tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46266539056522342842024-03-12T17:34:52.071-07:00Lynn Edwards ArtStudio notes and musings from an artist playing with colorsLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.comBlogger516125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-41029138360452413742022-07-08T14:56:00.000-07:002022-07-08T14:56:35.149-07:00Turning Old Business Cards Into Arrt<p><br /> As I've mentioned in a previous post, downsizing a home with over 40 years' worth of stuff in it is a lot like conducting an archeology dig. You find all kinds of things you've forgotten you had. One of the items I came across was a box of my old business cards. I had never liked these cards. The type was much too small, and I didn't like the design so I had long since replaced them. Reluctant to toss them out (that's the packrat in me) I wasn't sure how I might use them so I simply left them sitting on the shelf. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIvWkTwCAEoF9-hJv9JYf_23-WCpk8lEFKCUlnWPZo7kMnFeLkh6xhCj8cAUfobd6TS9AIps9Hy2z7xIuL8MfSBs6-yuV3eH-K2i-7mRE3WdABD6p7MR2_w3TrA6crtWFLQ5BnD5j9RFOhE5m1UQCvf-ywJ7FUYGv8hcJhNzsPfxeJR30AZDhaHG1/s650/BCAt%20item%202%20WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="650" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIvWkTwCAEoF9-hJv9JYf_23-WCpk8lEFKCUlnWPZo7kMnFeLkh6xhCj8cAUfobd6TS9AIps9Hy2z7xIuL8MfSBs6-yuV3eH-K2i-7mRE3WdABD6p7MR2_w3TrA6crtWFLQ5BnD5j9RFOhE5m1UQCvf-ywJ7FUYGv8hcJhNzsPfxeJR30AZDhaHG1/w200-h186/BCAt%20item%202%20WEB.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One afternoon I was looking for a piece of scratch paper. I grabbed one of the cards as a substitute. Then it occurred to me that the blank side of each card would make a great little "canvas" that I could doodle on in the evenings while watching TV. This concept soon expanded to include collage, then collage with mixed media. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOwBLSFWeJMIGw-OEeXWr_glTLb18txfq1LYcTdnzcqTblkcnaKxIGHM6J6aUzKdYjQZKiJ87pvYfMXJTYy51Lf4wj8AAnoHU52zbnAlwrihkkgdZTU3p7L7Goyi2Aah-txjO6ThKMOVvQ747jZU-oRbV8Xl6O0uoKPW2OjHFV7pYEjOwSg1NNp6C/s650/BCA%20iitem%208%20WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="650" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOwBLSFWeJMIGw-OEeXWr_glTLb18txfq1LYcTdnzcqTblkcnaKxIGHM6J6aUzKdYjQZKiJ87pvYfMXJTYy51Lf4wj8AAnoHU52zbnAlwrihkkgdZTU3p7L7Goyi2Aah-txjO6ThKMOVvQ747jZU-oRbV8Xl6O0uoKPW2OjHFV7pYEjOwSg1NNp6C/w200-h186/BCA%20iitem%208%20WEB.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I really like the idea of working small, on cards that otherwise would have ended up in the landfill. It's a great way to stay in the art-making mode after larger projects are put away for the night. Their compact size also makes them quite portable. They fit easily into a small box or tin; add some Pitt Artists Pens, Sharpies or other sketching implements and a glue stick and you're all set to travel. </p><p>Pictured above are two of the eight pieces I've completed so far. They're great fun to do, so I plan to continue making business card art until I run out of business cards or I run out of inspiration, whichever comes first!<br /><br /> </p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Text and images ©2022 Lynn Edwards </span><br /></p><br /><br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-32673882737906518822022-06-21T20:52:00.000-07:002022-06-21T20:52:39.778-07:00I'm Back!<p>It has been almost a year since I last posted on this blog. The past 11 1/2 months have been chaotic, to put it mildly. Coping with the pandemic restrictions and then contracting and recovering from Covid took their toll, as did losing beloved family members to illness as well. Hubs and I also decided to move across the country to be closer to my relatives, and began the daunting task of sorting through 40+ years of the accumulation of "stuff." Over the years our basement had become a magnet for everything we couldn't figure out what to do with, or where to store it. So tackling the basement was a lot like sifting through an archeology dig. We found items we hadn't seen in years. </p><p>Halfway through the basement clean-out, inflation reared its ugly head. Watching the price of everything from bread and milk to a tank of gas soar to unprecedented levels, we looked at each other and said, "Moving might not be such a good idea right now." </p><p>Our plan had been to sell our place here in Georgia and move into a retirement community in a new home state, close to family. But the prospect of rampant inflation teamed with a recession brought our moving plans to a screeching halt. So we've dug in right where we are and the basement challenge notwithstanding, are staying put, at least for now. </p><p>Giving up my fabulous studio was something I was dreading. Parting with the home we've worked so hard to renovate and improve was going to rip my heart out. Even worse was the prospect of saying goodbye to all our friends here who have been such an important part of our lives. We will have to make that move at some point (aging in place isn't for us) so each day we get to stay on here is precious. Facing change isn't easy but as a wise man once said, "Change begins at the end of your comfort zone." I hope we can enjoy this comfort zone just a <i>wee</i> bit longer...!<br /></p>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-71180384716112819102021-07-26T10:16:00.002-07:002021-07-26T10:16:34.633-07:00<p>August is almost here, and for me, August this year is quite special. The Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville and Douglas County has invited me to be their August Pop Up Artist. This is the second time they've bestowed this honor on me; the first was in December of 2019.</p><p> For the past few months I've been preparing sufficient inventory to fill the Pop Up space in the gallery with lots of hand painted and collaged goodies in the colorful style that characterizes my work. Leaving large paintings at home, this is an opportunity to feature all the small items I love to create -- my fun new jewelry line, art cards with easels, pocket sized collaged notebooks and other treasures perfect for gift giving and self pampering.With prices ranging from $5.00 to $75.00 there's something here to fit every budget. And after the stresses of the past year, what better way to celebrate re-emergence than with a fun purchase for yourself and/or loved ones?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvn_4Nw4vOTbGSXcR4Y27S_W2zZgGdu660gyJvWqgfvxdWnyL2HahvO9BfNF1oSyPF_czsKAAqUgE8A8Alv6D-ClCHme2gR-JPxl0ARWJG_A-c1PIFlzY3WLKth5BNuW2I-NUTKAuWqw/s2048/dcac+page+4+embellished+notebooks+21-24--2021-cc.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1505" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvn_4Nw4vOTbGSXcR4Y27S_W2zZgGdu660gyJvWqgfvxdWnyL2HahvO9BfNF1oSyPF_czsKAAqUgE8A8Alv6D-ClCHme2gR-JPxl0ARWJG_A-c1PIFlzY3WLKth5BNuW2I-NUTKAuWqw/s320/dcac+page+4+embellished+notebooks+21-24--2021-cc.jpg" /></a></div><p>So pop in to the Pop Up this August! You'll be able to see my work from August 2 - 31. If you visit between August 4 and August 25 you'll be able to take in the exhibition in the main gallery, "How I Got Over - A Lockdown Collection." It features works by artists Joseph McKinney, Akua Hardy, Tiffany Charesse, Ren Dillard, Crystal Jin Kim, and Sean Mulkey that express their feelings and experiences during the pandemic and lockdown. </p><p>The Cultural Arts Council is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The address is 8652 Campbellton St., Douglasville GA 30134. Parking is free. For more information call 770-949-2787. </p><p><br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-74526011980055738942021-06-03T14:10:00.000-07:002021-06-03T14:10:01.986-07:00What Were They Thinking???<p>After spending hours and hours as a patient in numerous medical establishments these past six months, I feel somewhat qualified to make this observation: somebody needs to tell the interior designers and others who select the paint colors and furnishings for these places that sick people do not benefit when surrounded by the color of cooked liver. Or something the dog barfed up.