Artists in Blogland

Theme Challenge Winner

2012-03-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

Congratulations, Hellopalz! You are the winner of the February challenge.

Email me with your address so you can get your prize! :)

A busy time! + Show and Tell Saturday

2012-03-10T06:13:00.000-08:00

We are having a busy time here! I have a number of things to tell you about, so pay close attention :)

1. I will be announcing the winner of the February Challenge later today in a separate post.

2. Next month's theme will be PASSION! Interpret it however you wish and be sure to add your link later this month.

3. The preview and pre-order is up for Featuring, the magazine which I've been busy writing articles for! Check it out here. I'm not getting paid to work on or promote the magazine as it is a love we all just want to share with you!

Also, consider sending in a submission for the next issue! You can propose to write an article, or if you have a special project, we can interview you about it.

For our THEME GALLERY we seek artwork that is based on a given theme. The theme is meant to be a jumping-off point. We encourage you to interpret it in your own way. We’d like to publish artwork (lay-outs, journal pages, photos, paintings etc.) and texts/poetry that shows the theme from all viewpoints.
For the theme gallery in the second issue of the magazine: the theme is:
THE ROAD AHEAD…
Take it literally (travel, holiday) or metaphorically (personal/psychical journey) – just be inspired.
Deadline: May 31, 2012

4. Do you have a special workshop, challenge, link party or something else you'd like me to highlight on Artists in Blogland? I will write up a special post to promote what YOU are doing! Just email me to tell me about it.

5. Finally, you are also invited to submit a link to my Just Journals linky party which is on my own personal blog. You can share an art journal or scrapbook page!

6. And now, for Show and Tell Saturday #21!

Use this linky tool to share what you have been working on this week.

Please visit at least 3 other artists. :)

Please add either a link back to Artists in Blogland on your blog post OR put a button on your sidebar.

Grab a button for your page:

Voting!

2012-03-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

You have until Friday evening to vote! I will announce the winner on Saturday :)

http://artistsinblogland.blogspot.com/2012/03/expectations-voting-begins.html

Expectations Voting Begins

2012-03-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I was in New York for the National Art Education Association conference for the last 5 days which I will be writing all about on my blog so stay tuned. So... I didn't have a spare moment (or reliable internet) to put up the Show & Tell Saturday or the poll for the Theme Challenge for this month.

Please visit all of the blog posts that people linked. Then cast your vote!

The theme was Expectation. Which one best fits the theme of Expectation? (OR) Which one do you just feel drawn to most? Just like last month, there will be a prize for the artwork with the most votes. Ildi, from Cukipok Doodles, will be generously giving away this month's prize.

Also please list any suggestions you have for next month's theme!

Don't forget!

2012-02-26T08:49:00.002-08:00

Don't forget to link your entry for the February theme challenge: EXPECTATIONS.. Link here! At the end of the month a voting poll will go up. However, I will be in NYC this week for an art teacher conference (woo hoo!!) so bear with me if I don't get the poll up right away.

Also, we need a new theme for next month.... What are your suggestions? GO!

Show and Tell Saturday #20

2012-02-17T15:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Show and Tell Saturday #20!

Use this linky tool to share what you have been working on this week.

Please visit at least 3 other artists. :)

Please add either a link back to Artists in Blogland on your blog post OR put a button on your sidebar.
Grab a button for your page:

Finally, you are also invited to submit a link to my Just Journals linky party which is on my own personal blog. You can share an art journal or scrapbook page!

Monthly Theme Challenge: EXPECTATION: Linky!

2012-02-16T15:52:00.000-08:00

What are you expecting? The theme for February is EXPECTATION. You are welcome to submit an entry in any type of art that fits this theme. Just like last month, there will be a prize for the artwork with the most votes. Ildi, from Cukipok Doodles, will be generously giving away this month's prize. I just love her doodles!

The winner will receive this delightful doodled postcard and this gorgeous pendant!

Thanks so much Ildi!

Below, you will find the linky tool to add your entry for this month!

The link tool will be open until Feb. 29 and then we will have our voting. Thanks for participating!

Show and Tell Recapture!

2012-02-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone (39 people!) who shared artwork in our last Show and Tell Saturday. Here are a few highlights.

Titbelsoeur toute seule

China Carnella-- digital art

Ildiko

SooZeQue

Kristin

The February Challenge word is "EXPECTATION". I will post a linky shortly for this challenge. Would anyone like to give away a prize for this month?

We Need Help!

2012-02-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

My computer died a sad death yesterday and due to circumstances beyond our control...we can't buy a new one for weeks. If you want the whole sordid story...please go here.

I''ve been doing the artist interviews and monthly challenge but won't be able to handle that until we are online again...which may be weeks...or months.

I would love to see both of these features remain on Artists in Blogland and I'm hoping that one or more of you will volunteer to help out by keeping them going. Pretty Please. Contact Marcia to let her know if you can take over.

I lost my addresses and passwords...which of course were on my computer and will have limited access online.

I will miss you...but in the meantime, I'm happy making art!!!

annie!

CONGRATULATIONS!

2012-02-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

Ta-DAH...

We have a winner for our SOUL Challenge! ....

Congratulations to #20 - Stephanie Corder of Dragonfly Design Studios.

Her ethereal painting, Soul Music, is a magical night scene of an artist playing heavenly music. She is full of heART and SOUL!. If you haven't already seen it...please go take a look here!

Beautiful job Stephanie!

You've won a copy of Black Pumpkin's calendars which will remind you every day of the year of how much Artists In Blogland appreciates your art!

Remember - our challenge word for February is

EXPECTATION

Show and Tell Saturday #19

2012-02-03T17:54:00.000-08:00

Hello! Welcome to Show and Tell Saturday. Thanks and welcome to everyone who has recently joined us.

First, you can link up your newest artwork below.

Second, please add either a link back to Artists in Blogland on your blog post OR put a button on your sidebar.
Grab a button for your page:

Third, let's all make a goal to visit and comment on at least THREE other artists!

Finally, you are also invited to submit a link to my Just Journals linky party which is on my own personal blog. You can share an art journal or scrapbook page!

FEBRUARY CHALLENGE

2012-02-01T05:59:00.000-08:00

There were a couple comments made concerning the poll used for voting as to whether it was working or not. When I voted...it took me to the acepolls website to show the results. Please let me know if you have problems.

I've been hearing a lot about people being in the doldrums due to colorless, cold winter so I'd like to turn the focus - for our February challenge -to a more positive place and ask you to create art that invokes the word...

EXPECTATION

Have fun!

SOUL CHALLENGE - TIME TO VOTE

2012-01-31T17:53:00.000-08:00

Huge Thanks to all of you who submitted your beautiful art work for the SOUL Challenge and great big thanks again to Black Pumpkin for jumping in enthusiastically with the gift of her beautiful calendar.

We're on the honor system here...so Please vote only twice! (That could be once for yourself and once for your next favorite)!

The poll will stay open until Friday, February 3rd between 8-10pm.

Our word for February will be revealed tomorrow!

ADD YOUR LINK TODAY!

2012-01-31T05:27:00.000-08:00

Go here to add your link for the SOUL Challenge.

