Art Smorgasbord - I Am Blessed

As I was looking through the art work I did last week, I thanked God for the gift of creativity.  No matter how hectic my life gets, I can find refuge in praying through my artwork.  Through blogging, I can share the humble pieces that have blessed me with the world.



The first two pieces above were inspired by Tim Holtz, whom I highly admire and whose work I've been following since he first appeared in the CAROL DUVALL SHOW.  Do you remember?  Anyway, the first photograph is my entry to Tim's 12 Tags of 2013 - April challenge.  I used the techniques he presented, but used my own original design.  I was excited to finally use one of the "Travel Labels" stamps that I won during Tim's September challenge as a backdrop for my butterfly and on the acetate wing overlays.  As to the original card design, it was inspired by the Upcycling with Tim Holtz post on the Jo-Ann Fabrics blog.  I LOVE the idea of working on my artwork and helping the environment at the same time!  I made a set of these to mail out for Mother's Day.  I am submitting this card to Simon Says Stamp and Show: FlySimon Says Stamp Challenge: Spring FlowersCrazy Amigo Challenge: Home Sweet HomeVictoria's Earth Day Tribute and What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday? #201.



The next two pieces are from art journal.  The "Angels" page is basically a warm up exercise doodle.  I like to do these when I'm feeling uninspired, because they get my creative juices flowing.  I hand lettered the scriptural passage from Psalm 91:11 first.  I lightly penciled in the text, and then inked it with a micron pen.  I used Faber-Castell Pitt markers to draw the plaid by moving from light to dark colors.  I used the same process to illustrate the angels and starry flowers.  However, I used Prismacolor water soluble pencils and watercolors on them.  I like to  layer colors with the pencils and then blend them with a coordinating watercolor.  I did the grassy area by doodling with the pen and watercolors.  I am submitting this page to the 10 Minute Warm UpInspiration Avenue - Share a TutorialCrafting By Designs - Spring FlowersThree Muses Challenge - The Written Word, Orange You Glad It's Friday #33, Artists in BloglandSunday Sketches, Mandarin Orange Monday #37, and Inspiration Monday - Week 67.  The "Fruit of the Spirit" page was done in a similar way, but I took more time to develop it.  I chose to illustrate grapes, a citron, a fig, dates and a pomegranate because they are all fruits found in the Bible.  I am submitting these pages to Artist's Play Room #52 - Fruit, Order of the Opus Gluei #154: Color Challenge, Take A Word Challenge - Botanical, Word Art Wednesday #75, and Paint Party Friday.


Last, but not least, I worked on the digital photo collage above.  I did it using the Pixelmator program on my computer.  I used two photographs I took at Texas A&M, home of the Aggies and the place where my daughter attends college.  Gig'em, Ana!  The program works in layers, so I could play with each photograph individually to get the effect I wanted.  The third and fourth layers were for the text.  It's a well designed and easy to use program.  By the way, I'll be at A&M again this weekend, so God willing I will take some good shots to post later.  I am submitting this photo to 52 Photos Project: Gallery 51 {My Favorite Place}, Illustration Friday - Urban, and Collage Obsession: Faces.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting, joining my list of followers and/or leaving a comment.  I feel humbled and thankful.  I also love reading the comments and then visiting the authors blog, if I haven't already done so already, to leave a comment in return.  May you be blessed by my artwork as much as I was blessed working on it!

Comments

Your projects are wonderful and creative, as always. Thanks for joining us again this week. Hope all is well with you, and of course, I look forward to seeing you again real soon.
Blessings to you,
Karen
Word Art Wednesday
Lindos trabajos, muy originales, bendiciones!
aworkofheart said…
Hi Arnold, I really love the two pieces you have made that are inspired by Tim Holtz. I just love his work, and you have done a wonderful interpretation using his supplies. I was only introduced to him about a year ago with his distress inks, and am fairly new into the paper arts, having been in the fibre arts for 20 some odd years.
You are obviously very passionate about what you do, and it comes through in all of your work. I am glad I got a chance to stop by tonight. Cathryn #146
Neil said…
Hi there. there Just loving the top tags. Your Angel page is beautifully crafted and a great reminder. Thanks for sharing.
Jackie said…
My first visit to your blog and ..........WOW
Love the tags you made , the colours work so well they are just stunning!
Your Art journal pages are just lovely
Jackie 3
Claudia N. said…
Love your April tag! A beautiful make!

Hugs,
die amelie x
Alex said…
Your card look gorgeous!!!
Good luck to the challenge!

