Read, Explore, Create!: 2012

Saturday Art Smorgasbord - On Reflections

Although I love Christmas, this time of the year can be hectic and stressful for me. I am an introvert, so I need down time to re-energize after social events. However, there are so many commitments during this season, that down time is almost nonexistent. The latter unfortunately also affects the time I can spend in my art studio. Therefore, this post is on reflections regarding what keeps me going.

First of all, I constantly reflect on the reason for the season, which is the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. As per Luke 2:14, the angels announced his coming by singing, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward Men." The two watercolor postcards above, which I illustrated in 2008, serve as a marvelous reminder. I based them on my two daughters. I am submitting these to Word Art Wednesday: Challenge #59, Illustration Friday - Glow, and Inspiration Avenue: 12 Days of Christmas.

Something else that keeps me sane is being able to give thoughtful gifts to family, friends, and those less fortunate. (Sometimes spending time with someone is the most valuable gift.) I believe Saint Nicholas said it best, "The giver of every god and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic Gods giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves." I designed and cut by hand the costume for this die-cut snowman back in 2005. You can read more about him in my post for Tag Tuesday - Bauble/Ornament. I am also submitting this piece to the Order of the Opus Gluei: Challenge #46 (Baby its cold outside), and Craft Artwork.

Another reflection that keeps me going is a question found at Artists in Blogland - Challenge #6, "What Does God mean to you?" I've believed for sometime now, that 3 words sum it up for me, "Creator, Savior, Redeemer." I began this art journal page by writing various names for God that are found in the Bible with a gel pen. Then, I added a couple of water color washes using the edge of a credit card. After the latter were dry, I did a quick sketch of Jesus' face with a micron pen and colored pencils. I also doodled a Sacred Heart with the colored pencils. As a finishing touch, I made Dymo labels of my three words. I am also submitting this page to Paint Party Friday - Week 41, Year 2, Sunday Sketches, and Crazy Amigo - Friendship.

In closing, a reflection that is keeping me going is the knowledge that the sun will rise up tomorrow. That no matter what curves the season may bring, brightly colored or not, I can find courage, strength and wisdom in the Lord. I am submitting the street photograph to 52 Photos Project: Gallery 35 {Roads I Travel}. As to the last photograph, I am submitting it to Orange Your Glad It's Friday #18 and Mandarin Orange Monday. May your holidays and the upcoming year of 2013 be filled with love, joy and peace.

Saturday Art Smorgasbord - This and That

Greetings! In addition to the regular day-to-day chores, there is always this and that to get done during the Holiday season. Christmas shopping, baking, and wrapping are just the beginning. However, somehow I managed to squeeze in sometime to work on my own "this and that" in my studio to help me relax. Praise the Lord!

One of the pieces I worked on in my studio was the 5x7" peaceful watercolor scene of a snowman and a cardinal looking at the Christmas Star. I actually started this piece a couple of years ago and was going to use it on printed greeting cards, but I ran out of time. (I may still do that latter.) I hadn't really thought about it much, until Carolyn Saxby asked our team at Tag Tuesday to use a "Winter Landscape" as inspiration. I dug it out of a portfolio, finished it, scanned it, matted it digitally, and made a postcard (4x6") size print to use as my tag base. I used strips of a Christmas card stock print by DCWV and red satin ribbon to trim it. Then, I added a die-cut flower as an embellishment. The sentiment, "tried and true," is from a K&Company set. I used it as a reminder of our Savior's unconditional love for us. I formed a tag shape by rounding the top corners, punching a hole in the center, and adding a ribbon tie. I am also submitting these pieces to Paint Party Friday, Artists in Blogland, Illustration Friday, Sunday Sketches, Inspiration Avenue: Peace, Simon Says Stamp: Snowflakes, and Craft Artwork: Christmas Postcard.

Two other projects I worked on were these tags I designed inspired by the techniques of Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of 2012 - December. These are the last two of a series of twelve which started in February. I painted the bases of both tags according to Tim's instructions, but I distressed the edges too. Then, I cut mats out of two of his prints to create my focal points. For the Christmas tag, I stamped a vintage Santa image on watercolor paper and illuminated it according to his instructions regarding the snowman in his design. I attached it to my mat, along with one of Tim's Plaquettes. I used some letter charms I had to spell the word "Joy," and attached them over a strip of Tim's musical washi tape. I stapled a strip of tinsel under the latter with Tim's Mini Attacher, and enhanced it with some miniature silver pine cones. As a finishing touch, I added a distressed "Ho, Ho" tag with one of Tim's Gem Clips, as well as a strip of red gingham ribbon. For my New Year's tag design, I used the same techniques Tim used on his poinsettia and scroll, to make my star and scroll. (I love the versatility of techniques you can use on Tim's Grunge Board!) Then, I distressed a copy of an engineering diagram to create a band for the bottom portion of my tag. I embellished the tag with a vintage watch face, an old ticket stub, and gold cording, as well as Tim's Word Bands and Philosophy Tags. I am also submitting the first one to Word Art Wednesday #57 - Anything Goes and Crazy Amigo Challenge - Surprise, as well as the second one to The Play Date Cafe PDCC 160 - Mountaintop, Icy Blue, and Snowflake.

Finally, I worked on editing some of the photographs I shot during the week. The first photograph is of a Red Winter Rose Poinsettia that my wife and I found at a local nursery. Apparently, some California growers took the traditional Mexican "Noche Buena" or "Poinsettia," and genetically engineered this new species. Although the traditional species is still my favorite, I do like this new variety. The second photograph is a still life I created featuring a copy of Sharon Wagner's first book she's illustrated. I won it during a drawing she had, and will be reading it to my Sunday School students this season. It is a lovely book! The third photograph is one I took during a Radney Foster concert my wife and I attended yesterday evening. Radney is a Del Rio, Texas' native, and the son of two of my wife's and my best friends. Radney has written hits for Keith Urban ("I'm In," "Raining on a Sunday"), Sara Evans ("A Real Fine Place to Start"), the Dixie Chicks ("Godspeed," "Never Say Die"), and Gary Allan ("Half of My Mistakes"), as well as his own hits, such as "Just Call Me Lonesome" and "Texas in 1880." It was an amazing show! I am submitting these photographs to 52 Photos Project: Gallery 33 {Morning::Evening}, A Rural Journal, Hood Photo Blog: OYGIF #16, and Mandarin Orange Monday #22.

Well, this concludes my post of "This and That." Thank you for the heart warming comments on last week's post. Blessings!

Saturday Art Smorgasbord - Warm Memories

Greetings! Tomorrow is the First Sunday of Advent, a season to reflect, pray, and open our hearts to the coming of the Messiah. With this in mind, I am dedicating this post to all the warm memories brought about by the blessings I've received throughout my life that never cease to inspire my artwork.

First of all is the memory of my parents, whom provided me with unconditional love and support. No, they were not the most righteous people, but they provided a home where acknowledging mistakes, rectifying them, and moving on was a way of life. It is one of the best ways I know of to live in harmony. The couple in the photograph above is of my parents in the "Music" inspired tag that I did for Tag Tuesday the week before last.

Secondly, is the memory of holidays, and the small but thoughtful gifts we give each other. The first photograph is of the beautiful chocolate dipped strawberries that my oldest daughter made for my birthday last month - they were delicious! Some may think it's not much, but it's the time and love that she put into them that was most important to me. (I am submitting the strawberry photograph to Orange You Glad It's Friday and Mandarin Orange Monday.) I tried to put the same time and love into the origami hat tags on the 3 gifts for my wife and daughters in the second photograph. I am also making other origami tags, such as the one with the stockings, for gifts to other friends and a less fortunate family we're adopting for the holidays through our church. These will bring new warm memories. (These tags were done this week for my designer team entry at Tag Tuesday - Warm.)

