New Work

Back to school for the boys meant back to the studio for me...and believe me, it really felt good to have my fingers covered in paint, inks and gel medium once again.


I'm working in series these days and just completed this set, in jewel tones, featuring inspirational messages.



Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and remember to "reach for the stars!"

© Nancy Lefko

Great Offer from Shabby Apple

It's back to school time and Shabby Apple is going back to school in style with their newest line, Academia. And to celebrate? They are offering 15% off sitewide with coupon code "Ivy". But wait, it gets better. Right now Shabby Apple is offering FREE SHIPPING on standard domestic orders. Who doesn't love free shipping? These two promotions are sure to make you smile!


Shabby Apple's dresses are beautiful and I'm happy to pass the news of these offers on to you. Click on the badge in my sidebar to visit Shabby Apple and take advantage of these great promotions! Happy shopping!

Images © Shabby Apple

On My Art Desk

I'm getting close to completing the fourth in the series of canvases I began last week. Or was it the week before? The days have sort of slipped one into the next without my realizing; that tends to happen when I am extra busy...as I have been readying the bunch for "back to school." Then throw in a hurricane and watch out!


Now that the boys have started their school year, I can grab some more time in my studio and CREATE! I have a lot planned...all associated with some really big news that I'll be sharing soon! REALLY big, "pinch myself news!"

So I look forward to another fully artful day tomorrow and wish you one as well.

© Nancy Lefko

Half Way There

My goal a couple of weeks ago was to create four new canvases. Well folks, I am half way there.

This summer (aside from our vacations to Wisconsin/Chicago and Maine) has been very busy. Too much running around, too many appointments and too many times I was looking at my watch checking how much time I had left before my next obligation! Not ideal. And certainly not conducive to relaxed creating in my studio. Little did I know that finding the time to create four new canvases would be so difficult.


So here we are, the last week of summer vacation before the kiddos go back to school, and son #1 returns to college. I know that once the school year commences I'll have a bit more uninterrupted time in my studio. Kind of bittersweet. I think I'd rather that summer continue, no matter how busy, if it meant keeping all of my chicks at home in the nest. Remarkably, I am not eager to send them off again. Perhaps that's the sign of a "really great summer," no matter how busy it felt.

© Nancy Lefko

Somerset Studio "Hitchcock Halloween"

Somerset Studio's call to artists for "Hitchcock Halloween" submissions really caught my eye. I have long been a fan of all Alfred Hitchcock films and remember watching his series, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," when I was a kid. So when this call came along it didn't take me long at all to create my mixed media piece.

With so much inspiration to choose from, I finally narrowed my focus on two wonderful films, "The Birds" and one of my very favorites, "Rear Window." I hope that Hitchcock fans enjoy my tribute to the one of the best directors of all time.

Thanks to the editors for selecting my piece, "Why Can't We Be Friends" for the September/October 2011 issue of Somerset Studio magazine!

© Nancy Lefko and Stampington, Inc.

MIA

I know, I know...I have been terribly MIA over here at my blog! The poor, neglected blog that sometimes gets overlooked by the "all-too-easy-to post-at-Facebook!"

My sincere apologies to those who are kind enough to take the time to visit here, only to be greeted by the same old photos from the last visit. It's mind boggling that my last post was BEFORE our beach vacation in Maine! Where has the time gone?

I am currently involved in a lot of artful goodness...teaching workshops and creating new canvases...getting ready for upcoming workshops...and also another very exciting venture that I hope to tell you all about very soon.


(a current work-in-progress)


(workshop supplies packed and ready!)


(example of student work in art journaling workshop)

And so, I thank you for your visit and I will have new goodies to share soon. Enjoy the rest of this wonderful summer!

© Nancy Lefko

Ready To Go! Blank Board Blocks

There is always a wonderful selection of art/crafting books and products at the C&T Publishing website, and when I saw these Ready To Go! Blank Board Blocks, I knew I had to give them try. The label reads "no prep" and that is absolutely true. They are also quite sturdy and took the handling needed to press on collage elements; I never felt as if they'd be crushed under the pressure I applied.


I really like the fact that after you've decorated the blocks, you have an ever changing display depending on which side of the blocks faces forward.


I created themes around 'home' and 'family' and added vintage text, music and dictionary pages to accompany the vintage images.




To recreate the look I have here, simply paint the blocks with brown acrylic paint and allow to dry. Cover each side with an even coating of Elmer's School Glue and when tacky, cover with a coating of robin's egg blue fluid acrylic paint. (I find that the easiest method is to work on three sides while holding the block, dry the paint with a hair dryer (or heat gun) and then continue on with the remaining three sides.) You won't need to force dry the glue, as by the time you are ready to paint your coat of blue paint, the glue will be the right 'tackiness.'


