Winter Trading...

...five of the 18 Artist Trading Cards

I made and traded during the January Artathon

at Illustrated ATCs.

I am expecting the lower 2 cards

to arrive at the studio of Veterok in Finland sometime

this week.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

My!  What wonderful places my art flies to!

“Voyage, travel, and change of place impart vigor.”

~Seneca

(Roman Philosopher, mid-1st century AD)

Illustration Friday: Wings

Wings...

they are beautiful...they are empowering.

They are fearless.

Whenever my heart uses hers
she becomes light.

She flies freely in the night...up amongst the stars...

gliding ever so peacefully, in curves.

She tip toes playfully
throughout the gossamer dream fields of the universe.
 Her imagination is tickled by stardust
and she giggles
with hope.

She recharges her very essence

by

just.breathing.deeply.
and
taking it all in.

When she returns home

she carries with her a newly invigorated spirit.

A spirit that is grounded...and positive... 

full of light

and full of peace.

She thrives and is full of love...
until

...totally unexpectedly...

her wings become useless...

clipped, crippled, broken, and bashed.

She becomes 

chained and tethered...unable to soar.

Buried in nightmares

of reality

her spirit depletes and allows no

revitalizing breaths in.

There is no light...there is no peace.

In the darkness she chokes and begins to smother.

Struggling,

she moves in jagged lines...

with harsh edges...leaving scars in her wake.

Her memories of flight and freedom...

the days of simplicity, innocence, and playfulness...

vanish

into an inky blackness.

Life's experiences, indeed, wax and wane between extremes.

Life is cyclical
and her lessons are oftentimes difficult.
Because of that

we must grasp daily as much revitalizing energy

as we can...
from whomever we can...

whenever we can.

To spiritually survive...
we must remember we have wings.

We must continue to use them to become light
and to fly and to soar...

no matter what the

emotional weather conditions

of the heart, the mind, and the body may be.

“Be as a bird
perched on a fragile branch
that

she feels bending beneath her,

still
she sings away all the same,

knowing she has wings.”

~Victor Hugo

A Thistle...

and a hummingbird...

a card

specially requested by an artist friend in

New Zealand.

"There are no days in life

so memorable

as those which vibrated

to some stroke of the imagination."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

An Elven Princess...

...the full reveal of Matt's moleskine...as promised.:)

The first photo is my completed spread...

the second photo is the transition

page between Audrey's art

and mine.

The third photo is the whole enchilada...

only one more artist to go before she returns home to Matt

in September.

Here is a bit of the back story to my pages:

She is an elven princess

of transformation and growth...

and

she is holding in her hand a crystal orb

reflecting the rebirth of Audrey's "heavenly phoenix"

from a ball of flames.

 She also brings with her

the magical auras of the changing seasons

as well as

the mysteries and starlight wonders of nightfall

to the elven forest lands.

Please click on images to enlarge...

especially the last one.

“The magic is inside you. There ain’t no crystal ball.”

~Dolly Parton

Yep...Another Work In Progress...:)

These are some working photos

I took while designing

my 4 page spread in Matt's Elven themed moleskine.

This is for a international sketchbook project which

I am involved in over at

Illustrated ATCs.

Feel free to click on images to enlarge them.

Here's a bit of the process:

After deciding on my artistic direction

and

how I will link my art with the artist before me...

(which takes quite a bit of thought and time) 

I jump in and add

my first layer in pencil...

usually on blank printer paper first...

then, after I am satisfied with my decision,

into the actual moleskine itself.

 The next layer involves the inking of my illustration...

scary, but great fun...no place for erasures!

This is shown in the first photo above.

After that, I begin working with my color palette...

blocking in colors here and in the book.

Once that process is complete

I begin to lay in the color in the book...

and for me...that's

 when all the magic begins to happen.

I will post the final reveal of my work here for you

tomorrow...

Come on back

for a peek if you are out and about.

:) 

“If you reveal your secrets to the wind

you should not blame the wind

for revealing them

to the trees.”

~Kahlil Gibran

"The Visitors..."

Above is the finished spread

of the WIP (Work In Progress) I posted yesterday.
You can click on image to enlarge...:)

And below is the back story

to accompany the art.

I attached a copy of the story to the backside
of my spread.

This book has only two more artists to go

before it returns home to

Elaine

in New Zealand.

And, now...the story:

Behind the “Back Of Beyond”…

floating above and between

all that is known and yet to be known…

is a sacred place

where

“Those Who Came Before All" live.

These beings are like no other.

Invisible and ethereal

they appear merely for an instant

as a

twinkle in the mind’s eye.

On occasion

they might visit human life forms

in the mysterious guise of

“Deja Vous”.

They dance on velvety black skies

creating shimmering auroras

and twinkling stars.

They slide through slivers of time

leaving stardust trails

in their wake.

They bring gifts of

imagination, inspiration, insight,

and

individuality

to those who are ready to receive.

They expertly guide newcomers to the

lands past the

“Back of Beyond”.

