Happy Anniversary To Me!

I cannot believe that 2 years ago I quit my job to become a full-time artist! It seems like just yesterday that I took the leap of faith to make a hand-made life for myself.

In that time, I've written 198 blog posts, sent 3,648 tweets, finally joined Facebook, set up a YouTube channel and a Pinterest account, updated this blog and my website, vended at 14 art shows (including one burlesque show!), and sold 253 items in my Etsy Shop! Oh... and I've made a lot of art!

I created more than 120 pieces of one-of-a-kind jewelry, 125 Knock-Down Dolls, 50 Carnival-style Assemblages, played around with freaks at the circus side show, and even started a brand new line of folk art style rag dolls! I sold my art in over a dozen retail stores, got 9 pieces of art into juried gallery shows (even won an award!), and created lots of individual pieces of all shapes and sizes.

I distracted myself with refinishing furniture, giving birth to twins (dolls, of course), going to lots and lots of flea markets, yard sales and antique shows, as well as taking workshops from several very talented mixed media artists that I admire. Oh... and my other paying job... freelance graphic design!

I even partnered with my mom to launch Creativity By-the-Sea — a seashore art retreat right here in my home town — which attracted more than 75 attendees and plenty of high praise! It was such a great success that we're doing it again next April!

But it hasn't been a piece of cake, either. There have been lots of "almosts" too. A very unique copywriting job that fell through. An opportunity for online teaching that didn't work out, retail stores that never sold a thing, a licensing opportunity that I was turned down for, and dozens of other tiny losses. Add to that a stagnant economy and I have to say that these hand-made times are tough. In fact... I'm probably going to have to get a job (so, ummmm... let me know if you hear of anything!).

Being your own company means you do everything.... leaving little time for laundry, dishes, or vacuuming. Making money means spending money... also very scary, as your outcomes are never guaranteed. Working hard means lots of days exhausted and spent. But doing something you love certainly helps. Now to just find a way to keep doing it!

Despite the difficulties, I am amazed at what I've been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. I learned a lot about myself... about selling in the real world and a social media world... about what works and what doesn't... and I've changed directions as many times as I have categories of art that I love!

So, I'm still learning and changing and growing.... and trying to be very gentle with myself. Because... that's what we should do when we follow our dreams.

Join Me At Creativity By-the-Sea...

Boardwalk Memories: Folk Art Assemblage Workshop

Sunday, March 25th

Creativity By-the-Sea, Ocean Grove, NJ

Take a stroll with me down to the boardwalk... or the circus.... or the carnival.... as you learn how to age and everyday items like wood, plastic, clay, fabric, paper and more. Bring back memories of those fun arcade games as you create a whimsical, folk art style, dimensional shadowbox from the ground up using vintage and everyday items. Starting with an unfinished wood box that you'll paint and decorate — you'll learn easy techniques for making new things look old. These are methods that you'll be able to use time and time again on your own future projects.

For information and registration, check out the Creativity By-the-Sea website and sign up to come play with me! Or choose from some of the 2 dozen classes offered at this art retreat on the Atlantic Ocean... we'd love to have you!

Right On Target...

Nothing like another gallery deadline to get me in the spirit — and get me moving — to finish a piece of art! But this time I was right on target!

My goal was to finish up with my "deer" little project... to be entitled Wounded. I found her a home in the most amazing vintage drawer.

I papered the inside with a printed brown bag I received with the purchase of some antique bits and bobs awhile back. It was a good match with the shading of the wood and I wouldn't have to age it with paint or stain. Sweet!

The drawer was long and skinny... ideal for the arrow I wanted to add, aimed right at my poor little deer. I wanted the sub-theme to be that... she always felt like the target of their hurtful words. I couldn't find a vintage arrow at the flea market, so I did a little searching and found this amazing blog post on how to make my own. I aged mine to look old, and I was on my way to driving the point home.

I burnt a saying into the sides of the piece (I must admit that I LOVE that burnt wood smell). Then I added a little paper target to my deer and placed her in just the right position in the box... okay, I'm fibbing. The deer only fit in one way, and at that angle because of the position of the antlers. But who would know, right? This was the perfect box to use for this piece... and I was going to make it fit, dammit!

