Red Flower

And...number 4.

It's a flower -- not a snowflake. It's cut from a different style of origami paper. The background is more intensely red than the others. Some purples and greens in the background, but very subtle. And a tiny splash of iridescent white.

It does have that same yellow stripe down the right side, though.

Keep your eye on your mailboxes. This one might turn out to be my Christmas card this year.

Red Snowflake 3

Number 3 in this series. Same printed design on the origami paper, but a different style snowflake. This one almost reminds me of a flower, but I'll call it a snowflake anyway.

The background is more complex than the others, with more purples, greens, and even a little yellow.

All 3, of course, have a tiny yellow stripe running down the right side. That's the soft torn edge of the paper that I tinted yellow.

Red Snowflake 2

Another red snowflake, but in a more typical snowflake design than the last one.

The background has more red and less pink than the previous one, and also has some unexpected purples and greens.

Red Snowflake

This next series of ACEOs features snowflakes and flowers, as I like to do, but is in a different color scheme than I've been using lately. I don't know if it's the change of season or what, but I'm leaning towards reds and pinks these days instead of the yellows, greens, and blues of the summer.

This ACEO has a lighter pink background than the others. The snowflake is delicately cut from my favorite origami paper.

More to come...stay tuned.

New ACEO Series

I've started a new ACEO series. It's similar to the snowflakes but focused on spring colors and themes.

I found some beautiful origami paper called Miyabi Chiyogami; it's printed with pretty pastel colors and flowery designs. It's very cheerful and reminiscent of spring.

I've been using it to make more cutouts. Snowflakes came first, since I'm used to making them. But I'm finding other shapes -- flowers, crosses, hearts -- that work well, too.

This first cutout is of course a snowflake. It's collaged onto a piece of matboard that's been painted with thin washes of acrylic paints for a transparent effect, almost like stained glass.

Stay tuned. I've got lots more of these to come as soon as I can get them scanned.

This one is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Three White Snowflakes

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!

Two Purple Snowflakes, Light

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.

Two Purple Snowflakes, Dark

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. :)

One Purple Snowflake

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

Single White Snowflake

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.

Red Snowflakes

Here's another in the Snowflake series. These are made of Christmas wrapping paper. The background is acrylics and colored pencils. I like that they're red/blue/green instead of white. The whole things feels warm instead of wintry cold, almost like one of those freak snowfalls in the spring snow when the sun is shining.

Rice Paper Snowflakes

The photo does not do justice to this ACEO! The snowflakes are made from the most beautiful rice paper -- thin, translucent, full of shimmery threads that enhance the idea of snow. The effect is beautiful and subtle.

The background is acrylic and watercolor on another sheet of rice paper. The whole ensemble is mounted on cardstock for stability.


Buy it here.

Sunny Snowflake

I have to tell you, I love this little card. The colors, the snowflake, the whole thing. It reminds me of a stained glass window in the sunshine. Or one of those perfect winter days when it's snowing like crazy despite a sunny blue sky. Buy it here.

Blue Snowflake

Ah, a beautiful snowflake! It is cut out of paper, just like we used to do when we were kids. The background is a collage of handmade paper mounted on cardstock, painted with acrylics.

Why snowflakes? The weather wasn't cooperating at Christmas -- it was warm and dry -- so I cut snowflakes out of paper and hung them around the house to give us a White Christmas anyway. Afterwards, the snowflakes were just the right size to make into ACEOs.

I've posted other snowflakes here and on my web site at http://www.lifeneedsart.com/ATCpics.html .

Interested? Buy it here.
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