Happy Hallo"wheeeee"n...

Wow, what a fun day I had at work on Friday. I love it when people get dressed up. We have a little mid-morning photo shoot... once everyone's makeup is done... wigs are on straight... and costumes are complete...

Then we all get into character and can barely stop laughing long enough to have our photos taken. Did I say I was in my angry phase? I had a blast being a punk rocker. Good thing I can't stay mad all day! It's too much work. There's a lesson in there somewhere...

For lunch we had a pizza party. Everyone would laugh and giggle as they entered the lunchroom... seeing everyone in costume. It was a great time.

©photos by Debbie Tlach and Patti Behan

Mums The Word...

Tis the season for beautiful, colorful flowers against a backdrop of fading leaves and darker skies. Boy do they pop!

Me Love Cookie...

Ever feel like your in a constant conundrum? Well, so does Cookie... this amazingly adorable sock creature made just for me! While attending the Squam Art Workshops, one of my fellow Squammies—Carol Sullivan—had created a Mr. Rabbit sock creature for our teacher, Nina. I gushed over it for hours, and upon my return to NJ, Carol informed me that she made a little guy for me. How lucky am I? The generosity of the people I met at the retreat is just awe inspiring.

I brought him to work so he could make me smile all day long. Who couldn't love a face like that...

Thanks again, Carol!

Still Clowning Around...

Look at this cool clown I found at a flea market! Nah, just kidding... I made it! Awhile back I had stumbled upon a few vintage clown molds and recently used one to create this clown from paper clay. I painted it with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paints to look aged. He's definitely going into some kind of assemblage. I need to make a whole bunch of them!

Keep Smiling...

A few weeks ago I took a class on block printing... where I got to carve my own design and make a few prints from it. This was my first attempt at such a technique (except for the "potato printing" as a child!)... and so I went with one of my favorite subjects... Tillie. I threw together this quick collage when a friend gave me a 6" x 6" canvas and I realized he fit right in with the tickets! Love it when things come together like that!

Nesting...

Inspired by my Squam art retreat smack dab in the middle of nature... I had the need to create these speckled paper clay eggs. Most likely to incorporate into some jewelry pieces. I have always had a penchant for birds, nests and eggs... and so this just seemed very organic. They look a little too "pretty" for me though. I need to "dirty" them up a bit. Maybe some burnt umber? Maybe silver, since they're ultimate residence will be on a silver necklace? Not sure yet. I'll have to play some more.

Art Is Where You Make It...

How does an artist leave a note for the kitty sitter? Like this, of course!

Harvesting Fun Fashions...

This weekend I went to my hometown's Harvest Festival and an Antiques & Collectibles Show with friends Jackie and Patti. I found lots of great vintage beads for my jewelry stuff... an old Disney circus story magazine from 1944... two agate geode necklaces and an ice cream cone necklace. But my favorite purchase was this nifty crocheted hat. I stopped by The Mod Hatter booth and had seen this really cool hat, but it was in a child's size. I asked the crotchet-er—Lisa Bloch—if she could make me an adult-sized one. She just happened to have the yarn, so she made it for me while we walked around! How's that for instant fashionication? Thanks Lisa!

Blooming...

These are some 4 inch square mixed media canvasses I had been working on before my vacation. This format is fun to work with, as it is small enough to not get tied up with "overthinking"...Your opportunities for creativity are really endless as far as themes and color schemes...
And sometimes... while just playing around... magic happens...

The World Is My Oyster...

I'm still riding high on the creative wave I caught at the Squam Art Workshop... and I am loving every minute of it! My mind races with thoughtful ideas in multiple mediums. Jewelry... paper clay... collage... and so much more. I made a second necklace, based on several of the techniques I learned at the art retreat. I used shells found on the beaches of my home town of Ocean Grove. The focal point of the piece was this gorgeous blue oyster shell. Sidenote: the beautiful lampwork bead on the left below was given to me by Anne Lichtenstein...one of my classmates (she made it!). Thanks Anne!
I added a sea snail shell... and a compass... so I wouldn't lose my way...
And my little crabby (a gift from my mom) anchored to the rock (given to me by yet another generous classmate...Carol Belliveau. Thanks for sharing!).
My mind is running wild with even more ideas using seashells! Yay creativity. And yay for sharing, caring people!

October Is...

Breast Cancer Awareness month. The program is dedicated to increasing the awareness of the importance of early detection. So check those cupcakes, ladies!