Today is the last day to participate in the SOUL challenge. I'll have the poll up and running late this evening and voting will run for three days...until Friday, February 3rd...before I go to bed. :) (Roughly 10pm EST) Rotsa Ruck...but no matter whether you win by votes...you're ALL winners - every one of you and your art is simply wonderful!!!

The February 'word' will be posted tomorrow!

Thanks for participating!

DON'T FORGET TO REMEMBER!

2012-01-28T09:37:00.000-08:00

If you haven't joined the others who have entered the SOUL Challenge yet...here is where you want to go to do it!

I'll be adding a poll to the site (on the 31st) where you can vote for your favorite art! The winner will receive one of Black Pumpkin's gorgeous calendars!

Later alligator...

annie!

Free Workshop Via Amy

2012-01-25T18:27:00.000-08:00

I saw this on my facebook feed today... free newsletter workshop from Amy. "Mixed Media art journalling workshop STEVe's ARTFIRe. We'll rock the newsletter format with video downloads. Sign up if you are delicious and like free stuff.

Amy is a sweetheart with a generous spirit. Her online group is all free and she provides many live workshops and tutorials.

Also if you haven't checked out Strathmore's free workshops, you're in for a treat!

Show and Tell Saturday #18

2012-01-20T16:27:00.000-08:00

Hello! Welcome to Show and Tell Saturday.

First, you can link up your newest artwork below.

Second, have you submitted your link for our monthly challenge? The theme is SOUL. Any kind of artwork fitting this theme can be linked. Go to THIS POST to link up.

Third, we are still looking for submissions for the theme gallery for a new magazine that will be debuting this Spring. The magazine was started by one of our members! Find out all the details here.

Finally, you are also invited to submit a link to my Just Journals linky party which is on my own personal blog.

If you would like to share any news or calls for art on Artists in Blogland, just shoot me an email and I will make a post about it.

SOUL CHALLENGE - FEAST YOUR EYES ON THIS AWESOME PRIZE

2012-01-17T05:47:00.000-08:00

Hope you're working on your SOUL Challenge piece because Black Pumpkin of Timeless Rituals has very generously offered to give one of her fabulous calendars as the prize for this month's SOUL Challenge. (Insert big smile here).

I'm not surprised though - because she offers lots of charming digital freebies on her website and has an ETSY shop if you want to purchase something wonderful.

Again, I say, generous. I know you'll be thrilled to win her 2012 Doodle Calendar!

Thank you so much for your gift Black Pumpkin!!!

Get busy girls!

CREATIVELY FEATURED - SARAH SEQUINS

2012-01-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks to each of you who answered the call to be interviewed in Creatively Featured.

Sarah responded first - and quickly and delightfully answered some interview questions...and you are in for a treat!

Creatively Featured:

Sarah of Saturday Sequins

Tell us aboutblogging and how it’s worked for you.

I started blogging in June of 2011. It's helped me to share mywork and to reveal the girl behind the sequins -- someone who gets way tooexcited over new beading books, has a goofy sense of humor and collectsHalloween socks.

It's also a greatway to meet people. I get to know other artists in more depth than I wouldthrough other forms of social media, especially when we have discussions aboutthe creative process or how to help each other's businesses thrive. This is oneof my favorite aspects of blogging.

How did youdiscover your favorite art medium?

I've always been drawn to shiny, sparkly things, and when Irealized that my eyes were bigger than my wallet, I decided to save money bymaking my own jewelry. What started as an inexpensive way to get more sparklein my life turned into an obsession that hasn't faded!

What inspires orinfluences you artistically?

The things that really inspire me are color and detail. I loveusing bold colors and pairing them with more neutral colors like black, white,brown and silver so they're not overwhelming. I also love making my workintricate – I'm always happy when I find another frill I can add to a piece, aslong as it's in keeping with the overall design.

How do you go aboutthe design process? Do you work to a design or theme or just go with theflow…or something else entirely?

I've found that the less I plan, the more fun I have. I'll startout with a color scheme in mind, or maybe a basic shape, but the process isvery playful and improvisational. I let the materials tell me what to do, andsometimes, that even means abandoning whatever vague idea I started out with.In the end, I'm always surprised by what I've made, and I like that feeling.

Is/was there asignificant turning point or defining moment in your style of work?

My work started to get where I wanted it to be in the summer of2007. I stopped wishing I could do certain things and just dove into them –something I recommend to all artists. I started working with metals and makingmy own clasps and chains, and my pieces became more sculptural.

Which aspect ofyour art do you enjoy most?

The play and experimentation, definitely. Sometimes I think ofmyself as a jewelry scientist – I combine elements and see how they reacttogether. I try to expand my skill set with every piece I make, and if I finisha project with a nice little list of things I tried to do – even if they don'twork out – I consider it a success.

Can you tell us alittle about your methods and/or techniques?

I don't just use traditional jewelry making techniques in my work– I add sewing, painting, collage, weaving, whatever a piece calls for. I alsotend to mix different jewelry making techniques. Maybe I'll add some chain mailleto my bead embroidery or wire wrapping to my soldered projects. Along the way,I learn all sorts of little tricks for combining techniques, so the processgets a little smoother.

How do you seeyour future work and style developing?

I see bigger pieces and more intricate beadwork in my future. Ialso see more use of repurposed items – old buttons, colored electrical wire,and game pieces. I'm a huge fan of creative reuse centers, and I've made acommitment to be a regular customer.

How do you manageyour time?

I'll be honest and admit that time management isn't my strongpoint. I'll get excited about a new project, sit down to work for “just a fewminutes,” and before I know it, it's time to go to bed! When I remember to useit, though, my kitchen timer is my best friend. It keeps me from working toomuch, and I don't mind having to clean my studio if it's only for 20 minutes ata time.

What have youdone this past year?

One of the most important things I did in 2011 was recover from ashoulder injury that kept me from creating art of any kind for almost a year.It was a long, difficult process, but it gave me a new appreciation for thethings I love to do, and it taught me so much about injuries and finding theright treatment.

Since then, I've started my Saturday Sequins blog, added all sortsof features like Tutorial Tuesday and Featured Friday, applied to teach at theBead and Button Show (maybe next year!) and entered my very first jewelrymaking contest. Not bad for someone who couldn't lift a teacup by herself atthis time last year!

What are yourartistic highlights?

In late 2011 I finally learned bead embroidery, and I've beentaking it in all sorts of fun directions since then. I even found a way tocombine beadwork and one of my other passions, abstract painting. 2011 was alsothe year I decided to take myself seriously as an artist – to stop wondering ifI really was one and just be one.

What artisticplans do you have for the coming year?

I'd love to launch my Etsy store – finally. I'd also like to seesome of my work published in magazines. For jewelry artists, that's a steppingstone to a lot of great things! Including more money to buy beads.

Do you have any ambitionsor goals you’d like to see fulfilled in the future?

I want to start teaching. Not just a basic jewelry class, but thekind of class where the students and I experiment and learn together and itbecomes a life-changing experience for all of us. Ambitious, I know! But it'san image that won't leave my brain.

Thank you Sarah! May all your ambitions come true!

Soul Challenge Linky

2012-01-14T22:11:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for our first monthly challenge?? We already announced that the theme is SOUL. I have made an example, which is the first one linked. Your art can be any media, any size, as long as it has the theme of SOUL. Submit your link by January 31. After that date, we will post all of the entries, along with a poll for you to vote for your favorite. The one with the most votes will be the winner and that person will receive a special prize. The prize is BlackPumpkin's doodled calendar! So go ahead and link your artworks!

