tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63449896705209586732016-10-01T08:33:34.838-05:00The Uncommon ArtistMixed media, collage, altered books and art, paper and ephemera art and crafts, Mail Art, Watercolor, Oil and Acrylic Painting, Inspiration, Art Talk and living the creative Life!Laura Sheltonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-81842380357132420182012-08-25T09:06:00.001-05:002012-08-25T09:06:37.231-05:00New Beginnings and Directions in my Art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPM9fKeS2Pc/UDjVjNoQBhI/AAAAAAAABLw/fHgR4QXoqdc/s1600/100_3250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPM9fKeS2Pc/UDjVjNoQBhI/AAAAAAAABLw/fHgR4QXoqdc/s320/100_3250.JPG" width="287" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have you ever stopped and looked really closely at your art and realized with a sick feeling that the styles and colors you were using were basically identical to everything else that you see out there? Now, I'm not saying that all the art out there is crap, I am just saying that isn't it nice when you come across a mixed media piece of art that makes you stop in your tracks, maybe take a deep breath, and cause you to really stop and LOOK AT IT!!!! And I am also saying that I want/need/desire desperately something NEW!!! A bit of background on my art career....I started out as a traditional, plain old oil painter, doing landscapes, house and people portraits, florals, the usual things traditional artists do (and do well, by the way...). I started selling my art almost immediately, much to my surprise, and ended up moving into my own line of hand painted clothing, fabric painting and decorative painting on all types of surfaces and selling my artwork through several wholesalers in Texas and Colorado...I am in many private collections, BUT>>>I have never had an art class or entered a juried show. Never appealed to me, the juried thing, because everyone has an opinion and everyone's tastes are different, and I just didn't like the idea of being "judged". I never took art classes because I was determined to work out my own style and not end up copying a painting just like my teacher...So, for better or worse, here I am...imagine my dismay when I realized my art was looking no different than anyone else out there (not to say anyone is good or bad) and I had totally lost my whole "uniqueness" that I had sworn I would hang on to at all costs. I have gotten lazy with my art and I don't like that idea at all....so, from this day forward, for better or worse, I am going to make an honest effort to be more original, fresh, unique and "ME"! Now if I can just remember what being "ME" felt like, I would be half-way there!!!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript">I </script></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-53389814835984559032012-04-19T08:26:00.001-05:002012-04-19T08:26:10.634-05:00Mystery box of goodness - LG ($75 value)<a href="http://www.mailboxmuse.com/Mystery-box-of-goodness--LG-75-value-_p_398.html#.T5ASbD-DCVE.blogger">Mystery box of goodness - LG ($75 value)</a><br /><br /><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-68520995940202964382012-04-15T19:02:00.001-05:002012-04-15T19:03:13.518-05:00New Workshop Coming in May! Plus new products!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I wanted to start by letting you know there is a new workshop starting at "Art From Your Heart" in May! Here is the link for you to check it out if you haven't already...<br /><br /><a href="http://artfromyourheart.ning.com/group/i-can-t-draw-a-straight-line-paid-workshop" target="_blank">Art From Your Heart Workshop</a><br /><br />This should be a fun and helpful class for those who want to really develop their own unique style, and learn how to add the details that really make your art "your own"!<br /><br />___________________________________________________________________________ <br /><br /><br />Also, I have been playing with the Radiant Rains, Twinkling H2o's, Princeton Brushes and ExiStencils...These are all GREAT products, and very versatile. It took me just a little bit of trial and error to get used to using the stencils, but I got it figured out quickly and made some cute things. Below are some items I made. You can click on them to see them larger and see more of the details and shimmer...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-csUlZFQAek4/T4tLNI00aOI/AAAAAAAAA9I/Jmy7bKH_UeQ/s1600/postcards+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-csUlZFQAek4/T4tLNI00aOI/AAAAAAAAA9I/Jmy7bKH_UeQ/s320/postcards+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwHci-tLP48/T4tLS9MeqJI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/fyVruUz7xnQ/s1600/ab+picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwHci-tLP48/T4tLS9MeqJI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/fyVruUz7xnQ/s320/ab+picture+001.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>The top picture is a postcard I made, the bottom is a watercolor painting that I accented with the Twinkling H2o's and some Radiant Rains.<br /><br /><span id="goog_1601122845"></span><span id="goog_1601122846"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBJX5OakWf0/T4tWxEHHo2I/AAAAAAAAA9o/qRUTsOIwsDE/s1600/mermaid+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBJX5OakWf0/T4tWxEHHo2I/AAAAAAAAA9o/qRUTsOIwsDE/s320/mermaid+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n32tOM-qCtE/T4tW-R_-TiI/AAAAAAAAA9w/zBu_Fg0Qtmk/s1600/magicians+tale+luminarte+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n32tOM-qCtE/T4tW-R_-TiI/AAAAAAAAA9w/zBu_Fg0Qtmk/s320/magicians+tale+luminarte+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F19D2SL8XsI/T4tXVs_pT7I/AAAAAAAAA94/mxSVICaxmWw/s1600/neon+flowers+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F19D2SL8XsI/T4tXVs_pT7I/AAAAAAAAA94/mxSVICaxmWw/s320/neon+flowers+001.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--W9x_VlX998/T4thHNPmIaI/AAAAAAAAA-I/wgA1tj8XF00/s1600/radiant+rain4+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--W9x_VlX998/T4thHNPmIaI/AAAAAAAAA-I/wgA1tj8XF00/s320/radiant+rain4+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> These all turned out really well, especially since I had never used any of the products before. I would definitely recommend adding these products to your scrapbooking, altered book and general art supplies!<br /><br />Happy Creating<br />Laura T<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span id="goog_2069987901"></span><span id="goog_2069987902"></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-18080223403034648602012-03-19T17:21:00.001-05:002012-03-19T17:21:42.811-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nz_3Yspwbds/T2ewPp_QqPI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/uhY7lZeUR9s/s320/sunshine+daisies+001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Daisies</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nz_3Yspwbds/T2ewPp_QqPI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/uhY7lZeUR9s/s1600/sunshine+daisies+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"></span></span></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZxYjCaUxDs/T2ewSDKIp4I/AAAAAAAAA6g/SPaP4yKOZNE/s1600/artfire+daisies+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZxYjCaUxDs/T2ewSDKIp4I/AAAAAAAAA6g/SPaP4yKOZNE/s320/artfire+daisies+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Flowers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br />---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <b><span style="color: blue;">Today on this stormy and windy Monday, simply a couple of poems I have written, and some watercolor postcards I have made for cancer patients...be well and "Happy Arting"!</span></b><br /><div style="color: blue;"><br /></div><br /><div style="background-color: #b4a7d6; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b> <span style="color: #990000;">Cast Lives</span></b></span><br /><br />We cast our lives upon the winds of chance<br />and wonder if we will ever dance.<br /><br />While running down streets that have no end<br />and waiting for things that never come.<br /><br />We wait, we dream, we dare, we try<br />to run, to fly, to laugh, to cry<br /><br />All while standing still as stone<br />in a room of people, all alone.<br /><br />C. Laura Thykeson 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #c27ba0; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span style="color: #990000;"> Naked</span></b></span><br /><br />I come to you with my soul bared<br />and wonder if you ever even cared<br />that I was not a perfect girl<br />who lived within a perfect world.