Travel Authentically!

Travel Easy - ATC

Sometimes travelling can seem overwhelming. Preparing for a trip produces a laundry list of things to do...and often it seems never enough time to do them. But exciting it is. I love everything about the preparations, knowing events many not run to plan, but that's where the "adventure" begins.

Keeping this feeling in mind, I looked through my box of ephemera, letting my Muse guide me. And there they were...my collection of road maps. I love to look at maps. The road systems intrigue me. The names of the cities always sound so exotic. The cool blue of the rivers, lakes, and oceans make a peaceable rest stop from the lines and names surrounding them. Attached to the maps I found a piece of phone book paper. It was just what I wanted. And so my journey began...

The substrate for the Artist Trading Card is illustration board.  As many of my favourite excursions were circuitous in nature, I cut some of my favourite maps into strips and wove them together. And places are nothing without faces, so I added the translucent phone book pages.

Our travels, whether physical road trips or spiritual trips within, are a journey of transformation. Each experience brings knowledge and wisdom. To quote Robert Frost, "I look the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference." May you find the less travelled road to your authentic self.

Are You Ready For A Great Adventure?

Remains of the Afternoon

Do you ever design a piece with nothing in mind but the thrill of colour and texture? Does a certain shape appeal to you in a way you can't explain...but you, and your Muse, just knows it's "right"?

One of my favourite shapes is the Triangle.  I love the balance of it..the feeling of unity and calm I get whenever it becomes part of my work.

There are many meanings surrounding this symbol. In Christianity it represents the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We Americans encounter the pyramids a symbol of future prosperity and strength every time we handle a dollar bill featuring the Great Seal of the United States.

The Greek notion of the triangle as the symbol of a doorway giving balance to emotions and higher wisdom is intriguing to me.

In the Egyptian tradition the symbol represents the trinity of Isis, Osiris, and Horus. And can anyone think of Egypt without dreaming of the Great Pyramids of Giza?

I approached this collage with a clear mind ready to follow the direction of my Muse. The substrate for the collage is illustration board. I cut up a vintage letter, art and handmade paper, joss and sewing pattern paper into triangular shapes. I added the crystalline paper made from newspaper and flower petals enwrapped in tissue. The final touch was copper acrylics stencilled over the layers.

What symbols and shapes are dear to you? If you heed their call, they will help you open the  door to your creative possibilities.  I don't know about you, but I can never resist going a great adventure!

Life is a Game...Break The Rules!!!!

Life Is A Game - ATC

Is life a game?

Inspired by the Grand Circle Corporation book of quotes, I chose to illustrate seven of the twenty lines from a passage attributed to Mother Teresa. Artist Trading Card three is "Life Is A Game...Play It".

Bill Bernbach, one of advertising's most influential people, said: "Rules are what the artist breaks; the memorable never emerged from a formula."  And break the rules he did with a lifetime of  ingenious ad campaigns, including Volkswagen's "Think small" and "You don't have to be Jewish to love Levy's"  for Levy's rye bread. I can still see myself as a young girl standing on the corner of 43 Street and 13 Avenue in Brooklyn thinking "Wow" as I stared up at the Levy's poster. Bill Bernbach's work, to this day, inspires my creative journey.

The substrate for the card is illustration board. I covered the background with Distress Inks and acrylic paint. I also rubber stamped and stencilled the card with metallic acrylic paint. I added printed text, handmade paper and the wrapper from a Hershey's Kiss.  The vintage Pierrot, which is as close as I will ever get to a clown, completed the card.

In life, as in Art, inspiration comes to us in many forms...if we are open to see it. We play the game of life uniquely, bringing our own interpretations to each and every situation. Success is allowing our Muse to guide us to new dream-filled possibilities.

So, is life a game? Are we all players taking part and playing by the rules...or are we rule breakers?

Will You Dare To Be Adventurous?

Life is an Adventure - ATC

As we are now a few days into 2014 I can't help but think of what the year will bring. For me, the new year is like a clean work table. I can keep what I liked from last year to build on, but I can do away with the things that were less than successful. There is an optimistic, glorious, hopefulness in my heart for life to move on, dreams to be fulfilled, and adventure to be my by-word.

With this in mind, I created the Artist Trading Card for an ATC swap. From the Grand Circle Corporation book of quotes, I chose to illustrate seven of the twenty lines from a passage attributed to Mother Teresa.

The substrate is illustration board. I covered the board will a map, Italian hotel receipts, crystalline paper made from sewing pattern paper with coloured mum petals folded in, handmade art paper, the quote, and photo of the two lovely ladies looking for adventure. I finished the ATC with a stencil of metallic acrylic paint.

The women in the photo intrigue me. They are obviously ready to go on an adventure, handbags at the ready. But where were they going? Were they following their Muse to parts unknown...or was it a simple trip to the shops?

In 2014 will you dare adventure to take you wherever your Muse guides you? Will you travel many miles and across many cultures...or explore areas close to you with awe and wonder? Or will the adventure be looking within?

Adventure is waiting. Will you dare it?