Custom Collages

"Custom Artwork Available"...it says so on my business card. However, I have only been approached a handful of times to create a custom piece. I wonder sometimes if customers think that the only images I can use are those of vintage folks that so often grace my collages. In reality, I can use almost any image.

The collage featured here was created using a photo of mine from 1974. Here we are...my BFF and me back in our glory days :) I scanned the photograph, changed the coloring in Photoshop and voila'...a collage steeped in memories. I also took special care to include elements in the background that had relevance, such as the song lyric "tho we're apart" (as we are these days) and also the reference to New York, where we grew up together.

She really enjoyed receiving this gift and I imagine others would feel the same upon receiving such a collage. So if you are looking for a unique holiday gift this season, click "custom artwork" in my sidebar and we'll take it from there.

BTW...I'm the one on the right with the tinsel teeth...and we always wore our overalls to school on the same day :D

Ahhhh...memories.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Packed

Ruthie's journey awaits...she's all PACKED and ready to go.

This ACEO collage is my submission for Illustration Friday and is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Arty Girlz Challenge ~ Autumn

Better late than never, this collage is my submission for the Arty Girlz theme AUTUMN. This idea came to me as soon as I saw the prompt, but a hectic week kept me out of my studio until tonight.

The maple leaf used was one from our yard that I scanned and then colored in Photoshop.

This ACEO is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Thanks, Beth and Deborah

My thanks to Beth Macre and Deborah for choosing my collages to be a part of their treasuries.

Finding your work in a treasury as you're surfing through Etsy just never gets old :)

Thanks, Beth and Deborah!

With Sincere Thanks

I am very late in saying thank you for being chosen for two Etsy treasuries last week. It is too late to visit these and see the other artists featured, but hopefully not too late to express my gratitude.

So, thank you Lisa and Jo for choosing my art to share space with that of other talented folks :)

I have spent a good deal of time this morning visiting those amazing artists listed in my blog roll. So often I get too busy to visit and I don't want any of you to forget how much joy you bring to my day when I stop by your blog.

The Etsy treasury pictured above is one of my own creation. It is still live for a bit longer, so please visit and enjoy the work of mixed media friends :)

Illustration Friday ~ Clique

Mimi, Rose and Trixie, aka the "Party Girls" were considered by some to be a CLIQUE. But, in reality, they were more than willing to let others join the party.

My submission for Illustration Friday is now available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Inspire Me Thursday ~ Storyteller

As I mention on my website, I enjoy telling stories through my collages. That is why my entry for the Inspire Me Thursday prompt, STORYTELLER, is a collage featuring an artist. There are stories all around us and I hope to celebrate those stories through art.

This collage entitled, "The Artful Life," is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Friends

This collage began life as a discarded book. The cover received a generous sampling of papers, paints and inks and soon a fun background was born. Today it received its finishing touches, and is now available in my Etsy shop. *SOLD*

While working on this collage, I was thinking of a friend I have known for over 35 years. She was there then and she is here now...a true link to my past and bridge to my future.

Chris, this one's for you :)

© Nancy Lefko

Thank You, Fannie and Diana

My dear friend Fannie of Imagine, Create, Inspire, has bestowed upon me this sweet BFF Gold Card. It underscores for me the unique friendship we, in the art blogging community, share. The support, encouragement and inspiration we receive and give is remarkable.



And the wonderful Diana of Back to the Drawing Board has made this utterly sweet award and has warmly included me in her list of bloggers she enjoys visiting.

These two warm and caring women are but two of the fabulous folks I have met since entering this blog-land. With deep gratitude and respect I would like to share these awards with all those bloggers who make my day by greeting me with wonder, beauty and friendship each and every time I visit.

WIP's ~ Backgrounds

A little time here and there and the backgrounds for my works-in-progress are complete. Two collages called for soft tones and the other two begged for pop and contrast. When the completed works are posted, I hope you agree. (Some of these collages when finished will be vertical, but for the ease of photographing I have laid them out as so.)

Arty Girlz Challenge ~ Birthday

If there was one thing Kitty loved, it was a good party! Complete with a crown for the birthday girl.

Happy Birthday to Arty Girlz Challenge!!

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Island

Sally dreamed of days filled with catching sea creatures, collecting seashells and feeling the ocean breeze on her face.

This collage, created for Illustration Friday's theme ISLAND, is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Inspire Me Thursday ~ Yellow

This ACEO collage was inspired by the sisterhood of artists who encourage me to reach for the stars, never give up and follow my dreams ~ you know who you are :)

"Reach" is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Works in Progress

This week I wore the MOM hat every waking minute and did not set foot in my studio once. I was yearning to create something; to have my fingers in paint and inks. I read the challenge blogs and wondered when I could find the time to participate. Tonight I decided to make some time to wear the ARTIST hat and now have six collages in the works.

Here is a mix and match of various backgrounds and images. (Maybe you can guess which image goes where and then when I post the finished pieces you'll see if you were right.)

An Autumn Treasury

My sincere thanks to Jodi of Sweet Repeats for including my "Best Friends" collage in her Etsy treasury.

A beautiful autumnal collection of art, this treasury includes wonderful artists and I am thrilled to be among them. Please visit Jodi's shop and the treasury and all of the work at each artist's shop.

Many thanks, Jodi.

Mind-Wide Open Challenge ~ Boo

"The Demon's second wife was an internationally known fan-dancer."
© Nancy Lefko

The above collage is my entry in the September challenge at Mind-Wide Open. Every month an image and word prompt is given for participants to use as they choose and the entries are just amazing. I wasn't sure I was up to this challenge, as I remember the stellar entries from August, but with inspiration from my online pals Kathy and Pam, I decided to take the plunge.

Using the image below, I created "The Demon's Second Wife" on a vintage book cover using copies of vintage papers, decorative paper, acrylic paint, inks, vintage text, foreign stamps and a bit of a distressed playing card.

I encourage you to visit Mind-Wide Open to see all the wonderful entrants posted there. And if you feel so moved, you can even vote for me :)

Illustration Friday ~ Clutter

To anyone else, her sewing room would have appeared full of CLUTTER. But to Mavis it was filled with the bits and pieces of life.


© Nancy Lefko

A Treasury of My Own

It was my privilege to choose among my favorites for an Etsy treasury of my own.

ALL of these fine artists have beautiful work to offer. Strolling through their Etsy shops is such a joy.

Monday Artday ~ Paris

The word "dull" just wasn't in Fifi's vocabulary.

However, "ooo la la" was one she knew quite well.

(Treat yourself to some wonderful artwork by visiting Monday Artday.)

© Nancy Lefko

From Start to Finish

I rarely post photos of my works in progress, but I really do enjoy seeing that type of post on others' blogs. With that in mind, this weekend I took the camera into my studio so I wouldn't forget to take photos along the path of creation.


The piece doesn't look like much until I start to play with paints on the background of collaged papers. For this piece I also added prints made with foam stamps and acrylic paint. I have already sketched my "scene" on paper and transfer that to the canvas.


I add decorative papers which have been distressed and inked and before long I really have something. (At first I thought I would let some of the paint on the houses show through, but changed my mind and covered all with papers.)


Windows are added to give more life to the houses, which you can see are filled with "song." Shading with charcoal pencil and a little more ink and then I am ready for text which gives the piece its story.


This finished collage entitled, "Home to Our Hearts," is available in my Etsy shop. **SOLD**

© Nancy Lefko

Another Treasury

A heartfelt thanks to my friend Lisa Rivas of Flying Colors for including my collage "Endless Summer" in her Etsy treasury of beautiful vases. My sand pail may be the ugly duckling vase among beauties, but I am honored to be included. (I suppose at a beach cottage, a sand pail would make a lovely vase.)

A visit to Lisa's blog and her Etsy shop are absolute treats, so don't delay.