a day in an artists life....

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

it's that time of year....

time to decorate and get organized....

well i know many of you are in the full blown decorating mode...for your orders of game boards just shows that...some of you are easing in, moving furniture around, adding a little this and that...and i am myself feeling the inspiration of the changing season coming upon us... i wanted to share some ideas that you can do yourself, just to give you a little lift while we are still in the winter season...

my biggest challenge has always been those bookshelves...my friend becky from dallas would come over and help me 'junk it up', as we called it...but being miles and miles away i no longer have my friend to come and do it just perfectly for me...some people just have a 'talent' to pull it off, but i'm lacking in the bookshelf department...so for some of you that are like me...here are some pointers and inspiring photos...

to achieve the look above, which i think is 'me'...

-- Alternate stacking books horizontally and vertically.
-- Use solid picture frames as books stands as with the framed blue butterfly in this photo.
-- Stack figurines and tchotchkes on horizontal books and layer photos and books behind.

to achieve a tone on tone...

-- To style a bookshelf to perfection, resist the urge to pile accessories in.
-- Choose a one-color or tone-on-tone scheme for vases and figurines, then alternate shapes, such as a square picture frame in one cubby and spherical bowl in another.
-- Every so often, step back to make sure you like the overall balance. Place items off center or try larger or smaller ones until you like what you see.

you are a collector at heart...

-- Gather all your collectibles and place them in between books on your shelves. Try to match heights as closely as possible.
-- Create a loose symmetry by placing similar colors on each side of the center line. If you have a picture frame or square shape in one shelf, mirror it on the other side.
-- In a wall of shelves such as this, it's important to scatter shelves with only books in it here and there to punctuate the look.

symmetry is what you love...

-- A symmetrical look works great in built-in shelves. Begin by placing focal-point pieces in the middle of each shelf, with the most prominent piece on the top shelf.
-- Surround the items with figurines, again placing the largest on the top shelf and diminishing from there.
-- Add books to line the sides, adding a horizontal stack of books on the bottom shelf.

show your art collection...

-- Highlight your favorite small sculptures by placing them solo in a shelf.
-- Group books in the center of the shelf and prop them up with small vases or matching bookends.
-- Punctuate the display with a few scattered shelves of same-size reference books.

i hope this gives you some ideas on where to start if you struggle with your displays as i do....i think we can all pull this off with just a little help....

baby it's cold outside....

years and years ago i was in the radio business...it was a great life for me for it allowed me to move often, moving to different places around the country...one of the formats was 'big band'...over the years i really began to appreciate this music and found my favorite songs and performers... when i came to the studio this morning i started singing this song...thought i'd share it with you...

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

woman drivers....hmmmm...(hey, that's not nice)....

yes, a big storm is coming....as i peeked out this morning i noticed clear blue skies...but as i'm told 'the big one is comin'....so no school...yep, it's true...the 10th snow day of the season...i'm about to head out to gather some groceries, for i must, just must, make a large pot of soup...

my dad sent me this video...now i will be honest with you...any one of the drivers could indeed be me...as hubby heads out in his truck when the first snow flake appears, just to see how much slipping and sliding he can do (on purpose)....i limit myself to the bare necessities in driving...for under the best of circumstances i'm just not real great at it...i tend to have a depth perception problem, need i say more?

it must be cabin fever...

i don't know what has happened to me for i am a true believer in no 'reality tv'.... for years and years my friends have talked about the shows that they watch as i roll my eyes... the last thing i need to do is see somebody fall to 'bad manners' right before my eyes in my free time...

now i will admit that i do watch american idol faithfully...well pretty faithful anyway, but i don't start watching until the 'talented' singers are actually chosen and on there way to the big hollywood...and i don't really consider it to fall into the 'reality tv' frame, for it is a talent contest...and i love music...

but i will admit a good part of my watching is because i have such a crush on simon....for i liked him from the get go....a "say it as it is" kind of guy...ok, in my defense, we can't help who we like...

anyway....so my sister and niece are #1 fans of the silly show the bachelor....hmmmm...i think...how can somebody actually watch something like that...and that rose ceremony, how ridiculous is that? you could better use your time by reading, knitting, quilting or getting your law degree...how can you waste so much time?

i've fallen...fallen hard...last night during the rose ceremony i find myself starting to sniff just a bit until i'd fallen into a full blown cry fest....how embarrassing is that?, hoping that my hubby just doesn't pop in the room to see what i'm doing...would he not have loved to see that and tell all his buddies his wife was having a breakdown during the bachelor...he lives for moments like that...

well i'm hooked...embarrassed to say...but in my defense the ONLY reason that i even began watching it this year is because the bachelor is a single dad...that is more up my alley....some human interest maybe?, wanting to see how a single dad pulls off raising a child?....something on a deeper level?

over the past weeks hubby has popped into look to see what i'm watching...he smirks, and says that he just can't believe i'm watching this...i assure him of all of my reasons...human interest story happening before my eyes...he's a single dad, and what a great dad he seems to be....during these times, as the words are actually leaving my mouth, i myself cannot believe what i am saying for i am actually sticking up for this 12" man on my screen...

for all of you who are true fans of the show...i know you are cheering that i have come to join you...as for the rest of you, i know you are rolling your eyes, and be careful, they may get stuck that way....

