SGS ArtWorks

Future Projects

2011-11-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

I've got some future projects I'll be working on over the next few months. I am going to start working on an upcycled/recycled clothing line for my web site right after Christmas. Along with the clothing line, I will make an attempt at fashionable tin earrings to add to my jewelry line.

I also found a small horse trophy at my local thrift store. I will use it in my next Texas Cowboy shadow book. This one will be my third one, Texas Cowboy III.

Right now I've been busy selling on eBay, watching YouTube, and researching different approaches to my upcycled/recycled clothing line. Watching YouTube is great! I can learn almost anything I want from the videos. I know...I am one of those late-bloomers on YouTube discovery but I do find YouTube intriguing.

I wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Mixing and Mingling: Talking About Transitions

2011-05-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

I loved doing my assemblages. I have a few more that I would love to create, then I am moving on to other areas in art. I just read "Mixed-Media Dollhouses: techniques and ideas for doll-size assemblages" by Tally Oliveau and Julie Molina; and published by Quarry Books. I absolutely love this book! These dollhouses are another type of assemblage that I am looking forward to doing. I haven't decided when I will start my first mixed-media dollhouse but I do plan on doing at least one this summer. I have already sketched the "blueprints" out.

My current project is working with button rings and jewelry. Vintage, contemporary, and some may look gaudy but to me they look very pretty(my tribute to Penelope G. on Criminal Minds - she is a great role model!). I have been using old buttons, pieces of old and/or broken earrings and pins/brooches, new earrings, dragonfly charms, and new buttons. I have about 60 finished rings. I am going to make an attempt at Steampunk jewelry, and also metal stampings. A little exploring in this area, and then I will be making another transition. Either a new art/jewelry technique, but using the materials and supplies that I already have. My life changes everyday, so why not incorporate those changes into new forms of artwork. "Mixing and mingling " is going to be my motto for my anticipated art and jewelry techniques.

I want to tell that I am picking up a lot of endless information on YouTube. (Yes, I am just now discovering that YouTube has a lot of info that is a must for every artist to put in their knowledge database. If you want to learn something new, YouTube is the place to go. In fact it has become one of my favs online every night for the past week.)

Tell me about some of your latest art techniques. You don't have to give up all your secrets, just give me one that you think I might like, and that you are crazy about.

Putting It Together: Assemblage Art

2011-03-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last post. No excuse for it. I did work on the website yesterday though. I worked on most of the pages, especially the Gallery page. I added my new pieces of assemblage artwork. I am also working on a layout to set up a Facebook page for SGS ArtWorks.

I have come across another artwork project series I am interested in - Assemblage Box Series. I love assemblage art. Michael deMeng is my favorite assemblage artist. I have finished four pieces so far, and they are in my gallery. (Some of my Boxes will be very creepy, but that's okay. That is how I let my ArtWorks be my therapy. Sometimes those old science fiction movies I used to watch as a kid are great inspirations for some of these therapy sessions.)

I am prepping a lot of pieces for the artworks I have already planned out in my sketch book. I have three more pieces started. I am just arranging the inside of each box trying to work out the perfect design element for me. If no problems arise, I may be able to finish those pieces this weekend.

I went to several garage sales today. The first time in many months. I also visited my local Salvation Army - which I usually do once a week. I found some great finds today. Old wooden plaques, frames, resin figures, small glass and ceramic items, dolls, Barbies, action figures, plastic columns and cherubs that are used for wedding cakes, a plastic salamander (which I am painting black with yellow spots like a fire salamander and use it in one of my assemblages), a broken wooden wall clock that has a vintage-look clock face, and a large assortment of plastic toy items.

Does anyone have any great finds for their artworks that they would like to tell us about? Brag away. I know I did, and will still brag about more of my finds in future posts.

