Funky Art Queen

Lately I have been enjoying working in my journals and drawing pictures without any intentions what-so-ever.  I think that helps me to relax and go all kinds of places with my creativity when I create something just for the sake of creating.  I decided to do something with my eye ball people since a friend of mine pointed out that it seems like many of my subjects have big eyes and a uni brow.  I don't know why I like eyes but I do believe they are the window to the soul.  I also think, like she said, I like to take in everything visually.  Sometimes, I can hardly concentrate because so many things catch my eye where ever I may be.  I am attracted to color and interesting lines and subjects.  It could even be a simple arrangement of objects that catches my eye.  So, today I give you "Sisters.....Looking Out For Each Other".....a simple drawing tweaked a little digitally.  Have a good evening.  XOXO Lesley

I completed this one last night. It is a 24"X 24" Mixed Media on Wood piece titled "In The Flowers". I love doing my work on wood because of the durability. I also like the low cost. I picked this very large piece of wood up at Home Depot for $6.97. I have spent 5.o0 on a 12"X12" piece of wood at Michaels. Hmmm..... Yesterday, we celebrated my Grandmother's 93rd birthday at the nursing home in which she now resides. She really seemed to enjoy herself as you can see by my collection of photos here . Just a reminder and some news about the Tuesday's Ten Tiny Things Challenge . I'm going to extend the deadline to Tuesday which seems to make perfect sense and will allow more time for some more entries. I have a few already (come see) but would love to see more. I love looking at all of your little tiny collections! FUN!!!

I finished this piece today. I decided to call it "Party Hats". I have a few other backgrounds waiting to be worked on. So, tomorrow, I will have plenty of projects to choose from and I like it like that. Speaking of tomorrow, did you know that tomorrow is "Naked Hikers" day?!!! O.K. I know it is Father's Day, I get that! But, I heard on the news that Sunday, the first day of summer is also Naked Hikers Day . I just felt like it was my duty to warn you. My sister is a hiker. I don't think she will be hiking this weekend (not because of the possibility of nudity......but because of a recent fall and minor injuries). So she is safe. However, there are so many people that might be "exposed" to. LOL Just be cautious is all I'm sayin' or enjoy......what ever the case. Tomorrow is Sunday, I hope you enjoy your day. I hope that you take some time out for you.

This is one of my latest pieces. I love doing these pieces on wood that I have been inspired to do lately. I am knee deep in creative projects and I love it. I feel so very blessed to get up everyday and to feel excited about all that I have to do. I'm also very blessed to get to interact with some wonderfully creative people. Just today, I met so many amazing and talented people at the Stanton Trade Days. I had so much fun. Heather and I met Lisa, Meagen, Catrina, Seathen and Hannah in Stanton to enjoy all the festivities. Though is was so very hot (103 today), we managed to have a great time. I bought a beautiful wooden dragonfly that was mosaic. (LOVE IT). I also purchased a few other things that I am very pleased with. I bought a train case that was in the most beautiful condition for only 10 dollars! That is a find. Can't wait to paint it. It was great fun. It was also Lisa's birthday. I gave her the present I bought her and something I made her. She made it seem like

This is a mixed media piece I completed yesterday. The little tulips were created from muslin, machine stitched, stuffed, gessoed, embedded with vintage dictionary, glazed and protected. Then I added the little striped stems and added them to the already prepared canvas. I added the letters GROW. The frame was built by me from a yardstick donated to me by my good friend Renea. I knew I would find a good use for them some day. I don't like how I kind of did a wash on the frame. I am thinking of painting black and white checks. Here are the sides.....what do you think? I think I may have cracked the code for crackling fabric! I don't know if I told you but I have mentioned it on facebook about trying to figure out how to crackle fabric! Man, I have tried so many things! (I have been using muslin). Finally yesterday, I used these steps to create a fairly descent crackle on muslin. I'm still going to try another thing I read about yesterday called one step crackle by deco art

This is my newest piece of art. I was still inspired by Pam Carriker's article in CPS. I love the whole modeling paste thing. I was really concerned that some people use molding paste and some use modeling paste until yesterday I read in CPS (someone else's article...forgive me as I can't remember) that these are the same thing. Golden calls it "molding" and liquitex calls it "modeling". Any way, mystery solved! Yay! I want a big ole bucket of the stuff. Oh the texture it adds-love love love it!!! By the way, the substrate was a 12"X12" piece of wood. I love working on wood because of the durability. I was also inspired by Sharon Tomlinson's article in the Jan-Feb issue of CPS about using paper napkins in your art. (Page 62). The flowers in the top left are from paper napkins. Oh, they are so translucent. I want to experiment more with putting print behind them and layering more like she suggests in her article. Anyway, it is a good messag

which way to go Originally uploaded by Funky Art Queen The article in Cloth Paper Scissors by Pam Carriker (May/Jun 2009 Issue 24-page 50-53 )inspired me to do this piece today. I purchased all the paint colors suggested (except for the quinacridone mickel azo gold). I guess Hobby Lobby does not have the "Golden" paints. I wonder why? Anyway, when I went up to the checker and put the many tubes of paint on the counter.....she asked "are you a painter?".

Literally! Funky Finds turned out really nice except for the heat. There was no air conditioning! As you can see, everyone was hot, even "Pete" this cute and smart puppy. He belonged to Loop and Lil . I just got home a few hours ago. I had such a good time with my friends Lisa and Renea. Renea and her husband Barry were the greatest hosts. Look at me trying to look cute in the middle. I'm such a poser~! I sold a little bit and met a lot of very nice people. All in all, it was a great time. We met so many nice people and networked with several savy artists and shop owners. One lady even invited Renea to teach some art technique workshops at her mixed media store. I can't wait to do something like this again. Lisa's Booth Mine and Renea's Booth

Do you need some funky in your life? Well, here it is sistah! I did this the other night with my prisma color pencils and some markers. I have a little plate that a friend gave me with a very similiar design. This is somewhat digitally altered on Flickr. If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know I can't resist a good digital altering. I think it came out pretty funky/cool. It has been a crazy weekend already. Cody is coming home on Saturday the 25th of April. Guess what else is happening that day? ....The funky finds in Fort Worth. So, I won't be here when Cody comes home. But, I will be here Sunday. I'm going crazy trying to get everything ready for the Funky Finds. I'm very excited. I am just glad to get to spend time with Renea and Lisa. It would be nice to sell some things too so I can add to my secret (shhhh don't tell my husband who never reads my blog) fund for our 25th anniversary trip to Seattle. He knows we are planning to g

little black dress Originally uploaded by Funky Art Queen One of my latest little collage pieces. I tried a new crackle technique using hide glue as recommended in Acrylic Revolution by Nancy Reyner. I really liked the outcomes (on the sides). That hide glue stinks though. Shew! (see more by clicking on pic which will take you to flickr) I need a little black dress too. I need it for another American Heart Gala-this one is in Midland and Odessa Texas on March 28th and it is a little more formal than the one a few weekends ago here. So, I will have to take some time today to find something. It has to match the jewelery designed by Lisa over at Majestic Designs that I will be modeling for her that night. It is so pretty and glitzy. I might need security to follow me around lest someone snatch it from me. Ha! Whatever huh? Anyway, sorry I have not gotten to visit everyone lately but I'm making a point to visit blogs tonight. Hope you have an amazing Tuesday. HUGS!

OMG (I hate when people say that but in some cases I can see how it is needed). I went to Danita's blog early this morning and I read her entry about being on the Somerset Studio cover for the March/April 2009 issue. So, I stopped at B &N today to 1) Use their bathroom (it is hard when you are out on the streets all day marketing and need BR privileges and 2) to see if they had the new Somerset Studio that Danita mentioned. I got it! So, I finished my work day.....came home and after my walk, sat down to enjoy the article I was dying to read. It was such a wonderful read by Rice Freeman-Zachery on page 38 with lots of yummy pictures. I had no idea that Danita lived in Ciudad ,Juarez. Without spoiling the article, I have to say the one part that just touched my soul was this statement by Danita, "At the beginning, trying to find my own style, I made a lot of mistakes. Unconsciously I tried to be someone I wasn't and was going in many directions like a ship with no ru

Here is another one.....I love these things. Hubby and daughter picked the perfect heart to go on this. I had planned on using a yellow one but they liked the red one better. I love the contrast of the red and yellow here! Anyhooooo, it is available on Etsy now. I had a pretty good weekend and I suppose I will go back to work and leave all my art here! Sniff sniff. Like my mother used to say, "it's a shame that I couldn't be rich instead of some damn good looking". Heehee On another note, my friend Lisa and I were talking about the magazine/book "Where Women Create". It is this scrumptious book filled with photos of fabulously organized and beautiful "studios". I just think it would be funny to do a "spoof" on that and have women like me show our "studios". But, not when it is clean and organized. It should be a photo of when you are in a fit of art making and have several projects scattered around. Maybe a shot of you with yo

I sold the Art with a Heart Piece today! Yay! Yes, I'm tooting my horn. I have not had an Etsy sale in a while. So, that made my day. I am working on some other similiar pieces. Here is one that I just listed. I used a Florescent pink with this one and it is so bright and fun. XOXO! That is something that my friend "M"signs all of her lettersl, cards, and notes with and I love it. She inspires me. I'm also working on a piece much like these that is more on the side of Mother's Day. I am using hues of yellow and I will probably have it ready tomorrow. I know, I should be soldering my heart out. It makes me think of nursing school. My house was never cleaner than when I was in nursing school. I am a horrible procrastinator. If I had tons of homework, I found more excuses to not do it such as cleaning the oven or doing laundry. I hate deadlines and rigid instructions....I'm a rebel without a cause huh? Heehee

