Mixed Media Art Panels 4"x4" with Beads

Check out my latest batch of 4x4 art boxes.  The fun part is that I pretty much worked on all the designs simultaneously!  Had a bunch of my photos and painted backgrounds and then just collaged and glued and worked it out as a set.  No, they don't match but they all came from the same place.  Of special note is the incredibly lovely handmade polymer beads that adorn the top part.  Some of the beads are howlite, and some are stone but the polymer ones were made by my cousin, Janice and they are one of a kind, specially designed to match my images.  It was super fun to collaborate with her and it took me awhile, but they are finally ready to be posted.  On Etsy now.

Zentangle

My daughter has introduced me to the joys of Zentangle!  Once you get started, you can't stop.   The supplies are simple, markers and paper and a fine tipped Sharpie.  Kind of like meditation only you end up with something fun.

Sketchbook and Foam Stamp

Some colorful pages in my sketchbook.  Sometimes you don't want to think too hard about imagery and just want to go for color.

You might be a Mermaid if...

Had so much fun making these little mermaid signs.  They are small 4"x4" and about the size of a coaster.  They are mounted to an easel back for easy display standing upright.  I got the darling little mermaid from The Porkchop Show on Etsy.  So she is 3D and sits a little above the background.  The background is one of my paintings and the colors turned out quite vibrant!

Beautiful Handmade Polymer Beads

Have a look at these gorgeous beads made by my very talented cousin, Janice!!!  They are exquisite and each one is unique and interesting.  She was kind enough to make them for me to use with my next set of mini art panels.  I am going to pair the beads with my images and see which look like they belong together.  I am so grateful as she sent me a bunch.  She makes many beautiful things like ornaments and cake toppers.  Look for them soon in my next set of Artful Box panels.

*Update- See Janice's beads in action on my new art panels .

Mini Art Panels

A colorful little collection of 4"x 4" mini art panels.  Woo hoo!  Who doesn't love a wee bit of art for their space?

Hopelink Calendar

Here is my illustration that was used in the 2014 calendar for Hopelink.  They do a wonderful job of helping those in need,in my community and "offer an integrated array of programs that enable families in crisis to make progress toward and achieve self-sufficiency"  I was very thrilled to be included in such a beautiful calendar for such an important organization. Can you guess what month it was?  If you said September, you'd be right!  The beautiful little girl is my niece.

No act of kindness

however small

is ever wasted.

           -Aesop

A New Direction

Taking a break from layout and using the computer. It's good to just play around again with painting and drawing.  A good time to get back to just holding a pencil.  

Some Time to Play

Finally some time to put the pieces together.  I love making each of the elements in a collage and then arranging them all for a final layout.  These little squares will go on small birch panels.

Weather Patterns

Happy that I got to do some art today!!  Here near Seattle, we have had some serious rain even by our standards.  It's been a rainy, drizzly spring.  Today I made collage paintings inspired by the science of weather and the hope of sunny days to come.

Colorful Squares

I love the shape of a square.  Compact, symmetrical and concise.  No wonder so many of my final prints end up this way.