eccentricity in artists

"Eccentrics work. They think things out. They ride many bikes." Robert Genn was writing recently about eccentricity in artists and this just hit me. I think that artists and Eccentrics don't just sit around and wait to be inspired, they work and think while working. That may mean that there are many works of art that aren't very good, but they do produce a lot and some of those are great. It's so easy to produce a lot of art in miniature sizes. ACEO cards, 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches are a perfect way to produce many pieces. Occasionally there is an exceptional work or one may inspire you to produce an exceptional piece. I believe that my drawing skills have improved so much from producing these little works of art, that I would encourage any one desiring to improve their skills to 'make much art.' A friend of mine told me several years ago, when asked how to improve to, 'make 100 pieces of art'. She said nothing about size and since I had been contemplating this 'aceo card thing' anyway, I started making aceo cards. I have a few of those old cards left and when I compare them to the ones that I make now, I can see a big improvement.

I am getting a lot more eccentric though. When I draw or paint I am often thinking something humorous and it will come out ghoulish. I'm not sure why that happens. Case in point. I painted a wine bottle picture of a label with a jester on it because my husband said it reminded him of me, a clown. The jester painting evolved into a kind of self portrait as I added a clock that made no sence and ran backwards, [ I have NO sence of time] a broken mirror [my aging looks] wrinkle creme and my estrogen pills [from a hysterectomy and menopause]. It was funny to me. When I first hung it in the gallery, a lady was studying it closely and I went to talk to her. "I really like this painting, but it's so dark." [I thought maybe the colors, values, shadows] She went on and said "It's about drugs, alcohol and broken lives." Hmmm.. it could be, I can see that. It's so incredable how everyone sees something different.




I feel like I'm getting more eccentric. I do like to ride different bicycles.


Here is a homeless man that I just finished, and it was meant to be a bit more morbid and to make you think. I call it the 'Invisible Society' With the economy the way it is I may just do a series of these. Thank you for looking!

Tam Moody Greeting Cards

I have been working on lots of new cards for all occasions.

Stop by Tam Moody Greeting Cards today to see my latest designs!Free shipping is being offered until March 31st with the purchase of 5 or more cards. Simply use SHIPMAR2009 at time of checkout! Thanks so much!

Slice of Life - Spring Break

It's Spring Break here in Oregon and the weather has been - well - Oregon like.

The latest challenge from Karin Jurick and the Different Strokes from Different Folks blog is Beach Family.

I was thinking of a more tropical location than the reference photo suggests. Take me to Florida at least and the Bahamas would be even better.

So here's my wishful thinking entry. Tropical beach and the cast of thousands are elsewhere.

Lee

Owls, Owls Everywhere

The beginning of this year found me trying to figure out direction. Back in early 2008, I opened my shop called The Cozy Loft on Etsy. I began it to have a place for my cottage creations. Because I have so many areas of interest, I began doing some other things including some owls.

I should probably back up a little and talk about owls. Have you ever had something that you've kind of favored since you were a child, but never fully embraced it? When I started painting those owls, something clicked. I remembered my first embroidery piece as a child - an owl. I remember my Grandfather working on plaster molds of owls. I remember how much I liked them - really, really liked them.

So, towards the end of January, I opened The Owl Barn and I couldn't be happier! I am truly having the time of my life. I created my own banner and business cards by sketching out what I wanted it to look like then working with my computer software to complete it and I'm thrilled with how it turned out. My sketch pad is filling up fast with ideas and thoughts and doodles. At night, I can barely sleep for thinking of things to create for it.

Come on by and see me and all the owls. It's such a magical place to be!

Happy First Day of Spring, too!!

Share some of your own special childhood memories!

Old family photos are the best medicine in the world sometimes! Not only do they let you go back in time and chuckle at the way things used to be or just enjoy a special moment in time, they tell a story all their own about the times gone by. So it's important to take those wonderful snapshots and make sure you label all of the people and add a date for future generations to see, know and share!
This is one of my special moments. It's a picture of me as a small girl with my Dad and two brothers- Lonnie and Jim.

Tell me about a fond, or special childhood memory you have!

Aceo Grapes two paintings by Barbara Haviland

I did these grapes in tiny ACEO size. They each measure 2.5"x3.5" and they are on a canvas masonite panel. They come signed and with a COA.They can be displayed on the frig. They have magnets on the back. Please check out my web site.
Available here for your collection
thanks
Barbara

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY

It has been a long, cold winter and I am looking forward to Spring.

Last week I saw my first Robin, a sure sign that things will be warming up soon.

We also had our first humming bird visit, just one - maybe a scout. They usually

Start showing up around the end of March and stay until late August.

I have been thinking of Flowers, Birds, and Sunshine for several weeks now and I am going to start trading out winter themed ACEO’s in my Etsy Shop to more colorful, warm weather items. Come and visit and check back often as things will be added regularly.

