Planning Ahead!

Hard to believe, but we're already planning ahead to "Art Is...You: The East Coast Art Retreat 2012!" The 2011 retreat is yet to happen, but plans are underway for the following year. I am so looking forward to this experience for so many reasons, one of which is to spend time with artful friends whom I have "known" for so long online, and yet have never met in person.

If you haven't yet had a chance to look at the wealth of workshops and talented artists teaching at "Art Is...You," please do...I'm sure you'll be heading right on over to register.

At the Danbury, CT retreat this October, I'll be teaching three workshops:

Seamless Layers



A Life Well Lived



Mixed Media Farmer's Market


Hope to see you there!

© Nancy Lefko & Art Is...You

Hey, I'm the Featured Artist!

When this morning's email delivered the Post Script from Stampington & Company, I read each part with interest as I always do. But imagine my surprise, when I reached the bottom of the email, to see ME staring back from my computer screen. I think it took a nano-second to register that, indeed, I was looking at my own photo!

I am honored and delighted to have been chosen as the Featured Artist for the month of June. The Stampington publications bring so much joy to my days, that to have this special treat has me doin' the proverbial happy dance.

Thanks to the editors of Post Script for choosing me for this honor.

Image @ Stampington/Nancy Lefko

A Glimpse into the Past

During my semi-annual foray into the "still-good shed" at our local transfer station -- searching for books to use in mixed media -- I came upon a gem. (Well, really, a couple of gems.) This lovely old botany book had a treasure tucked inside. The previous owner had taken care to press in the book a leaf that corresponded with the page.

I was immediately filled with thoughts of that young, or maybe older, aspiring botanist, and curiosity about that fine soul's life. It is the same curiosity and wonder that I feel when I come upon a vintage photograph; who was she? what became of her? are questions I often ask myself.

I suppose therein lies my fondness for all things vintage, and my goal to breathe new life into items from the past. I believe that those who came before us deserve to be remembered and I do my best to make sure that they're not forgotten.

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Sweet P, you're the winner of the fabulous dress from Shabby Apple. Please leave a comment with your contact information so I can deliver your info to Shabby Apple and your new dress can be on its way!

Thanks to all who entered!

A Lucky Girl

That's me...I'm the lucky girl!

I won this terrific artsy ring kit and I know I'll have oodles of fun creating with my prize. Big time thanks to Laura Bray and Artchix Studio for this fabulous gift.

I have long known that the world of online artists is filled with generous souls. It truly is, indeed.

In my comment for the giveaway, I told Laura that I would wear the rings at my art workshops. So, if you happen to see me at Art Is...You: The East Coast Art Retreat in October or The Sharon Arts Center this summer, you'd better check to see if, indeed, I have stayed true to my word!

Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway!!

COMMENTS NOW CLOSED ~ THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED

Don't you just love it when you discover the absolute best place to find the most feminine women's dresses? And isn't it even better when they are stylish dresses that cover enough skin to make you really feel comfortable without wearing a tank top, cardigan or long slip? Shabby Apple has all that and more!


When you visit the Shabby Apple website you'll see their lovely white dresses, vintage-inspired dresses, even little girl dresses and maternity dresses too. Make sure you take a peek at their fabulous jewelry and accessories, swim and fitness wear; and did I mention the retro aprons? Too cute!


Shabby Apple is proud to offer you fantastic dresses that allow you to look fabulous, without having to compromise anything else. You know how I love all things vintage, so it's such a treat for me to find a company that offers such classic designs in women's attire. And they have generously offered the beautiful dress pictured below to one of my lovely readers!


To enter to win this fun and flirty dress, a gorgeous combination of pomegranate and tangerine, simply visit the Shabby Apple website and then leave a comment here telling me which dress and/or accessory is your favorite. (Contest is limited to US residents and there will be no exchanges for the winning dress.)

Additional entries for the following (leave a new comment each time telling me you have done so):

~ LIKE Shabby Apple on Facebook in order to get in on special promotions and exclusive discounts!

~ FOLLOW Shabby Apple on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!

~ LIKE Nancy Lefko Collage Art on Facebook

~ SUBSCRIBE to My Collage Art Newsletter

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL....Shabby Apple has also been so kind as to offer my readers a 10% discount that is good for the next 30 days! Simply use the coupon code "mycollageart10off" to receive your discount.

