Sunfluer Designs

Ornaments for the Holidays

2011-12-05T09:43:00.001-05:00

Ornaments created from my original paintings and drawings. Find these at my Zazzle Stores:

Peace on Earth Dove Ornament by sunfluer

African American Little Angel Ornament by sunfluer

Father Christmas Santa Ornament by sunfluer

Ornament, Bulldog Drawing by Dogs4U

Ornament, Folk Art by sunfluer

Ornament, Chinese Astrology Dragon by sunfluer

Ornament, German Shepherd Painting by Dogs4U

Ornament Robin Red Breast by sunfluer
OffTheCuffArt.com
SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
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Zazzle.com/Dogs4U
SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Words As Art

2011-11-13T12:52:00.001-05:00

I found a cool website off of my kids magazine, called Muse. The website is Wordle.net. I created this Occupy Wall Street message art using the application on the site. This application that allows you to place any number of words in a box that will randomly place the words as shown in my little piece.

Have fun, get inspired. Add a few words or passages from a book. After you create it, make it public on the internet.

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www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
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SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

An Assorted Artful Collection From The Zazzle Stores of James Macabee

2011-11-08T08:03:00.001-05:00

Next in the line up helping to promote artists on Zazzle, is the assorted, artfully created products by James Macabee:

SUNFLOWERS by Irina by MermaidMafia
Make a photographic canvas print

Bad Deuce Plaid Keds by KustomKicks
custom made sneakers by zazzle.com

Bluebonnet Railroad by TheRepublicOfTexas
Join Zazzle's artist affiliate program

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Fun Zazzle Designs by Re Becca aka Gravity x9

2011-11-01T08:46:00.001-04:00

The spotlight in this feature is on Re Becca also known as Gravity x9. Look for these fun designs on Zazzle:

Thanksgiving Cartoon Turkey Pilgrim by Fall_Seasons_Best
Browse more Cartoon turkey Pet Clothing

Fashion Statement made by Snowmen by I_Love_Xmas
Create a notecard template at zazzle

Happy New Year 2012 - Party Hats on White Confetti by NewYearsCelebration
See more Happy 2012 Ties

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www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
www.Zazzle.com/Dogs4U
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Beauty Within on Zazzle

2011-10-17T10:44:00.002-04:00

Precious Moments by capturedbyKC
Sell art online at Zazzle.

Loves Me Loves Me Not by capturedbyKC
Browse other iPod touch cases

New Beginnings by capturedbyKC
See more Nature Posters

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Captured Moments on Zazzle

2011-10-14T21:46:00.004-04:00

Susan Elkin's fine art photography:

Gray Barn - Reflections of Serenity by SusanElkin
See more Colorful Postcards

Roses I - Orange, Red and Gold Glory by SusanElkin
Browse other Colorful Postcards

Night Sky I - Glory at Dusk by SusanElkin
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Favorite Picks from the Marta Harvey Zazzle Shop

2011-10-07T11:00:00.000-04:00

Approximately once per week or so, I help to promote my artist friends' Zazzle stores by featuring my favorite picks:

Owl and Moon Cross Hatched by martaharvey
Browse other iphone cases

Cat Art Black and White iPhone Case by martaharvey
Become a iphone affiliate for Zazzle.

Hand Carved Bird by martaharvey
View other Art T-Shirts

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Help the Occupy Wall Street Protesters

2011-10-03T20:46:00.000-04:00

I made products in my shop in support for the Occupy Wall Street 99% protesters. 50% of the proceeds from every sale of the 99% products will go to Occupy Wall Street. The top 1% understand pie charts.

I Am The 99% Pie Chart Bumper Sticker by sunfluer

I Am The 99% Button by sunfluer

I Am One of the 99% Pie Chart Hat by sunfluer

I'm The 99% Pie Chart Shirt by sunfluer
See more Occupy T-Shirts

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www.Zazzle.com/Dogs4U

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Fun and Cheerful Art by Kewzoo on Zazzle

2011-09-26T16:47:00.001-04:00

Leroy the Llama by kewzoo
Print your photo on canvas

Happy Elephant Dyptych by kewzoo
Create photo to canvas prints

Friendly Dolphin Pod by kewzoo
Print your photo on canvas

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Fanciful Art on Zazzle by Borealis Art

2011-09-19T19:28:00.004-04:00

Destiny Card by BorealisArt
See more Destiny Cards

Mira Tee by BorealisArt
Browse other Mira T-Shirts

Art Deco Design Lace-up Keds by BorealisArt
Get custom made shoes at zazzle.com

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Cool, Crisp Autumn Wedding Designs on Zazzle

2011-09-12T18:54:00.001-04:00

Autumn is my absolute favorite season. In the spirit of basking in this time of year, I have chosen three Fall wedding designs from Zazzle shop: BlessedWeddings:

fall wedding save the date announcement by blessedwedding
See other Save Invitations

Autumn table seating card by blessedwedding
See other Place Cards

mocha dahlia Wedding rsvp card by blessedwedding
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Art Celebrating the Solar Return

2011-09-08T13:43:00.000-04:00

Christmas Decorative Shipping Labels by sunfluer

It's been a while but finally I've created a new drawing celebrating Christmas and the Winter Solstice. This piece springs from my memory of a greeting card I received years ago. The artwork on the card was so beautiful it made an indelible impression on me; one not to be easily forgotten. Artists derive impressions from everywhere sparking new ways of creating. The card had an image of Santa walking along side polar bears in what appeared to be a snow storm. I loved the feeling I got when I looked at the card. The long held imagery in my mind inspired this new work. It's created with Prismacolor pencils, pens and markers:

Father Christmas Card by sunfluer

This new work can be found on several products in my Zazzle store:

Winter Solistice, Father Christmas Avery Binder by sunfluer

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Lovely Artist Created Products on Zazzle

2011-09-05T12:35:00.000-04:00

Zazzle products created from fine art drawings and paintings:

Siesta by Felidae52
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Apple and Nuts by Felidae52
Browse more Apple Posters

Ballerina by Felidae52
Browse more Ballerina Posters

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Finding Inspiration

2011-09-02T14:27:00.000-04:00

When hurricane Irene finally calmed, I captured this inspiring rainbow. Rainbows seem to offer promise of better days to come. Seeing a rainbow, gives me pause to focus on a positive thought; a heart's desire. I expect it's because I remember hearing from my childhood that a rainbow is God's promise of never flooding the earth again. It's a lovely thought. Whatever it means to us individually or the fact it's the sun shinning on droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere, I find it to be an inspiration. If we look around, there is inspiration everywhere.

The other day, I read a inquiry on a Zazzle message board, asking where do we find inspiration to create our design work. The poster went on to say, she will take a photo of a design she likes. It set off a series of responses; some expressing concern about plagiarism. Ok, we know it's not cool to rip off artists design. There are some people who think, if it doesn't state copyright, it's up for grabs. Not so. Copyright stated or not is implicit understanding of intellectual property unless stated otherwise.

If you admire an artist's photography work for example, ask if you can use it for reference. When I have a block, I will sometimes look around Flickr for inspiration. If I see a photo I like, I contact the owner of it asking permission to use it. I also offer to provide a free copy of the finished work as way of expressing gratitude for the collaboration.. If you plan to sell the work, it's a good idea to state it plainly, i.e., artist has full copyright and use of completed work as deemed fit. It's also nice to acknowledge the artists' photography work on your blog. It establishes a circle of trust; a win/win for everyone. It's good karma.

iPad Speck Case, Elephant Art by sunfluer

So where do I find inspiration? In most instances, it's from my day to day experiences. It could be something I read in a book (elephant drawing inspired by Rosey in the book Water for Elephants), a social awareness concern, a memory, or out of my interests.

Shirt, Pelican Art, Gulf Coast, Environmental Art by sunfluer

Observation of our surroundings is key to sparking creativity. I find it helps to have a camera handy to capture images in life for reference.

Bag, Bulldog by Dogs4U

Begin selling my art online at zazzle.

Visit museums to see how other artists do it. Take in the images but don't use it as your own. Looking at other work can help us think differently, opening up blocked channels. Flip through magazines, listen to music and think of the colors you "hear" in it. Consider the movement and tempo. Keep an artist journal to collect your doodles. Doodles can lead to new pieces of work. Take a new route, a Sunday drive or a vacation. These are just some of the ways to help unblock channels to creativity.

How do you find inspiration? You're invited to add your thoughts and comments here.

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Products with Wings on Zazzle

2011-08-31T23:11:00.000-04:00

Cool designs from Zazzle:

Corvus Corax Raven in Forest by brianadragon
Browse Corvus T-Shirts

Standing Proud Golden Eagle by brianadragon
Create your own personalized neckties on zazzle.com

Turquoise Griffon (Eagle Lion) by brianadragon
View more custom mousepads on zazzle.com

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www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
www.Zazzle.com/Dogs4U
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Thinking of Autumn

2011-08-24T14:46:00.000-04:00

Invitation, Thanksgiving Dinner by sunfluer

Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the crisp Autumn air, colorful turning leaves, the smell of seasonal baking and the time for family and friends to gather around our Thanksgiving tables. When I was a child, I remember one Thanksgiving visiting my large family of aunts, uncles and cousins in Indiana the state where my mother was born. The gathering was so large, it was a pot luck. There was a huge table with a spread of so many different side dishes and desserts. It was a wonderful experience for me.

My most recent artwork reflects my thought on the meaning of Thanksgiving. I created two card versions from my Fall Harvest artwork. The greeting card below has a recipe for Pumpkin Bread added in the spirit of sharing. Both cards can be personalized to suit your needs. Keep the enclosed recipe or swap it out with one of your own treasured family favorite.

Card, Fall Harvest, Thanksgiving by sunfluer
make money as an artist using Zazzle.

iPad Case Skin, Vampire Art by sunfluer

Halloween is such a fun holiday for children and adults alike. Who doesn't like dressing up in costume pretending to be someone else? I'm fascinated with vampire stores and creatures of the night. I'm a regular True Blood fan. The images on these products, I think are fun and spring from imagination.

For fans of Gothic and vampire art, please visit my Zazzle store to see more.

