, incense, pipes you know what
I'm talking about.

Thought for today:
"Wherever you decide to go, go with all your heart"

My best to all! My other blogspot "tHe ArTfuL Eye"

Sunday, August 10, 2008

2Things Challenge - Over/Under

For this weeks "2Things" Over/Under challenge.
It's a visit to California Adventure Park.

The "Sun Wheel" has gondolas that remain static as the wheel
goes 'round and 'round and then for the more adventuresome
there are those gondolas that break free to swing and drop
as the wheel goes up and over.

under the ferris wheel waiting for the {shaking} car

here we go up....


and over....

A replica of the Golden Gate bridge looms over my head..

and while living "A Bug's Life" I found myself under large
over-sized plants.

"That's all Folks! Have a great day!

I am grateful for your visits and kind word. Thanks for stopping by.

At my other blog locale, a new polymer piece: ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Flower Fields


9 x 13 collage
Golden acrylics, collage scrap, Caran d'Ache
Neocolor II crayons

"There are always flowers for those who want to
see them"- Henri Matisse

If you just look, you will be surprised at what you can
see.

Today as I was meandering around the house, I saw what
appeared to be a very, very teeny, tiny baby lizard, on the
white ceramic tile of my dining room floor. Sure enough...
this little creature was frozen in this stark unnatural
environment. He let me pick him up, so I quickly took him
outside, snapped his photo and wished him well on the
beginning of his new life in the wild. Maybe it was a her?


Enjoying the summer, how about you?

Wishing you well and many thanks for your visits and kind words.
My other blogspot: "ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Now for some Fireworks

I think fireworks are amazing, because they can never be
duplicated. Random works of art in the sky.
Here are a few I captured last night.
















Firework Mandala for Sue

Cheers! "ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Friday, July 04, 2008

It's the 4th of July


Our flag- this picture taken from the deck of
"Old Ironsides" the USS Constitution in Boston.

Here's to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
wherever you are... may it be in peace and
with tolerance.

"ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Saturday, June 28, 2008

2 Things Photo Challenge - Round/Square

This week's challenge at 2things-"Round/Square"

Since I'm a collecter of old cameras and projectors
among many other things...you know we artists are
collectors, right?! I'll begin by presenting some
that I've owned or currently own to show
off their lovely round/square attributes.

very old oil lamp projector


Agfa Isolette 120


4 x 5 Viotlander


Yashica -A


Kodak Anastigmat Compur folding camera

Let the games begin...

old dice, new dice, fun dice, letter dice, tiddly winks
and dominoes.

Photo taken this morning in full sun. I wanted
to cast some rounding shadows and look it made cubes
out of the dominoes.

and lastly a round/square digital collage using some
aquarium and landscape images.


I do hope your day will be solidly square and rounded off with
many good things. As always, thank you for your visits
and kind words.

My other blog locale is here at: "ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Parallel/Perpendicular-2Things Challenge


Sock Monkey crawled quitely out of his tent, trying
desperately not to disturb his neighbors and travelled hither
and yon to meet this week's challenge over at 2Things-
Parallel/Perpendicular.

Friday on his way into town for some bananas he discovered
these parallel mailboxes with perpendicular notices and
perpendicular shadows, it was perfect.

On his way back home on this HOT Friday night, he decided
to do Cruisin' Grand in Escondido, and check out some
COOL vintage vehicles. He began to notice that lots of things
were parallel and perpendicular. It appeared that perhaps it
was going to be a particularly perfect and practical, parallel
perpendicular kind of day!

Do you notice all the parallel and perpendicular here?

How 'bout the fins on this 1960 Eldorado for parallel...
He liked that the paint was so shiny it captured image of the
tree.

...and this 50's Chevy parallel parked, just look around the
perpendicular tree trunk.

...now for real manly-monkey types- this small block Chevy
has parallel stacks and a few other parallel nuances.

...and how 'bout that little Deuce Coupe '32 with it's
perpendicular decal and parallel trunk lines.

...exhausted Sock Monkey came to this chair and was going
to rest his tired monkey peds when he noticed, the parallel
open lines in the chair and as he began to look around he
found all sorts of parallel and perpendicular.

Well this particularly perfect and practical, parallel
perpendicular day was nearing an end. He was pooped...
and it was HOT so...

He decide to go home, take the weight off, relax and keep
COOL.

Maybe even shoot a few hoops!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting! I hope all is well
in your neck of the woods.

Cheers! My other blogspot: "ThE ArTfuL EyE"