Somerset Studio GALLERY Winter 2012

The Winter 2012 issue of Somerset Studio Gallery has hit the newsstands. I am pleased to have two of my mixed media collages featured in this issue.




I encourage you to pick up a copy of this extraordinary magazine. It is chock full of beautiful artwork that is sure to please and inspire!

© Nancy Lefko

And...It's Done!

My final sample for Saturday's workshop at the Sharon Arts School of Art & Craft is complete! Now I have quite a few samples to share, and after I pack supplies tomorrow, I am all set. Whew. Time to breathe...sort of.

This piece, I believe, will actually find a place in my home rather than my Etsy shop. My three boys were the inspiration, with my oldest having taken his flight off to college. Seems like this painting should stay right here.

Workshop Samples in Progress

Getting ready for a workshop on Saturday at the Sharon Arts School of Art & Craft and busily creating class samples. I already had a few prepared, but wanted to have a couple more to show a few different mixed media techniques. Looking forward to a full day of artful goodness and "Mixed Media Mania!"

© Nancy Lefko

She's Here!

My wonderful "treat to myself" arrived today!

Ever since meeting the lovely and talented Kecia Deveney at the Art Is...You Retreat in October I have wanted to own a piece of her wonderful jewelry. (I have repeatedly kicked myself for leaving vendor night during the retreat without making a purchase!) Since returning home I have checked Kecia's Etsy shop time and time again, but knowing that she was traveling and very busy, I wasn't surprised that her shop hadn't been re-stocked since the vendor night.

When I read on Facebook that Kecia's shop was back in business, I made a bee-line there and saw the sweetest necklace; one I'd had my eye on last October. With a few clicks of my mouse, she was mine!


Happily, she arrived today just in time for me to wear to the art fair where I'll be vending tomorrow. I can't wait to show off this little beauty.

She arrived carefully wrapped in dressmaker's tissue, which immediately went into my stash to use in mixed media collage. (A little bonus!)


Kecia has an amazing talent for jewelry assemblage and her shop is a joy to behold! Thanks, Kecia, for this gem. She is a joy to wear and a reminder of the special person that you are.

Illustration Friday ~ VANITY

"Unfortunately, Marge realized the cellulite hadn't vanished overnight." She merely made an observation...she could never be accused of VANITY!

Be sure to visit Illustration Friday and follow the links to all the great art created for this week's prompt.

© Nancy Lefko

*broke: The Affordable Arts Fair

In a very short time I'll be vending at *broke: The Affordable Arts Fair to be held in lovely Peterborough, NH on Saturday November 26th from 10 am-4 pm. This is the only vending I'll do this year outside of my Etsy shop. I hope that if you live in the southern NH, northern MA or western VT area, you'll stop on over to see a great gathering of art and artists!

Illustration Friday ~ STRIPES

In the past month I haven't had time to relax and play in my art journal. I was really itching for some time to do so, and found that time today.

Working the Illustration Friday theme STRIPES into my journal page reminded me of a time when MANY of the ladies in my artwork wore striped stockings. Not so much anymore. But it IS fun to add that element to a collage...or journal page...from time to time.

© Nancy Lefko

On My Desk

Creating a workshop prototype and daydreaming about the wonderful time had with my art peeps in workshops at the Art Is...You Retreat last month.

Royal Pear

And the commissioned piece is DONE!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Lots to do and so few hours in the day! Funny, it feels that way sometimes, especially when there are so many "irons in the fire" that need tending.


I've been trying to seriously tackle my to-do list...I LOVE to cross things off! Today I have 'nearly' finished a custom piece (just waiting for a reply from my customer), started a workshop sample and have completed and sent this series off to my licensing agent.


Of course, all that 'mom stuff' needed to be done as well, so I juggled laundry and cooking and chauffeuring while going back and forth to the studio and/or computer.


Whew!!

Featured collages soon to be available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

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