Changing The World...One Postcard At A Time!

“Through art we can change the world.” - David Sandum

I’m sure you’ll agree…the world is going through some extremely tough times. And as strange as this may sound, when things seem just a little too intense for me I enjoy wandering through a supermarket. My local A&P was always a favourite. And when I moved to England my supermarket of choice was Morrisons. Regardless of the location, the ambiance was reassuringly identical and delightfully soothing. Is it the orderly rows of merchandise, the bright colours of the packaging, or even the Muzak that charms me? I really don’t have an answer. I just know I enjoy wandering, most of the time aimlessly, through the aisles. I guess you could call it my version of “retail therapy”.

Searching through my collection of ephemera for inspiration, my eye caught a vintage image of a woman pushing her overflowing cart. Like me, she had to be an A&P shopper. There was the clue.  My favorite: Eight O’clock Coffee…the original DIY lovers’ coffee…ground to your own specification in the machine conveniently placed in the aisle.

I wanted to place the woman on a background that would scream “SALE!!” I took another look at one of my favourite stencils, Artistcellar’s “Celestial” from the Arabian Nights series. I built two versions on heavy white paper using a variety of colours. In the end I had two distinct looks. I decided to use the lighter, brighter one as a background.  Having an assortment of choices at my fingertips so quickly and easily is the hallmark of Artistcellar products.

Working wholly conventionally this time I cut and glued my photos, text and sections from handwritten shopping lists I “procured” from a parking lot to the card. Creating this way was just as therapeutic as my supermarket stroll!

Soon the finished piece will be on its way to Twitter Art Exhibit. Founder David Sandum began the project in 2010 using social media and global public engagement to generate income for charities and nonprofits. Artists donate postcard sized work to #TAE for sale. At an exhibition the art is sold. The chosen organisation receives 100% of the proceeds.

This year TAE17 is supporting Molly Olly’s Wishes in Stratford upon Avon, UK. The organisation compassionately assists children with terminal or life threatening illnesses and their families. Their goal is to help maintain emotional well-being for those undergoing extremely difficult times. My challenges in no way compare to those facing these children and their families.  But my hope is that with my card we can share a smile and the relaxation of my supermarket meanderings.

Why not spread the healing spirit of Artistcellar? There is still time to enter as registration closes on February 24th. Your postcard must be in the hands of #TAE17 no later than March 17th. For more information follow this link: http://twitterartexhibit.org/

As artists, inspiration surrounds us…even in the most unlikely places…such as a supermarket. But with our unique brand of creativity we can change the world…one postcard at a time.

MATERIALS USED:

• ARTISTCELLAR STENCILS: ARABIAN NIGHTS – CELESTIAL
• ACRYLIC PAINT
• REEVES: Rose Red
• CRAFTSMART: Sea Mist Pearl
• DECO ART: Peacock Pearl, Champagne Gold, Sunny Day
• PLAID FOLK ART: Sunflower, Inca God, Bright Red, Amethyst
• 90lb WHITE POSTCARD PAPER
• VINTAGE & CONTEMPORARY ADS
• FOUND SHOPPING LISTS

WARNING! DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!!

DON'T LET THIS BE YOU! - ATC

Are you like me? Does even the idea of running out of coffee strike fear in your heart? Are you just "not yourself" until you down that first...second...or third cup?

Rather than using street names, do your directions list coffee shops as landmarks? Do you consider a balanced meal coffee and a donut? Are you the person who is always polite to the Barista knowing they are creating your kind of magic in that cup? Then, my friend, we share a passion.

I recently sent off this Artist Trading Card to a friend who also proclaims her adulation for this beverage. The background and type are from newspaper ads. The truly distressed woman was sent to me from Germany as part of a paper exchange. I finished the card by rubber stamping on handmade paper.

No matter what you call it: Joe, Java, Brew, Cuppa, Liquid Delight...word to the wise: Never, ever run out of coffee!

What Are The Best Things In Your Life?

Lovelier than a thousand kisses,

Smoother than muscatel wine.

Coffee, I must have coffee,

And if anyone wants to give me a treat,

Ah! just give me some coffee! 

- The Coffee Cantata by J.S. Bach

  

Coffee. Or as we say where I come from, “cawffee” is more than just a morning ritual. Its intoxicating scent eases you into the start of the day. Rich and bold, it is a relaxing conclusion to the evening. It warms you up on a cold day or cools you down in a variety of disguises from iced to ice cream. It’s an excuse to meet and share time with friends. No matter how or where it is served, I love it! 

Working on my next collage using the wonderful Artistcellar Halftone Dots stencils I moved on to my next new love: Mineral Paper. Sleek and smooth, made from rocks, I couldn’t wait to try it out with a variety of media. It took the acrylic paint I stenciled on like a dream. No buckling or wrinkling. I was left with a wonderfully smooth, flat surface.

But would the mineral paper hold up to something a more liquid? I reached for my ever present cup of coffee. I covered the sheet with a general wash. While drying, I sprinkled on both wet grounds and instant granules. The page performed just as described by the Yasutomo Company. No bending. No warping. Just a flat surface – as pristine as when removed from the pack.

I loved the way the paper responds to wet media, but I wanted to try just one more effect. When dry I spritzed the sheet in several areas with my spray water bottle. The mottled look was just what I was after. Again, when dry the Mineral Paper remained flat, smooth and ready to be scanned.

Of late I’ve been in a ‘50’s kind of mindset. I decided to add the image of the surprised woman. But what could she be thinking? Did she just make a fantastic discovery? Of course! It has to be the best things in life.  And what could be better than a reassuring rotation of Art, Sleep and our Daily Brew? Who wants to join me?

Have You Set Your Intentions?

DREAM TIME

OUR INTENTION CREATES OUR REALITY -WAYNE DYER

Time. It’s a commodity I am forever chasing.  Days melt into weeks. Rapidly weeks turn into months that segue into years.  How did I allow myself to become “so busy”? Are you the same?

Most of my daily activities are enjoyable. But sometimes I stop and wonder. Am I busy just to be busy?  Is my life just spiraling around me…or am I fully involved in the process of living? Am I still following my dreams, or is it just a happy accident when I do achieve them?

I needed time to think. And thinking is generated not only from my mind, but from my heart and hands.

I love designing with all of the Artistcellar stencils in my collection, but recently I find my Muse steering me to create using the Sacred Heart series. The traditional Sacred Heart design speaks to me. The Creative Words Pocket Stencils add the perfect accent. The words in the series are exceptional.  I took the stencils to my work table and started my collage. I wanted something I could use as a bookmark in my daily journal. I needed something to remind me to be an active part of this life that swirls around me.

My substrate is heavy drawing paper. I don’t use my watercolours as often as I should, so I decided now is the time. I splashed a wash of colours I found pleasing. When dried, I added stencil shapes and a ribbon of metallic acrylics. If you look closely you will also see a coffee wash…as I prefer to call my sometimes messy drinking. With the nib from the bottle of my liquid acrylics in hand I added the calligraphy…my intention…the start of truly living my dreams.

I may not always be able to achieve the mindfulness I strive for, but through my work I can move ahead to the place that brings me peace. And it is from a peaceful heart that I can travel in the direction of my intentions, to trust my way forward, to make my dreams a reality.

In the whirl of the day’s events, do you ever stop and ask yourself…am I making time for my dreams? Is now the time that you do?

MATERIALS USED:

Trust & Sacred Heart Artistcellar Stencils

Hand cut stencils

Art Paper

Drawing  paper

Metallic Acrylic Paint

Liquid Metallic Acrylic Paint

Winsor & Newton Watercolour Paint

Coffee Wash aka Being Messy