"Such A Little Girl"

"Such A Little Girl With Such A Colorful Past" by Darcy Altaville c.2006 is a mixed media collage on canvas and can be purchased here
http://www.BlueJudeShop.etsy.com

Submissions, Zines & Inspirations.....

Be sure to take a peek at the upcoming e-artella, where I will have two of my ATC's for the Creative Twist Challenge. It's a very cool e-zine! http://www.artellawordsandart.com
AND I will also have a piece in the upcoming ARTitude Zine. Another cool publication which you can find more info about here: http://www.artitudezine.com
I am finding some of these zines to be very inspiring. They seem to offer something that some of the more mainstream publications lack at times.
And if you haven't heard about INDIE ARTS yet, well, you should definately check it out! ! It is a brand new publication that is in DVD format!!! How creative and cool is that!
http://www.indiearts.com
That's it for now. I'm off to do chores so I can then finish up some of those cut, paste and play pieces I've been working on!!
Have an inspiring day!

Cut, Play, and Paste.....

Soooooo....this is what became of my cut, play and paste session with the journal orphan from the previous post.
It says, "Don't hate me just because I am different." Boy do I know that feeling!
Okay so he's not a masterpiece but this was all about play - remember.
And the lesson learned was that those pearly crayons really do not scan very well. lol
Okay, off to the next piece.
After all, he needs some companions, don't ya think?
Can't wait to see what they turn out to be!

"Baby Believe"

"Baby believe" Altered Postcard Art by Darcy Altaville c.2006

Sometimes it's the small, miniature things in life that teach us the biggest lessons!

A Work In Progress......

" Zetti Meets BlueJude...kind of..."
Okay, as I explained in the previous post...there will be no laughing! So get up off the floor and pull yourself together!
After all, it is still a work in progress - so there! And I'm quite pleased with the other three....so far. This guy? girl? just seems to have too many parts...kind of wack a doo. Well, we'll just have to wait and see what becomes of this poor orphan journal page. I know, you'll check back again...just for a good giggle!
Happy Wach A Doo Monday!

New Series...New Beginnings...

"Untitled" by Darcy Altaville c.2006

Well, it's been a long exhausting weekend, but a constructive one I think. The piece above is from a new series that began a couple of weeks ago. There are others, but this is the only one near completion. Don't know if she's done or not. I would like to give her some words and a proper title. I thought of Queen of Hearts, but that just seems so....well...unoriginal. Any ideas? Does she need words? So that is one series I have going in the workds.
Then, being inspired by Nancy Baumiller, I got back into my Journal Play mode.
I forgot how much fun that can be! Using some of her technique ideas, I now have four pieces in the works.
I worried along the way, about copying her style. However, I realized that it would be purely impossible. I think as artists, we are influenced or turned on to certain techniques; but BECAUSE we are artists we all have our own visual voice and so therefore we can only execute those techniques and ideas in our own way. When I was experimenting with Cluadine Hellmuth's backgrounds, I was turned on to a new series. Do they look like the works of Claudine? No, not at all.
Nancy is a pro at doing the Zetti style. Something I truly admire. BUT I know that I can't do Zetti....well, in a total Zetti way. So my journal pieces are more like BlueJude Meets Zetti. And if you promise not to laugh...I will share one that is in progress.
It's not one of the better of the four, at least in my opinion, but hey....who knows what it will turn into? And this is all about PLAY, right? Okay no giggling, and no falling off your chair laughing! Are you ready? Here it is......
Okay....well, maybe not. Apparently blogger does not want to let me upload. Perhaps it's having a good laugh of it's own! I will try one more time.......Nope. Not happening. Guess we'll have to save the giggling for later.
So I'm on to two new series, and I want to continue with my altered postcard art.
Which was also inspired by experimenting with another technique, inkjet transfers. So you see, how inspiration can lead us in a new direction, while we find our way and infuse it with our own style.
I also have a germ of an idea thta's been brewing in my head on and off for a year. I'm hoping over the next few months that too, will come to fruition.
AND my winter project.....well, that's a secret right now, but it will definately incorporate my writing with my art.
So I'm off to new beginnings...at my very favorite time of year...the one that inspires a fresh start with my art.
Cheers to Nancy Baumiller and artists everywhere that inspire!

What A Difference A Day Makes.....

