her vision. family. art.

happy, happy thanksgiving!! what the heck though, it was just halloween. insane, isn't it.

this is the turkey platter i have of my grandmother's. i'm using it, and i love the fact that it was hers, she used it, and it's so dang nostalgic and cool *wink (it works well with my fiestaware too)!

so i'm having thanksgiving dinner at my house. a lot of work, but i love my family and friends being in my home. especially at holiday time. it's all good. we have the traditional dinner with turkey, etcetera. and i love it-! i'm completely stoked to eat! being serious, i try not to take too much for granted in my life, and am thankful for it all. good and bad.

THANKFUL. 1. my boys (crazy in love with them). 2. my family. 3. my amazing friends! 4. my love for art and to create what and how i want. 5.my job and the fab people that i work with. 6. memories; i have vivid memories of holidays' past and the people within them. 7.possibilities/opportunities and my initative to go get them! 8. the fact that i have evolved and like me and my life!! *wink 9. me being continually inspired by life itself. my life influences my work, and just like my life, my art is continuing to evolve and is different (daily), and is very interactive! gotta love that-haha! 10. faith.

OK

more Journal work (this dang journal is about done/less than 20 pages against my 01/08 deadline, and me being the competetive person i am, i'm going to beat it as soon as i can! lol) seriously, it's all flowing for me now. the word for this page is sacred space. cool, huh-? this is another pic of me 1.5yrs ago. the lines emulate wings (love wings..  so symbolic of so many things). i left the  page very simple because the meaning behind the page is so bold. the next page is power.look close...   i overlapped the photo over the envelope flap and cut along the edge of the envelope to allow it to open without hurting the photo (funny to hear me say that..   when i'm all about distorting, omgosh!) it's cool though. i drug a bronze ink pad across the page. bronze because bobby placed 4th in this national tourney. bronze. the third layout is invisible. i used a piece of a photo i took of a friends' daughter on halloween. i also used camoflage masking tape. so cool element! then on the library pocket, i used water and spray paint..  you know, when you spray paint into water, put your paper in it and the paint grabs onto the paper in a swirled effect when you life it-? here i used green, brown and black spray paint. the pocket is attached to the page with some old wire piece. -have NO idea what it's used for, but works here! and let me say, i love the camoflage concept for an altering element with this word!

happy thanksgiving!slm

 

making progress on this journal! and this piece right here is a prime example of evolution...   this morning i started this page, and i have to admit that it was one of those pages that you say to yourself "i'm going to throw this together and call it good". i started with the plastic piece (it's a piece of packaging from something); stamped the camo/acrylic clock, then added 2 velvet RED leaves to emulate wings. then i sat and looked at it for about 2 hours thinking "steph- just throw something on here and move on". something kept me with this; adding more..          i painted the background with green watercolor, added half of a library book envelope for the journaling spot, added a tab, then it all started to fall into place. i added the pic underneath the plastic piece, and it isn't attached so it moves freely. i stained the leaves (wings), added beeswax and walnut ink to give the aging appearance. then i added a small round washer, and the rusty wire piece and key are adhered together with beeswax that creates the clock hands. NOW...      this is probably one of my top favs of this journal! it's symbolic for me, but i love the whole appearance. the page is titled wishful thinking-   can you figure it out-?   lol

here's a couple more recent pages  

i like these pages a lot too..    my niece in san diego, and 'embrace'; me and 41!

studio overkill, THERE'S MORE!!! 

great night-   i'm in the middle of a CSI marathon on Spike TV (38) *wink, i love mystery...   maybe that's why i love art so much. it's all a mystery until you put the pieces or 'elements' in place. wow- never thought of the connection before, until now.  just more of my deep thinking...

this time change kicking anyone else's butt -? it always takes me forever to adjust to the winter time change!

stretched; just a bit

it's november

SHOCK! i've spent so much time in my studio lately that i just had to take a break the past 2 nights!!    you ever have that feeling that you just wanted to 'clear' off the countertops -? ...scream maybe?...  k,  seriously out of control. here's the funny twist-  tonight i photographed a few of the project journal pages that i've been working on, and as i'm working on the images, i'm liking the end results, and feeling the mojo re-emerging!! it's crazy, i know.  getting down to it, here are just a few visuals..   on the first layout check out the bottom-rt...    i used spray paint and scroll-ey cut out ribbon (sorry for the lame detail) -as a mask!  a very useful thought going forward... *wink  2nd layout is titled "healing my wounds" and the pics used are from a photo shoot of me 1 1/2yrs. ago. -may/2006- SHOCKed! geez, haven't looked at these for a long time. when i worked this page i remembered why. it was a very low point in my life, and i'm 360 deg. for the better today! wow. but i'm liking this end result, and the wire 'tangled' heart is my fav element in this. for added texture, i painted the wire with black acrylic then used my heat tool to dry- which made it bubble in the thicker areas. it fits. -then-. actually, i feel like me creating this layout was the final step to the evolution of that whole process.    irronic how you work through things in art, huh-? i love that outlet. a few more journal pages..    *you know my main battle is the very limited journaling on the pages-  and i can't wait to get the write-ups collaboration from the art students. their journaling on my pages will complete each layout.  very cool, and i'm excited to see the end results..    where they put the journaling, how they journal, and the most anticipated for me is going to be what they journal- !i'm excited. i'm challenging myself on this journal...     being bold with color. no fear because it's not mine, but i'm loving the end results!! lol-    i didn't realize the extent of how caged i am about using color in my own personal work! eyes wide open now!  i used acrylics,lumiere (a pearl-like appearance), and spray paint on these pages.

the weather is getting nasty COLD in KC (40's..    not bad cold. i'm turning into a wimp!), which encourages me to stay in! perfect studio weather too.eth is at the farm finishing out the bow season; through SUNDAY! i'm going to insanely miss him, but enjoying the 'me' time. every year when he gets back from this trip is when his wrestling season FIRES up. so now through the holidays my life is serious madness. what will i do when he grows up -? -?!!!  this is why i'm killing myself in the studio trying to beat a deadline -for once-!- (sounds good, huh-? {lol}!) i'll let you know how that goes *wink january8 is my deadline for 64 pages..    

so tired. i know i will have to 'tweek' this tomorrow. i can't even remember what i've typed tonight! have a fab week/slm

all hallow's past; happy halloween present

1976. 

me and my brother. (the hobo and the gypsy!) this was taken back in the days where we made our own costumes. most did. sheesh-   halloween used to be so much dang fun. kids EVERYWHERE on the streets, trick-or-treating. no fear. and no real reason to be. innocent fun in disguise. nothing more

(good candy)

i've enjoyed being locked in all weekend with journal work. -i did run out once today to go to the art store, but came right back and i'm working and watching a halloween movie marathon! it's so great!   -lol

(i really need to get a social life)

to take a break from the journal project, i've been working on random stone tile coasters for my next class, saturday, nov.-3. i'm loving the end result of what i've done so far. these stone tiles have a smooth finish on them, so they're a perfect project to use HIS alcohol inks on.  (Something i love about using my childhood photos is they have a 4x4 print, and beside it are 2 duplicate prints of about 1.5" each. i used one of the smaller prints on this coaster. fun to work with.)

alcohol inks are so cool to work with. you never know what end result you'll get-  i like that. on this coaster < i dyed the tile, then used a fun mini kleenex with this eye design. (my excitement when i found this package of mini eye kleenex's was almost crazy) what can i say...  simple things make me happy *wink 

how the heck could you even think about blowing your nose on a kleenex this cool-?     not even

happy trick-or-treating! be safe

new journal new challenge

and this is a BIG challenge for me! i'm actually compiling a 64-page journal that i can't keep! -lol it's for a university art assignment. i do the artwork, the students' journal the meaning behind the page-onto the page. very cool concept, and i'm excited to do it. they provided me with 64 words-  some are very challenging. this is one page (partial visuals). the word on this one is stretched

this pic is of me a year ago- funny when i see how short my hair was! pretty cute poney-tail tho huh?

laffing right now

halloween party over the weekend was a lot of work and fun! last minute- decorated friday night and saturday, -for party saturday night. my house-more deck and kitchen space to hang out in. PERFECT night, weather wise! amazing, actually. cobwebs everywhere! my front yard was transformed into a graveyard. it was fun.  so my 'make up' was to be madusa lisa. not easily seen here, but i wore a black shirt and shawl like mona lisa, but had snakes (glued to bobby pins) stuck all over my hair!  -crazy eye make up. would have made sense to pose for a pic like the mona lisa, huh-?        didn't.        nice job steph. here's another fun pic. fricking charlie's angels or what-? i cracked up when i saw this one-!  two of my good friends and me. we had a lot of fun. the most 'original' costume went to my son! Bobby came back home -straight from the woods (hunting), camo-ed out, and joined the party! i think his main reason for being at the party was to act as my chaperone! he stayed the night this weekend to be closer to his hunting spot, so i guess it all worked out good. my boys are so protective of me their friends' even give them a hard time about giving me a break! i'm flattered and proud of that though. overall, my friends came up with some amazing costumes ...from pirates, to zoro's girlfriend (with a bloody Z across her face; was pretty cool considering i'm not good on the reality of gore), to the grim reaper and his dead 'very cool' bride! and more!

