Mom's Inspiring Art Dolls

A few years ago I had a little bit of a cancer scare.  I think it freaked my mom out more than me, but it was a scare none-the-less.  I had a small spot on my face, near my eye that wouldn't heal.  It was dry and rough, kept splitting open, healing up, then repeating the process.  It took me much longer than it should have to go to the doctor.  Sure enough, skin cancer.  Not the bad, scary stuff that spreads and requires more extravagant treatments, but the C word! 

My first treatment was just to have it removed.  I went to a plastic surgeon recommended by the dermatologist and he removed it.  I had a black eye for a little bit but I wear glasses so it was really not too noticeable.  I had a little scar (a tiny pucker in the corner) but nothing that bothered me or again, was very noticeable.  I healed quickly with no problems.  Or so I thought.

Not quite a year later, it was back.  Had a biopsy done to be sure and again, the C word!  This time they sent me over to St. Louis and I had the MOHS procedure done.  I was much more nervous for this one, they basically cut it out in layers, testing each layer to see if there's any cancer cells left.  It could be an all day process.  I only had to have two.  Much better than I thought.  Then I was sent to the hospital to have it closed up.  My mom was with me, and a nervous wreck I might add.  It went very well, the surgeon was spectacular.  I had a hole the size of a quarter and my mom was shocked how deep it was, he closed it up without skin grafts and the scarring is so minimal.  Again, glasses and hair pretty much hide all of it. 

I say all that to show you what mom made me for my second procedure.  Obviously she was nervous for me and needed to artistically express that.  She is quite an inspiration to me, always teaching me new stuff and getting me started on new artsy endeavors (much to the chagrin of my husband).

 It's been a couple years since my surgery, it usually takes me about that long to get on board with mom's newest creative endeavors (well, new to me).  Yesterday, I got this book in the mail.  We are planning to go to Bead N Button this year and I was telling mom I'd like to play around with people using tin.  How great is that?  Moms, gotta love 'em!

Here's some links to see more of her artwork (she's finally getting some of it up on Pinterest), check out her Art Dolls and some jewelry.   She also loves Altered Books and Art Journaling.  She does some really amazing stuff, very little of which she's gotten on Pinterest.  I'll keep on her about that. 

Hope you are finding some time to be creative and learn something new. 

Featured Artisan- Gary Hovey and his Beautiful Sculptures

 

http://www.hoveyware.com/

If you have never seen his work this one is an absolute must, amazing artwork made from silverware!  Yep, you heard me right, silverware!

Here is the link to his website: http://www.hoveyware.com/.  All photos were found on Pinterest and can be found on my board with other work from past Featured Artisans.: https://www.pinterest.com/TheChirpingFrog/the-chirping-frog-featured-artisans/.  For even more of his beautiful sculptures do a Pinterest search for "Gary Hovey" or simply visit his site.  You will be so inspired by what you see!

Mr. Hovey started his adventure with this form of art after being diagnosed with Parkinson's, despite the physical limitations that come along with the disease he perseveres and creates gorgeous sculptures that will inspire and brighten your day.



http://www.hoveyware.com/



http://www.hoveyware.com/

http://www.hoveyware.com/

http://www.hoveyware.com/

http://www.hoveyware.com/

On a personal note, my grandfather dealt with Parkinson's for at least 20 years before the good Lord took him home (miss ya Grampy), and it is truly amazing the beautiful pieces that Mr. Hovey has done.  Grandpa messed around with copper sheeting, making models of cars and trains, bugs, owls and the like.  As the years passed his ability to work with such small pieces became nearly impossible and he moved on to a variety of other hobbies.  I kept some of his later works, they are priceless to me. 

I hope Mr. Hovey is able to keep up his artwork for a very long time, and when the time ever comes where he has to put his silverware and torch down, he'll pick up somewhere else with another, beautiful form of artwork, just like Grampy did.  His work is truly an inspiration to me and I admire his courage and determination to keep on keepin' on while dealing with a disease like Parkinson's. 

I plan to keep update on any art shows or tours that might be in my area, I'd love to see his work in person.  What do you think of his work?

Featured Artisan- Daughter of the Stag

This month's Featured Artisan is Daughter of the Stag.  If you haven't seen any of her work you are really missing out.  Fabulous! 

I am completely in love with her stuff.  Just gorgeous!  Here's a few samples:

She sells her stuff on Etsy and also takes commissions, very reasonably priced for a unique piece of custom art.  Check her out on Facebook to learn a little more about her as well as her fabulous playful artwork. 

Featured Artisan

March is well underway and it kinda got away from me.  Since we're so far into the month I'm not going to do a new Artisan, instead I'm going to remind you of the gorgeous work from earlier Featured Artisans.  Feast your eyes and be inspired by their beautiful creations.

http://www.roserushbrooke.com/artist-statement.html

http://www.roserushbrooke.com/artist-statement.html

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VortexGlassWorks

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VortexGlassWorks

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Karensfineart?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav



https://www.etsy.com/shop/Karensfineart?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Ksemi?ref=l2-shopheader-name

 

 

 

Featured Artisan- The Art of Rose Rushbrooke

This month I have shared an amazing quilt artist with you by the name of Rose Rushbrooke.  Follow the link and you'll find more links to her website, tutorials and examples of her work.  Just amazing stuff.

