The Subject of a Portrait

If you have been a regular visitor to my blog, you know that I have a fascination with creating stories with collage…especially using vintage elements in my art. So, it should come as no surprise to you, that some of my newest Etsy additions are vintage mixed media art pieces…from this one…The Subject of a Portrait, to my beeswax collages.

This one is special to me though…because I’ve used some personal elements in this art piece, such as a copy of my great great grandmother’s census record…her name was Mary…Mary Caroline to be exact. So, to create a story about this girl, and to include personal items that mean something to me, just makes this art adventure of mine a real joy.

I guess art came into my life first, as a child, but almost at the same time, so did poetry…then a teller of stories I became…then a photographer…then a genealogist…poetry came back…then back to creating art…a full circle. Mixed Media art, gives me the label I need to combine all those elements that I love into my art.

Personal art…art with a little heart, and a little soul.

My newest Etsy additions can be found at http://www.ArtcyLucy.etsy.com

 

For the love of vintage

By now, you all know that I have a strong love for all things vintage, right? The photographs that I can look through for (literally) hours at antique stores, old postcards, aged lace, vintage buttons…I LOVE it all, and have for a very long time, even before discovering “mixed media” or “altered art”. So imagine my glee (can I use that word? I LOVE that word!) ok…my glee, when I found out that I could combine all these “old” things that I love to collect, to create a little story…after all, I am a storyteller too!

These are two little altered Bingo card collages, using a few of my favorite things. They are so much fun to create, especially when I add little bits of things to them, like lace, buttons, an unexpected blue butterfly in the corner, subtle handwriting, or a tidbit from a dictionary page. I am constantly snipping little words that I find, and Well-Tempered, seemed to fit her beautifully framed face…don’t you think???

Both of these vintage lovelies, are my newest additions to the little ArtcyLucy shop.

You will find a few more things that I have added lately, such as some new digital art pieces, and some miniature canvas art. I would be so honored if you took a look! I’ve been working hard to make it a nice little online boutique…complete with a variety of original and unique art. And I have to tell you this secret….I am LOVING having a little spot to share my art!

Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower. ~ Author unknown (but wise, nonetheless)

 

 

Where flowers bloom

…so does hope. ~ Lady Bird Johnson

Is that why I plant sunflowers every year? For hope?

I love watching them grow from seeds…maybe it has to do with hope…hope for growth, hope for beauty. Once they are fully grown, and bloomed into beautiful and strong sunflowers…I love to take photographs of them…as you can see, they are a constant theme of my digital art!

I never tire of their beauty, and I never tire of playing around with these images, digitally layering them, and adding intense colors and textures,  to make these flowers just pop! The bright white mats help too…a crisp border to showcase the brilliant colors of flowers.

My little backyard sunflowers of the summer, are now just fragile remnants, swaying in the strong breezes of this stormy October day. But not long ago, they were standing tall, in full bloom, and shining brightly against the brilliant blue sky.

Even though I am a lover of Autumn breezes, and cool winter days…my favorite days of summer (when I am not in the A/C) is spending time photographing my flowers. I’ve had some wonderful feedback from others that have seen my sunflower digital art in person. And let me tell you…it feels SO good, to know that others “ooh and ahh” over the images that I have fallen in love with!

All these digital art prints are now available in my Etsy shop. Make sure to check out the “Digital Collage” section. Do you see a print you like, but wish it were in another color? My sister has purple in her home, so I altered the Night Flower (in Magenta), into a deeper purple to match her decor. So, if you see something you like, but would like it altered to fit your home, or a friend’s home, just email me at ArtcyLucy@aol.com …I LOVE to make people happy with my digital art!

Only six more months till I plant a new batch of sunflower seeds…soon flowers will be blooming once again.

 

Get ready, get set…

GO!!!

Art Now for Autism is just about ready to launch their annual exhibit! I am so excited to be participating in this again. I am proud of the work that Claudine does, to support families that are dealing with autism on a daily basis. And I am proud of the artists who have stepped up to donate their art for this special cause.

Won’t you take a look at the exhibit? Only one more day of the preview, and the sale starts first thing on Monday. My original painting, Hope, will be for sale, and all proceeds go to the Art Now for Autism charity. It is a small way for me to help with a huge problem that so many families face.

I love the piece so much, that I have made prints of it, and will be offering them on my Etsy shop this week.

Another way to help with Art Now for Autism, is to buy one of their specialty items on their Cafe Press site. There you will see a few artists who have donated their designs for t-shirts, tote bags, journals, mouse pads…and yes, even doggie shirts! Here are a few of my designs for this year.

So, what are you waiting for? Meet me over at the exhibit! It’s sure to be fun!

 

 

Digitally Vintage…

…makes perfect sense to me! It’s my way of combining lovely images from the past, into modern digital art. I am so happy to be offering more of my digital collages in my Etsy shop. These are a few of my favorites…a bit dreamy, elegant, and a little romantic.

In a few of these images, such as the one titled, The Dreamer, I was able to incorporate some of my own photography…such as the lovely niche found in an ancient wall of Pompeii. I love how those old stones give the digital art such texture…places for saturated color to really make an impression.

As you might guess, I have a great love for digital art. I love composing it, playing with it, layering images upon images, colors upon colors, to see what surprises they yield. And almost always, I am surprised, and grateful…because technology really works in harmony with my love for all things vintage.

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. ~John Lennon

 

…and now for something completely different

I’ve been working in “small mode” for a while now, in my art. Little game piece pendants and mini canvas art is fun to make…but I have to tell you, working in a larger format for my latest mixed media painting…was VERY nice!

“In Love” is the name of my newest artwork. It is created on an 11 x 14 inch canvas board, and includes a mixture of all things I love…acrylic paint, papers, vintage text, and a bit of handwritten thoughts as well. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this painting, and I love the peaceful quality of her face…serene, contemplative, and maybe even a little mysterious…a modern day Mona Lisa smile.

“In Love” is now available in my Etsy shop.

 

If you have any questions about this artwork, or any of my pieces, please feel free to email me at ArtcyLucy@aol.com. I welcome questions, comments, ideas, and even suggestions!

 

Miniature Canvas Art

Sometimes, it is fun to work in small format…art that you can hold in your hand, or tuck on the small shelf, or to wrap in a small box for a friend. There is just something too cute…about miniature art.

I’ve loved drawing faces since I was a kid, but this year especially, I have enjoyed painting mixed media face portraits. And I am very pleased to be able to share this series of 6 mini canvases in my Etsy shop!

These little mixed media collages have a little of everything on their small 3 x 3 inch surface…from pencil, pens, markers, paints, and collage elements. They are all in mauve and rose hues, perfect for Autumn. And they each have their own little word…an endearing quality, attached to them. They would looked perfect on a tiny easel, in a little frame, or hung on the wall, as is.  The sides of the canvas are painted, so there is no need for a frame, unless you wanted one.

Isn’t there room for a little more “Lovely” …”Beautiful”… “Happiness”… in your life?

 

Creating in Color!

It been a busy day, full of fun and color. I been preparing my little digital art creations to sell in my Etsy shop. They are now “dressed up” with their pretty little matts, foam core backing, and cellophane sleeves, ready to be shipped off, to provide a little color to someone’s home.

These are 5 x 7 prints, in 8 x 10 inch mats…ready to pop into a frame. Here are the first five that I am offering, but will be adding more in the next week. I am so excited to be sharing these vibrant prints! These colors make me happy…and I hope they make you happy too!

 

 

One of my favorite quotes…

Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love. ~Claude Monet

 

Altered Art and a Sale!

Here is my newest obsession love, altering vintage game cards into little story-telling collages! Aren’t they cute? These two are Quizmo cards, from an old Milton Bradley game (I had never heard of!). They are about 4 x 6 1/2 inches, and I attached some black wire for hanging. I love these little collages, as they make great little gifts for family and friends. Each of these are original art, lovingly created with my own hands. I like using images from my very large vintage photograph collection. I love to add vintage book pages and papers to them, lace, buttons, words…until they have a story of their own. These two collages are now being offered in my Artcy Lucy shop.

There is also something else going on in my little shop…a SALE!  Everyone likes a summer sale, right? And the prices on my canvas collages are so affordable….from $10 to $20. You can’t beat that for original handmade art! Are you curious??? Then take a look!

I’ll be back in August, to show you some of my newest creations. In the meantime, have a fun and safe (and not too hot!) summer!

 

Art Now for Autism

It’s that time again! Time to prepare for the Art Now for Autism exhibit and sale.   

http://artnowforautism.com/blog/   It doesn’t happen until October 1st, but I thought I would start getting the word out to other artists about possibly donating art for this worthy cause.

I was able to participate in this exhibit last year, and it really made me feel good to be able to donate some of my own art, created by my own hands, to help with this increasing problem. I have a very good friend who is autistic, so this charity is close to my heart. With the loving support of family, friends, and a wonderful community resource…he has found a way to overcome so many of his so-called disabilities. He is one of the sweetest people I know, and so talented too! He has a photographic memory, and has perfect pitch…meaning, he can hear a song played JUST ONCE, and play it perfectly on the piano!

I worked on my art piece today, after waking up a few months ago, with this image in my mind. So, I drew it out as best as I could remember it, and finally put paint to canvas. This is an acrylic painting on an 11 x 14 canvas. I guess you can say “mixed media”, since the butterfly was glued on. I knew I wanted to keep it simple, I wanted the thought to come through: Autism can be an isolating experience for children, but with proper education, love, patience, support…there is hope. I know it is exists, because I have seen the reality of it with my own eyes.

 I am so excited to be able to share my little work of art with Art Now for Autism. It just makes my heart happy to be able to give something made with my own hands, to help out families who are dealing with autism every day of their lives. If you would like to donate art, you can find out more about it here.

http://artnowforautism.com/blog/donate/donate-art-2/