<br /><br />I bring you my heart's aches and pains<br />and all the baggage both pretty and plain<br />I wonder if you'll feel the same<br />when you see my soul is wild, not tamed.<br /><br />I'm like an animal, small and scared.<br />Im looking for a life that's shared<br />with someone gentle that I can trust<br />whose ways are honest, tender and just.<br /><br />Can I begin to let "us" stay<br />in this relationship for another day?<br />Can I rest in peace and just relax,<br />trusting the pain is in the past?<br /><br /> c. Laura Thykeson 2011 </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqdQcoy31CI/T2ev7vUfr7I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/my5aOuq5_NU/s1600/butterfly+heart+notecard+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqdQcoy31CI/T2ev7vUfr7I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/my5aOuq5_NU/s320/butterfly+heart+notecard+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Fun</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-46326532780005903382012-03-18T08:08:00.001-05:002012-03-18T08:08:34.480-05:00LeissnerArt: Waking Up the Blog and a BEtter KIND of Monday<a href="http://leissnerart.blogspot.com/2012/03/waking-up-blog-and-better-kind-of.html?spref=bl">LeissnerArt: Waking Up the Blog and a BEtter KIND of Monday</a>: It's been a while since I've been here. I don't know whether to apologize or say "You're welcome." :D Life just sometimes really throws up...<br /><br /><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-65019245379340206732012-03-02T00:50:00.003-06:002012-03-15T06:32:51.096-05:00Art Journals, Collage and Spring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript">Re<font size="3"><font face="Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif">LLLL</font></font>I have been working on a IIIII </script><br /> Two new workshops over on "Art From Your Heart"! A free one that will go through and cover the book "True Vision"-Authentic Art Journaling" by L.K. Ludwig, plus another Paid workshop ($20.00), "Letting Your Heart Sing" hosted by me! Learn to add your own prose and poetry to your art journal pages and more! Come check it out!<br /><br />Lately I have had a bit of spring fever-all of the warm weather we have been having is really making me get in the mood for spring themed, more colorful artwork! Here are a couple of my latest creations. The first is a page from my art journal, created in mixed media. The second pic is an altered book spread, also in mixed media. They both have a combo of collage and paint with some marker and chalk for shading.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jtl7qAZm1w8/T1Bso49l_EI/AAAAAAAAA40/QcOh4QKxEQE/s1600/reckless+abandon+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jtl7qAZm1w8/T1Bso49l_EI/AAAAAAAAA40/QcOh4QKxEQE/s320/reckless+abandon+001.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfbGuxPkAe0/T1BsrZOAriI/AAAAAAAAA48/hnFpqXlp6Ko/s1600/oh+baby+ab2+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfbGuxPkAe0/T1BsrZOAriI/AAAAAAAAA48/hnFpqXlp6Ko/s320/oh+baby+ab2+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4bEGyCDoxU/T1BstzYj6dI/AAAAAAAAA5E/mEYDxfjMxcI/s1600/art+journal+wip+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4bEGyCDoxU/T1BstzYj6dI/AAAAAAAAA5E/mEYDxfjMxcI/s320/art+journal+wip+001.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>This last one is a "work in progress". I still have a lot of detail work to do, as well as shading, but I just wanted to show a partially finished example so you could kind of see my process. Happy creating, and check out my latest article over at Mixed Media Art! Thanks Michelle for letting me be a part of your fine website! Here is the Link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mixedmediaart.net/altered-book-art/reading-between-the-lines-with-altered-books">Reading Between the Lines - by Laura Thykeson</a><br /><br />You can now also find me on CreativityPortal.com under "20 Questions and other sections! </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-24573630247836163862012-02-27T23:37:00.001-06:002012-02-27T23:37:37.271-06:00New NING Art Group - Come join Us!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://artfromyourheart.ning.com/" target="_self" title="Art from your Heart NING website"><strong>Art From Your Heart</strong></a>: Is a new group on NING that I have just started building. I have a few members already, but would love to have many more! I want the site to be a collaborative work between myself and other artists/creatives. I am envisioning classes and instruction, guidance, support, education, great conversation and fantastic company and talent, gathering together with “like-minded”, talented and eager to learn beginning and experienced artists. I may also have a group for writers and one for poets if there is enough interest in those two areas.Be a part of something from the ground up!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDiS8vBYuRY/T0xnyCTxmGI/AAAAAAAAA1g/niyeS2VIEo0/s1600/gluebook+sm1+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDiS8vBYuRY/T0xnyCTxmGI/AAAAAAAAA1g/niyeS2VIEo0/s320/gluebook+sm1+001.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc8rku6ak80/T0xn2KowPWI/AAAAAAAAA1o/xzltWGMKtZ8/s1600/gluebook+sm2+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc8rku6ak80/T0xn2KowPWI/AAAAAAAAA1o/xzltWGMKtZ8/s320/gluebook+sm2+001.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br /> (above pics-scans of a couple of my new gluebook pages. come join the gluemonkeys on Facebook!)<br /><br /> We will be diving into art journals, altered books, mixed media art of all kinds, traditional art, various art mediums and techniques, found poetry and altered text, altered art of all types and anything else “creative” that there is an interest shown. Much of the time, members of the group will get to help decide the structure and content of the web community, from the very beginning.<br /><br /> To JOIN - Just click on the link above or click here - <a href="http://artfromyourheart.ning.com/" target="_self" title="Art From Your Heart NING Community">Art From Your Heart</a> ! Looking forward to seeing you there and getting to know you!<br /> Come join - it’s free and it should be fun!<br /> Laura Thykeson<br /><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-390519953494507732012-02-25T18:59:00.000-06:002012-02-25T18:59:51.073-06:00Altered Books and Traveling Art Bags<script type='text/javascript' src='http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191'></script><br /><br />I have been away from this blog for too long! I had to have a couple of heart surgeries, and I have been a bit slow to getting back to all of the things I love. One of those things is altering books. I kept a "traveling art bag" during the time I was going in and out of the hospital, so I could still work on my altered books and pass the time while I recuperated. The nurses really enjoyed looking through my books at all of the designs and the altered text! <br /><br />If you don't have an art bag stocked for trips, you really should put one together. It is so nice to just be able to grab it and go...You can put in a journal or an altered book, some pencils and pens of your choice, a small watercolor set with a waterbrush, a plastic bottle filled with clean water, some clean rags, watercolor pencils, maybe some watercolor crayons, and anything else you can put in there and leave for when you decide to "pick up and go". I know I would have gone nuts laying around in the hospital, if I hadn't had my art stuff to keep me occupied! Plus, it is ready for when you want to go outside and do things Plein Air. I don't ever paint outside, but I always have wanted to. I at least have my bag ready for it now-I just have to make time for it...<br /><br />Here are some pictures of an altered book I have been working on. It was originally titled "The Magician's Tale", and the writing and phrases are just wonderful to create altered text from! I have really been concentrating on lots of detail in this book, and have also incorporated a lot of my art in small blocks and squares that I have collaged in along with the designs and artwork I am doing directly on the pages. So, without further ado, here is a little bit of eye candy for you to look at. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3B3xr2RdXJ0/T0mCrDSERAI/AAAAAAAAAvU/vSdquy1Z1w4/s1600/magicians%2Btale9%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="238" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3B3xr2RdXJ0/T0mCrDSERAI/AAAAAAAAAvU/vSdquy1Z1w4/s320/magicians%2Btale9%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-urdTlb9u0/T0mCxqD3pmI/AAAAAAAAAvg/CAkU_tZK8F0/s1600/magicians%2Btale8%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="237" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-urdTlb9u0/T0mCxqD3pmI/AAAAAAAAAvg/CAkU_tZK8F0/s320/magicians%2Btale8%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JfpMBIMk1Kw/T0mC5qqY7xI/AAAAAAAAAvs/vf0F2xLtsaY/s1600/magicians%2Btale7%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JfpMBIMk1Kw/T0mC5qqY7xI/AAAAAAAAAvs/vf0F2xLtsaY/s320/magicians%2Btale7%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2j-wV2CsUA/T0mDEfRAK_I/AAAAAAAAAv4/eW1MwFYyyrI/s1600/magicians%2Btale5%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="233" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2j-wV2CsUA/T0mDEfRAK_I/AAAAAAAAAv4/eW1MwFYyyrI/s320/magicians%2Btale5%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7R16UpBoUAo/T0mDMAZJ4WI/AAAAAAAAAwE/Y0WidC8zCK0/s1600/magicians%2Btale5%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="233" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7R16UpBoUAo/T0mDMAZJ4WI/AAAAAAAAAwE/Y0WidC8zCK0/s320/magicians%2Btale5%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br />Thanks for looking, and be well and safe!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-12561992305448251382011-03-03T15:46:00.000-06:002011-03-03T15:46:07.855-06:00Golden Absorbent Ground, JoSonya's Acrylic Sealer: Watercolors and Altered Books<script type='text/javascript' src='http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191'></script><br /><br />I have been experimenting again...! I recently ordered and recieved some Golden Absorbent Ground and wanted to play with it to see how it worked in my altered books. I had a book that had decent pages, but they were really old paper, and I was afraid that watercolors would wrinkle the paper too much with pretty much any amount of water. So, after a little "Googling", I ordered some of this product and finally tried it today. I LOVE it! It worked really well and a tip for keeping the page from wrinkling with watercolors is first of all don't use too much water, and also, I use a blow-dryer to dry the pages as soon as I am through painting. I had an old blow-dryer that was a small, cheap one from Wal-Mart or somewhere, and it works great. I can't believe I went so long without it and cheap hairspray in my studio! <br />(The hairspray is a great, CHEAP fixative for pastel chalks and mediums like that, if you didn't already know...)I think the trick was drying the page so fast that it didn't have time to wrinkle, but the absorbent Ground worked wonderful as well!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEcZWQhG2UE/TXAL2UZniYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/a8JF3q7NDj8/s1600/altered%2Bbook%2Bwc%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="237" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEcZWQhG2UE/TXAL2UZniYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/a8JF3q7NDj8/s320/altered%2Bbook%2Bwc%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=hubpagesc0005a-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=jo sonja's all purpose sealer">Search Amazon.com for jo sonja's all purpose sealer</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important; padding: 0px !important" /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=hubpagesc0005a-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=jo sonja's all purpose sealer">Search Amazon.com for jo sonja's all purpose sealer</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important; padding: 0px !important" /><br /><br />Another fantastic product I have found for using to protect text from coming off of the page along with masking fluids is JoSonja's All Purpose Sealer. Now this is a fantastic, thin product, originally made to use on wood and things of that nature for decorative painting, but I had some left over from a project, and it works fantastic as a base coat for your altered pages of text. It protects your text and found poetry on old pages from lifting and ruining all of your hard work! It is also less expensive than the Golden products such as the Matte Medium and other things of that nature. It dries to a satiny, ultra smooth and clear finish and takes acrylics, markers, Sharpie's, colored pencils, and other mediums really well. Of course, acrylics work the best on it,<br />because that is primarily what it was made for, I believe.<br /><br />Ok, just wanted to share these two results with you, and hope they work out well for you! Let me know any results you get with these as I love seeing your work also! Happy arting!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-38957726922172666442011-02-18T13:19:00.000-06:002011-02-18T13:19:27.832-06:00Found Poetry, Altered Text and Altered Books: Laura Thykeson, The Uncommon Artist<script type='text/javascript' src='http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191'></script><br /><br />Hello everyone! Have you been working on your altered books, or doing some sort of creative outlet? I sure hope so....although with the weather finally warming up a bit, it is getting harder to stay still and work on your art and creations, isn't it? I am having a hard time concentrating myself, as the beautiful weather we are having here is a bit distracting, lol!<br /><br />Still, I am not here to give a weather report, I am going to talk about "found Poetry" and "found text" and "altered text" and "altered poetry" in altered books (confused yet?). There is a bit of a difference in them, and either or all can exist in your altered book, if you wish. But first, you have some decisions to make, and those require a bit of thought and planning before you jump into the middle of your book and start painting, drawing, etc.<br /><br />As much as I love to "jump the gun" on projects and just do what comes to mind first, occasionally I like to plan a project and think it out beforehand. So, what I am going to do on this next book is use found poetry that I am going to get out of magazines and glue the words and phrases to the page after I have decorated the pages like I want. That way, I can match the words to the art better. Usually, I do the poetry first, and use the pages of the book I am working on, but I decided I wanted to do something new, so I am going to do the artwork first, whether collage, painting or a combination of both, and then add the words I have chosen from different magazines (I knew I has hoarding those magazines for a good reason...:).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJP1wWBHNUE/TV6_TBaYVMI/AAAAAAAAAT4/d3HCJP5m8Bc/s1600/pg%2B1%2Baltered%2Bbuttonwood%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJP1wWBHNUE/TV6_TBaYVMI/AAAAAAAAAT4/d3HCJP5m8Bc/s320/pg%2B1%2Baltered%2Bbuttonwood%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here is a little peek at a book I am working on, where I am using the actual text of the book, making "found text", not "found poetry". The difference is that there is no real poetic metre or flow to the words, it is more like I am writing my own book or story, using different words of the original book in the order they come in the original book. This page says:<br /><br />"The sprawling<br />old trees shimmered<br />in the <br />ephemeral green countryside."<br /><br />Great beginning line for a book of altered text, because it sets a location right from the beginning!<br /><br /> This is infinitely harder to do than just cutting out words and gluing them in the order that you want, but it is also very rewarding to see your story come to life as you add artwork or illustrations to the story, even if it is a bit nonsensical at times! I suggest that you use a spiral notebook as a workbook for your altered book, to write down your words as you go and make any notes, so you can easily read the story as you go along, making sure that you have both the words in the order that you want them, as well as making sure that the story is still going the direction you want it to. The spiral workbook is also great for jotting down artistic ideas as you go along, so you can go back and review them while doing the art and illustrations in your altered book. The spiral can also be altered later and the writing you have done in it can be made into a work of art itself! Just think of all of the artistic things you can do with the words and sentences and phrases you have created and written down!