As with many of my pieces, this mixed media assemblage was an accident. It wasn't planned. It just kind of made itself. I wholeheartedly believe that the things that need to come up... well, they just come up. I made the deer on a whim... just playing around with face structure and torsos using paper clay. When I was finished it looked like a deer. When it was painted, it looked sad and wounded.

The Shakespearean reference to slings and arrows always reminded me of how all the cruel things other children said to me throughout my youth really stuck in my heart and caused me great pain. I paired these elements together to create this piece. And I have to confess... it's my new favorite.

I know that in my art making, part of it is to get out my own personal emotions... even if they are based in hurt and pain. But in my art sharing, my goal is to show that there is beauty in sadness. And that it's okay to feel these feelings. It was the sadness that caused us to be the beautiful creatures we are today.

Join Me For Some Folk Art Fun...

Boardwalk Memories: Folk Art Assemblage Workshop

Sunday, March 25th

Creativity By-the-Sea, Ocean Grove, NJ

Take a stroll with me down to the boardwalk... or the circus.... or the carnival.... as you learn how to age and everyday items like wood, plastic, clay, fabric, paper and more. Bring back memories of those fun arcade games as you create a whimsical, folk art style, dimensional shadowbox from the ground up using vintage and everyday items. Starting with an unfinished wood box that you'll paint and decorate — you'll learn easy techniques for making new things look old. These are methods that you'll be able to use time and time again on your own future projects.

For information and registration, check out the Creativity By-the-Sea website and sign up to come play with me!

Wounded...

For a long time now, I've been creating works that are... well... kind of sweet and pretty and colorful (a.k.a. pink!). And I think it's time to work on some pieces that relate more to the sad and difficult emotions I've been experiencing of late. They need to come out and manifest themselves into wonderful pieces of art too!

This piece I'm working on now is called Wounded. She's kind of a statement about how I felt growing up as a child. Having moved around a lot, I was always the target of bullies and mean girls in the new neighborhood. It left me feeling kind of wounded.... even to this day. I'm going to paint a target on her belly to drive home that point, and make some kind of woodsy assemblage to put her in. She's still sad, but happy to have made it through the forest.... almost unscathed.

Twisted... Amusement!

Well, here it is all my twisted little friends! The very last addition to my most recent mixed media assemblage... a heavenly pink, flying angel baby holding the magic arcade coin. Ta-daa!

It's funny because it took me a few days to add this finishing touch. Not so much because I wasn't sure if I was going to add it or not... more like... I just didn't want this one to end!

I had so much fun working on this particular piece, because I had no idea where it was going. In a world full of regimented tasks and things beyond your control, sometimes it's nice to just let go of outcomes and let things play out on their own. The operative word being play!

Giselle was definitely my inspiration for this assemblage. Poor thing. I just didn't like the look of her all pretty and pristine. Maybe I was a little jealous? But she looked so sad, like she was hiding behind her blushing dress and those curly locks. I knew she really felt twisted inside... and wanted to show that part of her. Now she's where she belongs.

So... the stars are aligned...

My sides are split from all this amusement...

And my mind is thoroughly Twisted!

Thanks to all of you for coming along on this delightfully unusual journey with me. It's been a barrel of.... well... Twisted Amusement!

Thoughtful Thursdays: What a Difference A Year Makes!

I was looking for blog fodder and I checked to see what I was doing this time last year. I made my own self jealous when I realized that I was in Portland, Oregon attending Art & Soul! One thing that stood out was a class I took with Tory Brokenshire called... Yes I Want That Drill Press & More!

It was there that I got the chance to man-up and learn how to use all kinds of power tools including a drill press, belt sander, jig saw, chop saw and nail gun. Can I just tell you that I want all of them! In the workshop we got to build our very own shadowbox from raw lumber. Our manly helper, Gil, was very encouraging!

Tory liked my finished assemblage so much, she encouraged me to want to make more! At the time I thought to myself, "I think I see one in every color scheme, hmmmmm.... maybe starting with pink?" And that's just what I've been doing!

To date, I think I've made 33 carnival-inspired assemblages along the same lines as the original, and using the same basic structure I learned how to make in class. Each time I create a set, I build on what I have learned from the previous versions, and try new things!