crazy,stressful week, not to mention that it's only tuesday! this weekend i plan to lock myself in the house and do a lot of journal work   -hopefully! i'm really feeling the need to WORK some things out through my art, not to mention i have deadlines! but craving a little soul work-kwim-?  

have a happy week!!    

the 'angels'!>

most original costume! my son, the hunter>

hi; happy monday

amazing and full last week! mucho TY to all my fab friends who made turning 41 a little less painful LOL. what can i say, all i can do is 'wear' it gracefully!! it was a week-long celebration, and a lot of fun. i'm completely blessed. dinner, lunches, THE GIFTS (hahaha), calls!!! it's been a full last week, like i mentioned, not much personal artwork time, but i'm working on a project journal and i will show some more 'pieces' of that soon. here's a small visual.  

sat was eth's homecoming. he wasn't too stoked about going, (not the dance type) but he did, and him and his date were very striking- he's so beautiful!

so after a lot of last minute; pre-dance activity, the kids were ready, parents-cameras in hand, all met for pics. this is eth's very fav part of the eve. (LOL-J/K)..   funny thing is when i took the pics to work today, many commented -he's smiling!!!  seriously. he did, and he looked great. i got eth off for the eve, before he left he kissed me and said 'be good mom'..  what the heck -?    -because i was heading down to the new sprint center in KC for the ELTON JOHN concert! amazing- love his music, always have, and the really fab part of it all was getting to view the whole gig from a suite! it was crazy fun when the whole suite (me included) got up and started dancing to CROCODILE ROCK _LOL! amazing fun. amazing to hear this man's voice in real life. he's so great. 

have a good rest of your week! i have a big halloween party this weekend-  can't wait to turn into my character, Madusa Lisa! pics after saturday. should be good

insane

my week! trying to get eth ready for homecoming is such a job- just getting him pinned down to go shop, get his suit ready, find out flower info so him and his date MATCH. insane. a lot of work for a guy who could care less if he went or not! LOL.

i've had my september journal page complete for over a week, and am just now getting it posted- but i'm in love with it. well, i love the meaning behind it. eth has played football since he was in the 3rd grade. ate. slept. breathed football. he played until his sophomore year in high school (last season). he made the decision to quit because he was wrestling, and it was just too much for a kid who likes to have a life outside of sports!  so for 2 seasons now when eth and/or myself run into a football parent, we're asked the question 'is eth coming back'..   no kidding, even my local grocery store. it's true, ethan is a very gifted athlete, but i'm proud of him for standing his ground and doing what HE wants to do. (let me tell you this kid has been confronted with a lot of pressure to play from kids, parents and of course the coaches)  this season, eth and some of his buddies decided to paint their chests/backs and stand on the sidelines to support their buddies on the field during home football games.  i think it's cool that my son has the personality and confidence enough in himself that he can lead/shine on and off the field. going from a very well known player to a FANatic!  NOW- here's the latest..   eth has decided he wants to go back for next year. his senior year. so that's the motive behind the design of this journal page-  i put the photos on the page, then used a sharpie to journal. the pics are distressed/scratched. i wanted to use this 'game spinner' (i colored it with the sharpie to make it black), and had the idea to cut out the word PLAY several times, and lay them out on the page in a game board appearance. the white tag on the bottom right has eth's past football numbers, and the red circle frames the negative area where his next football number could* or would go! on the back of the tag i used packing tape to include some of the dried acrylic paint that i found laying in the corner of our shower!!!  kinda cool, but let me tell you, acrylic is not fun, or easy to clean off tile!   i also used printers block letters and acrylic to print PH. black electrical tape holds the pics in place.

this is grunge at it's finest! pretty raw. i'm proud of him. he's a good kid, and i love watching him have fun in his life. have i told you how much i love this kid? -lol. of course once or twice, huh?!

