Illustration Friday ~ REFRESH

When I need to REFRESH, nothing does a better job than time at the beach. For me, the ocean has amazing restorative powers and the sights, sounds & sensations do wonders for me. On the first approach, along the path between the sea grass and rugosa roses, I feel new again.

What do you do, where do you go, when you need to REFRESH?

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ SPACE

One of the hardest things we must do as parents is to give our children the SPACE they need to fly off and leave the nest.

As the mom of two college-age boys (and a third safely tucked under my wing) I know how hard it is to watch my young men begin their adult lives away from the safety of home and mom's watchful eye. We just need to have faith that we've raised them well...and let them go.

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Somerset Studio GALLERY ~ Summer 2012

Thanks to the editorial staff at Somerset Studio GALLERY for publishing my mixed media collage, "Fun in the Sun." I share space in this magazine with my friends Carol & Pat (see post below.)

It is always an honor and thrill to find a published piece in one of my favorite publications.



© Nancy Lefko and Stampington, Inc.

You Gotta Have Friends

A few weeks ago I read a Facebook message from my friend,Carol Berger, saying she had received her complimentary issue of Somerset Studio GALLERY and a piece of my artwork was published. She also mentioned our friend, Pat May, had a piece in an artist spotlight.

When, for some reason, Pat and I didn't receive our copies, Pat decided she could wait no longer and purchased an issue...and also sent one to me!

Pat's beautiful chartreuse hearts are featured here


and Carol's Halloween collages are also given full page honors. Congratulations ladies!


Pat also included a little ephemera in my package. She knows I'll put it to good use...thank you, Pat.


Pat, Carol and I met through a Mixed Media Artists' Etsy forum some years ago and have stayed in touch since those days via Facebook and email. We have yet to meet in person, and who knows if we ever will. But thanks to the amazing online community, I am able to keep in touch and build friendships with these two great ladies and so many more. It really is amazing.

Images © Pat May, Carol Berger and Stampington, Inc.

Illustration Friday ~ SECRET

You have to share a SECRET with your best friend...it's in the rule book, isn't it?

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

© Nancy Lefko

The Sketchbook Challenge ~ URBAN SKETCHING

The Sketchbook Challenge theme for June is URBAN SKETCHING.

One of my favorite pastimes while traveling is the opportunity to sketch what I see and create a visual diary of our family vacations. I wouldn't think of leaving on a trip without filling a tote with my art journal and supplies!

If you need a little push to get yourself creating...then the Sketchbook Challenge is just for you!




© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ SHINY

"Reach up and land amongst the SHINY stars."

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

Print available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Upcoming Workshop

On Saturday, July 14th from 10 am-2 pm I'll be teaching "Mixed Media Farmer's Market" at the Sharon Arts Center School of Art and Craft.


The bold shapes and colors of fruit, vegetables and other farm goods lend themselves to artistic studies such as still life and color theory, but this class will merge various art supplies in the effort to celebrate produce and flowers through mixed media.


We will examine texture, design, color and composition, as we unleash our creativity with acrylic paints, papers, inks and markers. Use ordinary objects as print-makers to add texture and design and create a canvas that is bursting with color and originality!


Hope to see you there!

© Nancy Lefko

Grounded Muse

This is an incredibly busy time of year as June is filled with end of school activities, events, programs, concerts and, this year, a graduation and subsequent party. So as I prepare for, and attend, many a special occasion, I find that my art studio is doing little more than gathering dust.

However, my muse is relentless and I feel a constant yearning to create. It can be so frustrating to have the creative urge but know that there is a laundry list of other obligations. To satisfy my longing, I made time on Sunday evening to play in my journal. It wasn't a great investment of time, and I can't say that my muse is now completely content, but at least it was something and felt really good.

On this journal page I played around with my Derwent Inktense Blocks, applying color at the top of the page and activating with water to create drips. I also used a wet paintbrush against the block to make flicks and splatters of color. That's fun!

Another new "technique" used on this page was to color a rubber stamp with a Faber-Castell Pitt Big Brush marker only on the portion of the stamp I wanted to print. That worked well and I can see how you could color a stamp in a number of different shades at once. I'm sure I'm a little late to this party...rubber stampers have been doing it for years...but it was an aha moment just the same.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ HURRY

"Hey, it's Friday night, let's HURRY up with that cocktail, okay?"

To see the myriad of takes on the prompt, hop on over to Illustration Friday and check out all of the marvelous artwork there is to see.

© Nancy Lefko