#MailArt

This last fall I participated in an art project called "#mailart", developed through networking artists on Twitter. Organized by artist Mark Philip Venema (@Art_News on twitter) artists were to create postcard size art depicting the chosen theme "human in time" and send out the works to the other artist. As we received the small originals in the mail we were to post them to a Flickr group pool for viewing including any new textures created through the mailing process. The styles and mediums varied amongst the artists and so did their individual interpretation of the theme.
For my series I tweaked the theme to "being human in this time, how this generation spends time". I also decided to create all my work on my iPhone employing various photo and drawing Apps available. I see it as an extension of how this generation spends time. Throughout the series you can glimpse how I spend my days, while also seeing how I see the world around me spending time. All the pieces start with a photo I have snapped on my iPhone then I edit and add effects to enhance and emphasize the scene or message I am portraying.
Some of my days I am lucky enough to spend time at the beach. Whether surfing or sitting and photographing, there is something to the refreshing serenity of being by the ocean. While I snapped this photo in the middle of the day but edited it for sunset, it just doesn't matter what time it is-it's just always relaxing. The original print that I sent out was one that did not fare so well in its' travels. Prints available, please contact me for details.

 

Let's Get This Season Started

Holiday Open House at The Source Salon & Boutique-It's a fun party to kick off your holiday season. Food and spirits will be served; door prizes will be won and unique handmade gifts to be shopped. The list is long of beautifully crafted creations including one of a kind jewelry, festive ornaments, fine hand knits, stylish aprons and much more. This year the Open House introduces two new members to the team-Michelle Ferrari and Sarah Conatser.
Stop by and join in the fun Friday, November 20th from 4-8pm.
The Source Salon & Boutique, 945 Spring Street, Paso Robles (805)226-8655. Can't make it to the party? You can still find my hand painted glass ornaments and handmade scarves in schemata.

Pre-Holidays Sale

This weekend, November 13th-15th, shop with TEAMT on Etsy and save 10 to 50% on fabulous holiday gifts.
I will be offering 10% off all handmade scarves available in schemata. In addition I will have 10% off all my note cards, and all framed or unframed prints (including ACEO) and photos available at SarahJohnAfana.etsy.com.

Looking for additional gift items for the holidays, simply search Etsy.com for TEAMT under all items and start saving. Savings do not include shipping and will be refunded via PayPal after purchase. See individual shops for details.

10% Off Everything
ixela-Cowls, Shrugs, Wraps and Crochet Jewelry
CatherineReece-Pottery
JennyNDesign-Handbags
eightfold-Handbags and Accessories
mandag-Scarves, Cards and Home Decor
fiveforty-Jewelry and Rag Rugs
nancywallisdesigns-Jewelry
vintageaimee-Glass Works
PipingHotPapers-Paper Goods, Magnets and Other Goodies
GlassEtc-Plant Stakes and Other Creations
Carvelcountrysoaps-Soaps, Lotions, Lip Balms…

15% Off Everything
JenSanCandles-Candles, Soaps and all things that smell good
organicodysseys-OOAK Organic Art from Organic Botanicals
almostartifacts-Traditional Judaic Art with an Ancient Look
polkadotsandals-Unique Jewelry, Quilts, Vintage and Supplies
StudioARTBEAD-Handmade Beads
BlueNostalgia-Dainty. Feminine. Nostalgic.Jewelry

20% Off Everything
SmallEarthVintage-Mid-Century Vintage Clothing & Shoes

50% Off Everything
juicygraphics-Fresh Designs for Your Fine Crafts & Scrapbook Pages

10% off all ornaments and original art
thenightjar-Original Art and Ornaments

20% off shawls
trendyknitting-Hand Knit Creations

$10 sale thru Monday
VintageConfections-mmm…goodies

'Tis the Season...already?

Holiday season is here, now! Only 43 days 'til Christmas and I'm already feeling the pressure. Along with the usual decorating, shopping and entertaining that goes along with this time of year I have the added joys that come with creating a seasonal find. I have been making my hand painted glass ornaments for about five years and selling them locally at The Art Works in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo Art Center-CraftArt Market. This fall I opened schemata; a second shop on Etsy featuring my fine art crafts. I have been busy creating enough ornaments to keep all my galleries stocked with a variety of shapes and colors to choose from. They have gotten rave reviews from shoppers and those who know what to look for in one of a kind creations-recently featured on MyShoppingConnection and soon they will be available on Fey Handmade.

Scoutie Girl

My artwork was recently discovered by the fabulously stylish Scoutie Girl *a penchant for the passionately handmade. Have a read to find about about my artistic passion.

Candied Popcorn

Candied Popcorn or Popcorn Balls are something I grew up with at a variety of holidays. Of course Halloween had orange colored popcorn balls or one of my favorites was the Valentine's Day Heart shaped red candied popcorn from grandma. I have no doubt my sister is reading this and asking herself how she is going to get some of that yummy mountain of popcorn she saw me make on twitter. This simple recipe was passed down and it's a coveted family favorite.

 
Candied Popcorn-
2 cups (before popping) Popcorn
1 cup butter
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup Corn Syrup
1 tsp vanilla
Optional: Food Coloring of your choice

Pop the popcorn. Set aside in a large bowl or casserole dish.
In a medium saucepan melt butter. Stir in sugar and corn syrup; while stirring bring to a boil and simmer 3 minutes. Be watchful it will bubble and boil over if you are not attentive.
Remove from heat, add vanilla and if using food coloring stir until well combined.
Pour over popcorn; stir and toss with candy syrup until evenly coated. Now you have a choice of shaping into individual servings and packaging so stylishly or saving the entire batch for yourself to eat out of the bowl you just created it in.

Happy Halloween!

Come Shopping With Me!

This weekend only there is a BIG event happening over on Etsy. I’m offering 10% off all framed and unframed prints and photographs, and 10% off all note cards at sarahjohnafana.etsy.com-also find 10% off entire stock of my handmade scarves at schemata. Just enter code "Weekend Deals" in the Message to Seller section of checkout and I will send you a 10% refund off your purchase price (shipping not included) via PayPal.

...and if you’re looking to GET AN EARLY START ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING, check out all the WEEKEND DEALS offered by my fellow TEAMT members (Etsy group Team Treasury). Simply use Etsy’s search engine using ‘All Items’ for TEAMT and start saving. Each offering 10-25% off specialty items ranging from art, bath and body, knits, jewelry, pottery, clothing, bags, vintage, supplies, and more... See individual shop announcements for special offers.

Featured Artist

It's time for a new Business Exhibit coordinated by the
San Luis Obispo Art Center. I have taken over the wall space at
Faye S. Russo Tax and Accounting at 669 Pacific Street, San Luis Obispo. Stop by and take a look at a sampling of my original paintings and photographs.

Stripes II-Digital Photograph

More About Me and My World

I joined Etsy Team Treasury this last summer and they invited me to be the featured member for the month of September. I enjoyed getting to share some fun stuff from my home and the team has been a great supportive group of my artwork. Take a look at the interview then explore some of the other members shops, there is one representing almost every category on Etsy.

ALTAMIRA Gallery

A selection of my original watercolor paintings and prints from my
Surfer Series are now available at ALTAMIRA Gallery in New York.

Surf Lesson-Watercolor on Paper, 9.5 x 11.75 inches

 

iStudio

I was recently invited to be in an open studio project by Mod3rnArt.
You can see my work space along with many other hard working artists and crafts people. The gallery of photos shows some of the creative set ups and tools we use to make the masterpieces of our collections. Go take a look and discover some of the talent that has been gathered together.

New Featured Painting

Recently one of my abstract paintings was featured on a new gallery blog Etsy Fine Art Gallery. Marionette is curating a beautiful gallery of fine art she has found on Etsy. She has chosen one of my underwater inspired images which feels appropriate since she herself is located on the island of Kauai, Hawaii (lucky girl).

