Tammy's Studio » Challenges

Golden Rose

Tammy Sue — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:19:49 +0000

♥ Golden Rose ♥

Another ATC fresh from the worlds tiniest easel.☺ I made this ATC with the help of plenty of eye drops given to me by the Dr. (given meaning… that’ll be $12.00 please.) This ATC is for the Week 8 challenge at Eraser Queens challenge blog. I couldn’t wait to do this challenge as I’m a real sucker for anything PINK! But if you frequent my blog you know my passion for pink. The challenge was to use the colors Rose, White, and Gold. I think I pulled it off rather well. And now my eyes are exhausted. The Dr. found a few clouds in the photos of my right eye so I had to make an appointment upon his insistence with my family Dr. I have to wait for the papers for my blood panel to show up before I can do that. Then I go to my Dr. on the 31st of August. This year has been a non-stop trip to one doctor or another. Then I have to go back to my eye Dr in 3 months for a check on my dry eyes. He said they were the driest eyes he’d ever seen, which by no means surprises me as they constantly feel like sand paper. My ankle Dr moved my appointment from this Friday to next Tuesday so I have that to “look forward to” /sigh. My calendar is now booked through November with one appointment or another with Dr visits. Not to mention follow up appointment to find out what’s causing the clouds in my eyes. I hope you’re clear eyed and focused! Until tomorrow.. I’m off to rest my eyes with a cold cloth laid over them for a few. Have a great hump day! And EAT your carrots!

I’m Finnish

Tammy Sue — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:13:26 +0000

♥ I’m Finnish ♥

This is the first time I’ve done a “nude” but I thought since she was a mermaid that it was acceptable. She’s got quiet the hair do. I named her “I’m Finnish” as a play on words and also for the fact that I’m 1/4 Finn. I did this ATC for the challenge at EraserQueen’s site. I used an illustration board ATC that I ordered from Dick Blick. I love having them precut and ready and super sturdy, I take a few with me with a pencil and a few other artist tools that all fit into a small pouch I can toss in my purse. Waiting at the Dr’s. office is now a pleasure. It gives me time to draw and play and come up with fun little concepts in mini art form. The color scheme for this challenge was beyond my comfort zone as Olive Green is not a color I’m drawn to. I used watercolor pencils for Olive in this and like the way the water softened the color, and as it turned out it went rather nicely with the turquoise, as for the black.. black works with everything so I opted to outline little miss mermaid in black in classic illustration style. Once again ~ Happy Tuesday! It’s time for Tammy’s Toys. I’m sharing one of my favorite toys of all times today. Although I haven’t played with them lately I used to play with these Pick Up Sticks quite often. (When I had a bigger desk.) This is actually two sets as I really enjoy a challenge. =) Speaking of challenges.. I have a few on my desk that need addressing so I’m off for now to play a round of Pick Up Sticks and then clean the mess from my desk and get to cracking! See you back here tomorrow… with something very PINK!

Every day needs a pick me up!

Marie Antionette Goes Goth

Tammy Sue — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:54:49 +0000

♥ Marie Gone Goth ♥

This piece was a complete blast to make. I did this as a challenge prompted by EraserQueen on her challenge site which she got from Gothic Arches I’ve never done an arch before but I’ve seen quite a few of them and thought they were very creative and imaginative. I used an ATC for the piece to “frame” with the arch. I added “old world” collaging papers and rubber-stamping along with thick layers of gold paint and some black lava texture gel. I’m super excited with how this turned out. I’m not sure yet what I’ll do with it.. but it would make an awesome piece to glue on the front of an art journal… or add a hanger to the back, or a put on a desk easel. It could even make a fun greeting card front. I guess the possibilities are endless. I finished a few other art-tastic things yesterday as well that I’ll be sharing as the week goes by. I did some very fun journal play and worked on a couple 4×4″ minis. Today I’ll be putting the finishing touches on some minis and finishing off some gift tags I started playing with last night. So far today it’s cool so I’m opening up the house to let out the overnight stuffiness and enjoy the cool morning breeze. So until tomorrow! I hope you find some fun challenges to take part in and I hope you share your links with me! Happy Hump Day!

