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| Branching Out |
Branching Out
When I sat down to my computer this morning to create a treasury I looked outside my office window for inspiration. First, I saw a rainy and dark day. I thought this can't be a good treasury theme. After drinking a bit more coffee I was able to see the beautiful budding trees in our front garden. So, here is the treasury that came from that vision of Spring growth.
Take a minute today to branch out and try something new. If you do, leave a comment and share your new experience with me. Thanks for stopping by.
Artist of the Month - Monica Soeldner
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| A New Path |
Monica first creates mini collages and then displays them behind a glass bubble. She is currently focusing on inspirational and encouraging words or reminders. I really like how the glass makes the message and artwork appear more mystical. For the next step, Monica solders the edges and works on the backs of the pendants. The backs are all unique as well, each one is a different vintage paper or washi tape that is then sealed in a resin coating. Sometimes she even puts little words or notes on the back. The best part is each one is truly unique; no two are exactly alike.
She combines her love of collage and photography with her photography panels (above) which she will be exhibiting at the Enormous Tiny Art Show in Portsmouth, New Hampshire this fall.
I came across several photographic styles and techniques that I am not familiar with while reading about Monica's photography work in her blog. One such concept is called Through the Viewfinder (TTV). I asked Monica to give us a little more information about this interesting type of photography. Here is what she said;
"Through the Viewfinder (TTV) is the process of using a digital SLR camera to shoot an image of the viewfinder of a vintage twin reflex camera. I use a Kodak Duaflex III, which was produced sometime in the mid-1950s. I enjoy this process because I’m still able to get the lovely effects that the dust particles, flaws in the viewfinder, and interesting lighting that the Duaflex produces, without having to use film in it. The film for the Duaflex is no longer made, so in order to use film in this camera, I would need to re-roll it onto a spool that would fit it. With the TTV method, I’m able to forgo film and still get some of the effects of the Duaflex. It produces square images, which are then fun to use in my panels. You have to be prepared to talk to a lot of people if you are working with the TTV method out and about though...everyone is curious about that crazy contraption!"
TTV sounds really interesting and creative. It's nice to know that photography has other styles besides all digital. Another type of photography she mentioned is called lomography. I was curious about this style and asked Monica to explain it to me.
"Lomography is a company, but is sort of described as a type of photography now since it’s become more of an art form. It’s basically a variety of “toy” plastic cameras that produce distortion, blurring, differentiation in colors, and other “happy accidents” that make the photos seem more whimsical and dream-like. The Diana is probably the most popular of the lomography cameras, also the Holga. They are film cameras. I don’t have one yet, I’m still deciding what I want.But I love how dreamy the images turn out. I think they’ll be a perfect next step in my photography panels!"
Journaling is another form of artwork that interests Monica. I asked her what she usually fills her journal with and here is her response:
"Sometimes I doodle or add images to my journaling, but for the most part it’s a lot of writing. I usually go for a stream of consciousness, a free flow of thoughts. Then it will often jump into lists (lists of things I’m worried about, happy about, thankful for, goals, etc.). I journal both on my computer as well as in a number of moleskines I keep in various bags and next to my bed. I always have one I carry with me that often becomes a compilation of to-do lists, random thoughts, ideas for artwork, phone numbers and info I scribble down, etc. This year, one of my goals is to journal daily (more than just the random scribble here and there, but to get my thoughts down each day about what’s going on with me). This is like therapy to me. I find that I’m clearer on my direction, how I approach my work, and how I feel throughout each day if I get it all out like this."
Monica is about to begin a new and exciting chapter in her life. She has been accepted for a graduate program in Library Science in Boston. A girl after my own heart, I'd love to live and work in a library or bookstore! Just the smell of the books is enough to bring a smile to my face. But the field of library science has many different career paths. While Monica would love to work as a librarian, she has other interests as well. She is particularly interested in the tool of online presence development in libraries and library programs. She said that she would love to work on building community involvement in library programs via social media and interactive web databases.