A Peek Into My Studio

I am currently working on a commission for four landscape paintings, one 24 x 36" gallery-wrapped canvas and a group of three 12 x 12" gallery-wrapped canvases. The buyers were interested in some of my work but needed paintings in different sizes for their home-of course I am happy to oblige. Below is a look at the work in progress. I prefer to work on multiple projects at once, I find it keeps a series cohesive and allows more experimentation. This is just a glimpse at the trio still in progress while the larger canvas is pretty near complete.

My Etsy Shop Featured

Happy 4th of July!

I am so excited to have my note cards featured by Jackie on Etsy Item of the Day. She maintains a super stylish list of her favorite finds from Etsy sellers. Go take a peek at my feature and browse around at some of the other gorgeous shops she has introduced to everyone.

Something Has Caught Her Eye

I was recently commissioned to paint one of my pretty girls in a new dress. Everyone close to me will happily tell you what a clothes horse I am, so who was I to say no. For a consummate shopper, finding just the right dress in that perfect shade of robin's egg blue can be a welcome challenge. Below are all the steps taken to give one of my favorite friends a new outfit. Something Has Caught Her Eye is acrylic paint on heavyweight rag board, 16x20".

A Day at The Beach

I have had the urge to continue on with my A Day at The Beach series. With the added push to create a commissioned new piece I began work on two new scenes. Both paintings below are watercolor paint on canvas that has been treated for wet media. The canvas surface has a unique absorption that can be a bit tricky. I have come to enjoy the challenge and love creating the leisurely days at the beach.
Top: Surf Buddies; Bottom: The Break at Pico-Sold, prints available.

Yart Sale

It's time for the Second Annual Yart Sale on Etsy. Many shops participate by offering a variety of discounts. I'm joining in!!

For this week only, June 10th-14th-I am offering 20% Off all my Handmade/Hand-Knit Scarves, and I also have Free Shipping on all unframed original art, fine art prints and photographs in my shop. So come by and check it out, maybe this is the day you buy that painting you have had your eye on...

My Etsy Shop

Change Your Latitude

I feel as if I have been neglecting this lonely blog of mine lately. I apologize for the lack of fascinating posts. It is not that I haven't wanted to fill my few followers in to my work in progress-it's just that I have been too busy actually working on new art to document it in this way-but soon. I have on my calendar new commissioned work as well as additional pieces to continue "My Girls" series and "Day at the Beach" series. I am, as I write this, waiting for larger canvas and rag boards to arrive for the actual work to begin. In the meantime let me leave you with one of my leisurely images from my "Day at the Beach" series. It makes me want for that casual day when my commitments can wait and there are no worries...











Change Your Latitude is a watercolor painting on canvas,
5 x 10". Sold, prints available.

Summer Business Exhibit

Last week it was time to hang a new selection of work in the Business Exhibit organized by the San Luis Obispo Art Center. My new location is Judy Klearman Investments in San Luis Obispo. She has been a participating business for about 8 years. Although her office is modest in size, she eagerly offers her main hall to a rotation of art every four months.

Along one side I have a group of photos from my Construction Series.

Across from reception are a selection of my abstract paintings that Judy had been interested in.

This show will remain at this location through the summer, until the beginning of September. If you wish to view the show please call ahead to arrange a time;

(805) 784-0106.

A Peek Into My Studio

I spent my available hours this weekend painting.
I was able to start several landscapes, with a few almost finished. I just wanted to share them as a group in their varied states. There will be better photos and finished paintings listed this week on Etsy.

Vicious Circle

I know it can be a vicious circle of blogging about somewhat else's blog, but .... I want to give a quick wink and a smile to my new friend at PipingHotPapers. She has taken the time to write a sweet little note about my work and my shop while announcing to the world the arrival of her new granddaughter Naomi.

