ART of the Word

It is December 16 and nary a card has been addressed, nor cookie made, nor package wrapped, BUT....my Stampaway classes for next August are done and in the mail. Now I can get to the Yuletide preparations. Have a wonderful holiday season, everyone. I hope there is joy in your world through the season and in 2012.

We will be reunited with our collegiate daughter on Tuesday, so naturally we are very excited to be spending the holiday with her in PA and then back here for an unexpected couple of weeks. May the merriment ensue.

Through the Looking Glass

Well from watermedia printing to resins.............and nary a "made" or "bought" Christmas card in sight yet. Sigh...... December is always a swamped month with classes due here, there, and everywhere. This weekend was resin weekend. Again, thanks to Nancy's wonderful introduction to resin and the terrific Ice Resin site itself, I am finding my way to incorporate what I like to do into wearable jewelry. I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with. Now it's on to more painting....those gingerbread houses await, more class preparation, and cookie making. YUMMY!

Look for my local classes here in January at For Keeps Sake, in Jan or Feb (TBD) at New Art Legacies, and a foray to Cincinnati at Stamp Your Art Out on February 25th.

Crunch Time

I've been playing with watermedia prints for quite a few years, yet when asked to do sale artwork, charitable donations, or even try a new class at a new store, it is my go to process. What I never ever remember is how long it all takes, so even though I thought I was on schedule through the first two days in the studio, my studio time yesterday amounted to 22 straight hours (45 minute frozen dinner break). During that time I listened to 10 episodes of Supernatural from last season, Terminator 2, Will and Grace, a Lifetime movie with Diane Keaton doing meth, the X Factor, and infomercials galore. I also heard tons of Christmas commercials and promos for all the new movies coming out around Christmastime. In the meantime, I was knee deep in fibers, metal powders, watermedia, both Golden and Sue Rothamel's wonderful Mica Color palettes (vintage my new fav) .I was also knee deep in the creative process so much so that at the end of the 22 hours I was tired but also at peace because I love so much what I do. Now, if I could just start a few days earlier next time there is a deadline. Note to self.

I am attending the opening of a new store, New Art Legacies, in Fairview Heights, IL tomorrow where all 22 pieces will be up for sale. I also am teaching the class next Friday for those who want to venture into making their own. It's a busy time of year, but a relaxing class that would be great for Christmas gifts. That will be my last class of the year, but I will be at For Keeps Sake on Saturday, January 21, doing my first class at their store. Things are definitely happening. Now I need to get someone to just help me decorate my house for Christmas!

Open House

I have finished my second in a series of whimsical street scenes and have titled this one, Open House. While I was working on this painting, my mind wandered into the insides of each of these unique houses. What would it be like to tour them? I love going to open houses and seeing the decor, the mood, all the touches that owners put of themselves in them. I think most of the houses on this street would have interesting touches that would reflect the whimsy of their owners. Regarding the house styles, clearly their are no zoning laws in effect since almost any flight of fancy can be built. Enjoy your view of my new street. As always, I have a favorite and a continuing theme.

Halloween Couture

I've been fascinated with witches' hats and shoes for the longest time. It must be the umpteen showings of Wizard of Oz during my childhood. It was always a family fest each year when it was on. I DID NOT LIKE the gargoyles at all. So once again I dipped my toe into painting but kept the theme more whimsical, which seems to be my bent these days. I sort of pictured the forest as a store of sorts for witches to go and pick out and try on their hats. The pumpkins were brought in to keep the hats from the forest dirt. Again the colors in this painting were largely done in a subtractive manner and detail added with Pitt Pen. I do like the white areas that show imperfection throughout the painting. At my sister/mentor's suggestion, I am developing a signature of sorts. If you look between the two paintings, there will be some commonality. I'll comment later after you have had a chance to figure it out and comment.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2011

One Big Toe Outside of the Box

Fall is here and the hearth and home have started to take priority for me.  I have the first floor of my house 85% clutter free and have both myself and my husband on a short leash to keep it that way.  The canines are not cooperating but I just try not to look at their scattered toys around the floor. 