Sweet You (Available in my shop) I finished this piece of art tonight. I really enjoyed the process on this one because I discovered a new technique that I love for distressing. I remembered when I was in school a teacher taught us to make little faux leather boxes using masking tape and shoe polish. Did any of you ever do that? You cover the entire piece with little pieces of masking tape and then you "paint" the piece with brown or black shoe polish. So, (I'm just taking you on the creative process that goes on in my brain) I thought I would like a frame for my little paperclay hearts that looked like red leather. That was the initial thought anyway. I covered the frame with masking tape pieces. Then I painted it with red acrylic paint. After that dried, I thought it needed pearl or white in all the crevices to create an antiqued look. When I started rubbing the white in, the red rubbed off in places. I loved the distressed look this caused so I went with it and conti

I worked on his little paper mache heart assemblage piece over the last couple of days. I'm going to put it on Etsy later. I'm still waiting on any takers for the Unique Hearts Photo Challenge . Can you tell I have been a little obsessed with Valentines Day lately? I suppose I am. Could it be that I love all the red?! Could it be that all the making of stuff for your friends and loves could be a HUGE reason I love this holiday? Well, I don't understand how you could not love this day! I went a little crazy today and decorated my dining room in a Valentines Style. There could be a lot more but the GR is a bit of a table surfer and I'm afraid he will get something and eat it. I'm working on some more Fru Fru people and I can't wait to show them to you. But, right now I am preparing some steaks on the grill. I also just pulled an Upside Down Pineapple Cake out of the oven for our dessert....so,I must go. More later. Hugs to all.

mardi gras Originally uploaded by Funky Art Queen Husband said to name this "Mardi Gras" as he says she looks like she is wearing her Mardi Gras mask. I did not know where I was going with it. Just needed to create something......I'm in a creative funk.....I hate these times!!!! I just need some inspiration! This is my 345th post....I'm rapidly moving towards 350! I do plan to celebrate that post in a fun way so be watching out for that.

"To thine own self be true". I don't know why, but sayings like this stay in my mind....I have so many sayings and quotes stuck in my head . But sometimes, I don't even understand the phrases or quotes or prose that is stuck in my head. It just gets in there and then.....sometimes.....every now and then, I get it. I understand or at least, I come to some understanding that is right for me. This one.....("To thine Own Self Be True") is a quote from Hamlet/Shakespeare. After doing some research, I discovered that my understanding for this phrase is not exactly what was meant in the famous prose. See more about that here. My interpretation of this phrase is that I need to remain true to myself. It reminds me not to get distracted so easily in my art interests or anything else for that matter. It reminds me that I love bright colors and messing with glue and as many mediums as possible to create a wonderful and funky piece of art. Being true to myself rem

I know that pink is not in my usual pallet, but, I wanted to do something different...something pink for some reason. I guess I thought that would be as far away from my usual colors as I could get. Something new and different. What a fru fru girl she is with her pink poodle! She is sooooooo not me! But, I love her. Hmmmm , she reminds me of someone......a friend of mine........I wonder who........???? I completed this piece last night and will post it on my etsy in a moment. Meanwhile, I had a great day. I got up very early to drive to Odessa for the American Heart Walk that I was the leader of for my work place. We had a great turn out and lots of donations. I enjoyed the dancing/aerobic warm up. It was very hip hoppy and zuma like. I wanna take a class like that. FUN! Husband traveled with me so he could geocache in Odessa while I walked. Then he and I went to Johnny Carino's for lunch. We drove back to Big Spring (all this before noon) and I dropped him off at the house, pi

Here it is....finally....the very large piece of art that I was commisioned to do. I finally finished it and the owner said she loved it. So, it is ok to show you now. Since this was something new for me to do a huge piece of art....I took pics along the way to show the evolution of the project. (See slideshow at bottom of this blog entry). It is a highly textured piece...the flowers are stenciled with texture paint, the bottom background has textured waves and imprints. The top is very spongy/imprinted. The vase, that is my favorite. The lady that ordered this painting revealed to me that she and her husband are building a new home. She wants the painting for a focal point when people enter the home. So, I added these words in texture paint to the vase: "Love to all who enter this house, Welcome to our loving home. Love to all who enter our home And take love with you when you go." You really can't read it unless you know what it says. But, I felt it would be

My dear friend Renea inspired me once again. She said something about the birds I had made and that made me want to make another one. I was really planning to do another wordy bird but you know how I get distracted. I saw this purple and gold fabric in my fabric stash and it was calling me. What a funky bird this would make! My husband loved it. He said it reminded him of a hologram for some reason. I guess the contrast of the orange checks and the purple checks is a bit much for the eyes! Heehee The legs on this one were so much easier than the last ones I made. I used floral wire and taped them with brown floral tape. I guess the stiffness was just right and the tape gives you something to anchor it to the body by sewing. I finished the big painting!!!!! I emailed a pic to Tandi (the lady who ordered it) and I'm waiting for her response. Then, if she does not hate it and I am not in a deep dark depression.....just kidding, I will show it to you. Anyway, I'm glad I fina