You can visit my shop at: www.lazyhawk.etsy.com

(Artwork done by: Marlene Hawkins, aka lazyhawk)

ACEO Magazine

Have you heard about the only magazine dedicated to ACEO artist and collectors?

ACEO Magazine is a Quartly Publication printed 4 times a year.


IN EVERY ISSUE:
Learn about new techniques and products in our TIPS & TRICKS section
Find reasources for ACEO supplies
Meet talented ACEO artist
FREE projects
FREE templates to use in creating ACEO's
Popular Place to sell ACEO's on the internet
ACEO GROUPS calender of events
BE INSPIRED

Check out aceomagazine.com to find out more about this fantastic publication!


I am honored to announce that beginning in March that I will assume the duties of Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of ACEO Magazine. Kelly Letros-Karas will continue to work with the publication as Creative Director.
We would like to thank all the patrons and subscribers for their continued support. ACEO magazine will endeavor to provide articles of interest and helpful information to those who love and create Artcards.
Please feel free to contact me at aceomagazine@aol.com with questions or comments. I look forward to working with you all.
Thank you for your interest and support.
AnnaMarie Armstrong
Editor in Chief

Artist Trading Cards - inspiration

Artist trading cards, or ATCs, are more than works of art in themselves - they are sparks to a whole new world of creativity.



Just like fans might collect baseball, magic or cigarette cards, art appreciators collect art cards featuring their favorite artist's work. Sometimes, rather than collecting just one artist, collectors will concentrate on a particular subject, eg wedding cakes, dogs, landscapes, fantasy worlds - the range is as limitless as your imagination.

Originally, ATCs were created by artists who traded these small works of art with each other. Then 'art cards, editions and originals'(ACEOs) were created to be sold to collectors rather than just traded by artists.



The official standard size of an art card is 2.5" x 3.5" (64 x 89 mm) - any card that is a different size is not considered to be an ATC or ACEO. These art cards fit into the clear plastic sleeves that are used for baseball cards, and they fit all the other things made for them, too, eg, the pages of pockets, albums and little frames.

ATCs can be original artwork, or prints. They can be made from collage, photographs, eggshell mosaics, fabric, pasta, glass, polymer clay - you name it - you can make an art card from it. They can be painted in ink, watercolor, oil, acrylics, poster paints - painted with brushes or fingers! And they can be in any style.



These cards are bought, sold and traded globally - trading them is such a brilliant way to meet (in real life, or online) other people with similar interests in any country in the world, whether you are nine years old or ninety.

What do you actually do with them once you've got them? Well, you can trade your art cards for other artist cards or keep them in their collectors' sleeves or pages, or frame them up as an unusual and unique art collection. Some people put them in clip frames and hang them where they work, so that they can change their own personal art exhibition on a regular basis. You can make slits in a plain greetings card and insert an artist card into it to give as a lovely and generous present of art to some lucky person.



This is a cheap, popular, rapidly-growing trend in art collecting. Having said it's cheap - if you get an artist's work now that is growing in popularity, you might find that in a few years' time you have something worth quite a bit of money.

Looking through your own collection of art cards (however big or small) can spark your own creativity just as much as a visit to your local museum or art gallery.



This article was first published on the Creativity Site at BellaOnline by Susan Alison, Creativity Editor - Click here to read other articles to boost your creativity and this link will take you to the associated forums where you can chat about creatiity.

Click here for ebay auctions and Buy it Now items - which includes t-shirts, tote bags, fridge magnets, greeting cards, prints and paintings.

All ATCs/ACEOs within this article were painted by Susan Alison - her artwork can be found here:

- Today's Susan Alison Artwork blog - Spring is busting out all over t-shirt

- eBay store now with dog art t-shirts, sweatshirts and tote bags galore

and here for her Etsy shop

Surprise!

Surprise......no little Easter chickie here.......Peter Rabbit hatches out of the Easter Egg..............

available on Etsy.com

Click here for the Link to my listing.....

And click the link below to check out my Etsy and Bonanzle Shops!

Joann Y Wheeler
My Etsy Shop
My Bonanzle Booth

March art, contest and sales

Have you checked out the shops on etsy to look for the Irish logo? You could win some fabulous art from these talented artists, and find some awesome bargains while you search.
artistsuetaylor offers a Irish Celtic Knot aceo card, plus more aceo surprizes!
suecorcoran offers an original art domino celtic knot pendant
lazyhawk - original art pendant
Artbylisak set of 4 aceo photos
JYWheeler - domino lighthouse pendant. stamped and hand inked
ArleneFaye - 6"x6" original watercolor
Luvs2Paint - free magnet
LeePierce Free bracelet
thegreenfairy clover print aceo card

Many are having sales that aren't participating in the scavenger hunt, so type in 'dawg team' in to your etsy search to find all the great deals. I am having a giant art and jewelry sale in both of my shops, this weekend everything is at least 30% off. I have 3 sale sections with greatly reduced art there, from 50% to 75% off, some with free shipping. Come check out my art;
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5589110 http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5902364

We are having a bird and owl quest at dawg team and I wanted to try something new. I did these india ink on marbled linoleum and they turned out okay. I went back to my color pencils though to do my bird and easter eggs. I think I like color. Have a great March and a wonderful St Patrick's day.