Link Here:

Every other Saturday!

2012-01-14T08:48:00.000-08:00

I've decided to start doing the Show and Tell Saturday every other Saturday.. lighten the load of things I do each week. I asked about it last week and I don't think anyone had any serious problems with it being every other week. Plus, we now have the soul challenge.. and the links post for that will be coming up soon. Enjoy your weekend!

I FORGOT!!!

2012-01-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

I've been doing the 'Creatively Featured' Interviews in the middle of the month and totally forgot about recruiting someone for the month of January!!!

If anyone would like to be "IT" for this month...or in future...Pretty Please email me to let me know.

bohemiannie@gmail.com

thanks!,

Create Your Life,

annie!

P.S.

2012-01-06T15:10:00.001-08:00

P.S. Check out the new design for the blog heading! Isn't it cool??

Show and Tell Saturday #17: LINK TIME!

2012-01-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

So did you have a good holiday break? I hope so! It's been unseasonably warm here today for January.

I'm thinking about doing Show and Tell Saturday every other Saturday. Would that mess anybody up? That could give you 2 weeks to come up with a good project to show us. What do you think?

We had 34 wonderful entries last time for our Show and Tell Saturday! yay!
Did you catch these wonderful artworks?

Dos Fishes

Michelle

Terri

Now it's time to show us your artwork! Link here below.

Grab a button for your page:

JANUARY CHALLENGE!!!

2012-01-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

It's here!

You've decided!!

Not only will we have a monthly challenge...starting NOW...

75% of those that voted decided that we will also use a poll to choose a winner!

And the winner will receive a prize - as decided by 61% of our voting membership!

Thank you all for casting your vote in the poll...and much thanks to you Marcia for setting it up.

I haven't 'nailed down' the prize for January yet...but the theme for the month is...

SOUL

Feel free to interpret the word SOUL in your art in any way you choose...any medium...no rules.

Submit a link to your specific blog post...with pictures, (at least one of the whole work and one detail shot) by Midnight EST(New York time)January 31st, and you'll then have a week to cast your vote for your favorite.

More details coming soon!!!

annie!

SOMETHING NEW IS COMING TO ARTISTS IN BLOGLAND

2011-12-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

MOST OF THIS IS COPIED FROM AN EARLIER POST BUT NOT MANY MEMBERS LOOKED AT IT...(BAD TIMING) AND THERE'S A NEW POLL INCLUDED AT THE BOTTOM THAT I'D LOVE TO SEE YOU ANSWER...

Something new is coming to Artists In Blogland and I’m here to invite YOU to participate.

Joni Nickrent, of Pop Art Minis, made a suggestion that we have a monthly challenge based on a different theme each month.

I think this is a GReat idea, so even though Joni initiated it, I’m going to instigate it!!!

You may have been to other web sites that offer challenges such as this one…so I’m wondering…if you have any ideas to tweak OUR challenge…that will make it just a bit more exciting.

I’ve thought about asking our members to donate a gift to award to a monthly winner…who will win by popular vote.

It would need to be something lightweight and small so it won’t cost a fortune to mail across the world – but that would be up to the giver.

What do you think?!?

Pretty please with a cherry on top…share your thoughts and ideas with us!!!

THIS IS THE PART WHERE THE POLL COMES IN...

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A MONTHLY WINNER...OR NOT?!?

AND IF THERE IS A MONTHLY WINNER...SHOULD WE AWARD A GIFT?

AND IF WE AWARD A GIFT...ARE YOU WILLING TO DONATE SOMETHING AND MAIL IT TO THE WINNER AND/OR FIND A SPONSOR THAT WOULD DO IT?

PLEASE ANSWER THE POLL SOON BECAUSE JANUARY 2K12 IS UPON US!!!

HAPPY, HAPPY, WONDERFUL, ART-FILLED, JOYFUL NEW YEAR TO ALL...

Stay tuned for the January theme.

Create Your Life,

annie!

Do you think we should have a winner for our monthly theme challenge?

Poll Widget.org

View Results

Would you be willing to provide a prize for a giveaway or monthly theme challenge winner?

Poll Widget.org

View Results

Please leave your name and info about prize if you are willing to be a part of that. Thanks!

Show and Tell Saturday #16

2011-12-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

This is the 16th Show and Tell Saturday!
Add your link telling us about your week of art making. Link to any post you have made this week. We'd appreciate a link back to Artists in Blogland.

This Show and Tell will run for 2 WEEKS to give us a chance to catch up for the holidays.

Grab a button for your page:

AIB LOW-DOWN

2011-12-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

Something new is coming toArtists In Blogland and I’m here to invite YOU to participate.

Joni Nickrent, of Pop Art Minis, made a suggestionthat we have a monthly challenge based on a different theme each month.

I think this is a GReat idea, so even though Joniinitiated it, I’m going to instigate it!!!

You may have been to other web sites that offerchallenges such as this one…so I’m wondering…if you have anyideas to tweak OUR challenge…that will make it just a bit more exciting.

I’vethought about asking our members to donate a gift to award to a monthly winner…whowill win by popular vote.

It would need to be something lightweight and smallso it won’t cost a fortune to mail across the world – but that would be up tothe giver.

What do youthink?!?

Pretty please with a cherry on top…share your thoughts and ideas withus!!!

I’m gonna try thinkingoutside the box and can’t WAIT to see what you-all produce!!!

Stay tuned for the January theme.

Create Your Life,

annie!

CREATIVELY FEATURED - JO MURRAY

2011-12-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

Jo Murray has graciously answered interview questions and provided me with pictures of her gorgeous work - which I definitely want to see more of and know you will too! And you can! At her blog...here.

Enjoy!...

White Roses – one of my very first oil paintings, still hanging onthe wall of a friend’s home.

1.Tell us aboutblogging and how it’s worked for you.

I only began blogging at the beginning ofthis year. Since then I have found sooooo many like-minded friends both localand further away. Having my blog addresson my business card has also made it easy for gallery owners to see what I do,and judge whether my work would be up to their standards. This has led to many extra exhibitions thisyear, and I have never had so much success.

2.How did youdiscover your favorite art medium?

A late starter, I only began my artisticjourney by accident. I wanted to spend my evenings constructively while myhusband studied for his job. So, I joined a local community art/craft classwhere I wanted to learn macrame (that's how old I am readers!... does anyone dothis anymore?) When I saw the 'painters'and smelled the oil paint, I was determined to learn art.

I went to a 'hobby' class for a while,painting gum trees and sheep, and floral arrangements, but soon realized that Iwould need more expert tuition if I wanted to improve. Thus the real journeybegan. I signed up for four years of Art School.

Art school introduced me to more expressiveway of painting, AND they made us use acrylics. Goodbye oil paint!…. acrylics works so well with my way ofpainting. Give me some fabulous colours,some modelling paste, a few collage materials and there’s no stopping me.

North Coast Hills – a more expressive acrylic painting, done whenI first began art school.

3.What inspires orinfluences you artistically?