Invitation, Halloween, Cat Art by sunfluer

Right now, you can get 15% off on everything at Zazzle. Use Code: STUDYINSTYLE when you checkout. It is a limited time offer that is valid through August 25, 2011 at 11:59pm PT

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Bloody Eyes Zazzle Artist Shirt

2011-08-22T17:36:00.000-04:00

Highlighting featured work of Zazzle store owner, Yiries A. Sadd-Maura for the week of August 21, 2011

Blooddy Eyes Shirt by kamizzz
See other Bloody eyes T-Shirts

Salsa Shirt by kamizzz
View other Musical notes T-Shirts

Extreme DJ by kamizzz
View more Skull with headphones T-Shirts

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Take 20% Off On Artist Created Bags

2011-08-13T14:18:00.000-04:00

Bag, Sunflowers by sunfluer
All the bags in my stores are created from my original artwork. True you can buy cheap bags at the grocer for a buck 99 that is mass produced. Or, you can get a truly unique bag with original artwork and support the arts.

20% off until 8/14 Use Code: STYLEBTSBAGS

Bag, Adoption Is Love by sunfluer
Begin selling my art online at zazzle.

Bag, Honey Bee by sunfluer
Browse other Bees Bags

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Back To School Gear At Zazzle and $5 Bucks Off On T's

2011-08-11T14:55:00.000-04:00

Quick! Get $5 bucks off on tees at Zazzle: $5 Off All T-shirts! Get In Gear For School - Limited Time! Use Code: STYLEBTSTEES

Shirt, Bulldog T by Dogs4U
Become a shirt affiliate for Zazzle.

Shirt, German Shepherd Dog by Dogs4U
See other Tees T-Shirts

Shirt, Chinese Dragon by sunfluer
Make cheap custom t-shirts at zazzle.com

Shirt, I Heart Art by sunfluer
See other Tees T-Shirts

See more great designs at my Zazzle stores.

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Save $8 Bucks on Binders At My Zazzle Store

2011-08-06T16:24:00.000-04:00

Shop for back to school on binders and save: $8 Off All Binders! Use Code: BINDERSAVING

Alice doesn't live here anymore:

Binder - Red Queen of Hearts Art by sunfluer
More Red Binders

Organize those take out menus. Great for college students!

Binder - Take Out Menu Organzier - On The Run by sunfluer
Browse other Organizer Binders

Dog lovers are going to love this one:

Binder - Labrador Retriever Dog Art Acrylic by sunfluer
View other customized ring binders on zazzle

Counting the days:

Binder, Abstract Art Painting by sunfluer
See other Journal Binders

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Chickens As Art

2011-08-03T16:56:00.000-04:00

These products have been created from my original, fine art photos of members of my backyard flock.

Two sisters, are a Wyandotte breed. They lay lovely beige to brown colored eggs.

Postcard, Hen Sisters by sunfluer
Postcards by zazzle

The ever so gallant, Ser Henry of Rooster:

Poster Print Rooster Country Gentleman by sunfluer
See other Rooster Posters

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Zazzle Shop Spotlight for Week of July 31st

2011-08-01T12:27:00.001-04:00

Golden Reflections Print by susanmossart
See More poster designs on zazzle

Pink Tulips iPhone 4 Case by susanmossart
Browse iphone 4s cases

Pelican 'Hello there' iPad Case by susanmossart
View other iPod touch cases

Delicious Strawberries by Rewards4life
Browse other Strawberries Speakers

Coffee by Rewards4life
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Elegant Glitter Heart Gold Save The Date On Blue by Rewards4life
See more Save Envelopes

Goth Lady in Red Spider Gown by brianadragon
View more Goth Pet Clothing

A Day In The Life of Country Living

2011-07-31T14:50:00.001-04:00

Sunday is the day our chickens have free range. While the hen house is getting cleaned out, the chickens get out in the yard to run and scratch around. They enjoy eating the hay grass that grows on our property. It’s the good life for Henry and the hens. During other days, the birds have an enclosed pen and run. In this way, they are only semi-cooped up. On clean out day, my daughter plays chicken herder to oversee that our birds stay in our yard. Our next door neighbor doesn’t take too kindly to our chickens venturing over as uninvited guests.

Jade does an excellent job watching over the flock. She is mama hen and they follow her around looking for delectable morsels of fresh bread crumbs and cracked corn.

My daughter Jade, has a special relationship with Henry, our rooster. He is a country gentlemen:

My backyard birds inspire creativity from all directions. Fine art photos are used to design products in my Zazzle store.

Apron, Eggs in Hands as Nest by sunfluer
Many more aprons available at zazzle.com

The Wyandotte breed lays brown eggs:

I’ve been experimenting with baking recipes using spelt flour. Spelt is an ancient whole grain flour and can be used in place of whole wheat. Using my farm fresh eggs and spelt flour, I baked kid and husband approved cranberry/orange scones this morning. It was the first time I made scones and couldn’t be happier with the finished product. Spelt has a nutty flavor making it the perfect compliment to the orange and cranberry. What I like in particular about spelt is the blood glucose (blood sugar) does not rise as high after eating foods made with it compared to white refined flour. It’s an especially good grain for people with diabetes. (Please do not take this as professional advice.) Although I don’t have diabetes, I have sensitivity in regulating my blood sugar levels meaning I feel the highs and lows.

I haven’t been able to find a recipe book dedicated to baking exclusively with spelt flour. Spelt is closely related to whole wheat, however. What I’ve recently learned is many recipes with whole wheat flour can be replaced with spelt. If you would like to try the recipe, you can find it on the King Arthur Flour website. The recipe lists allspice as an option but I didn’t have any on hand. I choose instead to use 1/4 teaspoon of ground clover and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg. Absolutely agreeable and delicious.

Two Brown Bears on Zazzle

2011-07-20T20:48:00.000-04:00

Two Bears Postage by ullahennig
View more Bears Postage

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2011-07-18T21:09:00.000-04:00

I found this great product created by a talented graphic design artist:

Glowing Burst of Color by dianeclancyart
Browse other tees made on zazzle

Chi Chi in Flowers Postcard - Chihuahua by dianeclancyart
Browse Colorful Postcards

Snowy Owl Keychain by dianeclancyart
Make your own personalized keychains on zazzle

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Get 25% Off On iPod Touch Hard Cover

2011-07-17T13:42:00.002-04:00

iPod Touch Case, Cow Art by sunfluer
Browse other iphone 4 cases
Use Code: ZAZZLEIPODME

Zazzle is offering 25% off on iPod Touch hard case covers. I'm in the process of designing the covers from my original artwork. These are a sample of what's currently in my stores. Check this out and see more designs in the coming days. The sale is good till July 31st. It's a good time to buy the iPod covers and put it aside for your holiday gift giving. Makes a unique and thoughtful gift for the art lovers on your shopping list.

iPod Touch, Mad as a Hatter by sunfluer
View more iphone 4 cases

iPod Speck Case, Vampire Gothic Art by sunfluer
Browse iphone 3 cases

iPod Speck Case, Yellow Labrador Retriever Art by Dogs4U
More iphone 3 cases

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Wonderful Zazzlers

2011-07-16T12:45:00.000-04:00

I love Zazzle. It's an online market place for artists to share their wealth of creativity on lots of practical and collectible gift items. By creating designs on Zazzle products, artists make a commission. It is a collaborative win-win effort.

I came across this cute greeting card from a fellow Zazzler. In the spirit of the Zazzle community, I'm referring Zazzle stores in my blog. Please stop by to see all the great works on Zazzle.

If you're a Zazzle store owner and want your shop featured in my blog, contact me with your store link: sunfluerdesigns@yahoo.com.

Cherie's Art

Hey There Lady Bug! by Cheries_Art
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Pinky

2011-07-08T18:15:00.001-04:00

“Elephant is the beast which passeth all others in wit and mind." ~ Aristotle ~

Recently, I polished off reading the book Water for Elephants. Although it’s a story of a young veterinarian in a traveling circus in the 1930’s, I was drawn in by a character, named “Rosie”. I’m especially fond of elephants, fascinated with their intelligence, long memories and attachment to their herd members. Elephants are characteristically known to mourn their deceased companions. Rosie as you’ve guessed, is an elephant and as was often the case during that time period, were mistreated and abused. It made me especially sympathetic to the character’s plight and the unforgiving manner the handler treated her.

The pachyderm attraction for me has long been established. I recall as a child of approximately age 8, my first drawing worthy of some praise was the character “Horton” the elephant from Dr. Seuss’s book. Over the years, I’ve amassed a small elephant figurine menagerie. For good fortune, the collection is positioned trunk up and facing the door.

This newly created piece is “Pinky”. Reading Water for Elephants helped to drag me out of an artistic slump. For me, it stands to reason that it would take an animal to help re-ignite the spark.

Pinky was created with Primacolor pencils.

Packing Up Nana

2011-05-17T12:43:00.000-04:00

Nana, the Italian Greyhound, is an acrylic painting on 9 x 12 canvas. I am donating Nana to the Advocacy Center in Rochester, NY for their annual silent auction fund raiser on June 4th. "The Advocacy Center provides consumer-driven services to support people with disabilities and their families in achieving their goals"

My relationship with the advocacy center stems from participation in the NYS Partners in Policymaking program. It is a grassroots leadership program for people with disabilities and their caregivers to learn how to effectively influence positive changes in policies that impact quality of life concerns.

I am very proud to make a contribution from my artwork to the Advocacy Center. Proceeds from the silent auction help to support the Center's mission. It's hoped Nana will reap a generous donation for this very important and worthy cause.

You can find Nana on products at my Dogs 4 U Zazzle store.

Foam Soap

2011-05-14T10:09:00.000-04:00

When I was a kid, I would watch my mother make homemade bar soap. I thought it was fascinating watching the liquid ingredients solidify. She had a recipe that caused the bar soap to float in the bath water. My mother would say, it floats like Ivory soap but her soap was a 100 times better! I'm smiling as I write this because she felt proud at turning out batches of bar soap as her mother before her. Today, homemade artisan bar soap we purchase at upscale retailers and art/craft shows is a special and luxurious treat.

I'm not sure if my mother's motivation was to save money or the simple joy of creating things by hand. I do know my mother watched and helped my grandmother make many things by hand as a child growing up during the great depression. Growing up and living on a farm, my mother was more fortunate than most during that difficult time People who grew up during the depression tend to be a thirty bunch. They had to learn to make do and do without. Either way, my mother's influence of making things by hand, being arty and crafty stems from her. Thanks, mom!

I love foam soap. I also enjoy saving money in this tight economy. To stretch the dollar and liquid soap, I make my own foamy soap for kitchen and bath. All you need to make the foam soap is a pump used for making the soap foam and this little, easy peazy "recipe". It's not much really. I used recycled foam soap dispensers, my favorite liquid soap and cold water.

In a measuring cup, add 1/3 cup of liquid soap and enough cold water to make one cup. Gently stir. Pour the mixture into your foam soap dispenser and you're ready to go. You can do this for Dawn kitchen dish washing liquid using the Dawn foam pump. Using recycled 2 liter bottles, I make enough foam soap for kitchen and bath to have in reserve. All I need to do, is refill my dispensers when I need it.

Now you don't have to hunt for the foam soap refill and save money in the bargain.

Adding To A Theme

2011-05-09T12:13:00.000-04:00

Celebrate Adoption - Adoption Is Love - Color Pencil

Thoughts of Spring

2011-03-27T16:25:00.001-04:00

Spring has finally arrived after a very long, cold and snowy winter here in the northeast. And, I know it’s official when I see the robins bobbing along in my yard.

My latest art is inspired by the robins I see. It is done in prismacolor artist pencils. I call it “Thoughts of Spring”.

Little Robin Redbreast
Sat upon a tree,
Up went the Pussy-Cat,
And down went he;
Down came Pussy-Cat,
Away Robin ran,
Says little Robin Redbreast--
Catch me if you can.
Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a spade,
Pussy-Cat jumped after him, and then he was afraid.
Little Robin chirped and sung, and what did pussy say?
Pussy-Cat said Mew, mew mew,--and Robin flew away.

Wait and Sketch

2011-02-22T10:10:00.001-05:00

A quick sketch of Chace Crawford referencing a photo from the cover of People’s Magazine:

There is much I can learn from this exercise. Using a common #2 pencil, I did the sketch in a spam of about 40 minutes give/take a few while in a waiting room. I’m not completely comfortable sketching in public so this was a very good exercise for me. By using opportunities where I have to sit and wait, it will help me move out of my comfort zone of in studio work. My art journal will be readily at hand more often to help capture ideas for future work.

What’s The Buzz

2011-02-19T10:05:00.002-05:00

Snake is next in the line up in the Chinese astrology animals:

Although this is my fourth piece in this body of work, it is number 6 in the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac. It symbolizes wisdom and ambition. All the work in this series is made with gold and red archival ink. Find this art designed on great products in my Zazzle store under the cultural button.
On a different topic, I learned that my recent batch of art blocks for Art-O-Mat were sent to the The Cosmopolitan, in Las Vegas and the Oop in Dedham, MA. Super exciting! Thanks, Art-O-Mat! If you happen upon one of these locations and pull the lever on my work, please add your comments in this blog. I would love to hear from you.

Cheers!

Walking On Sunshine

2011-02-11T16:15:00.001-05:00

I started adding artwork on Pro Ked Sneakers in my Zazzle store. Pro Keds are sold for men but women can wear them also. I’ve always loved the look and style of these shoes. The sneaker not only looks stylish, it’s also very comfortable. To me, Pro Keds are unisex.

Right now, Zazzle doesn’t offer a size conversion for women. If you’re a woman and want to buy a pair of “men” Pro Keds in your shoe size, the general rule is subtracting two sizes from the men size. However, I’ve found it to be only one size difference. For instance, I wear a woman’s size 9 and therefore would need a men’s size 8 for the right fit. I also have wide feet so it’s probably the reason one size down works well for me.

You can also check out the shoe size conversion calculator I found online here. The calculator comes up with one size difference. Included here is a men’s shoe size template you can download and print. I also found an eHow link explaining how to measure for your correct shoe size.

With the above tools, you can find the right size for you. To find other Pro Ked designs in my Zazzle store, go to the search box and type in ‘shoes’ in the search bar. So, ladies enjoy feeling stylish in your new Pro Keds designed from my original works of art. It will make you smile.

Art Journal, Week 2

2011-01-31T07:40:00.001-05:00

The 2nd week of the art journal project, I brushed gesso over the page. It created a transparent effect on it. It seems washed out to me but as I move along in this project, I’m hoping to transform it.

Chinese Zodiac Dragon

2011-01-22T16:05:00.001-05:00

Adding on to the Chinese astrology series is the dragon. It is a drawing done in red acid free ink and gold leaf.

See this artwork on various products in my Zazzle store.

Chinese Tiger Astrology Art

2011-01-17T21:13:00.000-05:00

The Tiger drawing is installment #2 in a series I'm working on for the Chinese astrological zodiac:

In the center of the Tiger's face, is the Chinese symbol for tiger. The artwork is created with archival red ink and gold leaf. This art is available on a selection of products at my Zazzle store.

http://www.offthecuffart.com/
http://www.sunfluersjewelrydesigns.com/
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
www.Zazzle.com/Dogs4U
http://sunfluerdesigns.imagekind.com/

Art Journal Workshop

2011-01-16T20:34:00.001-05:00

I'm taking a series of Strathmore workshops online learning about art journaling. In these samples, I'm using previously created art and expressing it in mixed media format. It creates a whole new different meaning to the work. Here are images of the pages I've created so far:

I call this Shattered Dreams

I've not decided on a title for this page. Hopefully, as I continue to work with it, a title will surface in my mind.

http://www.offthecuffart.com/
http://www.barbaragiordanoart.etsy.com/
http://www.sunfluersjewelrydesigns.com/
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
www.Zazzle.com/Dogs4U
http://sunfluerdesigns.imagekind.com/

Holding Hands Mixed Media

2011-01-12T12:54:00.000-05:00

A while back I did a pencil drawing of an adult hand holding a child's hand. I put the work aside knowing at some point I would find inspiration to do something more with it.

I recently purchased a tablet for creating digital artwork. Combining media to create one piece of art is very exciting. I'm still in the learning curve stage but very happy with the recent result of mixing traditional with digital art.

By coping the pencil drawing and bringing it into my Corel paint software, I was able to add color to the artwork. I had to guess at skin color but my goal was to show difference. I wasn't looking for absolute realism; just an idea of it.

Previously, I created a digital heart that I used for different products at my Zazzle stores. I was suddently inspired to combine the digitally enhanced holding hands drawing with the digital heart to create a new, adoption inspired artwork. By working with layers in my paintshop program, I was able to make a completely new creation.

Since I'm teaching myself how to create digital art, it's an exercise of trial and error. I'm really liking the transparent background in the image. As a result, I can now make fun and exciting designs for products in my Zazzle stores.

http://www.offthecuffart.com/
http://www.barbaragiordanoart.etsy.com/
http://www.sunfluersjewelrydesigns.com/
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
www.Zazzle.com/Dogs4U
http://sunfluerdesigns.imagekind.com/

Partnering For Charitable Causes

2011-01-08T12:47:00.000-05:00

Recently I was contacted by a member from the FCC-Austin, TX chapter (Families With Children From China) requesting a donation of an adoption jewelry design for their upcoming Chinese New Year celebration and silent auction. Proceeds from their fund raiser will go to various charitable organizations involved in improving the lives of children living in welfare homes in China. My daughter was born in China and lived in the Yibin welfare home when she was an infant. Due to the kindness of strangers, lives of children living in orphanages around the world are greatly improved. I have agreed to partner with their cause by offering the Family Chinese Symbol sterling silver necklace for their fund raising effort.

The auction will take place on January 22, 2011 at the Covington Middle School, 3700 Convict Hill Road, Austin, TX 78749

As a pledge, my business, Sunfluer's Jewelry Designs will donate 90% from the total proceeds from the sale of the necklace design. The proeeds will go directly to the Half The Sky Foundation.

I am very happy to have a part in their effort of raising funds to help improve the lives of those less fortunate. Although my business is small, I give what I can, when I can.

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." ~Edward Everett Hale ~

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
www.Zazzle.com/Dogs4U
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Sunny Sunflowers

2010-12-27T11:57:00.001-05:00

I love Sunflowers. It was the first flowers my husband gave to me when we were dating. The name of my jewelry website, Sunfluer’s Jewelry Designs is inspired by these cheerful flowers. Funny thing is that although I’ve used lots of different subjects in my fine artworks, I haven’t taken much time to bring one of my favorite flowers into the work.

I created a Sunflower drawing with color pencils. Using various shades of yellows, browns and greens, I created this new work with layers of colors. Just like painting, I build the colors up by layering color upon color and blending. Although this is a small work, 9 x 7 inches, it took hours to make. I find I like working small and spending time on the details.

This piece was created with Zazzle products in mind. It is a good subject for many of the products. You can find this lovely image on necklace pendants, cups, hats, greeting cards, etc., at my Zazzle store.

"Never look directly at the sun. Instead, look at the sunflower." ~ Vera Nazarian ~

Year of the Rabbit

2010-12-17T08:07:00.000-05:00

My latest artwork is inspired by the upcoming Chinese New Year in February 2011. Twelve years ago, I traveled to China to adopt my daughter. The Chinese were getting ready to celebrate the year of the rabbit. There were decorations everywhere with images of the rabbit and auspicious symbols. This memory is what is behind this new work.

It is red pigment ink with gold leaf on Bristol. The image is available on various products in my Zazzle store.

It is a small scale, 5 x 5 work. It took an entire afternoon to create it. I had to take my time to fill in the red ink. It required patience and a steady hand. In the middle of the rabbit's body is the Chinese symbol for "rabbit".

I'm happy I learned as a child to color inside of the lines although my inclination as an adult is to work outside of it...

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Border Collie

2010-12-04T15:15:00.001-05:00

I’m continuing to explore my new graphic tablet and created a Border Collie. It was a interesting exercise. I’m still trying to get comfortable with the tool.

This is an experimental piece which I created free hand referencing a photo:

New Digital Art

2010-12-03T14:04:00.001-05:00

I was finally able to fund a graphic tablet. I'm very excited about it and couldn’t wait to begin the first project. It takes a bit getting used to working with it although having some prior experience using Photoshop helps a lot.

After reviewing the tutorial, I jumped right in learning as I go along. I created a piece from my memory of the Mad Hatter, a favorite character.

What I love about the tablet is the flexibility of making changes. It’s so easy if you don’t like something or want a different color. Flexibility is something I could definitely live with. I’m hoping that as I become more proficient using the tablet it will help me find more of my voice and vision in my work. It is great, I think as an aid to loosing up artist block. Now, I’m looking forward to creating the next artwork.

