Early Morning Exercises

Two more ATC's done early today. Darn, this morning art making is becoming a trend but now it really is time to do something related to the vacuum and dust rag. Maybe more art fun this afternoon as a reward?

In the Beginning

An early morning artist trading card collage. Much like our winter weather it gives me a feeling of 'other worldliness'...or maybe....just plain weird and bizarre!

And now I'm off and running and hope to jam pack my weekend with lots of interesting garage sales, fun with the husband, good food and a glass of wine or two. Enjoy.

Writing on the Wall

These small little artist trading cards started out as gelatin plate prints and ended up looking like this after I added photo transfer images from one of my abstract paintings, some marks and additional layers of paint. I like to make these little jewels to sell in my Etsy shop....they have found homes all over the world...how cool is that?

Red Eggs Nested in Ruins

My friend Melanie tells me I should post the sizes of my paintings. She said this after seeing one painting in person and saying "who knew it was this large?" Coming in at only artist trading card size (2.5" x 3.5") if seeing this painting in real life one would have to say "who knew it was this small?"

Small Wonders

A couple of weeks ago I met Laura, a lovely and talented collage artist who does lots of artist trading card sized art. Her collages are chock full of emotion and sentiment. I found them quite compelling. Laura frames these wonderful 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" pieces of art in larger white mats and they look fantastic. The large mat pulls you right in to view the small jewel they contain. Laura's work inspired me to create more ATC sized work....and....so...I did....(available in my Etsy shop should the spirit move you).

I finally found a way to display ATC's that take them beyond their small size. I stumbled upon these frames that work perfectly with a 3/4" thick painted canvas inserted into them. I think this presentation looks clean, polished and modern while showing off the textural elements of this mixed media piece perfectly.

On another note I hang my show at the Wallkill River School tomorrow. It's been a creatively busy last couple of months trying to get art finished for this. All told I finished 4 (or is it 5?) acrylic abstracts, 9 (or is it 10?) pastel paintings, 2 largish (for me) textile pieces and 6 of these small textile/mixed media studies. I wish that I had a few more things but it is what it is!

Music

Interwoven layers circling around, surrounding us, reaching deep inside, creating or touching emotions, transporting us to other places and times - if even just for a few minutes.
The ATC above is an interpretation of music. It consists of dyed cloth that was discharged, soy waxed, painted and then screen printed. There's also a bit of cloth that was rubbed with oil pastel sticks...and some free motion quilting...and a lot of joy.

After making your base fabric (see post below) then you can machine or hand stitch as desired.

First One

A piece of that fabric paper pictured in my last post with added gold foiling, hand stitching and painted paper image.

It's all about the TEXTURE, isn't it?

Made this today...so many layers of matte gel medium, papers, tissue paper, inks, diluted acrylics and pigments. I think I'll use it as a base for some ATC's.

Some ATC's I just finished!

These are a couple of ATC's I did using that first quilt then over paint, then spray with alcohol, then paint again, then spray with rubbing alcohol, then paint....you get the idea...technique I've used so often in the past. It feels good to visit an old friend again.

Another ATC done last night while watching quite a bad movie....that newest Indiana Jones one. I can only recommend this movie to those who enjoy bad plot lines, no character development, unrealistic action and poorly done Hollywood extravaganzas. All I can say is give me a good indie film any day over monster budgets.

All is Calm, All is Bright

Apparently all of my ATC's at the Danforth Museum of Art sold on Christmas Eve day! What a lovely holiday gift. So...last night after all the hullabaloo was over and 1/2 the overnight guests had left I started work on some more for the Museum Shop. I have many commitments that must be kept in the upcoming weeks. Looks like 2009 is starting off busy.

Hope everyone's New Year brings peace and hope.

3 little, itty bitty ATC's with rings and tulle all dressed up for the holiday season.

Maybe some day soon I'll have the time and inspiration to post a very thought provoking, intelligent or witty entry into this blog. But for now, I must post and run....this is a small study I did last night....painted and foiled cloth with silk ribbon, painted cheesecloth and glass beads.

Hand Work

It's been a beautiful weekend here in NY. Sunny, not too warm - just gorgeous. I hand stitched some of the screen printed silk organza into an ATC last night. I just love the beauty of silk ribbons and metallic threads.

Lovely Weekend

It was a lazy kind of weekend here in the Aumick home. Didn't really get much accomplished in regards to cleaning, organizing and getting-things-in-order but who cares?! It was a gorgeous day on Saturday and we went tooling around back roads, stopping for a picnic lunch and poking around in shops. Today it's much more overcast and just a quiet, mellow kind of day. I did get these 2 ATC's done - I do love sitting on the back porch, rocking away while hand sewing...doesn't get much better than that! Both of these are currently listed for sale in my Etsy store.

Some Creative Moments

Remember this? I did a bit more work on it - adding some more color and rub, rub, rubbing with alcohol. I think it's about ready for stitching. If I'm happy with the end results I believe I will donate it to the Newburgh Cornwall Historical Society benefit art auction. I was asked to donate a piece and have been putting its creation on the back burner. Have I ever shared how often (and sometimes - well) I work under pressure?

Meanwhile, I hand stitched this little ATC last night while watching the movie Margot at the Wedding. The movie was interesting but I can't say it is a favorite.

Petite Heart

Last night I made an artist's trading card. I haven't made one of these in a long, long time. I've forgotten how darn cute these little pieces are. They beg you to pick them up, hold them and prop them in unexpected places. I have a line of this sized art work that I've either purchased or traded for sitting on a small shelf in our downstairs bath. Everyone always has great comments about these minature 2.5x3.5" works of art.