A New Must Have Book

I found a great books while wandering around in one of my favorite haunts, Books A Million. I just had to have it and now I want to make books. If certain people will leave me in peace this weekend I'll do one.

Artful Blogging-Winter 08-Now Available

Artful Blogging-Winter 08-Now Available


http://www.stampington.com/html/artful_blogging.html


Yes! Must run to bookstore! :)

Oh, wait. Must wait for payday. :(

Artful Blogging Autumn '08

Artful Blogging Autumn '08 will be out soon- 08/01/08. I love to look at this publication from Stampington and Co. I get ideas not only for my blog, but for my artwork as well. Here the link to it's home page....

http://www.stampington.com/html/artful_blogging_autumn08.html

Artful Blogging

So, I got my copy of Artful Blogging, Summer Issue, and couldn't wait to get home to look at it. After fixing a pot of coffee I sat down to flip through it first. What a beautiful issue. The cover is absolutely stunning and the blogs featured inside are wonderful and inspiring. I really loved the first blog that showcased food as art. Quite yummy. Now I am reading the blogs. I have to read some of them before I go to bed. Yes, I am addicted to this magazine since the very first Artful Blogger. I can't wait for the autumn issue.

Here is the link to Somerset's Artful Blogging Page. Check it out!http://www.stampington.com/html/artful_blogging_sum08.html

I just wish mine own blog was up to par. Maybe this issue will help me. (a new camera would help, too, so I can post some of my artwork.)

First Art Show of the Year

I made it into the Applachian art show in Kingsport, TN. I didn't win any award, mainly because the judge only chose represental works as winners and I only do abstracts for shows. He didn't pick any abstracts. Very disappointing and limited on his part. But the show is impressive, a must see. If any of you have a chance to see it, do so. I wish my camera worked so I can show you the painting I entered. *sigh*.

Art Show

Today is the opening of the 43rd Annual Appalachian Art Show. I'm hoping to make it to the reception. I had one of my two pieces accepted into the show. I would seriously love it I won a prize or sold it. Wish me luck.

Color Me Wild

You Are a Red Crayon

Your world is colored with bright, vivid, wild colors.You have a deep, complex personality - and you are always expressing something about yourself.Bold and dominant, you are a natural leader. You have an energy that is intense... and sometimes overwhelming.Your reaction to everything tends to be strong. You are the master of love-hate relationships. Your color wheel opposite is green. Green people are way too mellow to understand what drives your energy.

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorcrayonareyouquiz/">What Color Crayon Are You?

One day a long time ago right after I started first grade my fellow students and I were given a box of crayons and a pre-printed picture to color. We were told to color the sky blue, the tree and grass green, and the squirrel brown. Being my daring self my sky turned out orange, my tree blue, the grass red, and the squirrel purple. My Mom was called in to discuss my rebellious nature.
Let's face it-I love color.
I mean, if we were to take what is taught us when we are young as truth, that there is only eight colors (nine if you count white), why do crayons come in boxes of eight, sixteen, thirty-two, and sixty-four? What are we to do with the other crayons, just look at them? What a waste of money.
Just look around our lovely world and see the colors. All the delicate pinks of a winter dawn, all the vibrant shades of reds, oranges, and golds of autumn trees against a shade of blue that only an autumn sky has, all the great firey colors of a summer sunset, all the different hues of greens in nature. Not just eight colors.
Support art in our public schools. Creative minds are terrible things to waste. A sense of wonder worse to lose.

Not working

So, I have lots of time to work on a new altered book since I'm not working right now. That is if I can put down the book I'm reading-Devil May Cry by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I should have it done in another hour or so. I'm hoping to have some work done up for a booth on First Friday here in Johnson City. That's the 1st friday every month when Main St is closed off and the galleries are having openings, the restraughts stay open late, bands are out there playing, and artists and such are allowed to have booths up. Hope to see some of you there.

paper beads

In the latest issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissor there is a nifty article on how to make paper beads. I tried the technique and enjoyed it. It was alittle messy-okay, alot of messy, but I don't feel like I'm being creative unless I'm making a mess-and I got rid of a lot of left over paint, embossing powder, and trinkets doing them. Soon as I figure out what my nephew did to my digital camera to make it not work right I'll share some of them with ya'll. Note-when using hot air gun watch your fingers (leave bead on straw) and watch for nosy furry ones.

Choosing the perfect book to alter

Choosing the perfect book to alter is a challange. It has to be of the right size for what is in the mind of the artist, the right cover, the right thickness. I like a good textured cover to work on with paints and such. Most books today have that smooth cover. It's okay if I want to cover it with paper, but I prefer a textured surface. I found one to work with today, nice textured cover, slim and small. I'm trying to decide what to do with it. I have a few ideas, maybe use one of my poems. I'm thinking of a window cut out of the front cover, a small alcove for an item of some sort. I'll keep ya'll posted.