a.Elizabeth

I'm Back

2011-06-01T06:14:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the long absence, long story short Student teaching left me no time to blog or even sleep.

I'm back at it though and getting ready for a fall show and a new job. I will be a middle school art teacher starting in August and I am so excited. Here are a few of the paintings I worked on during Spring Semester in my Advanced Painting class.

Layered Collage Tutorial

2010-11-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

This is my first tutorial so bear with me. I'll post each day as I'm working on it.

Supplies: Canvas, decorative papers, paper cutter, modge podge or other decoupage glue, brush for glue, xacto knife, colored tissue papers, mulberry paper, scissors, acrylic paints and brushes for paint.

Step 1: Cut decorative papers into 1 inch squares

Step 2: Glue squares onto canvas in a diagonal pattern putting glue only on the bottom, not on top. Let it dry.

Step 3: After it is completely dry trim off any squares that are hanging over the edge

Step 4: Apply a coat of Modge Podge or favorite decoupage glue to the entire canvas. I do not recommend using a sponge brush because they tend to make bubbles on the paper. Do brush the glue on in a diagonal pattern to match the squares.

Tune in tomorrow for more steps and to see the progress of this piece.

P.S. I'm starting to put my jewelry up on etsy. Get it before it's gone!

Junior League of Newnan Show

2010-11-04T15:07:00.000-07:00

I'm hitting the road again this weekend with my wares! I'll be in Newnan, Georgia at a Handmade Art show sponsored by the Junior League. Don't forget to check my etsy store for holiday gift items at http://www.etsy.com/shop/aelizabeth.

Happy November.

Wristlet Sale this week at my Etsy

2010-10-16T12:25:00.001-07:00

This week only my wristlets are $10 at my etsy store. These make great gifts for teachers, moms, sisters and your girlfriends.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/aelizabeth?ref=seller_info

John Jarrard Foundation

2010-09-20T09:43:00.001-07:00

Here's my piece for the John Jarrard Foundation Auction. It takes place this Thursday, September 23rd. Visit http://www.johnjarrardfoundation.com/ for more information.

on the smallish side - and just right

2010-08-31T18:25:00.001-07:00

These little cuties are on the smallish side and will fit right into a larger bag. Perfect for teacher gifts, your best friend or you favorite aunt. Just tuck your favorite lip gloss or a gift card in the bag and it's ready to go. The wristlets are great for pulling out of your larger bag when you just need the essentials. I used mine today for volunteering at the kids elementary school. It's the perfect size to fit my wallet, keys and phone in without the hassle of a larger bag.

This is just a sampling of sizes and colors. I will have more choices at the Hearts and Hands Emporium on September 25 &26 at First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Georgia. I'll also be posting a few on my etsy shop soon. I'll be sure to let you know when I do.

Many of my designs will also be available for custom ordering with monogramming for that personal touch.

Preview of Handbags

2010-08-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a preview of the handbags I'll be adding to my shop very soon. A trunkload of these and many more fun accessories will also be available at the Hearts and Hands gift show in September. I'm having so much fun designing and creating these fun fashion accessories and I know you'll enjoy using them just as much.

Interested in hosting a party where your friends can order custom a.elizabeth bags? For hosting a party you will receive an a.elizabeth hostess gift and can earn credit for more of your own a.elizabeth bags and accessories to add to your wardrobe.

Flowers, Birds and Moms

2010-04-26T09:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent 5 hours in the studio furiously creating. It doesn't always come that easy so when it does I don't want to stop. With my garden planted, birds waking me in the early morning and mother's day just around the corner Spring is here and I'm loving it.

I started yesterday with the flowers. It was an article in the latest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. I've never sat down and actually done a project step by step out of CPS but I did and I love the results. I liked it so much I continued on with the birds and then the chicks.

On another note, I've been struggling with my mantle since Christmas decorations came down so after seeing this idea in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine I did it as a tribute to Mother's day.

Spring Fling

2010-03-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

Here's my most recent work. It's a mixed media piece I did for Children of Grace Preschool's Auction this Friday March 19th. My boys attended this wonderful school and I love being a part of this event every year.

For more information on the auction call Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville, Georgia.

Happy February

2010-02-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

With only two weeks to Valentines it's time to think about that special card for your sweetie. I found this one today on etsy at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=recently_listed_items&listing_id=39769560&show_panel=true

If you're feeling crafty and want to make your card go to http://www.graphicsfairy.com/ for lots of great ideas and free clip art. For kids to give to class mates I like this idea http://24-7-365.blogspot.com/2009/02/lavish-me-with-praise.html

Sweet Cakes

2010-01-30T06:35:00.000-08:00

Today's find is calorie free cupcakes. I love these and as a bonus they are filled with lavendar.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=recently_listed_items&listing_id=39199835

Sleet + Chance of Snow in Georgia = Shopping online

2010-01-29T12:30:00.000-08:00

With a winter storm moving across the nation what better time to get online and do some shopping. My favorite online shop to get lost in is http://www.etsy.com/ . If you haven't visited yet...do it now.