</p><p>Since I've become a roving observer of medical facilities of all kinds - hospitals, doctor's offices, labs, clinics, etc. etc. - I've noticed that a dull grey-brown is the most prevalent color used in these places, with a sickly grey-beige following a close second. Usually everything in sight - carpeting, walls, furnishings, you name it - is swathed in one or the other color. In some places even the artwork is equally monochromatic and unappealing. It's as if every one of these places all shopped at the TwoColorOneStop Store for their interior design needs. These aren't old, decrepit facilities, either. Most are quite new or fairly new, so the colors selected were in almost all cases chosen recently.</p><p>Take, for example, an establishment I visited not long ago to have some tests done. They were running a bit behind time-wise so I was asked to take a seat in a small room where I had a view of the hallway. The color of the walls in that hallway was unspeakably depressing. Who in their right mind thinks a hallway painted the color of a hairball (yes, a <i>hairball!</i>) is going to make patients feel anything but depressed? <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mU63HONXJSich6S94xX3eWjmXEf8jnuLKjWnpl1ybmjDHh1moINdvXo8gJVKaLJpeJ9E6dDRA-wnKHDUDyk-8Xlo2ZOpaCfxOM2U8CXL-Mipm-nOVAb9MF7HyCziNUK2_JYmA_UJ4X8/s600/a+hairball+color+paint+take+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mU63HONXJSich6S94xX3eWjmXEf8jnuLKjWnpl1ybmjDHh1moINdvXo8gJVKaLJpeJ9E6dDRA-wnKHDUDyk-8Xlo2ZOpaCfxOM2U8CXL-Mipm-nOVAb9MF7HyCziNUK2_JYmA_UJ4X8/w241-h224/a+hairball+color+paint+take+3.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wall color in the "hairball hallway"</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p>The color above looks more greenish on the screen than it did in real life. Besides an actual hairball,I couldn't find anything ugly enough to match the real life version. <br /></p><p>This trend of using colors perfectly suited to Soviet-era housing projects seems to be widespread among designers these days. That may be fine for establishments other than those where people who are ill or in pain seek treatment. Medical environments should support patients' recovery, not hinder it. I think back to a hospital visit I made to a relative who was undergoing treatment for a broken hip. The lobby of the hospital was elegantly furnished in a beautiful floral color scheme with blues and golds predominating. The patients' rooms, however, were another story. Their walls were painted an ugly dull mid-range grey with greenish-brown undertones. It was dreary enough to be described as morgue-worthy.</p><p></p><br /> <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlASJHbCTQytXsLKGgH3SedPsbZuEHOcn-JGIoG8XMtdUIiGwCXxfUT5qCVLeIEEhzNloDR9kXhw5jdMmJa_bLuzQf6_p2sLELqV9ch1_ISRWCzcFpumeiTXXF6fTT1ppz7dar1d1dv_A/s600/a+putty+color+paint+s868cc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlASJHbCTQytXsLKGgH3SedPsbZuEHOcn-JGIoG8XMtdUIiGwCXxfUT5qCVLeIEEhzNloDR9kXhw5jdMmJa_bLuzQf6_p2sLELqV9ch1_ISRWCzcFpumeiTXXF6fTT1ppz7dar1d1dv_A/w240-h224/a+putty+color+paint+s868cc.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The wall color in my relative's hospital room</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Newsflash: grey is the color of decline and death. Why would anyone in their right mind choose that color for a hospital setting? In the patients' rooms, no less, where they'd have to look at it 24 hours a day from their hospital beds. Perhaps the intent for choosing such colors is to create an impression of sophistication. However, anyone who has ever been a hospital patient suffering from nausea is unlikely to be helped one bit by having to stare at walls painted such a depressing color. <br /></p><p>Maybe no one has told these designers that countless studies have been done on the recovery rates of patients when they're surrounded by lighter, more cheerful colors versus those who are exposed to colors that are dark and drab. It's a proven fact: patients heal faster when they're in environments where the color of walls and furnishings are brighter and lighter. </p><p>Color affects a person's outlook to an amazing degree. Outlook affects outcome. This isn't exactly rocket science. So, to all the designers and architects and anyone who's responsible for designing the interiors of medical facilities, I beg of you all: for the overall health of your fellow Americans, please lighten up!! <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">©2021 Lynn Edwards</span><br /></p><br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-27655924340547061452021-03-24T17:00:00.001-07:002021-03-24T17:00:46.132-07:00The Pandemic, Pain and Productivity<p>How much fun can a girl have while sheltering at home for a year AND dealing with a debilitating back injury for half of that time? The answer is quite a lot, if it involves the creation of art, even in the midst of what I call head-banging pain for half that time. Honestly, if I hadn't had my art to keep me busy during the past 12 months I think I would have gone completely off the rails!</p><p>So what did moi produce during the Year of Utter Misery? Well, I cranked out several dozen mixed media notecards, a new collection of mosaic pendants, at least a hundred pairs of hand painted earrings, and completed a very large and challenging painting that took up more space in my studio than a Volkswagon. (Actually, that's a little bit of exaggeration. It wasn't really the size of a Volkswagon but because it was so big it sure seemed like it.)</p><p>If it weren't so distressing to be cooped up for so long with such limited contact with the outside world, I'd say that being sequestered for months on end might put an artist on the fast track to generating a truly impressive output. The only problem is the lack of social contact. After the delight of having unlimited time to create wore off, I found myself craving the company of other humans -- even though I've always been something of a hermit. It's too much to expect one's spouse to take the place of society at large, though Hubs went above and beyond in his efforts to sub for it. (Just one reason I love this man so much!) Eventually the isolation wore on me to the point that the very thought of making a trip to the Dollar Store made me giddy with excitement. That's sick!</p><p>Here are a few of the items I created this past year. While I was throwing myself into creating them, the isolation taught me a lot about myself -- what I could and couldn't do, and how important it is to have an interest or passion that can sustain one through trying times.We know what mine is. What is it for you? </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfjylrBJ4i_gQw-pA7ZwDXioW00XvAUdRGxeFPq4shKvTWGYGlTIvEUiAq6Xk1e0XnIkK-wNZ-O6x0TO-u3LJsUFlZ1zPQp66r5_zE8CSbXdOegHJjWy28JCUJ4b16lytEIlaaz34r38/s472/28+orig+45+grey+bg+cc+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfjylrBJ4i_gQw-pA7ZwDXioW00XvAUdRGxeFPq4shKvTWGYGlTIvEUiAq6Xk1e0XnIkK-wNZ-O6x0TO-u3LJsUFlZ1zPQp66r5_zE8CSbXdOegHJjWy28JCUJ4b16lytEIlaaz34r38/s320/28+orig+45+grey+bg+cc+for+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed media & collage notecard<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOToUzyXa5HHVi7G76uTrRC-iwpY8HgdFOFQ51J6xTuusW2YJaAEtbGlEXj13DtugJHzVShiDHBbTtkhaarMLFsOePqwuJIUISbm-rIPEhbrsNHgHE5h7crvm5KsqpcobhHP3x6XWdMw/s432/IMG_6350+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOToUzyXa5HHVi7G76uTrRC-iwpY8HgdFOFQ51J6xTuusW2YJaAEtbGlEXj13DtugJHzVShiDHBbTtkhaarMLFsOePqwuJIUISbm-rIPEhbrsNHgHE5h7crvm5KsqpcobhHP3x6XWdMw/s320/IMG_6350+for+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earrings with matching keepsake gift box</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: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5gnW-VU02ACt_fru0-okDVcfnK7wBORhQuy7fPcEhKu2eaBEiwUcujnDvw6oV7Mg_9F9Hv9jCaJ50viAye_dhO1nvqnBrZmHwSq67FrwxDsPNH718K_oxy1P6nWuIvxX6u-ArD8eWD4/s2048/IMG_6654+for+dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5gnW-VU02ACt_fru0-okDVcfnK7wBORhQuy7fPcEhKu2eaBEiwUcujnDvw6oV7Mg_9F9Hv9jCaJ50viAye_dhO1nvqnBrZmHwSq67FrwxDsPNH718K_oxy1P6nWuIvxX6u-ArD8eWD4/s320/IMG_6654+for+dc.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic pendant with matching keepsake gift box<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Text and images ©2021 Lynn Edwards</span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-63253563228970086102021-03-19T08:07:00.005-07:002021-03-19T08:07:50.194-07:00Wisdom I Agree With<p>What is the role of an artist in society? This subject has any number of answers, but here's one I found as I was reading through an old issue of The Artist Magazine. It appeared in an interview with Henryk Fantazos, who emigrated from Poland to the U.S. in 1975. I think Fantazos sums it up well:</p><p>"Being a painter carries certain cultural responsibilities. Once you are given a voice, you should feel a responsibility not to pollute your culture, but rather to contribute something of value."<br /></p>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-40772738399698260422020-10-31T22:06:00.000-07:002020-10-31T22:06:41.520-07:00Cleaning and Storing Stencils: A Better Way<p>They're great for making art, but storing and cleaning stencils can be a pain. If you're like me, your stencil collection is (1) very large, (2) consists of stencils in a wide range of sizes and (3) encrusted with multiple layers of dried paint. </p><p>I'm referring here to plastic stencils, although some of what I'm going to share with you can be applied to metal and paper stencils too:</p><p><b>Tip #1:Keep 'em clean</b>. In the past I was so guilty of not doing this. I'd allow layer upon layer of acrylic paint to build up on my stencils until their image quality began to suffer. When that happened, I'd gird my loins, fortify myself with a glass of wine, and conduct a marathon stencil cleaning operation that sometimes lasted a couple of days. I dreaded these sessions (but the wine helped!)</p><p>After one especially grueling cleaning session I finally wised up. I began rinsing off my stencils immediately after each use. Under running water the paint slides off the stencils effortlessly. If you don't have running water in your studio, just fill a waterproof pan or bucket with warm water, and add a bit of Murphy Oil Soap or mild detergent.Toss the stencils in as you use them, allowing each to soak 30 minutes or longer. Remove them when the paint slips off easily. Rinse off any remaining cleaner and paint, then press each stencil between layers of paper towel to dry it. Now you're ready to store them. (See #2) </p><p><b>Tip #2: Store 'em flat</b>. For years I kept most of my midsize-to-small stencils in a cabinet drawer. I'd toss them in on top of one another willy nilly. When it came time to locate a particular stencil, I had to remove a big plastic mess from the drawer and spend a lot of time cautiously teasing each piece out from it. This wasted a lot of time. And it also risked tearing more fragile or detailed stencils.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMmBf69SuXO-15BKk77HHAW8OMupO2pgKNLHIf0Lg_3ZUTAWqZL8PYBv6mw7qjHYpj7m7BCAAOBPhtiOsKxAOjHjwV1rZ8d3Dh3pUm52LJSEIOlcxdeKBjCaca4Nm-kWEsRWWU1B97ks/s2048/stencil+folder+red569.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMmBf69SuXO-15BKk77HHAW8OMupO2pgKNLHIf0Lg_3ZUTAWqZL8PYBv6mw7qjHYpj7m7BCAAOBPhtiOsKxAOjHjwV1rZ8d3Dh3pUm52LJSEIOlcxdeKBjCaca4Nm-kWEsRWWU1B97ks/s320/stencil+folder+red569.jpg" /></a></div>When I stumbled upon a stack of old, used manila file folders waiting to be sent to the recycling bin, it seemed like a good idea to put them to better use than ending up in a shredder.<p></p><p> Most of my stencils nowadays are fairly small, (roughly 6x8 or 6x6), highly detailed and made of very thin plastic. They're quite finely detailed and therefore delicate. </p><p>I found that cutting the old letter size file folders in half vertically created a nice little "home" for each of these smaller stencils. To make locating a particular design easier I used a single color of paint to stencil each design to the outside of its respective folder. </p><p>Storing the folders is a cinch. You can pop them into a zip top bag, stash them in a file cabinet, or simply store them in a decorative box, basket or bin in your studio. Your stencils will last longer in their protective folders and you'll find using them to be so much easier and more convenient. <br /></p><p><i> </i><span style="font-size: small;"><i> Shown above: MB Makes Marks Marker Stencil, by Mary Beth Shaw and available from StencilGirl Products, stencilgirlproducts.com </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stencil design ©2020 StencilGirl Products</i> </span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Text and photo © 2020 Lynn Edwards</span></i><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-52635772298359557482020-09-06T18:14:00.000-07:002020-09-06T18:14:58.109-07:0010 Reasons Why It Rocks to Be An Artist<p>1. No one expects your house to be clean. </p><p>2. You can wear outlandish clothing.</p><p>3. You can wear ratty clothing.</p><p>4. You're not expected to know what a price-to-book ratio is.<br /></p><p>5. You can devise solutions to problems most people have never thought about. </p><p>6. Your powers of observation are exceptional.</p><p>7. People are fascinated by the most mundane things you do or create.<br /></p><p>8. Any social gaffes you make are seen merely as eccentricities.</p><p>9. Your choice of colors is rarely challenged.</p><p>10.You get to think outside the box and play with fun stuff everybody else left back in grade school.</p><p>What's not to love about being an artist? <br /></p><p> </p><p>©2020 Lynn Edwards<br /></p>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-4205623117065772992020-08-08T21:02:00.000-07:002020-08-08T21:02:17.201-07:00A Marketing Must-Have for Artists<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="HOW TO FIND A GOLDMINE OF CUSTOMERS" class="skip-lazy" height="505" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.madeurban.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ebook-logo-copy_47542625-1.png?fit=600,9999" title="" width="389" /></div></div><div>Have you ever encountered something so helpful that you want to share it with fellow artists everywhere? That's how I feel about the ebook,<i> <a href="https://transactions.sendowl.com/packages/783612/68FA7E6F/purchase?r=189875">How to Find a Goldmine of Customers: Defining a Target Marget for Your Handmade Business.</a> </i>Not only is it incredibly informative, it actually makes one of the most challenging tasks we face <i>fun.</i> Priced at just $5.99 it's one heck of a bargain. Its contents are priceless.</div><div><br /></div><div>Most of us who sell our work can usually provide a basic profile of the people we tend to do business with...their gender, age range and approximate income level. Maybe we even know a bit more about them, such as their marital status, or the types of jobs they have and so forth. Such facts, however, though a good start, are not enough to build an effective marketing plan around.</div><div><br /></div><div>This ebook by Erin Mooney reveals how to construct an imaginary person -- a target customer prototype
-- that we'll come to know almost as well as we know ourselves. Once we
"create" him or her, and learn all there is to know about them, our marketing and advertising dollars can be focused
exclusively on our target market's desires and needs.This will have the greatest
