Favorite Friday's

  I've decided to showcase my favorite blogs, web sites, books, etc each Friday in what I'm calling Favorite Friday's. Each Friday I'll post the people, places, things and events that I found to be interesting, inspirational and note worthy during the past week.  I hope those of you who take the time to stop by and read my posts will find these things worth hearing about as well!  Feel free to leave a comment and let me know if you enjoyed my first Favorite Fridays post!


1) A blog I started reading this week Printmaking without a Press has given me much inspiration! Her work is full of color, texture and life.  The artist, Linda Germain, has some classes coming up on printmaking that I am hoping to attend. Just need to check the funds first and see if they, and my schedule, will allow me to go.  Do check her out even if you aren't a print maker. Her work is fabulous eye-candy!


2) Paris Daily Photo: I've been following this blog for a few years now. What can I say? I love Paris. Especially the patisseries and the Luxembourg Gardens, where you can hear the bells of Notre Dame ringing so sweet and clear while strolling past the amazing trees and original statue of Liberty. Amazing.

3) The Willard Clock Museum in North Grafton, MA is less than 10 minutes from my house. The grounds are peaceful, beautiful and a great place to sit with my art journal and let my thoughts flow. Inside is an amazing collection of early clocks. yes, clocks. They are created with attention to detail, outstanding craftsmanship that use to be standard in manufacturing anything and are a feast for the eyes. If you ever get out to Central Mass,this is a must see. In the meantime, peruse the web site! On a side note, my Mom use to work for descendants of the Willard family. they had an original Willard clock in their home. Mom says it was beautiful and the family was darned nice too!

4) I had to take my son to the doctor's yesterday. His pediatrician is located in what is called Med City. Inside there is the most beautiful atrium, with flowing waterfalls, sloped ramps for walking, bright light from the tinted glass ceilings and abundant windows, and plants (both real and fake, but decent fake ones) that give a gentle, relaxed atmosphere. We always take time to stroll around, throwing coins into the pools below the falls, either before or after his appointment.One of these days I'm going to take my art journal, grab a cup of Joe from the Dunkin Donuts and just sit, listening to the falls and let inspiration wash over me. As far as medical centers go, they built this one right.

Thanks Mom!

Sending this stamped & colored card off to my mom today. Inside I thanked her for putting up with me, The Problem Child, for so many years. Having a child who is exactly like me (Goddess help us!) has made me appreciate Mom that much more. How many of you out there have created a work of art,whether it be a card, a journal page, painting or mixed-media piece, to honor and thank the one who raised you? I'd love to see your works and read your thoughts on this!

New Books!

I've been wanting this book for ages, but have been cash poor. Lucky for me interweave just had a huge sale! Bagged this book for the bargain price of $13.77 and also got the new,  e~mag Collage in Color, which is FABULOUS! Love having eye~candy inspiration.  The video vault is simply great, and the articles are inspiring. Art at the Speed of Life offers loads of inspiration for organizing your creative time, project ideas, and lush color photos.  I especially like the ideas for organizing supplies, a never ending battle with my limited space, and keeping focused to produce more art.

Who out there has organizational tips they'd like to share? I'd love to hear how you manage to find time & space to create while juggling"real life" responsibilities.

Skull Block Print

I've been doing quite a bit of block printing recently. As usual, skulls end up being the main subject. On the left is my carved lino & on the right is one of the prints, done using multiple colors.  This is only the third lino block I've ever carved and I'm actually pretty thrilled with the results.  My all time favorite Art Mag, Cloth, Paper, Scissors is having a block print challenge right now. I think I'll send in one of these prints and see if it ends up gracing the pages of the magazine. Wish me luck!

A shout out to Raine  (aka: Glinda!) for the GREAT wicked Witch card she sent me last week.  Love you!!!  We MUST have an art play date soon!!!

Sugar Skull Completed

Finally finished the papier mache Sugar Skull I was working on. I love the Mexican folk art look of the piece! One of these days I'll make it to Oxana, Mexico for the Dia de los Muertos celebration. Until then I'll keep on making my own sugar skulls and skeletons. Actually, even after I go to Oxana I'll make my own. Somehow I just know making skulls and skeletons won't be something I'll ever give up!

This is a photo of it before being painted: unpainted

Skeleton Painting

Yet another skull has appeared in my art work. My hubby has taken to calling our home The Skull Factory because skulls & skeletons are absolutely everywhere!

Skeleton Bride & Groom

One of my latest creations here at The Skull Factory! Created by lopping off the heads of a cake topper & substituting skull heads, caulk, paint & webbing spray.  I'm creating a little shrine to house them and am also working on an entire mariachi band of skeletons.  In my world you can never have too many skulls and happy skeletons about...