Making Jewelry

I am thinking more and more seriously of making jewelry to sell and incorporating my artwork into the pieces.  Here is a necklace that I made for my cousin, she is like a sister to me.  I knew, at least hoped, that she would be honest and tell me the truth~she liked it.  I drew the cherry blossoms and laminated the drawing to the bamboo piece, then I created the rest of the necklace.

With the holidays just around the corner, I need to get started on some pieces to sell.  I have a few ideas for necklaces for teen boys too.  As soon as I have them together-I will post them.  They are all original artwork pieces too.

These two are just because I like peace signs.

 

 

Give me some feedback....let me know what you think...

24-Hour Comic Day

Jesse and I ventured off the to Mansfied Art Center on October 20 for the 24 hour event....24-Hour Comic Day.  This event was created by comic artist Scott McCloud (I think I have that right).  It is a worldwide event.  The idea is that you create a comic book in 24 hours.  One page an hour.  Acutally, the break down says you should do it in 45-minutes with restroom breaks and what-not...

So-Jesse and I have never done comic books.  Jesse would be a natural.  He has been writing Joe and Bob books for years now.  I, on the other hand, do not write stories.  I draw pictures--I make books.  I can do this...it is a challenge.  I am always up for a challenge.

We packed a cooler, packed snacks, art supplies, Mountain Dew for Jesse, Arizona Tea for me.  Drove an hour and a half-walked in the door and got started.  (NO-the drive back did not enter my mind-1 1/2 hours driving sleep deprived was the furthest thing from my mind).

We had the best time.  We met some great artists-we laughed a lot.  We are still laughing.  We laughed a lot on the way home...nothing was funny though...it was the lack of sleep.  Maybe I should say...it wasn't that funny.  I saw things that weren't really there.  That was funny.  We can't wait to do it again.

Jesse finished his comic at about 6:30 ish AM-whatever!!  I finished mine at about 5:00 pm..

I do hope to meet up someday with the artists we met again.  They are awesome.  Derrick does some amazing work-color is amazing too!  Stay posted-when I can I will share a site that you can see the work of everyone!

 

 

Please Enjoy This..

Below you will find a movie of all of the entries and the artists from "SIX".  I hope you enjoy all of the awesome artwork!!

"SIX"

Show is Over :(

I can't beleive the "SIX" show has come to a close.  We took the show down on Saturday.  I want to thank all of the amazing artist that sent in art from all over the country and USVI!  It was a great show.  I will be sending all of the work "home" this week.  Along with a special surprise.  We did have a couple sales from the show.

We are working on the next one!  We are currently looking for a venue.  We have the idea in mind.  As soon as the details are ironed out, we will be sending out the call.

Thank you all for your continued support!

"Te Echo De Menos"

I thought that I would post some pictures of the Day of the Dead skull that I painted and entered into the "SIX" show.  It is hard to believe that we took the show down last saturday.  That month went by fast.  I am so grateful to all of the artist that sent in their artwork for the show.

I am fascinated by different cultures and their beliefs.  When I first saw a documentary on the Day of the Dead years ago, I was mesmerized.  I have been drawn to it ever since.  This is the first time I have ever tried my hand at it.  I titled it "I miss you". 

My favorite 4-year old Artist

I had a visit today with my friend Leslie.  We have been friends since first grade.  I think that is so amazing and it doesn't seem that long ago in memory, but I hate to hear it in years..it sounds so looong ago.  She has this box of "things" from our school years.  They are an assortment of items that she has kept over the years from different grades.  It is so cool.  She even had a valentine box with valentines-one from me.  I love that!  Her son, Carter, was going through the box and pulling out some of her artwork from junior and high school art class.  She is very talented (I have a link to her blog at the bottom of my page)  He started decorating their house with her paintings.  Which brings me to Carter...

Carter-my favorite 4-year old artist.  He has been drawing for several years now.  He drew a shark at 2 1/2 years old that looks like a shark.  He woke up from a dream, asked for some paper, and drew this shark that he had dreamt about.  He has 2 drawings in the "SIX" show.  BUT...today..at my visit, I was honored to have him draw my portrait.  He told me that I had to sit still, this is because I wasn't.  I was talking.  He also looked at me and quickly smiled-which meant-smile.  The result is quite astounding!  He is truly talented.  He gets it honestly-his mom is an artist and his dad is builder.  He is very smart too.  He is a problem-solver and a quick thinker.  I adore that child and his mom. 

Oh...and by the way..Happy Anniversary Leslie & Chris!! 

What's Next?

I am always thinking of what to do next.  Right now, I am thinking of the artist's that entered the show.  They always get a surprise when their art is sent back.  I am not saying anymore than that.  Then it would not be a surprise..  I am going to post a slide show of all of the artwork, but I am not sure when that will be posted.  I may wait until the show is over.  

When I say we, I am referring to my mom, Willa Finck, and I.  Robin Willow Elements is a combination of both of us.  My middle name is Robin and Willow is a play on her name.  Elements, we feel, covers all forms of art and creativity.  When we do projects together, we always use Robin Willow Elements.  So..WE.. are thinking about what the next show will be about. 

"SIX" was our fourth organized art show.  The first one was Artist Trading Cards, ATC, we had a lot of entries, about 400!  We were tossing around the idea of doing that again.  Any suggestions?  We are looking for a venue right now, so hopefully we will have one secured within a couple of weeks.

I think that I am going to go create something myself right now...I hear my sketchbook calling...

From opening night of "SIX"~At the gallery

And The Winner Is......

There is a winner from the show "SIX"!
The public voted on their favorite piece of artwork from the show and here it is!
CONGRATULATIONS TO...
Dan McCauley

by Dan McCauley "Buzz"

Made from scrap metal.  Visit Dan McCauley's website at www.danscustommetals.com

VOTE NOW!!!

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE PIECE FROM THE "SIX" SHOW. 

Find the number that corresponds with the number under the picture on the left side of this blog where is says to VOTE.  Vote for that piece.  Hurry!  You only have until 2:00 Saturday, August 4, 2012!!  Tell your friends!!

UPDATE:

Voting time has closed.

Check back for the winner!

Thank you so much for taking the time to cast your vote for your favorite!!

 

 

  

"SIX" Tonight!!!

"SIX" opens tonight! 
I am going to put up the voting options later...I know.  I will try to get them up later tonight.  I will leave it posted until 2pm on Saturday and then the voting stops.  The winner will be announced on this blog and on the Robin Willow blog.  There are a lot of amazing pieces to choose from.
Stay posted.  Here is an entry from my son...he is excluded from the voting.

Isn't it cool?  I love his eye for photography.  He is only 13!  Ok..well I have to go...I gotta leave for the gallery soon.  Hope you are there too!

Opening Next Friday!!!

Opening on August 3rd!  It is finally here!

We have entries from all over the country including the U.S.V.I.  How awesome is that?  You can vote for your favorite 6"x6" piece of art on opening night.  The winner will receive a special prize!  If you can't make it, I am going to try to include it on my blog, so you can vote for your favorite on-line.  I have never tried this method before, so you will have to bear with me while I try it.  And... you will have to be forgiving if it doesn't work.  I am really looking forward to the event.  It is in a new venue this year.  Thank you so much to Tonia Osborn-owner of Red Z Gallery-who is giving us the use of her gallery for the month of August.
What is so awesome about that is....downtown Mt. Vernon, Ohio has a First Friday event every month.  All of the shop owners stay open and the whole downtown gets involved and it is a big, fun party!  It is a lot of fun.  Tonia has a featured artist every month at her gallery, so for the month of August,  it is "SIX". 
I really hope that a lot of you can make it  to the opening!  I would love to see you there!

This was the escape....

This was our booth at Artiscape.  These were a couple of new books that I whipped together.  The "Cool Green" dance figures book and the "Tree Book" with the 3 original tree sketches inside.  I sold both of them.  I would have to say that I think that it once again proves my theory that procrastination is truly the sign of genious.  You know that I didn't get these done until midnight the day before.  Or much of anything for that matter.....

            

More Soon

I know that it has been awhile since I have posted anything new and exciting.  Life has a way of "getting in the way"...you know what I mean.  BUT~there is new inspiration, entries for "SIX" are coming in, and things are getting greener!  I hope there are more of you out there working on your entries for the "SIX" show.  The entry form can be found below. 
Please contact me if you have any questions!
Have a Wonderful Mother's Day!!