Meditation Art Cards

2010-08-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was given a commission to do meditation art cards. Very interesting cards. I did have to do research in the Pagan/Wiccan area for these cards. I have completed the elements: fire, earth, water, and air. I have also completed aether/spirit, moon goddess, earth goddess, triple goddess, horned god, marriage, love, money, and new job. Over the next two weeks, I have to do more research on divination, prosperity, health, healing, energy, knowledge, intuition, and many others. I am working on 3 to 5 per area until I find out how they will sell. I would like to do a small series on psychic dreams meditation art cards. The art cards are atc size - 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" so that I can place each in a protective sleeve. These are smaller than regular meditation art cards which I think are 4" x 6"? So far this has been a knowledgeable endeavor. There is so much about this religion that is very down to earth, and peaceful.

Working on the art cards, has given me even more ideas for areas of topics that I would like to research. Knowledge is very important, not only in one topic area, but in new topics that you find during researching a present project. I do not know whether all of this knowledge will help me with my art work, but I do know that I will be learning new things about many, many topics of interest, not only for myself, but for others as well.

Keep learning. Knowledge is power, especially for an artist.

Artist Block - Comes and Goes

2010-06-05T20:23:00.001-07:00

Hello. Thank goodness school is out for the summer. My creativity has slowed, sped up, then trickled, and is now only mediocre. I have been doing a lot of art cards lately (about 100 or more), and selling some on eBay. Art cards are a great way to keep the creative trickle flowing until I can find more inspiration. I've been checking on the Internet, in art books, sketching, making notes, and taking digital photos. I am now at a stand still on creating art cards. Art cards may not bring in much money but every bit helps so I need to keep moving on those.

I am working on a commission order for a shadow book. I started cutting the inside pages today, and hopefully with that task, I might be able to generate more ideas for art cards as I am working. I already have about a dozen wooden panel collage assemblages created with lots of found objects. I need to start thinking about a marketing plan for those. I sold an 11"x14" canvas board collage on eBay, and I have listed another one. My eBay id is purdondepot. I may have to go back to "real" paintings and jewelrymaking. I like both of those but I get burned out very easily after a week of constant beading. But an artist has to do what an artist loves to do and that is CREATE. Maybe I'll do a combination of all. I hope I don't end up with something creepy like the collage assemblage I already have listed on eBay.

Well, tomorrow will bring me more ideas, and I will start creating again ....

Quilted Wall Hanging

2010-03-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

Well, here is the finished wall hanging, and I am now on to new works - atcs and 3D collage assemblage. Check out the new 3D collage assemblage I just finished on the home page and in the gallery.

Fiber Arts

2010-02-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

I thought doing an art quilt would be easy. It's only easy if you are not in a rush. I have most of my quilt top finished. I am attaching the batting. Once that's done, I will look again at the top to see if I can make anymore improvements before I attach the backing. Slowly but surely I will finish. I don't know if I will undertake a large project like this again for awhile but I will continue making smaller quilt tops for smaller wall hangings. Fiber arts are great and I will continue using them in my art works. I have already collected pieces for my next small projects. Fiber art techniques can be used in a lot of art projects.

If you would like to experience quilting, start with a small quilted piece, maybe 4x6? (Later, you may want to sew your 4x6 pieces into a larger quilt piece.) I prefer hand-stitching myself because with the smaller projects, small pieces of fabric, needle and thread, in a Ziploc bag, are a lot easier to carry in your purse or tote than a sewing machine. If you feel stressed at work, these smaller projects can be done at coffee breaks or lunch. Having these little quilted pieces to work on can be a stress-relieving distraction even if only for a few minutes.

If you feel like it, post some of your smaller pieces. Help inspire a person to find that creative light within themselves.

When I have finished the original quilt for hanging I'll take a pic and post it here on the blog.

Thanks.

Fiber Arts #2

2010-01-19T18:35:00.000-08:00

Hey, I got my digital camera back today, so I took photos of 2 of the four-panel quilt squares.