Many people that know me well know that I am obssessed with houses.  Whether it be on Tumblr, Pinterest, or in my home decor, I am attracted by houses of all kinds, and, of late, the quirkier the better. A few years ago I dabbled in some drawing with Halloween buildings, but once I was done with them, I put that thought away.   One of my goals after I got Sammi off to college was to pursue something I have been afraid to do for a long time...to paint in a representational style.  I can put together images (as in stamping), printing, abstract painting (to some degree), color play and feel fairly good about it.  I know as a child in some kids' art classes, I enjoyed painting, but as I headed towards adulthood, I lost my way.   So, I put myself to the test and decided since I am always touting to do things that are different than what you usually do and play, yada...yada....yada...., I decided to paint.  Houses seemed to be what I wanted to paint again, so I set about it two weeks ago.  I wanted to capture the time the sun starts to go down but often (at least here in St. Louis) you can start seeing the stars and sometimes the moon.  So yes, that orange partial ball is the waning sun.  Yes, the houses are quirky and somewhat whimsical.  I'd love to hear if you have a favorite house.  I do.  I'll tell later on if I get some responses first.  The actual canvas size is 6 x 12" and my medium for this one was heavily watered fluid acrylics applied in a subtractive manner.  The detail was done with an assortment of Pitt pens.  Thank you for visiting my street.  I think there will be more streets coming.  Stay tuned and remember to tell me which is your favorite house!

Boo!

OK...I've gotten autumn under my belt with pumpkin coffee and a mantel that still love to go by and sigh.  So....this weekend it is Halloween decorating and planning for the month.  In that vein, I played today with my go to image company for Halloween, Rubbermoon. It was a fun project.

How to's:  I covered a canvas with Golden's Titan Buff Fluid Acrylic and then dry brush spotcolored it in a linear motion with quin burnt orange, pyrrole orange, quin nickle azo, and oche.  I took a 2" square clayboard and stamped the image on using Black StazOn.  I then colored the image with the same acrylics and set aside.  While waiting for it to dry, I stamped the sentiment on the background with StazOn and painted a piece of aluminum foil with nickel azo and another piece with black to make a small frame.  A few strands of black fiber and it was ready to be assembled.  I think she is quite festive.......

Autumn in St. Louis

Fall arrived at the Curry household yesterday. I spent the morning decorating my fall mantle with everything from white pumpkins to feathers and copper glittered curly qs.  I am quite in love with the bit of seasonal whimsy dressing up my family room.  Meanwhile, the temperature hovered today in the low sixties so I brewed myself my first pumpkin spice coffee of the season and finished these Halloween tags for an exchange.  Harlequin designed papers combined with subtractive paint technique in the same pattern made for a neat vintage look for the largest tag.  I found an old Rubbermoon image for the Tim Holtz ticket and combined it with a Tim Holtz clear acrylic tag stamped with a newer Red Lead phrase to finish this tag series off. 

My classes are now set at Stamp Your Art Out on Saturday, November 12.  I will be teaching Rock 'n Roll:  Brayered Surface Design in the morning and then Kaleidoscope, a watermedia printing class, in the afternoon.  I am looking forward to my return to my old home store and some Cincinnati chili while I am there. 

Ice Ice Baby

OK...so my only kid is in college fourteen + hours away and what have I been doing???  I took a class!!! I know that sounds kind of ordinary, but I haven't taken a class for more years than I can remember.  And, (drum roll) I actually followed the teacher and made the project that I was supposed to.  For those of you that don't know..... I can get very distracted in class.  Usually it is a good thing for me because I've been inspired to go in a different direction, but it is not a good thing for my drawer of unfinished projects.  Oh, back to the class.  Well....I wandered down to a wonderful store south of St. Louis, For Keep's Sake, yesterday to check it out for local teaching and saw Nancy Wethington's samples for her Ice Resin class.  Now I did know about the product, but until yesterday it was in the nether regions of my mind.  I was lucky to snag a late spot in the class.  So excited was I for the class that I did two pieces of art from my scrap bin last night and off I went today.  That proved to be a good thing because I was able to complete four resin pieces total.  Yes, props to me for being prolific in class.  Nancy was well-prepared, enthusiastic, and generous with her tips, techniques, and humor.  The process itself is not difficult, but it was so fun making more art with the filled class and meeting new people.  My dogs are the only ones who wander into my studio at home and they don't seem to add any meaningful value.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I have now bought enough Ice Resin to play with in the fall and several more seasons.  What a wonderful day. 

