The 3rd annual Life Needs Art calendar is here! Each month shows a different painting done in the past year -- no repeats from previous years -- and 8 of them are ACEOs!
The months have everything from snowflakes to abstracts to pumpkins, and even a chicken! (Yes, check out September. I love my chicken.)
Calendars are available for $16.99 in my gift shop through my web site or directly at this address:
http://www.cafepress.com/life_needs_art.327864360
This card is my entry in the Strathmore ATC Swap: http://www.strathmoreartist.com/atc
It's official! The card is in the mail and heading off to the Strathmore Swapping Headquarters in Appleton, WI. You have until November 26 to get yours in the mail. Hurry, hurry!
I'm especially fond of this card, with its bits of three snowflakes as they drift across the scene. And the background colors came out so well. I just love it. And hopefully it's new owner will, too.The snowflakes are cut from wrapping paper printed with little gold stars. Hopefully I have enough left to wrap my gifts after having used a bunch for snowflakes!
A variation on the previous snowflakes, but with a much lighter background. Definitely a wintry afternoon rather than evening.The paper that these snowflakes are cut from has such lovely threads and bits in it. It has terrific texture.
I'm having great fun with this series. More to follow, surely.
Here's another in my snowflake series. This time it's two purple snowflakes cut from that handmade paper (purchased, not made myself). The background is acrylics thinned with lots of water and dropped onto wet watercolor paper. The backgrounds for all the cards in this series were done individually -- they weren't done in one big sheet and cut to fit. Each responded differently to the water and paint, giving them unique colors.I used phthalo blue, acra® blue violet, sap green, and viridian hue permanent. Transparent colors except for the viridian.The background is darker on this one with less violet than the others. I like the contrast myself.
Again, stay tuned. I'm fond of these little snowflakes and I'm not done yet. :)
In much the same theme as the last ACEO, but this time the snowflake is cut from a piece of lavendar-purple handmade paper. (No, I didn't make it. I bought a package of handmade papers.) The paper has these lovely thin threads running through it, and you can see them in the snowflake. Made for an interesting time trying to fold and cut them. :)The background is acrylics thinned with lots of water and dropped in layers onto wet watercolor paper, giving it that soft blended appearance.
NOTE: One of the snowflake series cards will go to the Strathmore ATC swap.
If you haven't sent in your card, there's still time. It sounds like fun, so join in. Postmark deadline is Nov. 26 -- next Wednesday. Get the rules and entry form at: http://www.strathmoreartist.com/atc
Since it started snowing today, this is a fitting ACEO. It's done with acrylics applied in very thin washes on wet watercolor paper to make the background. Then, a large snowflake cut out of wrapping paper printed with little gold stars. (Just like the kind you used to do when you were a kid.)Overall, a wintry yet cheerful tone.
I'm working on a series of these cards. Check back later for more.
Nov. 28 note: I'm especially fond of this ACEO, so I've had it printed on greeting cards that I am using for my Christmas card this year.
iPrintfromHome.com is now offering ACEO prints. Upload a scanned copy of your ACEO, and they'll print 8 copies on an uncut 8x10" sheet. For details, visit their web site:http://www.iprintfromhome.com/image_child.asp?cid=12563&id=217841 That's the first time I've seen print services specifically for ACEOs.I haven't tried their services yet, but this sounds interesting. If you try it, let me know about your experience.
We've had incredible fall colors this year -- brilliant yellows and reds -- and they've lasted longer than usual. It's breathtaking.My ginkos especially have been gorgeous. Funniest thing: I went to work last Thursday and the ginkos looked great. Came home that evening and they'd dropped every single leaf. My driveway was paved in 4 inches of golden leaves. Very pretty!
Acrylic on paper. We've been having a lot of windy weather lately...funny the influence it has.
A cheerful, happy, riot of colors. Acrylics on mat board. What the scan doesn't show is that the light areas are irridescent or opalescent - meaning they are slightly sparkly and shiny and change colors depending on the way the light hits.