If you wish, come on my blog ... If you want, you can become a Member? Please! ... I'd be honored
Candy C said…
Arnoldo...your take on Tim's April tag is beautiful! Your butterfly with the acetate wings look really good on top of the travel label that you won back in September. Love the gears, too. Your upcycled Mother's Day card is also very pretty. I love Tim's background paper of the collaged tickets! The addition of Tim's label and the mini birdcage is also very nice! Your "doodling" is amazing on your art journal pages. Very nicely done and I always love your uplifting message through your art. Thanks for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy
Victoria said…
Wow Arnoldo..more magnificent pieces to explore and enjoy! Love the butterfly,very striking and that magical card next to the flowers looks so very pretty, so beautiful for Mother's day and I love what you said about the environment! Massive thanks for your generous and inspiring tribute to earth day, thanks so much friend! Hugs and appreciation.
Love your journal pages, the angels are magical and the fruits are vibrant and stunning! I also always appreciate how you share what supplies you use..very helpful as I am someone who doesn't know much about art supplies!your digital work is fantastic..that photo is brilliant! Shine on..happy Creating!
Victoria
indybev said…
I've enjoyed your art this week, Arnoldo. May those angels keep you in their charge as well!
Anonymous said…
I always enjoy your blog posts and this is no exception. Lovely art, Arnoldo. God bless you.
Paula (PEP) said…
My eyes keep going back to your journal pages. Psalm 91 is one I memorised 20 or so years ago & I'm re-memorizing it at present. Your second page is so rich & bursting with live - the shine upon your fig is just a wonder. Your varied lettering is delightful too.
Thank you too for reminding me how precious the gift of thankfulness is.
Paula (PEP)
Electra said…
So much beautiful eye candy, Arnoldo. Thank you for participating in our challenges at Opus gluei, we are alwsy delighted to see your newest creations!!
Rene said…
What a pleasure to visit your blog...wow, just loads of art & inspiration!
Thank you for joining us in the Spring Flower challenge at Crafting By Designs!
Hugs
Rene
Winnie said…
Such inspiring work Arnoldo. Your tags are always so great for the challenge, and love how you make them your own. I used to adore Carol Duvall's show. I really wish they had more of those shows on tv now. I would sit for hrs watching the painter Bob Ross. Tim Holtz is a favorite of mine as well. Your last piece is so amazing to me as I am so UNfamiliar with this type of work that when you post something like this I am ever intrigued. Have a blessed week!
Seriously, your tag background is amazing! It looks like a blow torch helped a piece of metal along to be galvanized...the green is fabulous in there! I love it! Great using the butterfly! Love the journal as well and card. Thanks for soaring with us this week at Simon Says Stamp & Show!
Faye said…
What a wonderful bunch of projects, Arnoldo. I especially like the fruit of the Spirit one and the TH inspired tags. I remember Carol Duvall and was heartbroken when she was removed from our cable lineup. I think I remember the show with Tim, but at that time I wasn't really into crafting that much. Thanks for the memories!
Maria Medeiros said…
Wonderful! Love the fruit and Angels! :D lovely work and thank you for your visit!!
Melanie said…
I want to thank you for visiting my blog. So nice you leftme a comment. I think your art looks very good.
Liefs, Melanie
maria said…
You're really good at this Arnoldo. Your doodles are so cute! Thanks for joining us at OYGIF.
debby4000 said…
What a wonderful post and love those gorgeous tags.

Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp challenge.

luv
Debby
Leovi said…
Realmente encantador ese collage de fotos. Saludos.
Liz said…
Lovely artworks Arnoldo and thanks fot explaining how you sketch when you are uninspired. You have inspired me!
Jez said…
Every single one is beautiful, and I also enjoyed reading the post. I'm visiting from APR and your artwork for the Fruit theme is superb. As to the quotations, I do try very hard to live up to them, but patience is so hardvto achieve at times, and I have to try harder.
Gloria j Zucaro said…
Hello Arnoldo. i have missed seeing your creations while I was away on a road trip with my 92 year old Mom, and to a family wedding. I really love your tags this week. i admire the thought that goes into the layering process to bring it to a cohesive whole.
Unknown said…
Arnoldo,
You never cease to amaze me with your talent. Both those pages are exquisite, so simple in thier elegance. I want to get a pencil and start to draw.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your wonderful inspirational artwork with us this week.
Blessings, Carole Robb Bisson
Word Art Wednesday
Anonymous said…
You blessed ~ your art work is so versatile and filled with dynamic energy and texture and yet others are delightful and light hearted ~ Wonderful! ^_^
Linda Kunsman said…
Your projects are so varied and yet always show your love and talent for art and your faith. Thank you for so generously sharing. Happy PPF!
Netty said…
You have been so busy with all these fab projects and I love your journal doodling. Happy PPF, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/
Ayala Art said…
Oh my gosh, you have the coolest tags ever! Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing and happy PPF!
Anne Manda said…
Wonderful tags, really like the way you have combined different elements! The journal pages are deliciously colorful!
Erika said…
Beautiful artwork, dear Arnoldo. Love the tag and your angel.
Happy PPF and hugs
Erika
Giggles said…
Very diverse work here Arnoldo...I especially love the font on angels...and the digital changes...beautiful!!