Thursday, January 29, 2009

fraktur....by judith brinck

judith brinck

judy and i became friends awhile back...we were putting our heads together on a project that i was working on to promote artists...i was really taken with her work...so beautiful, truly beautiful...but judy herself is one of those people that you want in your circle of friends, a next door neighbor that you can drop in to see or at least to have as a long distance buddy...i do love her so.... you will find judy busy painting her whimsical designs in her home in rhode island...(and yes...it does look cold!)...but you can visit her site that i have linked for you to see more of her designs or to order...

i wanted to share judy's work with you...i know you all will love her craft, her creations and knowing a bit about her history... judy grew up in a family of artists so she was bound to become one herself...after years of teaching our children the time came for her to discover her craft and perfect it....drawing, studying, painting and finally framing, judy's work is like candy to the eye...

using time honored traditions: marbleizing, hand-graining, gilding, milk paint, hand-cut stenciling, vinegar painting, tromp-loeil, and free- hand style ..... she introduces time now ... to time past.

fraktur, from the german word, “broken”, a writing style practiced primarily by schoolmasters and ministers in pennsylvania - german communities of the 18th-19th centuries have become a focus of judy's painting....and added, the whimsy of judy herself...

this year judy was chosen nationally as one of the best period painters for the directory of traditional american crafts by early american life magazine for demonstrating mastery of the art form as well as using traditional tools and methods to produce the art. whenever you see the sign above, you will know that this artist has been chosen by masters in the industry...safe to say you are seeing future museum pieces...

judith brinck, folk art...

to see more of judy and her work, (which are each original and one of a kind) just click the link. above...

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

look what i found...sweet harvest farms...

sweet harvest farms

it is fun to sit down and blog about other artists and their crafts...for as we all know, we just love all of these wonderful things that are unique and handmade...long ago there was a wonderful shop in town that i would run over to when i ran out of soap...they sold handmade soap by the slice...so many scents, such wonderful soaps to bring home...well they are long gone and i have had to settle for regular old soap for sometime now...

i wanted to share this artist with you...for not only are her products wonderful for the fragrance and natural product...but they are also wonderful for all of you that struggle with sensitive skin....so whether it's the winters that you are struggling with, sensitive skin, or just plain love natural handmade soaps...now you have a place to order on-line from... sweet harvest farms...

sweet harvest farms has taken an old basic soap recipe and added natural, soothing and luxurious ingredients to create a unique soap. this wonderful early fashioned soap not only leaves you squeaky clean but also leaves you with soft, supple and moisturized skin. the cold processed method retains 100% of the natural glycerin which is essential to hydrate your skin. commercial brands often siphon off the glycerin to sell as a by-product, in doing so their soap can leave you feeling dry and itchy.

these are not “glycerin soaps” (which is a melt and pour product). these are nurturing, medicinal and soothing soaps from her own recipe-in her own kitchen. natural and hydrating, glycerin does not have to be added as it is already there through the process of this true soap-making technique.

there are very few true soap makers left that stay true to the old fashion method of soap making used literally thousands of years ago. Excavations of ancient Babylon uncovered cylinders with inscriptions for making soap around 2800 B.C.E. Later records from ancient Egypt (c. 1500 B.C.E.) describe how animal and vegetable oils were combined with alkaline salts to make soap.

natural colorants are used in these soaps to bring out the beauty of each bar and organic and natural herbs, that are proven medicinal, are added to some of the recipes. refined shea butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, flax seed oil, palm oil and coconut oil are just a few of the rich oils used to create this luxurious line of soap.

some refer to these soaps as goat’s milk soaps....for goat's milk contains vitamins A, B6, B12 and E and is added because it is a natural emollient that helps soothe and moisturize the skin. It is the combination of all ingredients that make these luxurious bars highly sought after.

sweet harvest farms even have a natural line of soaps to help your little dogs...

the decadent dog

sapponified oils of, shea butter, coconut oil, palm oil, flax seed oil, lavender basil oil, rosemary mint, eucalyptus mint, dried sweet annie. this soap can actually be used by you and i... it is made with her basic recipe with a few twists...the skin safe scented oils used are known to repel fleas, ticks and pesky little bugs that can irritate your dog’s skin. dried sweet annie was added because of its anti-biotical and antibacterial properties, while crushed oatmeal added is to calm and soothe. use in between grooming. (not for cats...or near cats)

here is cythia's link to her site where you can read about all of her bath care products and see other goodies that you can order directly from her...you can read about her background and see why her products are so desirable...

sweet harvest farms...

Sunday, January 25, 2009

where to find art?

earth angels

an on-line gallery of american artists

caramia visick

whether you are searching for jewelry, art or sit abouts...earth angels will make you feel welcomed, cared for and simply adored...this is THE on-line shopping spree for everyone - whether you are a collector or soon to be collector of american art pieces...you will soon find that you can't resist the artists, their work and jen herself...

nicole bowen

barbara stawser

i've blogged before about 'earth angels', for jen o'connor, leader of all angels has created a very unique company. over the years she has added to her band of artistic angels and will always continue to search for more...for she has built a wonderful company with the crafts from artists across america and is truly a delight to work with... i wanted to showcase a group of the angels for you and some of their pieces over the next few weeks for jen has nearly 50 angels to share with you...(but you can always peek ahead and go straight to her site to view more art and artists...)

earth angels - (click)

kitty babendreier

(always room for a piece from kitty...)

and as the world changes once again from what we once new.... american artists are struggling to stay put for we have lost so many venues that once shared our work with you - magazines, catalogs and storefronts have all taken a toll and for the american artist a time has come for all of us to decide if we will be able to continue our art or to find another position for ourselves... so don't stop collecting american craft for you are supporting an artist and their family...

jody battaglia

debrina pratt

you have probably seen earth angels beautiful adds in some of your favorite magazines, as well as read articles featuring many of her artists...for many angels are 'famous', and many more will become 'famous' in their time...so if you are wanting to add some pieces to your home and you don't have that special shop in town...or if you are snowed in....you can always browse the earth angels site and collect to your hearts content...