impact on our sales, while resulting in a favorable return on our investment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finding this information is easier than you think and costs nothing to acquire but an investment of our time. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Author Erin Mooney reveals how to use the web sites of publications that reflect our typical customers' lifestyles, values and priorities.to ferret out everything we need to know about them. Building on a foundation of research gathered by others, combined with visual examples of their lifestyles, enables us to develop a target customer profile that's exquisitely nuanced. We can direct our message with laser like accuracy to those who most need and desire our products. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Erin Mooney clearly knows her stuff. Her blog, Handmade Urban, offers a wealth of information to creatives on virtually every aspect of running a successful business. She's also the author of several other ebooks in addition to this one. I can assure you, dear reader, that the process she outlines definitely works. After devouring its contents I now have a much clearer picture of who my target customer is and what I need to do to connect with her. I'm still working on creating the prototype, but it's an ongoing project I'm thoroughly enjoying.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If the thought of defining your target market intimidates you, or you squirm with guilt at the very mention of it because you've neglected it altogether, this $5.99 book is for you. It truly lives up to it's title -- it's truly a goldmine! <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Full Disclosure: I'm so enthused about Erin's ebook I've decided to promote it here on my blog. Any sales that result by clicking on this link will generate a bit of revenue, which I will, in turn, donate to a cause very dear to my heart: local pet rescue organizations. To learn more about this ebook or to purchase it, click <a href="http://here.">here.</a> Thank you!<br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">Text ©2020 Lynn Edwards<i> </i>Image ©2020 Made Urban</span><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><i></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-15392799899590523442020-07-26T21:24:00.000-07:002020-07-26T21:27:57.149-07:00Life and Art Making in QuarantineAt first I was thrilled at having to stay home. My idea of heaven was having all the time I wanted to work in my studio. And it <i>was </i>glorious, as well as highly productive...between March and June I created over 100 pairs of earrings, made several dozen small collages and completed a 30x40 abstract. (Which explains why I wasn't keeping up my blog.) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watched blooms unfurl but there were fewer of them this year.</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: 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: 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: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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However, by early July, the bloom was definitely off the lily. It really started to irk me that I couldn't go shopping for needed supplies. Or enjoy dinner out at a restaurant. Or attend a concert, go to a movie, or even check a book out of the library. Nor could I consult my doctor in a face to face appointment. Noooo...he and I had a "telehealth" type appointment during which he sounded like he was speaking from the bottom of a lake, and I couldn't understand 90 percent of what he was saying. God help us if that's the future of medicine.<br />
<br />
So having all the time in the world to do something you enjoy so much, while under the severe constraints of mandatory directives imposed by local, county and state authorities, takes the fun out of things. In short, confinement is the pits.<br />
<br />
What does all this mean for the future? Maybe a better question would be "Do we HAVE a future?"<br />
The answer to this question can't come from others.You've got to look deep into your own life to discover the answer. Maybe make some art while you're pondering this question. It helps to clarify your thoughts. So let your creativity run loose. Take off its leash.We may be on the verge of a permanent change in our lifestyle, for good or for ill. Making art will help you stay sane in a world that's gone crazy.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Text and image ©2020 Lynn Edwards</span><br />
<br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-58445353422027511572020-02-12T09:24:00.000-08:002020-02-12T09:24:29.662-08:00New Pendants!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPTF3I_CVdBLHJ8SeQC9Cbam0L5LNAYQb2wTHTtOYcK2_MLH9_aGwiVB5Xnvsu67iUrSYQCv93Rf6xHvUbCGv6ZHFi0qUY4oA79grHehEUyF4rOycJyqsCqW73Wn3ate3jeRbtx9fpC4/s1600/DG+pendant+1-cc72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="475" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPTF3I_CVdBLHJ8SeQC9Cbam0L5LNAYQb2wTHTtOYcK2_MLH9_aGwiVB5Xnvsu67iUrSYQCv93Rf6xHvUbCGv6ZHFi0qUY4oA79grHehEUyF4rOycJyqsCqW73Wn3ate3jeRbtx9fpC4/s200/DG+pendant+1-cc72dpi.jpg" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">©2020 Lynn Edwards</td></tr>
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Those of you who know me are aware that I love making jewelry besides painting. For several months I've been creating and selling mosaic pendants and other jewelry items through the Art House Gallery in Acworth, Georgia. While I was busy working on those little beauties, I began to wonder how I might also create pendants from bits of my painted papers, considering that I have hundreds of such papers on hand in my studio.<br />
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Now, it's well known that pendants can be made by affixing a clear glass cabochon over artwork that's glued into a pendant tray or bezel. The effect is lovely but it's awfully hard to get rid of little bubbles that form in the adhesive just under the glass. They can be maddening to deal with. Those pesky bubbles can ruin the appearance of the piece and drive you crazy. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiIi-RFtJAT23kaa7WmHzJ8Xzgy7VcIBt3WT4iO9RtycSZBjOduoZATiNALrb_jNpwRCFDSoaCL66heJgEbdfnZTsLUVfrumOyLW5qEMacoeT9A-aLgrWMw4o6Rm88D_O0Ai1ELRMZwY/s1600/Diamond+G+pendant+8-cc72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="381" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiIi-RFtJAT23kaa7WmHzJ8Xzgy7VcIBt3WT4iO9RtycSZBjOduoZATiNALrb_jNpwRCFDSoaCL66heJgEbdfnZTsLUVfrumOyLW5qEMacoeT9A-aLgrWMw4o6Rm88D_O0Ai1ELRMZwY/s320/Diamond+G+pendant+8-cc72dpi.jpg" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">©2020 Lynn Edwards</td></tr>
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So I put on my thinking cap hoping to find a way around this problem. After much experimentation I came up with a method that eliminates the need for a glass cabochon, reducing the weight of the pendant in the process. It also solves the bubble issues -- yippee!!!<br />
<br />
After playing around with this idea and making a few tweaks, I created eight prototype pendants. Shown here are a couple of them.<br />
The artwork is permanently sealed under multiple layers of a bubble free layer of a resin-like coating. The result is like looking down into a clear pool of water. The colors are so vibrant they almost take on a life of their own. Minus a heavy glass cabochon these pendants remain lightweight and comfortable to wear. They'll soon be available through the Art House, and through my Etsy shop, <a href="http://playingwithcolors.etsy.com/" target="_blank">playingwithcolors.etsy.com</a> as soon as I complete the redesign of the shop, which is currently in vacation mode. If you'd like to be notified when these pendants and others like them are available for purchase let me know and I'll send you a notification by email. <br />
Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-62646975796080668162020-01-16T20:36:00.000-08:002020-01-16T20:36:24.274-08:00Thank you, President Trump!<b>Newsflash:</b> The historic new trade deal with China that President Trump negotiated and announced yesterday contains a long-sought benefit for artists, writers, musicians and all creative types. For years China has been helping itself to our intellectual property, using it without permission and not paying a dime in compensation to its creators. This has long been a thorn in the side of not only the creative community but also American corporate interests, who have seen their proprietary information illicitly "appropriated" and then used against them on the competitive playing field.<br />
<br />
Somehow the President persuaded China to stop this harmful, unneighborly practice, writing their agreement to do so into the wording of the new trade deal. President Trump is to be commended for accomplishing what none of his predecessors would or could do: taking action to keep Americans' intellectual property safe. It remains to be seen whether China will steadfastly abide by its promise;<br />
The hope is that they will, conducting themselves with honor going forward.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">©Lynn Edwards</span>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-76503064981306065812020-01-03T12:03:00.000-08:002020-01-03T12:03:48.707-08:00Save the Date!! The winter blahs are upon us. The holidays are gone, and spring seems months away. For many folks with an itch to create, it's the perfect time to explore new means of self expression. For me, it's the perfect time to share with others my favorite "secret" mixed media techniques by teaching a workshop! <br />
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So come explore a whole new world of artistic possibilities: join me on March 14 at The Art House in Acworth for "Surface Design for Artists, Card Makers and Scrap Book Enthusiasts," a one day workshop in designing and creating your own<i> original</i> art papers, non-paper surfaces and dimensional embellishments!<br />
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Just a few of them are shown here: <br />
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<tr align="center"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6svoHA7xy9HBYN795DO3TM4Mp9NYM3wi8pbs_iX0WH0nWSVkQpVz9FhANgzGDdoWV8FQvR-McOSzUteCXhR2ouRArKK4GVci_cCdg94MZRzmKd7EgUOAEP4-tPS_lWcMHKqIaQ9XdaQ/s1600/Radiant+Sun+lo+res+for+blog+workshop+promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="497" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6svoHA7xy9HBYN795DO3TM4Mp9NYM3wi8pbs_iX0WH0nWSVkQpVz9FhANgzGDdoWV8FQvR-McOSzUteCXhR2ouRArKK4GVci_cCdg94MZRzmKd7EgUOAEP4-tPS_lWcMHKqIaQ9XdaQ/s320/Radiant+Sun+lo+res+for+blog+workshop+promo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Radiant Sun</i>, mixed media collage made with clay, inks, tissue, copier papers, sewing supplies and acrylic paints </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">© Lynn Edwards</span></div>
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In this workshop you'll discover how to turn readily available items such as copy paper, aluminum foil, fabric scraps, "found" treasures and other materials into stunning one-of-a-kind elements you can use in mixed media/collage, scrap booking, card making and just about any other artistic/creative endeavor you can think of.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcKq87Vu4swqDQ_OyPv4eHn8B3LuPsoHd58LrL9OKzITmPSRRICJdVF2hgRXljPewrP3mqXEyo0P5QPKe0Pabr11TWE19Jgo32sy2f4Y4qra52hatxhmuty88RR1AEYS66sEG8vTkwuQ/s1600/red+white+and+blue+collage+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcKq87Vu4swqDQ_OyPv4eHn8B3LuPsoHd58LrL9OKzITmPSRRICJdVF2hgRXljPewrP3mqXEyo0P5QPKe0Pabr11TWE19Jgo32sy2f4Y4qra52hatxhmuty88RR1AEYS66sEG8vTkwuQ/s320/red+white+and+blue+collage+card.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Greeting card made from 6 different paper treatments </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> ©Lynn Edwards</span></div>
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You'll paint, crumple, pour, scrape, shape, dunk, glue, carve and layer art supplies and common household materials, transforming them into spectacular elements that are uniquely YOU!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-3_triCQjRhwEMNLUDIBLJ4jYGos1mh_D75b5WLNuxxaN02cPM0-kNd3wjk3CFHDN48fsy6AjbfarmgE_yvyM7A_1wkYmp1jsSHYASp9gY0vt86ZOTnJzef7EeZBIbBEPB2SJ5RLAHs/s1600/IMG_2222CC+at+72dpi+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-3_triCQjRhwEMNLUDIBLJ4jYGos1mh_D75b5WLNuxxaN02cPM0-kNd3wjk3CFHDN48fsy6AjbfarmgE_yvyM7A_1wkYmp1jsSHYASp9gY0vt86ZOTnJzef7EeZBIbBEPB2SJ5RLAHs/s320/IMG_2222CC+at+72dpi+for+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewelry makers can use many of the techniques taught in this workshop. ©Lynn Edwards</td></tr>
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At the end of the workshop you'll have a collection of art papers and alternative surfaces of your very own design, a step by step handbook of techniques learned in the class, and finished pieces you can display in your home or give as gifts.<br />
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<i>All you need to bring is a sack lunch</i>...<i>I'll supply everything else</i>. So register NOW; participation is limited to just 10 students. (This allows me to offer plenty of one on one time with each person.) <br />
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BTW, you do <u>NOT</u> need to be an experienced artist. You'll have a blast even if you've never done anything "artsy" in your life. Can't draw a straight line?? No need to. If you want straight lines I'll hand you a ruler, lol!<br />
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Here's all the info:<br />
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<b>Workshop Title:</b><br />
SURFACE DESIGN FOR ARTISTS, CARD MAKERS AND SCRAP BOOK ENTHUSIASTS<br />
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<b>Fee:</b> $90 All supplies will be furnished; all you need to bring is a sack lunch<br />
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<b>Date:</b> Saturday, March 14, 2020<br />
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<b>Time:</b> 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.<br />
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<b>Location:</b> The Art House, 4425 Cherokee St., Acworth GA 30101 <br />
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<b>TO REGISTER ONLINE VISIT ACWORTHARTSALLIANCE.ORG</b><br />
<b>or call 678-543-5777 to register by phone. Checks, cash and debit/credit cards are accepted.</b><br />
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All text and images ©2020 Lynn EdwardsLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-23188582755226967732019-11-02T22:24:00.002-07:002019-11-02T22:24:21.404-07:00The holidays are just days away... if only I had a team of elves to help me prepare for them! My to-do list is a mile long, and that's <i>before</i> I shop for gifts! Participating in three concurrent shows between now and Christmas calls for strong organizational skills. I hope I can stay focused enough to keep something important from falling through the cracks.<br />
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My evening sketching sessions continue to provide a much needed way to decompress after working all day. So far I've completed 19 mandalas and 15 abstract studies. All are rendered in alcohol ink on 4x6 inch cards. When the holidays are over, I'll be developing a series of large abstracts from several of the studies, which are all strongly geometric. Here's mandala #19, and one of the studies which may -- or may not -- become a full sized painting. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandala #19 ©Lynn Edwards</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled Study ©Lynn Edwards</td></tr>
