In Time For Mother's Day

On the eBay auction block I currently have three original collages that I picked with Mother's Day in mind. The auction ends Saturday. Click on the captions below the images for more information and a direct link to eBay.

"First Love"

"Red Balloon"

"Paisley Bathtub"

Dark & Shiny Gift Box

And yet another little gift box to add to my growing collection!

For more information, or to purchase - click here!

Cat Eye Marbles

"Cat Eye Marble Collage Gift Box"
click here for more information and to purchase

I used to love to play marbles on the playground as a kid. To me the marbles were like so many jewels and the transparent glass ones, as opposed to the opaque, were my favorites. Cat eyes, snake eyes, clearies... you remember. So, I couldn't resist when I ran across these cat eye marble cabochons and I felt a gift box was the perfect place to use them.

You might want to check out my Treasury List on Etsy for other beautiful cat eye marble creations!

Sliced Seashell & Map Box

These boxes make me happy! Can you tell? :D

"Sliced Seashell & Map Box"
click here for details and to purchase

Rose Chintz Box

"Rose Chintz Box"
Click here for more details and to purchase

 Another decorative gift box using rose chintz as a theme. 

Red Heart Box

 Beads, pearls, red glitter and silver heart charms adorn the lid.
Click here for more information.

Another hinged lid box from the Savannah Bee Company. Love these!

Heart Box

"Heart Box"
click here for details and to purchase

So, I'm dabbling in the area of "usable" art. Artwork that serves a functional purpose in addition to being pretty. 

Over the years I've collected quite an array of cardboard boxes; mostly  which have been used for jewelry purchases. I've always thought it would be fun to re-purpose them and now I've begun. 

Here is the first of what I intend to be many of these little boxes.

Bright Blue Planet

Mixed Media Collage - 8x10
Available for purchase on Etsy!

I know it comes as no surprise that I love circles. I'm not sure why I'm so fascinated with them, but I use them often in my artwork, both abstract and representational works. My son says I need to explore this fixation with circles. He sees them as windows and he wonders where my windows lead to. 

To me, my circles look like other worlds. So maybe that's the answer. My circles are windows, which are portals to another world. Another world for me.

Change Of Seasons

"Change Of Seasons" - 8x10 - Mixed Media Collage
Available on Etsy!

This piece is just a little different for me. It's mostly acrylic paints. There's a hint of dark blue ogura lace paper, though. Of course there's a ton of beads, a scattering of fossil leaves and another cute little dragonfly ceramic piece. Sometimes I wish I did ceramics, but mostly I think it's better that I don't go trifling in that medium. I know that I couldn't stand the heartbreak if something I loved blew up in the kiln!

Summer Breeze

"Summer Breeze" - 8x10 - Mixed Media Collage
Click Here To Purchase

This third piece in the masking tape series actually keeps the under painting intact. It makes for a very busy composition. And the sweet little ceramic piece with the dragonfly I picked up in a gift shop in Lithopolis, Ohio. 

The lace paper used in this piece is spiral or uzumaki lace.

The Earth's Crust As It Appeared On Thursday

"The Earth's Crust As It Appeared On Thursday" - 11x14 - Mixed Media Collage

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

Every once in awhile you begin a composition that just defies you. It refuses to cooperate and end up looking lovely. I set out to create a collage depicting terracotta pots filled with nasturtiums. It's a favorite subject of mine and one I haven't done in a long while. At the end of the day it was such a mess that in order to prevent myself from fooling with it any longer I covered it with a layer of paint. The next morning, I realized that a layer of paint wasn't enough and I proceeded to smear modeling paste and coarse pumice gel all over it, too. And then I started sticking things in it. It's way over the top for me, but somehow immensely, personally satisfying. And yes, I did it on a Thursday!

Maximum Flight

"Maximum Flight" - 4x12 - Mixed Media CollageAvailable on Etsy

On Monday, May 7, I received a text message that my daughter-in-law was in labor and I hastily packed a bag and drove 90 miles to be there when my grandson, Max, was delivered early the next morning.

When I returned, home (a week later) I saw the piece I was working on when I got the call still lying on my work table and decided to name it in honor of my new grandson.

On the flip side of the emotional coin, before returning home from Maryland, I swung up through Pennsylvania to pick up artwork from the Yellow Springs show. This show has always been very successful for me, so it was a kick in the gut to discover that this year I sold nothing except for one bin piece. After commission and the price of gas to make the 230 mile round trip twice (once to drop off; once to pick up) not to mention the time spent... well it's probably a loss.

In the world of art, nothing is guaranteed and counting your chickens before they hatch is certainly a dangerous proposition. And things go in runs, as well, and I think I've had a very good run there and have certainly enjoyed my experience working with the enthusiastic volunteers at Yellow Springs.

So for now, I'm going to focus on local venues and trying to promote sales in this area. crabulous fine art is getting ready to embark on its first ever season of outdoor shows and festivals, so it will be a whole new adventure.

Dragonflies & Copper Leaves

"Dragonflies & Copper Leaves" - 8x10 - Mixed Media Collage

Crabs

"Crabs" - 8x8 - Mixed Media Collage
Click Here to Purchase on Etsy

It was time for another crab image. After all...

The Paisley Bathtub

"The Paisley Bathtub" - 5x7 - Mixed Media Collage

I think this has to be my favorite "bathing beauty" to date. If I could have a paisley claw foot tub, don't you know, I absolutely would! And most definitely a head wrap to match.

Another Bathing Beauty

"Mirror, Mirror" - 5x7 - Mixed Media Collage

Just had to create another little bathing beauty because the last one was so much fun!

Lotus Pond

"Lotus Pond" - 6x6 - Mixed Media Collage - $90 + $10 shipping

available on Etsy

Years ago, while in Newark, Delaware, I was shopping in this fabulous little clothing boutique of locally manufactured designs, when I ran across the cutest, hand-crafted ceramic buttons. They were each one of a kind and I purchased a hand full of them. Every once in awhile, they find their way out of one of my numerous drawers of tchotchkes and into my artwork. That's where the "flower" has come from in this piece. 

Also, for the first time, I'm creating an option for the immediate purchase of this piece if anyone should so desire.

French Curves Are Sexy

"French Curves Are Sexy" - 6x6 - Mixed Media Collage

Right View

Left View

The Secret

"The Secret" - 6x6 - Mixed Media Collage

A new little piece in one of my favorite color combinations. What's the secret? I'll never tell. ;)

A Moment of Bliss

"A Moment of Bliss" - 5x7 - Mixed Media Collage

 Is there any woman over the age of 8 who doesn't know the phrase, "Calgon, take me away!"? And with that in mind as well as the aftermath of the holidays, I created this new little piece.