Illustration Friday ~ SCARY

A perfect prompt for Halloween and for showcasing a vintage photo where the subjects look inherently SCARY.

I encourage you to visit the Illustration Friday website, follow the links and find all of the wonderful artwork and blogs.

Collage is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ FUEL

A no-brainer! As soon as I saw the prompt FUEL the very first thing that popped into my head was my personal fuel...coffee. Sometimes just the thought of my first cup gets me going in the morning!

I encourage you to visit the Illustration Friday website, follow the links and find all of the wonderful artwork and blogs.

The framed collage is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

More to See from "Art Is...You"

Our first full day at Art Is...You began with a creativity warm-up session presented by the delightful Loretta Benedetto Marvel. A wonderful artist, storyteller, writer and all around sweet person, she had us laughing and drawing and getting to know each other. A perfect start to what became a perfect day! Thank you, Loretta.



I eased into my first big art retreat by volunteering in Pam Carriker's Color Book Journaling class; I acted as go-fer, photographer, helped with set-up/clean-up and whenever Pam needed an extra pair of hands or a "runner." I spent the day with lovely ladies, Jeannie, Robin and Joanne and had a chance to watch a workshop pro in action.







On Saturday evening while vendors were busily setting up their tables, a few of the contributor's to Pam's book gathered and signed each other's books. Reminiscent of yearbook days! It really was great fun to spend time with Seth and Jodi.





It was also great to finally meet the ultra-talented Lorraine Reynolds whom I'd "met" years ago through an Etsy group. We were having fun, can you tell?


It's great to relive the retreat through photos and remember all the wonderful people I had the chance to meet. We created art, told stories, laughed, hugged and made memories. And so, to quote Seth Apter, "get thee to an art retreat!"

The Wonder of "Art Is...You"

It's been a week since I returned home from the fabulous art retreat "Art Is...You," in Danbury, CT and I'm still filled to the brim with gladness. It was an incredible experience filled with joy, laughter, friends and art in abundance. I had the pleasure of meeting online friends in person (for the very first time) and making wonderful new friends, too. What a glorious weekend!

I spent a fabulous day with four lovely and talented ladies in my class "Mixed Media Farmer's Market." We had such fun creating together....I wish I could do it all over again. Thank you Colleen, Dawn, Erin and Michele!




My very dear friend (and roomie) Pam Carriker and I spent lots of time together and we had the pleasure of meeting other contributors to her wonderful book, "Art at the Speed of Life."


Seth Apter and Jodi Ohl...it was so great to finally meet you! Seth phrased it quite well when he posted about "Art Is...You" on his blog. If you haven't yet done so, "get thee to an art retreat!" Good advice. You will be inspired and invigorated beyond belief!


Pam brought her amazing new product from Derivan MATISSE, "Pam Carriker Mixed Media Adhesive," soon to be available online. This is the BEST product available for anyone who wants a truly matte adhesive/sealant for journal pages and other mixed media artwork. GREAT stuff!


The very talented Joanne Sharpe...what fun spending so much time together!


Kecia Deveney was a joy to meet. Great artist, great gal, great fun!


And the heart and soul of "Art Is...You"...Sallianne McClelland and Ellen Legare. Ladies, I am eternally grateful for all of your hard work, support and encouragement and for inviting me into the "Art Is...You" family.


I was SO happy....and I'm still basking in the "Art Is...You" afterglow!

My Bags Are Packed...

Well, at least my art bags are packed....and that's the important stuff, right? I still have to throw together my suitcase before I pack the car for Friday's departure. I'm anxiously awaiting my arrival at Art Is...You: The East Coast Art Retreat in Danbury, CT. I'll be meeting folks I've known online for many years and I anticipate a wondrous time filled with art, laughter and dear friends!


I've crafted ATC's, from copies of an original piece, to give away at the retreat as little tokens of friendship. I chose the piece, "begin the journey," to represent this journey for me as an artist. Not simply the journey from New Hampshire to Connecticut, but the journey as an instructor at an art retreat. Up until now my teaching has been at our local art school and via my online workshops. I'm journeying into unknown waters...anxious to see what awaits! I trust others at the retreat will feel somewhat the same...and I hope they are as thrilled as I to "begin the journey."



© Nancy Lefko