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Should this study become a painting? What do you think?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Text and images ©Lynn Edwards</span>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-81422305504287790332019-08-24T22:18:00.000-07:002019-08-24T22:18:35.722-07:00Congressional TurkeyWow, I can't believe how fast this summer flew by -- or how long it has been since I last posted. Each day has been jam packed...getting work ready for several shows, completing home improvement projects, checking on friends and relatives experiencing health crises, and re-arranging and purging my studio (an ongoing work in progress that may never have an ending). Not exactly a lazy laid back summer.<br />
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Making simple drawings late at night has become my form of relaxation. Just for fun, I share one with you here. I suppose it was my subconscious reacting to legislative stupidity. I call it "Congressional Turkey" -- what results when Congress forms a committee to"fix" something.<br />
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<br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-46950195853406940872019-05-28T19:45:00.001-07:002019-05-28T19:45:45.231-07:00Words of Wisdom "Life's not about getting free of pain, but rather finding happiness through service to some process with links to a higher ideal." -- Robert Genn, The Painter's Keys<br />
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When I read these words, I was struck by the simplicity of the message and it's profound wisdom. The late Mr. Genn, a Canadian painter, was a remarkably prolific writer as well as a wonderfully talented artist. He always seemed to hit the nail on the head in his writings, whether he was describing the challenges of turning out paintings under duress, or describing some obscure jewel of nature he had discovered on a hike. His creativity seemed boundless, and he often brought a smile to my face or a tear to my eye by sharing his thoughts on the creative life with his readers. The above quote beautifully sums up his life philosophy. It's just one of his many observations that has touched or moved me. If you need a bit of inspiration, or something to lift your spirits, or just want to look at the world through Robert Genn's eyes, visit <a href="http://painterskeys.com/">painterskeys.com</a>, which is now managed by his daughter, also an artist. You won't be disappointed.<br />
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<br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-8887958720373440492019-04-26T09:38:00.000-07:002019-04-26T09:40:29.462-07:00Posies, Pendants and ProcrastinationWhat a great turnout we had for the Studio and Garden Tour! Many thanks to all who participated, visitors and volunteers alike. The weather was perfect, the art superb and the flowers were glorious. I'd love to see another such tour take place next year, and expand it to include even more locations. <br />
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Have been busier than ever since the tour weekend expanding my mosaic pendant line. It's now up to 45 or more one of a kind pieces. Here's one of the latest, hot off my worktable. I've started including semi-precious stones in many of the designs; this one features peridot chips and dichroic glass. See more in <a href="http://playingwithcolors.etsy.com/" target="_blank">my Etsy shop</a> or on my web site, <a href="http://www.lynnedwardsart.com./">www.lynnedwardsart.com. </a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Sweet Autumn" pendant</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Besides the jewelry I'm working on small paintings and other items for an event I'm doing in December. I'm determined to get this done now so I'm not caught in a last minute rush.<br />
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After several years of occupancy, I'm finally decluttering my studio to better accommodate the work I'm doing now. Much of the challenge is dealing with stuff I've collected thinking I had a use for it. Maybe I did "back when," but now it just takes up valuable floor space. Do I really need a big storage tub full of used bubble wrap and brown kraft paper? What was I thinking??<br />
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So now it's back to work...! Have a great weekend, y'all!<br />
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<br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-13618168726995317292019-04-06T18:13:00.000-07:002019-04-07T15:23:01.975-07:00Coming April 13: the Acworth Arts Alliance Studio and Garden Tour!!<br />
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If you've ever wanted to get a peek inside a working artist's studio, and are curious about the ways they use art in their home and garden, you won't want to miss the first ever Acworth Arts Alliance Studio and Garden Tour this coming Saturday, April 13! The event is distinctive in that it offers glimpses into not only the homes and garden spaces of three professional artists but also into their personal studio spaces which are not usually open to the public<br />
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The three participating artists are Carol Allegood, Cathy Green, and Palma Rhoades. Like the art they create, each of their homes and studios is a unique expression of their personalities and aesthetics.<br />
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Carol Allegood's studio is located in a historic home at 4572 Northside Drive in Acworth that she shares with her husband, Tommy Allegood, Acworth's mayor. Majestic trees surround the house, which dates to 1900, and a small guest house built in the 1880s. Over the years, the couple has painstakingly restored their home to its former glory. In her second floor studio Carol's vibrant paintings and mixed media pieces come to life. For the tour large pieces of outdoor art by Alliance member Laurel Bowers will also be displayed on the grounds, along with some of her pet ponies.<br />
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Palma Rhoades' home at 3725 Valley Hill Road in Kennesaw is tucked away in a tranquil woodland setting. An avid gardener, Palma has collected and planted a wide variety of blooming shrubs, trees and perennials on her terraced property, which seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of West Cobb traffic. Occupying the lower level of her home, her studio is where she creates noteworthy works in oil and clay.<br />
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At 905 Grandview Way NW in the Brookstone community of West Cobb, artist Cathy Green and her husband Jeff have created a backyard gardener's paradise. Here a pond, pergola and fire pit are hardscape features in their lush multi-level garden which boasts a life sized carved wood statue of St. Francis of Assisi. Upstairs in their home, Cathy's studio displays an impressive collection of watercolor and acrylic paintings on floating shelves rising to ceiling height.<br />
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All three artists will be on hand in their studios to greet visitors and answer questions, while fellow artists -- Alliance members as well -- will be available to help guide visitors through the homes and garden areas. I'm excited to say yours truly will be one of the artists helping out on site at Cathy Green's. <br />
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So come enjoy all the colors of spring in the art, the homes and the gardens! Tickets for the self guided tour are $20 ($35 for couple). They can be purchased at the Art House, 4425 Cherokee St. in Acworth, or online at <a href="http://www.acworthartsalliance.org/events" target="_blank">http://www.acworthartsalliance.org/events</a>. Tour hours are 11 a.m.-4p.m.; rain date is April 27.<br />
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<br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-29007206452279543592019-03-31T10:56:00.001-07:002019-03-31T10:58:27.770-07:00Getting a Not So Early Start for the HolidaysIt's the last day of March -- with nine months to go before the holidays arrive. But I can't be lulled into thinking I've got plenty of time to get ready for them. Oh no. I'll be doing a Pop Up show in December for which I'll need plenty of inventory.<br />
