Does This Lipstick Make My Butt Look Big???

This was so much fun to do!!! I have been wanting to do a series of "Up In Smoke" images in honor of my Daddy, who smoked up to and on the day he went to Heaven!

I used old newspaper for the cigarette,ashes and the round tree shrubs. Then I used matches that I lit and burned, then glued on the canvas for the tree trunks. I actually lit a candle and tried to burn the cigarette end to get an ash look, can't really tell from my scan. The rest is painted with acrylic and finished with a clear protective gloss.

This one is for you Daddy!!!

"A" is for "Anna's Hat"

As I promised, I am starting an alphabet series of ladies and their hats! This is the first, and I was experimenting with color. That explains the colors of blue and purple in her face, but I really liked the result! So, here is Anna and Her Hat, which matches her flower brooch. (That is sooo me, I love the way women dressed in the 40's, all the fab accessories...I collect and wear them all)...I punched out flower shapes from old newspaper and glued them to the canvas. Then, I added some paint to add color and dimension.
She is painted on an oval shape of wood that I will use for the series..I found out I absolutely LOVE to paint on wood!!! And I added some glitter nail polish to her flowers, but it does not show up on my scan of the painted piece.

Me and Scooter Boy

Had to share this photo, taken by me at my Mom's house last weekend. Her dog Scooter is a real boy in doggy clothes, I swear!!! I had just picked him up from the doggy beauty parlor and he was too cute. He is a Yorkie/Shih Tsu mix and the light in her world!

My Current Work Table Projects

I have been so busy at "the drawing board" and thought I'd take some photos to share with you. I am working on some new sculptures of my characters that I paint. Here is a head for what I think I will title "Bird Brain". She will have a bird's nest "hat" with a sculpted birdie nesting in it.

The top photo shows some jewelry ideas using utensils and collages of my art and a photo of me at 6 yrs old... I will show more later, when completed. I am just experimenting with some ideas I had! Fun stuff. I am also painting and collaging paper mache boxes to go with the jewelry and larger boxes for gift ideas.

Chirp!

I love hearing the birds singing and chatting in the wee hours of morning! I know Spring is finally here! I was inspired to paint this piece and sorry about the quality of my photographic skills. A bit on the blurry side.

This was painted on a wooden board and framed. I painted the frame with the little birdie sashaying across the bottom and saying "Chirp". He is collaged from old newspaper pieces. The words are cut out from newspaper also, and the piece is finished with a clear protective gloss. Hey, a bird is singing out there right this minute!!! How cool is that!

The Bunny Suit

Just in time for Easter!! I just love that outfit! And that look on her face...What is she thinking??

This cutie is painted with acrylics on a 4" x 6" canvas board. I am going to make greeting cards with the prints from this little painting. I decorated the "Egg Trees" and she is holding an "Egg Flower".

New Project

I have been asked to design and paint a mural for an area of Marietta, Ohio, called Harmar Village! They liked the earlier work I did for Marietta, Ohio, Washington County Convention and Visitor's Bureau. I will have the opportunity to work with art student volunteers helping with painting the mural under my direction. I will also be painting it. If there is a paint brush, I have to use it... This is to be started in April and hopefully well into production for the town's first 2009 Artist Walk in May. Too Cool!!! What an awesome experience for me and something I can give and donate my time to. I am touched to be asked and love giving to the community. I will be posting pics as it progresses once it is started.

This Life...Bruce Springsteen

And a million stars
cresting where you stood
the beauty in the neighborhood
this lonely planet never looked so good.

This life, this life and then the next
with you I have been blessed
what more can you expect.

This life, this life and then the next
I finger the hem of your dress
my universe at rest.

from "This Life" Bruce Springsteen

I'm a bit behind

I'm a bit behind in posting! I was without Internet and phone service for a while!! The phone company had problems in their phone lines...wow, it really makes you realize how much you can become dependent on those forms of communication! I missed my daily ritual of visiting blogs while I enjoyed my cup of morning tea. I will be posting new work in a day or so! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Have a lovely weekend!

Well, last night I went to an opening at our Art Center and loved the work!!! How inspiring. I need to do this more often. I had to go and write a critique for one piece for a class assignment. Too hard to pick just one to write about.

Anyhoo, there was great live music and the awesome jazz guitarist asked me if I would be on his new CD cover!!! Well, hecks yeahhhh....the photoshoot will be in about a month. He has a great company he works with.

Well, I am working in my sketchbook this weekend on ideas and watching basketball play-offs. Have a safe one!