Birches in Autumn

2010-11-19T17:19:00.002-05:00

“Everyone who enjoys thinks that the principal thing to the tree is the fruit, but in point of fact the principal thing to it is the seed. --Herein lies the difference between them that create and them that enjoy” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche ~
I love special requests of my work. It validates the artwork I create is meaningful. It inspires and uplifts me.
A week ago, I received a special request from a person who purchased one of my art blocks from a vending machine. It was one of the birch tree paintings. He liked it and asked if I would make a set of 4 birch tree blocks for him. Of course, I was delighted to accept the special request. I don’t think we can have too much art. And, it’s a joy creating these little works of art. The art blocks are a unique, affordable way of collecting original works of art.
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I have a lovely view from my studio window of trees in my back yard and beyond. Although the leaves are now gone, the image and color remain in my memory. It holds special meaning for me. When I thought of the trees, the only image that persisted in my mind for this work was birches in autumn.

If I wasn’t a contributing artist for ArtOMat, I would not have known this opportunity to create something special by request. Thank you to my customer and ArtOMat.

Blocks for ArtOMat

2010-11-11T10:17:00.001-05:00

My contribution for ArtoMat is long overdue. I’ve been working on an animals series. Many pieces are dogs but there are other surprises in this art block series.

Here is a preview of the work:

The blocks are painted and I just need to finish mounting the work. My goal is to get the pieces completed and ready for shipping before months end.

All works in the set are done in pencil and/or acid free, archival ink pens and markers.

2010-11-07T17:09:00.001-05:00

Witch

A piece I created as part of a collaboration project on Art Sharing 21:

The completed project.

Simply Marilyn

2010-09-12T16:27:00.001-04:00

Here is another rendering of Marilyn Monroe. There is no doubt she was an incredibly handsome woman. She had dreamy eyes not easy to ignore. I was working on capturing the “come hither” look Marilyn personified with ease.

Although I signed the piece, I might continue working on it. I’m not sure if I’m satisfied. It is a challenge an artist must, at times come to terms with. Sometimes, it’s best to quit and move on to the next project. At any rate, I’m happy to produce this work. My 12 year old daughter thinks I do faces well. For me, it’s an exercise in my journey as a self taught artist.

Simply Marilyn is done in Prismacolor pencils on 5”x5” Bristol vellum.

Pop Art Marilyn

2010-09-10T14:51:00.001-04:00

"I'm for the individual as opposed to the corporation. The way it is the individual is the underdog, and with all the things a corporation has going for them the individual comes out banged on her head. The artist is nothing. It's really tragic." ~ Marilyn Monroe ~

This is my first Marilyn Monroe drawing. I made this one for an Art-O-Mat art block. Slowly but surely, I’m working on the next set of blocks for the miniature art vending machines.

Pop Art Marilyn is done in color pencil and pigment ink pens on Bristol.

Handy Dandy Etsy Tools

2010-09-08T20:16:00.001-04:00

Do you do Etsy? I love Etsy. I have a little shop there among many, many wonderful shops with gorgeous, unique and slick handmade items from around the world. It is the perfect market place to find just about anything you can imagine.

I love techie, online gadget tools. It helps to make things easier when artists need online ways to promote their work. Cr8tivity.com is the place to go for tech tools for Etsy shop owners. At Cr8tivity, I created a widget just for my products. Here, let me show you:

Price:$295.00 Buy
Moonlight Majesty - Original 9 x 12 inch Acrylic Painting...
[ more info ]

Widgets for Etsy Sellers
Powered By

It is so simple to use. You grab the code and slap it on your blog and/or website. Instantly created is a slide show of your products linked directly to your shop. It can’t get easier than that! Got to love it.

The other great tools on Cr8tivity are helpers to assist in monitoring the Etsy shop. You can check statistics and see how many people hearted your shop. If you submit a photo of your product to Cr8tivity, your shop might be featured. Check out Cr8tivity and while your at it, stop by Etsy.com. There is something for everyone – trust me. After you visit Etsy, stop back here and let me know what you think. What are your favorite products and/or shops. Really, I want to know. At some point, I might feature one or more of the shops here on my blog.

Bulldog – Pencil and Ink Drawing

2010-08-31T17:49:00.001-04:00

Take Me Home – pencil & ink on Bristol

Binder - Take Out Menu Organzier - On The Run from Zazzle.com

2010-08-05T10:41:00.001-04:00

A great way to organize your take-out menus. Add tabs and plastic sleeve inserts to separate all of your favorite cuisines. Makes a thoughtful gift for college students, singles and anyone on the go.

Binder - Take Out Menu Organizer - On The Run from Zazzle.com

Un-Rest

2010-07-31T12:17:00.001-04:00

“I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend?” ~ Robert Redford ~

The oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico is a horrible situation beyond measure. It is a stain on humanity because what we do to ourselves, we also do to others.

There are times when social concerns motivate my artwork. It is an emotional outlet for the sadness I feel for things in our society in which I have no control. I can only do my small part in my day to day living. And, let my thoughts on environmental concerns reflect through my artwork.

Un-Rest speaks to the disaster in the gulf. If you have thoughts you would like to share, I welcome it here.

I have made this art available through my Imagekind shop

Dachsie Doodle On A Block

2010-07-06T20:25:00.001-04:00

To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist. ~ Robert Schumann

I’m a contributing artist for Art0Mat otherwise known as Artists in Cellophane. Basically, I create miniature 2D artworks that I mount on wood blocks. The art blocks are wrapped in cellophane and dispensed in vending machines. It is a great way to share art. ArtOMat offers these treasures to the general public at the mere sum of $5.00. In return, I receive a small monetary compensation and a great deal of satisfaction knowing by some measure, my contribution adds to the world of art collecting. Although I’m never sure where my art blocks will vend, I know a number of my pieces have recently vended at The Whitney Museum in NYC.

My new work is following my interest in animals and pet portraits in particular. These pet portraits speak to the heart of my interest in humanitarian efforts regarding animal rescue and the sanctity of animal life. Offering a glimpse into this work is my Dachsie Doodle shown here.

My tendency is to create 25 individual art blocks. I haven’t decided if this entire art block series will be only dogs. There are other animal ideas percolating in the back of my mind. You will have to tune into my blog to see samples from this series. If you happen to pick up one of my blocks from a machine, leave your comment on this blog. I would love to hear from you. xox :)

Moon’s Portrait Painting

2010-05-27T16:53:00.001-04:00

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.”
~ Unknown ~

Moon has been a member of my family going on 6 years. We rescued him when he was a wee pup at 12 weeks of age through a Lab rescue organization on Petfinder.com.

It was a very cold winter night when I made arrangements to receive Moon at a drop off point in Newburgh, NY. Moon was transported via a rental Penske truck from down South although exactly where is uncertain. I remember waiting in a hotel parking lot where the caregivers would spend the night. Apparently, they made the run with dogs in tow clear up to Maine. I waited about an hour until the truck finally arrived. I must have wanted my new puppy very much to wait in the cold, dead of night. Finally, the truck arrived and I signed off on the paperwork and handed over the donation fee. When they placed him in my arms, he licked my face. Although he is our family dog, he is my baby.

The moon was full the night I adopted him. It was a comfort seeing the big yellow Moon hanging in the night sky. As I made the drive back home, I decided to call my new pup, Moon. It seemed right and very different. I like unique names and nothing else seemed to fit him. He is a yellow Lab and the Moon appeared yellow against the black sky. It was a match made in heaven.

Moon is a very sweet boy. He is super affectionate, loves to snuggle and has a wicked intelligence. We affectionately call him “little guy”. Moon is little, big brother to our German Shepherd dog, Sirius who is only 16 months old. Although Moon is smaller, he definitely knows how to show Sirius who is top dog.

I was finally able to finish the painting today. It took 3 days to complete it. I created the painting working from a photo using layers of acrylic paint on 9 x 12 inch canvas. The finishing touch is to apply the varnish sealer to it. After letting it cure for a week or so, it will be ready for framing. I can’t wait.

Moon Portrait In Progress Day 2

2010-05-24T08:54:00.001-04:00

I have a very small space to work in. One day, I will take a picture of it to show you. Basically, I converted a small bedroom into a studio space. The space is limited so I tend to work on one project at a time depending on the size of the piece. In one regard, it’s good because there are less distractions. I have to focus on the one piece instead of thinking about many projects simultaneously. This is not to say, I’m not considering other projects – I am. When I work on one project at a time, it allows me to temporarily push other projects on to the back burner.

Yesterday, I put a few hours into my Moon portrait painting. I have to juggle my time and decide should I vacuum or paint. Painting is far more interesting and fun so the vacuuming will just have to wait for another day. Oh, well life does go on.

I added more background and working on building up the layers of colors. More definition has been added to the face and body. I started working on his collar. We use an invisible fencing system for our dogs so that is the box you see on the collar.

Moon is a Lab. We got him through pet finder when he was a pup. He is far from show quality but we love him. He is a companion dog and truly lives up to those expectations. He only weighs about 50 lbs which isn’t large for his breed. His muzzle is shorter than typical and his lips are not as “droopy”. He has a little slack in the lips so I’m working on bringing it out more. I have a ways to go in the details of his markings. I am taking my time.

If you look at the previous post, you can see the progression in the work. Be sure to check back for the next upload of this work and other posts. BTW: while you’re here, be sure to check out my featured artist page.

The next time you stop by this work may or may not be finished depending on how much time I can manage by “shirking” my other responsibilities. Just kidding but you know what I mean. It’s a trade off when there are just so many hours in the day. And, I much rather be creating but sometimes I must tidy up the place, shop for food, pick up kids from school, pay bills, feed the critters and the list goes on.

New Painting In Progress

2010-05-22T15:32:00.001-04:00

To get out of my funk, I started a new pet portrait painting today. It is of my sweet Lab dog, Moon. I am working from a photo and using acrylic on 9 x 12 canvas. The work is in progress but I wanted to share it so you can see where I’m at in the piece.

I decided not to crop the photo so you can see the work as it is on my work table. There’s a way to go with it but so far, I am liking with the progression. I’m especially happy with the tongue which I considered a bit of a challenge. For the color of it, I used a mixed of cadmium red deep and medium, burnt sienna and white. I had to play around with mixing the colors until I was satisfied. I think I got it just right.

The one good thing about having a small studio is that it forces me to finish a piece before moving on to the next. With limited space, it’s difficult to leave unfinished work laying around. I expect to have the work completed soon. When it is completed, I will post it so be sure to check back to see it.

New Featured Artist Post

2010-05-20T10:21:00.000-04:00

Given the subject matter of yesterday's post, the following quote seems to be the most appropriate:

Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain. ~ Helen Keller ~

Please see and learn more about the creative works of Jackie Andrews on my feature page.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

It Takes a Village

2010-05-19T11:38:00.001-04:00

It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us is a book by: Hillary Rodham Clinton. In it, Clinton presents her vision for the children of America. She focuses on the impact individuals and groups outside the family have, for better or worse, on a child's well-being, and advocates a society which meets all of a child's needs.

