Just call me Itchy Scratchy

The weirdest stuff happens to me.... Today was day 2 1/2 of having a crazy rash all over my chest, shoulders, back, neck, face, eyebrows, arms and scalp. Oh and it's even on the insides of my eye lids and lower lash according to my doctor. Jeepers. I am apparently having some extreme reaction to 'something'.
I don't have a clue what it is that I got into contact with. The last time I had a reaction this bad was when we added cedar chips to raku fire, about 6 years ago. I totally forgot about that, but I guess it was in my 'record'. He asked me what I was concocting now, lol. Drat, nothing as fun as raku.... just painting with the usual supplies. So now I'm all jacked up on prednisone for the inflammation and swelling and clarinex for the itchy itches. Needless to say I didn't go to work today - I would have scared the customers away looking like a puffy measle patient! Instead I continued to paint the day away, trying to get a bit of art to hang for my upcoming show at the gallery.
I'll be the guest artist for the month of March at the River Gallery in Old Town Florence, OR. They are hosting a reception for me this Saturday from 1-3 pm ... I should be rash free by then, lol.

Grow

Well here's to hoping I can grow.... as an artist and as a person, since I'm probably not going to get any taller. (I belong to the 5 foot and under group)

So, this is my latest....
I layered acrylic paint, papers, and texture medium on an 8x8 canvas. Then embellished with vintage clip art I got from flickr's Collage Images group, and added wings made from vintage french text. I fashioned a nest from moss and a wood egg that I painted. "Grow" is made from a distressed 'deluxe' scrabble tile, cut paper, a watch face and a regular scrabble tile. The black dots in the upper L corner are old snaps and buttons are vintage from a collection my mom sent me.

This is one of the pieces I will be entering into a jurried show tomorrow. I really hope I will get in because I one of my beeswax collages is in a commercial for the show - and wouldn't it suck if I didn't get my art IN the show?!! The chances are probably slim to none, as over 300 enter and they only take 100. I don't do the usual 'look' you see around here.... everyone does coasty stuff. Oh well, I can't get it if I don't try, right? I won't find out till Nov. 1st, cross your fingers for me.

Twilight and the Cup cake

I found these snazzy paper mache 'plaques' at Micheals, on sale, so I did what I always do and got 3. One to 'try' one to sell if it turns out good, and one to keep if I like it, for another project. I'm weird, I know, but this has worked well when I'm finding/trying something new, and I'm at least 55 miles from anywhere.

So, since I have finally

found my style

.... here is more of it, on my new paper mache plaques! Click to see them larger.

Twilight
*painterly background
*painted papers for the trees
*bird with my signature crystal eye
*sweet sparkle stars

Bon Appetit
*one calorie free cupcake made with painted paper icing
*painterly background
*alphabit tile 'bon appetit'
*too sweet glitter 'sprinkles'
*a painted vintage button for the cherry on top

a gift for Sandy...

Again, a little art therapy is oh-so-good for the soul.... distracting me from things I just shouldn't be thinking about. Click on the pics to see larger images.

I just finished this m-media painting for my pal Sandy. She's a fellow bird lover like me, so I had to include a chirpy in it (with my signature crystal eye).... and a house, because she loves houses, and of course a quote, because most of my work has words in there somewhere.

I'm still in my 'folksy' stage... this one is one a nice 3 inch deep canvas, and measures 4x8 inches head on. The painterly background is done with acrylics... painted papers form the house, heart and grass... words I printed & cut out for the quote, a vintage button and lastly - what house would be complete without a ribbon chimney?

I hope you like it Sandy.... it's been a while since I've done some new art.

Inpire Me Thursday : In Good Time

This was made in 35 minutes, including drying time (with a heat gun), for this week's Inspire Me Thursday challenge : In Good Time. Click on the pic to learn about the details.

Casa del Sol

I just finished this one - the gel medium is probably not even dry yet. It's a beachy one without the traditional blue/green colors. I had this extra canvas, already painted with the background from a Try It Tuesday technique, so I used it. The starfish provides some romance for the couple.

And earlier today, this one:

I really struggle with photographing the accurate color, the detail shots are better. Click on my Flickr picture 'thingy' that you see in the right column for better shots.

Happiness is...

