Tammy's Studio

Love At First Sight

Tammy — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:59:45 +0000

These arrived late yesterday afternoon. I’m in love. I’ve been wanting a set of Prismacolor Colored Pencils for well over a year now and finally just went for it. They are oh-so-delicious and creamy to create with. It’s like blending with little sticks of butter! The Julia Child of the Pencil! The colors are so rich and dreamy! You all know what a sucker I am for a good art supply. Well… for any art supply for that matter! Be it good or some recycled thingamajig I found at the bottom of my junk drawer! There’s just something awe-inspiring about opening up a decorative tin box and finding a stick rainbow! Now even my stick men will look groovy! I went right to work on an entry in my art journal using my new tools! It’s coming along quite nicely and I’m having a great time playing. I’ll be sure to share it when it’s done. I’ve also been watching some movies and elevating my ankle per Dr’s request. I’m nursing myself through some flu-like symptoms as well. As they say… “It never rains but when it pours!” It’s been a monsoon year for me thus far, yet I expect more to come … from the sunny side of life! As without the rains of life we can’t have rainbows! Even if they do come in stick form in a decorative tin! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Look at what I’m holdin!

Chick it out …

Tammy — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:31:04 +0000

Oh to fly again up my feet! I’m still “Boot-Leggin!” This bright and cheerful bird-brain did take my mind off my woes for a bit however. The bright colors of spring and summer striking against the harsh white backdrop of my journal. I’ll dream in brighter colors tonight. … I hope! I spent some time today working in Adobe Photoshop re-adjusting some postcards I’ve been playing with. Once I’ve mastered how to tile them I’ll be printing some out and getting them up on Etsy. I’m also planning on some bookmarks as well and a few other stationary items. If you have any ideas or suggestions please let me know! I’m always excited to hear from other people.

Until later! Happy Hump Day!

Live By Faith

Tammy — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:13:12 +0000

Papers, rub onz, stickers, gift tags, pens, pencils, markers and more. This is a journal page I did while still in my cast. I’ve pulled out several projects to start and have them front and center on my desk but the boot is causing a bit more pain than I had hoped for. I’m only getting things done in baby steps. Twenty two days from now I’ll be back at the Dr. and hopefully my baby steps will expand to toddler sized steps.
I’ll continue to work on what I’ve started and let my baby steps lead me… at least part of that process was getting my desk cleaned off! I pulled some supplies from my cupboard and started a new venture that shouldn’t really take too long to do once I get on a roll.

With all my journals I’ve completed and more pages yet to post I’m wondering what everyone else does with their art journals when they have finished them? Have you made prints of favorite pages? Have you ripped em out and hung them? Or are keeping them neat and tidy on a shelf? Let me know! I’m wondering what all I can do with these closed off works of art.

Violet Eyes

Tammy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:53:15 +0000

Violet Eyes… their watching you! Yet another art journal entry. With here little doily hat and collar she looks nearly ready for Easter. But what is she so sad about? I’ll tell ya! She’s sad about this~~~

Yep! The Dr. gave me the boot. After 2 months in my stinky-pinky cast I was so relieved to get it removed and give my leg a good scratching! Talk about itchy! Sadly the Dr doesn’t think my ankle is ready for use yet so he’s secured my leg in this mega monster. It’s quite cumbersome and I’m not allowed to walk on it yet so I’m still scooting about in the wheelchair. So now you see why Violet Eyes is tearful. She’s ever so frustrated about not being able to get out into the spring that’s starting to bounce forward! I’ll be going back to the Dr. on March 24th with hopes of being able to put weight on my foot. Oh please oh please oh please! Until then, I’ll be immersed in art, movies, and reading to keep my mind off my cyborg leg!

Simplicity With Pencils

Tammy — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:43:55 +0000

This pencil drawing was done as a playful moment. It’s more of a neat doodle than anything else. I’ve tried… really tried to make messy art. For some reason I can’t. I like my lines to look pretty and neat and orderly. I’ve tried making scribbles and grunge but it doesn’t come out that way. I’ve attempted so many times to make a mess on paper but it never comes out looking loose and sloppy. I guess that’s okay. I’ve always been a bit anal about things like that anyway. I like clean lines. I like order, I like pretty… and so when I doodle, I do so neatly I guess. I admire other peoples messy art and maybe one day I’ll get the hang of imperfect lines. For now however I’ll rejoice in my pretty pretties I create and share them with you. This doodle was done with pencil, black Micron pen, and pink chalk. I like the simplicity of it. Sometimes less is truly more. What’s on your easel today?

