LOVE, the CIRCUS and a TIME MACHINE

February 2, 2016 

Greetings! Hope this posting finds you in a good mood and ready to share some art with me! The challenges are always fun... there were some good ones this week like this one from DEZINAWORLD15: "time machine." My time machine is unique because it comes with a TRANSPORTER BUTTON. This allows me to visit one of my most favorite eras, THE ROARING TWENTIES, with its fun fashions and it's share of danger and bad boys...and of course, the music! But, should I get into trouble (as I most likely would,) I hit the TRANSPORTER BUTTON and return to my life today- that's the best time EVER! Life is good.

DIGITAL WHISPER calls for some ships...I posted one piece for this challenge last time...here's a repost of that one, plus another...

MIX IT MONTHLY has participants creating pieces of art about the CIRCUS...

TRY IT ON TUESDAY is looking forward to Valentine's Day and asks artists to create around the theme of LOVE...

and last, but certainly not least, is DIGITALMANIA's challenge to create a piece inspired by the art of one Melinda Tidwell, who creates abstract collages using parts of books. This was really a challenge!! Here's one of hers...

and here's what she inspired in me...

That's it for this posting...hope you're having a good week. Join me for the next posting...please.

Big Hugs,
abbyj

ANOTHER MIXED BAG

May 16, 2015 

 

I love taking advantage of my time at home by making art! For me, it's a contemplative time...a time to relax and let my mind wander (more than usual! :) ) 

The challenge blogs have been busy and creative in declaring their themes. I've tried to be equally creative in responding to the challenges...

DIGITAL WHISPER wants to see a piece featuring COFFEE...

MIX IT MONTHLY continues it's request for a "happy couple." This is my third entry...I really like the theme!

TAKE A WORD challenge blog simply wants participating artists to use turquoise in their art piece... my response centering around one of my favorite subjects- trains!

THE THREE MUSES challenged participating artists to include some form of wheel in their piece... see my circus Ferris wheel?

Finally, at FLICKER's DIGITALMANIA, our inspiration this week is the Portuguese graphic artist, Cristiana Couceiro. Here's one of hers...

 

and here's what Cristiana inspired me to create...

That's it for this posting. Didn't take you long to see it, right? Thanks for stopping in. Please DO return...

 

Big Hugs,

abbyj

HOGRET (MARGARET)

May 16, 2014 

Hi There,

This is a quick posting about a new artist (for me...) Her name is Margaret and she's a collage artist from South Africa. She has many styles...all colorful and interesting. At Flicker's challenge group, DIGITALMANIA, we studied her art and created pieces in one of her fabulous styles. These are my creations...all fun to do and certainly, a challenge!

Enjoy... and thanks for your quick stop-by!

Hugs until my next,

abbyj 

MOTHER'S DAY, etc.

May 9, 2014 

The Mother's Day we know is a holiday that's barely 100 years old, but it's been celebrated in one form or another since ancient Greek and Roman times. For those interested in its history, click here! 

In honor of Mother's Day, challenge blog COLLAGE OBSESSION has declared its theme to be Mother's Day based... although most of the art I've done for this posting has an element of Mom in it...

for MY Mom...

and for our daughter and her two...now much older!

INSPIRATION AVENUE asked to see art about WATER...Mom's involved once again!

SUNDAY POSTCARD ART was interested in the CIRCUS...I put Mom in one of my circus pieces...

Wishing you and yours a Happy Mother's Day...I hope it's memorable and that you feel appreciated and loved for all the good you do! Put ME on the list of those who appreciate you, please! 

'Til our next meeting,
xoxox,
abbyj

 

READY FOR CHALLENGES... 

August 22, 2012  

RAINBOWS refresh my heart and soul!

Welcome back, family and friends, 
Hope this posting finds you all well and enjoying the tail end of the season (wherever you may be!) This weeks posting is all about art challenges...

The challenge blog at 4X4 FRIDAY asked participating artists to create a piece with a rainbow... I also chose "rainbows" for my 6 word memoir this week as well- they ARE beautiful, aren't they? 

COLLAGE OBSESSION and SUNDAY POSTCARD ART both declared their themes to be CIRCUS...I'm really into them having just finished reading "Night Circus."  INSPIRATION AVENUE asked artists to show where they wished to be...of course, in my current frame of mind, I chose THE CIRCUS!~!!~ Finally, THREE MUSES wanted to see something in black and white plus one more color...guess what my theme was for that?  Obviously...CIRCUS!!!

B and W and one color

One more CIRCUS theme...my choice... TAKE A WORD requested a piece of art that looked TATTERED- my last circus themed piece...I promise!!

Last (but not least,) CRAZY AMIGO CHALLENGE wanted to see if we were given a choice, where we'd travel to...of course, I chose AFRICA.

One last thing...a sneak peek at a project the PHOTOARTJOURNALS online Yahoo art group has been working on...love this group as it's all about photography and improving your photographic skills. We're in the process of putting together a collaborative book using our photographs, but inverting the color...makes it look like a negative. Interesting effect...here's one photo I've played with: can you guess where I took the picture? 

All for now, dear family and friends.  Hope you'll stop by again.

Hugs,
abbyj 

ART and SOUTH AFRICA 
August 13, 2012 

"Reading a great book...NIGHT CIRCUS"

Hi Folks,

Hope you're enjoying your week. I'm trying to make time to JUST READ and have found an intriguing book to capture my attention...NIGHT CIRCUS. It's about... well, ostensibly, a circus of a different sort that's only open from sunset to sunrise! I'm only 1/3 into it and am loving it thus far... definitely one of the joys of being retired!! 

I have found time to do some art blog challenges... starting with my year-long Art and Sole Postcard Challenge 2012 where Darcy (our host) has us making a looooong flight to South Africa. I was able to use my own photos for this one as the African continent is like my second home...my favorite place on earth!!  In South Africa, there are 25 different languages spoken so you can imagine how many varied ethnic groups or tribes are represented. Culturally diverse, colorful, beautiful and a place that's fabulous to visit!! The people are so creative and inventive...artistic and musical. Here is my book page and my card... 

Other blog challenges include the SOARTFUL CHALLENGE to create a circus-type piece using red and white stripes, blue and yellow...

SUNDAY POSTCARD ART asked participants to think "travel..." and all I could think of was how much fun it USED TO BE to fly...not now with all the security precautions!!!  :(

Finally, THINK MONDAY-THINK ATC left us all in a field of poppies... sweet!!

 

Here's hoping you do something that relaxes you and "lulls your soul" this week.

Hugs 'til the next,

abbyj

COLLAGE WITH A STORY

ART THAT TELLS A STORY

February 24, 2011

COLLAGE OBSESSION always issues wonderful challenges...like this one. Our task was to transform the following picture to one that tells a story...a story WE want to tell. What fun I had... First, here is the original...

Now, here's MY story...take a look at it and think what story YOU'D tell from the picture...I'd love to hear it,  if you'd like to comment...

My story revolves around a family who emigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States (actually, to New England) in the early 1920's. They were circus people in their country and were hoping to make a living plying their trade in this, their new world. Circus entertainment has been popular since Ancient Roman times and has always been a crowd-pleaser...it still is, today. (Through the years, though, like everything else, circuses have changed. Animal activists encouraged the biggest changes.) THIS (pictured above) was the home of an original circus family...the emigres from Eastern Europe. They lived here happily...modestly... for many decades and were, once again, successful circus performers. The home was passed down from one generation to the next...all circus people. As the world of the Big Top began to slump, so declined this hard-working family. They had been frugal during their working years, so they had amassed a large fortune.  As times and the economy worsened, the family began to fall away...from any kind of  professional life and from one another. Finally, only the youngest son was left in this big house...a house that was once a home filled with proud tradition, laughter, good times and love. Local legend says that this house, long abandoned, has a fortune hidden somewhere within, although no one has been able to find it.  Some even believe that it's haunted by the agitated spirits of its previous owners. It still stands as a reminder of better days...and is a constant curiosity to those who live near and far.

That's what I see in the above collage...what's YOUR story?

Thanks for stopping by...

XOX, abbyj