When the blue paint has been painted on, applying just one coat and not over-working, dry with a hair dryer and you'll see the crackles forming. (Do not touch the crackled paint until it is completely dried or it will smudge.) When all is completely dry (later that day) darken the edges of the blocks with brown fluid chalk ink. Now you can decorate with words, images and text to your delight!


Coming soon: Ready To Go! Blank Board Box Review

Disclaimer: C&T Publishing supplied the product for this review.

© Nancy Lefko

This project is happily taking part in "Tip Me Tuesday"

Illustration Friday ~ PERENNIAL

The purple coneflower, my favorite PERENNIAL.

This artwork was created for a collaborative project with many of my art sisters. The sentiment represents the relationships built with wonderful women whose friendships I hope are also PERENNIAL...perpetual; everlasting; continuing; enduring.

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

© Nancy Lefko

Re-Vamped Website

I have followed the sage advice of art licensing gurus, Tara Reed and Maria Brophy, and organized the artwork on my website into "collections."

Something had been awry over at my website and I really hadn't noticed WHAT until Tara and Maria spoke of "collections" during last night's Art Licensing call. As soon as they mentioned this topic, I thought, "YES! that's what needs to be done with my website."

I hope that this re-vamped model makes my website more viewer-friendly, and you'll take this opportunity to explore it a bit.

As always, thanks for your interest in my creative journey!

© Nancy Lefko

It Won't Be Long Now

I'm looking forward to a great time at Art Is...You: The East Coast Art Retreat!

For so long it seemed so far off...and now...WHOOOOSH, summer is here and I know that before long I'll be shipping my college boy back to school and shopping for school supplies for the two boys still in the nest. WHOOOSH....that's what summer does, even though I'd love for it to last and linger.

But the end of summer 2011 will also be greeted with anticipation for Art Is...You! Believe me, the attendees are already so stoked and ready for magical, artful goodness!

Join me for "Mixed Media Farmer's Market,"where we'll create textures and designs and glorious flowers, fruits and veggies in all their mixed media glory!

Hope to see you there!



© Nancy Lefko

Workshops!

Sharing art journaling with friends is such fun....and so I am thrilled to once again be offering two classes at the Sharon Arts Center in beautiful Sharon, NH just a stone's throw from my home in Peterborough.

A wonderful art center, Sharon Arts offers a wide variety of classes. If you live in Southern NH, Southwestern VT, or Northern MA, check out the class selections. You're sure to find something that suits your fancy.

Hope to see you there!

Journal of Memories

When I injured my right index finger while packing the car for vacation (that's right...smashed it in the car door!) I also ruined my plans of journaling as we traveled to and from Wisconsin. Journaling on the road is so much fun for me; it's a great way to pass the time in the car and a wonderful memory of the trip. But, alas, it was not to be this time around.


The next best thing? Take my journal supplies and trip ephemera out to the screen porch on a lovely summer day and create a journal page filled with memories of a wonderful family vacation.

© Nancy Lefko

Missing Muse

After returning from an eleven day family vacation, I've been finding it difficult to switch back into my usual routines, including the time I take in my studio. I couldn't quite muster the enthusiasm to get my creative juices flowing, although I surely missed the creative process.

When I hit walls such as these, I turn to my journal to help me out of the slump and help me find my missing muse. Today I made a point to spend a little time in my studio playing in my journal, and sure enough before long I was wishing I had more time to spend! I'm hoping the weekend allows me a chance to begin work on new canvases.

Thanks again, art journal.

© Nancy Lefko

Journal Pages

It has been such a delight to meet weekly with the students in my "Mixed Media Art Journals" class at the Sharon Arts Center. We have enjoyed camaraderie, laughs and stories as we've journaled our way through media and techniques.


Tomorrow is our last class and we will discover the ease and fun of "journaling on the go."

Many thanks to the ladies in my class for bringing their joy and enthusiasm each Monday morning. I do hope our paths cross again soon.



© Nancy Lefko

New Zazzle Shop

After many years with Cafe Press, I've decided to move to Zazzle as a place to offer gift items bearing my artwork. My shop is in its infancy, with only a few items, but I will be adding more bit by bit, so please bear with me.

Please stop by my shop just to take a little "look see." I have used my fave colors and images to spruce it up from the original "hospital white." I hope you like it!


See my artwork on gifts from Zazzle.