Today, I’m going completely off topic from my usual ramblings about arts and crafts. I have more pressing matters on my mind of late. I know I don’t usually go deep into my personal life. Many bloggers suggest steering away from stories that are too personal. However, I’m compelled to share because my family is the center of my life. And, I can’t focus on creative pursuits when my energy is going in a completely different direction. Further, when it comes to special education in the U.S., it’s important to share information and experiences which is the focus of this blog post.

We adopted our son at 7 weeks of age. He was deemed healthy and was of very good birth weight coming into the world at 8 lbs, 10 oz – a very “healthy” birth weight. The toxicology report was negative – a very good sign. However, he was a fussy baby and seemed a bit off. He didn’t develop like other babies. He missed being on time for all of his milestones except one and that was turning over from back to front. He didn’t learn to walk until he was 18 months old. His abilities are splintered. When he was 4 years old, he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS – Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. He excels at reading but struggles with expressive language and abstract comprehension. My son cannot recite the months of the year without leaving out October. His IQ score is below average. I don’t know why it is. I only know it’s so. We don’t have a genetic family profile for my son. We only know that his birthmother didn’t seek pre-natal care and imbibed in recreational drug and alcohol use while pregnant. To what extent, how much, how often is unknown.

Yesterday, I asked my son “what does a dozen mean?” He didn’t know. My son is 8 years old and coming to the end of 2nd grade. My son has an IEP – Individual Education Program under special education. I am my son’s number one advocate.

Since April, I’ve been preparing for the upcoming CSE Committee on Special Education meeting in June. Advocating and preparing is an arduous task. In my mind, it shouldn’t be as the proof should be in the pudding so to speak. However, it is and many parents with special needs children struggle with the system, wringing their hands, losing sleep and having anxiety attacks over the whole process. Often, they must muster up the strength and courage to face a throng of “professionals” often alone and heavily outnumbered. It’s imbalanced because at the same time, parents rely on the judgment of the professionals to determine their child’s educational future. The thing is, no one knows their child better than the parents. Parents by definition according to the law under IDEA are supposed to an integral participant on the CSE/IEP team. It sounds simple enough in this regard but sounding simple and the reality are often entirely different things. The school districts by and large have their own agenda. Often they will feel threatened and defensive when parents bring important questions to the table. After all, they are supposed to the experts. These tables need to change for the benefit of our children. It is not about the professionals and their egos – it’s about our kids and their needs. Period.

Parents must become a kind of para-legal in their child’s education defense. We must research and present compelling arguments. We must understand the law and have the courage to recite the statues. If we don’t, our kids educational needs are at risk. Recently, I was granted an IEE – Individual Education Evaluation at school district expense. I am not boasting about it. In fact, I think it’s sickening that I was placed in the position to fight for the obvious. At first, the district insisted on putting an expense allowance cap. I fought back and won one small victory by reciting sections of the law.

The IEE was completed but I’m still at a stand still. The evaluator thinks all is well in the district that my son is a sweet and highly likeable boy. Sweetness does not fully identify and meet the needs of his educational requirements. I was taken aback when the evaluator said to me and my husband, our son is “mentally retarded” based on his IQ score. That he’s a sweet and loving child and everyone loves him at the school. And, in sum, what do we expect given the level of his abilities. The evaluator went on to say my son is working behind his peers; that he will be behind due to his challenges and that’s the best we can hope for.

My BIG concern is that the school district isn’t fully able to address my son’s educational needs and it appears no one wants to do the right thing – suggest referrals to schools that maybe, just maybe might make a difference for our son. How will we know unless we try. Further the tool used to measure my son’s IQ in pre-school was the Wechsler IQ test which may not be the most accurate. It is not a true measurement of his intelligence and therefore my son is at risk of being labeled a slow learner. In this regard, my concern is will the district not try hard enough with my son due to his IQ score and dismiss his educational needs due to a perceived lack of ability.

My argument is, if Anne Sullivan gave up on Helen Keller, Ms Keller would not have been able to rise above her disabilities. The system will fail my son if professionals are allowed to go about their way instead of the right way and addressing my son’s IEP as according to the law.

IEPs According to Dr. Suess
(author unknown)

Do you like these IEPs?

I do not like these IEP's
I do not like them, Jeeze Louise
We test, we check
we plan, we meet
but nothing ever seems complete.

Would you, could you
like the form?

I do not like the form I see.
Not page 1, not 2, not 3.
Another change,
a brand new box. I think we all
Have lost our rocks.

Could you all meet here or there?

We could not all meet here or there.
We cannot all fit anywhere.
Not in a room
Not in a hall
There seems to be no space at all.

Would you, could you meet again?

I cannot meet again next week
No lunch, no prep
Please hear me speak.
No, not at dusk and not at dawn
At 4 p. m. I should be gone.

Could you hear while all speak out?
Would you write the words they spout?

I could not hear, I would not write
This does not need to be a fight.

Sign here, date there,
Mark this, check that.
Beware the student's ad-vo-cat(e).

You do not like them
so you say
Try it again! Try it again!
and then you may.

If you let me be,
I'll try again
and you will see.

Say!

I almost like these IEP's
I think I'll write 6003.
And I will practice day and night
Until they say
"You've got it right".

Altered Art

2010-05-15T09:46:00.001-04:00

Every now and then, I enjoy taking a piece of my art and manipulating it in Coral Draw. It’s interesting to see the different effects that can be achieved by using the tool. What is cool is altering the art to make something completely different; an abstract artwork.

Following are samples of work I created using my Queen of Hearts drawing. The color combination of red,white and black are bold so it lends itself to making a dramatic abstract.

This one is inviting you into the rabbit hole. The March hare is in there somewhere after all.

How about weaving your way in and out of this one? Can you find Alice in here; she’s there – really. :) I think the Queen must be tripping. What do you think?

Both of these great products can be found and purchased at my Zazzle store. BTW: Did you know that Zazzle partners with Upromise and kicks a percentage back to your collage saving account. I’ve been a member of Upromise since 2001 and must say, it’s a great way to save. Plus Upromise offers additional savings in coupons. If you didn’t think you could buy practical, unique art and save, well, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

New Page for Featured Guest Artist Spotlight

2010-05-05T18:35:00.001-04:00

Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ~

I created a page to spotlight indie artists. I love arts and crafts. I always have. And, just because I'm an artist doesn't mean I don't appreciate the work and effort of my fellows. I love going to arts and crafts shows, browsing art galleries and appreciating just about all there is the visual arts has to offer. I buy handmade and it's the first place I look for a special gift. It is inspiring to look at and appreciate the work of other artisans.

My goal is to showcase an artist every couple of weeks and their work. The artist has a chance to respond to interview questions. I think many people are curious about artists and what sparks their creativity. I hope the responses to these questions will engage the reader's interest to take a closer look at their work.

http://www.offthecuffart.com/
http://www.barbaragiordanoart.etsy.com/
http://www.sunfluersjewelrydesigns.com/
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://www.sunfluerdesigns.imagekind.com/

Captured Moments

2010-05-03T11:09:00.001-04:00

Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it. ~ Buddha ~

I love animals life which is probably an understatement. Saying it, doesn’t fully translate what I feel or think when I hug my dogs or admire cows and horses grazing in the field. I want to show through my work what I consider to be pleasing both to heart and mind.

In a previous post, I mentioned that I photographed cows. It is rural where we live. There are many horse and cow farms. Driving past the farms, seeing the animals grazing always puts a smile on my face. On rare occasion, I’ve had to stop to let a cow parade cross the road as they made their way to the field on the other side. One time, a herd of horses were in the road. I think they got loose. Their owner was no where to be seen. It was a funny and strange sight seeing them outside of their enclosure. They weren’t scared, in fact, they appeared relaxed as if it’s something they tend to do – get out unbeknown to their humans.

I want to share some of the beauty I see on my daily rounds. And, I’m using these captured moments in my work, adding in photo art. If you like art in practical, useful products, I design mugs, tee shirts, magnets and more at my Zazzle store. There is a wide selection and they are thoughtful gift ideas. Kids love stickers and magnets too! It’s a cost effective way to give a little something for your child without going over board. Keep a few on hand, tucked away for that special time you want to reward your child for a job well done. Buy these items and put them away to keep gifts on hand.

What is your favorite Zazzle product?

Cowboy Coffee

2010-05-01T10:16:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, my Cuisinart coffee maker burned out – literally. I heard a crackling sound coming from my kitchen. I couldn’t imagine what it was although it sounded like it was coming from the counter. To my shock, the coffee was starting to boil and there was smoke coming from the bottom of the machine. Thank goodness I was home because I fear there might have been a fire if I did not unplug the coffee maker.

With my coffee machine broken I knew I was going to be a big grouch without my morning “fix”. My sweet husband said he would make the morning run to Dunkin Donuts or Mickey D and maybe he was thinking as much about himself as he was for me. After all, who wants to deal with a grouchy wife first thing in the morning. I’m thinking, I like my coffee right after getting up and if truth be told, I was feeling downright bratty about it. And, I didn’t want my husband chasing for it either. I thought, there must be an alternative way to make coffee without a machine. How did they do it back in the day before machines and how did cowboys on the range get their cup of “joe”?

When in a pinch, I turn to the handy, often trusty and informative internet. I found a recipe for making coffee in a pan on top of the stove. I was giddy with the prospect of solving a problem and getting what I most needed – morning coffee in a hurry!

One never knows when they may find themselves in a similar situation so I thought I would share it here with you. I mean, I can’t see anyone suffering needlessly.

Cowboy Coffee Recipe

In a saucepan, bring one quart of water to a boil.

Add 3/4 cup of ground coffee

Return to a boil but only briefly. You want to be sure all the grounds are covered with water. Do not boil for more then 30 seconds otherwise the taste may be adversely effected.

Immediately remove from the heat and cover.

Wait till the grounds sink to the bottom of the pan (approximately 5 minutes).

The grounds will be at the bottom of the pan. You can slowly pour the coffee directly into a cup like the cowboys do. Or, you can use the grounds cup from the machine, put a filter in it and pour the coffee into a carafe which is how I did it.

Enjoy!

