twodressesstudio

Monday, March 25, 2013

The Tunnel

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"The Tunnel"

Digital Art

Image Credits with thanks to Holliewood Studios - Altered Reality

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

It's not a dream, It's not a dream....

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Good Evening Folks,

Mindi is off this week. I am pleased to announce, due to popularity, and with a bit of coaxing with treats, she (Mindi) has accepted responsibilities here at Two Dresses to assist me as a part-time blogger, volunteering for literally the price of a small piece of bacon. Now, it`s my job to bring some home!

This week I have had to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I've always subscribed to the idea that if something is too good to be true, then...well, you know the rest. I also have a tendency to hesitate announcing anything until it is 'signed, sealed and delivered.' But now the 'cat is in the bag' - I'm delighted, proud, pumped and overall giddy to share my news...

First, I received an email from Seth Apter to announce his second book titled " The Mixed Media Artist: Art Tips, Tricks, Secrets and Dreams from 40 Amazing Arts" is now listed on Amazon for pre-purchase. I have two pieces of artwork featured in his book, along with a link that will go live to an exciting stop-motion video of one of these pieces as it progresses from a graphite pencil drawing to a full color collage.

-The Mixed Media Artist -

Art Tips, Tricks, Secrets and Dreams From Over 40 Amazing Artists

Author - Seth Apter

Secondly, in December 2012 (aka best.gift.ever) I received word that I was among the winners in a competition hosted by Artists Network culminating in this hardcover book - Incite: Dreams Realized - The Best of Mixed Media. "Over 100 of the most inspiring works from the mixed-media art community are featured under the theme "Dreams Realized," offering readers a level to aspire to. This premier competition book will unite artists from around the globe and will showcase the power of positive intention!"

"Incite" is also now listed for pre-order via Amazon. Preordering prior to publication equals savings of approximately 35% Both books are due to be released at the beginning of October 2013!

Incite - Dreams Realized - The Best of Mixed Media

Publisher - North Light Books

Thanks for visiting and also for your encouragement in the form of comments to keep me blogging for the past six years!

Friday, March 08, 2013

My new Haircut and Mom's Craft Attitude India-Ah Treasure Box

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Mom just asked me to publish a quick post to let you know she's been busy taking photos of me and Buddha but will be back sometime soon! We're hoping the snow will all be gone on Sunday. I don't like "going" in the snow - it's so cold and even colder now with my new haircut.

Happy Weekend Blogland!

xox
Mindi

Oh, I almost forgot, besides the photos, she also made this box last weekend. It took her for-EVER! It's made out of Nepalese handmade Lotka papers, layers of Craft Attitude , the curio feet come from Tim Holtz's Ideology line and the images from Iktupilli. She called it "Indie-Ah".

"Indi-Ah" - Mixed Media Box

Art - Trudi Sissons

Images - Iktupilli

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Finger Tip Heaven - Random Snapshots with Craft Attitude

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Snapshots of Mixed Media Applications with Craft Attitude

Holy Cow!

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Keeping the momentum of blogging "top of mind" - today's "share" from yesterday's creating - please enjoy !

"Holy Cow" - Sacred Celebrations

12x12 digital collage

Element Credits with thanks to Iktupilli Holliewood Studios (flames) and Lorie Davison (background)

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Returning to Artful Blogging.... Family First

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Today I am back to the blog hoping to post work I created in the last six months in 2012 as well as posting a few snapshots from the CHA show in January!

But before that, I've also decided to share with you a bit about my absence from blogging for several months.

In June last year I had to switch my focus to my Dad who had his 86th birthday in May. If you met my Dad, you'd fall in love with him. He always has a joke to tell, a good word to say, and something from his past that always reminds me of how important the simpler things are in life.

At 86 he still golfs at least once a week and when the golf courses close, he takes up bowling. His rescue dog - Fergie is never far behind him. She's an elderly toothless Bichon he adopted shortly after my Mom passed away. If I can't reach my Dad on the phone normally it's because he is out for a walk with Fergie. And you can set your watch to their schedule of walks that occur three times a day.

Unfortunately, Dad has had to weather several years of financial stresses because he lent a large sum of money to a family member who had not been able to repay him. So Dad and I worked together over the summer and fall and things are finally back to where he does not have to be anxious about his finances and I can relax knowing he is OK.