Up for the Challenge

Tammy Sue — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:12:03 +0000

♥ Journal Jazz ♥

I did this wild and crazy colorful butterfly for the week 5 prompt at EraserQueen Studios. We post our final projects in a Flickr group she’s created for us. It’s a fun way to force yourself to use different colors together. The outer edge of this looks more pink then red in the photo but it’s red oil pastel smear with my fingers. Messy and fun! I did NO art yesterday at all so I needed to get my creativity in today before starting some new mini paintings. I have 5 I need to sketch out and wood-burn. I got involved in a video game yesterday, something I don’t do to much of any more. But it’s fun to do something different once in a while and I do get creative ideas from playing them. I’m playing one my hubs played during my first month after my ankle surgery. I was out of it most of the time so he needed something to keep him entertained. It’s Dragon Age Origin and can be quite a time sink so be warned if you’re a gamer. It’s Tuesday again which means it’s time for show and tell also known as: Tammy’s Toys! Today I thought I’d share something cute and cuddly and something we will some day see.

“The lamb will lie down with the lion”

My mom gave me the lamb a long time ago after a hospital stay and the lion is a “toy” I bought for the hubs… pairing them seemed perfect and we have them sitting together to show not only our faith but also the difference in our personalities! I think they are absolutely adorable… and you can’t really tell here, but.. the lion has a wobbly head… which makes him hilarious. (cuz I can alway make him agree with me! HEE!) Have a terrific 2sday I’ll see you again super soon!

MarmaLady

Tammy Sue — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:36:03 +0000

♥ MarmaLady ♥

I did this painting for a challenge that I just joined on Flickr. Here’s the website if you’re interested in checking it out. Prompts can be fun and helpful in challenging you to push your limits and step outside your comfort zone. The prompt for this was using orange and brown together. Orange isn’t a color I use very often, growing up I actually hated the color orange…and my mom loved it. Our living room had lots of orange in it. Since then there have been many changes in that room and today it’s a stunning purple/lavender combination. (Thank you mom!)☺

I just went with the flow and let the painting paint itself and I’m so happy I did… my brain didn’t get in the way. I used the mediums I normally use and it just “happened.” I was stumped when I thought about naming this painting. I thought.. “orange?” Hmm, what’s orange… oranges are orange. Then it hit me! Marmalade is orange. So I dubbed her MarmaLady! Does she own the village shop that sells jams and jellies or is she the Lady in the castle that gets treated to marmalade on her toast each morning?

◄Tammy’s Toys Tuesday►

Goofy as it is ~ it’s quite fun to peel off each day to find out what’s hiding behind yesterday! If you don’t know who Hoops & Yoyo are you can check them out at Hallmark online. They are such fun and fantastically funny creatures that are sure to worm their way into your heart… and possibly onto your desk. This “toy” was a gift form the hubs for Christmas…so it’s a gift that keeps on giving… for a whole year. It’s a smile a day.

Orange

Tammy Sue — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:42:58 +0000

I did this ATC for a challenge proposed on Milliande’s art site. Orange is not a favorite color of mine. It’s actually one of my least favorites. I’ve learned that pairing orange with turquoise or pink makes it pop out more to my liking… and of course orange and Halloween are favorites regardless of the fact that it’s orange. As much as I don’t tend to lean toward oranges when I paint it’s good to work outside our comfort zones. To play with a color that you don’t normally incorporate into your work or play. I resisted the urge to add turquoise or pink to this ATC. I forced myself to use my orange mediums to their advantage. It turned out fun! It’s vibrant and cheerful. It screams spring and summer. It’s quite refreshing. Toys I used for this ATC include:

I’m working on a few pieces at once right now as I wait for physical therapy days. I really can’t get around much so I exercise my ankle and foot while I sit and paint. Hopefully I’ll be dancing soon! Hmm… must be time to paint a shoe! I’ll share more soon. What’s on your easel?

Angel Watching Over Me

Tammy Sue — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:15:13 +0000

I finished this journal entry last night. This journal is difficult to work in. It’s actually a mini scrap-booking notebook. The paper is a heavy cardstock but blending and using liquid mediums don’t take to it kindly. I however like the size and once I’m done with this one I’ll be starting on my Moleskin, so I want to hurry and fill this one up. =) I did do a coloring book page of the angel just after I had her penciled in so now I have a template in case I decide to make something larger with her which is very likely as I think she’s rather sweet. Here’s a run down on materials I used to make this entry.

Collage papers
Rubber stamps
Confetti stars
A re-purposed cross sticker
Gel pens, chalks, acrylics, colored pencils ~ just to name a few.