One thing I want to add, this makes a strong coffee which I like. You may need to adjust for your taste. This recipe works. I was pleasantly and thankfully surprised and so was my husband. :)

Cows in the Field

2010-04-28T19:05:00.001-04:00

Living in the countryside of upstate New York lends itself to beautiful rolling hills and lots of farms. I’m now on a mission to collect photos of farm animals for future art projects. While I need to run errands anyway, I might as well make good creative use of my time and multi-task. Although it was a drizzly sort of day today, I did manage to engage a small herd of cows in the field. They were resting near the fence which was very fortunate for me. It is not often I see cows up close. They are usually seen out in the middle of the pasture. I must say, they were just a little scared of my approach but then became curious. I was careful to move slowly near the fence so they wouldn’t back off. My goal was to capture a few good study photos for my work. The last thing I wanted was to see them turn tail and run. Without further ado, here are a few of today’s photos:

As if to say, we’re feeling a bit camera shy.

Ok, I think we can handle this.

There is definitely safety in numbers.

Dozing

2010-04-25T16:40:00.001-04:00

Today’s painting is called “Dozing”, acrylic on 9 x 12 canvas. It is done in an expressive, painterly style. It is inspired by a calf from a nearby diary market’s petting zoo.

Earth Day, Everyday

2010-04-22T09:09:00.001-04:00

"There is enough for all.
The earth is a generous mother; she will provide in plentiful abundance food for all her children if they will but cultivate her soil in justice and in peace." ~ Bourke Coekran ~

Goddess of the Earth, Pencil & Ink on Bristol

Mother Earth, the giver of life that sustains us all. Earth day is everyday we walk along on this planet. We are merely passing through as visitors and she indeed is a lovely and giving host. Honor and care for her in all of your deeds and be mindful as you do, your children are watching you.

Stella The Pug

2010-04-21T07:59:00.001-04:00

Stella is the thirteenth painting in my pet portrait series. The painting is done in acrylic on 9 x 11 canvas. She has such a beseeching look on her face as if to say, “just one more treat, please”.

Getting the colors in her coat just right, was a little tricky for me. Since I do not work from an established palette, I had to play around with mixing a combination of colors, i.e., burnt umber, yellow ochre, burnt sienna and titanium white on my palette. I enjoy the experimentation and seeing the colors I can come up with in the paints.

I’m working toward painting on a daily basis. There is some frustration because the day to day family obligations must be met. I need a clear head to approach the creative process hence too many distractions does not a painting make or something like that. :) It’s always a good feeling and almost a relief when I can finally get down on paper or canvas the idea floating around in my head. It’s a release because the creative energy is pent up. I think many artists feel in a similar way. I would love to hear thoughts on this subject. The desire to create but other things, life so speak getting in the way. How does it effect your creative flow.

China Adoption - In My Heart Celebration Bracelet

2010-04-15T15:56:00.000-04:00

I love making adoption jewelry designs. As a mom through adoption, these are designs from the heart. The adoption jewelry line was first introduced in 2003 with the Adoption Is Love design. It was a big success that motivated me to create more exciting designs celebrating adoptions from around the globe.

The In My Heart China adoption bracelet shown above is a gorgeous bracelet of very good weight. It is made with high quality materials such as sterling silver, Jade gemstones and fresh water pearls. I added Swarovski crystals that are set in between the block letter beads. Customers can choose at no additional charge to personalize it in any birth month color combination. Select one color or several, it's entirely up to you.

I have to say, I especially enjoy custom orders so please do not hesitate to inquire about a special design made just for you.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Digging Geekery

2010-04-12T09:46:00.100-04:00

"Often, we are too slow to recognize how much and in what ways we can assist each other through sharing such expertise and knowledge." ~ Owen Arthur, Prime Minster of Barbados ~

I love quotes and find I'm using them more simply because it sums up eloquently what I want to share in a post.

I am by far no expert when it comes to coding. My approarch is either asking my dear hubby who has a wealth of knowledge or wading through mirky waters trying to figure it out on my own. Finding the answer myself is the most rewarding and when I do, I often feel giddy about it. It's like "ha", I did it kind of moment. When that happens, I want to share it with others because I can relate to the frurstation of trying to get technology to work for us and do the job it was intended. Having a base of knowledge helps. I think I eluded to the fact in previous posts, my background is in corporate training. I mean, at the very least, I hold a degree in it. Although I never put the degree to direct use, I use my knowledge in other creative ways.

Today, I added a DIGG voting tool for my blog posts. I hope you will vote on my posts now that it's available. Just click on it and in a few short steps, the post is added to the index. If you have a blog and want to add the DIGG gadget, it's very simple once you know how. Following are the steps to get it to work for your blog. I just want to mention, the coding should work in any blog platform that uses html.

Go to where you can edit the html in your dashboard. The first thing you want to do, is back up your current template. Where it says, "donwload full template", click on it and name whatever you like. After you've backed up the template, click on the "expand widget templates". Search for the following code:

<data:post.body/>

I use Windows and Ctrl 'F' will bring up the search bar making it easy to find the code right away. I thiink on a MAC, it's CMD 'F'. Just copy/paste the code into the search bar. Once you locate the code, you will need to add in the next piece of code above the previous code:


<div style='float:right; padding: 3px;'>
<script type='text/javascript'>
digg_url = '<data:post.url/>';
</script>
<script src='http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js' type='text/javascript'/>
</div>


Preview your blog and it should have the DIGG voting button next to each of your blog posts. If you like this post, please DIGG it. :)

2010-04-12T09:46:00.001-04:00

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Meaningful Gifts For Mom

2010-04-11T14:19:00.000-04:00

Before you know it, Mother's Day will be here. Are you prepared to give the mom in your life a special gift that shows how much you care?

I think all moms deserve to be treated special on Mother's Day. I think mom's through adoption would love a special something that speaks directly to them and their experieince. Being a parent through adoption suggests a special connection. I know because I am one.

Adoptive moms have jumped through hoops and filled out a dossier of forms. We have endured fingerprinting, background checks and home studies to determine our fitness to parent. Many of us have made huge financial and sometimes personal sacrifices to realize the dream of parenting. Back in 1999, when I became a first time mom, I wanted something special, a symbol to show how proud I am to be an adoptive parent. I couldn't find it online or elsewhere. I decided to create a piece of handcrafted jewelry that expressed what I was feeling and that was and is the "Adoption Is Love" bracelet. After the creation of that piece, I went on to making other designs to represent adoption from different countries. My daughter was born in China so finding symbols to celebrate our special connection was easy for me.

Although my adoption designs have been well received by the adoption community, some are more favored than others. The Mama Chinese Character Necklace in sterling silver is a favorite for mom's with children from China. I must admit that although I made this necklace with the China adoption mom in mind, it's a beautiful symbolic piece for all moms.

I love being creative and welcome custom orders. If you see a design on my website and would like it personalized to represent something meaningful for you, please do not hesitate to inquire. I will do my best to make a special gift for you or someone on your shopping list.

Your commets are welcomed on my blog. I would love to hear your thoughts about the blog content, any of my art creations and/or what you would like to see on it. If you have suggestions for jewelry designs, I would love to read about those also.

As always, thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. It means a lot to me.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Collage Art and Lov'in It

2010-04-05T16:05:00.000-04:00

Recently I purchased the book "Collage Discovery Workshop" by Claudine Hellmuth and it is nothing short of fabulous. By following some of the guidelines in the book, I created two collage art pieces. Each artwork is created on 4 x 6 inch canvas board.

I layered acrylic paints for the background. The fairy with honeybee hive is a cut out from left over wallpaper. I added in a piece of cardstock that looks like old type face and added in the miniature scrabble letters to create a three dimensional effect.

I used the same technique with this collage. With this piece, I cut out a photocopied image of my original acrylic cat painting and embellished it for added dimension.

Golden gel medium is used throughout the artwork. It's great for mounting the collage elements as well as sealing the art.

http://www.offthecuffart.com/
http://www.barbaragiordanoart.etsy.com/
http://www.sunfluersjewelrydesigns.com/
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://sunfluerdesigns.imagekind.com/

Promoting Our Artwork

2010-03-29T11:02:00.000-04:00

Kindness trumps greed: it asks for sharing. Kindness trumps fear: it calls forth gratefulness and love. Kindness trumps even stupidity, for with sharing and love, one learns. ~ Marc Estrin ~

Lately, there has been much discussion on the Fine Art America forum about the pros and cons of having a Facebook presence to promote artwork. Some people are opposed to it, considering it to be a fruitless waste of time and they worry about privacy. Personally, I disagree with the opinion. I think artists must promote their artwork in all ways that are available to them. The internet and social networks in particular provide a vehicle not otherwise possible to talk about art, network with artists, collectors and reach a very wide audience.

I enjoy Facebook although I do know there are many privacy concerns. I don't let it get me down. I've made lots of friends and contacts on Facebook. It's a great place to learn about art related opportunities and meet like minded people. We get what we put into it. As for privacy, I believe it's good to exercise prudence on what is shared and the pursued activities online. There is no privacy on the internet. Everyone has to know it and if they don't they should be aware. I tell my kids this all the time. When it comes to the internet, nothing is scared. We have to take precautions to safeguard passwords and basicially not do much of anything you think someone will raise an eyebrow or pass judgement. Of course, that doesn't stop some people from doing unscruplous things.

I've created a space for my art on Fine Art America. They offer varied printing options for art including reproducing work on canvas. My work is offered via FAA on high quality prints in formats I'm unable to reproduce from my studio. One of my recent pieces is "Sculpted". I created the art by first making a pencil drawing on Bristol. I captured an image of it and digitially enhanced it in Corel Paintshop. I like the mixed media effect I achieved using the tool.

Every now and then, I'll digitally manipulate a piece of my art. It's interesting to see the different effects that can be achieved. All digital work is collected in print form. Using a resource like FAA makes these print offerings a breeze. Art collectors will enjoy the reasonable prices.

Do you have a favorite place to sell and/or purchase artwork? Please do share it here. If you have an opinion about social networks or a favorite page or artist you want to share, leave your comment on this blog.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

The Creative Soul

2010-03-23T15:06:00.000-04:00

"A quote can change the way you think about challenges you face."

~ Catherine Pulsifer ~

Lately, I've been studying mixed media and collage art. In my journey of learning more on this interesting art form, I came across a blog. On it, I found the following article that for me, sums up what it is to be a creative person.

Dreaming Goddess, Mixed Media by B Giordano

10 Attributes of Creative Types

Written by: ~ Alease Mitchell ~

We all have heard it before, "You are one of those Creative Types". And typically my response is, "Yes I am, so I'm to assume you are not". The statement of being creative can come across as condensing or sympathetic , like we have problems. Others just don't know how to deal with us. Like we are a mystery.