Selling art work you drop off for a show, before you even arrive home! Fun stuff - I got home from dropping 3 small works off for the 'Small Picture Encore Show' at the FEC and there was a message asking me to make something to fill the space - they had sold one already. Cool. My only gripe is that I wasn't told stuff we being sold 'off the wall' until I arrived, and the only stuff I have on hand is for the Tauk Tour sale. I'll be making more tomorrow I guess. I'm not complaining though - I'm too happy I sold something and "having" to make art is hardly a chore!

This one is in the show too. It's 8x8 inches. (the pink one above is just 4x4 inches). I love quote... it's by David Carradine.

Try It Tuesdays : Week 1

Aah yes - the muse is back. After being a slump, I was rejuvinated today simply by joining Try It Tuesday! It's a new weekly art prompt group that posts a new technique to try every Tuesday. And just add more fun, you might even win a prize for posting your trials & comments.

This is what I made today, using this week's technique (easy acryclic
background). I really enjoyed it and will be trying another this evening.
Close-up of details here.

Fresh Eggs for Spring

Can you tell I'm using what I have? All my collages have the same elements. I've gathered so much, I have to use it up so I can make space for more :)

Sing Your Sweet Song

Today's collage filled a dual duty... it's one of the pieces I'm entering in an upcoming small format art show called "looking at the small picture" AND good ol' art therapy. I'm still into the bird theme. This gal is wearing a glittery crown to help be belt out her song. It held off the tears for as long as I was working on it. Mission accomplished.

Once again I put my trust into my 'family' and got screwed. Nothing feels as empty and sad as being rejected from the 'new' family. I'm so sick of it. I just can't take that kind of heart ache anymore. I've given everything I can give and it's never good enough. I'm tapped out.

So what am I left with? Time I was going to devote to my son is not wanted or needed. I guess I'll find a 'real' job now, since my art has proven to be nothing more than a hobby anyway. I sound full of self pitty & pathetic but I don't care - maybe if I can cry it all out, it won't come back.

My plea for hits

All right, this is my shameless plea to see how many hits I can get on my Art 2's monthly theme week auction. This month's theme is numbers. The rule to our theme week listing is the starting price is only $4.99 ... that's right sports fans, that's art on the cheap for only 5 bucks! So after browsing mine - feel free to put 'art squared theme week' in the eBay search box to see what others are offering.
So pass on the link to my auction and I'll be happy camper watching the hit counter rise. Thanks!!!

Check 1 off the "art to create" check list

OK, here's my entry for the "A is for Art show"
as talked about in a previous post.
Click to go and read about how it's made.

What's my muse?

I often get asked what my muse it. Mostly because my 'style' is... well.... I don't have one. You can't look at one of my pieces and say "oh yes, that's a tracy webster". My art changes with my mood (and I'm never short on those). I'm influenced by what interests me at the time, by my surroundings, finding something new to work/play with, etc. But what really gets my art MADE, done, finished is this little secret....... deadlines! I start all kinds of projects, and get tickled by something else and start something new. My 'to finish' file has grown from a few things on my studio table to a rubbermaid tote to a full fledged rack of shelves. Hey - I can't help it. When the 'mood' strikes, I'll finish them. :)

I've been asked to put some of my art in a few gallery shows coming up here in town at the Florence Events Center. Well - that's just the ticket - I HAVE to finish my stuff now. Finally a muse I'll listen to... my sweet deadline. Hey- what a great idea! I'll make a 'deadline doll' to sit at my table to keep me going. Was that another project idea? Here we go again :)

Upcoming shows & corresponding art to be finished:

"A is for Alphabet" running all of March & April at the FEC. I'm the letter K. I'm working a mixed media piece called 'key to my heart'. So far it has a canvas fame; plexiglass K; super light, air dry, art clay heart; metal keyhole & key; and wickedly fun bright colors.
"Green" Art Squared theme week project. I finished this last night and it's called 'he loves me... he loves me not...' It's on eBay for a week. Bid now if you want to support this starving artist. OK, I'm not starving, but it would be nice to sell something to keep my profession of artist legit. "Rent a Rod", except I'm in a glass case, not hanging on a rod. Also at the FEC gallery, running all of March. I'm still working on these. I'm thinking the common thread is 'springtime in paris' so that will probably be the name of my show. I'm including some art squared stuff, soldered glass shrines and some soldered & beaded necklaces. It's due very soon and I should be working on it instead of being online. Oops.
And finally a small format art show - which title I forget. It's a weekend show in March or April at FEC, and I'm putting 4 art squared pieces in there. Probably all beeswax collages.