"Life Is Short, Enjoy The Ride!" by Darcy Altaville c.2006
Prints available at http://www.BlueJudeShop.etsy.com/
LIFE IS GOOD! GOD IS GREAT! CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING! I am so excited... (can you tell?) I think I'm on to another series. How far will it go? No clue.
But I see a thread with some of the newer pieces I've been working on. And I'm pretty pleased with how they are coming along. Of course, being the slow process artist I am ....I'm letting them guide me and I'm sure it will be some before they are completed. So that's exciting.
And as you know creativity breeds inspiration, so I also came up with a few ideas for some future endeavors, regarding my past work. Now hopefully I will find the time to keep it all together and progress with my ideas and bring them to fruitition.
Apparently, my lovely ,creative daughter was also inspired last night. While I was working on my art we were talking about faces. I mentioned how I would love to experiment more with my vintage faces and how I also wanted to try and have some fun with faces with a Zetti slant. But the problem with teh Zetti thing is....well, I just can't seem to get it. Well, my daughter disappeared for a bit; then about twenty minutes later she came back downstairs with 5 Zetti type faces that she constructed from magazines. "I did these for you,mom," she said. I was blown away!! Now, I know my kid is artistically gifted, but.... what I pondered about for like a year...this kid just whipped together in twenty minutes!! YOu would be proud Ms. Nancy B!!
After all my gushing, the kid looked at me and said "Wow, mom....you just do this, this and this and there you have it." I was like gee, I never thought of that!
Then I made her glue them down for me, giving her a brand new glue stick, more gushing and I said..."Maybe I should leave you alone to do this..so you can focus"
Again, the child looks at me, like I'm more insane than she ever really knew and said..."Mom, it's just gluing...I learned this in preschool. Get hold of yourself!"
So we had a lot of laughs and a fun creative time together. AND...now I have some new faces to play with!
So...LIFE IS GOOD! GOD IS GREAT! CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING! And like the mixed media piece above says...."LIFE IS SHORT, ENJOY THE RIDE!"
Hope YOU all Enjoy YOUR Ride Today! Blessings...bluejude

Handle Me With Care

"Handle me With Care" by Darcy Altaville c.2006
Print available at http://www.BlueJudeShop.etsy.com

This pretty much sums up how I've been feeling the past few days. Kind of lost, sad, and in a funk. Like Dorothy who got caught up in the twister and then just set down in a very odd place. But I know this too shall pass.
My daughter turns 14 tomorrow and it seems like just yesterday, her and her brother were like this tiny tot, bringing me home handprints from preschool. Time passes us by and takes us through twists and turns. But I will try and remember what the Bible says..."I can do all things through God, who gives me strength." So today, I will take life easy and know that the Divine is watching over me and I will just try and enjoy the beauty of the day and not worry about tomorrow. See I'm feeling better already, just by blogging it down! Happy Day to all and remember all things work for good in the end!

I DIDN'T DO IT !!

"The Struggle To Juggle Art & Life"
by Darcy Altaville c.2006 all rights reserved

I must confess....I didn't do it! As for my aforementioned vow, to finish up my orphaned pieces...by Sunday....well, it just couldn't be done. I tried, and I think they know that, as they are not staring me down today - but life just got in the way. I did make some great progress and got one completed AND I must say that I finally got my supplies reorganized, so there!! I did accomplish something constructive. And the supply thing was so getting out of hand. Papers, magazines, canvases, odds and ends, everywhere! Maybe that's why my little orphans were haunting me so. To be left alone in all that arty muck! But now I am organized and on my way! Look forward to more pieces coming on http://www.BlueJudeShop.etsy.com soon, as I continue the struggle to juggle art and life! Hope everyone is off to a great creative week, whatever your endeavor may be!

Angel Needed Please...

Okay I finally opened my etsy shop! Now all I need is an angel to help me along with my sales!
This is one of the pieces you can find there, though at the moment it is only being offered as a print. Some folks have told me that it is very hard to sell prints of your art. I don't quite understand this, as I would think that it offers the consumer a great way to add art to their life and their homes without breaking their budget. Sooooo, I have offered some originals along with my prints. Now all I need is my angel! Blessings to all who support a living artist!
You can visit my etsy shop by going to
http://www.BlueJudeShop.etsy.com

Works In Progress....

This is just one of many works in progress I have going right now. These pieces hover over me from various nooks, and stare at me throughout the day, whispering thoughts of neglect. Like a broken doll, waiting to me mended and whole, they complain and cry out to be complete.

They have already told me what it is they need...what it is they are missing, but unfortunately what I'm missing, is about six extra hours to a day.
"I know, I know", I say, as I pass them by, "but just look at those dust demons (they are beyond bunnies at this point!) and that laundry there that has to be folded. You think this is easy?"

They just stare back and I know what they're thinking. You foolish woman, if only you would organize your time more. Work at a faster pace. Spend more time with us. Why do you think we come to haunt you in your dreams? You know you are GUILTY!

I just sigh and wonder which chore to conquer next. And then I think about that winning lottery ticket that I need so that I can have someone else do the dirty work and I can spend my days with my creations, guilt free. And spend entire evenings with my children, guilt free.

But a struggling artist must learn to juggle. And so I hop from one thing to the next, amidst a house of littered chaos.

A deadline, I thought today. That's what I need. A deadline. So I have sworn and vowed to myself that these poor orphan pieces, will be complete...FINITO!...by Sunday.

Now hopefully tonight, I can sleep guilt free and dream of new creations to come! Sweet Dreams All!