I really do like exhausting the possibilities using the same structure. It's really fun to think inside the box! What types of projects do you like to create that have a little something in common?

Amusing Myself...

As promised... I said I would show you what I'm doing to AMUSE myself with my latest carnival-inspired assemblage! I found that I needed something to go on the sides of the piece, but did not want to add bulk or take away from the elements inside by adding a bunch of dimensional objects.

So I found some funky circus type and made a gigantic stencil... using half of the word AMUSEMENT on each side...

Painted it up in a bluish-magenta pink and cool ivory (and over-thought those choices about 17 times)! But in the end, was satisfied with my choices. It really didn't matter because I just love the look of painted wood.

Then it was time to make some curtains. I didn't have any pink fabric that I liked (isn't that always the way), so I got out my trusty unbleached muslin, and tore it into the shapes I needed. I colored it with a light wash of pink acrylic paint. Then I distressed the heck out of it with sandpaper and an additional wash of browns.

Distressed a narrow piece of white ribbon to string them on (again, not having what I envisioned on hand), and ta-daa! It's curtains for Giselle! And of course, had to make matching distressed curtain ties. Love getting lost in the details!

Speaking of details, the sliver of wooden drawer above the curtain was looking a little bare, so I added some stars, with a touch of vintage bling... of course!

And now, I just have this giant hole to fill (okay, well it's not really "giant" — only in my mind). And for days I've been trying and rejecting a plethora of objects to compliment this piece. It's been tough because I don't have a specific "story" in mind... I'm going full out organic in my process here.

But I've picked out, picked up, put down, worked up and settled on a few key pieces and should have it all "Twisted" up by next week. Until then kiddies...

Getting My Wires Crossed...

Worked a little more on my favorite new assemblage this past week. Now that Giselle is nice and aged with acrylic paints... I drilled some holes at appropriate points through her arms, legs and torso...

Then I wired the doll up so I could hook her into the vintage drawer-turned-box...

Added some eye hooks in key places inside the box...

And then the fun began! It was a little daunting at first. I don't always look forward to the technical aspects of art... like getting all these wires in all the right places... so that all the body parts are going in all the right directions... which for this piece are actually the wrong directions! Truth be told, I messed up a little, but was able to course correct. Whew! Nothing like getting your wires crossed... and it being a good thing!

Now that Giselle was all fastened to her marionette stage, I glanced back toward the bottom of the assemblage and noticed that Jesus was standing out a little too much. He needed to blend a little. I thought to add some Spanish Moss and... voilà... problem solved! I like the addition because it really grounds the letters to the base of the piece.

Tune in next week to find out what I do with my AMUSE MENT and some other tricks I have up my sleeve!

Gettin' Twisted...

Well... work on my Twisted assemblage is moving right along... and a little better than I had anticipated. That's always a pleasant phenomenon! I decided to go with Jesus as my "I" and I think I'm going to paint the letters ivory to match him.

I built a shelf out of a cardboard box, because I wanted the letters to be far forward, and not toward the back... in the shadows. Glued it in using my favorite multi-media glue.... DAP Tub & Tile Caulking! Wanna know why I love it so? Because caulking is made to fluctuate with temperature and humidity changes... just like the tiles in your bathroom. And so it doesn't get too hard and crack off. That's my little tip for today. Back to the assemblage...

I papered the entire inside of the drawer — and over the new shelf — with vintage book pages. For this piece I used pages from The Diary Of Anne Frank. But I don't really pick titles that are pertinent to the assemblage... I actually pick based on how aged the pages look, and how supple they are. These were perfect!

I also tried something different with this piece. Usually, I age the pages with some hue of brown acrylic paint... but these pages were rather delicate and the drawer had some ridges in it. I didn't want to be treating them so harshly as to rub on paint and wipe it back off. So I thought I would try using wood stain... and OMG!! Can I just tell you... that I may never go back to acrylics for aging vintage book pages again!

I got to work on Giselle over the weekend... added some volume to her skirt, distressed her like she'd been around for decades, and hooked her up to her new station all twisted and such. But I'll save that for the next update. Until then my twisted little mixed-media followers... Bwwahhahaahaa!