New Project sparked

I just got a second idea for a new project using ACEO cards. I will be making at least 1, (maybe multiple different ones) ACEO cards as playing cards. 54 of them, including the jokers. I just need to do a little minor research (as I am not that much of a card player) to figure out what the different details are (such as how many one eyed queen, king, and jacks there are, etc.)

If you are interested in "commissioning" one of these decks from me, let me know. I would absolutely be open to the idea of making one to "order"!

So many projects, so little time...

I am doing a series of 54 original ACEO cards. They will be available for sale through this blog, my website, ebay, art-cards.org, and artcardswanted.com.

I hope these will be some inspiration sparking quick little polished works for me to test (hopefully successfully) some ideas for larger pieces.

Don't know what ACEO cards are? They are also called ATC (though not 100% interchangeable).

ACEO stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals. ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards. Artist Trading Cards can be printed "copies" ad noseum of the same card that was originally done by an artist.

ACEO cards should always be signed by the artist. They should state whether they are "Editions" or "Originals". The difference would be:

• Editions would be variations of the same picture. Such circumstances would be similar to a Series in effect, more than one of the same imagry with a good portion (or effectively all) the same, maybe doing it in a different style, different color scheme, different, medium, (but not required) but each one unique while alike all the others even if it is simply because it is hand painted, printed, drawn, etc.
• Originals would be one of a kind (OOAK). Each and every picture is unique. They may or may not have things in common (theme, medium, color scheme, style), but each is a piece in and of it's self, not relating to the others.

Compare these definitions to other similar definitions:

• Prints would be duplicates. A good example would be posters. Exact copies of the original. They have nothing different than any other. These can be done in limited runs (becomes called Limited Edition Print - confusing I know)
• Limited Edition Print are prints which would be signed, and numbered in order of printing and sold on a first come first served lowest number basis.
  
• The other kind of print would be print on demand type limitless numbers.

Some people swear that the limited edition runs are more valuable than the limitless runs, and only buy that type of print, but the print more often than not is the same quality, and therefore, it is my personal opinion you should buy what you can afford, and therefore, what you like, regardless of the "value". Otherwise, all anyone would buy is Picasso's and Worhol's etc. If the art is something that you like, then it is priceless. Ok, off my soap box now.

New Artwork

I have been lax on uploading my artwork here, but I really want to pick back up on that again. To that end here is a posting of all the artwork I have done since I last posted art. There is more, but I just haven't finished it, or photographed it yet.

The Herbalist
Corn Husk Doll

Dragon Sculpture in Needle felt

Here are some step by step photos on how I create(d) my dragon sculpture in needle felt wool. I started taking pictures after I began putting the color on, so my apologies for the lack of photos at the beginning to be helpful.

For this sculpture I did tightly and firmly pack before putting on the color. This is because I will be sculpting scales and I need something firm to work with. However, the color is loosely applied except for the color on the eye, it is very firmly applied as I am not working on it after it is done.

The color is a self blend of two shades of natural brown (light and dark), 3 shades of green (emerald, lime, and chartruese), and a rare occasional hint of lemon yellow. The eye is white scelara, with an iris of ellow and brown veins and a ring of tangerine. There is a reptilian slit pupil that goes about 75-80% of the iris.

Here I have begun filling in the muzzle and the beak here.No detailing yet, just coloring it in. I am barely punctureing the colored wool, just enough to attach it to the form. When I begin sculpting the scales that will further attach,

Don't Meddle in the Affairs of Dragons...

For they think you are crunchy and taste good with catsup.

Well, I haven't posted here in a while, not because I forgot. OH no, I didn't forget. It is because I have been beating my head against the table screaming out my creative woes. I have been struggling and drowning in a problem.

I want to create a dragon. A very unique dragon. I see it in my head, but can't seem to figure out how to make the parts come together. So, I decided to make one of my own, building it up piece by piece, and then designing a pattern from that. Then the question was how to begin. OI! So many ideas running through my head and no real means to get them into the proper medium.

So I decided to work on an animal I knew better. An equine. Well, that is easier and harder in some respects. My real problem is how to handle the armature. I want it to be an artist doll (not a toy).

I am going to be building an armature, bulking it some with tape (probably floral to be honest, but we will see when I get that far), then further bulking with yarn, and finally ending with fabric being pinned to get a pattern onto the "model". The actual piece will be possibly (depending on my moments inspiration) glued, sewn, stuffed, trapuntoed (sp?), needle sculpted, gessoed, painted, etc. I really want to give a shot to oil pastels on the fabric structure!

If I can get a horse figured out, then I can move on to the dragon I have in mind.

I hope everyone would be interested to see the outcome as I work it through.

The horse is to be named "Cainwyn Cyra" and will be nicknamed if someone so desires "Cierrah". She is a fantasy creature being, you will understand when you start seeing her creation.

Seems I owe the blog some inspirational entries as well. Those will be on the way shortly.