Last, but not least, rather it be during a quiet walk, a relaxing spot at a public place, or time spent in my studio, my artistic gift has provided me with a plethora of warm memories. Thank you, Lord! I took the photograph of the ceiling and sky during a walk at A&M, in College Station, Texas, during a visit with my daughter during my birthday last month. I loved the contrast between the classic architectural detailing of the building and the soft blue hint of the clear morning sky. (I am submitting it to 52 Photo Project and A Rural Journal.) As to the free style art journal entry, it is a type of meditative exercise I enjoy doing from time to time. (I am submitting this to Artist Playroom, Artists in Blogland, Illustration Friday - Stretch, Sunday Sketches, and Paint Party Friday.)

The Romeros
Christmas 2011
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

In closing, I want to wish everyone an enlightening season of Advent. May we "not neglect to do good and to share what we have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God," as stated in Hebrews 13:16. Blessings!

Friday Art Smorgasbord - Luminous Moments

Greetings! I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I last posted on my blog. Not only has it been extremely busy at work, but I was sick for a couple of days and was out of town last weekend. However, I did manage to have a few luminous moments in which I could express myself creatively. The following pieces are the result of the latter.

I literally carved some time to work on the two art journal pages above. I did the second one in the gym lobby at the local air force base while waiting for my daughter who was at swim practice - LOL! They were both unplanned pieces in which I let myself go, while I prayed and meditated on various issues in my life. I basically did layers of journaling, washes, fodder collage, drawing, and doodling with various media. It was extremely relaxing to just enjoy the process without any preconceived ideas of what the end result would be. I am submitting this pages to Paint Party Friday Week 36 Year 2, What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday #180, Crazy Amigo Challenge - Stripes, Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes and Sunday Sketches.

I did the three "Celestial" inspired tags above for my Tag Tuesday entry for last week. I've been working on a series of tags based on "Lotería," the Mexican version of bingo, so #23 "La Luna," #35 - "Las Estrellas," and #46 - "El Sol" were the perfect match for this challenge. I used some hand painted papers that I made a while back to cut the various shapes for my collages. The lettering was all done by hand. I dedicated these cards to all my family, friends, and other USA veterans.

The tag above was inspired by the techniques presented by Tim Holtz in his 12 Tags of 2012 - November. I used the background resist technique he presented. However, I used different stamps and did my lettering by hand using a permanent calligraphy marker. As to the embellishment, I layered a broach, a feather, and a piece of burlap. I made the broach out of a piece of balsa wood, which I carved with a Dremel tool and used India inks to draw the design. I used some rusty wire, beads, a shell, a jump ring, and a Tim Holtz muse token to finish it. I added a strip of leather to the top. I am also submitting this tag to Tag Tuesday - Brown or Sepia, Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Thanksgiving/Thank you, and Order of the Opus Gluei: Challenge #144 Three-Dee.

I took the two photographs above during recent trips around Texas. The first one I took at a sushi restaurant, in Arlington, that my brother took my family and me to. I loved the dramatic presentation created by the sparkler, so I had to take a picture of it. I shot the second photograph last weekend when I was taking a walk at A&M, in College Station. It's of a sculpture depicting the infamous bonfires they used to have before playing UT during Thanksgiving, prior to their new alliance with the SEC. Gig'em! I am submitting these photographs to 52 Photos Project {Gallery 30} Illuminate, Hood Photo Blog - Orange You Glad It's Friday #13, A Rural Journal - Your Sunday Best #44, and Lorikart: Mandarin Orange Monday 19.

Last, but not least, I got a head start on the holidays by illustrating the artwork I'll be using on my family's Christmas cards this year. It's a drawing of my original character Anel, wearing an angel costume. The dove she's holding is representative of a peace token to the world. I used micron pens, water colors, and color pencils to illustrate it. I am submitting this piece to Artist's Play Room #35, Artists in Blogland #29, Illustration Friday - Zoom, and Three Muses: Animal.