In the Mood for some fun?

The members of DAWG, Designing Artists Women Group of Etsy, are sponsoring a St Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt. To participate simply visit the participating shops beginning March 5th 2009 and continuing until midnight EST on March 16th, 2009, and find this hidden Irish Greeting!

When you find our logo in a shop, convo the seller through etsy with the URL of the listing where the image is hidden, or the transaction number for the Item. You may enter once per participating shop.

That’s it! You must be a registered Etsy user to qualify
On March 17th, 2009, the each participating seller will draw a winner at random, from all those who contact them with the correct answer.

Here is a list of the member shops participating in the hunt, so far. Every member is offering a different prize! so visit all of the shops to win.

artistsuetaylor offers a Irish Celtic Knot aceo card
suecorcoran offers an original art domino celtic knot pendant
lazyhawk - original art pendant
Artbylisak - a set of 4 photographs aceos
JYWheeler - domino lighthouse pendant. stamped and hand inked
ArleneFaye - 6"x6" original watercolor
Luvs2Paint - free magnet
Aloquin- original St Patricks Day ACEO
LeePierce - Free bracelet


In Local News...snow is mentioned in the weather forecast for Sunday.



Color me here!

MARCH 3rd

Hello everyone out there reading this blog. My name is Myrna aka "thanks4lookin" on Ebay, Etsy and now Bonanzle.

I recently joined Bonanzle, and yes it is another place to buy and sell art, but not only art; found objects, books, and anything unusual. I sell art, well I am trying to sell art. I haven't sold any there YET!

Haven't been there too long, but that's no excuse. Everyone is just saving their money. I say, "SPEND YOUR MONEY, before the government does it for you."

If you haven't been to Bonanzle you might want to visit the site. What I like best about it is when you click on the images, you can actually click again and get a really nice look at the image listed. Important especially when you are selling art.

So today I am pitching Bonanzle, hope you will visit the site, my booth is at; just in case you are curious.
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/MyrnaM

While I have your attention, may I mention this month at my ETSY shop, located at http://www.thanks4lookin.etsy.com I am having what I call a MARCH MADNESS SALE WITH FREE SHIPPING on all my ACEO's there and for a limited time its a buy one and get another one FREE. Just follow the instructions at the top of my announcement page.

Remember to spend you money now before the government does it for you.

Bye till next time, and thanks for looking.

Art Quest Challenges

Designing Artist Women's Group
DAWG

Our Great Artist Group Does bi-monthly Art Challenges called "QUESTS". It's helps us step out of our comfort zone and try something new and different, well we are changing things up a bit.

I have decided to change the ART QUESTS up a bit, give it more of an exciting flavor and more of a "PRIZE PACKAGE" to boot!
When you enter your art for the Certain Art Quest Challenge You are putting that art into the Prize Pot, so you can use what you have or do new ones it is all up to you, You will be in charge of mailing your art to the Lucky Winners! I think This will give Our Quests More of a Competition edge and a FUN to WIN! and enter type of Challenge for everyone! So whatever the Challenge Quest is for that time, you enter your artwork, it goes into the PRIZE POT for the Winning Finalists.
I Want this to be a Fun and Exciting Challenge for you to expant your Artist Talents. So Let's give it a try on a next QUEST! So get ready to paint, draw, create, whatever your talent may be!!

We Will have 1. 2. 3. place winners, I will designate who will send what cards to the 2nd and 3rd place winners and the lst Place Winner will get all the rest of the QUEST Entries! . ALSO This Time THe lst Place Winner Will Win a FREE AD On The FRONT Page with Their Website Info!! Plus a Prize BOX OF Goodies I have here waiting So this Quest is going to be a good one to win! Don't miss out on it!!

So When you enter Something for The Quest NOW it goes into the WINNER'S POT! So This is a GREAT Thing for the Winners and a Challenge for you! So put more engergy into it and come up with something unique and enter only ONE! You can paint as many as you like but you are entering one ONE art for the QUEST Challenge itself. At the end it will be sent to the winner. So don't sell it.

Do you think you would like to join our Great Artist group, well if you paint, draw, create or photograph, and you are a Lover of our Lord and a WOMAN! Then come on over you will love our group!

Come see what all the great Fun in about! :)