My 4th Blogoversary is today!

Yep, today's the day of my 4th Blogoversary!
Hard to believe I've been taking up this little spot in cyberspace for so long, but it has been fun.

Speaking of fun, I am going to have a Blog Giveaway in celebration of blogging for oh, so long. What is the prize? Good question.
Let's just say it'll be something created by me.

Leave me a comment at the end of this post. Then, on March 29th, I'll make a draw and contact the winner. Simple as that. No need to link back and forth between my blog and yours, unless you want to.

Now let's take a look back, pictorially, over the past 4 years on ART of Humungous Proportions!

Blog Interview #16 ~ Lelainia Lloyd, Tattered Edge

Today it is great to finally have Lelainia Lloyd to interview. I met Lelainia when she invited me to join a Canadian online art group several years ago. She's a busy lady, and so we thank her for taking the time to do this.

Good morning Lelainia, please tell us a little bit about yourself...
I always cringe when I have to talk about myself. I never quite know what to say. I'm a Canadian. I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba and moved to the west coast of British Columbia in 1986. I've been an artist in varying forms my whole life. If it's in any way artistic, I've probably done it.

I've been married almost 19 years to the love of my life and we have a son who is about to graduate from high school. This past summer, my husband gave me the most beautiful black lab puppy. We named him Indiana Jones (Indy) because I've been in love with Harrison Ford since I was 6 and I love that line where Sean Connery says "We name the dog Indiana."

some random things most folks don't know about me are that I worked on a crisis line for 8-1/2 years; lived in Barcelona, Spain by myself when I was 16; been on TV several times and published not only for art (or writing about art) but also for poetry. There's a line from the Barenaked Ladies song that says "I'm the kind of guy [girl] who laughs at a funeral. If you don't understand what I mean, then you soon will." That's me in a nutshell.

Why did you decide to blog?
To tell you the truth, I don't really remember why I woke up one morning and decided to share my art life through the Internet. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I started blogging when blogs were relatively new and not too many people were doing it. But in the early days, it was really a great way to "meet" fellow artists before the artistic Internet community really got going and became as prolific as it is now. Getting my work out there, led to being asked to create art for other artists' books.

Your blog is called Tattered Edge. How did you come up with the name?
When I was coming up with a name for my website, I realized that most of the things I love are old, well loved things, full of soul antique quilts, vintage photos, old books, trims, buttons and bits of broken things. I thought about what things look like at first glance and the feel that my work has and the name just made sense to me. It also amused me that Tattered Edge can be typed using only your left hand. (Yes, I know I'm a bit quirky.)

When did you begin blogging?
August 2004, in what I jokingly refer to as the stone age of blogging. Hard to believe that only 5 years ago the blog world was a much smaller place!

Back in August 2004, on your first post, what did you talk about?
The work I was doing for Jan Bode Smiley's book, "The Art of Fabric Books: Innovative Ways to Use Fabric in Scrapbooks, Altered Books & More". It was my first foray into creating art for publishing.

Do you prefer to blog with words, pictures or both?
Well sometimes I have to work at coming up with a suitable photo to add to my blog but for the most part, it's a combination of both. Artists are visual people, so it doesn't make sense to post without some sort of photo included, even if there is only one photo at the beginning of the post. Some post have more photos than others, if just depends what I'm writing about.

Have you met people through blogging?
Tons.

Tell us about someone you've met.
One of the first people I ever met in the blog world was Deb Trotter (aka Cowboy's Sweetheart) who emailed me to say she liked my art. That evolved into an email conversation, which in turn grew into a friendship. Deb is one of my closest and most trusted friends. Not that long ago, I discovered that I actually had some of her first emails she ever sent me. I shared them with her and we had a good laugh. We've been through a lot together and I am forever grateful that she reached out and sent me that first email. She's very dear to my heart and one of these days one of us is going to hop on a plane so we can meet in person. It's only a matter of time.

Did you design the look of your blog yourself or have someone else design it?
Well through the years, it's been various templates that I have come across and then played with the HTML to get it to suit my purpose. I taught myself how to read the HTML because I like having more control over how my blog looks. Right now, it's just a standard Blogger template. I was tired of my blog being primarily black and went for a cleaner look in my signature colours. It's a work in progress.

Have you ever been featured in Artful Blogging?
No ~ but I am always open to the possibility.

