A little behind in being a good blog buddy

Your comments are making me so happy - I hope that every visitor is enjoying him or her self, and that there's at least a little useful information tucked away here for everybody.

I'm so behind on blog visiting! I'll make a point of doing some tonight.

Here's a little fast fun in watercolor, inktense and graphtint pencils, and a brush. On Fabriano Studio Hot press - which is like bristol that doesn't suck for wet media. Lovely!

 One of my less frustrating moments.

Journal Page - The Difficult

I got out the gelli plate the other night - monotype with a press is my "thing" - years ago I had an artist residency at MN book arts for my monotype work.  It's completely different without a press, but I think I'm going to enjoy wrestling with this little silicone blob until I like the results.

 Her crown and dress are some very subtle mossy gelli printed papers. Collage, watercolor, stamping, drawing - other than the water color washes almost all the paint is applied with a tsukineko fantastix foam stick. I'm still crazy for those things.  I should keep a running list of supplies I find "worth it."

Mixed Media on Loose Fabriano Watercolor

I am trying not to go ape and throw poo be bummed about YET MORE SNOW. Enough. Any time now.

Well, even if I'm kept indoors at least I can play. This is like the rainy day activity that never ends.

In GOOD news, it is the anniversary of Paint Party Friday! PPF has introduced me to many talented and friendly bloggers/artists, and it's one of those nice blog parties that makes a self-employed freelancer feel just that tiniest bit less like a cave dwelling hermit. YAY PPF. Here's to many many more!

Shabby Chic Hedgehog ACEO cards

So, in the interest of getting over my stamping weirdness, I entered a Shabby Chic challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show

Some fast fun - these shabby chic hedgehog cards are digitally collaged (vintage nature illustration and papers from The Graphics Fairy) , hand embellished with inks and with a vintage millinery flower.

I'm leaving them blank mostly - but I added an example of how they can be made more awesome.

and yes, these are available at the paperyum shop.

Dolls and Tales - Art Journal and Flat Art Doll

Cat Flat Art Doll

Another one of my flat art dolls. This one was tough, because of the edge. They're too thick to leave raw or blanket stitch, and they're too fussy to bead around if I cut the limbs separately. However, as I stitch down like this the backing likes to travel out of line with the top layer. I need to find the right fix for this issue!

Anyhow, I may leave miss kitty well enough alone, or I may do an owl companion.  Not sure.

It's inktense, beading, embroidery, and it's backed with cotton duck - showroom sample scrap I purchased at SE Harris warehouse.

While we're on the subject of children's stories (maybe)

Queen Of Hearts Art Journal Page

I've started a small journal (5x7) and I'm not sure if it's going to be themed (I keep trying to do this) or just random. 

I think an "antagonists" gallery would be kind of neat and unusual. I could also write into the theme a lot - thinking about different obstacles.

Should I go for "antagonists" or stick to something more open, like faces or fiction or nothing in particular?

Dimensional beaded russian doll softies

So I had so much fun making the flat dolls that I decided it was time to go 3D! How I got through life without embroidery hoops I'll never know.

My first attempts at dimensional dolls - these are backed with vintage feedsack fabrics, hand sewn, hand painted and embellished.

Illustration Friday again already

Prompt: "Whisper" for illustration friday. 6x6 acrylic and inktense

New Art

This one hasn't gotten its resin top layer yet, but I couldn't wait to post her.



And a couple of journal pages - I've been drawing while listening to songs and the words make their way in - I'm sure this will morph again in the eventual painting if there is one

Listening: Keep the Car Running, Arcade Fire

Listening: At Last, Neko Case

I've been featured!

I recently joined a really nice Ning community run by Milliande - a mixed media artist who's very prolific and generous with her art, her time, and her process. Only 3 days in, my drawing "Printemps" has been picked as artwork of the day!

This was a really nice lift and a great start to my week. You should check out the community if you make anything yourself - any kind of art - even if you only keep a personal art journal, there's a really supportive atmosphere and great tip and technique sharing.

lonesome/crowded

lonesome/crowded, originally uploaded by paperyum.

vintage barkcloth ad, greeting card clipping (40's 50's) and sixties kid's book clipping (her swallow brooch)

Acrylic, ink, goodies, lots of Modest Mouse listening. she's 6x6 inches on cradled board

chicago

chicago, originally uploaded by paperyum.

Washi, Victorian/Edwardian scrap and sheet music (I use actual sources) ink, acrylic, pencils - the look is soft overall because I resin coat and sand my collages - a nice unifying surface effect. 8x8 inches.

my heart dances

my heart dances, originally uploaded by paperyum.

a response to this week's created by hand challenge - cutting stuff up makes my heart dance - vintage papers and rickrack - 50's and Edwardian.

Vintage postcard - Appetising

These ladies are poised on the brink of the world's first major youth counterculture. The guy isn't going to know what hit him, but he'll enjoy it.

Sure they're being labeled as a food item, just another piece of female cake. But the twenties are about to happen. And it's not going to be the same.

From my collection of vintage cards.

Paper Yum

Paper Yum is about my love of paper. I turn paper into wearables.
Vintage finds, fine Japanese Chiyogami papers, and some select reproductions are transformed with nontoxic methods and .925 sterling silver.

What's the difference between Paper Yum and other glass and scrabble pendants?
Sterling silver - for the longevity of the piece, for your sensitive skin, for your sophisticated taste.

I also offer pieces in brass which I have had antiqued through a nickel-free process in the USA, to my own specifications. No more mystery metal - just antiqued-finished nickel free brass. I myself can wear these pieces and I'm fairly allergic to nickel.

I do offer some plated for those interested in fast and fashionable fun - but personally, I choose to wear sterling - I'm allergic to plated myself!