First Week Pseudo Empty Nester

Well, let's see. Jim is out of town and Sam is in PA so that leaves me and the two canines. I've gotten so many things done on my list that I needed to do all spring and summer. It's been wonderful having the endless time to get them done. I even fit in a rush hour movie yesterday to reward myself. I found myself in a theater seeing "One Day" with a 60 year old man. Interesting to say the least. I've still got plenty to do to get caught up, but I feel like I've put a dent in some things.



Happy almost Labor Day.....I think it is the Japanese Festival again for us. It will be strange without Sam but we can send her pictures. Also, I am working on my classes for Stamp Your Art Out on Saturday, November 12. More to follow on that. Come see me in Cincinnati.

Summer's Over

There has been a long drought here for many reasons. First, Sammi graduated from high school and the summer has been spent preparing for her nest-leaving. We leave to take her to Ursinus College in Pennsylvania on Monday. And yes, I will survive..... I think. We also wanted to spend time with her so we took her to England. What a wonderful week we had in late June-early July. I finally got to step foot onto the Wimbledon grounds, but the Cotswolds stole my heart. It was a trip I'll never forget.

Stampaway was last week in Cincinnati, and I was happy to debut a new class called Painterly Pizazzz. I had 25 enthusiastic students and my wonderful friend, Deb, helping me. I also got to stay at her house and had the best time.

So what am I going to do with the rest of my life now that Jim and I will be pseudo-empty nesters for nine months out of the year? Well, I am going to start teaching again so if you know of a store that would be interested in me, drop me an email. I begin again as of now in November at Stamp Your Art Out in Cincinnati, my old home store. After that, who knows........

I also want to pursue my own art at the same time so you may see some things finally posted from me again.

Happy dog days everyone.....

Beginnings and Ends

This week marks the end of Sammi's years of high school and new beginnings for all of us as a family. By summer's end, Jim and I will be partial empty nesters as we adjust to her being at Ursinus. These four years, marked by our third return to St. Louis, have flown by as wise people told me they would. My focus has been on getting her ready for college, getting her through gymnastics seasons, and adjusting to increasing freedoms and responsibilities. It will be this week that I will take stock on how we've done...... in between the appreciation luncheons, field days, awards banquets, and, of course..... graduation this Friday. The artwork to the right is my annual gift to Barat Academy.

Anniversary Surprise

We received a wonderful anniversary gift from our graduating senior today. What a fun video to reminisce to. It's been a hectic couple of months since I posted. We're caught up in senior moments, college decisions, traveling for gymnastics, sick friends. I can honestly say I haven't been in the studio since March. Things will slow down after graduation and I can get back to being Nancy. But I can never get back this time with Sammi so I am taking it without any guilt.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone has a happy, safe, and healthy special day tomorrow. I was treated to a beautiful bouquet today and a 5"7" Epic Rose from Ecuador. It's my second year to receive the tall rose from Jim. I loved the one last year and if memory serves me right, it lasted a couple of weeks. Not too bad for an import. I included a picture of it and two of my three men. The other dog, Bogart, was sleeping but Tucker was pretty docile in Jim's arms.

We had a wonderful weather weekend so finally the ice and snow is starting to melt. What a treat to have the ice gone from our driveway. It takes so little.....

