When Did You Last Receive A Handwritten Letter?

OPEN AT ONCE - Collage

There is something about a handwritten letter that warms the heart. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike emails and texts. They have their place as an efficient, and quick, means to communicate. But letters...sigh...they speak in an enchanted language all their own. The choice of paper, the envelope, the stamp and any other embellishment the writer wishes to affix says just as much about them as the words they choose to add to paper.

Today is "National Send A Handwritten Letter Day". Celebrated on January 17th it is the birthday our first Postmaster General of the United States, Benjamin Franklin.

Again...synchronicity at play...I am a Lunagirl Moonbeams Design Team member. Our current challenge is Postcards and Letters. What could be a more perfect way to celebrate Handwritten Letter Day!

I recently entered into a paper swap and received a huge envelope full of beautiful postcards, paper and ephemera of all sorts from Germany. In the package was a brochure from the Sir Hubert von Herkomer's, Herkomer Museum in Landsberg am Lech in Bavaria. The tower of the Mutterturm was incredible and very romantic. I knew I wanted to add this image to the tag I was working on.

But which Lunagirl image to choose? I loved them all, but finally settled on a woman pensively holding a letter in her hand. What could she be contemplating? Was there a story unfolding as I gathered up my art supplies? I let my Muse guide me.

The old saying, "No news is good news" kept coming back to me. Inspired by Handwritten Letter Day, I thought..isn't a letter the best news of all...a little bit of magic in your hand?

The substrate for the tag is illustration board. I covered the background with Distress Ink, fluid and metallic acrylics. In addition to the lovely Lunagirl image, I added the Muttertrum, fabric, Junk Mail, wax infused and art paper, telephone book paper and other ephemera from my collection. I rubber stamped the saying on to a vintage envelope from the 1920's. Stenciling completed the tag. In honour of today...off went the tag for a "magical" tag swap.

I hope you are all enjoying "National Send A Handwritten Letter Day" as much as I am. You still have a few hours left. Why not touch someones heart in your magical way by saying "hello" with a letter?

What Brings Spice To Your Life?

SPICE OF LIFE. Collage. PAY IT FORWARD

Some time ago I signed up to participate in the "Pay It Forward" exchange. The idea is to produce a small work of art and exchange it with another participant.

As I was looking through my box of ephemera, I found a line of type I had cut out of a book. It listed spices..cinnamon, pepper, sesame, anise... In the same envelope was a reproduction of  a painting of a woman. Languorously reclining amid a bed of roses, she wistfully smiled. As the year drew to a close, I could imagine being her presence surrounded by the heady scent of roses and the piquant quality of spices in the air from her Holiday cooking.

And it made me think...what is the Spice of Life? Is it variety as the popular saying suggests? Or is it something deeper, more personal and divine? Is it what makes each one of us unique and brings passion to everything we do? Is "spice" just another name for the magical quality we strive for in our work as artists?

The substrate for the postcard is illustration board. I covered both sides of the card with gesso. I sponged the background with a selection of metallic acrylic paint. The woman, the line of type, a wax infused doily, tea bag paper, painted gauze, art and vintage papers complete the card. And off it went to its destination in Washington State.

As the New Year begins we all have a chance to build a new recipe for ourselves. What will spice up your life in 2015?

What is Essential to You?

Han's Richter's Dada XYZ 1948

As a creative person, what is essential to you?  "XYZ", an Artist Trading Card call from the Carlisle Arts Learning Center in Carlisle, PA. had me thinking. My Muse was on hiatus. I felt stranded when I opened my book on the Dada Movement, and received inspiration from Hugo Ball's Sound Poems.

It was what I needed to kick-start me into action. So it felt natural to explore the world of Dada through the eyes of other members. And what could be more appropriate than to read Hans Richter's "Dada XYZ".  The piece opens with: "I never understood Hugo Ball very well."

I photocopied the photo of Hans Richter and attached it to illustration board. The text in the background is Richter's thoughts written in 1948. It is published in Robert Motherwell's anthology of Dada writings, The Dada Painters and Poets. I finished the card with sponged metallic acrylic paint. At the end of the exhibit this card will also be traded.

Inspired by the Dadaists, not understanding is the essential quality I look for in Art and in Life. Not understanding keeps me thinking...keeps me investigating...keeps my lines to my Muse open. And when I do finally understand, even if not fully, it can lead me to some very interesting, unexpected and inspiring places.

My question to you is...what is Essential to You?

Finding My Way Through X, Y, and Z!

Hugo's Sound Poem - ATC

A call for art from The Carlisle Arts Learning Center in Carlisle Pennsylvania intrigued me. "XYZ" was the unconventional theme for an Artist Trading Card exhibit sponsored by the Gallery.

XYZ..XYZ... The letters rolled around my mind...What do those final three letters of the alphabet mean to me?