What does your "About Me" read on your blog?
"I am a mixed media Artist, Writer and Designer happily creating on the West Coast of Canada." That's me in 20 words or less ~ which almost never happens! [laughs]

What blog feature do you like the most?
Probably the search box. It's a feature I'm not sure too many people know about, much less use. If you are looking for a post I made on a particular subject, you can type the key words into the search box on the top left of my blog and it will show you all the posts containing those words. For example, people often want to know what kinds of trades I've made for Artfest. If they do a search, they can see all the things I've made in the past. Or if they want to see what my studio looks like, they can type in "virtual studio tour" and the slide show of my studio will come up. It's pretty user friendly.

Is there anything on Tattered Edge you'd like to change?
At some point, I will probably bow to peer pressure and create a more artful header. All the cool kids are doing it.

Do you ever blog when you don't "feel like it"?
No I don't. I don't think those posts would have any value. If I'm going to post, it's because I feel I have something to say. One of my (pet) peeves is someone not posting for awhile and then saying "Sorry I haven't posted for so long." It annoys me because why on earth would you apologise for living your life away from the computer? Go! Be! Do! And when you have time and feel like it, come back and tell us about it. No apology necessary.

What theme would best describe your blog?
All art, all the time with occasional bout of reflection thrown in for good measure. My blog is mainly an accounting of my artist life, whatever that looks like at any given moment.

Do you have any interesting directions you want to take your blog in, in the days ahead?
Well, i am probably going to do away with my actual Tattered Edge website and house everything relevant on my blog. I just don't have the time (or energy!) to maintain my website anymore and I don't like the idea of it just sitting there and not being updated regularly. Sometimes less is more. It's about quality over quantity. I loved having a website while I had it, but it's time to simplify my life.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us today?
I just want to say that I appreciate when folks comment, especially when I've posted something that has touched them in some way. It's nice to know you're out there peeking in on my blog and getting something out of it. My guess is that only about 20% of the folks reading take the time to comment, but never underestimate how important that is to those of us who are faithfully writing blog entries. it's a connection that is so important, especially when you are working for hours in your studio on your own. While being able to do the work of your heart is rewarding, it can be very isolating at times, so it's comforting to know you're out there. Thank you for reading and for letting me know you do.

Thank you for such an interesting chat, Lelainia. We hope everyone will check out the Tattered Edge blog, and that they'll let you know they read this interview!

Fine Art in the Library

Here are some photos from the Fine Art in the Library class I am teaching at the Leduc Public Library. It's a 6 week class for kids ages 10 and up. We'll be learning about six famous artists with six very distinct styles.

There were 13 kids at this week's lesson which was on Vincent Van Gogh.












We used pastels which the kids really enjoyed ~ especially when it messed up their hands.













Everyone chose to either work from Starry Night or one of Vincent Van Gogh's sunflower paintings.






















The students were thrilled when Vincent even made a personal appearance in the form of an action figure!

Next week we'll be learning about Matisse. It promises to be a fun and substantially less messy experience when we do some "cut out" art.

Photo Tag

Want to play a game of Photo Tag? Here's what you need to do.

1. Go to the photo folder in your computer.
2. Go to the seventh folder of photos.
3. Go to the seventh picture.
4. Put the picture on your blog along with a description of it.
5. Invite seven friends to join the challenge.

Here's my photo from File 7, Photo 7. It's an ATC I swapped out in 2005. It was collaged on the card, and then I put an old greeting card transparency over top, punched a couple holes on top and tied them together with some sparkly tulle.



I am tagging:
Arlene
Maija
Jennifer
Nicolette
Laura
Kim
Brenda

Winter art

Today is the kind of day that American artist, Robert Duncan captured in his painting entitled Curious Onlookers (left). The snow has been falling for several days, and wind has been howling. Quite frankly, everyone around these parts is simply weary of winter! I have two prints of Duncan's that I hang during the winter months:
Curious Onlookers
and Winter Friends.

Usually around the first week of December, I bring these lovelies out of my basement for display in our living room.

Originally, I was attracted to Winter Friends because it reminded me of when David and Zachary were little. The boys in the painting look to be about the same age difference as our sons.

As much as I enjoy Duncan's winter paintings, I look forward to when the snow melts, the sap begins to flow and the ground begins to thaw. Then, I will put my winter art away for another season.

Of blog interviews and winter grub

The other day, my son said to me: "You should start a blog for just interviews, otherwise people will think that your Humungous Art blog is just an interview blog."

