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.

Etsy Update

New in my Etsy shop is a series of collages celebrating the graduates of the class of 1927. Each girl's original class picture is surrounded by elements representing what may have been among her life's choices. Did she work in an office, visit faraway lands, follow her passion for music or theater or raise children and take them to the picture shows? I welcome you to visit my shop and join me in celebrating the lives of Dorothy, Catherine and Vera, Class of '27.



© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Memories

She was lost in her MEMORIES and could not find her way back.

My submission for Illustration Friday was published in the ZNE book, "Never Forgotten."

© Nancy Lefko