So head on over to Shabby Apple and check out all the goodies and then come back here to enter and enter again! Make sure that I have a way to contact you, should you be the lucky winner! The contest ends at midnight EST on Friday June 10th. Good luck!

Disclosure: Dress will be supplied and shipped by Shabby Apple.

More Canvases Ready!

Tomorrow is the day....setting up for the Keene Art Walk.

I finished these two canvases over the weekend; the last to add to the collection of art that I'll be bringing to set up in Kristen's Bakery.

Friday evening from 5:30-8:00 pm is the Opening Reception for the Art Walk and I'd love to meet some local peeps there! The Art Walk runs through the following Sunday, June 12th.



© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ ASLEEP

Reaching into the archives today, I present this sweet little cocktail fairy who...just maybe...has had one too many and will soon be ASLEEP.

As you celebrate this holiday weekend with backyard BBQ's and perhaps a cocktail or two, please remember to choose a designated driver so everyone remains safe on the road.

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

© Nancy Lefko

What Are U up to Today? Wednesdays - No.5

I have shifted into high gear this week in my little art world. With a workshop at the Sharon Arts Center approaching and the Keene Art Walk to prepare for, it's been no leisurely jaunt up to my studio. I greet the day with an art-filled to-do list that keeps me hopping. But what a lovely way to hop!

And so this is what I've done today...begin a new canvas and frame art for the show & print out guides for my workshop. (Of course, I threw in some of that "mom stuff" too, like doing laundry, ferrying kids around and putting dinner in the crock pot.)

Check out what Jen Osborn and others are up to today at "What Are U up to Today? Wednesdays." And maybe you'd even like to play along!



© Nancy Lefko

Finished Canvases

A few uninterrupted hours and two canvases are complete and ready for the Keene Art Walk. If you find yourself in southwestern New Hampshire anytime from Friday June 3rd to Sunday June 12th, do stop by Kristen's Bakery in Keene for a peek at these in person, along with lots of art from many juried artists.



© Nancy Lefko

Back in the Saddle Again

With the Keene Art Walk only a week away, I am hitting the studio full force; working up some new canvases whether or not my muse is ready and willing!

But even when I think I'm not ready, it's only a matter of moments and a bit of paint on my hands, until I am fully in the swing and wishing I had more time.


Stay tuned for more photos as these canvases develop.

© Nancy Lefko

Somerset Studio GALLERY

The Summer 2011 issue of Somerset Studio Gallery is soon to hit the newsstands. I was pleased and surprised to receive a contributor's copy in the mail yesterday...I had no idea my artwork had been chosen. A very pleasant surprise indeed, that arrived just when I needed it.


"Leap Fearlessly" was created for the FEARLESS challenge proposed by Somerset Studio.


And my submission for the SIMPLE PLEASURES challenge was "Keys to the Morning." If you're anything like me, coffee is a divine yet simple pleasure and indeed, a key to the morning!

I encourage you to pick up a copy of this extraordinary magazine that is available June 1st. It is chock full of beautiful artwork that is sure to please and inspire!

© Nancy Lefko

Weekend to Remember

For me, art journaling is valuable for a number of reasons.

Certainly, it allows the artist to experiment with new media and techniques in the safety of her journal and keep a record of those experiments and their results. An art journal is also a wonderful venue for pouring out one's heartfelt thoughts when there is need for a place of safe-keeping. And a journal is great when traveling and keeping a visual record of new places, sights and adventures along life's highway.

This weekend I turned to my art journal to record the special feelings of hosting a dear friend visiting from Minnesota. We only see our friend Jack once a year and our visits are far too brief. A photo of the beautiful roses he brought for me is the focal point of the page, as is the handsome sailor, representing Jack in his younger days.

It's important to record life's special moments and memories; to take the time to put feelings into word and art. I'm grateful for my art journal...the place in which to do both. And I'm grateful for friends like Jack, who's one in a million.

© Nancy Lefko

Happy Mother's Day!

© Nancy Lefko

"Mix it Up with Melange" Challenge ~ ROYALTY

With William and Kate's celebration fresh in our minds, this month's challenge over at the Melange Team Blog is ROYALTY. Now, I'm not old enough to remember the game show, "Queen for a Day," but I am hoping that this coming Sunday I'll "win big" and receive the ROYAL treatment! Ya hear that, boys?

Head on over to the Melange Team Blog and take part in the challenge. It's open to all mixed media artists...you needn't be a team member nor a seller on Etsy. Hope to see you there!

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko