Imagine. Do. Become.

Bugle beads, wire and salvaged items used in mixed media artwork.

How many creative imaginations do you have per day?  Creative ideas flow through my mind throughout the day.  I dream of stuff to create, and wake up compelled to bring it to pass.   What process do you use to identify the ideas that you should follow?

It helps me to choose an idea when it is related to a current project.  It can then be seamlessly integrated into my schedule.  I'll often already have the supplies needed for production.  Sometimes a vision is brand new though, unrelated to anything I've ever done.

Frosted glass bead and embroidery stitches in mixed media.

In that case you could ask yourself if the idea is frivolous.  I don't mean like a whimsical piece of artwork, or a fun photographic jaunt.  I mean is the idea frivolous compared to what you consider to be a productive day.  I don't have time for frivolous pursuits that pop up in my head, in all of their technicolor magnificence.  I do, however, make time for vacations of rest, in order to do frivolous things, and de-stress.  That's different. 

Hole-less beads, bead trim and dangles used in mixed media.

When we are overwhelmed by exciting ideas, we can ask ourselves if moving on the idea is worth our time.  Especially when planning to list an item that would be the result of a new idea, we have to determine if anyone would want to buy it.  Better still, will we be able to invest the time in seeking out a niche market for our little brainstorm, and successfully marketing to it?

Braided gold metallic cord scrap used in artwork.

Imagination is wonderful and thrilling, but alone it does not produce anything.  With imagination comes a feeling of exhilaration.  When we put the doing with a good idea, the brainstorm becomes worthwhile.  I have done many things that years ago I dreamed of doing.  I've seen my imagination come to life many times, as I've spurred myself to get up and do the good ideas.  The good ideas are the ones that speak deeply to who I am.  They are also the ones for which I am truly passionate about, rather than just fond of.

Self hanger for wall art made with blue embroidery floss.

Make time, squeeze out a few dollars, clear away a tiny corner, and do that imagination.  By giving yourself an extra spur in the flanks, you'll design more crafts, make more art, and become a better writer, photographer...

Craft bell charm dangling from mixed media wall art.

Don't stop at imagining.  Do and become better and more productive at all that you do.  My mini wall art piece illustrates the rich and varied opportunities available to you.  There are many directions to go, and many paths to take.  Choosing the best ideas and being diligent in making them come to pass leads to stardom, your own type of stardom.  All of your decisions about your ideas should lead you forward, and upward.

Two interesting scripture references grace this elaborate mixed media collage: I Chronicles 28:9 and II Corinthians 5:17.  I used a foam core base for the hand-painted paper, glitter, ribbon, wire, salvaged items and beads.

A glitter trail sparkles from one side to the other in this small mixed media piece.

Imagine. Do. Become, mixed media, 1 1/2" x  9 1/4" excl hanger. 

The Dresses CAN Be In The Bag

Dress Shop is one of my most elaborate wall art pieces.  The idea started when I decided to draw some card stock templates of dresses.  I've forgotten what they were originally for.  I do remember that the idea for a dress shop design sprang full-blown into my mind.  You know how these art pieces do.  They just insist on coming to life!

Mixed media wall art.

I wanted the dresses, which I cut from scrapbook paper, to appear to be hanging in the shop windows.  The answer was to elevate them with sticky dots.  I have so many types of scraps to make my own glue dots that I don't buy them.  I think I saw some on a clearance rack and grabbed them for fun.  They're just the round, white discs that are sticky on each side.  I used 2 for each dress, one near the top and bottom.

Dress templates for Dress Shop design.

To further add to the illusion of dresses hanging on racks, I chose to add shadows.  Rather than use gray, I decided to color the shadows in fuchsia, turquoise and lime.  I cut out matching dress templates in scrap card stock, and in keeping with the tri-color theme, placed a complimentary color behind each dress.

Tags and ribbons used in mixed media art.

The title is designed with small tags that I painted, altered and stamped with text.  The little ribbon and paper flags are stapled to the tops.  Note the fuchsia-colored, fabric covered shank button that I used to accent the yarn ribbon hanging at each side of the shop front.  I used one other button at the top of the gable.

8 dresses in my Dress Shop.

Each wire hanger is hand-twisted, and all of the belts and accents are handmade.  I sketched the door, steps and windows, accenting them with paint, marker and clipart.

I painted the turquoise and white awnings freehand, and accented them with black marker.

There is so much going on with this foam core backed hanging art that I can't remember everything.  Even the hole reinforcers that I spray painted silver and used to cover the ribbon  yarn tassels along the bottom are reminiscent of potholes along the cobble-stoned street.  There's also fabric, hand-painted paper, flat sequins and beads.

Dress Shop was sold through my Storenvy shop Marry Me On A Dime.  It's the first of several dress shops to come.   

Sandi Holland on Google+

Fabulous Backs! Houses & Flowers

I don't remember when I started to paint on the backs of my wall art.  I know it all had to do with my desire to always salvage art media.

Hot buildings painted onto the back with acrylics.

When I fell in love with using foam-core as a base, I think the pristine white surface backing my artwork beckoned for paint.

Cool watercolor florals on the backside.

But I don't just back with paintings, I've started collaging my backs also.  But I'll share some of that another time.

Brown painted houses nestle together on back of wall art.

I do remember actually beginning my first backing as a practice, or study.  I said to myself I may as well use up this paint to practice my  painting skills.  No one will care if it's perfect or not.  It's on the back!  It'll serve to give my wall art pieces a colorful finish.  It'll be to the wall, and will only be seen when it's being unpacked, or relocated.


The funny thing is that because I was free to make mistakes and be imperfect, my back studies took on a real artsy look.  I even thought one day, while gazing at one, that the wall art could be turned over sometimes for a change.  Imagine that!

Just like that group of gestures that I painted, sometimes the backside can almost be the best side.  The wall art on which those gestures are painted winged it's way to North Carolina some time ago.  The buyer had loved the back when she saw it online, where I had shared it alone.  I know she felt especially blessed when she unpacked the wall piece, not knowing when she had ordered it, that my We All Belong gestures painting was coming home to her.

Crackle Finish Back Painting: Here I made a magnificent sky on the back of a small wall art piece.  I don't like the mixed media piece anymore.  I think I'll embellish this back and make it the wall art.  Imagine that!

I Think Of You In The Deepest Places Of My Heart

She stands at the bow and breathes deeply of the salty air as the waves lap against the ship.  What else is she doing as she quietly stands there?  Missing someone of course.
 

Scarfed Lady Collage -detail-

In the distance you can barely see the outline of mountains.  Is that where she's going?  Is her love there?  Who knows?  Maybe not.  Maybe she'll never see this person again.  Or maybe someone is waiting somewhere for her to arrive.  I like to think it's the latter.  Don't you?  Happy endings are better.


Glitter, Stamping, Collage, Hand-lettering, Handpainted Paper, Fiber

The blues reflect her spirit, but the corals indicate excitement, anticipation and hope.  Something is getting ready to happen.  Don't you feel it?  Looking at my small wall art you can almost hear the tumbling waves and see the seaspray misting into the air.  You can see her scarf whipping in the breeze as the ship draws closer to some dock, somewhere.


Small Wall Art

Made to decorate a small space, this altered art piece is 10x4" excluding the self-hanger.  Whether you are missing someone or not, you'll love glancing at this exhilirating yet restful scene.  It's also a very nice gift for a romance buff.  Available at my Storenvy Store, Marry Me On A Dime, a place for friendship, romance and love.

(I think of you in the deepest places of my heart. Verse c 2010 S. Holland)

Faces of Women

You may recognize some of the lips of these unique women from my post about causing positive words to come out of your mouth. I began drawing and painting faces a few years ago despite the fact that I don't have formal training. I like being self-taught, though I am certainly not against higher education.

In fact, I like learning and studying, but I've been doing that on my own for a long time.

I am working on 4 mixed media wall projects featuring more face drawings of Sashah, Malorca, Edward and Joseph. You've seen Edward in a wall art piece I've done titled Men Have Feelings. They are positive speakers with motivational messages to share.

I have quite a few more faces who want to speak motivational messages to you. They are anxious to become wallart and other decorative and functional pieces.

Happy Autumn To All!

Adornment

Adornment was a delight to make and is one of my best mixed, altered pieces so far. I got the idea from the scripture, Let your moderation be known unto men. Phil. 4:5 This elaborate piece contrasts lavishness with simplicity. It is certainly not an indictment against dressing up. I am a girly-girl and very much enjoy jewelry, sparkly clothes, make-up, accessories and pretty things. It is rather a way to show that along with outward adornment, the condition of our inner selves is most important.

If we cultivate a beautiful spirit, the beautiful hairdo will be much more so. If we allow compassion for others to shine forth, then the sparkly jewelry will sparkle that much more.

Wives...let not your adorning be only outward...hair, gold and apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. I Pet. 3:3-5 I used scriptures, definitions and words throughout this piece. You know I am word-obsessed!

The blue dress is a salvaged copy from one of my watercolor paintings titled Blue Dress. I had made a copy that was too light. I was going to toss it and then decided to save it, like I do everything. I began to design this piece when I ran across this copy in my files. I cut the dress out, painted it, added sparkle and went from there.

I used two vintage photos from my collection. I had meant to use copies but my printer was broken at the time. I had already scanned the photos but couldn't print the scans. I was so in to completing this piece that I didn't want to wait until I bought a new printer so I used the original photos. I was consoled when I realized that I could print copies whenever I needed them for future art pieces.

The title word Adornment was designed using a chipboard A and rubberstamping the rest of the word. I wrote the scriptures & definitions text in cursive, cut out and adhered each little panel in strategic places.

I always start an altered art piece by choosing a color scheme. I like complimentary schemes, which are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. I can then choose embellishments from a variety of shades, tints and tones of those colors. For this I chose the base color scheme of blue/orange. Sometimes I choose a monochromatic scheme, shades and tints of one color, which can look elegant and reserved.

Look closely and you will see a charm (a recycled earring) attached to a removable tag.

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Adornment , mixed media, 10 1/2 x 6 1/2 excl. hanger

Tiny Cells Secrets

I am a tiny person who likes tiny things and this is the first of my Tiny Cells series.

When I saw Charlotte Lyons What's Left Collages in Cloth Paper Scissors (Nov/Dec '07, pg 18) I was ecstatic to see that someone else was working in tiny spaces with minute pieces of found and salvaged items.

I don't know why it is that sometimes we have to see someone else doing it before we release a particular facet of our creative personna. Nowadays there are so many artists releasing so many new creative techniques and projects that none of us need feel that our persistant ideas will not be accepted, admired and respected, first by ourselves, then by others.

One of my favorite books, and a staple reference over the years, has been Paper Quilting in which the artist shows how she divides her work surface into various-sized grids. These are embellished with naturals, i.e., botanicals, buttons and stitching. Her small, divided spaces spoke to my spirit. I also get shivers of anticipation when I think about tag art and ATC's, other small spaces on which to create.

Over the years as I worked on a project, I often found myself focusing on one corner or small space within the project, enhancing and embellishing until I almost lost track of the overall dimensions. I would also save and reach for tiny pieces of salvaged, leftover and saved media, often chiding myself for being obsessed and working with stuff that was too small. Afterall, what good would it do if I worked smaller and smaller, until I needed a microscope? Lol.

I have also completed another Tiny Cells project: Dress Shop. Hope to upload a pic soon.

Keep creating and looking for the beauty around you.

Wooden Valentine Collage

I am training myself to work on seasonal artwork well in advance so I can be ready to produce at the right times during the year. Here is my first offering for Valentines Day.

I salvaged this little heart and covered it in various decorative and hand-decorated papers, clipart and pieces of ribbon yarn. I used white and gold paint pens to enhance it. The sides and back are decoratively painted. I adhered 2 glitter hearts cut from old greeting cards, which adds just the right amount of sparkle. It already had 2 holes so I strung pink wire through them and added bead embellishments. Finally I tied pink and red ribbon to one side.

This lovely piece of art marks a milestone for me in which I have been able to bring many elements and art processes together. I am finding my place in collage and altered art.

Wooden Valentine Heart, collage, 4x6

"I May Stumble..."

Click to view this larger image of a previously uploaded pic. I have reposted it for those who expressed disappointment about not being able to see it up close.

I May Stumble..., is a very small personal piece of wall art, approx. 9" x 5" incl. hanger. It states, I May Stumble, I May Even Fall, But I Always Get Up.

It is a good example of recycling since I started with cardboard and scrap paper.I had a small scribbled draft of a larger wall hanging that I wanted to make. I had done the text in black marker on a little piece of white paper. I rarely throw anything away and my drafts often become a unique piece of art.

I colored this draft with color pencils and pasted it to the middle left. This is an altered art piece (reworked collage) using marker, dimensional paint and metallic paint pens.I used red metallic wire and gold transparent beads for the dangles and hanger. The red wire reflects through the gold beads, adding an extra dimension. The hanger has a gold bugle bead between each round bead (I love bugles!!!), making the spaces. I graduated the length of the dangles, making middle one with 4 beads, the next 2 with 3 beads, and the end dangles with 2 beads each.

It was very satisfying making this piece of motivational art. I look forward to making many more of this kind, and larger ones as well.

I May Stumble, 9"x5", altered art

TreeTown 2 Marker Art

This is a marker painting titled TreeTown 2 and features one of my whimsical and fantastical skys. Click on it (Surprise!!!) to see an enlarged image. I have been having problems uploading pics with an enlarged image also. I had no problem doing this when I taught myself html and started building my website. There all of my images click to larger ones. After much work I discovered how to do it in this Blogger interface. Hopefully I can do it from now on.

My treetown idea was born when I took a small piece of wood and painted the nightime silhouette of a small town at the bottom. I noticed that some of my pressed leaved resembled trees so I adhered a few of them to that painting and treetown was born. I then fashioned a crescent moon from aluminum and embedded and glued it to the night sky. I also cut three aluminum stars and attached them the same way. This aluminum was salvaged from a soda can which I cut using aviation tin snips. I was very pleased with my little collage treetown and made 2 more. I also drilled holes and attached wire hangers to each one.

I was so excited about developing tree town that I have made 2 paintings using this idea, and will do more I am sure. Sometimes I like to depict a small town, and at other times I enjoy painting a cityscape. See my first TreeTown painting, which is watercolor, here TreeTown1 .

I really like designing borders. They are quick and easy to make. Notice the simple star motif surrounding this painting. I started falling in love with borders through noticing them on others' artwork, graphic illustration and decorative accessories. I studied them closely and said, "I can do that!" Just breathe deeply, relax and doodle! Lol. I copied this marker art piece and will be attaching it to a piece of wood and altering it as wall art pieces.

Do you do any art with markers?