But honestly the other types are the people I sympathize with. Being creative is a freeing and joyous experience. Creative people live creative, colorful, self reflecting lives. We love spending time with ourselves - because we can entertain ourselves with the most creative things. We enjoy being around other creative souls because we feed off of each other.

I've listed 10 of those attributes and have provided brief explanations of each.

1. Creatives are highly intuitive, big picture visionaries. We are at our best when we are working with abstract, analytic work that utilizes our divergent thinking. We can envision possibilities that don't exist, connecting the dots and recognizing what's missing in a given situation.

2. Creatives are agents of change. Because of our divergent thinking we often see problems before they arise. And this thinking on many levels places us in roles of critics or evaluators.

3. Creatives want and need to be seen and appreciated for their uniqueness. We have an unusually high need to be seen and heard. We often work in companies that are small or in small groups. We need to be recognized and appreciated for being forward thinkers.

4. Creative are nonconformists. We like to do things our way. We like to define our own work and be able to take action without asking for permission. We hate to be micromanaged and we can feel stifled in companies with strict norms of behavior, excessive amounts of rules or large bureaucracies.

5. Creatives have their own internalized standards of quality. We may often outperform other employees, but this is because we have a personal, intrinsic commitment to work and feel creative ownership over our work and personal projects.

6. Creatives have a strong need to believe in what they do. Our engagement with work is first and foremost must have a sense of purpose and meaning for us. New projects, creative freedom, and unlimited resources are high on our wish list. If we are not stimulated and engaged in our work, we can in fact "Rust Out" - present a lack energy, sleeplessness, loss of creative ideas and withdraw from others, resulting into a debilitating depression.

7. Creative have many talents and enthusiasms. We tend to have 3 to 4 highly developed skills and enthusiasms far many more activities than most. As soon as we loose interest in one area, we move on to the next subject with great enthusiasm.

8. Creatives have an insatiable appetite for learning opportunities and new challenges that utilize their diverse talents. We need a place where our intellectual and creative boundaries are limitless and where there is an abundant of opportunities for self-expression and personal and professional growth. Many times if our day job isn't satisfying us, we have to seek other ways to express ourselves with hobbies and projects outside of our day -to- day work lives.

9. Creatives like variety and dislike routine. We like to use different skill sets on evolving projects. Rarely do like repetitive work. Working on an assembly line would just kill us.

10. Creatives often have acute sensitivities. It's very common for creatives like us to have one or two areas of hypersensitivity. We can have anything from a strong intuition, an appreciation of nature to an extraordinary sense of taste or smell.

Well, Do you see yourself in any of these attributes? I did! I totally understand why I do what I do.

~ ~ ~

Thank you, Alease. I remember once during a brief encounter, a person referred to artists as "quirky". I don't know, I honestly do not see myself in that way. What do you think? As an artist, how do you see yourself?

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Little Journal

2010-03-18T15:45:00.000-04:00

One must learn by doing the thing, for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try. ~ Aristotle

I've taken an interest in bookcrafting. This is the 2nd art journal I've made using a different techinque. It's done with mixed media where I used stamping and collage on archival card stock paper. It's a small book that fits in the palm of the hand.

It's very cute and semi functional. I made the book with book board and binding screws. It makes the book very sturdy but also rigid. The front cover opens about half way. It has a secretive feeling to it like when a kid uses their arm to cover up their work in school. At least, that's what comes to mind. I imagine it would be great if you wanted to jot down notes to self or sketch something while obstructing the view from onlookers. Inside, I used sketching paper cut to size.

At this stage, I'm experimenting with the craft trying out different techniques. Mostly, I'm having fun learning something new. Book binding is an art form which there are many different methods from simple to complex. The artist is only limited by the extent of their imagination.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

It Must Be Envy Because They Criticized It Without Knowing

2010-03-17T09:50:00.000-04:00

So many times people are afraid of competition, when it should bring out the best in us. We all have talents and abilities, so why be intimidated by other people's skills? ~ Lou Holtz ~

So yesterday, I received what I call a "nasty gram" email from some unknown person regarding the pricing of my carefully, handcrafted bracelets. Oh, yes, did I say handcrafted jewelry? I know, I've been talking a lot about my fine artworks, but my whole art career was jump started with my jewelry designs back in 2003.

Ok, so on to the email from a person complaining about the prices. Wait. Let me show you what I mean; here's the email:

Your jewelry is very basic and could not have cost more than $15 to make. Why are your prices soo high? I googled looking for handmade jewlery and ran across a blog post you put on then found the address to your website. But your prices are insanely high. I realize you consider it art work and you use a formula to determine your prices. But I was just looking for something different for a gift. I would not pay $80 for a bracelet that took less than 30 minutes to make with beads you bought wholesale. I can't help but wonder if you make a living at this. Or is the advertising you do on your website that earns your income. Just some thoughts. Obviously that is a fake email address I put in.

She not only complains about the prices but makes a lot of assumptions about the cost and time it takes to make the designs. In addition, she states her email addy is fake and if that is true, doesn't allow me the opportunity to respond.

How could she possibly know what I pay for material or the time it takes for me to handcraft a design? A while back I got a similar email and the wording is very much the same. Too bad, I didn't save the email to compare. I dismissed it but when I got this one, it screamed to me it's from the same person. I'm just wondering if this is a competitor making a lame attempt of knocking out the competition. I mean, this approach is mean spirited - right? I also wonder if there are any other jewelry artists out there getting the same or similar emails.

If a person wants to pay less, buy a mass produced piece of jewelry of lesser quality, places like Walmart or Sam's Club are well stocked with it. My Aunt, may she rest in peace had an expression "if you don't like the direction you're looking in, there are three others to choose from." And, as many a mom instructs their child, "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."

Please let me take a moment here to talk about my jewelry designs. All of the designs are my creations. The designs are not "knock offs" or another person's idea. A great deal of thought and education goes into handcrafting these designs. The prices are based on high quality material, labor and overhead. These designs are original, many are one of a kind and all of it is made by hand, by me.

Thankfully, I have a wonderful customer base and many repeat customers who come back and refer their friends. I have testimonies on my website from my customers letting me know their reaction to the jewerly and purchasing experience. I appreciate each and every customer. I also appreciate all the feedback I receive including the "nasty gram". It inspires me and keeps me on my toes. All of it, is very, very good and I thank you all for it. It helps me become a better artist and a better person.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com

www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com

www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com

www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer

http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

New Blog Face

2010-03-16T08:19:00.000-04:00

"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity." ~ Louis Pasteur ~

Yesterday, I was running into a problem where the comments to posts weren't showing up. Actually, it has been a problem for a while. It was quite frustrating. When those type of things happen, I have to keep working at it until I find a solution. I have a very solution driven personality which I guess is the underlying force to my creative spirit.

I kept thinking what if I changed the blog template; what would happen. Would it make things worse, messing up my whole blog by throwing everything out of whack or would it make it better. I'm reasonably comfortable when it comes to technical computer issues. My background is in business education which is a story for another day. What's important here is my creativity is what helps to push me forward. This is a part of myself I have come to embrace more and more.

Sooooo, I decided to look around Google for blogger backgrounds. I wanted a new face for my blog but mostly, I wanted to correct the comments issue. I thought, if I'm going to change the template, it might as well be something with a little more personality to it. What I found was, by changing the template, it straightened out the problem. Walla! The comments are showing up now. Whew! I let out a sigh of relief.

The website I used for blog backgrounds is Hot Bliggity Blog. The instructions are straightforward and it's just a matter of opening up a gadget in blogger and copy/paste the code right in. And, there you have it, a whole new party dress ready to rock and roll!

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

2010-03-15T13:25:00.000-04:00

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things that I had no words for." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe ~

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Comments Not Showing Up

2010-03-15T11:36:00.000-04:00

First off, I want to thank everyone who visits my blog and leaves a comment on my posts. The comments mean a lot to me.

Unfortunately, I'm experiencing technical difficulties in getting the comments to appear properly. I configured a feed for comments; set up a section at the bottom of the blog for comments BUT, to my frustation only part of the comment can be read. I keep looking for a solution to the problem and frankly, I'm at amiss in how to best rectify the issue.

I'm going to try to find a fix and may have to end up manually inserting comments on posts as I receive it. This means for me, more time spent on technical issues instead of being creative. I may very well end up looking for a new blogging platform and ditch blogspot which is drastic given all of the work I've put into this blog. That will be a big undertaking so I need to think about it long and hard before I decide.

If there is anyone who has experienced this problem and found a way to resolve it, I would love to hear from you. I know there are many blogspot users who are experiencing this issue so if anyone has found a work around, lots of other users may benefit from the fix as well.

Thanks for reading my blog and checking out my artwork. Please keep your comments coming and I will keep trying to find a solution.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

2010-03-14T17:28:00.003-04:00

You can stay young as long as you learn. ~ Emily Dickinson ~

Major 12

2010-03-13T18:24:00.007-05:00

Major is the twelfth pet portrait in the series. He is a handsome pale yellow Labrador Retriever dog. I decided to take artistic license by making the fence in the background blue. My thought was it would make the dog stand out more in the portrait and compliment Major's coloring.

This has been a wonderful project. I have been enjoying receiving the reference photos. The project is still open so if anyone would like to submit their pet photo, send it on to sunfluerdesigns@Yahoo.com

Major is available for sale at my website.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Select Pet Portraits at Second Hanging Gallery

2010-03-13T08:00:00.011-05:00

The SecondHanging.com has expressed interest and selected these pet portraits for sale at their virtual gallery. This is a good opportunity for my artwork to be represented by a gallery. The gallery is hosted from W 23rd Street, NYC at the doorstep of the artists hub. It's located in the Chelsea area not far from the well known FIT, Parsons and School of Visual Arts.

I am very familiar with the art schools and the area in general. Over ten years ago, I was a newlywed living at W. 23rd Street off of 6th Avenue. It's a great part of the city with off Broadway playhouses, lively sidewalk cafes and clothing boutiques. As an emerging artist, I'm thrilled to have this first time opportunity in a most desirable artist location.

If you have the time, visit the SecondHanging.com website to check out all the great artwork in the virtual gallery.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Nana 11

2010-03-11T11:54:00.006-05:00

Introducing to you is Nana 11, pet portrait #11 in the pet painting art project. She has such a dainty and graceful look with her sleek coat and compact body. I'm not sure the breed of this dog, maybe the owner will come back to let us know. She looks like a Whippet/Italian Greyhound and appears to have a body built for speed.