I Love You Jesse!!

Artiscape An Artist's Gathering

We will be there!  April 15th at the Outsider Art Fair.  By we..I mean my very talented mom, Willa, and I.  It will be held at the Embassy Suites Dublin from 11-5. (Ohio)
I am working on some stuff...that's right I said working.  Those of you who know me know I do not have everything done.  I have always said..."Procrastination is a sign of genious!"  I am a genious for sure!  :) 

These are some of the things that I will have there.  My dog tags.  They turned out pretty cool.  Email me if you are interested in purchasing.  I will have some handmade books too.  I am still making them....

Thinking about having an "Open Art House" this summer.  Will keep you posted on that one.  I would like to have my arty friends be a part of that.

More later.......

New! New! New!

And taking orders!


First~
This is something I stumbled upon while sketching in my sketchbook.  I started this about a year ago.  Since then, I have experimented with several different names and ways of putting letters together.  It isn't always easy-and it can be very frustrating.  I posted one that I did for my dad for Christmas a couple of posts ago.  Here are a few I did for my cousins.  Everyone seems to like them and says I should sell them.  I have been tossing the idea around and have decided to go for it.
So if you are interested...the cost is a flat $8.00 plus $3.00 per letter (US dollars).  There is not a guarantee on how it will look when finished-I don't even know that.  It will be unframed-and shipping charges will apply.  Probably $3.00-$3.50 postage in you live in the USA.  I will let you know if you contact me with an interest in an order along with other details.
Contact me if you are interested.
lifeisart@roadrunner.com



Top middle "Alex"; Far right "Amelia"; Bottom middle "Angela" Far left "Finck"

Second~
Dog Tags..
My original designs on dog tags.  I decided to put my "Oh My Goth" copyright kids and other original designs on dog tags.  I think that they turned out pretty cool.  These sell for $5.00 (US dollars) and as mentioned above, there would be a shipping charge.  Again, I would let you know the cost if you contact me with an interest in an order.







Be the first to be the coolest an original Stephanie McKee dog tag!!!!

I am sure that I will come up with some new designs before too long!

And don't forget.....

Call For Entries!!!

Art show!!  The entry form is in a post below.  Don't miss it!!

Jesse-School Doodles

How cool is this?  I love this drawing by Jesse.  He did this in school...not in art class.  Just filling in time..in class.  He says his work was done and I believe him, I really do.  This is my favorite by far.

The Party..Featuring Frank

See..Jesse came home with this and asked me to find Frank in the party.  He had him drawn on a different part of the paper, then I had to find him in the party.  I did, but the scene was awesome.  I absolutely love this drawing.  From the guy with the undies on his head, the rockers, the dude diving into the bucket, flying with a bird...amazing.



CALL for ENTRIES: Six | Art and Art Deadlines.com

CALL for ENTRIES: Six Art and Art Deadlines.com

I tried something new...

I made most of the Christmas presents I gave this year.  I made bracelets for my mom and sister-I never made a bracelet before.  I had some bamboo blanks that are pre-drilled for stringing, so I thought I would start there.  I thought of a couple of designs that I could draw, put them on the bamboo, and then stared at them for a while (well, for a couple of days) trying to figure out what to do next.  I had some beads.  So.  Nothing else.  I thought about a really cool idea with wire.  This idea worked perfect in my head.  After I got home from work and got settled down to work on it-not so much.  Then I settled on stretchy cord.  I made the bracelet for my mom.  Loved it.  Made the bracelet for my sister.  Looked at it.  Next day at work, I went to Michaels at lunch and bought different beads.  After work-tore it apart-made it again-loved it.
Now-I needed to take some pictures of them.  My camera died a while back.  Actually, while we were at the Wright-Pat Air Force Museum (BTW-Awesome Place!!).  I decided to put some batteries in it and I asked it to please work.  It did, but wouldn't focus, I took the pictures anyway.  Here are the results.  I also made a little ceramic box for my mom.

I have also been working on a new idea with letters and names.  Combining them together in different ways.  I did this one for my dad.

I have been thinking about selling these.  I will do initials or names.  It will be a mystery how they will turn out.  Even I won't know.