Submission Done

So I submitted designs (above is a small sampling) to CRANE for their new STUDIO line. It felt good to try something new. Who knows where it will go and it doesn't even matter it was great trying something and learning from it. Good or bad. Too often we let fear keep us from trying something. What is the worst that will happen really? I encourage you all to try something. Anything. Submit your art to a magazine, take a class, write to an author or artist you admire. Do something that takes you a bit out of your comfort zone. You will grow, you will learn and you may make some new discoveries about your self along the way. I think I am coming out of my lull. I have many ideas I want to get down in my sketchbook.

ARTIST: Abby Glassenberg

Artist Abby Glassenberg was recently featured in Cloth, Paper, Scissors and I just fell in love with her work. She is a mom and artist who creates soft sculptures. I love her use of color and her attention to detail. She mostly does birds but there are some other lovely creatures. This is a link to her web site and there you will find links to her blog and her etsy shop. She is also in the process of writing a book. I find her very inspiring since she is doing her work while raising her two daugthers. And I love the name of her shop and blog, While She Naps. So go check her out if you haven't found her already!

It has been a long time since I posted and I have to admit I have been feeling unmotivated. Sorry about that. I have been creating some art to submit to Crane and feeling a bit unsure of it as well as unsure in what step to take next in my art. Our Etsy shop is pretty much dead in the water so I am not feeling so motivated to make anything new for it. It could just be this week this is how I am feeling and things will change. I really don't know. I hope to get out of this funk.

I just wanted to share my fall wreath that I made for a friend. The picture isn't great sorry. My mom and I are going to clear out our Etsy shop at the end of the summer. It hasn't been going so well over there and I am not even sure if I will continue with it. Exploring different ideas and directions right now. And I am now going to concentrate on working on my Crane submittal.. I only have until August 1. Yikes! I hope your weekend was great! Mine was.

ARTIST: Mary Englebreit

As I was cleaning my art table this morning ( my daughter is up at 5 every day) I sorted through a pile of papers and the first thing I noticed was in a rejection letter from 2004 from Gallison that the creative director was Lorena Simonvich from this post.. So Cool. It was very strange to say the least! The work really wasn't very good and the rejection certainly was in order but it was sort of strange that the connection was made... well to me it was anyway.

So, then I was led to my pile of Mary Englebreit Home Companion covers, illustrations and stories. I really miss this magazine! I was always so inspired with each issue. I love her art ( guess that is why I couldn't part with it). I was somewhat disappointed when they stopped the illustrated cover. So I hope it makes a return soon. It seems she is still doing lots of great things check out her site here.

So I chose this particular illustration since I love this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson and her art. For me it is fitting today. I love it!!

Working on this week..

This week I am working on a new wreath in fall colors for a friend who has a birthday coming up. I am trying something new with my flowers. I made some templates and traced them onto watercolor paper and painted them in. I also did some book page flowers as well. I am thinking of doing some kraft paper flowers as well. The bottom pic has a small painting I am working on that I was going to give as well. I would love to see what you are working on. Leave a comment with a link if you are working on anything this week.

Giveaway winner and Color Story

Since I only had one entry for the giveaway it was an easy contest ha ha. Dana from Leililaloo http://leililaloo.blogspot.com/ (who is a fabulous artist by the way) won the CREATE collage. Congrats Dana! And thanks for stopping and commenting. It means alot!

Also, I have a new Color Story today. I love color! It really makes me happy. This is one that is inspired by all the wonderful colors of the flowers and crittersof summer. Evergreen, lime, celadon, magenta, and red. ( In case you are wondering I am just making these little color stories in my small index card book. You could use anything really. Just a record of interesting and inspiring colors.)
I am still immersed in summer but fall is slowly creeping its way into my psyche. I am going to start working on some fall wreaths and I am going to do some designs for this http://craneinsider.blogspot.com/2009/07/crane-seeks-artists-for-new-studio_08.html. Wish me luck.

I hope you are having a great weekend!!

So cool

On Martha today she did a segment with Lorena Siminovich from Petit Collage (artwork above). She demonstrated her collage technique and she talked about Art boards. Have you heard of these? They look SO awesome!! Here is the link. Art boards They aren't cheap but pretty comparable to a stretched canvas and you don't have to frame the piece. You can buy just the panel that has heat activated adhesive and attach paper, canvas, fabric to it. I really want to try this!

Today

I had a few minutes to start working on some collages... I have a scratched cornea (my daughter got me) so there isn't much going on. I am going to add a new little collage to the shop later. I hope my CREATE collage will find a home. Pretty bad if I can't even give it away. Ha Ha. Also, I joined Twitter a couple of days ago. I am so new that I don't even know how to tell you to follow me but I am on there as danabarbieri. Follow me and I will follow you. :) Have a great day!

Giveaway

I am doing a giveaway... this CREATE mixed media collage. Hand cut/hand painted/formed letters... mix of papers and fabrics. This is a great inspirational piece for your studio or home. Created on an 8"x16" canvas that is framed and ready to hang. If you are interested please leave me a comment on what you would like to CREATE for yourself and if you aren't a follower, then please follow me. You have until Friday 7/10 and I will pick a winner on Saturday. Good luck!!
***SORRY I am offering this to US residents only. Thanks

Flea market finds

Yesterday I went to the Stomville Flea Market. It is a huge market with old and new items. I got just a few things... two vintage pyrex bowls, an old atlas, a bracelet and earrings. I love the soft colors of all these items together. It has been a beautiful holiday weekend here. I hope you had a good one.

My word

This is my word... it has been for a long time. I need it with myself, my kids, life. I have many other words but today in this moment this is my word. What is your word?