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Normally, nine months would be more than adequate to prepare, but when I take into account the large chunks of time between now and December that I won't be able to put in studio time due to out of town travel, family coming to visit, teaching workshops, etc., that deceptively large "window" shrinks dramatically.<br />
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So this morning I kicked off my Get to Work initiative by starting with collaged cards. They're always popular, and I love making them. With coffee cup in hand as I waited for Hubs to wake up I turned out Card #1:<br />
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The substrate is 140 lb. hot press watercolor paper. The design is made from scraps left over from larger works. I'm loving this color scheme, probably because it reminds me of Santa Fe.<br />
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After flattening it under some heavy books I'll affix it to a blank Strathmore note card, and slip it along with matching envelope into a clear sleeve. Then it will be stored away until December. It seems a bit odd to be thinking of Christmas with the dogwoods in bloom, but it beats waiting until the leaves start falling!<br />
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<br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-61458684307355478622019-02-04T19:24:00.000-08:002019-02-04T19:24:52.512-08:00Jewelry With a Mystery HistoryWith almost every waking moment devoted to painting walls this past week, I've had plenty of time to dream up new mosaic pendant designs while pushing a paint roller. Here's one of those ideas brought to life:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Bejeweled" mosaic pendant ©2019 Lynn Edwards</i></td></tr>
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This pendant was created in part from a fragment taken from a vintage necklace I discovered in a Virginia Goodwill store. The rather elaborate necklace was broken and was being sold as part of a jewelry odd lot. The fragment I used forms the pendant's central motif. I've surrounded it with glass "pearls" to give it a Victorian look.<br />
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What I found quite interesting about it is the mysterious blue stones seen at the top and in the middle of the pendant. They're a beautiful, very unusual shade of blue - really impossible to describe. For a touch of whimsy I topped the large faceted glass "topaz" with a tiny decorative leaf, and gave the design a background of lustrous metallic copper. Set in a silver bezel, it fits right in with the current fashion trend of mixing different metals.<br />
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I think of this piece as being "bejeweled," something a queen might wear. Who knows? Perhaps that found necklace was once in the wardrobe of a lady of royal ancestry. It's fun to speculate, even if I'll never know its actual history.<br />
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To see more one of a kind pendants, visit my web site, <a href="http://www.lynnedwardsart.com/" target="_blank">http://www.lynnedwardsart.com</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Text and image ©2019 Lynn Edwards</span><br />
Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-25348041495505608962019-01-28T21:54:00.000-08:002019-01-28T21:54:03.490-08:00Falling in Love Help! I need an assistant..or maybe a long vacation. The past ten days have been madness.In a fit of stupidity I ordered a couple of three door wardrobes to replace a less-than- adequate dresser and a very small armoire. Only after placing the order did I remember that the bedroom they're to go in needed to be repainted before we could set up the wardrobes. Uh oh. So I made a mad dash to the paint store. Ever tried to repaint a bedroom with no way to remove the furniture from it because there's NO ROOM in the rest of the house? I can tell you, it's no fun. I've shoved, pulled and slid more furniture around this past week than I have in my entire life. But oh, the heavenly new color of the walls has made all the grunting and pulled muscles almost worth it.<br />
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It's a Benjamin Moore color called Silver Cloud. The palest whisper of gray with a slightly bluish undertone, it's soft, serene and so calming it makes my blood pressure plummet just looking at it. It makes artwork placed on it look fantastic. It also has made such a difference in the appearance of that room as the light changes throughout the day; the pale green we used to have didn't look drab to me until I started brushing on the Silver Cloud. Suddenly those green walls looked lifeless and tired. They just sucked the life and light right out of the room.<br />
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What a treat now to see the bedroom flooded with light at all times of the day. It's so true that the colors around us affect our moods. I never thought I'd care for a room painted gray, but I'm in love with this gray. It's anything but gloomy. Maybe I'll just keep on painting until the whole house is ... whoops, there are too many tasks yet to be finished before I go nuts with the paint. Like setting those wardrobes into place, and filling them with all the clothes, shoes and other stuff we can't live without. Painting the trimwork. Hanging curtains and artwork. Getting rid of stuff. Etc. etc. etc. Silver Cloud.......oh, the possibilities!<br />
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<br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-41682934767549343442019-01-16T20:03:00.000-08:002019-01-16T20:05:43.745-08:00Up with Downsizing! The Great Mosaic Opus -- a 19x40 inch tabletop with "tiles" made from hand painted heavy watercolor paper -- was finally finished after months of hand painting, cutting, fitting and gluing down what seemed like ten million paper tiles. (See my two previous posts for the actual how-to information.)<br />
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Now what? Where should my next creative exploration take me? Contemplating this question, I realized I didn't want to move on to some other medium. I wanted to continue working in mosaics, but I was not up for taking on another project as extensive as the table top. <br />
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The answer came when my friend Karen invited me to her house to see some pendants she had made. <i>Mosaic</i> pendants! I took one look at them and was smitten. I've made lots of jewelry, but I had never made anything like these little treasures. Glass tiles in rich hues gleamed, "popping" against the black grout, while an array of carefully placed beads and baubles completed her designs, all set into attractive bezels. I was itching to learn how to make them. When Karen generously offered to teach me her process, I jumped at it.<br />
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So my mosaic addiction has now shifted in scale, from large projects to small ones. This has allowed me even more freedom to indulge ... <i>Immersion </i>might describe it more accurately. It has become my obsession. I can't get enough of it. <br />
Here are two pendants I've made recently. You can see others on my web site, <a href="http://www.lynnedwardsart.com/" target="_blank">www.lynnedwardsart.com</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Text, images and pendant designs ©2019 Lynn Edwards</span></div>
<br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-20002621835593997632018-12-08T21:56:00.000-08:002018-12-08T21:56:07.367-08:00More Mosaic MadnessIt's done! My tabletop mosaic project is finally ready to be varnished! It has taken so much longer than I thought it would to get to this point -- it seems like I've been working on this thing for <i>years.</i> Our kitchen table has been off limits for eating meals for nearly two months. It has been serving as a staging area for the construction of the mosaic. My husband, the chef in our household, deserves a trophy for his patience at losing his kitchen table to an art project that seemingly had no end. Well, honey, you're just hours away from getting it back.<br />