Congratulations Alice to you and yours

Please check out her blog-Run Alice Run

Ranch Road

I have been working on some new landscapes for the spring gallery display. This is a view of our local rolling hills. It is acrylic paint on watercolor paper, about 11x14". If you are in the area come by The Art Works to view some of my new work.

Etsy News

I have had some fun distracting myself with the Etsy Treasuries-Take a Look

Some Things ARE Black and White
What do You Wish For

And, Sweet Cyd, my BFF from BotanicalBird included one of my paintings in a Treasury of her favorites.

On Monday, April 13th my artwork will be featured in the Etsy Art Showcase-Have a look.

She Can Fit Everything in That Bag

She can fit everything in that bag. A girl's purse can be her best friend-after all it does keep her iPhone safe. She is an original acrylic painting on 100% rag board, 11x11".$61

She Doesn't Have Time For This

She quickly throws her purse over her shoulder and out the door she goes. "She Doesn't Have Time For This" is an acrylic painting on 100% rag board, 11x11".
$61

Girls and Their Purses-Step 4

I've given shape to her purse. The purse handle and some miner details are all that is left.

Girls and Their Purses-Step 3

I have filled in her clothing and just made a reference to her hair. I want to leave the focus on the purse, and have a subtle vagueness to the figure.

Girls and Their Purses-Step 2

I have added her flesh tone. Leaving it transparent in some places allows it to still have a connection to the background. Plus, I like the way it gives a kind of glow.

Girls and Their Purses

I have had a chance to start some new figure paintings and wanted a chance to show the process.
This is an acrylic painting on rag board, 11x11". Working Very loosely, I covered the entire background with paint. While the paint was wet I lightly drizzled rubbing alcohol in the paint as a resist. The result is the random spatter in the center of the surface.
Once the paint has dried I returned to sketch my figure using a water-soluable graphite pencil (thank you Bob).

Almond Orchard-Sold

Almond Orchard is a painting with a soft palette that has a few drops of hot pink for the blossoms. The tree trucks are crooked and knarled but the foliage is airy and light, like the orchards in early spring.

It is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas, 24x24".

Spring!

It's spring now-so here is a happy, fresh face of a geranium.
"Geranium Blossom" is a watercolor and acrylic painting on paper, 7 x 7 1/4 inches.
Prints available on Etsy.

New Prints Available

I have spent the last day or so setting up a new large format printer in my studio. I will be printing a variety of images from my original paintings in smaller dimensions and listing them for sale in my Etsy shop. I will also be adding new photos as well. Browse around the Etsy shops for awhile- there is a lot of original work out there.

Finally

All A Part Of The Process is done. The final painting has texture on the porch ground and a vivid color palette. It is acrylic paint on 1 1/2" deep stretched canvas, 24x36". This painting is on view at The City Hall of San Luis Obispo until May 2009.

Step 6

I got a chance to add some ground and texture to the porch. Just a few finishing touches left. It is acrylic paint on 1 1/2" deep stretched canvas, 24x36".

Step 5

Continuing on with color and dark shades on the roof along with the graying of the pillars. It is acrylic paint on 1 1/2" deep stretched canvas, 24x36".

Step 4

Still adding more colors to the windows and details all around. It is acrylic paint on 1 1/2" deep stretched canvas, 24x36".

Step 3

A little further along. Some more colors and details added all over. Putting in the reflections on the plastic covered windows. It is acrylic paint on 1 1/2" deep stretched canvas, 24x36".

Step 2

I've started filling in some of the areas that are in the background. More detail added through the doorway.
It is acrylic paint on 1 1/2" deep stretched canvas, 24x36".

Happy New Year-Step 1

I have been working on some new work and wanted to show a painting as it progresses. This is a piece that will be part of my Construction Series.

This is the painting at the beginning with some undercoating and color blocking started. It is acrylic paint on 1 1/2" deep stretched canvas, 24x36".