<br /><br />Use pencil at first to make any marks or drawings, even in your spiral workbook, then go back and make your marks and lines more permanent with permanent ink, acrylic paint, etc, depending on what your art medium of choice is. If you want to use watercolors, be sure to not use a lot of water or make them too juicy, or you may run the risk of ruining your pages, and losing part of your story. you can also use gesso on the pages first, then a layer of absorbent ground (made by Golden)...!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UkvxL9hOTcE/TV7BQ-PjJxI/AAAAAAAAAUA/MB2mDsoDC5s/s1600/house%2Bof%2Bthe%2Blord%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="243" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UkvxL9hOTcE/TV7BQ-PjJxI/AAAAAAAAAUA/MB2mDsoDC5s/s320/house%2Bof%2Bthe%2Blord%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here is another page from ANOTHER altered book I am working in, where I did the found text or "altered text" as I like to call it. The words are:<br /><br />"For a moment I think about<br />soupy fog. The light's subdued, the<br />tones muted, so I take off-<br />Sorrowful,<br />to the church."<br /><br />Notice I added my own punctuation to this paragraph... I think it helps the reader to understand what you are trying to say with your altered text in your altered book. Kind of like "artistic license"! That is one of the most wonderful things about making altered books, and working with this type of art form-there are no rules! I hope you try these suggestions, and if you do, post it to your blog and send me a link so I can see what you have created, you creative genius!<br /><br />Until later, "Happy creating!" <br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002646PM0&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0027AAP2E&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0060927259&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0060927259&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-35215751868737558792011-01-26T04:08:00.000-06:002011-01-26T04:08:50.270-06:00Long time no Art!!<script type='text/javascript' src='http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191'></script><br /><br />If you have given me a thought lately, and wondered where I have been, I have been helping my sister who had to have surgery...she is going to be "down " for about 8 weeks, then a brief respite for a couple of weeks, then another surgery followed by 6-8 weeks of recovery time again, and me helping her during that time as well. This has interfered just a bit with my posting time to my blog, but that is no one's fault but my own. I take some of my art supplies and my art journal with me when I go there, and she has a computer, so I can always post to my blog from her home-I just have been a bit remiss....sorry!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TT_uzxBGZYI/AAAAAAAAATc/fXL02F5X-EA/s1600/colorful%2Bhair3%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TT_uzxBGZYI/AAAAAAAAATc/fXL02F5X-EA/s320/colorful%2Bhair3%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br />Look at this lovely lady! I made her for you just to make you smile...she is fresh from the "Beauty Shop" and ready for a night out on the town! I created her in my art journal (Canson Biggie XL, 98lb paper - <b>love it</b> for markers, collage, pen and ink, and yes-even acrylics with gesso as a base! Takes watercolors pretty well too, as long as you don't get them too "juicy"!)This lovely young lady is done with Sharpie markers, not the "Ultra Fine" tips, but the "Fine" tips I believe they are called. I also made you a flower in one of my beloved $1.00 composition books that I love to alter the covers on!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TT_wRMTMVxI/AAAAAAAAATk/UldecMYlhEY/s1600/flower%2Bcolor%2Bseries%2B2%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TT_wRMTMVxI/AAAAAAAAATk/UldecMYlhEY/s320/flower%2Bcolor%2Bseries%2B2%2B001.jpg" /></a></div><br />I have been working up these colorful drawings lately, because I have ordered myself 2 new sets of acrylic paints, and am getting ready to paint an acrylic or mixed media painting, using bright colors and incorporating the designs of the woman with the colorful hair and the flower designs in some form...these are just some preliminary sketches to kind of get me off and running with ideas. I used to just start drawing without much planning when starting a painting, but now, I am wanting to put more thought into composition and design. These should come together nicely when I work out all of the kinks...<br /><br />Do you enjoy painting on canvas or are you strictly an art journal artist? Let me hear from you-I love reading about how you create, and next time, we will discuss my latest altered Book(s) I am working on..."The Magician's Tale" and "Social Disorganization" which is an old college textbook from the 1950's about the decline of our society...interesting reading what was considered "abnormal" back then....!!! Until then-<b>Happy Creating and Enjoy Your Art-ing</b>!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-51706604472812761622011-01-15T12:57:00.000-06:002011-01-15T12:57:27.951-06:00The Uncommon Artist: Embracing Our Demons and Other Fun Things!<a href="http://theuncommonartist.blogspot.com/2011/01/embracing-our-demons-and-other-fun.html?spref=bl">The Uncommon Artist: Embracing Our Demons and Other Fun Things!</a>: "Well, it is the first month of the new year, and I have been away from my blog for way too long! I have a good reason though-I am having to h..."<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191"></script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-86380488539664515162011-01-15T12:56:00.000-06:002011-01-15T12:56:11.277-06:00Embracing Our Demons and Other Fun Things!ell, it is the first month of the new year, and I have been away from my blog for way too long! I have a good reason though-I am having to help my sister who had to have surgery...This will probably go on for another 6 weeks...<br /><br /><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript">W </script><br />I am a follower of the "<a href="http://oneyearartjournal.blogspot.com/2011/01/musical-musings.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AYearInTheLifeOfAnArtJournal+%28A+Year+in+the+Life+of+an+Art+Journal%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail">A Year In The Life Of An Art Journal</a>" blog, written by Rachel Whetzel, and she is doing 3 part prompts with music, a word and a picture or photograph. Here is what I came up with for the first one, which is the word "Present"<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TTHrje0BgiI/AAAAAAAAASQ/FU9TIV3D_Ow/s1600/embrace+the+demons+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TTHrje0BgiI/AAAAAAAAASQ/FU9TIV3D_Ow/s320/embrace+the+demons+001.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>This, to me, means learning to love myself as I am, and learning to live with NOW as opposed to living in the past or the future. Once I "Embrace the Demons" and learn to live in the "here and now", I will be able to fully live my life! It's just a bit of a shame it has taken me so long to get to this point!! Don't put off living in the "Present"!<br />. <br /><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript">W </script><br /><br /><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript">W </script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-22177905055505210392010-12-22T11:44:00.000-06:002010-12-22T11:44:53.637-06:00Altered Books - A New Look<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stop living excessively and save for a rainy day...</span></span></div> Hello all!