Paying it Forward

After being the lucky winner on TWO blog giveaways, it is indeed my turn to 'pay forward' this generosity. So in the spirit of giving, I am offering a 4 x 4 art squared original collage to three lucky winners.

If you would like to enter to win one of the collages featured below, please leave a comment on this post and I will choose three names at random on Friday, April 4th. (The collage won will be random...the first name I draw will win 'party girl', the second will win 'oo la la' and so on.)

I am sincerely grateful to all of you who faithfully leave supportive comments on this blog. This is my small way of saying, "THANKS."






© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Homage

At the risk of appearing to self-aggrandize, I submit today's Illustration Friday piece as an HOMAGE to all mothers. And especially to those stay at home moms who, like myself, at times feel like a glorified chauffeur. We may not bring home a paycheck, but let's remind ourselves that ours is a job done, often without any thanks, but, with a great deal of love and merit.

© Nancy Lefko

Hope Hath Wings

After a difficult week filled with problems and pain and yes, the dreaded car accident...is it too late to add another pet peeve?...like the high school student who backs into the side of your car because she doesn't use the rear view mirror for anything other than putting on mascara ???...But I digress. After a stressful week, it seems that I still must believe that there is hope and the possibility of bluer skies. Therein lies the inspiration for this collage. I WILL try to be ever hopeful, even when it feels like everything is going wrong. I WILL believe that I can be lifted by that hope and all will be well. There...I said it. I HOPE it is so...

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Pet Peeves

Today's Illustration Friday topic was intriguing. As I thought on the subject, it occurred to me that I have a number of pet peeves but not all of them lend themselves to a piece of art.

I decided to settle on this collage, Java Junkie. Faithful readers of my blog might remember from previous posts my delight in a really good cup of coffee. The aroma, the taste, the warmth...it all appeals to me. So it has been a pet peeve of mine that the medical community cannot decide if coffee is good for me or the bane of my existence. It seems that every year or so the scientists change their mind on the subject of coffee and its demon ingredient, caffeine. Since I cannot bear the thought of life without coffee, I choose to revere the statistics that tell me coffee is a great anti-oxidant and ignore the reports that tell me to stop drinking it tomorrow.

There you go...pet peeve number one.

© Nancy Lefko

Who Me ???

A most lovely gesture by the talented Victorian Lady in giving me a sweet award. It pleases me to no end to think that my simple art can make someone smile. There are many, many artists that do the same for me. And they do not only make me smile, but they leave me in awe over their heart, soul and skill. With deepest respect and affection I pass along this award to a few of the artists who 'make my day.'

Alicia Padron

Elise Black

The Enigma

John York

Donna Farrell

Illustration Friday ~ Heavy

This week's topic, HEAVY, proved to be a bit of a challenge for me. The word just did not seem to fit my lovely vintage vixens or sweet little children. But it did bring to mind a feeling that I sometimes have...that of a heavy heart.

The inspiration for this collage is that which, at times, makes my heart feel heavy. With a high school age son who has but a scant two years before college, I find myself thinking of his departure and what that will mean to me and the rest of the family. My heart feels heavy when I imagine the house without him in it...so goes this collage...as one heart takes flight, another is left behind feeling somewhat heavy.

While working on the piece it occurred to me that it might also be a metaphor for the feelings I endured when I lost my father, almost exactly four years ago. He had made peace with his impending flight from this world, but I was left with a heart so heavy it was palpable.

This collage was a departure from the lightness and mirth of much of my work, but for me it was a wonderful experience filled with emotion. I also found that it was challenging, and also quite gratifying, to have my collage work take center stage without the aid of a beautiful young girl as the focal point.

I will close this post with all good wishes for lightness and joy in your hearts.

© Nancy Lefko

Thank You, Honor !

A most pleasant surprise greeted me on Saturday with the arrival of these wonderful badges from the very gifted and talented Honor Bowden. Honor hosted a giveaway on her blog, and much to my delight, I actually won !! My scan does not do justice to these lovely badges...the images are so crisp and stylish. Do yourself a favor and visit Honor's website or blog...this is one artist exuding PLENTY of style.

My sincere thanks, Honor.

Back on Ebay

After my longest absence from ebay, I finally have three new collages listed. It was only a couple of weeks without a listing, but it felt strange without any auctions to check on. My attention had been focused on setting up my Etsy shop and a million other things, and I hadn't set foot in my studio for many, many days. It always feels good to have my fingers covered in paint and gel medium again, and leaves me wanting more. I hope that in the weeks to come I am able to spend more time creating and playing in the studio.







© Nancy Lefko

A Beautiful Book

I have the distinct privilege to be part of an extraordinary book. The brain child of ZNE founder Chelise Stroud Hery, this book is a compilation of work from over 60 artists. The following quote, from the ZNE website, explains the inspiration behind this beautiful art book.

"In February of 2008, JoAnnA Pierotti, a founding member of the artist community known as ZNE, lost her mother suddenly and unexpectedly. In the week following, 68 artists from all over the world stepped forward. They provided artistic images and financial contributions in order to create an art volume which would express their sympathy, concern, and support.

The result is this extraordinary collection which celebrates motherhood and love, and honors loss and the healing process.

With an introduction by mixed media artist Chelise Stroud Hery, and inspirational quotes throughout ~ this book provides a diverse and heart filled collection of artwork created in various mediums."

The following image, entitled 'Memory,' is my contribution to the collection. I encourage you to visit the ZNE website and see the list of amazing artists who have contributed. There you can also purchase one of these lovely books.




© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Garden

What a wonderful topic for Illustration Friday ! Everyone I know here in the Northeast is yearning for the sights and smells of their gardens. My little boy said, 'I just want to see some green!' It has been a very long and difficult winter and we look forward to ALL the colors of the GARDEN.

And if you haven't had a chance, please visit my new Etsy shop...hint, hint. (There's nothing like a little self-promotion :)

© Nancy Lefko

My Etsy Shop is Open!

As you can see in the sidebar, my new Etsy shop is up and running. Opening an Etsy shop is another attempt to give my art more exposure. I will continue to list on ebay also, although it has been quite slow there of late. I'd appreciate your taking a peek at my Etsy shop. Thanks again for all of your kind words of support...they mean SO much!

© Nancy Lefko

Open for Business !!

After a long month of researching, uploading, ordering and testing, My CafePress Shop is now open for business. You will see that I am starting out slowly to test the waters and hopefully will be adding new items if the shop proves of interest. Thank you for your patience and good wishes in this endeavor. It is because of the support I receive from all of you, that I had the notion to open this shop. Wish me luck !!

© Nancy Lefko

Treasure Trove

Unable to stay away, I made another trip to the wonderful shop, 'Mindfull Books and Ephemera.' I couldn't stop thinking about that basket of collage fodder, so back I went. The delightful shop owner, Martha, is also a very talented collage artist and her work is for sale in the shop. I came away with lots of wonderful 'fodder' to play with and I can hardly wait to get started.