I also joined a super easy Artist Trading Card swap. It’s from Melted Crayon and I love playing with melted wax so I joined them to learn a few techniques. Here’s the ATC I came up with.

This is done on a Strathmore Illustration Board (precut) Artist Trading Card. I used my crayons and the technique taught on the video at their site to do the background. Then I used rubber stamps, tissues, glitters, Liquitex Black Lava Texture Gel, and a pink butterfly sequin. The words “Be Free” poke through giving you only a glimpse, as any butterfly sighting… you only get a wee look before they are off on their wings being free! I hope your Tuesday finds you happy and free. Free to create whatever your heart desires!

The things I can’t post …

Tammy Sue — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:08:37 +0000

Christmas is just around the corner. I’m not done …yet. /SIGH! I’m working feverishly on the last remaining things I wanted to get done before the big day. With only a few things left to do I’m anxious about getting them done in the St. Nick of time! I can’t share them here as the people they are for are actually the only family members I know that visit my blog. Thank you Brandie… and the hubs. I do however have something I want to share with you that I hope you’ll take the time to check into. I’ve met a girl online whom goes mainly by M. She’s hosted a 3 week challenge on a Ning site that after the 3 weeks, and then 3 weeks again, and possibly again, lost popularity and Ning being the ningypoo’s they are, they closed her site. The good news is… She now has a new site called Heart’s Desire for Joy and is offering daily inspiration for free. Her content is solid, her message is awesome, she is truly one of the most inspiring people I’ve come across on the Internet and she’s not snarky at you for succeeding! She’s a very warm-hearted person that you can’t help but fall in love with. Please drop on by, check her out and see what inspiring messages she has to offer. Inspiration is never a bad thing! There are already a lot of really inspiring people that have joined her community so you ‘ll be sure to find something you can relate to. It’s a place of friendship, sharing, discussing woes and working them out…. and so much more. For the most part I’m not one to promote things on my blog, but I believe so strongly in Heart’s Desire for Joy that I really do truly hope you stop in for a visit.

What does your heart desire?!

Looking Back …

Tammy Sue — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:02:19 +0000

I made this post on some of the Ning sites I belong to and wanted to share it here.

As one often does at year’s end, I’ve been looking back at my artwork over the course of the past few years and I’m amazed at how I’ve improved. With practice one can do most anything. I love what I do so the practice is play for me. I’ve been forced in many cases to work around things that don’t look quite right in a painting or I don’t have the right element for. This helps to teach us and helps us grow as artists as well as building our character. I’m pleased with what I’ve learned through my art and how it helps to heal some of the sorrows that life dishes out. Art has the ability to take pain and turn it into beauty while at the same time healing our hearts and helping us forgive and grow. Art is an amazing tool in life. It’s a gift that literally keeps on giving and I just wanted to take this time as the year winds down to express to all of us that we here hold a very valuable ability to heal ourselves, help others and bring beauty to the ugliness that life can bring. Keep creating, keep bring beauty to your world and share your talent with whoever will have a look!

Then:

Now:

The Power of Pink

Tammy Sue — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:39:03 +0000

The Power of Pink! I’m happy to announce that I will be teaching an online class of how to make these fun ceramic trivets. I’m getting the software and video camera for Christmas so sometime in January I’ll be able to show you step by step how this process is done. This particular trivet was made for my Mother-in-Law for Christmas. And I had a very fun time creating in Pink! If you visit here often you know my love for the color pink! You also know how I love the challenge of making something that takes me out of my comfort zone. I’m always excited about using new products and new mediums and would rather buy art supplies than clothes any day! (Oh how my wardrobe is suffering… I’ll need to buy something to wear for Christmas!) As I’m pretty much a stay at home kind of person due to my lifestyle and my creative juices pouring themselves out daily onto one canvas or another… paint stained hoodies and yoga pants are my standard. However… showing up at the in-laws dressed in my artist attire would embarrass me horribly! Not to mention those who are with me. So…. A trip to my favorite clothing store is impending whether I like it or not. I’m so excited about learning video editing and presenting techniques to you and I promise this will be done in an affordable fashion! And it’s more than likely you’ll only have to buy a few supplies at minimal cost.. one of which is from the dollar store! The possibilities for this technique are endless and I’m very excited about sharing what I’ve learned by teaching myself this technique.