<br /><br />Enjoy creating altered books? I do and I have been working on my altered book this morning, after a night filled with making decorated envies or envelopes... When you see my altered book spreads, you will see that they are quite a bit different from most of the altered books being created right now. So many people are into the vintage and distressed look made from using the inks and stamps, but that just isn't my cup of tea. I would explain why, but I don't want to take the risk of offending anyone who enjoys creating in this style. My style is more of an illustration type, more modern looking style, more sketchy and drawn and brightly colored, kind of in the genre of an art journal. I am currently working on a book I named "Altered Feelings" where I am putting my original poetry, as well as my original illustrations or graphics to go with each poem. <br /><br /><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript">I </script><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TRI180dVJ7I/AAAAAAAAAR4/knCXPqjlwNQ/s1600/altered+feelings+spread+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TRI180dVJ7I/AAAAAAAAAR4/knCXPqjlwNQ/s320/altered+feelings+spread+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Now, as you can see, my book is a bit different from the vintage looking altered books. I don't have anything against the vintage look, it's just that I am not that "girly". This style, and a more almost graffiti style suite me better. This page is one that I did in my sketchbook first, with pencil and markers, and then cut it out and glued it into my book. One thing I DID learn-place your book on your sketchpad and trace around it...then you can work within that area you have marked off, and your drawing or artwork will fit into your book just right!<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000UJFTJS&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1579905501&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> I figured that out before I started, thankfully, or I might have had too much "art" for my book page! I would have been a bit upset if I had done the page and then it didn't fit into my book!<br /><br />That is all for now, so I hope you are having a wonderful day, and Happy Creating from the Uncommon Artist!<br /><br /><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript">I </script><br /><br /><script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript">I </script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-64751008345321477972010-12-22T03:49:00.000-06:002010-12-22T03:52:58.885-06:00Decorated Envies (Envelopes)<span></span><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1581808488&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001CE0HT2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span></span>Want to bring a smile to someone's face the next time you send out a bill payment or anything else by "snailmail"? Send it in a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Mail-Day-Primer-Eye-Popping/dp/1592535372">decorated envelope</a>, commonly referred to as a "envie" by the mail art group. Here is a couple of ideas for you to look at and hopefully get inspired. If you are going to be sending out ATC's these would be a perfect complement to send them in!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TRHIRSMK6eI/AAAAAAAAAR0/KiNAHrwesGw/s1600/envie3+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TRHIRSMK6eI/AAAAAAAAAR0/KiNAHrwesGw/s320/envie3+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TRHICfOyY3I/AAAAAAAAARs/4Sluh3DgNXo/s1600/envie2+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TRHICfOyY3I/AAAAAAAAARs/4Sluh3DgNXo/s320/envie2+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I am really enjoying making these...they are a wonderful break from all of the journal pages I have been doing...<br /><br />I am also getting in the mood to do some more serious work on canvas. I have several in different sizes, that would be perfect. Just waiting on the right inspiration to hit me so I will know where to begin. More on that later, and you can be sure that I will share my final result of my artistic efforts with you!<br /><br />More later...Happy Arting!!<script src="http://track4.mybloglog.com/js/jsserv.php?mblID=2010121717141191" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-78343289494073338342010-12-20T19:19:00.000-06:002010-12-20T19:19:26.164-06:00New Projects, New Year... <span style="font-family: verdana,helvetica,arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><center><i>We are used to analyzing why we are unhappy, but taking the time to contemplate your happiness is important too.</i></center></span><br /></span></span><br /><br />Hello all! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQ_1v_GlbZI/AAAAAAAAARg/mA6B3pGy5P4/s1600/IMG_0843%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>It may not be the <b><span style="font-size: large;">new year</span> </b>according to the calendar, but for me, creatively at least, it is. I have made all of the <b><span style="color: red;">Christmas</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> projects</span></b> I am going to make this year, and I am already looking forward to 2011! I have started off the New Year, artistically speaking, with handmade bookmarks for my 7 year old granddaughter, Abbie.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQ__FBbNlxI/AAAAAAAAARo/hl_IlNIIEgI/s1600/bookmarks+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQ__FBbNlxI/AAAAAAAAARo/hl_IlNIIEgI/s320/bookmarks+001.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQ_2Iqx-idI/AAAAAAAAARk/Eys0E_Xya3I/s1600/bookmarks+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQ_2Iqx-idI/AAAAAAAAARk/Eys0E_Xya3I/s1600/bookmarks+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><br />I am making these bookmarks using Bic and Sharpie markers. I know, the <u><b>Kindle</b></u> and the <u><b>Nook</b></u> are the "big thing" this year for Christmas gifts, but some of us have a real passion and love for old fashioned books, along with the wonderful smell of musty old paper along with the solid feel of a book in our hands! An elctronic gadget to read books with is truly a marvel, but I prefer a REAL book any day! I must be getting old...<br /><br />I am deciding how I want these bookmarks to look as I go along, and the two that you see will probably not make the "final cut". It would make more sense to sketch out designs before I started making them, but I just don't wok that way all of the time. I think that my method of working creatively comes from all of the years I spent painting with oil paints. With oils, I could always go back and change things if I needed to because they are much more forgiving, but with markers, I am "stuck" with whatever I produce at first. I DO think I will start sketching them out and that way I won't waste any more of my 140lb watercolor paper, which is what these are made from.<br /><br />On the advice of Anita from "<a href="http://aseknc.blogspot.com/">ASE Knits 'n' Crochets</a>", I have been using clear contact paper to cover my bookmarks, so they will hold up to frequent use better. This is working out great, especially since I had a whole roll of contact paper that needed using. Anita has a great blog and you should check it out, especially if you enjoy "yarny" types of creating, as she likes to call it. I stick more to the paints and brushes, but admire anyone who can make the wonderful creations that she makes! I will be interviewing her later this month, and you can get to know her better! She also paints and draws, does art journaling and altered books, and anything else she can think of to keep her busy creating.<br /><br />Anyway, if you find yourself with out a creative project and you are through recovering from your Christmas shopping and itching for something creative to do, check out Swap-bot.com, Atcsforall.com, postcrossing.com,, artfortytwo.org, or any of the other sites on the computer where you can always find an ongoing swap for <i>something</i>... ! You will find the links for these sights down at the bottom of my blog. So, until next time - Happy Creating!