Here's a photo of my Dad and my daughter Hayley opening presents at my daughter Hayley's home at Christmas this year. He looks almost as though he's the present in the box! What a dear sweet man and a true gift!

Christmas 2012 - Dad and Hayley at Hayley's

Monday, February 11, 2013

In My Mind's Eye

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I thought I would pepper some of the older work I will be posting with some new digital collages as well. Hope your Monday is off to a good start to the week!

In My Mind's Eye

Digital Collage

Image Permissions: itkupilli, Tumble Fish Studio and Public Domain

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Old work from Summer 2012

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I swear I am months behind on posting. Since I rely on this blog as a personal reference, please bear with me as I catch up.

This collage had at least 9 previous lives before I finally decided to leave it as photographed here. It is thick with layers of acrylics, handmade papers and stamping.

8x8 inch mixed media collage

(Craft Attitude, Stencils, Acrylics, Handmade Papers)
Copyright 2013 Two Dresses Studio
All Rights Reserved

Three views of the same collage including images from Tumble Fish Studio, the geisha's are made with Craft Attitude along with handmade papers. I think there may be a bit of wrapping paper too! Obviously, it's not acid free.

8x8 mixed media collage

(Craft Attitude, handmade papers, Images from Tumble Fish Studio -( building on side)

Thursday, February 07, 2013

New work from the past week

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Things are buzzing over at Deviant Scrap lately! Hollie Haradon (Holliewood Studios) gathered all of the designers together to create a series of new work/images all in the theme of "Once Upon A Time" plus announced a new designer to the team - Iktupilli, whose images I've long admired and used in some of my artwork.

I titled this first one "Jam Session - Unplugged" - I think you'll get my 'drift'.

Jam Session: Unplugged?

Last week I took a break from trying to get my technology to sync with iCloud to create this multi-layered composition. It's dedicated to a wonderful woman, a colleague and friend from my social work days (my "first life") who had suggested a nice cup of tea might take the edge off the learning curve. Again, I had the pleasure of working with some of Iktupilli's images as well as several from my own personal stash.

"High Tea"

My dear friend Marsha came up with a true Tumble Fish Studio style of Once Upon a Time that transported me back to all of my childhood memories of fairy tales. I was reminded again of how

'large' my imagination had been as a child and how much I love returning to those memories. That poisonous apple was quite frightful back then!

"Mirror, Mirror"

One last one using Iktupilli images, I printed out the composition on Craft Attitude and heat set it onto a piece of silver metallic paper with the large dots you see below. I've long subscribed to the "Golden Mean!"

"Monkey On My Back"

Thanks for the visit and as always for taking the time to leave a comment.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

"Chunky" Artist Trading Blocks

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Last week I mentioned I'd be back with more images and details about "Chunky ATC's. If you've never heard this 'term' before, well, you wouldn't be alone!

While Artist Trading Cards have been around since the mid 1990's. A "Chunky"is a solid wood substrate with the same dimensions of an Artist Trading Card (2.5 x 3.5 inches) and includes 1.5 inches in depth, thus "chunky". I purchased mine via Outside The Margins and noticed today that they are on sale for $12.00 for 12 blocks. This price does not include shipping and handling. Be warned - they are heavy.

All but one of the five you see below are all made incorporating Craft Attitude transfer film/skin. If you look closely at the one at the top with the star, the blueprint was printed with Craft Attitude and then, using UHU glue, I attached it directly to the wooden block. I liked how, being transparent, you can still see the wood grain through it. The one to the left of it with the partial body of the man holding the Royal Flush was created by first adhering some beautifully embossed natural paper to the block and then adding the Craft Attitude layer over the paper, again with UHU (or any other acid free glue).

- An Assortment of 5"Chunky Artist Trading Blocks -

Image Credits: Finecrafted Designs and Tumble Fish Studio (via www.deviantscrap.com)

"Samurai SteamPunk"
Chunky ATC Block and 6x6x1.5 inch cradled wood panel

Samurai SteamPunk Chunky

Mixed Media Collage 3.5x1.5x1.5 inches

Image Credits: helmut only - Mr. Whiskers

Samurai SteamPunk 2