Thinking Outside The Box…

Tammy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:08:51 +0000

I love “stuff.” Artsy stuff. Papers, bottle caps, box fillers, napkins, and paper towels I’ve used to clean my paint brushes. They look so splattered and delicious in their reckless painted manor. I use everything I can get my hands on when I’m doing mixed media art. I’ve used… Kleenex, wine corks, and foils from food packaging. I’ve stamped with bubble wrap, corks, bottle caps and more! I’ve smeared paint with credit cards, scraps of paper and of course… my fingers… Art supplies DON’T have to be expensive! I’ve melted crayons on my art and smeared it around with home found tools. You too can search your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room (ohh.. don’t you just love the texture of a used dryer sheet?) for a plethora of artistic goodies. What’s fun about this is it’s recycling what you already have. Keep your cereal boxes and use the cardboard for journal making or for a blotter to catch excess paint. These are all things that you are going to through out anyway so why not utilize what you can from them. I use Styrofoam meat trays for paint palettes. They was up fast and easily and can be replaced instantly with the one from last night’s dinner. If you are anything like this please share your “trash to treasure” ideas. I’d love to see what creative uses you have for “stuff.”

Making Greetings!

Tammy — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:09:52 +0000

Postcards from Tammy’s Studio!

This idea was suggested to me by my dear friend M at Hearts Desire4 Joy and I thought she was sheer genius for thinking of it. Not only does it allow people to buy homemade art and greetings at an affordable price, it also allows you to share it via mail and gifts! What a fun thing to be able to create… especially since my teen dream was to work for Hallmark. Now I can be my own “Hallmark” and do it from home in my PJ’s. Here’s the first one off the press today. I have some printer tweaking to do yet and some other minor adjustments but I should have a line of my greetings up on my Etsy shop by mid March. I’m really hoping you drop in and take a look around.

Yep.. I’m sitting with foot elevated today for a bit playing with art on the computer. It feels good to know I’ll be here without the stink from the two-month-old pink on me SOON! I now have four days left till the big “reveal” and I’m very much so looking forward to it. It’s gonna be an awesome Friday for me this week! Yippee!

I Almost Forgot …

Tammy — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:43:53 +0000

This is a collaged trivet I made for one of my nieces for Christmas. I nearly forgot about sharing it with you due to the cast of doom around my leg. As of today I have only 5 days of couch misery left. I opted not to risk my good ankle with crutches as obviously I’m not the most graceful swan on the lake. This pretty purple and gold goodies was made using collage papers, decorative napkins, sticker lettering which is painted over in a glossy black, golden metal hearts, gold leafing, modeling paste, crackle medium, and oh so much more! I have a few other similar like creations waiting on my desk for me to play with when I’m back to my walkabout! Until later! Happy Sunday and God Bless YOU!

Eleven Days Left

Tammy — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:31:41 +0000

I’m on a countdown! I’m very close to single digits now till trusty old stinky pinky will be removed. I’m SO looking forward to being able to stand on my own two feet. I’ve no idea yet what kind of rehab I’ll be facing but I’m looking forward to having wiggle room. My art journaling is still going strong but the photos of my work are rather lack luster. It’s very challenging trying to prop my journal in a camera aimable position from a wheelchair… soon however, I’ll be more stable and my photos of my work will have more luster. This leaf is somewhat of a doodle that turned into a bit more of a focused work. Most of these entries are done with me flat on my back with my foot on a princess high poofing of pillows. (No, there is no pea under them.) I’ll try to get better photos for you soon and will be happily walking around in a LESS than 2 weeks! God is Great! Until next time! Artfully thinking of you.

Seeds of Faith

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:46:25 +0000

It’s all about patience whilst awaiting for bones to mend. This detailed flower is an example of the patience I’ve been trying so desperately to display. This version of journal play was done with fine tipped felt markers and pastels. I pretty much used what I had at arms length to create this blossom. It’s middle is full of seeds that will scatter into the blind winds of faith once it’s reached it’s peak. The countdown continues and is finally in it’s teens! As of today I have 17 days till my next Drs appointment. As cute as the cast is it’s more so a large pain in the hiney. I’m sure it’s doing it’s purpose but I’m getting ever so “cabin-feverish.” I’ll be counting my blessings and holding tight to my sanity as the days pass by. Leave a comment if you wish to keep me company on my endeavor! =) Oh how I miss my paints!!!