Creative Field Trip

Last week, I had the opportunity to indulge my creative spirit. I stopped into the recently opened Papercuts & Gluesticks in Rocky River for the first time. What a delightful space, owner Kari Sanford has created!

The all white gallery, which sells collage supplies and original works even hosts classes, so you too can indulge your creative spirit. The current exhibition is by local artist Claire Mojher and is truly creative. Mojher's works have a whimsical and playful quality that inspired me and gave me some great ideas to try out in my own sketchbook.

If you are in the Cleveland area, I highly recommend stopping by Papercuts & Gluesticks. The Claire Mojher show is up till the 25th and well worth a look.

(Images Papercuts & Gluesticks / Claire Mojher)

ACEO Love

My new favorite art form is the ACEO. These tiny art pieces come in all colors and media but must be 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" in size.

I bought my first one last month, and now I have created my own series based on my latest collection of collages and bracelets.

Below is my first attempt, titled Green, combining green and grass papers in an abstract collage. What do you think?

My Art on a Tote

A friend had artwork from my mini fashion series transferred to a canvas tote and gave it to me as present.

Here's the front of the bag.

And the original collage.

Here's the back.

And the original collage.

Isn't this super cute!?!

Just Beachy

In a previous post, I mentioned my fondness for the beach in winter, yet nothing can compare to the beach in summer. The warm sun and cool breezes. It may only be Lake Erie, but to me it's the ocean.

Last weekend, I met a friend at Pennsylvania's Presque Isle State Park and soaked in the glorious beach, which was so much nicer than I expected.

Inspired by my love of the beach, this resin bangle bracelet is covered with seashell paper plus an inside strip of yellow paper and glossed all over for a shiny finish.

Blue

Summer is the best time to appreciate cool blues. Here in the Midwest, we recently had our first heat wave of the summer. With temperatures reaching into the 90s for almost a week, I'm sure I wasn't the only one dreaming of a cool pool.

This 5x7" paper collage is the perfect relief from the heat. Using decorative blue pool paper, plain blue paper, and a lined note card I created this simple oasis.

More cool blue was used to decorate this stretch bracelet which has text diamonds on blue circles.

More Bracelets

I'm loving this idea of creating wearable art, in addition to my collages. I started covering clear resin bangles with decorative paper and covering them with a shiny gloss. (see above)

Then, I started experimenting with creating mini collages on wooden stretch bracelets. This time I was inspired by shape and color. (see above)

Now, I am thinking about my next line. I still have a few of the bangles left and probably a dozen of the stretch bracelets left, even some white ones.


What kinds of designs, using paper, would you like to see on bracelets?

Anywhere

On earth, peace anywhere? That is the question my latest collage asks. I used a holiday card to create the background and arch and thought it would be fun to mix up the words "peace on earth," so I added the word "anywhere" and made it a question.

This small postcard size (4x6") collage has a dreamy quality as you gaze out the window toward the blue sea. I like to think of it as a door way to the soul.

Before and After

Change is good. As I mentioned in a previous post, I got rid of the plans I'd had for my spring collage series opting instead for a simpler design. Even though I had thought about the color scheme and subject matter for weeks, when I finally completed the first one I hated it. I waited a few days, without creating anything, then sat down and finished 4 collages in less than an hour.

Here is the first one (which I am thinking of giving my mom for Mother's Day).

And here is the new, less complex version, using the same purple and lace paper but minus the flower and patchwork motif. Which do you prefer?