My First Published Piece of Artwork

Images from Wotdoin (Etsy.com)

Wow. I'm still a little giddy over it. I belong to the Artchix Studio Yahoo group and every month they offer contests and swaps in different, fun themes and I've been entering my artwork lately and...one of my ATC's was chosen to be included in their Chixies Pink Post Faux Postage Sticker Sheet, which they sell over at Artchix Studio. When I got the email telling me my artwork had been selected, it felt like I had won the lottery! It was a happy day. I think I have finally gotten over that fear of just putting my art out there and seeing what comes of it. I've joined other contests and swaps (see previous post) and I've got a whole bunch more lined up. What's great about these swaps is that it motivates me to create something on a regular basis. Before, I was doing almost little to no art. Now, I'm making something at least once a week (sometimes every day!)--and I feel like I daydream about art and projects of my own I'd like to start. Anyway, below is the piece that was chosen. I am proud of her. :)

New Year, New Art!

Itty Bitty, 3"x3", "Peekaboo"
Images by Artchix Studio
So it's been a while since I've written here...guess I got busy with work and the holidays. The new year brings new opportunities and possibilities. I spent my two week vacation hanging out with friends and family and catching up on some art projects. I belong to a couple of art groups on Yahoo and I try to enter as many of the art challenges as possible to keep me making art on a weekly basis. I recently entered a few swaps on the Artchix Studio Yahoo group (See pictures below of the "inchies" and "itty bittys"). Eventually it would be nice to just make art at random, but for now, I need to re-train my brain into believing that art feels good and that I love to do it--which I do, but somewhere in there my brain also learned to get bored or tired when I just can't "get it right." I see that same joy/pain in my daughter when she's making art. We do a lot of projects side by side--really the only way to get any art done with a child around! But I love that we can spend time together and make art together. I hope it's something we'll always do. So anyway, here are some collages I've created over the last week...

ATC (Artist Trading Card) size: 2.5" x 3.5" "Heaven Sent"
Images by Paper Whimsy and Alpha Stamps
Each little collage is 1"x1", also known as "inchies"
Images by Artchix Studio"Fairy"
Images by Artchix Studio
Itty Bitty 3"x3" collage


another Itty Bitty (3"x3") "Harmony"
Faux postage by Artchix Studio

ATC (2.5"x3.5") "I wish"
Images by Paper Whimsy and Alpha Stamps
ATC 2.5"x3.5" "My Voice"
Images by Paper Whimsy and Alpha Stamps