In closing, I'd like to thank you for all your kind words during my last post. You are cordially invited to leave a comment and/or join my blog. ¡Vaya con Dios - Go with God!

Saturday Art Smorgasbord - Día de los Muertos

Greetings! It's hard to believe, but All Hallows Eve (Halloween) is around the corner, which of course is followed by All Saints' Day, on November 1st, and All Souls' Day, on November 2nd. These are holidays observed by most Roman Catholic Churches, as well as many Anglican, Episcopalian, and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Although both of the latter holidays are considered important, el Día de los Muertos, or All Souls Day, is the one most closely observed by many Mexican descendants - click here for further information in my 2011 post. Most of my artwork in this post was inspired by this holy-day, that unfortunately has been paganized and commercialized by our society.

First of all, I worked on an illustration for a t-shirt design for my school. The students will be participating in an academic competition, and every year the school district has a theme for the event. This year, the theme is Fiesta, so I decided to do a piece in commemoration of José Guadalupe Posada, the Mexican artist who brought the traditional Mexican folk art of the calacas, skulls or skeletons, to the mainstream art world. His work has inspired artists throughout the world, including me - LOL! I began by doing a pencil drawing, inking it, and scanning it. Then, I used Caran d'Ache water-soluble wax pastels and Bienfang watercolor brush pens to illuminate a print of it. I can't wait to see my illustration on the students' t-shirts! I am submitting this piece to What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday #177, Illustration Friday - Haunt, Paint Party Friday - Week 33 Year 2, and Blue Chair Diary Illustrations: Sunday Sketches.

Next, I worked on my Twenty-Minute Challenge for the week. I was inspired by a photograph I found on-line. This is an example of a traditional costume used in the processions I described in last year's post regarding "El Día de los Muertos." Although I've never participated in these type of festivities, they are fascinating to observe. I used Conté pencils and micron pens, and worked in my art journal. Although I didn't have time to complete the drawing in the allotted time, I feel I captured the feeling of the festivities. I am also submitting this piece to Artist's Playroom #32 - Pairs, Inspiration Avenue - Trick or Treat, Take a Word Wednesday - Roses, and Order of the Opus Gluei - Leaf It Up to You.

My next project was inspired by the techniques of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012 - October. I followed Tim's background technique, except I used a leaf stamp to simulate a graveyard. As to the dry glittering technique, I did not tint mine, because I used one of Tim's grungeboard skull shapes instead of his BOO and spider shapes. To get a sugar skull feel, I used various colors of Distress Stickles and crackle accents on the orifices. To enhance the graveyard feel, I added various fabric and paper flowers, as well as a hand lettered label stating Descansa en Paz (Rest in Peace). I finished my tag by adding a spray of various orange ribbons, a Tim Holtz journey token, a mother of pearl cross, and some glass beads. I am also submitting this tag to Word Art Wednesday #51 - Anything Goes, Tag Tuesday-Halloween, Collage Obsession - Night, Artists in Blogland: Fall Fearless and Fly (Second Challenge), Crazy Amigo Challenge - Halloween, and Craft Artwork - Extraordinary Times. However, I'm dedicating it to my father, the late Right Reverend Leonardo Romero, DD, whom always supported my artwork and taught me the meaning of, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," Matthew 6:21.

Inspired by the same theme, I created a tablescape in my den area. This is the kind of candle holder used in altars built in memory of loved ones during el Dia de los Muertos. Although I was not raised with this type of tradition, I certainly appreciate the Christian connection that was made. I am submitting this photograph to 52 Photos Project: Gallery 27 {On the Table}, A Rural Journal: Your Sunday Best #41, Hood Photo Blog: Orange You Glad It's Friday #10, and Lorikart: Mandarin Orange Monday 16.