Fiber Arts

2010-01-18T15:18:00.000-08:00

Fiber arts are a very interesting form of medium. I am working on a wall quilt using different fiber art techniques. It will be a basic wall hanging. Handstitching is relaxing, but I do not care for the pain in the fingertips of my right hand. Yeah, I know - use a thimble when handstitching on painted fabric. I thought it would be as pain free as stitching unaltered fabric pieces together. I am two-thirds finished with my current "quilt top". I am piecing the little painted canvasses in groups of four and then will stitch into a medium to large quilt top. I think I need more small canvasses though. I have 16 canvasses (6"x6" each - not including the edging) for this wall hanging but I will probably keep adding until I am happy with the total length and width. I will use batting and a back piece (maybe an old bedsheet still in great condition?). When I am finished it will be a quilt, but not to be used for bedding, only as a large wall hanging.

Getting Ready for Christmas

2009-12-09T16:44:00.000-08:00

I just finished a quilted book as a holiday decoration. First time for me on a quilted book. It was fun. I will probably do another one after the first of the year.

Stockings and tree are up. Most gifts are already wrapped, but I still have a few more to buy for my husband, my daughters and granddaughter. I will probably go with more gift cards this year for my daughters. The cards were a big hit last year.

Money is still tight this year so for my extended family, I decided to give handmade jewelry to my nieces, and bird watercolors, that I painted, to my brothers, sister, and mother-in-law.

Everything looks brighter for next year, but I will still work on my art. I love to upcycle my found objects for my mixed media art and assemblage. I may focus on creating art pieces as Christmas gifts for next year not only for my family but also to sell on the web site.

Happy Holidays.

Adding Affiliates

2009-11-14T16:46:00.000-08:00

Hey. I am adding affiliates to my site. I have bought products from these affiliate links. I love the art supplies and books I can find from my favlinks. New thing for me these affiliate programs. I hope they work out. I will have to check out more websites related to mine. Maybe I will find many more favlinks to add.

What are some of your favlinks to art sites, art suppliers, etc?

Stolen Art

2009-10-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hey, I have a complaint about stolen art. I placed eleven shadow books with the artist C. Jordan at her local gallery - Jordan Art Gallery. In May of this year, I managed to get 8 books back. She claimed she would like to keep my other three books on display because of their themes - Texas Cowboy, In-DuST-Ria, and Bubba's Fishin' Shack. Ms. Jordan also commissioned me to do two Harley Davidson/motorcycle shadow books that she could take to the Harley Davidson rallies where she was asked to display and sell her retail line of various items, such as, ladies clothing. I accepted the commission without a contract because Ms. Jordan is a renown international artist and, I thought, trustworthy. I was born and raised in Texas. I grew up believing that a verbal agreement is as solid as a paper contract, just like a handshake on a deal.

I finished three HD/motorcycle shadow books in July, and called and emailed Ms Jordan repeatedly to set up an appointment with her at the Jordan Art Gallery. No answer at the gallery, nor were there any replies to my emails. In mid August, someone answered the phone at the gallery, and I immediately wanted to speak with Ms Jordan. I also wanted to know what was going on with the gallery being closed. The representative at the gallery informed me that the Jordan Art Gallery was officially closing. I told the young woman that I was an artist with art pieces in the gallery, and would like to come by and pick them up. I also explained about the motorcycle shadow books. The rep told me over the phone that she could only find two of my last three shadow books on the displays. I arranged to come by the next day, to pick up those two pieces, and that we would have to search for my third piece.

I arrived the next day. The rep and I searched the gallery without disturbing boxes that had already been sealed. I told her that Ms. Jordan needed to find my piece - Texas Cowboy, and return it to me as soon as possible. If she could not find it, then I would expect a receipt of sale with the buyer's information along with my part of the commission of the retail price that the piece was sold for. I was told by the rep, who I understood is a family member of Ms. Jordan's, that she would call Ms Jordan and ask her about the last art piece.