I explained to him that I was doing these interviews leading up to my 4th Blogoversary, to learn more about the blogs (and their creators) that I've included in my Beautiful Blogs section, and to share them with the readers of Art of Humungous Proportions.

So, in case you think that the only thing I do on this blog is talk about other people's art, it isn't the case. Read on.

Today is a blustery day. The snow just won't stop falling.
It's the kind of day that one simply wants to hunker down, listen to Vinyl Cafe, drink herbal tea and try to do something creative.

Seems during the winter months here in northern Alberta, when it's cold outside, all we do is eat (the rest of the year we spend trying to rid ourselves of the weight we've accumulated over the winter).

So, speaking of food ... what I'm thinking is, is that I'll show you an idea for a mid-winter lunch.

First fry up some perogies. I like to pan fry frozen perogies and then just before serving time, I slice up some onions and fry them in butter.


Next make a salad.
Lately I've been using Balsamic Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil as my preferred salad dressing.


Oh! and don't forget dessert.

The Black Forest cake above is one of my mother-in-law's beautiful creations.

Blog Interview #15 ~ Maria Pace Wynters

I discovered Maria Pace Wynters' artwork while browsing through a copy of the Rat Creek Press sitting at my favourite neighbourhood bookshop, Mandolin Books and Coffee Company. A piece of her artwork was featured in the centre spread of the paper. The colours, composition and pure joy of living sprang off the page. At the bottom of the article, Maria's website address included. I contacted Maria shortly after to talk to her about her art and was lucky enough to attend an exhibit soon afterward to see her beautiful work first hand. So, I'm grateful that Maria agreed to tell us a little more about herself and her work.

So Maria, please tell us about yourself.
I live on a tree lined street in a big old house with my two young girls, my singer songwriter husband, a blue heeler and an orange cat. I am stay at home Mom and artist. I love to cook almost as much as I love to read cookbooks. Currently I am doing a series of paintings called "Too Small" about being a child and at the same time being a mother remembering being a child. I am also working on a children's book about 'Circus Girl', a character I have been developing over the last year.

Why did you start blogging?
I was really making forward momentum with my art, finally painting daily and writing as well. After five years I had finally go my website up and running and I was really proud of how it looked and its content. It really was a natural progression to start blogging. It was at the suggestion of my husband and I admit I was reluctant at first. I had no idea it would become such a huge part of my day to day life.

So you started blogging under your name, Maria Pace-Wynters, last April (2008). Why did you decide to simply use your name?
I decided to just use my own name because when I created an etsy shop a couple of years ago, before I really started on my current path and not knowing what direction I was going in , I named it Thumbelinapaint. I have since wished that I had simply used my own name and decided to not make the same mistake twice.

What did you talk about in your first post?
It was entitled 'Finally' and talked about how I had finally started to do art again. I had a webpage that stated that my website was 'coming soon', for FIVE years! It was so great to finally get that website up, I expressed that and I enlightened people on how I managed to make art with two little children. I can be pretty creative when I want to paint!

Do you prefer to blog in pictures, words or both?
Both, although I seem to have less and less time for the writing part. I would like to change that. I really need to make more time for writing because I really enjoy it. I sometimes write a poem to accompany a painting. I like doing that but I find I have to do it immediately on completion or even during the painting process or it just doesn't work. I have to be end the same head space as I am when I am doing the painting. It is hard to conjure that up after the fact.

Have you met new people through blogging?
Yes, I have. I think that this is my favorite part of blogging. I take part in illustration friday which is a great way to stay in touch with other artist's work and get feedback from them as well. I love that and I love that these people are all over the world!

Describe a friendship you’ve established through blogging.

There are a couple that come to mind. One is this great artist in the USA named Sandy Mastroni. She is a wonderful artist and an incredibly kind and compassionate person. She gives great advice and encouragement.

The other is Stephen Quirke from South Africa. He does these wonderful watercolours and also is very good with the encouragement ~ being slightly neurotic, I need a lot of encouragement.

Did you design your blog or did you have it professionally done?

It is a professional template that is offered through word press. (Black Letterhead by Ulysses Ronquillo).

What does your "About Me" read on your blog?

I am a mixed media artist that works on both canvas and paper. Currently my subject revolves around what I revolve around: My daughters and life as a stay at home Mom. Not always easy but more than a little gratifying.

What feature do you like the most about your blog?

