It has been awhile since I have posted. So many things going on and so little time to work on anything big. These will have to do until my Gary leaves to start a new company in Maryland and I am loaded with free time to work on things. I see my art friends are all working on wonderful pieces and you all lift my spirits and give me hope of joining in on some of my own. I am grateful for all of you and the variety of work that you do.

I went to the bookstore today and broused through some collage books and paper art books and magazines, and came away with the feeling that I didn't need to buy these books as I can do this on my own. After awhile, you realize they all use the same techniques but different papers and objects, and so it is that makes each one individual. To do the same as them would not be my art so I must go it alone and I look forward to it.

Today was a working day in my studio. There are so many swaps in our groups to sign up for and even though I don't have to do them, I want to as I really like the themes. The three pictures I posted here were for our Stampassion Swap for March with the theme "Lace". I used a lace paper I purchased in S. Carolina on top of different background papers and then added my embellishments.

In some respects I wish I didn't want to do so many, cause in the back of my mind I am wanting to challenge myself and do many more paintings on canvas. Perhaps I will do some mini paintings on canvas atc's.

I am seeing many new and wonderful art pieces on the blogs I follow. Definately inspiring. Maybe I will eventually give up these exchanges for something bigger and grander. I find these little pieces of art to be a good practice ground for learning how materials work with one another, and which work best in given circumstances. This practice is my "schooling", so I can become a better artist.

One of the groups I am involved with is having an atc swap at the end of the month so I decided to do a few of them and see if I could catch up with all the swaps. I didn't quite make it, but got this far today. The theme for this swap was "Candy", so this was my take on it. The one on the left has an S in the upper left corner that stands for "Suspect" and the words on the bottom read "The Artist furtively clutching a painting, slipped out at 11:50 p.m. He wanted______Candy".

I hope you all got candy for valentines day and enjoy!!!