Friday, August 12, 2011

Wanna Be

I remember when I went to my friend's college function years after I had earned my English degree.


It was a presentation set up by the graphic arts department.


That's when I knew.



I knew in my heart that I would have LOVED majoring in graphic art.


I ENJOYED majoring in English, it was easier for me than other subjects. 



But, if I had taken art....


I would have LOVED it.



I thank God for computers, crafting and stamping ... the whole lot!

It's like a second chance.

Back in the day when I was going to school...computers weren't like they are now.


There wasn't clip art or software you could maneuver and work with.


Since I didn't see raw talent coming from me...


like pottery, painting or sketching,


being an art major was as far away from me as being an astronaut. 


But oh, how I would pause at the window of the art department and just gaze at displays with a longing in my heart.  


Wishing those were MY pieces hanging in the window.

When I looked at them...my head got all swimmy like, ya know?


I'm sure I'm not the only wanna be out here...I see so much talent coming from other stay at home/ stamping moms. 



I also see it coming from working/stamping moms who have jobs which aren't artistic.


We all wanna be....oh I don't know...artists in some way, shape or form?




I had a lot of fun with this card and for some reason, remembered the night that I knew.


I first inked up my thin acrylic block with pink and then orange and stamped the backgrounds for the images.  I then stamped the ornaments in Versamark and embossed in black.


I used braiding cord to "shoe lace" the inked piece to the card base.  I sponged the blue in the raw spots left over.


sketch.


Also, I am using ColourQ's #97 colors.








Thanks for listening to my story, and know we are blessed to be able to freely show our work and play these fun challenges that wake up the artist in all of us. ;)


Card info:

My Mind's Eye I Believe stamp, Papertrey Ink's Wreath for All Seasons sentiment, Versamark, black embossing powder, Tim Holtz and Staz On inks

9 comments:

Karen B. said...

So fresh. So fun. So clean and graphic! I love the unconventional holiday colors! Thanks for playing at CAS-ual Fridays!

Sylvia said...

Fun Christmas card, Marlena! I too like that you did the non traditional colors. Thanks for joining us at the ColourQ this week.

Virginia L. said...

I ADORE this, Marelena! You truly let your graphic designing talent shine through! I feel your passion and love of crafting! Thanks SO much for playing with us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Unknown said...

What a fun color combo to use for a modern Christmas card, Marlena! I love the black embossed ornaments. You ARE an artist, no question about it! Thanks so much for joining us at colourQ this week! :)

Christina said...

Such a fun and unexpected color combo for Christmas, and a fabulously artistic design! The black embossed ornaments really stand out against the brighter colors. Thanks for joining us this week at the ColourQ!

Deborah Frings said...

Love your post - being told I was "no good" by my art teacher wasn't great - I love to get inky!! Your card is just fab, bold images with bright colours - love it. The non-traditional colours work! Here's mine!

Laurie said...

I love the non-traditional colors here! and those stitches are so fun! Thanks for playing along at CAS-ual Fridays!

Laura Davis said...

LOVE this, so much fun!
Thanks for playing at CAS-ual Fridays!
Laura

Dana said...

See now I was an art major in HS but thought it would be silly to actually major in it for college. Good thing for me too, because I'd probably be starving!
This has such an artsy, free feeling to it Marlena. I can tell you had fun with it. And isn't that what this hobby is all about? *smile* So glad you joined us for CAS-ual Fridays!