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana,helvetica,arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><center><i><br /></i></center></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana,helvetica,arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><center><br /></center></span></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana,helvetica,arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><center></center></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana,helvetica,arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-75963095810774358872010-12-17T13:01:00.000-06:002010-12-20T20:26:25.963-06:00Interview with a Mixed Media Artist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQw0DEJ_IoI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IMxlwT3ndMQ/s1600/NYC+April+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQw0DEJ_IoI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IMxlwT3ndMQ/s1600/NYC+April+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b>Introducing</b></span><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mary Hicks, Mixed Media Artist</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQw0DEJ_IoI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IMxlwT3ndMQ/s1600/NYC+April+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQw0DEJ_IoI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IMxlwT3ndMQ/s1600/NYC+April+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQw0DEJ_IoI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IMxlwT3ndMQ/s1600/NYC+April+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQw0DEJ_IoI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IMxlwT3ndMQ/s320/NYC+April+2010.JPG" width="269" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQw0DEJ_IoI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IMxlwT3ndMQ/s1600/NYC+April+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>I would like to introduce you to a remarkable woman I know, by the name of Mary Hicks. I met this bundle of energy on the website "<a href="http://www.coachcreativespace.ning.com/">Coach Creative Space</a>", where we are both members. CCS is the website where Dan Goodwin, the Creativity Coach, pulls and prods us into being more happily creative than we ever thought we could possibly be! I don't remember just exactly how she and I first became acquainted, but we have been fast friends ever since! She is the cream to my coffee, my jam to my toast, my best online buddy and oh, how I wish we lived close to each other so we could visit "in person", but alas, we are miles and miles apart. We make the best of it though, with phone calls every week or two, and we "talk" on the computer daily through emails that fly back and forth. She has quickly become a treasured friend, and almost like a sister to me.<br /><br />Another remarkable thing about Mary is her zest for life and her love for anything that involves creativity! It brings her such obvious joy that you can almost see her glowing through the internet connection...Her artwork reflects that joy of creating and she never goes a day without producing <i>something</i> artistic or creative- whether it is one of her faces she practices drawing every night before bed, an art journal page she just has to make, or a meal she cooks with her own special touches added. She is a bundle of energy, and it is a true honor to be able to call her my friend.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQzFIhQvyqI/AAAAAAAAAQw/Tbx_UA4xhVA/s1600/Life+From+Life+SoulCollage%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQzFIhQvyqI/AAAAAAAAAQw/Tbx_UA4xhVA/s320/Life+From+Life+SoulCollage%25282%2529.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><br /><br />I decided to interview Mary for my first article in my series that I have titled, "<i><b>Artistic Success??? By Who's Standards...</b></i>?". If you read my previous blog post, then you already know that <i>my</i> idea of being a successful artist may be just a bit different than what many others may have. I consider someone a success if what they are doing makes them happy and gives them satisfaction. I don't measure success by the size of their paycheck, as long as the bills are getting paid. I mean, let's be realistic here, we all have to pay our bills. You can be making a whole lot of money doing something you hate,and just exist through life, but to me that isn't being successful or "living your life". It is, just as I wrote, simply <i>existing</i>.Besides, living that way will also lead to an early grave as well as depression and health problems, and none of us need that! We all deserve the opportunity to be happy in life, without just "existing"! Read on for the opportunity to get to know Mary a bit better and learn why she is so happy with her life...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQzFfLdYk8I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/uuLBtqqbf-o/s1600/Play+Your+Song%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQzFfLdYk8I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/uuLBtqqbf-o/s320/Play+Your+Song%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQw0DEJ_IoI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IMxlwT3ndMQ/s1600/NYC+April+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>1.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"> <b><span style="font-size: small;">You are obviously a very creative person. What is your favorite type of creative expression? How much time and how often do you spend creating?</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="color: blue;" /></span></b></span><br />Thanks, Laura! I love so many forms of creative expression - some which people may not even realize are creative. Probably my most natural form of creative expression is my sense of humor. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to make people laugh...and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to laugh. I believe that laughter lightens our loads, and subconsciously makes us take a step backwards and re-live/re-dream a previous moment that we took too seriously. I spend a lot of time in this creative format, both in public and behind the doors of our home. There's nothing like a family laughing together! In public, I love helping people realize that things aren't always so serious. It's a wonderful sight to see someone's eyes light up from laughing at how silly their seriousness is. Life is short! Make it fun. It doesn't have to be a party 24/7, but it needs to be lighter than society tries to force us to make it.<br /><br />2. <b><span style="color: blue;">Do you create on a daily basis, or do you have any type of a set schedule for pursuing your artistic interests?</span></b><br /><br />My artistic expression interests run the gamut from blogging/writing to altered books to SoulCollage© to gardening to abstract art to photography to my current experiment of "painting a face" every day. Right now, my emphasis is on my "daily face" but I'm itching to get busy and do some yummy layering in a art journal or altered book! Every day this month - before I go to bed - I've made myself sit down and create a "daily face" out of my head. They are improving; I'm not what I'd call a portrait painter by any stretch of the imagination! After I finish a face, however, I give it a little statement that sort of captures the expression of the face. Some are better than others - some are downright frightening! But they're each unique and I'm proud of this little experiment. It's been really fun.<br /><br />3. <b><span style="color: blue;">Have you always been interested in some form of art and creative expression?</span></b><br />Remember the coloring books that had tracing paper in them? That was me - tracing and believing I was an artist. Somewhere between the time I was two and seven, I forgot how to draw. Isn't that sad? So I'm re-teaching myself...sort of like how I re-taught myself to play the piano after years of not playing. Now it's another one of my creative expressions, and I try to play for at least twenty minutes two or three times a week.<br /><br />In high school, collages and doodling became an expressive form for me. My book (the grocery bag type - remember?) was always covered with doodles. And I loved making collages. I think my grades in high school were lower because I was so busy doodling I didn't ever really hear what my teachers were saying! But nobody ever encouraged my with my doodling, or my collaging. It wasn't until about two years ago that I admitted to myself there was an artist inside of me. I'm 58 years old!<br /><br />4. <b><span style="color: blue;">Is your family supportive of your time spent creating?</span></b><br />I will limit this response to my immediate family - my husband and my son. To go further would be an interview about my Inner Critic, and we don't want to go there!<br /><br />My husband is so totally supportive, and my son just loves to see what I'm up to. Sometimes, my son will join me in something and I love that sharing part of it. My husband thinks my "stuff" is great and is just patient and kind about the messes I've created with my art.<br /><br />5. Just listening to you and looking at your art, it is obvious that it brings you a great amount of joy. What is it about the artistic process that brings you so much happiness and satisfaction?