Anything and everything! Ideas rage through my head so much, that Imust seem quite distracted when I’m in the company of others…. some texture ona tree, a poem, a glimpse of a shop window as I pass.

I browse the weblooking at art from all around the world, and find it all amazing and mostdefinitely inspiring. Artists whose blogs I follow all provide me with links towonderful creative work.

4.How do you goabout the design process? Do you work to a design or theme or just go with the flow…or something else entirely?

It depends. I actually use both ways of working… sometimes at the same time. I often prepare papers with gesso and addlayers of paint and varnish. The paintmight be applied by brushing, dripping, rolling or however I feel. These oftenform the background for my abstract works.

If I am planning a more realist work I paintin a more traditional way, mapping out the composition first.

I like to work to a theme if possible… itadds coherence to your work.

Rainforest – art school also introduced me to other mediums. In this work there is ink, gouache, acrylic, and pastels. It was a newconcept for me to use several mediums in one work.

5.Is/was there asignificant turning point or defining moment in your style of work?

Definitely! I took up pottery in the early days in order to finance my love forpainting. It worked so well that I didmuch more potting than painting. Thisyear I have given it up and, as a result, the extra time and brainpower I putinto painting has seen my work improve amazingly. This will be my defining yearas a ‘real’ painter.

6.Which aspect ofyour art do you enjoy most?

I can’t describe the absolute joy of movinga brush, loaded with fabulous colour, across a blank canvas in the first stagesof a painting. It gives me a sense ofanticipation like no other. To see an image through to resolution is awonderful journey.

Southbank – based on an aerial view of Southbank inBrisbane. One of my first successful semi-abstract works.

7.Can you tell us alittle about your methods and/or techniques?

I guess I have already, although I guess Iforgot to say that we all should do more drawing. Understanding the way a flower grows, how acat sits, how a person glances over his/her shoulder gives truth to your work.Yes, you can distort but, to make your image read well, that understanding iscrucial.

8.How do you seeyour future work and style developing?

I seem to be leaning more towards abstractwork, tho’ occasionally I revert. I findthat it is more difficult to get an emotion into this type of painting, andthere lies the challenge.

9.How do you manageyour time?

With great difficulty. I am getting older and have less energy thanpreviously. I try to begin early in themorning while I am fresh. I allocate atleast two days each week when I can do that and any other time I can snatch betweenhousework, garden and other chores. Ofcourse, somewhere in there is time for gallery crawls with friends, or just socializing. A nap in the afternoon is agreat reviver.

Three Arches – a very recent abstract work.

10.What have youdone this past year?

Lots! I was in the 13^th Annual International Collage Exchange. Iwas a finalist in a national art competition for the first time (there’s hopeyet). I had an exhibition in a new gallery, and have been part of the Decembergroup showing in another. There havealso been many competitions and awards throughout the year. I enter whatever I have time for and thisyear has been particularly busy. I havecome home with lots of certificates, and dollars, from most. It has been a verysuccessful 2011.

11.What are yourartistic highlights?

I once had apainting in a show at the Sydney Opera House. I was delighted to be shown in such a prestigious place.

My being chosen asa finalist in the Lethbridge 10000 was definitely a highlight.

I’m hoping that thereal highlights are yet to come.

12.Have youexhibited work or taught classes?

I exhibit regularly. Seeing your work hanging with your peers isone of the best ways to judge your progress. I don’t wish to teach as thatwould take me away from my studio.

A Face At The Window – one of the collages in last year’sInternational Collage Exchange.

13.What artisticplans do you have for the coming year?

I hope to entersome larger award competitions, and perhaps collaborate with a friend on anexhibition in one of our Regional Galleries. I will be submitting collages to the 14^th InternationalCollage Exchange (http://outofsight.co.nz/Dale/collage.html),and perhaps participating in a few blog challenges.

14.Do you have any ambitions or goals you’d like to seefulfilled in the future?

Absolutely! It has always been agoal to have work in our Regional Gallery, and perhaps this will be theyear? I would love to win a prestigiousArt Prize, but that is in the lap of the gods. I will certainly be working on it.

Thanks Jo!.....

Create Your Life...

annie!

Weekend Spotlight

2011-12-19T10:15:00.000-08:00

How's everyone doing? Are you getting ready for the holidays? Are you making some time for art?

Here are a few highlights from this past weekend.

Flo

Tracey has a new link party-- Paint Palette Thursday which looks like fun. I will have to join in sometime soon!

Show and Tell Saturday! #15

2011-12-16T14:45:00.000-08:00

You know the drill! Add your link telling us about your week of art making. Link to any post you have made this week. We'd appreciate a link back to Artists in Blogland. Question for you: Would anyone like to host a giveaway of a piece of their art? I'm going to put a giveaway up soon.

Grab a button for your page:

Weekend Spotlight

2011-12-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

Thanks everyone for participating. Here are some highlights from this weekend!

Etsy Shops, Online Sales, E-courses, etc..

2011-12-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

I just added a new page to the top of the blog. It is a place where you can add a link for an Etsy shop, your online sales page, e-courses or anything else you sell. The links MUST be art, supplies or related to creative living. Anything else will be deleted. Promote your art here!

Some day one of my goals is to set up an Etsy shop. I haven't done so yet, but it would be fun to talk about any tips you have or your experiences selling.

What kinds of things do you find sell best?
How do you price your art?
How do you promote your shop?
Any tips for new sellers?

I can compile a list of tips if you add your experiences to this post.

Show and Tell Saturday #14

2011-12-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!! Welcome to our 14th Show and Tell Saturday! I like to put the post up on Fridays and then you will have some time to put up your link. You can spend Saturdays looking at the wonderful links. I just wanted to also invite you to share with us any special projects you want help with (like a collaborative project, link party, swap or zine, or whatever you have in mind) or if you are putting out a fun new online workshop and want to let everyone know. If you email me, Marcia, I would be happy to write a post that shares your idea with everyone.

Be sure to check out Featuring! magazine submission guidelines, which was started by one of our lovely members, Marit. (I'm also happy to say that I was accepted as a contributing editor for the magazine.) Featuring magazine is looking for artwork submissions for the theme of "Applause", but there are other categories you can enter as well. I have a feeling this magazine is going to be full of delicious artwork.

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

6. Also, feel free to check out my Just Journals Link Party!

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

Weekend Spotlight

2011-12-05T11:44:00.000-08:00

Is it snowing by you yet? Here are a few highlights from this week from our members!

Patsy

Nora

L'Art En Ciel

Dos Fishes' Vision Board

Rhea

Candy Cane Wreath Tutorial from Pop Art Minis

Show and Tell Saturday #13

2011-12-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!! Welcome to our 13th Show and Tell Saturday. I like to put the post up on Fridays and then you will have some time to put up your link. You can spend Saturdays looking at the wonderful links. I just wanted to also invite you to share with us any special projects you want help with (like a collaborative project, link party, swap or zine, or whatever you have in mind) or if you are putting out a fun new online workshop and want to let everyone know. If you email me, Marcia, I would be happy to write a post that shares your idea with everyone.

Anything new going on in your artistic life? What are you working on?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

6. Also, feel free to check out my Just Journals Link Party!

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T14:52:00.000-08:00

Have a very happy Thanksgiving! Artists in Blogland is taking a break this week. Enjoy your weekend!

Pictures from Pinterest.

