Something Out of Nothing!

"Art is making something out of nothing and selling it." - Frank Zappa

I always smile when I read this Zappa quote. When I was in Art School, as much as our instructors encouraged following our creative voice, they equally stressed the importance of sales. After all, a starving artist in a garret sounds romantic, but creativity has a difficult time thriving when you’re faced with a lack of income.

I have been working on a series of Prayer Flags using the Artistcellar Tibet Series for inspiration. They are on on exhibit at WITF-TV, our local PBS channel in Harrisburg, PA. This is my second set. The first sold at an exhibition last year. Although the new set is in the spirit of the old, I found my colour choices and positions of the stencils were evolving. As you use your Artistcellar stencils you too will discover how they inspire your work. When masking a stencil here or there, you can change the feel of your design, always creating something fresh and new.

Recently a friend gifted me with a beautifully wrapped wind chime. The deep purple tissue paper she used has a wonderful sheen and light texture. I knew it would find its way into my art. While working on the flags, I found it hard to just wash all the luscious paint off my stencils. Instead, in celebration of Earth Day, I used my purple tissue as a blotter. What better way to “Reuse & Recycle”?

When I was finished stenciling my flag, I transferred the paint to the paper. The tissue took the acrylics well and soon I had two gorgeous paint covered sheets. But this is just the beginning. The paper will be a central part of a project I will write about in the coming weeks.

Have you ever tried using up your paint on paper this way? Not only “saving” your acrylic it’s a great way to extend the life of your stencil…to have positive and negative images at your fingertips.

I suppose Frank Zappa was right. As artists we can make something from nothing. And here’s hoping you have future sales to boot!

 MATERIALS USED: 

• ARTISTCELLAR STENCILS: QUASICRYSTALS SERIES STENCILS, TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SERIES, HALFTONE DOTS, PLAYFUL PODS, SEAFOAM, TIBET SERIES, ARABIAN NIGHTS
• HANDCUT DIAMOND STENCIL
• PLAID ACRYLICS: Sunflower, Inca Gold
• DECOART: Sunny Day, Blue Harbor, Sea Glass, Desert Turquoise
• DYLUSIONS PAINT: Vibrant Turquoise, Cut Grass, Fresh Lime, London Blue, Crushed Grape, Squeezed Orange, Bubblegum Pink, Postbox Red
• DYLUSIONS INK SPRAY: Bubblegum Pink
• DINA WAKLEY ACRYLICS: Blushing
• REEVES: Bronze, Gold
• NATURAL SPONGE
• PAINTER’S TAPE
• TISSUE PAPER    

May You Find Your Way To Your Treasures!

An Airplane Took Us - Postcard

As 2014 quickly draws to close, memories of the year...some good, some not so good...come rushing back to me. But over all, I am hopeful and looking forward to a New Year with new possibilities.

I designed this postcard for the LottoHEART exhibition hosted by Camp Rehoboth in Delaware. The exhibit displayed over two hundred cards. The theme of the card was set when in a magazine I found the Thornton Wilder quote:

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

How true this is at all times of the year, but especially when we are saying good-bye to the old year and anticipating the start of the new.

Have you thought about what you treasure most? For me it's not only the cherished people in my life, but the feeling being creative, and listening to my Muse, gives me.

I warmly look forward to 2015's opportunities, the newest of which is my joining the Lunagirl Moonbeams' Design Team. I am excited and honoured to be part of the Team.

The substrate for the postcard is illustration board. Gleaned from magazine pages are the Wilder quote and the title edit at the top of the card. Postage stamps, a photo of the women, a decorative leaf, art and vintage papers complete the card.

As we move through the Holiday Season may your days be filled with all that your treasure!