one year ago today I made a promise (a delayed new year’s resolution) that I would ‘Create ART Everyday’…I am happy to report that this piece marks 98 on Flickr and over 110 pieces in my portfolio. I think this means I AM creating a new piece every 3 days (some art takes time).

This piece was submitted to Nancy Baumiller’s Collage Play With Crowabout(see her blog here: http://crowabout.blogspot.com/) from week 68′s collage sheet. The central girl figure was originally b&w in a grainy dark early 20th century style. I worked that image with pen and watercolor pencil. Then I  added to her dress with other images from the sheet and used legs from an ad found in In Style. I cut & paste all the images  to line the border. Background sheet K&Co Life’s Journey-with additional motif’s from other K&Co scraps. (I have tons).

My favorite part is the Japanese paper lanterns (my studio is lit with these in one corner but they are white not multi-colored) I used a FISKARS 1″ circle cutter (the squeeze kind-so EZ!) on a half dozen paper scraps. I then drew the lines on them to give them the circular dimension with PITT pen.

All my images are glued down with TOMBO permanent adhesive. If any peel up due to humidity I seal the corners with some O’Glue. The final step is adding the quote.

The key in the lower right corner inspired me and thus I chose one from www.great-quotes.com about the key to Heaven. (She is not really wearing a dunce cap-but she does have doubts about herself)

Nathaniel Parker Willis’ bio here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Parker_Willis

I am not new to journaling or graffiti text but am challenged by the limited space on a piece-this time I practiced the set-up on a piece of vellum over the spot I want to add the quote. No matter-I still screwed it up and it took FOREVER to finish it….I am in love with my white SAKURA Gelly Roll pen but the damn thing dries out in 30 seconds. I recently bought UCHIDA Marvy Opaque DECO COLOR pens (recommended by the cashier at Art Media) but they only work on magazine glossy paper!! AARGH!

So if any of my readers know of a good white pen-please let me know

briedah@msn.com

The central part of this piece was done in the traditional cut&paste format. Then I imported to my photo/collage creator and added the zetti strips from my “You Can Play Too” and the pink circles from Nancy’s Week 47 collage sheet. I painted the background black. I tweaked the contrast and saturation only a wee bit. And now it is DONE! Total time: 14 hours!

This year has bought me much joy along with much pain from a pinched nerve in my neck (still seeking treatment). Art has given me a chance to focus on something other than the pain and also to keep me away from the cookie jar which my doctor warned will send me into full blown diabetes if I don’t quit sugar! It has worked! My numbers have all dropped and I’m feeling less *puffy*.  I still have sugar once in a while but I am conscious of the effect it has-it KNOCKS me OUT!

The other benefit from being creative is knowing I am using my talent to make others HAPPY! Sometimes I even get a few dollars for my work but it is not so much the income as the joy of being lost in my work; it is an escape from fear and anxiety that brings me the most satisfaction. Also added benefit-my home is beginning to look like an ART GALLERY!!

One more thing, joining www.Flickr.com  has introduced me to a world of new friends and incredible artists whom I’ve been reading about in Somerset Studio or Juxtapoz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juxtapoz) and getting feedback from them is like a drug. My view count is currently 8,394!!!

Having my own website is possible thru the kindness and generosity of my brother John (www.jebswebs.com) . Without his incredible support and phenomenal technical wizardry I would be one sad puppy (sitting on a wet newspaper). He is also my strongest booster in regards to making my ART a commercial success…I owe him a gazillion thanks and big hugs!!

Now as I did one year ago today: a snapshot of my desk currently~

where:  studio

when: Sunday Feb 28 1:30 pm                                                                                       

Listening to: “Diplomat’s Son” Vampire Weekend   

on my desk right now: tombo roller, Ranger distress ink, FISKARS circle punch, FISKARS 12″ paper trimmer,  UCHIDA, PITT, SHARPIE, SAKURA pens, Kimberly watercolor pencils, pencil carousel, electric and old skool pencil sharpener, Running Press “Friendship” mini book, cut-out parrot bird from dover book, red, white & gold GLITTEREX glitter, crystal geyser water bottle, coffee cup,  and current art work “Key To Heaven”   

mood: energetic, happy 

recent creations: key to heaven, altered magazine (W), ‘be glad

inspirations: fashion layout from W, new desk from Deb & Jeff (belonged to Lois B)

My life depends on creating art…and a sunny day!