Artist Bumper Stickers

These are my cool artist bumper stickers that I recently did up. They are now on sale at my Cafe Press Shop. They are not only great bumper stickers but great for notebooks, folders, etc. I especially like the "Get Even, Make Art" as I feel it is a good reminder for us all, that we should use our creative outlets as a healthy way of dealing with our emotions and what life can sometimes throw at us. In fact my daughter wants one for her school binder. If you would like to purchase one just go to
http://www.cafepress.com/bluejudestudio
All proceeds will be going to my family to help us through this very dire time of financial need, as my husband has recently been laid off. I thank you for your support. Blessings to all, bluejude

Altered Postcard by D.Altaville c.2006

This is one of my Altered Postcards appropriately titled "Discover", using mixed media, collage and inkjet transfers. I love the look of sheer pleasure on baby's faces when they make new discoveries. Even if it is something as simple as discovering their own two feet! Oh what fun! Now if we as adults could only remember to take such pleasure in such simple discoveries...
If you would like to see more like this you can view my work at BlueJude Studio.
http://www.bluejudestudio.com

Transfers Gone Awry.....

It seems that this one, did not work out any better than the first one. (See below) Once again, the supposed transfer is the green strip on the right. Kind of has a Peter Max feel to it, I think. Still needs a little something more....hmmmm.....we'll have to wait and see where it goes. Definately a departure from my inkjet transfer work.

Transfers Gone Awry....

Sooo.....this was my first experiment with packing tape transfers.
The supposed transfer (lol) is the green strip on the right.
Not exactly what I was going for, but there is something I like about her. Though she is still speaking to me (and therefore, unfinished) I think she has a touch of ERTE about her.
What do you think? Or maybe I shouldn't ask!

"Art Like Life, Sometimes Just Has To Flow" D. Altaville

I think it's part of human nature that we all want to take control. We want to control our destiny. We want to control our kids and the choices they make. We want to control our artistic endeavors so that we may turn out the masterpieces of our mind. But let's face it, sometimes we have no control over certain series of moments and events that make up our life. And that's when we must succumb to the fate of the Divine, and hope that it's all good in the end.
As I mentioned I have recently been delving into the world of Altered Postcard Art. And at the same time, have been experimenting with inkjet image transfers. Which by the way, can have some very surprising results. Which means, you only have so much control over the outcome.
Well, I ran out of transparency sheets and decided to try those packing tape transfers that I had read about. I had a couple of ideas in my head in which to use the packing tape transfers with my Altered Postcard Art. Unfortunately my packing tape transfers look nothing like the visual examples I've seen. In fact, they don't look much like transfers at all. But rather than ditch them, I decided to "go with the flow" and proceed on another course.
So, though they look nothing like what I had originally intended, and are a total departure of the style I have been doing; I have to say I am happy with the results, and had a good time doing them. I guess in art- like in life, you just have to "go with the flow".
Happy creating all....whatever it may be!

Interview With An Artist....

I recently did my first artist interview so if you would like to know more of the workings of my mind (which by the way, can be a very scary place, lol) just go to
http://www.poetscollective.com
You will also have the rare opportunity to see some funky photos of me. Enjoy!

MIRACLES

"Don't Believe In Miracles, Depend On Them.....Seeing is not always believing. You know much more than you understand. Have the vision to see invisible things."
That was a message from the Daily Guru and was posted on the Artella Group. Just right for starting my day. My family has been going through some turbulent times lately, and I have to remember to keep the faith.
I am looking forward to launching an Etsy shop soon, in hopes that it will bring me a little, much needed part-time income. Maybe that will be my miracle of the year! To be able to continue with my art and work from home. The job market in my small town is scarce and having three children to work around does not make it any easier. Thankfully the little guy went off to preschool without a fuss today. Now if only it could be that easy with the older two!
And yes, apparently miracles do exist, as my computer got all wiggy this morning and then I couldn't get into blogspot. After four trys and ready to give up, I finally got through. So I'm off to a great start in the blogging world! Finally set up an account and then they won't let me in!
And apparently there is a message on the screen that states "Saving and Publishing May Fail". Soooo, after all this...my post may not even go through!
But on a happier note, I have been finishing up some small canvases that I have been working on, though it seems it's haopening at a snails pace. I so admire artists who can just whip things out. Most of the time, I work on a piece, and can only go so far until I have to put it aside and wait for it to speak to me. (Yes, I know how crazy that sounds) And only then am I able to finish it off.
I also have quite a collection of Altered Postcards that I have been working on. I used to work large, but that was not condusive to my scanner. And I never really got the hang of the ATC thing as that was much too small for me. But the postcard size seems just right. (I suddenly feel like Goldilocks in The Three Bears!) In fact, I am having a ball with these Altered Postcards and will soon share them here on BlueJude Musings. Unfortunately my time has run out for now and I must pick up the little guy from preschool. And then there's the housework and laundry and ohhhhh so many more exciting things to be done before I can sit down and play with my art!
Remember.....Believe In Miracles and Keep The Faith!
Oh and the above image is, of course, titled "Believe" and is the work of D.Altaville c.2006.
All rights reserved. And personally, I think if you copy or steal anyones images, you're just looking for some REALLY BAD karma. Okay, Happy Day all!

An Introduction of sorts....

This pretty much sums up how I feel about my art. It is my play but it is also my therapy. It is a place in which I can spill my emotions, make new discoveries about myself and the world around me. It is my heart and soul. I hope you will enjoy sharing the journey with me. The piece above is called "Child's Play" and is the copyright 2006 of D. Altaville.