Stenciled ATCs - Sweet William, Wild Thing, and Happy Cat

I've been making Artist Trading Cards (ATC) since 2009 and was an active member of ATCs for All. I haven't been on the site in two years.  I recently joined a FaceBook group that trades ATCs and signed up for StencilGirl's monthly stencil club.  The point? you might ask is that I never really thought I could use stencils. I mean I'm just learning how to "layer" paint.  Well, I did it, I went and bought me six more stencils and created the following ATCs. Hah, layering isn't so bad.  I really liked how they turned out.  I even picked up my copy of Drawing Lab For Mixed-Media Artists by Carla Sonheim and drew the characters for these cards.  As I haven't drawn in over two years it was kind of awkward, but as Carla points out in her book Steven Pressfield states in his book titled The War of Art "There is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist."

Meet Sweet William the frog:

Wild Thing Giraffe:

Finally, Happy Cat:

These are all ATC size, which is 2.5" x 3.5", and created on Bristol paper.  I rolled paint for the background, dabbed paint through stencils, tore vintage book pages, and colored in each image.  I also used stamps, found words in print, and sticker words for the phrases. Lastly, as I always do, I used my ink pads to create a soft border around each one.

My final point is this: Don't be afraid to try something new and uncomfortable. You can't succeed if you never try.

Rolled Taco Casserole

Inspired by Pinterest by all of the wonderful recipes I've been seeing lately; I decided to post a favorite of mine.  This has been made in my family for as long as I can remember and it is always a favorite.  I also make it without the rolled tacos on occasion, when I'm feeling a little lazy. I make my own rolled tacos one night and then save the appropriate amount to make this the next day.  Yields: About 6 to 12 Servings.

Reindeer - Open Media ATC swap

These were hand drawn and then watercolored for the Reindeer - Open Media ATC swap over at AFA.  I then used gel pens and 3D Glaze pens for the black outlines and details.  My scanner was set at 200 dpi, so the colors didn't come through like I wanted, but they turned out super cool.

I love these reindeer and am sad to depart with them.  I hope I get some fun ones in return.  The one with the lights turned out to be my second favorite and the candy cane reindeer is my first favorite.

Tim Burton Fairytale Characters

I'm still going to add some final touches to Hansel & Gretel, but for the most part their done. I'm excited about Tim Burton doing Pinocchio; he also wants Robert Downey Jr. to play Gepetto.

Hand drawn and colored by me for the Tim Burton Fairytale Characters Swap!

1. Pinocchio
2. Humpty Dumpty
3. Hansel
4. Gretel

Trudy Disturbed

So, last year I did a Halloween Art Doll swap and I loved my dolls so much it was hard to part with them.  This year I'm going back and making ATCs based on the dolls.  This one was one of my favorites and her name is Trudy Disturbed.

Halloween Cats

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year.  I'm not sure if it is the mystic of the holiday, the colors, or the general vibe, but I LOVE it!  These ATCs were all hand drawn and colored using various types of markers and pens and are for the Halloween Cats Swap over at ATCs for All!

More Fiendish HELLoween PAT Swap Art

Here are yet some more Pick-A-Theme (PAT) swap art that I have done for ATCs for All!  This one is called Fiendish HELLoween. 

I used my new Sakura Glaze pens on three of them.  I am so addicted to these pens.

 

For:
locatry: Ghost Stories
TF Balding: Helloween Party Recipes
ArtDuJunque: Tim Burton Stripey Creepy
cRude hArt: Skulls

Day-of-the-Dead Skull Brides

I bought these Glaze pens from Sakura and am totally addicted to them.  Aside from the fun texture when they dry; they just add a whole new dimension to my artwork.  I did these three DOD Skull Brides and think they turned out rather beautiful.  I haven't put them up for trade yet, because I am too busy enjoying running my fingers over all of the bumps!

With Halloween and Day-of-the-Dead approaching I am in the spirit of making spirits and other ghoulish art.

Fiendish HELLoween PAT swap

So, I joined another Pick-A-Theme (PAT) swap over at ATCs for All!  This one is called Fiendish HELLoween.  I'm not sure if these are "Fiendish", but I worked really hard on them. 

I was able to use my new Sakura Glaze pens on two of them and I love these pens.  They are so much fun and once they dry the texture is so cool.

For:
locatray - black cat
Shawnicaitlin - cats in hats
pixiecorpse - crows
mrubyjean - witch

Birds & An Octopus!

Progressive Dinner Party-SOUPs 'N SALADs

Wake Up & Smell the Coffee Swap

Who doesn't like a good brew of coffee in the morning?  I know I do, so this swap was right up my alley.  I haven't done mixed media collage in a while and I wanted to make coffee cups with a little more than just the cup.  I used permanent markers and white gel pen for accents.

Smiley Face

HandDrawn/HandPainted "A Face, Fowl, & a Fruit Color Palette" Swap

Shrunken Head Wind Chime

Ancient Tree (Traded)

Chicken in Wellington Boots

ATCs: Hand Drawn/Hand Painted "Stained Glass" Swap!

I hosted this swap and made a psd file to send to Admin for adding to AFA's Swap Gallery.  I had alot of returns that I was able to keep and made it from some of those.  Kind of a bummer that I could only use 24 of the over 30 cards I received, but I think it worked out well.

Whooo Wants Owls?

3 Blind Cats Swap

I seldom get out of my comfort zone, but I did try this "Blind Draw" swap for cats.  My first two turned out to have long necks and the second two looked more normal.  I am kind of bummed that my white gel pens went dry and I couldn't accent them, but I have remedied that with the purchase of five new white gel pens; I just have to wait for them to come in the mail.

Smoky & Bob

Jersey & Morris