I found this great little bag at one of my favorite shops, Louloubell's, and she has many other colors, patterns and designs to choose from. See it at www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37784872

Featured Find!

2010-01-28T06:43:00.001-08:00

Okay, this is a new thing for me and I'll see if i can keep it up. In my love of handmade I'm featuring my find of the day on etsy or other sites that sell handmade items.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30777499

Still working on my spring 'She' collection that will feature magnets, mini paintings, large paitings, jewelry and more.

Winter Wishes

2010-01-13T13:17:00.001-08:00

Well, I'm not a huge fan of winter but on my quest to be more positive I'd like to share what I do enjoy about winter.

We had a snow day last Friday, all half and inch of it but it was great because for a few hours our world was white and everything stopped to enjoy it. See that is the benefit of living in the south. When it snows in Georgia it is a gift to be treasured by young and old (well I'm not that old). It's when you see parents out with their kids trying to sled. I say trying because really it was only a half an inch after a few slides down the hill the snow is gone and the kids are just sledding on cold grass. A snow day is a suprise holiday when you have a fire, roast marshmellows and drink lots of hot chocolate.

What makes your heart sing?

2010-01-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

So what is it that you do that makes everything in the world feel right? What makes your heart sing? For me it's art, not just any art will do though. When my creative urge hits and I get to the studio for painting, sewing, weaving, whatever it is, I am at complete inner peace. I read author Elizabeth Gilbert explain the creative process of 'creative genius' in that the 'genius' part was like a spiritual experience, a muse so to speak that comes and goes. She said that the artist or creators job was to show up and the creative genius took over. I kind of get that analogy because it really does work that way for me. Either it's there or it isn't. I can't force it all I can do is show up or run to the studio when it does.

So I ask, what is your muse? What makes your heart sing?

She

2010-01-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

These are my newest in a series I am beginning called 'She'. These two were made for my sweet nieces, Brynn and Aleah, for Christmas. This series will reflect on females amidst the cultural pressures of 'beauty and acceptance' by relating inner beauty and the complete acceptance found in relationship with our heavenly father.

If you are looking for a special thank you for a mom, sister, daughter or girlfriend I can tailor the sentiments to make a unique gift. I really enjoy doing a piece with someone in mind because it has so much more meaning to it that way. Art for art sake is not really my thing.

Happy 2010 and here's to making this year a creative and exciting journey!

Boo!

2009-09-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

I'm having so much fun making Halloween goodies this week. From signs, candles, treat cones and more orange and black paint is everywhere. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because there is no other time that kids can knock and everyone's door in the neighborhood and be greeted with candy! I think I might even dress up this year to give out the goodies.

Fall Show Preview

2009-08-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

I have been working furiously in the studio on items for the Hearts and Hands Emporium at First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Ga. The show dates are September 18 & 19. As a bonus if you mention this blog I'll give you $5 off any purchase of $25 at the show. My focus is on holiday items right now with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner. The signs, bottle wraps and frames would all make great teacher and hostess gifts and are all priced $20 and under. I'll also have some of my large frames there along with cards by Annie VanAmberg (my sister) and maybe some of my mom's items as well. Yes, my entire family is right brained. I'll have more items updated as we get closer to the show and after the show I'll post remaining items in my etsy store. If you can't come to the show and see something you like, just post a comment and I'll get back with you.

Well back to painting and creating!

fun shopping

2009-08-05T17:42:00.000-07:00

So here are the promised photo's of my favorite store in Newnan The Vintage Flea. They carry a mix of antiques and new home accessories, clothing, jewelry and art.

This donkey we found outside a great antiques/garden store in Senoia, Georgia (just east of Newnan). I couln't afford a $500 piece of garden art so I opted for a picture instead!

I'm recycling bottle caps into my art for some fun whimsical items. I'll try to take some photo's this week to share with you.

Last Days of Summer Break

2009-08-04T05:29:00.001-07:00

I can't believe summer break is almost over. The boys and I have had so much fun this summer and I'm disappointed to see it ending. We're in Newnan right now visiting my parents and I'm enjoying the antiques and shopping offered here. We're headed to one of my favorite stores today in downtown Newnan, The Vintage Flea. I'll take some pictures to post later so you can see why I love it so.

Downtown Newnan, Georgia

With school starting next week I will have more time in my studio to get ready for the upcoming fall shows I'm doing. Did I mention my studio is finally completed? I'll post those pics too when I get back in Gainesville. My first show will be in September at the First Baptist Church of Gainesville Hearts and Hands show and I'm starting to book any home shows for November this month. If you are interested in hosting a show, and yes there are benefits, let me know.

Enjoy these last few days of summer, I know I will.

Mushrooms and Dragonflies

2009-07-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

Well, just to name a few. I've updated my etsy site and my new items are now available. Also, my frames are on sale-marked down to $75. I'm discontinuing the frames so get them while you still can.

postcards from life

2009-06-08T05:58:00.001-07:00

With so many new ways to communicate the art of writing has been on the way out for some time. I think it's fascinating to read an old postcard, letter or just hand written notes by a loved one. Better yet a love letter in the midst of new love. I don't think reading text messages is going to have quite the same effect.

So a postcard from my grandfather to his wife and girls inspired this piece. He drove a greyhound bus for some 30 odd years and was on the road writing notes home to assure them of his safe arrival and such. Such a simple act done with love and now documented for my generation to look back on and get all sentimental about (and let me tell you I am really sentimental).

first of many

2009-06-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a series of collages that I hope to turn into prints, notecards and more. This is the first version and it's still in progress, Eventually I work it out into a larger size, this one is just a 5X5 canvas. It's been fun learning new techniques and trying them out.

I've also discovered that SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) Atlanta offers community education classes and workshops and I'm so excited that I'll get to take classes in the future. I'm also looking for other creative folk to start a group with so if you're in the North Georgia area and looking for some creative fun let me know.

Monsters Everywhere

2009-05-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

Well since summer is here some of my creative juices have to go to my children's activities. Today we read 'Leonardo the Terrible Monster' by Mo Willems. It's a great book and lots of fun to read. After we read it we created our own monster and talked about who he was, what he liked and what made him sad. It was fun and easy to boot.

Yesterday we had a surprise 'monster' in the garden in the form of a black snake. I'm not a fan of snakes myself but my boys love them so we got a nice view from the basement window of a garden snake in his element...my garden.

Jumping for Joy with Inspiration

2009-05-27T18:28:00.000-07:00

I'm back from a trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina that has left me full of inspiraitons for my artwork. I've never experienced so much discovery at the beach before and it was so exciting. I saw sand dollars, starfish, sting ray (swam right by me!), crab and some unknown sea creature my boys call a baby sting ray. The weather was rainy and sunny and both had a beauty and mystery all their own.

My collage work is really developing nicely. I've started creating my own collage papers using all the paper that invades my house daily through mail, school reminders and church reminders. I layer with stamping and painting to create a totally unique papers to collage with.

I have three shows on the schedule for this fall. Two shows are back to back in September and one is in October. I'll have more details as we get closer.

Spring Break in Savannah

2009-04-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

I just returned home from a wonderful trip to Savannah, Georgia. I wanted to tell you about some of my favorite shops there. These are pictures from The Paris Market, which had great home accessories, furniture, art, books and more. Other shops I visited included One Fish Two Fish, @ home - a vintage general store and Architectural Elements. We had the most amazing dinner at Bistro Savannah, a restaurant featuring only organic, in-season regional foods including fresh goat cheese and local produce and seafood. We also took a walking tour by Architectural Tours of Savannah which was fabulous. I really think I could live in Savannah (if I could only afford it).

The Great Frame makeover

2009-03-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm finally doing what I really wanted to do with my frames. When I started this journey I made the frames and stuck to the quotes to be safe, since I knew this was safe. My original idea was to paint the frames decoratively with graphic elements. So, when I was asked for a donation for the Children of Grace preschool I decided to follow my heart instead. My promise to myself and my customer is that each frame will be original and one of a kind. Mass producing is so boring anyway. I've also done a small painting that will be added to my etsy site today. Check back often to see where this new direction has taken me and my art.

Life is more than food and the body more than clothes

2009-01-18T20:22:00.000-08:00

This piece is more mixed media fun as I'm exploring all the possiblities of images, old papers and paint.

I started the layers with tissue paper, an old recipe, one of my photo's and one my mom took of me as a girl. There are words also written all along the edges of the piece that you can't see from the picture. One side says "consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn. Yet God feeds them."

The premise is that the bird represents the raven. That God clothes and protects him beautifully and simply while I sometimes worry how my needs will be met. The cupcake and the lollipop represent the abundance of God and the crown is my identity as a daughter of the king.

