Surtex 2013

Despite a rain-soaked day, my best friend and I ferried across the Hudson River from New Jersey to the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in Mid-Town Manhattan.


Our hopes to see the skyline, and the spire on the new World Trade Center, were dashed...but we were nonetheless excited to attend the SURTEX: Selling & Licensing Original Art & Design Show.




It's a thrill to see my artwork on display in the Artistic Designs Group booth and equally fun to get a chance to chat in person with my agent Julie Ager and her mother and business partner, Mary Ann.


Although our plans to wander downtown changed due to the soggy nature of the day, it was still a fun and worthwhile trip into the city. I'm hoping that soon I can share the news of new licensing opportunities on the horizon.

Illustration Friday ~ FUTURE

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land among the stars"...and your FUTURE will be bright!

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

Art print of this collage is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

New Series

My latest series, SEASIDE, is complete and ready for the design board at Surtex.


In just two short weeks I'll be headed once again to New York City to meet with my agent, Julie, from Artistic Designs Group and walk the EXPANSIVE floor at the Jacob Javitz Center.


Hopefully Mother Nature will shine upon us and it will be a lovely day as it was last year, and we can take in a bit of city strolling as well.





© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ URBAN

The prompt over at Illustration Friday is URBAN...not a word that usually fits my artwork. However, I created this piece while yearning a bit for New York City and the majestic skyscrapers.

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ EGG

Appropriately, for the Easter weekend, the prompt at Illustration Friday is EGG.

I'm a happy mom this weekend, as all three chicks are back in the nest for the holiday.

Happy Easter, everyone...

...and to see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see. (Okay, I couldn't resist saying "hop" :)

© Nancy Lefko

Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Stamper's Big White Pen giveaway. The four lucky ladies who'll be receiving this great pen are:

Jeanne
Melody
Kim Mailhot
Tiffany McGuckin

I'll be contacting the winners and the pens will be on their way.

Thanks again to the generous folks at Faber-Castell's Design Memory Craft for providing the pens.

Art Licensing...Off and Running!

I've been involved in the world of art licensing for about eighteen months and I'm delighted to have received my very first product samples. These photo frames are manufactured by Designs Combined Inc. who've also produced wall canvases with my artwork.

I'll be headed to Surtex in New York City this May and will again meet with my agent, Julie, of Artistic Designs Group...and have the great fun of walking the floor taking in all the eye candy!

Before long I'll have more samples to share as I'm working with additional manufacturers...can't wait!

Stamper's Big White Pen GIVEAWAY!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED ~ WINNER ANNOUNCED SHORTLY ~ THANKS FOR ENTERING

The kind folks from Faber-Castell's DESIGN MEMORY CRAFT division have provided their new Stamper's Big White Pen for the students in my upcoming art journaling classes. But you don't need to be a student in my class to receive a complimentary pen...as they've also given me some for a giveaway.


Before using the pen in my workshops, I wanted to try it out in my art journal. It truly is like no other white pen I've tried (and I've tried A LOT.) It has, what I can best describe, as a large bullet nib which seems like stiff foam. The application of the white India ink is smooth, and I daresay, creamy. It glides on effortlessly, with opaque coverage, especially noticeable on darker surfaces.


Noticeable on my journal pages, the pen is handy for making little circles simply by pressing straight down with the circular, bullet nib. I also used the pen for doodling, writing, rubber-stamping and filling in areas with solid white.


If you'd like a chance to win one of four Stamper's Big White Pens, just leave a comment here, telling me where you might find a use for this great new product. If you're not sure, you can just say 'hi'...in either case, make sure you've included contact information to be included in the giveaway. Winners will be chosen by random number generator on Sunday March 24th.

GOOD LUCK!

© Nancy Lefko

Art Journaling by Somerset Studio ~ Winter 2013

Thanks to the editors of Art Journaling for selecting one of my journal pages to highlight lettering styles. It's always a fun surprise to find your artwork in a magazine you love!



© Stampington, Inc. and Nancy Lefko

Somerset Studio ~ March/April 2013

Today's mail brought the newest issue of Somerset Studio magazine which includes my article "Journaling in Aqua."


I'm especially thrilled that the editors chose to use the journal page featuring the photo of my parents on their wedding day.


Just an FYI should you happen to read this article...a typo might lead you to believe that for a soft look on your journal page I suggest using an ink pad through "waste"...actually, use that ink pad through "sequin waste" and you'll be far more pleased!


© Stampington, Inc. and Nancy Lefko

First Linocut Stamp

Long on my wish list was the desire to try my hand at carving my own linocut stamps. Not only do I love the look of a linocut print, but having original stamped images to use in work for art licensing was a pragmatic decision.

The linocut blocks I wanted to buy online had a crazy ridiculous shipping price...oh, about five times the cost of the blocks...so I settled on a type from Dick Blick. The block wasn't real easy to carve, not terribly hard but a little more difficult than anticipated, so I'll probably keep trying different types. (Any suggestions?)

For my first attempt since high school art class, I am fairly satisfied with the end result...for a first try. But, as I've heard tell, practice makes perfect so I'll keep on trying.

The journal page I created with the stamp tells the story both literally and figuratively..."testing my wings."

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ STORM

No surprise that the prompt for today's Illustration Friday is STORM...given that those of us in the Northeast are bracing for what could be an historic weather event.

My journal page focuses on the bright side; we're all able to weather the STORM (real or metaphorical) with a smile, if we choose to do so. I choose to ride out this storm alongside a crackling fire with a hot cup of coffee and (most of) my family safe at home. (Son #1 will ride out the storm at his college apartment.)

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

© Nancy Lefko

Fun with Foam

For many years, elementary school teachers have led their students through a printing process making stamps by "carving" into a foam meat/fruit tray with a pencil. Long forgotten, I recently re-discovered this fun process through...what else...a Facebook posting.

Interested in carving my own stamps, this was a fun way to begin. Clearly not stamps that will pass the test of longevity, they are fun just the same.

Once again, my art journal serves as a playground for testing new techniques and ideas. These foam stamps are perfect for journal pages.

My second carving may have been a bit too ambitious...choosing a face to carve proved to be a bit of a challenge. But still, she finds a happy home in my art journal.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ WHEEL

As the mother of three boys, I know that they gravitate toward anything with a WHEEL...and the days between scooters and automobiles goes far too fast.

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

This framed original collage is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ WINGS

WINGS are frequently featured in my artwork...somehow they speak to me of hope and joy and bravery, as in this piece entitled, "Brave Heart."

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

Original canvas is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko