Creating in Small Spaces

It has been many months since my dresser and its drawers --along with the rest of my creative nook-- went into a smallish storage unit in anticipation of the sale of our house. Yes, the house did sell, thankfully. In the meantime, a wonderful round dining room table (carefully covered with a waterproof tablecloth) has been my space for creative and soulful play. Oh yes, I have a box or so of stamps, tapes, misc. papers, index cards, Sharpies, pens, beads and more. 


The other day I came across a small black photo album under a zip lock of supplies. I sat and looked through some of my Artists Trading Cards. "Giddy," seen above, is made with a piece of blouse fabric found in my mother's abundant fabric stash years ago when cleaning out her sewing room. Most of my ATC's have been made using old playing card's or index cards. I usually paint or ink the background--sometimes to completely cover the numbers and suite of the card--other times a heart, spade, 3 or Queen comes in handy in the design. Once the background is dry it's just a matter of mood, colors, stamps, papers, beads, and a theme if you want to make a series or just challenge yourself. There are plenty of good resources on making ATC's. Two of my favorites are:

by Bernie Berlin

 Suzanne Simanaitis

Artists Trading Cards (ACT's) are one of the perfect small space project--not only because of their small size but because they inspire endless possibilities. A little of this, a little of that...and they become addictive. Working on one card can lead to 20 other ideas! For anyone who likes to play with collage, create visual surprises from whimsical to serious, this is great creative fun. 


Related articles

• ATC's - A Novel Idea! (dianezone.wordpress.com)
• Mixed Media Art & Creative Art Journaling (5) (creativeaddictionblog.com)

Inspired by "Art Saves"

This is an amazing book. The kind of you see and instantly know that it has a life changing quality to it. Jenny Doh has pulled together interviews, stories, artistic processes and techniques of 20 dynamic artists into this treasure of a book. But, it is much more than a how-to book of creativity and art. Art Saves includes, life lessons, wisdom, practical ideas, ways of giving back and much much more. This is a rare find and well worth checking out. 

To learn more simply click on the book above. 

Like to sketch, doodle, draw or scribble?

No matter what your Crayola of choice is...give yourself a break and do a little doodling on Sunday afternoon. You are intrigued are you not? Well, click the button on the right that looks just like the picture above and you will be whisked through cyberspace and into a very creative blog called Blue Chair Diary where you will find the same button and along with it the description of how to participate. Have fun!

The Market at Granville Island

Ahhh...wonderful fruits, vegetables, spices, foods, artists, and great signs. I love wandering the market at Granville Island. My favorite story this visit is meeting meeting a man who sold his wife's original designs silk scarves. They were unspeakably beautiful and he was so proud of her. I didn't meet her--she was working in the studio, but he showed off all the marvelous things she made with such love - it was touching.

Carved in my heart

I walk daily with the names and faces of many friends and loved ones, and their friends and loved ones--all who have been or are being treated for breast cancer.

This beautifully carved totem pole is taller than I am and is housed on the 3rd floor of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance where many come in hope. It certainly isn't the only place in Seattle but it is where I spend a fair amount of time with my husband and the Docs and nurses have all walked with us for many years, giving us hope and giving him many more days than ever expected. Among many of the things I love about the place-the art throughout the clinic is in itself life giving and engaging.