Hugs Giggles
Anonymous said…
You had a busy and creative week. The tags tug at my heart, so creative and who doesn't love recycling. xox
Tracey FK said…
I love the drawing with the fruit in it... and my favourite figs... love them so much but hate trying to paint them so really really impressed with that... I am happy to be back catching up with your creative week... missed it last week
T xx
Kalyan Panja said…
simply beautifully captured shots ...lovely!
bellefrogworks said…
God has given you a creative explorer's spirit - you create so many different types of art. What I truly love is the "soul picture" you paint in your blog entries by sharing your inspiration and process. HPPF
Rosemary said…
It is a true pleasure to come over and see what creations you've been inspired to create. Oh my gosh, I remember Tim on the Carol Duvall show, and I love what you created from his inspiration. Wonderful! Your art journal is so good looking, I love all the elements you add to it, it's fun to see the creative process! Thanks, as always, for playing with us at Opus Gluei and sharing your work. We love it!
Currie Silver said…
your work always leaves me smiling and inspired!!
you are a great blessing, Arnoldo!!
DVArtist said…
All of your pieces are very nice. Yes art is a blessing.
Nicole/Beadwright
glitterandglue said…
Wow - lovely work. I think I like the bird in the cage and the fruit of the spirit best.... you have a lot of God given talent.
Have a great week.
Margaret (glitterandglue #143)
Lmkazmierczak said…
Your creative works are fascinating; thanks for sharing your techniques...and my entry is of completely different type of stamps...http://lmkazmierczak.blogspot.com/2013/04/utf-unable-to-forward.html
Joy Murray said…
I've always known that creativity elevates the spirit, but I never thought of it as a form of prayer, but I will now. Thanks for sharing these wonderful inspired pieces. Your creativity is a gift to us all.
Anonymous said…
Your fruits of the Spirit drawing is lovely. I especially like the fig. My dad and grandfather both grew figs and it reminded me of them.
Francesca said…
What a great take on Tims Tags, and your upcycling. Sorry for being so late with a comment, but on Wednesday afternoon came down with the dreaded cough and cold, not being feeling myself at all. Blessings Francesca #29
Unknown said…
Loving all your creativity this week, especially love the fruit and angels... :) have a great week.
Alicia C said…
Such marvelolus pieces as usual! I like yourtechnique for watercolour with pencils i would like to try that sometime
Head Krazy said…
Hi Arnoldo! Thank you so much for popping on by Kookaburra Laughing Productions, and checking out my humble blogs! I do indeed belong to the Art Abandonment Group on Facebook, although I found out about it after I started with my Random Art of Kindness. What a great place! I'm sure I'll see you on there as well, I'll be sure to say hi! I'm also your newest follower!
Julia said…
Fab inspiration, your are so talented. Thanks fr sharing your gift.
Hugs,
Julia
Liz said…
Beautiful work Arnoldo. Have a fabulous week!

Liz (yacb)
The Artful Diva said…
You have been busy. I especially like the first tag you show. All of your work is creative and a pleasure to look at.
MaiThreeBoyz said…
I love the Imagine Card. You have beautiful such art pieces. I'm really glad I found you through Orange You Glad It's Friday.
Tracey said…
I LOVE coming to your blog!!! ALWAYS such gorgeous eye candy and awesome inspiration! Thanks so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show :)
Deborah said…
truly some remarkable works of art and I love your thought process!
It has been a pleasure for me to read your post today! I'm a little late from PPF and taking the round as time fits in for blogging.

Your tags are beautiful! And your drawings show your artistic talent. I am most impressed by the photo art you show this time, it really has a lot of expression.

Thank you for your awareness and positive attitude you express in words and art!

Kind regards

Ilona
Christine said…
Wonderful artwork!
Lisabella Russo said…
Beautiful pieces! I love how you balance colors and combine them, there is such a grace to your works...
lorik said…
Great post - as usual:) And your doodles are so lovely and happy and positive.
Thank you for being part of Mandarin Orange Monday:)
Unknown said…
Great pieces! Those angels are so sweet!!
Bella Cirovic said…
Yes! Beautiful artwork as always - and I love how thankful you are to Him for this gift.
Thank you for participating in 52 Photos & I hope to see you contributing for year 3 as well!!