CafePress Shop Update

I have updated the products in my CafePress Shop with new images. Notecards, greeting card, postcards, magnet and journal are all new. Why not take a peek?

Above image is available in a package of postcards.

© Nancy Lefko

Collage Play with Crowabout #41 and "Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge ~ BLISS

Given fabulous collage elements by Crowabout and a wonderful word prompt from the Melange Team, I created this mixed media collage. It was one of those pieces of artwork that practically creates itself. When I saw the collage elements I knew just what image to use with them and was just itching to get to work in my studio. (I even let my youngest son stay up a little late so that I could work on my collage, rather than settle him into bed.)

If you haven't yet visited the Melange Team or the Collage Play with Crowabout blogs, you really must do so. There is an abundance of inspiration and fun waiting for you there.

Collage available in my Etsy shop. **SOLD**

© Nancy Lefko

Art Prints in My Shop

In addition to original works of art, I am now selling professionally rendered prints in my Etsy shop. These are professional photographic prints, of previously sold original works, rendered on matte Kodak Supra Endura Professional Photographic Paper. This paper has an extraordinary color gamut and state-of-the art image stability.

"School Days" print available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

"Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge ~ SERENDIPITY

So you're probably thinking, "What on Earth does this collage have to do with SERENDIPITY?" I'm happy to explain.

As I was working on the computer one day this week, pondering what I might create for the "Mix It Up with Melange" challenge, I came across a very interesting blog. Collage Play with Crowabout was too good to resist...a group about creating collages with ultra-fun collage elements supplied by NancyB (aka Crowabout.) I was immediately intrigued and signed up for the Flickr group, downloaded my first sheet of collage elements and set to work creating. It was pure SERENDIPITY. I love when that happens.

Please stop by the Melange Team blog to see the other entries and also to take part in the fun should the spirit move you. Discovering the Melange blog could be serendipitous for you!

Collage available in my Etsy shop. **SOLD**

© Nancy Lefko

Love That Chunky Canvas

I really do! This mixed media piece was created on gallery wrap 6" x 6" canvas and I just love the feel of it. So stocky and sturdy with deep sides...just fun to work with. Featuring, of course, one of my favorite things to draw or paint--the coneflowers that will soon be bursting into bloom in my garden. I don't know who loves them more--me or the butterflies that gather for a sip of their sweet nectar.

Available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Unfold

Thanks to the suggestion from a fellow Melange Team member, I decided to use wings in my Illustration Friday challenge piece. After that decision, it was easy to come up with a phrase for the prompt, UNFOLD.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

In Addition...

In addition to our "Sisterhood" article in the July/August issue of Somerset Studio, I have a solo piece that was published as well.

Seeing your artwork in print just never gets old.

© Nancy Lefko

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Canvas

This month's highly anticipated issue of Somerset Studio arrived in the mail today. It features a collaborative article entitled, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Canvas," which documents the journey of an art canvas that traveled our great land and was given artistic life by eight talented artists. It was my great joy to be among this group of artists, who began the journey as online acquaintances and completed it as close friends.


In addition to working on the canvas, each artist also created a journal page (front and back) to be bound in a journal documenting our sisterhood. The journal covers were made from scanned images of the canvas and embellished in a fanciful manner.

This project, having spanned many months, was such a joy and to see its culmination in print is so rewarding. I am bursting with pride on behalf of my "sisters" and look forward to collaborating again.



© Glenda Bailey, Pam Carriker, Kim Geiser, Denise Hayden, Nancy Lefko, Kathy Maximo, Alisa Nordholt-Dean, Jodi Ohl.

"Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge ~ ADVENTURE

You'll forgive me, I hope, for pulling from the archives for this week's entry in "Mix it Up with Melange." The challenge prompt is ADVENTURE and that surely could be one word to describe the events of the past few weeks. Sometimes life sends you on quite a roller coaster ride. I am happy to say that we survived intact and I'm looking forward to getting back into the studio in the coming week.

Please stop by the Melange Team blog and join in on the "Mix it Up" challenge....we'd love to see what inspires you.

© Nancy Lefko

Just an FYI

Currently in my Etsy shop are two collages that were made during my Mixed Media/Collage Backgrounds Workshop earlier this year at Creative Workshops.


My current workshop, Painted Fabric Collage has been changed to "open-ended" meaning that the lessons, videos and pdf's will remain on the site indefinitely. You can truly take this class at your own pace without worry that it will disappear before you have finished.

You can register for my workshop, or many other new and exciting classes, at Creative Workshops.



© Nancy Lefko
** 'friends' collage SOLD **

Everything at Once

I approach most of my collage work with a clear plan in mind. However, this collage developed on its own, a little at a time. I approached it in an experimental way...try this, add that and pretty soon the collage began to dictate the direction it would take.

I was inspired by the wonderful vintage book cover that serves as the base and can be seen peeking out from under the ephemera. Another twist for me is using original ephemera for this piece, as opposed to copies. The book cover seemed to call for the originals; a postcard, ledger paper, photograph and library circulation card.

The collage became an homage to women who try to be everything to everyone. A habit, I'm sure, of which most of us are guilty.

Available in my Etsy shop. **SOLD**

© Nancy Lefko

"Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge ~ FLY

This week at the Melange Team blog, the challenge prompt is FLY. While thinking about what I would create, the song "Captured Angel" by Dan Fogelberg kept running through my mind. And so, I decided to journal about the feelings and images that the song, and the inspiration word, brought forth in me.

Please stop by the Melange Team blog and join in on the "Mix it Up" challenge....we'd love to see what inspires you.

© Nancy Lefko