Last, but not least, I want to share two pieces I posted last week in other blogs that I'm a member of, as well as on Word Art Wednesday #50 - Blessings From God. I usually post them simultaneously there and on my weekly post here, but I did not have a chance to post on my blog last week. The wire heart I posted on Tag Tuesday - Rust, and the drawing of my wife I posted on the Twenty Minute Challenge. You may recall the photograph that I used for the drawing from one of my previous posts (Click here to view). I dedicated both of these to my wife, Lisa.

I hope you enjoyed my Saturday Art Smorgasbord as much as I did putting it together. Thank you for all your encouraging comments, as well as to all whom have joined my list of followers. Vaya con Dios - Go with God!

Saturday Art Smorgasbord - Autumn Days

Greetings! Autumn is in the air here in Del Rio, Texas, and we've been blessed with gentle rains that have brought our temperatures pleasantly down. Therefore, all my artwork this week has been inspired by the season once again.

My first entry is a drawing inspired by a photograph I found on-line of a girl grieving over a rainy day. It reminded me of my students' attitude when they can't go out to recess when it's raining. Bless their hearts! I began by pulling out my materials and setting my timer to go off after 20-minutes. I did a quick pencil sketch, and then proceeded to detail the drawing with a couple of micron pens. After the timer went off, I wrote in my sentiment. I am submitting this drawing to:

Twenty Minute Challenge
Word Art Wednesday #49
Artists in Blogland #27
Artist's Playroom #31 - Celestial (Clouds are in the sky, right?)

For my next two entries, I decided to use my original character ©Anel. I began by illustrating her with watercolor brush pens, colored pencils, and micron pens on a water color ATC tablet. I also did the lettering, based on Leviticus 26:4, by hand. Next, I scanned the illustration and made a digitally matted print of it. I used corner punches and a teardrop punch to turn the print into a tag. I finished the tag by wrapping some tangerine baker's twine to the bottom edge, adding a matching rhinestone brad, and tying a coordinating ribbon to the top. I used my original ATC illustration to make an art journal page. I am submitting these pieces to:

My fourth entry is a photograph inspired literally by the "spirits" of the season. I loved the Día de los Muertos (All Saints Day) labels on these bottles of beer and wine, so I decided to use them in a still life. Día de los Muertos dressed skeletons were brought into mainstream art by Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada, in the early 1900's, through his political satire. As you can see, his art continues to inspire artists now a days, including me. LOL! I am submitting this photograph to:

I hope you enjoyed my "Autumn Days" inspired art pieces. In closing, I want to take a minute to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers regarding my post last weekend. I still don't know what route my crossroad will be leading me into, but I feel at peace knowing that the Lord is in control. I am also thrilled to say that I was one of the 12 winners of the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012 - September - thank you, Tim! (I am submitting the photo to Whats on Your Workdesk Wednesday #175.) As usual, you are cordially invited to leave a comment and/or join my list of followers. Vaya con Dios - Go with God.

Saturday Art Smorgasbord - Autumn Garden

I have been extremely busy lately, so I had not been able to post anything in 2 weeks or work much on my artwork. I am at a crossroad in my life that may affect my future. It's exciting, but I am very nervous. Therefore, all I can do is "Believe" that the Lord is in charge, as Jesus said in Mark 5:36. May God give me the strength, courage and wisdom to endure anything that is to come

Anyway, the live oaks in my gardens are dropping a acorns galore and the Monarch Butterflies are back! The weather has also been glorious, with some occasional gentle rains, cool mornings, and clear skies in between. God is good! With all those acorns around my garden grounds, I decided to pick a few of them to use as subjects for my Twenty Minute Challenge piece. I've been reading a book by Lee Hammond on crayon drawing, so I decided to give her techniques a try. I started by sketching the acorns with a pencil, and then started adding layers of color with the crayons. As you can see, I did not get to complete my drawing within the allotted time. However, I feel I got the gist of the acorns. I am submitting this piece to What's on your work desk Wednesday #174 and Mary Walker Designs: Show Me Something Creative (Autumn October 3rd - 9th.