Weekend Spotlight

2011-11-21T20:52:00.000-08:00

Here are a few highlights from this weekend if you missed it!

Show and Tell Saturday #12

2011-11-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!! Welcome to our 12th Show and Tell Saturday. I like to put the post up on Fridays and then you will have some time to put up your link. You can spend Saturdays looking at the wonderful links. I just wanted to also invite you to share with us any special projects you want help with (like a collaborative project, link party, swap or zine, or whatever you have in mind) or if you are putting out a fun new online workshop and want to let everyone know. If you email me, Marcia, I would be happy to write a post that shares your idea with everyone.

Anything new going on in your artistic life? What are you working on?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

6. Also, feel free to check out my Just Journals Link Party!

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

CREATIVELY FEATURED - annie!

2011-11-15T18:27:00.001-08:00

surface designed fabric - my passion

When I volunteered to help Marcia with Artists inBlogland…she asked if I had any ideas for the blog.

studio quilt

The first thing that poppedinto my mind was that I’d like to get to know everyone better – so I offered tointerview one of our members each month.

surface designed fabric

We learned a lot about our fabulous moderator, Marcia, in our first Creatively Featured post andnow…it’s my turn.

contact cards made with itty bitty scraps

There are just a couple questions I’ve chosen to answer…

surface designed fabric

Because I talk to much...

studio quilt

So...

bag for stuff in my purse

Tell us about blogging and how it’sworked for you.

I made beads...and then a necklace out of them.

I moved to Barranquilla, Colombia when my daughter married afellow who is from this area…and they brought my granddaughter with them whenthey left the States. Can you believe that?!?

My interpretation of the city of Barranquilla

Well…long story short…annie!grandma did NOT want to live that far away from my, now, almost 4 year old Sophia . (birthday - November22^nd) She is truly the light of my life.

I made littleowl dollies for Sophia's 3rd Birthday…

So yes, we sold our housejust before the market crashed (Thank God), moved to Tampa when she was born –until the kids graduated from college… and now…here we are.

Art Journal cover

In Colombia!!!

back cover of my fabric book...The Boat Book

I began blogging a little over a year ago – mainly to keepin touch with family and friends back in the USA.

surface designed fabric

I was writing the sameinformation over and over and ding-ding…realized it was so much easier to loada picture into my blog one time - instead of attaching it to 20 emails.

Christmas present!

I was involved in getting Art Quilters Unlimited off theground a few years ago in Lee County, FL and then an active member in theSurface Design Guild of Tampa Bay.

Journal cover made with my surface designed fabric

Both groups gave me SO much encouragement,motivation, kudos, love and appreciation…and I didn’t fully realize how much theymeant to me…until I didn’t have them close by anymore.

Christmas Cards!

I miss those girls some kindabad…but I DO find a terrific support system through blogging.

bookmarks

So…that’s anotherreason why it works for me.

Christmas gift!

I’ve found SO many new, lovely artists who havebecome dear friends – even though we’ve never met.

door knob quilt

What have you done this past year?

Christmas present!

I’ve had an incredibly productive year here in Barranquillaeven though most of the year was spent doing ‘small stuff’.

studio quilt

All of the pictures included here are of work I've completed in the past twelve months.

studio quilt I'm collaborating on with Marlene Glickman

I hope you'll visit my blog...if you haven't already, to see more of my recent ~~work~~ play.

another studio quilt

I'm headed to the states on Thursday, so this is all I have time to include...

But I got you caught up to about mid May of this year!

I won't have access to a computer very often while I'm gone...

studio quilt

But if you leave any comments I'll answer ASAP! I Promise!

studio quilt

Thanks for being the great, talented, warm group of Artists In Blogland that you ARE.

art journal cover

And for all your lovely visits and comments that warm my heart of hearts!

annie! - one of the Page sisters

Now...go rewrite your life story,

Sandy - one of the Page sisters

create your life

Janice - one of the Page sisters

and let's get off the computer and go make art!!!

studio quilt

Or in my case...get packed!!!

a page from my I,I,I,Me,Me,Mine fabric book

Weekend Spotlight

2011-11-14T14:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks again for everyone who submitted awesome artwork. It's so fun to see what everyone else is working on!

Here are some highlights from this week.

Tracey

Marcia (me)

Lesley

Jane

Robyn

Peggy

Linda

Dos Fishes

Priya

Tracey

Linda

Lorik

Natasha May

Bohemiannie

Amy

Amy's Free Workshops!!

2011-11-12T10:51:00.000-08:00

One of our lovely members Amy, has been giving FREE online workshops. Here is a link to some of these. She is also doing some free online live video workshops.
Amy is a super fun girl who I've been following on blogger for awhile.

I heart Amy and her spunky wit and fun posts and cool hair. You should visit her blog to learn more about her free live video workshops.

Show and Tell Saturday #11

2011-11-11T18:53:00.000-08:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!! We are up to 137 followers.. so exciting. This is our 11th Show and Tell Saturday. I like to put the post up on Fridays and then you will have some time to put up your link. You can spend Saturdays looking at the wonderful links. I just wanted to also invite you to share with us any special projects you want help with (like a collaborative project, link party, swap or zine, or whatever you have in mind) or if you are putting out a fun new online workshop and want to let everyone know. If you email me, Marcia, I would be happy to write a post that shares your idea with everyone.

Anything new going on in your artistic life? What are you working on?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

Weekend Recapture

2011-11-08T14:58:00.000-08:00

I hope you have had a chance to look at some of the beautiful artwork our members have created. We have the most participants ever this week--- 42 wonderful link! Here are a few highlights:

Shayla's Journal Page

Frida Portrait

Little Drawings

Personalized Fuse Glass Name Pendants

Leaves Journal Page

Earrings!

Just Journals link party

2011-11-05T06:19:00.001-07:00

Have you checked out my other link party at my personal blog? It is all about art journals! JUST JOURNALS link party... join us!

Show and Tell Saturday #10

2011-11-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

Wow! Can you believe it's been 10 weeks already?

Anything new going on in your artistic life? What are you working on?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

Weekend Recapture

2011-11-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy busy week and I have not had time to look at all the links, but I hope many of you have perused some of the blogs! Here are a few that I am highlighting this week. Enjoy the beginning of November :)

Michelle's Adorable Owls

Morning Dew Drops Stunning Apron!

Kiran's Sunken Vessel Photograph

Show and Tell Saturday #9

2011-10-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!

Welcome to our Ninth Show and Tell Saturday.

Show us what you have been working on! What inspires you this week? What have you started? What have you finished? Painting, collage, photography, digital art, greeting cards, scrapbooking, fiber arts... any and all artsy endeavors are welcome here. Any new art supplies or resources you have discovered?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

CREATIVELY FEATURED

2011-10-27T16:49:00.000-07:00

It's been decided!

Our interview posts will go under the name..........................

CREATIVELY FEATURED!

Now...I came up with a list of questions to ask...which in my opinion are downright boring after seeing Amy's interview questions and those of Andrea's .

So I want to ask YOU...since this is all about you...What interview questions would YOU like to see asked? Just leave a comment to let me know...ok??!!??

And without further ado...Marcia, Artists In Blogland's most talented and generous moderator, has graciously answered some of my questions in a decidedly 'not boring' way.

