I have been published...

In the January / February Issue of Belle Armoire

OK, I will fully admit that getting your work publish is always a thrill and really never gets old. However when I got my first glance of the photography for a pinafore that I made it was almost as if all my little girl dreams of becoming a fashion designer came true!

Its always thrilling as a artist when you hand over your creation and wait to see just what magical twist the photographer will come up with!

and as a extra special treat my daughter Sarah-Jeanne has some of her fantastic croshayed scarfs in the very same issue!

I have been published...

art quilting studio

 I have received quite a few emails from people wanting to know about the deadline for

Art Quilting Studio

there is still time to send in your art quilts for consideration for publication.

 

Artwork submission is due by January 15, 1010 for the June 2011
Art Quilting Studio.

  find out about Submission Guidelines by Clicking here for more details!

art quilting studio

Desk view...

Working on background ...




Now sewing it together...




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Desk view...

Desk view...

Sewing staked resin paper,


To attach to this piece...



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Desk view...

Desk view...

Binding and Stitching... Not sure what will happen next.


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Desk view...

Desk view...

Tinted resin coated paper and altered scrim.


- Posted using BlogPress from ruth's iPhone

Desk view...

All the best!

All the best!

and the winner is....

I am late at picking the winner,  I had a some art deadlines and I could not find the time to read all of the great responses to My question:

"What do you need to grow artistically?"

it was really hard to pick the once answer that really spoke to my heart.

However it was Marilyn's words that truly resonated with me.

"Ruth,
I will be very honest in saying I am very frustrated with that question.
I know i love to and do pore through blogs, zines, and books for inspiration.
Yet, over the years I've observed how "real" artists(by my definition), go a step further. They are very in touch with nature.They choose a more organic approach to inspiration, rather than just another person's idea.
I long for that.
This isn't to say artists can't be inspired by one another's work. Not at all. (It's like bouncing ideas off of one another, similar to brainstorming.)
Or taking a similar idea and then adding your own twist.
But, when i do this I just feel, it's not mine.
And i think artists(again by my definition), truly long for an individual voice.
That may be what sets artists apart from "creative" people.
Maybe i am only a "creative" person, but my desire is to be an artist. To seek inspiration from my memories, the truths i have learned and continue to learn, and the creation that lies all about us.
To really push myself beyond just admiring someone else's art.
How do i get there? i am not sure.
I have a lot of alone time, now that my kids are all in school. But, i find i am lonely rather than liberated.
An artist would probably give his/her right arm to have the solitude i have.
Maybe what i need the most is others around me. I thrive among people.
In closing(wheww, that was long!), a new friend is headed my way this week to learn a bit about jewelry making, etc. This could be the answer to that question. Another artist/creative person alongside me. I am looking forward to her visit. And i pray that God has great things in store for both of us, both artistically and spiritually.
sincerely, marilyn"

as I looked over all of your answers many of needed more time, or a supportive group of like minded souls, courage to let go so you could create more freely and some just stumped by the word artist (keep in my this is just a word!) and how to find your own creative voice.

we all have questions about the things we want to accomplish and the only advice that I can give you is that you must allow your self to be who ever it is that you need to be, don't second guess your self.
you don't questing breathing so why question your art? 
I create for one reason and one reason alone: because I have to...
if I were in complete isolation with no one around me I would still make things... its who I am, its what I do... 
cooking, cleaning, sitting in a chair can all be viewed as creative,
living an artful life is after all a bi-product of who we are...

each of us has a  unique identity that is truly our own and we must respect and nurture ourselves to live in the moment and enjoy what ever gift or gifts that we have and bask in the glory of our own goodness.

I look at art as nature they both are ever changing and growing, we are all of nature so its only fitting that we change and grow.

e.e. Cummings wrote:

and when ever I am a little unsure I take a deep breath and remind mind myself to be.

Congratulations Marilyn!  
you will be receiving a copy of Liz Lamoreux new book;

Inner Excavation  from Liz.

and this poetry scarf from me that I made to use for this post.

Thank you all that took the time to answer my question I hope it helped you see a few things that you need to do or let go of to grow!

and the winner is....

Going out to a new home...

 

I have a few more of these little altered dresses for sale in my shop.

Going out to a new home...

Desk view...

A few things I got this weekend at the flea market... 

I want to make myself some new jewelry, just not sure the direction I want to take.

Desk view...

Desk view...

This is a small pocket that I made from cutaways left over from a larger project...
if you pull the paper and fabric tab it will reveal a note.

Desk view...

Desk view

This little art dress has found a new home and will be traveling all the way to Singapore! in the back round you will see the garment bag that she will be traveling in to keep her safe as she makes her way across the world...

Desk view

Stitching this now...

This will be a garment bag for a art dress...

Stitching this now...

On the 12th day...

 Pilar Isabel Pollock artistically gift wrapped for me... 

 She made a vinyl pocket with a  replication of a Holy Card and stuffed it with all kinds of intriguing floating trinkets.

then she stitched the gift up in a pepper bag and stitched it up so scissors were needed to cut away the gift warp...

to revile the gift wrapped in a a waxy translucent layer...

oh my what can it be!?

its a breath taking fabric milagros! Pilar deeply etched the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe onto copper then beaded and stitched it all onto a felt heart along with oiled and resin papers that she stitched all together, cascading from the heart are tea stained fibers that she machine embroidery and left a multitude of red threads to trail amongst the tassels!

and here she is gracing my tree in all her luminous beauty!

Thank you Pilar for such a elegant gift!

I hope you all enjoyed the last 12 days as much as I did! 

Happy Holidays!

On the 12th day...

On the 11th day...

Maija Lepore boxed for me... Take out?

Ok! I have a very funny story to share about this package I received this gift in the mail and opened up the outer bag to revel this very festive take out box.. I tossed out the box it was shipped in but left the take out box on my kitchen counter and preceded to go to the computer and put on my noise cancling head phones on...

then I get a tap on my shoulder and I turn around and dangling from my husbands finger is the house and he said "what's this?" I let out a little gasp and said "oh! That a gift! Why did you open it!?" he said... "It looked like something good to eat was inside of the box." and he was right it did look like a treat and it was sitting in the kitchen after all... So I got a peek but it was more a peek from association.

 but look what was inside! why its an adorable stuffed felt house all full of love and hand stitched goodness!
Maija is a master with needle and thread and a whiz on the sewing machine!
(I have been very lucky and have been gifted with many of her hand made "just because" gifts from her)

And here is the little house stuffed full of winter tidings!

thank you Maija it perfect (but maybe next year you can add a food treat for my husband!)

(my blog was hacked into and a I am sorry for the strange post went out yesterday, please know that the issue was taken care of.) 

On the 11th day...

On the 10th day...

The innovative mixed media artist

JoAnnA Pierotti  gift wrapped for me....

so this little package screamed eat me! I was sure Joanna baked us all yummy treats as she used a cello bag and a large cupcake paper as her wrap.

so lets take a look and see what the queen of old world charm made for me...

well you cant eat it!

oh my look...
its a elegant paper clay snow lady all dressed up in her winter best!

Her finery is even present from the back as Joanna is know for her attention to details.

And as you can see she does not disappoint, as you take a look at this masterfully painted face highlighted by Joanna's trademark roses.

and here is the snow goddess herself, gleefully gracing my tree!

Thank you Joanna she is a true vision of the season.

(oh my! only two more days left! quick people start sending me more gift so I have something to open up every day!)

On the 10th day...

On the 9th day...

Altered art artist

Lou McCulloch wrapped from me...

with a lovely hand stamped tag complete with a glistening sepia toned dove accompanied by Scandinavian inspired gift wrap.

now what can this be peeking out from beneath the paper?

Oh my! its a snow-caped house delightfully decorated with glitter and vintage retro flair to keep Frozen Charlotte warm this winter!

This little house is full of details... I adore the little chimney,

And the back yard with its snow flocked tree is a pure bliss!

but I must say that the chubby little lime green pipe cleaner shrub complete with a a little pick topper just may be the most enchanted touch!

and here is Charlotte houses gleefully gracing my Christmas tree!

Thank you Lou!

On the 9th day...

On the 8th day...

The delightful every expanding artist Kelly Snelling wrapped for me...

Kelly made brilliant hued panted paper and to not be outdone Kelly altered a photo of herself to grace the package!

now lets see what she made... its soft and light weight, what can it be!?

why its a felted Christmas puppy! just for me! full of spunk and whimsy just like Kelly herself!

Kelly has become the mommy of not one put two Collie puppy's this year and I do believe her life as gone a little upside down raising them along with her two young active boys!

and here he is happily gracing my tree guarding it like a trusted friend.

thank you Kelly he is perfect!

On the 8th day...