It’s a new year and that means new year resolutions. I prefer to think of them as what are my “intentions.”

I intend to eat more raw fruit and vegetables.

My art friend CatPratt inspired me to the idea of hosting another swap – this one an “Art Doll” swap – which is something else we swap on our artist trading cards sites.
This might mean including character traits you appreciate about yourself, leave off the ones you don’t. Working on them could be reflective and insightful and when they swap out and make their way about the world, it’s like you are sending that intention out to everyone and you have someone to be accountable to in a way! So I’m hosting the “Self Portrait Doll Swap” that would include yourself and your intentions for the New Year.

We will make 3 dolls to swap – the participants mail them to me, I swap them out and mail back 3 dolls to each person from 3 different artists. That’s why it’s called mail art!

Here is my first one “Super Fruit and Veggie Girl” – art dolls are on heavy stock, any media, jointed with small brads. This one also has all the fruit and veggies able to spin around – as if I’m juggling – -which is another intention, learning to juggle! For real. I’ve got books, bean bags and scarves, to practice with, watched videos…just hasn’t clicked for me for some reason.

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I’m taking an online class by Andrea known in the art world as EraserQueen. Indian Women Workshop – Starts Sept 24th – you still have time to register! (ArtTrader Magazine Inspiration Series)

My latest goddess drawing, a custom trade for Langelbleu titled “Crimson Goddess of Pomegranates and Moon Phases” and I’ll add it to my 100 Muses page.

(2.5″ x 3.5″ – Dr. Martin inks)

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Aquatic Water Snail Shell – watercolor, ink

I’ve had this water snail in my aquarium initially and then moved him to my small bog pond on the patio. With our oppresive heat I think he got to hot and left the pond. I found him, put him back in and a few days later, found him outside the pond again. This time I was too late, the little fella was gone. He may have gotten too hot or maybe he was just old. I’d had him a couple of years.  So I drew some pictures of his pretty shell in honor.

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I’m calling it the “Above and Below Bookmark Swap” Bookmarks will be 2.5″ x 6″ and the theme is about drawing/painting something “above” that would theoretically be viewed sticking out of the top of a book. And then draw/paint something below. Samples below. It could be a kid in bed, with monsters below the bed. A dinner table with the family pet below cleaning up the crumbs. My samples are a man napping under a tree with a “how to get rich” book and below him is buried treasure. And the other – a snail on top of the ground with bones, fossils, and snail shells below the ground.

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I have a personal rule where I try to have most of the poem created by 2 to 3 word pieces. I try not to cut out single words because I feel if I do that, I might as well just get a pencil and paper and write a poem.

It’s a true creative outlet and sometimes you come up with some very interesting poems. Start by finding a book you’re okay with trimming words out of – or use news paper, magazines. I prefer uniform print but I have seen some where the print is all kind of sizes.

Begin visually scanning your book pages. You’ll find a word or two that stimulates your creativity – cut them out, put them aside. Continue on. Cut more out and position them with the other words. Soon you will have a stream of thought going and you will get lost in creating your poem. When finished, I recommend writing the poem down so that you remember it when you are trying to paste them down to something. (You know, for the times when the cats jump on your desk and wants to sleep on your poetry, then scattering it all as they run off again.)

When I am ready to paste, I use a small brush to paint PVA glue on the back of each piece of printed text. Sometimes tweezers are helpful! I buy Lineco Neutral pH Adhesive at the art supply store, usually found in the book binding section. This is fanastic glue, clear drying and flexible and takes very little. Or you can use acrylic varnish – both dry fast. You can use Elmers or ModgePodge, but both of those take longer to dry. I’ll often seal the finished piece with Liqutex satin or glossy varnish.

Once you have your poems, you can paste them in a journal, on an art piece, boxes, envelopes… have fun.

Here are some of my Found Poetry pieces ~ click images to enlarge~

[Show as slideshow]

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