Friday, July 25, 2014

Repeating patterns

I just love when I stumble on a design I can adapt to fit more than one creation. All of the following projects were inspired by one of my cards for the ICAD Challenge. That's happened for me a few times over the course of the challenge, and I'm loving the flow of ideas and inspiration such a simple thing as ICAD has yielded.

First up is the ICAD that spurred all the ensuing projects. It started with a Gelli print background that I added some stenciling to using sequin waste. I then inked up a script stamp in black ink and stamped it randomly on the surface of the card. I finished it off by stamping one of my newest hand carved stamps using acrylic paints in cadmium red and vermilion. Aqua is my favorite of all colors, and for awhile now I can't seem to get enough of it when paired with red.


Next up I pulled out yet another Gelli print, this time one I'd created on textured kraft cardstock. I followed the same steps to create this handmade postcard. I also added some punched Gelli print circles on the side and a bit of doodling with a micron pen.


Why stop there, right? Here is a set of 4 handmade notecards done the same way. I just love bright, vivid, and citrus colors! And aqua always comes out to play in my studio.



Here's another set of 4 notecards. I was having so much fun with this theme I just couldn't stop. In fact, I'm also now working on a couple ATCs in the same vein. 



As an aside, if anyone is interested in purchasing these colorful and cheerful notecard sets, they are available for sale right now in my Etsy shop.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Exploding Dinosaur

Just a quick post to share a link with my readers. I am not the only creative person in my family; my mom and brothers are very creative as well. My brother Josh has been drawing for as long as I can remember, and he recently started a weekly web comic. Maybe I'm a bit biased, but I think with enough exposure, it's really going to take off. It's pretty awesome, in my humble opinion. 

You can find his web page here: Exploding Dinosaur, and there's a Facebook page, too. 

Monday, July 7, 2014

More ICAD 2014

Although I'm a bit behind, I'm still playing along when I can with the ICAD challenge. I'm still very much enjoying it, and learning a lot about my own process as an artist, not to mention getting lots of fresh ideas.

Here are a few of my favorites from my recent ICADs:

 ICAD #14
This one was from a Gelli print I'd made.

 ICAD #15
A simple one to test out a newly carved stamp.

 ICAD #16
Testing another hand carved stamp.

ICAD #18
Playing with acrylic paint and flexible molding paste.