Small World of Inchies - Boys

Here are my inchies for this week's challenge. More art to come. Cannot wait to see what is in next challenge is going to be.

Make a Moo or Two - stripes and dots

This week's assignment for make Moo or Two is stripes and dots. I have some various background papers with stripes on them. I have to admit that I prefer more subtle backgrounds, so I really had to dig around for these. I have several different size circle punches ranging from 1/8" to 2" diameter, so it was just a matter of fitting the right circle punch to the right picture. I then added emphasis with gel pens around the circles. I also added some Midnight blue ink around the edges of the Moos to give them definition.

4x4 Friday - Masks

I decided to execute this assignment digitally. While I feel that learning the basics in art is paramount, it is also important to keep up with the new technology. I have recently purchased a copy of Photoshop Elements. I've also been buying a British Magazine called Photoshop Creative. The great thing about this mag is that it comes with a disk of extras (like brushes and patterns) plus it gives tutorials on how to work with the new tech. I originally purchase a copy because it is giving workshops on how to restore old images. I like to work with cabinet cards and CDVs, but they usually scan with all the noise, speckles, fades and spots that the years have worn onto them. So I originally purchased the magazine (which is a bit pricey at $15.50 an issue) to learn how to clean up some of my old pictures for future artwork. Of course, the freebies helped too.

So here is my homage to one of my favorite "masks" - Edgar Allen Poe's story, The Mask of the Read Death.

Wednesday Stamper - A-R-T it up.

Wednesday's Stamper theme for this week was the word ART. To create this ATC, I used hot pressed water color paper with watered-down Distress Inks and some Perfect Pearls to create the background. I then used the Art stamp cube from Stampers Anonymous to add some additional elements - the word DADA (my favorite type of art) and EXHIBITION. I have a lot of Alice in Wonderland stamps and the one used here is from Leavenworth Jackson. The Mona Lisa is courtesy of Dover Books and the frame is from ArtChix Studios. I used a set of wooden letter press stamps that I purchased on eBay for the word ART. The result is a multi-colored layered effect that shows Alice Liddle admiring the Mona Lisa.

Inchies - Wings

Inchies are little pieces of art that are one inch square. If you like working on minatures, you will like creating inchies. I find them challenging because they are so small, so it makes for some difficult collages. But it's the challege that drives me to create them. You can check out more at the challege blog: Small World of Inchies.

Make a Moo or Two - Mother's Day

I would like to dedicate this Moo to all the Moms out there who have to be Moms as part of their occupations. I am lucky to be working with some of the best women, who spend time taking care of other people's children - even when they're really adults.

So here's to you (in no particular order): Jodi, Kathy E., Monique (who is now teaching), Monica, Molly, Bonnie, Rene, Mayra, Mary, Mathelda, Barb E., Lisa W., Sara Z., Karen, Ruth, Elaine, Rita, Pat C., Joane, Helen, Andrea, Kathleen, Eri, Tamarra, Janet, Regina B, Regina M, Sue, Angelica, Julie, Tara, Kristen, Pat from Denver., Barbara L., Patty, Pat from SB, Monique, Ami, Donna, Terri, Stephanie, Ashlee and Susan. You all know who you are, and you do a great job. If I missed anyone, I apologize.

Skinny Saturday - When we were young

A "skinny" is a piece of art work that is the size of a 3x5 inch index card. In fact, you can use index cards as a base for your skinny. For more of the "skinny" on Skinnys check out the challege website, Skinny Saturday.

Crazy Amigos Challenge - Birds

This artwork was for the Crazy Amigos Challenge Blog. I wanted to try some new techniques on this challenge. So I used vintage papers and tissue paper. I transferred images onto the papers using a chartpak blender marker. I then glued them onto a piece of cardstock that was supported by some cardboard from a cereal box. I cut out and added a few more bird images that I had. Then I did some "scrumbling" which is using a filbert brush or a deerfoot brush to pounce paint around the area. In this case, I used gesso to hide the edges of the elements that were pasted and add some overall texture. I then added washes of Twinkling H20's using very subtle shades and working up to stronger colors.

Four by four is not always a truck

I love blogs and websites that offer challenges. Sometimes you need a little something to spur your creativity.

Yesterday, I went over to my father's house and found my oldest sister pacing the driveway. She is starting the groundwork for her dissertation. I knew exactly what she was doing by pacing: she was forming the outline for her next chapter in her disseration in her head and needed to pace to get the creative juices flowing.

Challenge blogs/websites are the same thing. They are a place where you can look and see if that is the driveway you want to pace up and down to get your strike your creative spark. I have a few sites on the right side of this blog for you to check out. These two brides were created for the theme of vintage brides for 4x4 Friday. These pieces of work measure a mere 4x4 inches.

So check out the site and give it a try!

Good Moos

In case you haven't been keeping up with the latest art trends, people are creating small works of art. There are Skinnies (3x5 inches); Artist trading cards (2.5 x 3.5 inches); Inchies (1x1 inches); Itty bitties (3x3 inches); and 4x4 inch works of art - just called "Four by Fours". The purpose for small works of art is that they require minimal space and supplies to create. For those of us who don't have large spaces, there are also Moos - cards that are approximately half the size of a standard business card. Even better is that there is a website for you to look at all the other Moos people are creating and try your hand a few of your own.

New Blog Banner

I have created a new blog banner for this site that will reflect a little more of my digital skills. Plus, I feel it suits the site a bit better. The name of this blog is Clara's Closet for a reason - because you will never know what you will find in her closet. It could be bugs or toys or games or whatever. Sometimes I find a cat in there. But it is symbolic of the creative process. We all have a closet in our brains where we dig around when we need an idea or where we store the ideas that we cannot work on right away. So this is the name of my closet.

Instant Gratification

I love purchasing art supplies but hate waiting for the delivery. The best stuff can always be purchased online. But then comes the wait - unless you want to pay for overnight. Of course, while I am waiting for the stuff I can think of a thousand things to create with it.

But I found the most wonderful site. It was a small add in a discreet little corner of the latest issue of Somerset Studio. It's call Digital Collage Sheets. You can look, pick, and download all for a minimal fee. The collage sheets are cool and best of all - no waiting. The prices are reasonable too. Click on the link and check it out.