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So here's the finished product:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyAZED02qPlZ2w6tSzaJ5-haHXXVRoL6NbNx0U9vMlQJdqkQOThPtUXRkEk_70sqrGVEQ99PFRySwllWryAI2LX5yqunTBjS63hxchopkZt-ae5YhaAkEGZonhJ4seDuwgej2r9MOFmc/s1600/IMG_5904+mosaic+top+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="498" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyAZED02qPlZ2w6tSzaJ5-haHXXVRoL6NbNx0U9vMlQJdqkQOThPtUXRkEk_70sqrGVEQ99PFRySwllWryAI2LX5yqunTBjS63hxchopkZt-ae5YhaAkEGZonhJ4seDuwgej2r9MOFmc/s320/IMG_5904+mosaic+top+finished.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
The next step is locating trim that will match or be compatible with the existing trim on the coffee table. I'm pretty sure we can find something that will work. So a trip to one of the big box home improvement stores is on next week's agenda. Meanwhile, multiple coats of clear satin varnish will be applied, which will make this mosaic tabletop pretty much impervious to moisture and other hazards.<br />
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If I change my mind about using it on the coffee table for some reason, it can always double as a large piece of art for the area over the fireplace. But given the size of the piece, and the hours and hours and hours it took to create, if I do opt to replace it with a mosaic something else, that "something else" is going to be made with glass or ceramic tiles this time around. It could be made in a lot less time!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Text and image Copyright 2018 Lynn Edwards</span><br />
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<br />Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-82718321725471997252018-11-10T21:35:00.000-08:002018-11-10T21:39:31.662-08:00Mosaic MadnessWow, time sure has flown by since my last post. The knee surgery I had in August was a life altering experience...I didn't recover from it nearly as quickly as I thought I would, and I was in a lot of pain right up until starting physical therapy last week. Hobbling up the slight incline between my house and the studio was too painful to attempt most days. But if I'm not creating something, I go stir crazy. So I looked around for an art project I could do here at the house, and came up with the idea to create a mosaic top for my coffee table. Here's a peek at what is still very much a work in progress:<br />
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The mosaic pieces aren't affixed directly to the coffee table; I hedged my bets and used a piece of quarter inch MDF cut to the exact same dimensions of the coffee table top. I figured that if I didn't like the results, or wanted the option of changing out the design, using the MDF would allow me to do so if I skirted the MDF with pieces of trim that would hold it in place over the original table top. The photo above shows the 19x40" piece of MDF laying on our kitchen table, with approximately half of the tiles in place. <br />
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They're not your usual mosaic tiles </h4>
My mosaic pieces aren't glass or ceramic tiles --- they're made from 300 lb. watercolor paper. Originally I thought I would use glass tiles, but the more I thought about the mess that grouting tiles produces, the less inclined I was to go that route. Ditto for using broken china. Painting my own "tiles" would not generate the sloppy mess that's inevitable when using grout. Instead I could use glue and apply it to the back of each tile with a brush. No muss, no fuss.<br />
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Unanticipated consequences </h4>
Well, that part proved to be true. But I hadn't reckoned on the incredibly tedious business of having to paint the <i>edges</i> of every single tile after it was cut and before it was glued into place. If I left the edges unpainted, the white of the watercolor paper would show and spoil the effect.<br />
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In the photo, note the gold-color tiles laid out on wax paper. They're in the process of having their edges painted. Totaling 90 in all, they will fill in the area encircling the round motif when finished. Then it's on to the next part of the design, then another and another until it's finally done -- which I figure ought to be around this same time next year, at the rate I'm going. (Just kidding.)<br />
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The process </h4>
You wouldn't think this process would be so time consuming, but it is. Here's why: first you have to paint the watercolor paper, then cut out the individual tiles from it, fitting them into the design you've sketched out on your surface. This can take a fair amount of time in and of itself. Once each tile is the size and shape you want it, you have to paint the edges. Then you must lay all the loose tiles out in your chosen design, outline each individual tile with a fine lead mechanical pencil, and number its position on both the MDF and on the back of the corresponding tile.<br />
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After you've laid all the tiles out so that there are no overlaps and have made sure everything is in its proper place, then you apply glue and tweezer each tile into position. A word of caution: if you're hyper-impatient, take up some other activity or you'll go stark raving mad working on a project of this size. The mind numbing tedium of painting and positioning several hundred paper tiles won't do a thing for your disposition. But if you have the patience and willpower to stick with it, you'll have something unique and remarkable in the end. If you want to explore paper mosaics further, obtain a copy of <i>Perfect Paper Mosaics</i> by Susan Seymour. This book was the inspiration for my coffee table top, and is full of great advice and how-to info.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Text and image ©2018 Lynn Edwards</span>Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626653905652234284.post-38391362080018692612018-09-25T19:24:00.000-07:002018-09-25T19:24:01.360-07:00Time Out!Why is it so difficult for artists to take an honest-to-goodness day off? I'm not talking about knocking off studio work for an afternoon, but rather not going near the studio for an entire day. Nor am I talking about using said "time off" to catch up on reading art magazines, or updating one's web site portfolio. Nope, I'm referring to treating oneself to an entire day of indolence -- maybe lolling on the sofa watching TV, or parking ourselves in a rocking chair and reading a good novel.<br />
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Maybe it's because many of us can't imagine spending an entire day without doing <i>something</i> artsy. That's how I feel, and from what several artist friends tell me, they do too. It might be an activity as simple as making a greeting card with leftover paper scraps and a glue stick. Or idly doodling in the margins of the morning newspaper. The creative impulse never wants to take a vacation, it would seem. Problem is, we need down time just as much as any one else to keep our imagination stoked. A "rest break" usually results in a rush of new ideas to pursue. An overworked mind is not productive, it's just tired. It needs a break as much as our bodies do. That old saying, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," is certainly true. No one will label us slackers if we gift ourselves with a day of doing nothing. Still need validation? Then consider this: even God took the seventh day off!<br />
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©2018 Lynn Edwards Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259854969055234827noreply@blogger.com0