I admit, I have been struggling lately. Feeling uninspired,  I know my Muse hasn't abandoned me, at least not completely, but we just don't seem to be connecting. Projects started are in my studio, half completed, if they had the good fortune to even get that far.

And it saddens me. I miss the rush, the passionate excitement of new ideas, of experiments successful...and perhaps not quite so. I miss the joy of creating. But how can I get on track and open the lines of communication fully with my Muse?

Waiting for an appointment I pulled a small book on Dada from my handbag. The book fell open to a page with a photo of Hugo Ball dressed in costume and ready to recite a poem. A Sound Poem. My Muse reaching out? Synchronicity? It was perfect. I could feel the spark of excitement starting again.

Dadaism as an art movement was founded in Zürich Switzerland on February 5, 1916. Artists are poets rejected the conventional methods of Art and started something new. The Cabaret Voltaire hosted performance art and sound poetry. Hugo Ball wanted to return to "the most intimate alchemy of the word, and even to go beyond it in order to preserve for poetry its most sacred domain".

XYZ...over and over...with a rhythm going to the source not only of the poem I could hear, but the uninspired place in my soul.

The substrate for the ATC is illustration board. I photocopied the photo of Hugo in his shaman's hat and Cubist costume. Finding the letters X,Y, and Z seemed to just fall into place, gleaned from various magazines. I finished with metallic acrylic paint sponged on to the card. At the end of the exhibit the cards will be traded.

Although I'm still finding my way through, returning to Art History certainly has started opening up the lines of communication for me. How do you rekindle your relationship with your Muse?

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.

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?

Have you let your light shine?

Life Is Bliss ATC

When wandering through my local Salvation Army store a spiral bound book caught my eye. Printed with six words..."At the end of the day..." it's small with a plain ochre cover. And what a find! Each page is a plethora of inspiring, uplifting, or just plain quotes that make you go "Hmmmmmmm...". For a collage artist, a book like this is a gold mine of inspiration.

Published by the Grand Circle Corporation in 2007 it is a collection of readings the founders  thought of as companions on their journey through over one hundred countries. Their hope was that all who read the book received the gift of reflection. I love the line from their Dedication page: "Have you let your light shine?"

With this book in mind I entered into an Artist Trading Card swap. But which quote to use! I let my Muse guide me, closed the book, and randomly opened it. There it was, just what I was looking for on Page 78. The chapter is on "Blessings". Although sources say the quote is falsely attributed to Mother Teresa, I find it inspiring. It starts with "Life is an opportunity, benefit from it".  I chose seven of the twenty lines to illustrate.

The first card in this series is "Life is bliss, taste it". I found a lovely photo of a saucy woman holding cherries between her teeth. Perfect! The substrate is illustration board. The background is a mixture of Distress Inks. Acrylic paint is rubber stamped or stencilled on to the card. In addition to the photo, I also attached handmade and art papers, finishing off with a French postage stamp.

And as the year quickly draws to a close, what a wonderful motto to hold close to our hearts as we welcome the New Year. My wish for you is that you find your bliss by tasting all the flavours life has to offer. And why not let your light shine and share your unique self with those you meet on your journey?

Dreams Start Here...

Dreams Start Here ~ ATC

I couldn't stop thinking about the "Flood the Streets with Art" project. This Friday, Black Friday, artists around the world are making a piece of art to be left anywhere they wish it to be "found".  It is a gift to an anonymous recipient.

Everything about it captured my imagination...it was like a message in a bottle...mysterious, brimming with hope, anticipation to the extreme.  But, what to create...and where to "drop" it...that is where I let my Muse give me a nudge in the right direction.

 My local library, the Dillsburg Area Public Library, has an "adopt a shelf" programme under way. A small fee provides you with an engraved brass plate the Library places on a shelf for a year. You can have anything you wish on the plate, providing it fits within a set amount of characters.

My love of the Library and books goes back as far as I can remember. I was fortunate to have two very insightful parents who nurtured a love of learning in my brothers and me. My Mom and I would visit the Brooklyn Public Library every day, six days a week. It became a place of wonder for me...a place where the answer to anything and everything was possible if you were willing to discover it.

My brass plate is now on a shelf in the Junior Fiction section of the Library in Dillsburg. It is engraved with the words: "Dreams Start Here".  

The substrate for the  ATC is an old library card catalogue card. I altered it with Distress Inks, rubber stamped the word "Dreams",  and stencilled stars with metallic acrylic paint. I added pieces of hand coloured ephemera and handmade art paper...and finally the words "DREAMS START HERE".

I will be leaving this Artist Trading Card in a book on the shelf entitled The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan.  It is the story of a young boy who hears the call of his inner Muse and believes in himself enough to trust his vision.

I hope whoever find the card is inspired to dream…as big and as far as they can…and to let their own personal Muse lead them on a journey of discovery. And I hope that journey starts for them, as it did for me, at the local public Library.