ART SAVES LIVES

This is a rolodex card I did for an Art chix Studio swap. I made 33 of them. It actually didn't take too long to finish them. I love that slogan. I saw it in a CK or MM magazine - someone had a photo of it graffitti'd on a rock with spraypaint as part of a scrapbook layout. It's always stuck in my head. It really applies to me. Art definitely saved my life in a big way. I know I wouldn't have much success in my recovery had I not started doing art again a few years ago. I especially dig the swap thing too. Its so addictive. my atc collection is so rad! Artists from all over the world. I've ended up with collections from a few people. So full of inspiration! One thing though, I could do without some of the problems that happen like sending out a bunch of my creations that I put my heart and soul into... entrusted a complete stranger with my priceless items, only to have them end up M.I.A. Like this fabric tag swap I joined - the deadline was over 2 months ago - the extended dealdline - and nobody's heard from this lady since. A few people have inquired, only to recieve a lofty, bitchy, and sanctimonious reply talking about how bogged down with responsibilitied she is and we're all going to have to wait for her to fit us in somehow. I was on the alternate list for that swap - got in at the last minute - I had exactly 2 weeks to get 10 fabric tags done, and I did, I was able to fit it in among all my responsibilities. I mean, how long does it take to lay out all the tags, divvy up all the piles, and get them in the fricken mail? Come On Now! And then, what am I supposed to do? There's no art swap police to report them to. I even feel weird posting a complaint at the group because I don't want to come off as too uptight...well, I guess I'll give it another week or so...

Ashley's birthday card

this is my daughter Ashley's birthday card. She just turned 19. I'm very proud of her - swhe's becoming a really respectable young woman. She always gets a good card from me.

GPP Street Team Crusade #3 - Tattoo

I was getting together my version of the #3 Crusade about tattoos. I printed up pics of my 2 favorite tats, and I put them down on my desk...next thing I know, I look over, and this is how they looked where I set them down on top of eachother. To quote a very wise person, "How Cool Is That?" What a wicked cool image, if I do say so myself! The sun, on my upper thigh, is one that I did myself back when I first started getting good at tattooing. The wings - inside my biceps - I got those from the artist I replaced at Skin Deep Tattoo in Maui, circa 1992. That's what brought me out to Maui to live - an enticing job offer at the oldest tattoo shop in Maui. I worked for this awesome woman, Taunee Beekman. She is a very down to Earth lesbian tattoo artist and shop owner. She was really great. Actually, Maui overall was really great. I was there for a whole decade, and I do miss the island lifestyle...although, it does get pretty isolated out there in the middle of the ocean. Hawaii is a DOT in the middle of the ocean.
For me, being a tattoo artist has been such a life enhancing experience. Before that, I was a fine dining pastry chef. I excelled in my career. I was published. Worked at a world class restaurant, under an ingenious executive chef who gave me a lot of creative freedom. But still, every day as I punched in at the timeclock, I found myself wondering, "is this all there is??" When tattooing came in to my life, I gained so much more self esteem and confidence. Also, the nature of the job - ever changing challenges - is just what I needed to find fufillment. Tattooing has brought me to many a place, far and near. It had given me incredible discipline as an artist. My clients will request a certain design, and it is my obligation to come up with the best design possible - for it will be on someone's body forever. I consider this an honor and a priveledge, and a great responsibility. I have a very spiritual approach to my tattooing. I connect with my clients. I probably don't charge enough for my tattoos - that's why I leave the pricing up to my husband - that way I walk away much happier (in the pocket).
Tattoos are definitely not for everyone. But me, they make me who I am.

Mail Art

I have been wanting to participate in Michelle Ward's Green Pepper Press Street Team for a while now. She is so cool! I find myself identifying so much with her imagery - she inspires me in a wicked way! So here is my interpretation of Crusade #10 - Mail Art.

Great Week for Me at Art Chix Studio

Not only did Art Chix Studio use two of my mermaid atcs in their 'Chixies Mermaid Mail Faux Post", but also I was so honored to see my Paper Wings atc featured as the homepage art on the Yahoo site when I logged on Monday morning. And if that wasn't enough glory, yesterday's Dream Box Contest win definitely inflated my ego!!! I was so excited to win the contest, and lord knows I could use the $50 worth of free art supplies from Art Chix!!! So awesome!!

My First Art Journal

This is my first art journal. I love this! There is a lot of freedom in doing this because there isn't really any pressure to make the piece come out perfect. Funny, it's ended up being some good compositions, and I got to try out some new techniques I never tried before. I did a lot of stamping with acrylics, played with gel medium, and fooled around with collage elements. Also, i Used some vintage wall paper that was in my house before we remodeled last year.

