Illustration Friday ~ Fierce

Should anyone get between Betty and her dry martini, she became FIERCE.

© Nancy Lefko

Etsy Update

Another rainy day...and a good time to head to the studio to create some new ATC's.

This may be a good size for me to work on this summer, as being on constant "mom duty" limits the amount of time I spend in my studio. On the contrary, it is a harder size for me as I feel the limits of the space a bit restrictive. I will make an effort this summer to find time for larger pieces as well.

These and others are available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Thank You

A heartfelt thank you to all who so kindly "picked me up" after my last post. I knew that my fellow artists/blog friends would understand the angst of rejection, and I am deeply grateful for your taking the time to relate your own experiences and offer up encouragement.

In my opinion you are all "superior beings" who are filled with kindness, warmth and generosity of spirit. I truly appreciate all that you share.

© Nancy Lefko

Irony

The very day after I wrote my 'motivational post' about taking risks and putting yourself out into the world, I received my first rejection letter. (Don't ya just love irony?)

I had submitted a trio of collages to an art magazine. Apparently, my work was not exactly what they needed at this time. Okay, I understand. But that didn't make me feel any better, even when the voice of logic was screaming in my ear that this was but my first submission. What was I thinking? That the magazine would immediately scoop up my collages for a featured article? Alright, I suppose I was hoping, but clearly not thinking realistically.

I felt the strong temptation to mope over my bad luck, but decided to listen to my own words from the day before. I went right back to my studio and made a series of ATC's with inspirational messages.

My dear friend Diana had suggested that I make collages in this size. I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me to do so. Simply the act of creating collages with an upbeat message made me feel better. I hope they make you smile as well, as your support and encouragement give me the courage to take another chance and send those rejected collages off to another publication. I may be down, but I'm not out.

This ATC has sold, but others are available in my Etsy shop .


© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Hoard

Edith was known to HOARD fabric and notions of every variety.

"I really must get this problem under control," she thought, as the salesclerk measured out yardage.

© Nancy Lefko

My Song

My latest collage is a tribute to all of us who keep our talents under a hat...it's time to let the world see what we're made of!

"Let the World Hear Your Song" celebrates that opening up and letting go. There is always some risk in letting others see what you create. There may be criticism or, worse yet, indifference. Regardless, any risk is outweighed by the benefits.

I think of this blog and all the wonderful support and kind comments I receive from all of you. That's how I know it is better to show what I create and what I hold dear, than to hide it away.

This collage is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

A New Greeting Card

At the suggestion of fellow blogger dot , I have added the image from IF's Punchline (see below) to my CafePress shop as a greeting card.

Order one for your BFF today !

Illustration Friday ~ Punchline

It never mattered what the PUNCHLINE was...

...Patsy and Jane always had a good laugh.

© Nancy Lefko

Happy with this Palette

I am enjoying the richness of this color palette, one that is new for me. So many of my collages have had a pastel background and I find that it is fun to work with 'gutsy' colors (as my high school art teacher would have said.)

The design of this collage was also one that 'came to me' as I was drifting off to sleep...I really should keep a sketchpad next to my bed.

The text reads, 'drifting, sailing, carried away with my dreams.' It is entitled 'Carried Away' and is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

New in Etsy

A new pad of decorative papers inspired the palette for this collage. The idea of a lovely lady riding on a heart came to me as I was drifting off to sleep one night...as did another image which I am working on now.

As always, I am striving to make my backgrounds more interesting and I have used many techniques here for applying paint.

Entitled 'Open Wings,' the text on the collage reads...My heart sailed with open wings.

This collage is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Forgotten

Have you FORGOTTEN those days? I haven't. And on a girls' weekend...we can almost recreate them.

Almost.

© Nancy Lefko

At Last...

Ahhhh....a good feeling to have completed this collage. With my limited time in the studio it took over a week to complete. I really have to make more of an effort to get some time for art.

This collage is a tribute to Doris, the young graduate of the Class of '27, pictured here. It represents all the choices that may have been hers to make and celebrates whatever path she chose for her life. Did she travel the world, make a career in the arts, work as a bookkeeper entering numbers in a ledger, sew in a factory or raise a family and take her youngsters to the picture shows? However Doris spent her days, I hope that she lived her life to its fullest.

This collage is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko