Science Collages on Index Cards~ 2013

 Mini collages on index cards with

science illustrations from an old book,

and assorted ephemera...

I drew the sprig of flowers in the

upper right corner to repeat the 

motif in the pink scrapbook paper.

The pink flower on the lower right is

my own drawing with watercolor.

The illustration of the man is from a

vintage book that I bought at 

a library sale--a great resource!

More bits of ephemera: text, book illustration,

postage stamp, scrap of soda pop carton, drawings,

and brown paper with paint. It's fun to add the

pen-drawn 'shadows' around the edge of 

some of the shapes, and I have to resist the

urge to do it on every collage!

I am not sure where the Asian lady came from-

perhaps a collage pack?  This collage includes

yellow fabric across the center.

When I create a collage, I try to 'lead the eye'

from left to right across the surface of the

collage.  The viewer's eye can be directed

by the lines, placement of colors and shapes,

and even the edges and open spaces

within the collage.

I also try to repeat some of the colors,

shapes, or motifs within the collage.

Here, there is a repetition of rectangular shapes,

circular shapes, dots, and the color green.

Collages often look 'random,' but I

 put them together intuitively with the

balance of shapes and colors in mind. Above,

 there is a 'stair step' of shapes from the

 upper left down to the phrase 'Modern Life.'

The circular diagram and the tree motif 

on the right keep our eyes from 'falling

off the page' on the extreme right. Our eye

is guided back up into the text and we

can again look across the surface of the 

collage comfortably as many times as we like.

Contrasting unrelated or unexpected 

images gives a fun quality to the piece.

So glad you stopped by --

I hope you enjoyed your visit!  Your

comments are appreciated more than you know...

There are many more artists doing the

ICAD 2013 challenge. Visit Daisy Yellow,

or the Daisy Yellow Flickr Group

to see more great art on index cards!

Handicrafts ~ ICAD 2013

The Index-Card-A-Day 2013 Challenge

continues with 15-21.

This week I ended up with the theme

of 'handicrafts.'  My Webster's dictionary

defines it as "an occupation requiring skill

with the hands."  A broad definition.

Above, a sketch of a cookie form

made from cast iron.  Somehow my

bird ended up looking angry...

Above, a motif inspired by chintz fabric.

I love big old-fashioned cabbage rose images.

I decided to draw some of the many pin cushions

that I've made in the last year.  Above, the heart-shaped

pin cushion that I made in February, using traditional

cross-stitch sampler motifs.

This cross-stitch pincushion is a design by

Homespun Elegance, c. 2010.

They call it a 'Pin Poke.'

I really liked the gathered circular shape.

When I got the pattern home, I discovered

that the gathered fabric base was a pre-made

item, and there were no directions included for it.

So...a little trial and error, and I made my own.

As I've mentioned before, I have 

a hard time throwing away any small

scraps of even weave fabric, so here is

a drawing with watercolor of a book mark

that I made using sampler motifs

on 11 count Aida. I whip-stitched the

edge to prevent more raveling.  It's 

considered poor form to cut things 

this close, but the rebel artist in me

doesn't really care about that.

Hope your day is filled with

flowers and bird song.

Stop by Daisy Yellow to see more

ICADs!

Art on Index Cards - ICAD 2013

Watercolor pencil inspired by 

American folk art -- and a crazy day!

I do enjoy hearing the birds sing outside

of my window...

Mini collage, above. Who knew that shorthand

would have a symbol for gesso?  My

spell check doesn't even recognize it so I

need to add it to my dictionary...

Watched an interview on-line by Danny Gregory, and

added some of his quotes to this watercolor collage.

His blog and sketches are amazing...

(There is a link to his blog in my side bar)

Can't seem to resist the vintage bottles.

Silk flowers stuck in an old medicine bottle.

Above, Sharpie pen and watercolor doodles

just for fun.

Watercolor pencils and Sharpie pen.

I drew this while at a gas station. We were

parked in front of the propane tank exchange

display, so had to draw the cool logo.

Filled in the color when I got home.

Collage from scrapbook papers and a 

color copy of a map in an encyclopedia.

The flower is a photocopy of a drawing

that I did, then colored with watercolor

pencils. And couldn't resist a bit more shorthand!

That's my ICAD week.

What have you been up to?

Culture is when...

"Culture is when 

your mom drags you to the

art museum." -- my son, around age 10.

 Right, above- The Insect Chorus, 1917 by

Charles Burchfield, clipped from an old

Vogue magazine. An interesting article

about his work is here.  The swirls of trees

and nature look so modern for 1917...

I should be doing laundry, dishes, 

or cleaning house.  Instead, I am

pasting bits into my

green eco Smash Book.

What will you cut, paste, 

or draw today?

Index Card a Day - ICAD 2013

WEEK 1, 2013
I am creating art on a 4x6 index card
every day during June and July, 2013. It's a
challenge started by Tammy over at
Daisy Yellow. (click on the Index card in side bar)

You can use any medium on your index card--

even crayons.  They aren't just for kids...

Pen and watercolor sketch 

of vintage bottle and candle stick

on my dining room table.

No explanation needed...

I enjoy motifs created by many different cultures.

Native American pottery, bead work and weaving

are beautiful.  Designs after illustrations from

a Dover publication American Indian Design

and Decoration, by L.H. Appleton.

And some days you just gotta

cut loose and go with the flow...

watercolor and pen

non-objective painting, below.

Join the ICAD challenge over at

Daisy Yellow.  61 days in June and July.

61 index cards of whatever you want to do.

Play, draw, cut, paste, staple, sew,

vent, create, quote, or doodle.

It's up to you.

But if you need a little prompting,

you'll find that too. Visit Tammy

at Daisy Yellow and just start!

Index Card a Day ~ ICAD

Why would you make art on an index card?

--and do one every day?

->It's a small size so it's quick to do

-> Index cards are inexpensive

-> One per day keeps your creativity going

-> It's fun!

Over at Daisy Yellow, Tammy is again hosting

the Index Card a Day (ICAD) challenge.  You can

visit her blog by clicking on the Index Card icon

in my side bar.  She will be posting weekly

optional prompts, and the links to other blogs

who are participating.  There is also a Flickr group where

 you can post what you've created. We just started on 

June 1st, and will be continuing until the end

of July.  You can use any medium or subject,

and basically do whatever you want!  Join the 

challenge...you don't have to 'catch up,' 

just get started!

ICAD from 2012

I've enjoyed doing the challenge in past years,

and have been surprised at the variety of things

that end up on the index cards.  I have quite a stack,

and you can see some of them here. 

Sometimes the index card ends up in a Smash Book

or art journal.  ICAD can help me deal with my day...as
 the card above, 6-1-13, shows.  One of my favorites from

the past is...

works for me!