Monday, October 13, 2014

Rick's Witchy Women

                                                  
Mystique
 

Hello everyone... it's been a while since I posted, but I will be retiring next month, and not only will I have more time for my art projects, but hope to be posting on a more regular basis.  Anyway, Halloween is around the corner and I was able to complete 5 witch images all designed by Rick St Dennis.  Although the colored images have been posted to Facebook within the last month, I wanted to wait until I integrated the images into cards before posting them on this blog.  Not sure if I'll have time to complete the remaining two cards, but I wanted to post these three now, of which I am proud of, as I like how they turned out.
                                                      
Sweet Lil' Witch

The witches have all been colored with Copic markers, and I used papers both by Graphic 45 and Hallow's Eve by Marah Johnson.  I used different ribbons and trims for the finishing touches. 

All designs are by Rick St Dennis and are available from his Zibbet shop at www.zibbet.com/Rick1949 .  Rick has a wide variety of Halloween images, from the glamorous to the cute to the creepy, so I am sure you will find something just right for you. 

                                                  
1950's Vampy Witch

Below is Katie the Pin-Up Witch - my 4th addition to Rick's Witch Women.  Not very "threatening", but looks can deceive, since she is bewitching LOL!
                                                              
                                           Katie the Pin-Up Witch                                             

All my best and a Happy Halloween to each and everyone!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Victorian Story Book Cards

                                                            

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend.  I was busy with a Copic color workshop, and during this time I got an idea for a new series of cards using Pre-Raphaelite art images.  I have long been an admirer of Pre-Raphaelite art, and love the intense colors and imagery of Medieval and Renaissance culture.  There is also the element of fantasy and nature in Pre-Raphaelite art which makes it so compelling.  Looking at a painting is like reading a story, and this was my intention when I set out to make the cards.  In fact, after I was finished, they looked like distressed covers of Victorian books.             
                                                 
 
 

It's said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I hope you can look at each card and imagine Once Upon a Time.....and They Lived Happily Ever After.

                                                  

                                                 
 

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Life Is All About Plan B

                                                    
 

The above card is my entry for the steampunk challenge from the team.  It was only by chance that I already happened to have this digi stamp designed by Rick St Dennis.  This digi stamp can be purchased from Rick's Zibbet site under the Steampunk category for anyone interested. Since I am still new to Rick's team, I was not planning on participating, but I not only had a stamp, but also an idea, so decided to go with it. 

The card is 6 1/2" x 6 1/2", and the background prints and vintage tag are from the Timeless Type collection by DCWV.  The sprocket dies are from Spellbinders and La-La Land Crafts.  I added a tiny cameo and a clock as final touches.  The image of Ephasia I colored with Copic markers. I worked as many steampunk elements as I could into the card, but the sentiment really says it all, and it's so true.  Nothing is constant in life; as what we plan may take another turn, thus....life is all about Plan B.  In other words, we have to learn to adapt and to improvise in life.  I think of it as going with the flow.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Shady Ladies

                                                    

Hello everyone,
For those of you that do not yet know, I was recently asked by Rick St Dennis to become a member of his Design Team.  I was very flattered, as this is my first time being part of a design team, so this is all new to me as I navigate my way around. Many thanks not only to Rick himself, but to fellow team members Aletha, Monique, and Helen for being so helpful.

Rick's new hat series is called Shady Ladies, and as you can see, they are not very nice girls LOL! Rick did ask Aletha and I to make them evil, but I couldn't help giving them my touch of glamour.  Still, they do look dangerous!

            

                                        

Friday, May 9, 2014

There Was A World and I Was Queen

                                             
 
Queen Elizabeth I is one of my favorite historical characters, and a woman I admire in so many ways.  I can't tell you the number of books I have about her, written by authors with different perspectives.  She truly was an enigmatic woman and a fascinating one. 

Not too long ago, I purchased an odd looking Spellbinder die called Gold Majestic Circle.  At the time I was not sure what I would do with it, but it looked like an unusual frame to me, so I knew that somewhere down the road I would find a use for it.  Soon afterwards, I saw a new paper pack called Uncharted by Paper Studio. This 12 x 12 pack is made up of antique maps redefined, some in colorful hues.  I decided to use the maps as a background for a card showcasing Elizabeth in the Spellbinder die.  I then went looking for images, and spotted this artistic version, that although very idealized, is perfect as a card.

This is one of those "just because" cards, since it's not really meant for any special occasion, like a birthday, for example.  I look at it as perhaps an empowerment card for someone that needs a little confidence or push in the right direction.
                                               

I made two versions, each with a different background.  The sentiment stamped inside is:

"There was a world and
I was Queen
A world where I created
all things seen"

I can't think of a better way to describe Elizabeth I.  It truly says it all.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

The Designs of Rick St Dennis, MFA

                                                              
Adriana
I made this card for my sister's birthday, and it's also the first image by Rick St Dennis that I colored.


Hello everyone!

I can't believe my last post was in October, and that more than 6 months have passed since then.  I always tell myself I'll be more consistent and before I know it, the time has gotten away from me. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I will try and be more forthcoming.  I keep learning new things and want to share with you. 

My first piece of good news - and I am SO happy - is that I received my Copic Intermediate Certification two weeks ago, on April 12th.  This second phase has been a long time coming, and I'm really glad I was able to get in this class.  It was a long day, from 9am to 6pm, but it was a wonderful learning experience and our instructor Lori Craig was great.  I've signed up for a Copic coloring workshop on May 24th, also to be taught by Lori, so I'm looking forward to this next step. 

I've lately been Copic coloring like crazy, especially since I "discovered" Rick St Dennis, a fantastic artist from California.  A short time ago I picked up the current issue of Just Steampunk!, and on the cover was a card with an image that caught my eye.  I had to purchase the issue, and I read that this image - plus several others - were designed by him.  I immediately went online and not only does Risk have a blog, but also sells his designs through Etsy and a website called Zibbet.  His designs run the gamut from glamorous to madness, so there is something for everyone.  I myself prefer his sophisticated ladies, especially the hat models.
                                                     
Panama Hattie
I made this card for my friend Kathryn King


However, I took a fancy to Felicity Hump, as she is different from anything I have colored, and I am pleased with her.  There is beauty in diversity, and Rick is certainly an artist that is not afraid to think outside the box.

                          
                                          Felicity Hump                                   Mimsy


The hat models were inspired by Aletha Williams, a member of Rick's design team, and what a fantastic concept, especially the models inspired by the flower of the month.  I don't have them all yet, but it's a matter of time before I've colored at least one for each month.

If you are not familiar with the art of Rick St Dennis, I urge you to check out his hundreds of designs. With such a variety of images, I am confident you will find something you will not be able to resist!

Until next time.....

                   
                           May - Lilly of the Valley               September - Forget-Me-Not

 
                   
                               February - Violets                              June - Roses                                   
                                                         
November - "Mums"