HAVE A FAB REST OF YOUR WEEK

weekend!

wow..     it's such a beautiful -almost fall- morning in kansas city!! love it.

the only artwork i've done this week is here. my next class (OCT6) project sample. wow, i had fun with this. in the 'spirit' of the season, i made my sample using the halloween theme. all hallow's past. i'm working on an altered halloween journal for myself using an old hardback book, so of course the halloween 'elements' are scattered (and i'm not joking) all over my work area! convenient. ok..            so i took this cool little scrapbook and literally transformed it with a lot of altering. the base is a lot of layering of spray paint and acrylics. the back>(clock impress) i fell into when i used a very tacky spray paint (orange utility marking paint) that doesn't dry as fast as typical spray paint. when i impressed the stamp, i got the same end result that you get when using modeling paste. just not as deep. the paint also ran and bubbled making the rough texture appearance. very cool IRL. On the front of the book i did the same, but i spray painted the word TRICK in gold, then using a spooky tree/tombstone stencil as a mask, i used a shiny black spray paint over that, giving it a different appearance than on back. cut out book text. and love this>SHE WISHED SHE HAD A CHARM AGAINST THE WINGS OF TIME, the words seriously jumped out at me and fell right into place! on the first page of the journal i placed a tape transfer pic of the boys (oct1991 -wow) that also shows through the window on the cover of the book. so this is simple but has a lot of texture and dimension going on. one of my fav's of this book is the way the layers of paints have split and show through the top layer. i've got 4 diff. colors going on here!  

so, this to that! I LOVE ALTERING. WOWed .

i have 10 of these books which means only 10 spots open for the class on Oct6th. if i haven't already emailed you the class info, shoot me an email and i'll get it to you!

have a good rest of your weekend! i'm off to a football game!

ME time

LOTS of it this weekend

i finished my august. this is me just journaling about life!  i used wings, book text, packing tape, masking tape, tabs from 7G., acrylic and old wallpaper piece. looks out of control, but actually very simplistic.

crazy, huh? a girlfriend of mine came by this morning and while she was looking through my journal, she made the comment that she'd love to journal like me because she wouldn't want anyone to be able to read her thoughts! lol um...    compliment-?  of course. it amazes me how many dont want to journal in their books because they don't like their handwriting. if they'd actually just do it, saw it, maybe they'd like it-? who knows. i think journaling is the most important element in our books.

i love this- my journal is my playplace! a lot of green though, sheesh

sounds like THE EVENT is drawing a lot of attention!!! excited about that. COME PLAY WITH ME...   lots of journal STUFF going on

i'm also excited about the fact that this week is the begining of a lot of tv season premieres- how many CSI's are on now anyway?

have a fab week!!

she's 3

my beautiful little niece josie lynn ...here's her birthday card/tag that i made for her. this ended up very cool, but very different than what i originally intended. i started off with a large shipping tag, and josie's picture. over the pic i used adhesive and a flowered napkin for added design and demension. after i messed with it, i decided that i didn't like the direction it was going, so i tore the taped pic off of the tag, and took part of the tag with the pic! i placed the piece on a sheet of book paper for even more dimension. i picked out words that i wanted to keep, and the rest were 'lined' out with liquid white out. on the left i used heidi swapp decorative tape and making memories crown stamp.  the top of the tag is adorned with seed beaded bracelets, ribbon and lace. another tag that i made with a clock stamp and key tag. hks decorative tape again. its simple and fun.  i'm just glad that i don't have to pick up all the little seed beads when the bracelets break from excessive 'wearage'...!!   lol  perks of an auntie; play then go home! love that. after raising 2 boys, you know i'm crazy about having these 3 nieces! so fun. speaking of ..  here's my youngest manchild after friday night's football game!!!!! cute, isn't he -? lol. him and some of his buddies painted themselves for a big football game (still breaks my heart he's not playing anymore, but he's all about his 2 sports, and for now he's having fun supporting his buddies on the field) so eth was the "T" in trojans. oh yea, it was very cold friday night too, and these guys froze with no shirts on! this pic was taken right before he dove into a HOT shower!!!

i'll show in my next post a pic of my very cool, very generous gift that one of my girls brought me at the canvas art class saturday nt. very cool sack of findings- i'll def take a pic and show soon         Thank You Tina!!!  i love good surprises

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