<br /><br />Probably just the fact that I MADE THIS!! Not to blow my own horn, but truly, some of my stuff is awesome! It amazes me that it came from ME! It's very gratifying to share it with friends and family, and when they "Ooh and Aah" over it, it feels that much better. I'm selective with who I share with, too. Even my blog I will not share with my siblings. They live to far away for me to defend myself! I try to keep that from them, even though that may be hard to believe. Some of my art I've shared with my siblings and always immediately regret it. They're just too competitive for me, and I'm not looking for a gallery. I'm just trying to express myself in a unique way that give me great pleasure.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQzFuUfS2xI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/dp5vOTnotpM/s1600/Accidental+Iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQzFuUfS2xI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/dp5vOTnotpM/s320/Accidental+Iris.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br /><br />6. <b><span style="color: blue;">Do you ever involve your family members in your creative sessions? If so, has it helped your relationship in any way?</span></b><br /><br />Like I said above, sometimes my son will sit with me and try something. He likes to draw, so I'm trying to encourage him to do more of that. My husband is interested, but not enough to sit down and paint with me! It's all good. It hasn't helped our relationship, but it hasn't hindered it. He's just happy that I'm loving what I do, and he is very encouraging. I'm very lucky.<br /><br />7. <b><span style="color: blue;">Where do you see yourself creatively this time next year?</span></b><br />Whoa, that's a big question, Laura! Who knows? I would love to be part of a local art fair - to really "go public" with something. That's my most up-front wish at the moment; maybe it can happen this year!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQzF7nUudcI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/e-6-cyZKzQ4/s1600/IMG%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQzF7nUudcI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/e-6-cyZKzQ4/s320/IMG%25282%2529.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><br /><br />8. <span style="color: blue;">What, if any, advice would you give someone else who was just beginning to start their creative journey?</span><br /><br />Don't stop! Try everything until you find your niche. Be frugal, but give everything a good go. Be patient with yourself; some processes take longer to get a grip on than others. Sometimes, you'll know immediately that something isn't "for you." That's okay. Keep moving on. Keep trying. Don't be shy. Don't always listen to others, especially if you feel especially good about a certain process. Share with others. Play (well) with others! Get lots of fresh air. Once in awhile, clean your house and do a load of laundry. Have fun!<br /><br /><br /><br />Well, wasn't that fun? I am so glad you were able to "meet" Mary and learn how laughter keeps her happy and creative! Don't forget to look for the next installment in my series about "<b>Artistic Success</b>"! Be sure to get my RSS feed so you will know when it is published!<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"></span><br /><br /><a href="http://theuncommonartist.blogspot.com/2010/12/artistic-success-by-whos-standards.html?spref=bl"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-55258422530923211372010-12-17T12:56:00.000-06:002010-12-17T18:02:30.931-06:00Artistic Success...? By Who's Standards???<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">“With creative wild abandon and imaginative play,<br />with a belief in the infinite possibilities of the human psyche,<br />with feet on the ground and heads in the stars,<br />we endeavor to knock at the door of the human heart,<br />reminding ourselves and each other that once upon a time<br />is really here and now.”</span> — <a href="http://t.ymlp98.net/juyearamwyapaqsuagaejhwh/click.php" rel="nofollow" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 102, 255); color: #0066ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1292628422_0">Angi Sullins</span></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"> Hello you wonderful magical and special people out there!</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">I have a treat coming for you very soon! Read on for a big hint!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Have you ever noticed that typically, when you read an interview about someone in an art or creativity blog or a magazine article of the same type, that the person being interviewed is usually described as having achieved at least a small amount of <i>artistic success</i>? Of course, you say, or what is the point of interviewing them??? I'll tell you why. By "artistic success", the author of the article/blog means that the person they are interviewing is probably a<b> "professional artist</b>'", so to speak, and they are getting paid to teach classes, are selling their artwork, or both, and in some way <u><b>their success is measured by the fact that they are making money from their creative and/or artistic pursuits</b></u>. Well, I was thinking about this yesterday. About how relatively small that number of people really is, and how large the number of people, <b>some <i>extremely</i> creative and talented are</b>, that either never reach that point or maybe don't choose to go that route in life, for various reasons. They maybe don't want to "go pro", don't know "how to go pro", or just don't have the supposed self confidence to even try "going pro"! Maybe they didn't know the "right people" and it has nothing to do with their abilities to produce art. Maybe life took them down a different pathway... But-many of these people are, to me, <b>much more successful creatively in some ways than the "pro's" are</b>! Bear with me here and I will explain my reasoning why...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQuyOm9_UmI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Rtrlj3zD0ys/s1600/you+try+it+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQuyOm9_UmI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Rtrlj3zD0ys/s320/you+try+it+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQuxSoxmAfI/AAAAAAAAAQE/bejnXXooSVk/s1600/gifts+of+the+heart+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />All of the above prompted me to do a series of interviews with what most people would <u>try</u> to call "average " people but they would be very wrong if they did! Why would I want to do this? Because each one of these people I interviewed is VERY <i>active</i> artistically and creatively, and are very <i>talented</i>, but they <b>just haven't reached or possibly even pursued the level of "success" normally associated with someone that others usually think of spotlighting in an article</b>. But, here is the deal-each one of them is FAR from being average! Each one is remarkable and extremely special, and I can't wait for you to meet them! They aren't "famous" for their art in any way but they are remarkable and wonderful and shine like a diamond in the dark, because they know how to allow their creativity to nourish and enrich their lives! They each one experience life to the fullest, and infuse everyone around them with good feelings! They are caring and supportive and loving and giving, and a good portion of that is BECAUSE they are creative! The good feelings they get from being creative are then shared with those of us who are lucky enough to be around them and be a part of their lives. I personally disagree with the whole theory of professional, "creative success", because I feel that if someone receives extreme joy and happiness from their creativity, then oftentimes, they are actually MORE successful than the person who finds themselves one day slaving away at their art, unhappily making money from their <b>forced creativity</b>. I know the feeling of "forced creativity" because I, at one time, used to be what some might call a "professional artist", and I finally reached a point where it was more about the money I would make from the artwork than it was about the art I created and the happiness and satisfaction that it should have brought me. I reached a point in my creative life where it was <i>no longer fun</i>, and I even <b>dreaded it</b> when someone wanted to commission a piece. The money just wasn't doing it for me anymore... This simple fact finally resulted in my complete artistic burn-out and a 10 year hiatus from any artistic or creative pursuits. I actually thought I was finished artistically, that the proverbial well had run dry, and in fact, I didn't give art more than a passing thought for most of the next 10 years. Oh, and did I mention I was miserable for most of that time?