Today I'd like to share with you some of her gorgeous beadwork.  Wow! 



Here are a few examples of how she incorporates beadwork into her quilts.  Just beautiful work!

 

All pictures were pinned on Pinterest onto a board I created called, "The Chirping Frog- Featured Artisans" and they link back to www.roserushbrooke.com.  If you haven't checked out her site you really should take a look.  You'll even find some patterns, tutorials and shopping for a few supplies.  She does some really amazing stuff.  If nothing else, take a look and gain a little inspiration for your own projects, whatever they  may be.

Have you ever done beadwork such as this, or incorporated it into your sewing projects?  We'd love to see some of your artwork, feel free to share.

Featured Artisan- The Art of Rose Rushbrooke

My first sewing project was an oak leaf quilt I started right after my second son was born.  Not sure I ever finished it, by now it's long gone.  I've worked on many different quilts and sewing projects since then but I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for quilts.  Mom and I frequented the Paducah Quilt Show for years, if you haven't been it's a wonderful show with a great selection of gorgeous quilts to inspire and tons of shopping. 

I have always been fascinated by quilts and especially love some of the newer techniques that truly make quilting quite the art form.

While perusing Pinterest one day (well, let's be honest, nearly every day) I found this particular quilt and was awestruck.  Absolutely gorgeous work.

http://www.roserushbrooke.com/royal-crustacean-lg.html

 

This quilt, called a fractal quilt, was done by Rose Rushbrooke and incorporates math, yes, math into the design.  You know, that subject most of us hated and thought we'd never, ever use again!

She does incredible work.  For more information on the artist check out her Bio here:
http://www.roserushbrooke.com/artist-statement.html

At the beginning of the year I offered up an Art Challenge, I am working on Art Journaling, for the first time, throughout this year and I challenged the rest of you to take up a new form of Art or just take the time to get back to one you've been neglecting.  If you take a look at more of Mrs. Rushbrooke's work, you'll see she participated in a Quilt Journal in years past.  Also a very cool idea.  Take a look at some of her journaling work here:
http://www.roserushbrooke.com/journal-quilt-pages.html

She writes a blog and has a website.  Lots of great stuff.  If you're looking to learn some new techniques check out her tutorials.

Here's another of her beautiful pieces of art.  Amazing stuff! 

http://www.roserushbrooke.com/fern.html

I have always found quilting to be extremely relaxing and therapeutic.  There are so many patterns and techniques that you can incorporate into your designs, truly making them your own.

If you're a quilter, feel free to share some of your masterpieces.  We'd love to see some of your work.

Featured Artisan- Karen Tarlton of Karen's Fine Art

More glorious work by Karen's Fine Art



 

 

Featured Artisan- Karen Tarlton of Karen's Fine Art

While browsing Pinterest one morning I came across this beautiful angel painting and immediately fell in love.  I adore paintings done with all that texture more than any other style so I went browsing, trying to get a little more information on the artist and her technique.  Pinterest links back to an Etsy shop called Karen's Fine Art and an array of gorgeous paintings ranging from florals and whimsical animals to beautiful angels and sailboats.  Some really great stuff.

Karen is a prolific painter who busts out a completed painting nearly every single day and sales them on her Etsy site.  As well as doing commissioned work. 

She works with a palette knife, incredible!  I am so infatuated with her technique and use of bold colors with such stunning results.  So talented!





Here is one of my favorites, although picking a favorite is nearly impossible, I love so many of them:

 

To see more about Karen and her work visit her blog where she posts her daily happenings.  Lots of beautiful artwork to look at.  Very inspiring.  She also has a Youtube channel where you can watch as she creates one of her beautiful paintings. 

 

She is so inspiring, I can't wait to share more of her work with you throughout the month of January.  Hope she inspired you as much as me.

 

 

 

 

Featured Artisan

This months Featured Artisan is from Russia..... I found her shop on Etsy and am quite intrigued by her work.  She does a lot of wire crochet which is amazing to me.  I have never tried it.... maybe someday.... it is so delicate and beautiful.  Her pieces are truly works of art!  This is one of my favorites.....

 

Here's another......

 

 

You can find more of her work on her Etsy shop at........Ksemi

Featured Artisan...

I'd like to feature work from different artisans I've discovered throughout the month.  One of my favorites is Vortex Glass Works on Etsy.  I am a huge fan of reptiles and amphibians.... frogs being one of my favorites.  I absolutely fell in love with these little guys.....

 

Vortex Glassworks is located on the Oregon Coast and offers unique borosilicate glass sculpture, paperweights, pendants, and beads.  Their stuff is really great.  Take a look!