I love the bright orange/red font. It really seems to go with my images. Bright Red is a favorite colour of mine and I am loving it with turquoise, a colour I have been using in my paintings a lot recently. The dark back ground really makes the images pop off the page and I love how saturated the colours look. Of course I love that people can write comments about my work. That is my favorite part of having a blog, the wonderful comments from people all over the world. When you create art, you want people to see it. You want to touch people and you want feedback. It is an important part of the process that I was missing out on before I started blogging.

Is there anything on your blog you’d like to change?

I wish Word Press offered more widgets. I see other people's blogs with all sorts of cool stuff down the sides and am envious. Some might say I have widget envy. Also I would like a pay now feature so visitors don't have to leave my blog in order to buy my art.

Do you ever blog when you don’t "feel like it"?

Yes, because I feel that I want to have new stuff for the people that visit frequently. It is a little easier for me because I don't have to write much. I can just put an image up. If my blog was more about writing I probably would not be able to post as frequently.

What words or themes would you use to describe your blog?
I would say that my blog is all about me and what surrounds me on a daily basis. Theme: 'A Visual Diary of a A Stay At Home Mum/ Artist" OR: ' How a mum creates art while looking after two young children and how an artist looks after her kids while she is trying to paint.'

Do you have any interesting directions you want to take your blog in, in the future?
I would love to do a video of myself creating a piece from beginning to end. I did this using photos but I think a video demo would be really cool.

Do you sell your art online?
I sell on Etsy and I think that is how most people that have bought my art have found me. I think [they] then check out my blog, website, Facebook group and Twitter.

Any final thoughts?

When I was a little girl I would do art any chance I could get. I loved to be creative and was always encouraged by my Mom. It was fun. I enjoyed doing it. In fact, there was nothing I liked better. It was never a chore! It was never dull.

So, what happened? When I was a teenager I romanticized about a lot of things: Marriage, children, getting older.Visions of Picasso danced in my head. Like Picasso before me, I saw my future self eating dinner and then taking my fish bones and making a clay relief. I would have a bohemian house with piles of art and reference books on the dining room table. I would paint along side of my toddler. Look at us painting together for hours at a time. I won't go as far as to say I imagined myself wearing a striped black and white t- shirt and shorts but I will say that I was totally out of touch with reality. First of all, toddlers require constant help when they do art, and their attention span is all of oh, lets say, 15 minutes. If you are lucky. Also, I can't stand stuff all over the place, let alone my dining room table. I need that table to feed my kids and I don't want their grubby little fingers all over my good books! Not to mention that I don’t even like fish very much, let alone a whole fish with bones.
I guess as I got older so much stuff got in the way of the pure process of creation. I had a constant dialogue going through my brain. Is it good enough? Who will like this? Is it too commercial or illustrative? or not enough? Is the palette to cold? Too dark? Too muddy? How could I tap into the pureness of what I was doing if the whole time I was doing it my head was questioning whether I should be doing it all. I don't know who initially put these questions in my head. College, University, people of influence all played a part. Life isn't the way I imagined it. The fun in art definitely was no longer part of my process. I no longer felt excited to create. It was just so much pressure: to create art that everybody likes is really hard. Now, it has come full circle and as a Mother I watch my girls create and I am inspired by them. They don't worry about the outcome. They just enjoy the act of making something. Anything. When it is done, it is done, and they move on to the next thing. They don't dwell on it. It is about the process not the product. Sure we all want to create art that we like, and that other people like too, but if that is all we focus on it becomes a chore and where is the fun in that? It is so nice not to be in that angst ridden part of my life. At forty, it is so great to be able to re-associate art with fun, and know I can still learn new stuff even if it is stuff I knew at the age of three.

Visit Maria's blog and website.

Intermission of sorts ...

For today, since I've caught up with all the artist interviews so far, I thought I'd just show you some work of a friend of ours. James R. Pearson (Rick to his friends) is a Canadian watercolour artist who paints landscapes, barns, farms and grain elevators. When he saw grain elevators in rural Alberta starting to disappear, he started to paint them.
Today, he also paints other rural locations, far northern Canadian subjects and occasionally, flowers.
His wife Gloria, is one of my best-est friends ev-er. I hear she is trying to convince Rick to start painting mountain scenes just so she can go with him on numerous painting jaunts.

Rick begins with his Olympus digital SLR, then makes several thumbnail sketches, and finally works these into a detailed drawings that is transferred onto watercolour paper and presto, out pops a piece of art. It's not quite that easy, of course, but that is the general gist of the process.

Check out Rick's blog at www.splashandpaint.blogspot.com