I completed the illustration after the 20-minute allotment and cropped it. I was happy with the results, especially since the illustration was done with crayons. I scanned it and made a print. I trimmed the print and used it to design a tag for Tag Tuesday, where I and my team members were challenged by Carolyn Saxby to use "Autumn Leaves, Acorns, and Conkers." I used K&Company rub-ons to trim the upper edge. For the bottom, I made a label on which I used my calligraphic skills to write the word "Grow." I finished the tag by distressing the edges and adding a simple tan cording tie. I am also submitting this piece to Artists in Blogland - Fall Fearless and Fly and Take a Word Challenge - Manuscripts.

As to the original acorn drawing, I decided to incorporate it into a simple art journal page. I began by adding a K&Company Smash tab that reads "I need," because I feel I always need to continue to grow as a Christian, family man, and professional. Then, I wrote a quote by Lewis Duncombe about the growing acorn, because it perfectly describes the way I feel. Finally, I used some Canson self-adhesive photo corners to attach my crayon drawing to the page. I am submitting this page to Artist Playroom #30, Paint Party Friday, Word Art Wednesday #48, Sunday Sketches, and Three Muses - Journal a Quote.

Last, but not least, I took a couple of photographs of my garden views to share with you. The first one is of the glorious Monarchs resting on one of my tree's branches before they continue their journey South into Mexico. They are such a blessing to see. I tried to capture them in flight, but all I got were fuzzy dots. I am submitting this one to 52 Photos Project Gallery 24 {Orange} and to LorikArt's: Mandarin Orange Monday 13. The second photograph is of one of my wife's Bugambilia blooms. Bugambilia blooms are usually purple, but my wife found this one in orange and fell in love with the unusual color. She currently has it in a pot, but plans to transplant it to the ground later this fall. I am submitting this photograph to A Rural Journal #38 - Final Flower Farewell and to Hood Photo Blog: Orange You Glad It's Friday #7.

I hope you enjoyed my Autumn Garden inspired pieces. Thank you for following my blog and for all your encouraging comments during my last post. I was especially touched by a quote that Seema left by William Blake, "To see a world in a grain of sand and a Heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour." As usual, you are cordially invited to leave a comment and join my list of followers. Vaya con Dios - Go with God.

PS - If you are so inclined, I ask that you please keep me in your prayers as I pass through the current crossroad in my life. I would truly appreciate it. Blessings!

Friday Art Smorgasbord - Garden Blessings

Greetings! Let me begin by apologizing for the late post this week. I may start titling it "Saturday Art Smorgasbord," since my schedule is probably not going to slow down for a while. Anyway, this week I looked into my garden for inspiration. Rather relaxing with family and friends, enjoying visiting creatures, or taking a dip in the swimming pool, God's presence is always evident.

This art journal page is based on a small sculpture of St. Francis of Assisi that stands in a flower bed by my swimming pool. St. Francis was a man who was born to a wealthy cloth merchant family in Italy. After a vision, he gave up his wealth and worldly life to become a Roman Catholic friar and preacher. He is also considered the Patron Saint of Animals because he considered himself a friend of the animals, so he's very popular in garden art and an inspiration to animal lovers like me. I began this page by doing a Twenty Minute Challenge pencil and Sharpie micron pen sketch. Then I used a Zig calligraphy pen to write the quote. Finally, I used a combination of Prismacolor watercolor pencils and Talens opaque watercolors to add some color. I am submitting this page to Inspiration Avenue - Friendships, Paint Party Friday, Artist's Playroom - You Choose, Artists in Blogland - Show and Tell Saturday #26, and Blue Chair Diary - Sunday Sketches.