Cloaked in rainbow hued mists,

they have been known to reveal themselves

in the presence of

collaborative artistic promise.

And…such a spectacular event

has, indeed, occurred.

Hence…

let it be written

on this warm summer’s eve

that I,

Margaret Storer Roche,

an appointed rememberancer

of the years 200-230 of the Flutterby era,

have artistically documented

the appearance of these magical visitors

for all to remember

now

and for all of the time yet to come.

...And, Yet, Another WIP...

..."Work In Progress".

This time it is my 4 page spread in Elaine's

Japanese Fold Moleskine.

Elaine's theme is "People of the Village"...

who live in a special and unique place

"past the back of beyond".

In her own words Elaine wanted to create a place that

" is not on any map...

 it has attracted the type of individuals who are very individual

and haven’t found a fit anywhere else."

She was hoping for

"A great mix of fun characters –

from your imagination, fiction, mythology, sci-fi, real life –

hippies, different nationalities, occupations.

Characters can be humanoid or animals.

Anything goes except morbid."

Above is my start...tomorrow I will post the finished page.
Please click on any image to enlarge it.
Pop on back for a peek...

I promise

I will be here.:)

"My Chemical Romance..."

...some "lyrics based" art I made in

Audrey's "My Chemical Romance" themed moleskine.

This is part of the 2012 G8 Moly exchange

over at

Illustrated ATCs.
Honestly,
I had never heard of the band before...
and
was a bit bummed out about this theme.
Plus...
the lyrics of their songs did not set well in my mind.
So, I asked
a couple of "younger generation" acquaintances
what they would suggest
I do.
With big smiles and "Ooooh COOL!" commentaries
they pointed me in the right direction.
The music is not half bad...really.
It was simply
the battling of the graphic lyrics and subject matter
with my Muse's artistic preferences
 that had me bamboozled.

The song lyrics I ended up choosing are from the band's hit

"Cemetery Drive".

The cemetery gate drawn here was

inspired by

the style of the east gate of the Elmwood Cemetery in

back in my hometown of

Sycamore, Illinois.
I went back to my roots...and drew what I knew.
Audrey's book has already been passed along

to the next artist and is

expected to return home to her in Quebec, Canada

early this fall.

This Moly exchange is packed with artistic challenge and fun....
and has absolutely opened my eyes
to many new things.

 It keeps that flighty Muse of mine in her toes...:)
Click on image to enlarge...:)

"This night walk the dead...in a solitary style
and crash the cemetery gates
in a dress
your husband hates."
~Cemetery Drive
My Chemical Romance

"The Finished Product..."

...my four and a half page spread in

Cathy's "Undersea Cave" themed Moly...Yippeeee!

Be sure to click on the image to enlarge

for better viewing! :)

This book flew from the desert Friday

and

is currently winging her way through the postal cosmos

to the artistic hands of Audrey

in Quebec, Canada.

Oui!

"The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish.”
~Jacques Cousteau

"Book Two..."

...my work in progress on Cathy's

"Under Sea Caves" themed Moleskine sketchbook.

I promise to show

the completely finished reveal tomorrow...:)

♥

Mission Accomplished...!!

My "El Dia De Los Muertos" themed G8 Moleskine

is now complete...Yippeeeee!

Above are the introduction pages...

along with the routing order of my book...see candles.
You can click on images to enlarge...:)

Here are pages 1 and 2.
Here is my full 3 page spread: pages 1,2, and 3.
Being just a "wee bit" overzealous
my art seemed to have "mysteriously" crept
onto half of page 4. Hmmm...:)
So...
Juli, in Canada, will share page four with me
adding her own artwork based on the same theme.
I gave ATC prints as a thank you gift to all participants.
Each person will get 2 prints...
one of each style shown.
Here is the fun back pocket of my Moly...
this is where each artist will sign in.
The guideline booklet is just in case anyone needs
additional
reference sources or ideas for my theme.
It will be tucked snuggly into the back pocket
for safe keeping.
The book and the gift ATCs have their own separate little pouches.

Ta Daaaa!
Everything is all wrapped and ready
for a final blanket of bubble wrap
to protect her on her long postal flight to Canada.
She was mailed out yesterday...
You know, I actually feel like I am 10 pounds lighter!
Ahhh!:)
Now on to Cathy's book...her theme is "Sea Caves"...
My imagination
is already going like gangbusters!:)

"To be yourself in a world
that is constantly trying to make you something else
is the greatest accomplishment."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Take a Peek..."

..at my latest W.I.P...Work In Progress.

I have joined in on another Moleskine Exchange

but this time it is at Illustrated ATCs.

It will be an 8 way artist exchange of

the small Japanese fold Moleskine sketchbooks.

Each book will have its own theme chosen by

each individual artist.

The theme I have chosen is

"El Dia de los Muertos"...

more commonly known in English as

The Day of the Dead...a Mexican folk festival celebrated

the first couple of days of November.

My book will honor the spirit of the lives of those

who have gone before me

and will include many of the traditional Mexican

artifacts and symbols

(such as sugar skulls, calavera catrinas, and offerendas)

associated with this

unique fall celebration.

My due date for mailing is February 1st...

so if I am not around blogland for the next week or so

you know exactly what I am doing.

I am really excited to share the progress of this

art exchange with you throughout the coming year.

I should have my own book back

by mid October...just in time

to celebrate this festive Mexican holiday.

A Forest of Tree ATCs...

..."Faerie Dusted"...
..."Ancient Arms"...

..."Fuji Sentinel"...

and ..."Misted Mountain Moonlight"...

All painted and ready to mail to Canada for

the February ATC Tree Swap

at Illustrated ATCs.

"I frequently tramped eight or ten miles

through the deepest snow

to keep an appointment

with a beech-tree,

or

a yellow birch,

or

an old acquaintance among the pines."

~Henry David Thoreau

"Back To My Moleskine..."

...after spending an exhilarating, and also exhausting,

Labor Day weekend

making & swapping 25 artist trading cards

at Illustrated ATCs.

So...now I guess it's time that I had better

"SNAP" to...cuz my Muse is really a "DRAGGIN' ".

Get it? Snap...draggin'???)

Hehheheh hahahah! :)

Yeah...I know...that was totally lame...:)

“Through humor,

you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers.

And once you find laughter,

no matter how painful your situation might be,

you can survive it.”
~Bill Cosby

"The Gathering..."

...posted today in honor of the large gathering of artists

at Illustrated ATCs this weekend

for the 3 day 2011 Labor Day Weekend Artathon!

Pop over for a peek in our gallery!

Just click here!

Wheeeeeeee!

"True wisdom
lies in gathering the precious things out of each day
as it goes by.”
~Author unknown

My Entries...

...for the 2011 "I Love Japan" swap at Illustrated ATCs.

First, a Gion Matsuri Festival Lantern...
...followed by a "Cherry Blossom Geisha"...
then, an "Uchiwa Flat Fan"...

and finally, an "Uchiwa Folded Fan"..."

“Do not follow the ideas of others,
but learn to listen to the voice within yourself.
Your body and mind will become clear
and
you will realize the unity of all things.”
~Dogen
Japanese Buddhist monk and philosopher
1200-1253

"Inspired by Hokusai..."

...are my entries for the Illustrated ATCs 2011 summer

"Choose A Theme" (C.A.T) Swap

Group #3...Landscapes.

First, " Fuji...Winter Serenity"...
next, "Fuji ...Through the Pines"...
next, "Fuji...Mountain Pass Springtime"...
then, "Fuji Reflected: Lake Kawaguchi"...

and finally, "Fuji and Sakura Blossoms".
Above is a group photo of the girls right before they were

set free and mailed out from

Sycamore, Illinois

to

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

yesterday morning.

Indeed,

time spent researching the striking art of

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)

including his famous wood cut block prints

of Mt Fuji...

along with his not quite so famous 100 Illustrated

Views of Fuji

allowed my Muse and I to a travel into a wonderland

of

old world Japanese beauty and serenity.

Painting these tiny cards

linked me to his Muse...and to the soulfulness of Japan.

'Twas quite a wonderful experience...
for sure!

“When you are inspired by some great purpose,
some extraordinary project,
all your thoughts break their bonds:
Your mind transcends limitations,
your consciousness expands in every direction,
and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world.
Dormant forces,
faculties and talents become alive,
and your discover yourself to be a greater person by far
than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”
~Patanjali

"Sakura Blossoms..."

...my ATC size take on a springtime view of

Mt. Fuji

is now residing in Germany with Nadine.

Living here in the desert

I really miss

my cherry trees back in Illinois.

There was something magical in their lacy petals

that made my spirits dance.

For now...

I will have to rely on my watercolors and brush

to record memories of

their fluttery light blossoms...mmmm...:)

So...

regardless of whatever spring delight

you might choose to view today

I hope you enjoy a

Happy Blooming Tuesday!

“Nature will bear the closest inspection.

She invites us

to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf,

and take an insect view

of its plain.”
~Henry David Thoreau

"Currents of Starlight..."

..."Sargasso Sea"...
..."Polynesian Reef"...
...and lastly, "Oceania Pacifica"...:)
A new series of
cards made and traded during Artapalooza
at Illustrated ATCs last week.

“On matters of style, swim with the current,

on matters of principle,

stand like a rock.”
~Thomas Jefferson

"Burning the Midnight Oil..."

...and gearing up for the first ever week long Artapalooza

at Illustrated ATCs...starting Friday...

then...add the royal wedding

to the mix

(with coverage beginning at 1 am here on the west coast)

and I don't think my Muse will

sleep for one second!

Woo Hoo!!!...So very exciting!

"Get excited and enthusiastic about you own dream.

This excitement is like a forest fire -

you can smell it,

taste it,

and see it from a mile away.”
~Denis Waitley