When I came back to the gallery, the rep told me that Ms. Jordan claimed I had already picked up Texas Cowboy. I informed her that I did not pick up the piece. The rep called Ms. Jordan again. The rep told me that C. Jordan would contact me soon about the item. After several weeks with more emails sent to Ms. Jordan, still no reply and no contact and no Texas Cowboy shadow book and no payment. I can't believe that a renown artist would take advantage of an artist just getting established. My mistake was trusting the Jordan Art Gallery and its owners and representatives. I moved from the city to this rural area 20 years ago, and have come too comfortable with trusting others. I guess I need to let the "city girl" out when I need to deal with people in business. I should have trusted my intuition when it came to contracting with the renown international artist who left me with a "bad impression" when I had my first appointment to drop off my art pieces. Also, no one informed me about the closing of the Jordan Art Gallery - no phone call, no letter, and no email. The owners were closing without notifying some of the artists. I was just lucky to have someone answer the gallery phone in mid August, or I would not have found out about it. I would have had 3 stolen pieces instead of just one, but Texas Cowboy is one of my best pieces.

There's more to this story, but maybe I'll tell the rest of it later. Now, how do I get back my Texas Cowboy shadow book?
Any suggestions?

DM Submissions

2009-10-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hello, Everyone. I have been sort of in the "slumps" the past few weeks, but I am pulling myself back up again. I got a lead on doing DM cover art submissions. I did four 8x10 watercolors which are on the home page of my website. I will submit them tonight. I have no idea how a DM cover is suppose to look like even after all the research I did online. It's just a submission so all they can say is "no, thank you". Hey, I still own my original art work. I can improve my future cover art and resubmit to the DM website or submit to a few other DM websites.

Got a short instructional book in the works. More work to do on the project though. I will be taking the photos as each step is finished in the book. My youngest daughter is my hand model in the photos for the steps, so pics, so far, are great!

I also have new watercolor/acrylic painting idea projects. After a little more research, I will get started on those too.

Have a scary Halloween!
sgsartworks

Cleaning House/Setting Up Art Studio

2009-07-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

I have been decluttering my house for about 2 months now. I have been placing some items in my art studio that is a separate building behind my house. I have also taken a lot of my art supplies that I had stored in the house out to the studio. Organizing has been the hardest part but I am about halfway through. I can't wait until I am finished. Doing my art work in a quiet area will be very positive for me. I even have a large comfy chair with pillows in the studio in case I want to take a break and read. (I love to read as much as I love doing art work.)
I also got an air conditioner for the small building. I have an extension cord that is connected to an outlet in my husband's Craftex building only a few feet from the side of my building. At least I can get electricity that way. Maybe I'll get plumbing in a few years, and have my own sink to wash paint brushes and other items. But for now, I keep a jug of tap water in the studio for when I need to clean items.
I finished three motorcycle/Harley Davidson shadow books this past weekend. I might be sending them to Canton. Next, I am thinking of doing a shadow book using baby items like old white baby shoes, diaper pins, a tiny doll, and other small items bought at garage sales and the local thrift store. Or, I'll work on ATCs for awhile.

2009-07-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

Hi! Welcome to my blog. Today I want to tell you about the shadow books I create. I love shadow boxes but they are expensive. I could make my own but that would have defeated my purpose of upcycling.

I get old hardcover books before they end up in a dumpster and sent to the landfill. I started with a lot of old congressional books that were being thrown away by a local college. I turn these books into shadow books. I use tacky glue to glue items in place inside the book. After the items are arranged, I use plexiglass and #4 - 1/2inch screws to adhere the plexiglass to cover the cut-out area inside the book. I drill the holes and use a screwdriver to insert the screws carefully so that tension is prevented between the plexiglass and screws, so the the plexiglass doesn't crack. I hate it when that happens. I have to then cut a new piece. Luckily I have only cracked about 3 pieces of plexiglass so far.

I would like input on what I could use to adhere the plexiglass without having to drill and insert the screws. A glue product must dry completely clear and not look tacky. Any suggestions?