Electrifying

Electrifying can mean so many things. I spent another weekend watching gymnastics and that truly is electrifying especially when you see two "10s" given out. In fourteen years of competition, I have never seen a 10. But electrifying to me is also seeing my nephew Jon's photography. He is a natural and last week during the storm took a wonderful macro video with his camera of a melting snowflake that I found "electrifying" in it's simplicity and rare view. When I went to do my inchie, I chose between "joy" and "memories" to showcase the word. It was a tough choice for me because I do find memories electifying when they just pop into your head out of nowhere...good ones and bad ones alike. But the most electrifying feeling I have felt is pure joy so that won out. Enjoy........

Mirthful

It is interesting that mirthful is this week's word and I am experiencing the worst weather of the winter so far. I am less than mirthful right now. My dogs that just slid about 8 feet on the icy patio are feeling even less so. But, as they say--the show must go on. I have a confession to make. I hate clowns and am terrified of them, however, I have a fascination with jester's hats. I make no sense sometimes. Actually, truth be told, party hats of any sort. Linda Malcolm at Lost Coast Designs has at least two wonderful sets of party hats of all sorts and then another must have set of wild animals with party hats. They are definitely for those with eclectic tastes and were perfect for my mirthful Every Inchie Monday theme. Enjoy......

Maudlin

Every Inchie Monday day again.....the week rolls around really fast. This week's theme was maudlin. I couldn't figure out my interpretation until I saw about 10 minutes of Beverly Hills Housewives or whatever it's called. They were bemoaning their youth and they looked stunning. My inchie idea came from that. It's always interesting where ideas find their beginnings. Enjoy....

Snow Day

An unexpected gift of a snow day and I got lost in my studio. Dreams do come true sometimes. This is a piece for my oldest friend in the world that I've found again. I feel so lucky to have made that reconnection since we spent a majority of our time together during elementary school. He was my other half.

Birds of a Feather

I am back in the tundra of St. Louis after quite an eventful trip to the Tampa, St. Petersburg Beach area for five days of gymnastics bonding. This was our fourth year to travel down with Sammi's team and we had a great time, although the weather could have been slightly warmer. Fun was had by all. This season is still surreal since it is Sammi's last under USAG rules so each meet is bittersweet. It was a fun time for her since she had uninterrupted team time and also took home the all around award for the meet after winning bars, beam, floor, and taking second on vault. Add to that the camaraderie of the team, team parents, coaches and just generally the gymnastics world and you come up with the first reason I titled this entry, "Birds of a Feather." Gymnasts are a different breed and those in that world with them all have to stick together. I would guess it is that way for any high level individual competitive sport as well. Well, we did all stick together and it was a memorable time.

I worked on my inchie for the word caring today. I didn't have a clue what I was going to do until I was in front of my bird feeder and saw a male cardinal putting seed into his female's mouth since she couldn't get up to the feeder (the restaurant was quite crowded). Hence, the inchie I made for caring has a pair of birds and the titled phrase. I spent quite a lot of time watching the bird interaction and found it quite amazing.

Powerful

That word means so many things to so many people. For me emotions are the most powerful thing in my life and always have been. This week I experienced a myriad of them....pride, fear, joy, and a little sadness as my daughter began her last competitive gymnastics season unless she chooses to continue in college. All were almost equal in intensity but the joy eclipsed the others when I saw her triumph over some physical and mental challenges. So for me, joy is the emotion I find the most powerful. I celebrate it in my entry for this week's inchie challenge. We leave for Tampa on Wednesday for her to compete again. It will be bittersweet for her since each meet will be her last one with the team. Fourteen years is a long time in a young life.

Eclectic

I noticed an online inchie challenge and decided to have a go. Now whether I will do it every week or not, I guess we'll find out soon enough. But it was very fun to work on this one today for the theme, eclectic. What's more eclectic than a post-Christmas phrase the I added at the end??? Today's "Fa la la" started as a leftover piece of transparency from a local demo last October. It was spot colored with Ranger alcohol inks, texturized with a product called Wood Icing that led to the darker more matte finish, and then gilded with Gildenglitz. I finished it off by backing it to a piece of white cardstock. What a fun time I had with this little piece.