The issue of food and fashion is also a topic that women struggle with in our culture. I know I do. Worrying about what I eat (not if) or what I'm wearing is so wasteful. These are the things God provides even to the birds, how much more He does for me.

The Beginning of the New

2009-01-11T19:17:00.001-08:00

Here is the beginning of the new. This piece started with the red sketch I posted last week. Through layers of paper, gel medium, paint and oil pastels I began to take what was old and make it my new. This piece (still unfinished) is about the conflicting ideas women are given regarding self worth, beauty and acceptance. the words through the middle of the piece include statements like "Put on some lipstick" to "It's what on the inside that counts". The figure is resting with the weight of these statements on her but, her foundation is firm. She is her fathers daughter, unconditionally loved and pleasing to him.

A New Direction

2009-01-06T05:41:00.000-08:00

A new year, a new point of view calls us to make changes we hope to incorporate into our lives. Whether it's weight loss, positive thinking, going green or praying daily it is a goal. I have many goals for 2009, and a new direction in my art is one. Art vs. Commerce has long been an artists dilema. Can you balance the work you want to create with work that is profitable? I hope so, because in 2009 I'm going to try to follow my creative instincts more than my marketing instincts. My work will not be drastically different but it will come more from me and who I am rather than what I think others are or want.

Here are some sketches of what I'm working on. I'm looking at the simpler side. I'm starting at the beginning again by drawing and sketching more and looking at receipts and expenditures less. On that note I'm off to my studio (the basement!) to get to work and to gain some peace while letting my creative juices flow.

I love to paint

2008-09-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, I use old applesause containers for my paint. It's easy to clean or toss and my little ones love applesauce and keep me stocked.

I've been painting some for fun now that the pressure of the show is off. These pears are painted on some old wood (I think heart pine) my dad salvaged from his house renovation. I love the rugged look and if you could see the edges they show alot of the wood and just bits of paint.
Fall is here, although it's been in the 80's, but the mornings have been cool and I love having my morning coffee outside with the birds. I will be putting all of my work from the Emporium on my esty store over the next two weeks so be looking out for that piece you wanted but didn't get!

I'm Ready

2008-09-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of the booth. I hope to see you there!

Sneak Peek

2008-09-16T10:41:00.001-07:00

Here is a sneak peek at what will be at the Hearts and Hands Emporium starting this Friday at the First Baptist Church Gainesville on Historic Green Street. Hours are Friday and Saturday 9-5. Tickets are $3, which goes directly to Rahab's Rope. I'll see you there!

Getting Ready

2008-09-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

I worked all weekend in the Studio painting ornaments for my upcoming show. Thought I'd share them with you. Also you'll see the visitor I had to my zinnia garden on a very windy day, sweet thing just hung on and even slept some! I'll have more soon, just didn't have time to take all the pictures.

I've been working

2008-08-28T17:29:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I've written because I've been busy working. I'm getting ready for a show in September called The Hearts and Hands Emporium. It is a shop for a cause event that benefits Rahabs Rope an organization that helps women in India who have been used up, so to speak, by the sex trade and they teach them a handcraft so that these women can earn a living. I'm so excited to be a part of this and I'm also excited that I will be featuring three other artists/designers in my booth. I'll have stationery from Hodgepodge by Annie VanAmberg (my sister) who creates cards, art and custom stationery for children. There will also be hand crocheted scarves from Debbie Henderson (my mom) and chic clutches and handbags by Allison Abney. I'll have plenty of my art and accessories as well. The dates are September 19 & 20 at First Baptist Church on Green Street in Gainesville, Georgia.

the smell of sawdust

2008-07-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

I went to Newnan this weekend to build more frames with my dad. I've always loved being in the woodshop, in fact just sweeping up the sawdust was something I liked to do. I think it had more to do with just being around my dad and spending time with him when he was working on a project. I've discovered I really love working in the shop too and that it's not just the wood working so much as it is my dad teaching me something he enjoys doing as well.

Back to the Studio

2008-07-17T18:23:00.001-07:00

Here's a look at my latest addition to my quote list for the large format frames.

I'm back to working in my studio...yeah! I getting ready for a special show this September to benefit Rahab's Rope an organization that benefits women in India by teaching them a handcraft skill and sells their work right here in Gainesville, Georgia. The Hearts and Hands Emporium Sale will be September 19th at First Baptist of Gainesville.
I'm currently working on some birdhouses and birds to add to my collection. I've also launched a new site at http://www.aelizabeth.etsy.com/ that features my work on etsy, a web site featuring handcrafted items for sale.
I'm adding some new quotes for my frames so be on the look out the next couple of weeks as I'll be updating the web site.