GPP Crusade No. 32 - Knock Yourself Off

The above is my latest attempt at melding my scanned artwork with Photoshop Elements text and editing. I was inspired by the GPP Street Team's latest challenge. Read on for more info-

In an earlier GPP Crusade, I played with circles. Lots & lots of circles.

The following is acylic paint on rice paper. I like it very much, but it needs to be with something.

This is a page from my visual journal from January 2009. I used permanent marker and watercolors on watercolor paper. One of my goals is to improve my faces.

Last week I sketched this face. (Both were drawn from my imagination.) After roughing her in with graphite on watercolor paper, I inked her face with a Pitt Pen. Next I added color using Caran d'Ache Neocolor II (watersoluble crayons) which were applied using a water reservoir brush. This is such a neat procedure that I paint while sitting in my recliner in front of the TV.

I can see that I'm making progress with faces. But won't it be fun to keep working on them?

To challenge myself more, I decided to digitally layer the portrait with the circles page. I learned a few new tricks in PS Elements as I worked through the process. I'd like to revisit more of my simple pages to see what I can do with them. Now that Michelle has extended the deadline for this challenge, I may try to work on new ideas that have formed.

I chose the Scripture verse because it was part of a passage read at the funeral of a dear friend last week. I've been pondering it much since then. Our friend lived a long and full life. So many lives were touched in a wonderful way because of her. She had marked this passage in her Bible and she truly was a wise woman.

I'm blessed to have known her.

My heart is not black, but THIS one is!

New in my Etsy shop! Check out this Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Necklace.

Matching earrings are available in a separate listing.These onyx beads are interesting because they have varying amounts of opacity and translucency.

I've been experimenting with some different photography props. The necklace is laid on a mirror for the shot in this post. I have mixed feelings about the image. The mirror aided in showing the stones' translucency. The reflected image may be confusing. I included other images in my Etsy post that did not use the mirror.

It's a challenge to create clear images for Etsy that will draw attention. My latest jewelry designs have been mostly neutral colors, which adds to the challenge.

Do you have any thoughts on the subject?

And one last thing - a new Picture Jasper Bracelet that is also in my RGR Designs Etsy Store.

Card Party Charm Bracelet & News

As promised, I added a few items to my Etsy store today. I will be adding more this coming week.

I also promised to make an announcement this week. Thanks for your reminders in the comments some of you left. I almost forgot my promise. My mind has been elsewhere this week. We said our final goodbye to a very dear friend who has gone on to Heaven. Our thoughts have been with her family.

So - what was I holding back on? A couple of things -

1. My painting "Golden Harvest" will be displayed at the Iowa State Fair in the Fine Arts competition. I am THRILLED! We are looking into making prints.

2. I am closing in on my 200th blog post and the 2nd anniversary of this blog. Keep your eyes on this blog for give aways in the upcoming days/weeks. I added a follower button that you can see on the right hand column. Have you signed up yet?

Glorious Day for an Art Fest!

Wonderful weather and a beautiful setting.

It couldn't get much bettter. My tent was right across the driveway from this pond.

The wind was calm which made setting up the tent and display wall go smoothly.
My sister came to help Hubby & me. She's a God-send!

A trickle of people started coming first thing in the morning.

There was a steady flow of people through the day.

The trees made the site feel like a park. Music filled the air.

The delicious aroma of food wafted on the breeze.

Many items I posted last week have sold. Look for new items in my Etsy store later this week.

Thanks to all who prayed for us & sent their good wishes!

Jasper, Onyx, Pearls, Amethyst, Swarovski Crystal, Sterling Silver Inspiration

Onyx, Sirated Agate and Sterling Silver Necklace

These are just a few more of my new jewelry creations. I hope they are whetting your appetite for an art festival. Tomorrow (Sunday, July 19th) is THE day. I've got packing and organizing left to finish. There are paintings to insert into frames. The weather forecast is good - 70's and clear.

Artist Jasper, Blackstone, Red Tiger Eye & Sterling Silver

Following is a collage of some of the earrings that will be for sale. Have a great weekend where ever you are. If you can make it to Marshalltown from 10-4, I'd love to see you.

PS - I'll be making an announcement here in my blog this coming week, so come back for more. ;)

Picture Jasper and Sodalite Necklace

This is one of the newest necklaces that I created in preparation for the Linn Creek Art Fest. It has a lovely sterling silver toggle clasp in the front that doubles as a bail for this gorgeous sodalite pendant. I hope to see you at the festival on Sunday!

New Stone Bracelets!

Poppy Jasper, Blackstone and Sterling Silver Bracelet

Blue Goldstone and Sterling Silver Bracelet


Ocean Jasper, Pietersite and Sterling Silver Bracelet

Garnet, Swarovski Crystal and Sterling Silver Bracelet.

Just one more week until the Linn Creek Arts Festival (July 19, 2009) in Marshalltown, Iowa. I've been making new jewelry. It's been a while since I made stone bracelets. I love the variation of color in the different Jasper stones.

Listening to Michael Card while I work.... so inspiring and uplifting! I was blessed to win a set of his CD's while at his concert in late May.

Celebrate Freedom and Hope

In the July 2, 2009 edition of USA Today was a commentary titled "A holiday message on hope and freedom" by Capt. James Key. He wrote about the importance of hope. He was surprised to find it expressed in the artwork of Haitian-born artists. Haiti has had a history of dictators and corruption. It is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries in the world. Despite these circumstances, there are artists who maintain a hopeful outlook and express this in their art.
I liked Capt. Key's commentary because he reminds us to remain hopeful and to be grateful for the freedoms we have in America. On July 4th, Independence Day, let us give thanks for freedom and all the other blessings we experience.

This is one of a group of four 5"x7" acrylic paintings I recently completed. In honor of Independence Day, I altered the scanned painting with PS Elements to create the image at the top of this post.
May we all celebrate freedom where ever we are.