Enjoy... From Annie!

1. Tell us about blogging and how it’s worked for you.

Kindergarten artwork

4th grade Paper Mache Mask

I began blogging about my adventures teaching elementary ar t one year ago. I opened the blog to inspire and connect with other art teachers. At the time, I was posting about my own artwork as well as the artwork of the children in my classes. I decided the blog needed more focus, so I separated the two and opened up a new blog about my own artwork. So far, blogging has been really fun! It keeps me motivated to make art as often as possible, because I know that other people will see what I am working on. I follow over 300 blogs in Google reader (many about teaching children art and others about mixed media art) and I have been inspired by so many awesome artists. I know, subscribing to that many blogs is crazy, but Google reader makes it easy to just glance at each post to see if it is something I'm interested in. I have borrowed numerous lesson plan ideas for my students and have tried out new techniques for myself.

2. How did you discover your favorite art medium?
My favorite medium is watercolor and inks. I love to paint with vibrant colors. I have dabbled in all types of art. I was an art education major in college and I have taken many types of art classes: photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture and more. In the past year or so I have become very interested in watercolor painting. I think I picked up my watercolors more after seeing some of Alisa Burke's paintings. I enjoy painting in a loose and fluid style. Here is one of my watercolor doodles:

This summer I took a watercolor painting class at a local recreation department. We painted realistically from photographs. This is one of my landscape paintings from that class:

3. What inspires or influences you artistically?
I am inspired by repetitive patterns and shapes, maps, natural and organic forms, fruit, leaves, flowers and animals. I often get sparks of inspiration by reading other people's blogs, by seeing photographs on Pinterest and by using my own photographs. Sometimes if I am stuck for an idea, I will look through magazines for interesting images to draw or to use in collage. I really enjoy the following list of artists/movements and consider them influences in my artistic life. You might not see directly how they are similar to my work, but it all relates to the artistic process.

The Dada Movement, especially the Dada collages
Ray Johnson and the Mail Art movement
Sabrina Ward Harrison
Dan Eldon
Henri Matisse
Cy Twombly
There are so many artists I love it's hard to list them all!

4. Which aspect of your art do you enjoy most? I really love bright colors and creating contrast with lights and darks. I love when an artwork really pops and shows depth.

5. How do you see your future work and style developing? This is what I am working on now. I feel like I dabble in all different types of art, so I don't have a definite style now. However, I suppose we all naturally have our own style in anything our hands touch, but I guess I am trying to find a focus! Right now, I've been having fun with lettering:

Watercolor doodling has become one of my favorite pastimes:

Art journaling is also one of my diversions:

I suppose the common link among all these styles is bold and brilliant colors, swirling shapes and patterns.

6. How do you manage your time? Well, I'm pretty darn busy! I teach art full-time at an elementary school and have a 2 year old daughter. I just prioritize, I guess, and get done what I need to do. I work very efficiently at school and I'm lucky to have adequate plan time at school (which I know many art teachers are not so lucky). I paint and make art while my daughter is asleep at night. She generally goes to bed around 7:30, so I have a couple of hours for free time. Also, I think people make time for what they want to make time for. For example, I rarely just sit and watch TV. If I'm watching TV, I'm also drawing or painting. It helps to have things set up and ready to go so you can just spend a few minutes here and there.

7. Have you exhibited work or taught classes? Like I said before, I teach full-time to kids in grades K-6. I have also taught numerous after school and summer workshops for kids. Sometimes I give workshops and presentations at art teacher conferences. I have organized and participated in quite a few exhibitions of children's artwork in my community. I have had a few of my own artworks in exhibits. Right now, I am a part of an exhibit at a coffee shop gallery in Chicago. This is one of the artworks in the exhibit:

Red Configuration, 2011, Watercolor on canvas board

8. Do you have any ambitions or goals you’d like to see fulfilled in the future?
Right now I am building up a body of work and I have been submitting artwork to magazine in hopes to get a few more published. I had some published in Stampington and Co. publications but those were a few years ago. I would love to make prints and greeting cards of some of my artwork and start selling them on Etsy or in craft shows.

Thank you so much for reading my interview and I hope you visit my blog to say hi!

Weekend Recapture

2011-10-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

Check out some of the fun things we made this week!

Thank you everyone for playing along! DO YOU NOTICE A THEME TO THIS WEEKEND RECAPTURE?

Show and Tell Saturday #8

2011-10-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!

Welcome to our Eighth Show and Tell Saturday.

Show us what you have been working on! What inspires you this week? What have you started? What have you finished? Painting, collage, photography, digital art, greeting cards, scrapbooking, fiber arts... any and all artsy endeavors are welcome here. Any new art supplies or resources you have discovered?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

Weekend Recapture!

2011-10-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend! I didn't have much time to do any art this weekend, but hopefully sometime this week... Here's a little wrap up of some of our great artists! We had 32 participants this week, which is awesome. Don't forget to check out my "Just Journals" link party if you are interested in art journaling.

Jennibellie has a tutorial about how to make little mini books. I've made these with some of my students before and they are fun!

Tomatoes! by Tracey

Sarah's Crochet Poncho!

Amy's Striking Blue Scarf Girl

Linda's Black and White Design

Lesley's cool Art Journal page

Peregrine Blue's Garland

Sadee's Beautiful Piece and touching story of motherhood.

Show and Tell Saturday #7

2011-10-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!

Welcome to our Sixth Show and Tell Saturday.

Show us what you have been working on! What inspires you this week? What have you started? What have you finished? Painting, collage, photography, digital art, greeting cards, scrapbooking, fiber arts... any and all artsy endeavors are welcome here. Any new art supplies or resources you have discovered?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

Just Journals Link Party

2011-10-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

Can't get enough of the linky parties? Do you have an art journal or sketchbook? I am hosting a "Just Journals" link party on my blog every Saturday (to complement the Show and Tell Saturdays I post here). Here is a link to the party!

Weekend Recapture Part 2

2011-10-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking that if our group gets much bigger, I will randomly select some of the artworks each week to be featured in the Weekend Recapture. How does that sound? Here are some more wonderful artworks from our group members from this week. Enjoy!!

Shana's Creepy Skeleton Sculpture.. you have to see how she made this... the picture of the Barbie doll with a skull was so creepy!

Bohemiannie's Quilted Circles-- what's she going to make with them?

Phoenix Peacocks Very Cool Doodles-- I heart doodling!

Kathryn's Amazing Journals

Kiran's Pretty Lake Photos

Patina Moon's Beautiful Paintings on Fabric

Tracey's Beautiful Portraits, I wish I could paint like her!

Martha's Beautiful Stars of Summer

Rh West's Vivid Photography-- it wouldn't let me copy and paste for some reason.

Margo's Graceful Picture

Jennie Bellie is making a Zine!! I used to collect zines and I have at least 100 of them :) I'll have to check out hers.

Geri's Princess Diana drawing: she really captured her features in this, don't you think?