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQuxsjZ32uI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Ay3nLjVpT4M/s1600/the+thinking+woman+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQuxsjZ32uI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Ay3nLjVpT4M/s320/the+thinking+woman+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />When I did decide to start creating again, it was "art on my own terms", no one else's. Art from my heart, and oh did it feel good! My style had changed entirely, and I am sure that to some, it didn't "look as good" as what I used to do because my style of expression is so different. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Guess what? I don't care! </span><span style="font-size: small;">I discovered art journals and mixed media and collage and combining my original poetry with my art, as well as <i>complete artistic freedom</i> instead of realism and oil paints. But the biggest difference now is that my artwork and creativity make me happy and satisfy me in a way that "art for money" never did... I now consider my creativity as an absolute <b>expression of self-love</b> that comes from my heart and soul and could be described as being something between therapy and playtime! I also, for the first time ever, consider it a <i>true gift</i>- not because of any so-called "artistic talent" that anyone might think I have or don't have, but because<b> I have discovered how to allow my creativity to bring me the kind of joy and magic that only art and creating can bring to anyone's life! </b>This is what a real gift does-it brings joy and magic, not those feelings of burn-out, negative pressure and deadlines to finish by a certain time like I used to have! And the reason I have interviewed the people I have is because they epitomize that magic and joy better than anyone I know!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQuxSoxmAfI/AAAAAAAAAQE/bejnXXooSVk/s1600/gifts+of+the+heart+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQuxSoxmAfI/AAAAAAAAAQE/bejnXXooSVk/s320/gifts+of+the+heart+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />So, these people you will be reading about, mostly women, are <u>very</u> talented in my eyes-they have "the <br />true gift" of artistic talent and creativity-because they experience the magic and the joy that only <br />creating can give you when your heart and soul are open, and you are loving what you are doing and experiencing! The wonderful thing about them is that they shower those around them with this mixture of magic and joy! Sure, they have the added bonus of the "artistic talent" usually associated with material success, but they make little or no money from their creations or art - their payment comes from a much better and more wonderful source...Their payment comes from that deep, deep well of self-satisfaction and the knowledge of the magic and joy that only they can create in that special way that is theirs and theirs alone!<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1585421472&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=158542630X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00188I3TS&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hubpagesc0005a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1585428248&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344989670520958673.post-868776469747607772010-12-16T07:09:00.000-06:002010-12-16T07:19:31.830-06:00Welcome to "The Uncommon Artist"!<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>D</b>o you think of art and art related things all day long, no matter what you are doing or where you are? Are you nearly always scribbling, drawing, doodling, or planning your next creative endeavor? When people see your creations, whether you sell them, give them away, or keep them all, and say-"<b>You are SO talented"! I wish I could do that!!?</b> If so, then <u><b>you</b></u> are an "Uncommon Artist" and you have come to the right place! <b>You are among friends and like-minded people here</b>...This is a refuge from the often harsh world that we artists seek to avoid by immersing ourselves in the wondrous, ever-changing, never-ending world of our own artistic creations. One of the most wondrous things about living an artistic life is the fact that we can create our own fantasy world- whether it's on canvas, on paper, with paints or with the written word...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQoHKS5qgnI/AAAAAAAAAP4/F8HhGQeXmnA/s1600/watercolour+in+progress+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQoHKS5qgnI/AAAAAAAAAP4/F8HhGQeXmnA/s320/watercolour+in+progress+001.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><blockquote>I very often catch myself staring off into the distance, having "visions" of the next painting, mentally writing the next poem or planning the new creative direction I want to go in next. I am a bit obsessive about my art, and often let other things (like housework) go by the wayside, while I am happily immersed in some new and exciting technique that challenges me! For instance-right now, I find myself in the process of trying to teach myself to paint with watercolours from videos on Youtube and from doing hours of research on the computer...If you have never tried this-take my word for it- it isn't easy! But I AM making progress, and actually did a halfway decent job on a little Work In Progress I call "<i>The Red Barns</i>" and that is it above. It isn't completely finished, but is getting very close. I have a tendency to overwork my paintings (perfectionist tendencies...sigh)so, I decided to just leave it alone for a day or two and find another project to work on. I think I will add a door and a few details to the buildings, add a bit more color to the trees, and that will be all.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQoOnJj93rI/AAAAAAAAAP8/yDP8iIhp_Cg/s1600/the+thinking+woman+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQoOnJj93rI/AAAAAAAAAP8/yDP8iIhp_Cg/s320/the+thinking+woman+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have been more than a little "uninspired" lately, with the holiday season getting me offtrack, plus I always get "the blues" around this time of year for some reason. The holidays really stress me out, with all of the running here and there, spending money, and trying to find gifts for people who already have everything they could ever want! So, for a couple of days, I did nothing, and found myself just getting worse. Then, I decided to do something, anything, just to get started moving again...<br /><br />Amazingly enough, I ended up cleaning up my art table, the space around it, and organizing my shelves! <u><b>Me</b></u>-the "queen of chaos and messes", actually organized, sorted and straightened the things on my art table and on the shelves, and it looks so nice, I can hardly wait to start working again and mess it all up again! I had been feeling a bit down and uninspired, which is rare for me, but the simple act of organizing got me back on track again!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQoOnJj93rI/AAAAAAAAAP8/yDP8iIhp_Cg/s1600/the+thinking+woman+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQoPJttH64I/AAAAAAAAAQA/nqZqN3Ino04/s1600/circle+of+ethics+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kk5km5Uq7Xg/TQoPJttH64I/AAAAAAAAAQA/nqZqN3Ino04/s320/circle+of+ethics+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If we think about it, this same idea can be related to our lives-sometimes we need to step back, take a good look, and clean up and reorganize our lives...If we don't, our lives have a tendency to get really messy and full of problems! Just a small bit of cleaning and organizing of our lives and priorities can do wonders for our peace of mind! Remember this as you go about your life, and until next time-enjoy being "The Uncommon Artist"! </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Laura Thykeson
thealteredbooknook.com</div>Laura Sheltonhttps://plus.google.com/110154088404700610219noreply@blogger.com0