I ended up doing this one in a similar painting approach as my dog Sirius. It's an expressive, painterly style with obvious brush strokes in it. Since she is a dark furred dog, I chose to work with a very deep bluish purple for the main part of her body. I'm very pleased with the color result for this little lady.

I am finding that I enjoy the freedom of working in the expressive style and think I will be exploring more in my future artwork.

Nana is done in acrylic on 9 x 12 unframed canvas and is currently for sale at only $75.00. I will also offer this art at my Zazzle store designed on great products. High quality prints of my artwork is available with your choice of custom framing directly from my Imagekind gallery.

If you want your pet's portrait painted, send a good, close up photo no larger than 72dpi to sunfluerdesigns@yahoo.com This project will end on March 31st. There is no obligation to purchase the original painting. All paintings are available on a first come basis.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Queen of Hearts

2010-03-07T11:20:00.004-05:00

My interpretation of the Queen of Hearts. This illustration drawing is inspired by my imagination. It is done using Zig Zag and Prisma Color archival, pigment ink pens on 9 x 12 inch Bristol. I will use this image on products I design at my Zazzle store.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Slow Down on Pet Portraits

2010-03-03T17:19:00.005-05:00

In case you might be wondering, the pet portrait project has slowed down due to lack of photo submissions. I would love to continue if I receive more reference photos. In the meanwhile, I'll be doing other paintings and drawings. The subjects for the next art is to be determined.

I'm happy to say the Mad Hatter t-shirt I designed in my Zazzle store is selling. I'm happy people like my crazed Hatter character. It was a lot of fun to draw. Do you have a favorite character from Alice in Wonderland? If you do, let me know and maybe I'll see what interpretation I can come up with.

Here is an Alice drawing I did a while back. I've used the drawing to design products in my Zazzle store. Below is a greeting card.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Mad Hatter Drawing

2010-02-27T18:00:00.007-05:00

It's good to change the pace up a bit so I took a minnie break from the critter project. Changing gears helps to keep the creative juices following. I'm a big fan of the Alice in Wonderland story. The new upcoming movie is creating a lot of excitement for fans of this fairytale. I am definitely among those who are looking forward to the new movie. With that being said, I got inspired to create my version of the Mad Hatter character. I think I did a reasonable job of creeping him out. This is a 9 x 12 inch drawing on Bristol done in pigment ink markers and pens.

Do you have a favorite character in Alice in Wonderland? I would love to know what you think and what character I might be challenged to try.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Henry 10

2010-02-25T15:08:00.005-05:00

Henry is the rooster in my flock of 13 chickens pictured with 2 hens. I raised the birds from day old chicks. Henry and the Hens is a 8 x 10 acrylic painting on unframed canvas and is available for sale at my website. I would love to see more pets for this art project. You can forward your pet photos to me at SunfluerDesigns@Yahoo.com

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Art Journal

2010-02-24T16:41:00.005-05:00

While the underpainting of the new pet portrait is drying, I made an art journal. This is a project I've been wanting to do for a while. I know I can just go buy a sketch book for journaling but why do that when I can make one with the materials I have on hand. Plus it's fun to do. I gathered up some very nice heavy card stock and cut it to size. Cut up sheets of sketch paper and put together this book. I now have a unique journal to record my art ideas.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Aspen 9, 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-02-20T09:47:00.008-05:00

SOLD

Aspen is the 9th painting in the pet portrait series. He is a sweet, Dudley Yellow Lab in his party hat. Dudley's have the distinct pink nose. My Lab, Moon has a "winter" nose. The nose has a pinker hue to it during the cold weather months.

Every animal is an individual. In these likeness paintings, without personally knowing each pet, I try to pick up on the individual characteristics that sets them apart from the rest.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Sirius 8, 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-02-17T16:08:00.005-05:00

This is one of my pets, Sirius the German Shepherd dog. I decided to do this portrait in an expressive or painterly style. I like this style of painting because it's so liberating. The painting is done on a 16 x 18 inch canvas using acrylic paint.

http://www.offthecuffart.com/
http://www.barbaragiordanoart.etsy.com/

http://www.sunfluersjewelrydesigns.com/
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://sunfluerdesigns.imagekind.com/

Slinkie 7, 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-02-13T13:04:00.007-05:00

Here is Slinkie a very cute and unusal looking Dachshund dog. I choose this particular dog because the eyes are so big and different. It's the largest eyes I've seen on a dog. I thought, Slinkie would be an excellent subject and fun to paint.

I have to say, I'm not 100% pleased with the completed painting. I thought about re-working it a bit but decided aganist it for concern I would overwork the painting. At some point, I may take another shot with a new painting. For now, it will be put on the back burner and I will move forward with another pet portrait.

Slinkie is available for sale at my website.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Scout 6, 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-02-09T18:49:00.007-05:00

Scout 6 is a cute English Bulldog puppy. I must say I fancy this breed. They are just so cute. Although, I love dogs and animals for that matter. As with all the portraits, I enjoyed making this likeness rendering of Scout.

Creating these portraits within an established schedule is pushing me out of my otherwise leisurely comfort zone. It is proving to be a very good exercise and helping me become a daily painter.

What do you think of this project so far? I love to receive comments and questions. Thanks to everyone for submitting their pet photos and participating. I continue to accept photos so please keep them coming.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Duke 5, 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-02-07T12:38:00.005-05:00

Here is Duke, the yellow lab in all of his splendor. I painted a 9 x 12 inch acrylic likeness portrait of Duke. I used artistic license by making a red background. I love the way red makes the pale yellow "pop".

Painting a light colored coat has it's challenges blending the light and dark colors. I worked on showing the subtle shade differences in the coat and the skin folds in this Lab's body. You can see by the photo I referenced he's a very healthy boy.

Duke is available for sale at my website. I also make great practial products from the paintings at my Zazzle store.

I am accepting pet photo submissions. Information about the project and submitting your photos can be found here.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Zoe is Oreo

2010-02-05T07:35:00.006-05:00

I find out yesterday from "Zoe's" human that her name is actually Oreo. Oreo comes from a multi-pet home and so I guess I confused the name. Actually, upon very close inspection, it's very clear how well the name Oreo fits her/him. Zoe is a very nice name also.

I'm getting ready to make painting #5 so please be on the look out for it - and hopefully, I get the name right :) Blush.

Pet photo submissions are still being accepted and I would love to see other pets: horses, pigs, chickens, birds, etc. I love them all! So, let your family and friends know about this project. There is no obligation whatsoever to participate. Anyone can choose to purchase the original painting and I'm making the images available on products in my Zazzle store It's a nice way to have a keepsake momento of your pet or favorite breed and/or animal.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Zoe 4, 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-02-04T11:15:00.010-05:00

Here is Zoe 4, the fourth painting in the 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days self imposed art project. Zoe was challenging to paint due to all of her lovely markings and color variations in the coat. I am very pleased with this likeness rendering of Zoe. And, my aim in this project is to achieve a likeness of my study.

I referenced a photo submitted by Zoe's human to create this painting and think I did this sweet girl justice in the painting. When I create a painting, I dive right in. I do not sketch the work out. Instead I create a background with my paint and make a general outline of my subject. I then move in to bring my subject to "life" on the canvas. The early stages of the work can be a little frustrating because it takes a bit of work with layers of paint for the subject to begin shinning through. When I'm finally satisfied with the outline, I then work in the details.

I realize my approach is unconventional and loose but this is what comfortable for me. I enjoy working outside of the box.

I welcome comments so please consider leaving some of your thoughts and/or questions here on this blog. Thanks for visiting and participating in this project.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Cooper 3, 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-02-02T12:25:00.005-05:00

Cooper 3 is the third painting in the 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days series. He is a beautiful chocolate Labrador Retriever. I'm enjoying the pet portrait series. It is helping me to learn with each and every painting just little bit more about my creative self and hone in on my style. The process is a welcomed challenge for me as I am a self taught artist.

This painting is available for sale. In addition, I'm making these pet portraits available on practical gift items at my Zazzle shop.

I continue to seek pet photo submissions. Please let your family and friends with pets know about this special project. Thanks to everyone who have submitted photos.

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Leena 2, 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-01-31T16:11:00.007-05:00

Leena 2 is a beautiful kitty, 2nd in the series of 30 Pet Portrait in 60 days. The painting is available for sale on my website: Off The Cuff Art

I took two photo images of the painting at different angles for illustration purposes.

http://www.offthecuffart.com/
http://www.barbaragiordanoart.etsy.com/
http://www.sunfluersjewelrydesigns.com/
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://sunfluerdesigns.imagekind.com/

Hanmee 1, 30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-01-30T12:11:00.010-05:00

Hanmee 1, 9 x 12 acrylic on unframed canvas

Referencing two photos of Hanmee, I created this rendering using layers of acrylic paints on 9 x 12 inch canvas. Hanmee is the first in a series of 30 pet portraits in 60 days. I'm pleased with the outcome of this work. I look forward to the next 29 in this series.

Hanmee is available for sale at a very low price of only $75.00 plus shipping and handling charges directly from my website: Off The Cuff Art

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

30 Pet Portraits in 60 Days

2010-01-25T11:05:00.006-05:00

Minnie-Me is a cat that belonged to a friend. It's a 9 x 12 inch acrylic on canvas painting. I worked from the photo to make this painting.

I became inspired to do the above painting after reading Carol Nelson's blog who is a gifted artist. If you haven't seen her work, please try to check it out. Carol is doing a project called a 100 portraits in a 100 days.

So now I'm thinking that I would like to do a similar project with pets. I think a less daunting task of 30 portraits in 60 days. I want to give myself space to allow for family obligations. I would need a close up similar to the one in the photo above. It's an understanding that anyone submitting a photo by doing so is giving me permission to use it in the artwork. Further, I have permission to post the finished pieces on my blog, websites, etc.

There is no obligation to purchase as this is an exercise to help me as an artist to improve in my skills. It's understood that I will choose from the photo's submitted and there's no guarantee the image will be used in the project. I will make the finished 9 x 12 unframed canvas pieces available for sale at $75.00 each. I will use a similar system that each piece will have a number and the name of the pet. I.e., Petey-1, Rexy-2, etc.

Please provide only a close up of the face of your pet. One pet only in the image. I would like to begin the project on February 1st. Photo images of good quality, 300 dpi and up to 600 pixels on either height or width. Forward to SunfluerDesigns@Yahoo.com

I'm excited about this project and hope to receive many submissions.

http://www.offthecuffart.com

http://www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
http://www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BarbaraGiordanoArt