Wednesday, October 26, 2011

30 Days of Holiday Cards - Day 1: Untouched Snow

It's time for me to start thinking about what I am going to do for a Christmas Card this year.  I thought for a little inspiration (and so I don't repeat myself) I would take a look at all the Holiday Cards I have created on Zazzle over the years.  Doing this brought some thoughts and memories to mind, so I decided I would also share them with you over the next thirty days.  Starting with this one:




I originally posted my Untouched Snow Holiday Card to my Zazzle Shop in November of 2008 but the artwork is much older, probably from about 2001.  That was when I first started experimenting with digital art with a now obsolete program that came with a now obsolete computer.  I later went back and improved on many of those early works when I got better tools but this one didn't seem to require it.  It was inspired by the feeling I used to get as a kid when I would wake up in the middle of the night and look out my window to see a fresh blanket of snow under the moonlight.  I have a few of the "blank inside" version of these cards in my home inventory because they are suitable for almost any winter occasion or late additions to someone's Christmas Card list.

Untouched Snow Digital Art
Untouched Snow Digital Art by Victoreeah
Browse for more wall art on Zazzle
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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Where Disney's Dreams Began


Mickey and Me
While out exploring rural Missouri the other day, my husband and I stumbled upon the small, historic town of Marceline, MO. Marceline's claim to fame is that it was the boyhood home of Walt Disney. Being a life long fan of all things Disney, I could not resist a visit to this town.

 



 The main attraction was the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, located in the old train depot which was saved from demolition by the town members. Our guide, one of those town members who volunteers at the museum, was kind enough to tell us about the building as well as give us a tour of the main displays which tell the story of Walt Disney's presence in the town, both as a boy and his subsequent visits after achieving fame.
Two stories she told us stand out to me. The first was a cute story of how young Walt painted artwork on the side of the family home with what he thought was black paint, but turned out to be tar. Who else would mistake tar for paint but someone whose first instinct was to create with whatever materials he had on hand?

The other story was that Walt's father did not approve of his artistic endeavors, not just because of the permanent tar doodles marring his house, but because he felt that no one could earn a living by drawing silly pictures. In keeping with this belief, Elias Disney refused to spend any of the family's hard earned money on any sort of art supplies for his son. Fortunately an Aunt encouraged his talent and sent him paper and pencils so that he could continue to develop it. Hearing this put tears in my eyes and reminded me what a powerful influence one person's kindness can truly be.
Walt's father did live to see that his son's artistic and imaginative talents did indeed earn him a living.


To learn more about Marceline and the attractions there, visit the Walt Disney Hometown Museum web site. 



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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Halloween Brews & Potions

I love Halloween.  It wins the prize in my book for the most creative Holiday and it is my favorite one to decorate for.  I'm actually running a little behind on that this year.  Normally by now I would have put up purple lights and cobwebs on my porch but before I could begin I received my latest Zazzle order in the mail.  I ordered three sheets of Halloween Stickers that I designed with a few projects in mind.  I was so excited and impressed by how great they turned out (if I do say so myself) that I decided the purple lights could wait.  Here's the projects I have completed so far:

Witches Brew

Witches Brew Halloween Potion

I have managed to collect a lot of interesting bottles and containers over the years.  All this bright green bottle needed was one of my large Wine Witch "Witches Brew" Stickers to make it Halloween ready.

These stickers would also look great on a black cauldron punch bowl and the smaller size could be put on glasses or party cups.


Witches Brew Wine Bottle Project

I also used my Witches Brew Stickers to create a sleeve for a bottle of wine.  I just cut some scrapbook paper I had (to approx. 5 1/2" x 10") and wrapped it around the bottle, securing it with tape on the back, then placed my sticker on top of that.

I think a bottle of good wine decorated like this would make a great gift for the host or hostess of any Halloween parties you attend.

Vampire Love Potion


Vampire Love Potion Wine Bottle Project

 Another wine bottle sleeve I created with the large size of my Vampire Love Potion Stickers.  Perfect for a romantic Halloween date with your favorite vamp!  :)
Vampire Love Potion Perfume Project

 And last but not least, I placed small, round Vampire Love Potion Stickers on smaller bottles that I filled with rose water to create the perfect Halloween perfume.  I plan on making a few more of these for some vampire obsessed teenage girls that I know.

If you like these projects, its not too late for you to order some, click here to browse my Halloween Potions and Brews Collection or create your own.   Just make sure that you select the size you want (6 large or 20 small) before adding them to your cart.