Cupcakes! I love Cupcakes! by Serendipity

Deep Cove Flowers Charming Illustration

Weekend Recapture-- Part 1

2011-10-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

It was another great artistic week here at Artists in Blogland. So many people are linking up so I will post this in 2 parts! If you are hesitant to link up to Artists in Blogland, I have made it as easy as possible! Just pick any post you have already made this week and simply place a link to the linky party. You don't have to come up with a special post for our group, you can "double dip" with other challenges. If you don't want to type the link in every time, you can even just grab a button and put it on the side of your blog and that counts too. We just want to see all of the exciting things you are working on! Check out some of the artwork your fellow members have made this week:

Tracey's Terrifying Owl

Priya's Henna Inspiration

Peggy's Madonna and Child Work in Progress

Manon's Soulful Portrait

Dorien's Whimsical Page

Amy's Precious Paintings

Mary's Layered Collages

Marcia's Little Kitchen

Pop Art Minis' Cute Numbers

Falling Ladies' Self Portrait

Sadee's Gorgeous Photos

Carols' Spiritual Painting

Natasha May's beautiful fishies!

Rhea's Spooky Creations

Patsy's Spiritual Journal Pages

Show and Tell Saturday #6

2011-10-07T17:03:00.001-07:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!

Welcome to our Sixth Show and Tell Saturday.

Show us what you have been working on! What inspires you this week? What have you started? What have you finished? Painting, collage, photography, digital art, greeting cards, scrapbooking, fiber arts... any and all artsy endeavors are welcome here. Any new art supplies or resources you have discovered?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.
2. Add your link to the list below.
3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.
4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.
5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

Weekend Recapture

2011-10-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Amy

Margo

Donna

Ellie

Martha

Colleen

Nora

Patsy

RH West

Sadee

Bohemiannie

Timeless Rituals

Pop Art Minis

A cool new magazine from one of our members!

2011-10-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Marit, one of our members, emailed me about a new project she is undertaking. I think it looks really cool!

In the Spring of 2012, an inspiring magazine will see the light: FEATURING.

This magazine wants to provide a stage for all kinds of artists. With each issue, we seek to bring our readers a view on creativity in all its forms. The focus will be mainly on art journaling and mixed media, but other types of art will be highlighted as well. FEATURING wants to bring a spectrum of art-related articles and stories. You will also enjoy seeing pages jammed with collaborative projects, glimpses of studios, interviews, background stories, layouts, paintings, photos, poetry and much, much more!

Find all the information on the website www.featuringmagazine.com

Well I'd Like To Get To Know You....Yes I Would...

2011-10-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, Marcia mentioned that she wouldn't mind having some help in the form of a co-moderator. I had been SO happy and thankful to see her take this job upon herself...THANK YOU MARCIA...and had thought about how I could help...but hadn't done anything about it. So, I was thrilled to offer my limited skills and abilities and time to see what I could do to assist when she sent out the call. Joni Nickrent also offered to help and has exciting ideas to implement which I can't wait to see put into place.

WE - all of us - YOU too - are going to make this a fascinating, educational, friendly, fun, energetic, 'go-to' site that will encourage and motivate every one who enters.

I'm fairly new to the 'art' world and very new to blogging. My name is Annie Wade but I simply go by annie!. Yep...little a and the exclamation point at the end. I'm a 57 year young woman who feels my age often on the outside but is still a little girl on the inside. But wait!!! That's enough about ME. I, and every one else, want to know more about YOU!

So...with the help of interviews I've read here and there...I've come up with a set of questions that YOU can answer and then every couple weeks, I'll post - with glorious pictures and links - all the ~~nitty gritty~~ good stuff you've provided - for publication on Artists In Blogland. What do you think of that?!?

I don't know yet what to call this post and would love to hear YOUR ideas for a title. I'd also love to hear from you - telling me you want to be interviewed so please leave a comment and we'll make a first come / first served list.

Fun, huh?!?

Show and Tell Saturday #5

2011-09-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!

Welcome to our Fifth Show and Tell Saturday.

Show us what you have been working on! What inspires you this week? What have you started? What have you finished? Painting, collage, photography, digital art, greeting cards, scrapbooking, fiber arts... any and all artsy endeavors are welcome here. Any new art supplies or resources you have discovered?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.
2. Add your link to the list below.
3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.
4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.
5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

ATTN: MIRIAM--- FOR SOME REASON YOUR LINK WENT TO A SPAM SITE. I deleted it in case it was harmful. Weird, because there was artwork in the link image. If you can figure out why let me know.

Grab a button for your page:

Guest Post by Manon

2011-09-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our first GUEST POST! This blog post originally appeared on Manon's blog and since I loved it so much I thought I would invite her to share it with us all. If you have an interesting blog post or tutorial you'd like to share as a guest writer, just let me know!
Thanks Manon for sharing with us! Here is her post:

I was recently asked if I teach any classes in mixed media but I don't.

However it got me thinking

I love sharing so I have put something together for you in this post.

I hope you enjoy it

Be inspired.

Find something you love to take a photo of

go to your stack

and

Get out all your scraps of paper

together

with your blank canvas

Use all your imagination

and

Glue it all down

with your

......

Gel Matt Medium.

Go on.........

now

Get out all your favourite paints
.....

and

Don't hesitate

Just

PLAY

Feel good about what you do!

Reach out for your pens

Dont feel tense

Just be you, let it happen
...... 

draw some fantasy

chase that inner critic off the fence! 

Are you ready?

mix these together

Zinc White, Cerulean Blue,Cadium Yellow medium hue and Quinacridone Magenta.

Now you have your flesh tones.

Just paint

La la la la la la la

La la la la la la la......

Ta da da

daaaaa.....

This is mine

Now I want to see yours

XXXXX

Weekend Recapture

2011-09-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for participating and thanks also to everyone who thanked me for organizing. Thanks!

Beautiful artwork again this week. We are a really talented bunch, don't ya think?

Tracey's Ornate Key Paintings

Kathryn's Texture Journals, which are for sale!

Joni's Delightful Illustrations

Linda's Whimsical Bluebird

Barbara's Cat Patches Quilts

The Inkblot Challenge

Shana's Gorgeous Abstract Paintings

Bohemiannie's Fabric out of Scraps!

Dion Dior's Beautiful Sketchbook Page

Falling Ladies' Pretty Pendants

RHWest's Pear Photography!

Sparklebluefaery had been making lots of painted papers!

Natasha's Totem Animals

Amy's Paintings full of RAW energy!

Marcia's Amazing Journal Page (yep, I'm so modest. :)

2011-09-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

Someone asked how to find my pins on Pinterest:

Here they are! http://pinterest.com/marciabeckett/

I pin lots of things from art teacher, artist and random blogs and online articles. Here are some of my recent pins.

Fun! Fun! Fun!! Don't you want to be part of this inspirational fun?? (and no I don't work for Pinterest!)

Show and Tell Saturday #4

2011-09-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!

Welcome to our FOURTH Show and Tell Saturday. It's my birthday!!

Show us what you have been working on! What inspires you this week? What have you started? What have you finished? Painting, collage, photography, digital art, greeting cards, scrapbooking, fiber arts... any and all artsy endeavors are welcome here. Any new art supplies or resources you have discovered?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.
2. Add your link to the list below.
3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.
4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.
5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

New Hosts

2011-09-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Annie and Joni who are going to help me out with hosting this blog group!

Do you have any ideas for us to spice things up in here?