Monica has a shop on Esty, M. Soeldner, if you'd like to see more of her jewelry. To read more about Monica and all of her remarkable artwork, visit her blog. In closing today, I had to include just one more photo from Monica. I love this photo of her and her very well loved dog, Erma.
Pretty Poppies!
Just wanted to share a few new pieces with you. Hope you are having a great day!
Spreading the Creative Word
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| Creative Coconuts |
From left to right:
- Jane Davenport
- Faith Evans-Sills
- Sarah Stevenson
- Andi Dargin
- Belinda Fireman
- Suzy Enyon
- Niki Jackson
- Mairi MikaMika Alexopoulou
- Monica Soeldner
- Stacie Spencer
- Anne Weill
- Kristen Walker
- Stephey Baker
- Beki Lambert
- Denice Brown
As I shared on an earlier post, I have joined a wonderful group of inspirational artists called The Creative Coconuts. I wanted to share their amazing artwork and talents with you. Above is a listing of the artists and links to their websites. I hope you enjoy visiting with the coconuts.
On Friday, April 1st I will be featuring Monica Soeldner as the Artist of the Month. Make sure to stop back then to learn more about Monica and her artwork!
Funny Cat Pictures
Funny Angry Cat : Killing mode !
Funny Dancing Cat : Oho..Its really great at figure skating !
Funny Rockstar cat : Yaah.. u can rock!
Funny cat as judge : Hmm ... Proceed !
Funny Cat Leader : Brothers and sisters ... Keep quite and listen to me ! - Cat!
Funny Cute Cat : Its Mine!
Funny Cat in Tiger Mood : I am the Tiger , Not Tiger woods - Cat !
Funny Cat Army on Parade!
Not Funny But too Smart Cat !
The Poor Cat Woman !!!
NB: All pictures are collected from google image.
Time
I was trying to think of a subject to create a treasury around the other evening. I'm sitting on my bed with my laptop while my daughter is dancing around getting ready for her bath. My mind of course goes to the "I don't have enough time to do everything I want to do" voice that seems to constantly be lurking in my head. So, I thought time. That's it! So I titled my treasury A Block of Time.
The funny thing is that I didn't have time to finish it that night. My 14 year old son called me a computer crazy person, picked up my laptop and carried it down to the den. Apparently it was time for the three of us to read in bed together. I have to admit reading together is one of my favorite activities and it was just what the doctor ordered. I felt much more relaxed.
The next morning I brewed myself a cup of coffee and of course sat down to finish my treasury. Before I hopped over to that tab, I stopped for a visit in my Etsy shop and saw that my watch was featured in this beautiful treasury. Notice the title! How funny!
After spending a few minutes thinking about time, I remembered this poem that I used to have on my office bulletin board a long time ago. It was written by an 85 year old man. I love the whole message in this poem and hope that you enjoy it too.
If I Had My Life to Live Over Again
by Don Herold
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax, I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.
I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.
Hope you take time to enjoy your day.
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| A block of time |
The funny thing is that I didn't have time to finish it that night. My 14 year old son called me a computer crazy person, picked up my laptop and carried it down to the den. Apparently it was time for the three of us to read in bed together. I have to admit reading together is one of my favorite activities and it was just what the doctor ordered. I felt much more relaxed.
The next morning I brewed myself a cup of coffee and of course sat down to finish my treasury. Before I hopped over to that tab, I stopped for a visit in my Etsy shop and saw that my watch was featured in this beautiful treasury. Notice the title! How funny!
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| Where has time gone? |
If I Had My Life to Live Over Again
by Don Herold
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax, I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.
I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.
Hope you take time to enjoy your day.
Blog Hop
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| Blogging For Lila |
One of my fellow artist friends from the Creative Coconuts, Sarah Stevenson is sponsoring a Blog Hop in honor of this beautiful little girl, Lila. I will be participating in the Blog Hop on April 15th and will share more information about Lila at that time. I just wanted to put up the link to Sarah's blog in case you would like to participate in the Blog Hop as well. It's a great way to meet other artists, get your blog a few views and help out a little girl in need.
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