Fun with my Rubber Stamps

I finally finished this collage today. I used a miriad of stamps, inclusing the Rhonna Farrer clear stamp flourishes from Autumn Leaves. And rub-ons from Imaginisce. I've always loved the face stamp -it appears ina lot of my favorite pieces. I made it all shiny with gold Pearl-Ex mixed with water. I thought Flora was the perfect name for her. I highlighted her face with those B&W photo tinting pens. Finally a good use for them!

Somerset Memories

My published scrapbook layout in Somerset Memories - the current issue. That's mine there, "Pure Love". I really need to submit more of my stuff. Theres some calls from Somerset Studio I'm going to submit for. Wouldn't that be a hoot - getting in there!

Oh Happy Day

I finished 2 sets of atcs today - both for swaps at the artist trading card Yahoo group. I love that place! I'm always innvolved in several swaps there. The one on the left was for the "Feeling Blue" swap. The right one is for "Vintage Style Best Friends". I used mica chips in those. I've had that mica for ages. The background was hand done by me with Anita's Fragile Crackle. And now I can't find any more of it - Michael's used to have it but they just stopped carrying it. Does anyone know where to get it? In my opinion, it's the only really good crackling medium. I recently got some of Golden's crackling medium, but for some reason I can't get it to crackle at all. I tried it by itself and also mixed with acrylic paint. Tried all different thicknesses. But no crackles. I hate it when that happens...

Today is a wonderful day: there is now a LINK to this BLOG on Art Chix Studio!!! I'm beside myself with elation. They picked 2 out of my 3 entries for the Mermaid Faux Post! My link is under "artist information" where the faux post sheet is listed. This is so cool. I should take this chance to plug my picture trail -

http://www.picturetrail.com/kearymary. And my Yahoo group - http://groups.yahoo.com/outlawscrappers . Yeah - Outlaw Scrappers - my baby. We've got a small, little group...I've tried to keep things evolving, but I have mainly lurkers I think. There's a lot of members, but there are only the key handful of us who stay active. We've done some atc swaps, some challenges, some card swaps, and also now we are getting ready to do a round robin book! (my first). I wish more was going on there, but then again, I barely have time to give it the attentuion it needs as it is.

I've been reading a lot of artists' blogs, and being very inspired to keep up with mine better, and also I'd like to be more profiscient with Picture Trail.

I hope some of the amazing artists involved with Art Chix will look at this blog - I'd be honored to have the visitors. Especially from there. Ever since I discovered Somerset Studio, Art Chix Studio, and the like, I feel as though I've come home. This is a community I want to be a part of. I feel happiest being in my studio, rummaging through stuff looking for just the right thing to glue on to my latest project. This paper arts and mixed media thing has really gotten a hold of me IN THE BEST WAY!! It's been a few years now and I can't believe how much my art has grown, changed, matured, and fine tuned itelf. Only a mere five years ago I was without creativity in my life and it was very empty. ( I mean, I've always had my tattooing, but this art is just for ME)I started out scrapbooking and j ust went from there. My art has brought me back to life, given me recovery, brought me peace of mind. Amd also I've been published too - in Scrapbook Answers and Somerset Memories. YAY for me!

Today's Daughters are Tomorrow's Mothers. Thats the title of my new collage. I used the crumpled tissue paper and gel medium for the texture, and painted with acrylic and aged with Distress Inks...I love the effect of the dollhouse window! I thought a lot about how little time we have at home with our mothers before we're out there on our own trying to be a good mom ourselves...

Attention Deficit "Disorder"

A collage style scrapbook page for an assignment for the Finding You worksho-p

Happy Fourth

It's Fourth of July. Unfortunately it's raining today. Too bad, since it's the Tioga County Fair, too. We're going to Highland Park for fireworks. Maybe a ride on the carousel. It's a nice park - with a pool - the kidz love it there and bug me to go all summer. Living in this small town of Owego, I think it's made me more family oriented. Like, I have a lot of pride for being an upstate New York girl, and that my kids are here living, just as I did when I was their age. We even live in the same neighborhood. Small town America, it makes life a more simple venture.

Here I have posted my first attempt at a canvas collage. I used acrylic paint, and put on collage items with gel medium, then crackling medium with tea dye distress ink rubbed in the cracks. Then of course a chipboard accent, along with a few other ditties...

My Art Chix Faux Post Entries

I'm so happy! I entered the Art Chix Studio Mermaid Faux Post Contest a while ago, and today I got an email saying they chose my work! I don't know if it's one, or two, or all three of them, but I do know that I will now be a part of Art Chix Studio!! I'd have to say I'm pretty damn proud of myself today!! they asked me for my website, so I gave them this blog address. As a result of that, I have decided to dedicate myself more to keeping up with this blog. Yes, I know I've said it before, but this time I mean business. So get ready for more art, more musings, and more of me...