Happy Creating and Happy Halloween,
Victoria




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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Art = Happiness

Art makes me so happy sometimes.  I woke up today and was instantly in a good mood because the first thing I saw was this:


It's my "Kindred Spirits" Butterfly Photography Print that I ordered from my own Zazzle Photography Shop.  Previously that frame contained a print of "Lancelot And Guinevere" by Herbert James Draper.  While it is one of my favorite paintings and fits with the era and style of my home, I felt that after 5 years of looking at it every day it was time for a change.  I wanted something that was more modern and fresh while still fitting in with the vintage - garden - cottage style of my room.  When I created this image I knew I had found it.

When this print arrived, I was a little nervous.  I have always been delighted with the prints I have ordered on Zazzle and have heard nothing but rave reviews from friends and customers but this time I ordered the basic matte finish instead of the semi gloss.  I made the right choice.  The paper was slightly thinner than what I was used to but the printing was beautiful.  The basic glass of my old frame created a glare sometimes with the other print but with the dark, matte background of this print it has more of a mirror effect.  I actually love how it reflects my favorite chandelier:


If you have a framed print or other work of art that is starting to gather dust on your walls, I highly recommend switching it out for something new.  It is amazing how one simple change like this can give a room a whole new feel.  This print has given my room a bold dose of drama while still evoking a sense of calm and serenity.  I know it will continue to remind me of the warmth and wonder I find in my garden long after winter arrives.
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

An Artist's Life (Part 2)

I am often tempted to separate my “Life” from my creative life, as if creativity was something I only practiced in front of a canvas or from behind a lens. The fact is that, even before I audaciously declared myself an “Artist” and devoted my time to artist type things, I have always behaved creatively. It was only after I began taking myself seriously as said “Artist” that I began judging seemingly more mundane activities as outside the artistic realm.

In truth, there is no activity in my life that does not involve or serve my creativity, if I allow it to. And the fact that my creative life informs and enhances my “Life” is something I have witnessed too many times to doubt.

I think that being an artist is as much about learning how to see possibilities instead of problems and make miracles out of mistakes as it is about producing pictures or paintings. In that way, I believe everyone could benefit from living “An Artist's Life”.

Still, I would rather paint than do the dishes (just saying).



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Thursday, July 21, 2011

An Artist's Life (The Beginning)

True Story!  T-shirt available HERE.

I would love to be able to say I was born an artist but according to my Mother, I have not always been a creative person. The story goes that, during parents night at my elementary school, my first grade teacher told both my mother and father that I was too serious of a child. She suggested that they buy me some art supplies and encourage me to be more creative. Needless to say, they followed her advice and thus began my creative life (as well as my art supply addiction!).

I don't have a clear memory of these events but I don't doubt this story is true. In fact, I still encounter that far too serious child at times within me. Every time I do I want to find that teacher and go give her a big hug. If it wasn't for her I quite honestly believe I would have sunk down into the depths of existential despair long ago.

Creativity is my therapy, my religion, my sustenance and my calling. Of course, living a creative life is not without it's challenges but more about those some other time.  For now let me just say, thank you Mrs. W., wherever you are, for introducing me to “An Artist's Life”.
http://www.ibelieveinartshop.com
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Friday, April 15, 2011

The Mermaid Tree

Framed Print of my Out Of Water Mermaid Painting

Here is a picture of my mermaid tree:


Can you see the mermaid in it or is it just me? Sometimes I see things a little differently than most people. Sometimes I feel that I am a lot different from a lot of people. Most of the time, I am okay with that. But one day a few years ago I was sitting on my porch feeling out of place. In that moment, It seemed that being an East Coast girl in a Midwest world was something akin to being a creature from another planet. That is when I saw the mermaid in the tree. At first it made me feel homesick to see her there. After all, when you see a mermaid, you immediately think of oceans and I was as far away from one of those as I was from friends, family and everything else that was in that place that I thought of as home. And yet the mermaid herself didn't seem to be missing the ocean. In fact she looked quite beautiful, and even seemed more special somehow, in the unlikely setting of the tree. I knew I had to paint her.
I painted the mermaid in the tree several times before I felt I had captured the essence of her in my “Out Of Water” painting. As I was doing this I got to know her very well and she taught me a lot of things. She taught me that being different can be beautiful and that beauty is often found in unexpected places. Perhaps most importantly, she taught me that it's up to me to make my place in this world and to make it a place I can carry with me, so that home is always wherever I happen to be.

This image is available on several products at my Zazzle shops. The original painting is not for sale.








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