Weekend Recapture

2011-09-19T15:36:00.000-07:00

So, I don't know if I will have time to do this every weekend, but I will try. School's started (I'm a teacher) so things are getting busier around here. If anyone would like to help me out and become a co-moderator (is that even possible via blogger?) let me know.

Here is some of the wonderful artwork we have made this week!! Thanks everyone for participating!!

DosFishes' Gorgeous Collage

Sparklefishes' Beautiful Handmade Journals

Ildiko's Doodled Case

Timeless Rituals' Calendars

Bohemianne's Colorful Brooch

Amy's Haunting Self Portrait

Catpatches' Quilts

PopArt Mini's Cute Letters

A Creative Harbor's Cute Illustrations

Sarah's Stashbusting Scarf! Cool!

Marcia's Watercolor Doodles (me)

Blue Starr Gallery's Great Ceramic Works

Serendipity's Gorgeous Flower Doodles

Falling Ladies' Beautiful Portrait

Nicole's Happy Girl

Show and Tell Saturday #3

2011-09-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!

Welcome to our SECOND Show and Tell Saturday. Show us what you have been working on! What inspires you this week? What have you started? What have you finished? Painting, collage, photography, digital art, greeting cards, scrapbooking, fiber arts... any and all artsy endeavors are welcome here. Any new art supplies or resources you have discovered?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.
2. Add your link to the list below.
3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.
4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.
5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

Weekend Recapture

2011-09-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for sharing your artwork! Here is a round-up of some of the lovely art that our members have been making....

Andrea A.-- mysterious woman!

Kathry-- beautiful heart ornament!

Terrie-- sea shell beauty!

Catharine-- lovely painting! great for a children's book, don't you think?

Linda-- cute owls!

Marcia (me)

Ellie-- check out this amazing sculpture!

Shelly's pretty vintage card!

Sadee's detailed and tangled drawing!

Pop Art Minis Cute Drawings

Sarahndipities' Yarn Selection Tips

Bohemiannie's Inspiration Photos

Jane's sweet dog

Natasha May's cute girls and cats

I don't know about you, but I'm inspired to go make some more art!
Is anyone else on Pinterest? Here's mine... http://pinterest.com/marciabeckett/

Second Show and Tell Saturday

2011-09-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

Favorite Art Inspiration Websites

2011-09-08T19:51:00.000-07:00

What are your favorite inspirational art websites or blogs? What pages have art that you drool over? List your suggestions here and I will create a post about them. Listed below are just a few of mine. I will add more as people post them.

Favorite Inspirational Art Websites and Blogs

Paper Crafts, Journaling, Scrapbooking

Sparklebluefaery
Balzer Designs--- Scrapbooks, art journals, crafts
Art Journaling Ning
Samantha Kira Harding
Sabrina Ward Harrison
Lynne's Bows and Belles

Mixed Media/Altered Art
Create Mixed Media
Seth Apter's, The Altered Page
Artfully Musing
Trash to Treasure Art
Diane Salter
Zu Zu
Altered Alchemy
Pink House Studio

Jewelry
Wabi Sabi art

General Crafts
Totally Tutorials

Challenges
Inspiration Avenue

Weekend Recapture

2011-09-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a sampling of some of the wonderful projects our members have been working on this week, as seen in our Saturday Show and Tell.

Kathryn's Lovely Sketchbook Journals

Bohemiannie is starting to make a quilt.

Marcia's new journal page writings (that's me!)

Linda's whimsical beach houses!

Rhea's Cool Metal Deck Book and Assemblage

Terrie's Awesome Coffee Cup Collage

Barbara's Amazing Kitten Quilt-- I wish I could quilt too! (her blog wouldn't let me copy and paste a photo for you.)

Natasha's Cute Girls

Thanks to all who participated. If you want to participate, just wait until next Saturday for our next Show and Tell. Thanks!

Show and Tell Saturday

2011-09-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Artists in Blogland!

Okay, so it's not Saturday, but I thought I would tell you all about it and put a post up now, so you can get prepared.

It is our first Show and Tell Saturday. Show us what you have been working on! What inspires you this week? What have you started? What have you finished? Painting, collage, photography, digital art, greeting cards, scrapbooking, fiber arts... any and all artsy endeavors are welcome here. Any new art supplies or resources you have discovered?

What to do:

1. Write a post about your creative week.
2. Add your link to the list below.
3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.
4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.
5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing.

Thanks for participating!!

Grab a button for your page:

2011-09-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

Favorite Books from Artists in Blogland

2011-08-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

I will be updating this post continually as more books are recommended. There will be a link to this post on the sidebar. Let me know if you have any really great books you recommend!

Jewelry
The Impatient Beader
Custom Cool Jewelry

Art Journals
The Journey is the Destination: The Journals of Dan Eldon
Spilling Open: The Art of Becoming Yourself
Brave on the Rocks: If You Don't Go, You Don't See
The Art Journal Workshop: Break Through, Explore, and Make it Your Own
How to Make a Journal of Your Life
Creative Wildfire: An Introduction to Art Journaling - Basics and Beyond

Doll Making
Designing the Doll: From Concept to Construction
Creative Cloth Doll Faces: Using Paints, Pastels, Fibers, Beading, Collage, and Sculpting Techniques
Cloth Doll Artistry: Design and Costuming Techniques for Flat and Fully Sculpted Figures Cloth Doll Workshop: From the Beginning and Beyond with Doll Masters elinor peace bailey, Patti Medaris Culea, and Barbara Willis
Creative Cloth Doll Making: New Approaches for Using Fibers, Beads, Dyes, and Other Exciting Techniques
Introduction to Making Cloth Dolls
Make Cloth Dolls: A Foolproof Way to Sew Fabric Friends
Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists

Mixed Media and Collage
Alphabetica: An A-Z Creativity Guide for Collage and Book Artists (Quarry Book S.)
Surface Treatment Workshop: Explore 45 Mixed-Media Techniques
Collage Unleashed
Collage Journeys: A Practical Guide to Creating Personal Artwork
Urgent 2nd Class: Creating Curious Collage, Dubious Documents, and Other Art from Ephemera
Painted Pages: Fueling Creativity with Sketchbooks and Mixed Media
Celebrate Your Creative Self Book
Collage Lost and Found: Creating Unique Projects With Vintage Ephemera
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Idea Book: A Compendium Of Curiosities
Delight in the Details: 40+ Techniques for Charming Embellishments and Accents

Drawing
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Live & Learn: Expressive Drawing: A Practical Guide to Freeing the Artist Within (AARP)
Keys to Drawing with Imagination
Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun (Lab Series)
Creative Illustration Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists: Seeing, Sketching, Storytelling, and Using Found Materials

General Art
Green Guide for Artists: Nontoxic Recipes, Green Art Ideas, & Resources for the Eco-Conscious Artist

Inspirational
Inspiration Sandwich: Stories to Inspire Our Creative Freedom
The Forgetting Room
Griffin & Sabine Tenth Anniversary Limited Edition
The Artist's Way

Ideas

2011-08-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

I changed over to all image links so that there would be a little thumbnail when you added your link to the directory. I also added an art teacher blog directory at the top, which I hosted last year and people are still adding to it.

I would really like to compile a list of favorite books and resources, so be thinking about your favorites!

If you would like to spread the word about the art blog directory, there is a button on the sidebar you can add to your blog. Thanks!