This tag is inspired by one of my garden "friends," which include birds such as Hummingbirds, Red-Tail Hawks, Carolina Wrens, Mockingbirds, Cardinals, White Winged Doves, Turtle Doves, Great Kiskadees, Common Nighthawks, Ladder Backed Woodpeckers, Martins, Swallows, Finches, and several other types of birds. Although not on a regular basis, I've had a couple of owls visit my garden too. I consider this magnificent creatures, whom are sometimes associated with the occult because of their nocturnal habits, to be a part of God's creatures great and small. Although the Bible deems them non-edible, I did not find any demonic references to them. Details on how I made the tag may be found in my Tag Tuesday post. I am submitting this tag to Collage Obsession - Owls, Word Art Wednesday #46 - Friends, and Take a Word Wednesday - Zetti.

This photograph is of the first Monarch Butterfly I spotted in my garden last October during their annual migration route through Del Rio, Texas, where I live. Although September 22nd is the official first day of Autumn in Texas, I don't consider it truly here until the Monarch's come through. Flocks of them will gather in my garden and rest in the branches of my trees. It is truly miraculous to have hundreds of them flutter around you when you walk under the trees. St. James Episcopal School, my daughters alma mater and where I was Head for seven years, participates in a marvelous program in which they tag them annually. The students even get to witness the Monarch's cycle, since they grow Milkweed in their gardens. That's where I developed a true appreciation for them. I am submitting this photograph to 52 Photos Project - Gallery 22 {Season's Beginning}, A Rural Journey - Your Sunday Best #36: Signs, and The Three Muses Challenge - Autumn.

I hope you enjoyed my Garden Blessings as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you. By the way, I am also blessed by an amazing night view of the stars, amusing squirrels, fascinating lizards, curious deer, and even cute skunks. Well they are cute as long as they don't spray my dogs - LOL! I may have to do a post on them at another time. Thank you for all your motivating comments during last week's post. You are cordially invited to leave a comment on this post too, and/or add your name to my list of followers. Vaya con Dios - Go with God!

Friday Art Smorgasbord - Fruitfulness

Greetings! The past week has been a fruitful one for me in many ways. I harvested from my friendships, my students' work, my garden, and of course, my art work. It was exciting!

First of all, through the mail I received fruits from two of my blogging friends in the form of two letters bearing gifts. The first letter came from Jessica Sporn, whom I traded "two for two" ATC's with. Aren't these watercolor collages stunning? The second letter came from Barb Cady, one of my teammates at Tag Tuesday. It is a set of 3 beautiful prints by the re-known British artist, Beryl Cook, depicting Biblical scenes. They are truly awe inspiring! Thank you both, you made my week.

My next fruitful moment came when I completed these paintings for my Twenty Minute Challenge post. I worked on Daler-Rowney 100% cotton paper with Royal Talens opaque watercolor pans and Sharpie micron pens. I actually wanted to complete 3 different pieces of fruit, but my allotted time ran out. I had to complete the 3rd piece of fruit, a cantaloupe, after the twenty minutes were over. It actually took longer to complete the latter, due to a salt texturing technique I used. I had a blast working with various techniques to achieve the fruits' textures, and was quite pleased with the results.

I used the watercolor fruits that I painted in these 3 pieces I designed for my Tag Tuesday - Autumn Fruits and Berries post. I illustrated and designed two tags based on the Mexican bingo game, "Lotería," for two of my previous posts - The Mermaid and The Boot. Therefore, I decided to start a series by adding the 3 fruits included in the games' card deck. I am submitting this series to Artist's Playroom - Juicy, Illustration Friday - Burst, Paint Party Friday - Week 27 Year 2, Artists in Blogland, and Sunday Sketches.

Another fruitful moment this week was when I discovered this bloom on my strawberry potted plant. This was truly a sparkle in my eye, since strawberries are hard to grow in Southwest Texas. This small miracle reminded me of what Jesus tells us in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." How true this statement has proven to be in my life. I am submitting this photograph to 52 Photos Project - Gallery 21 {Sparkle & Shine}, Word Art Wednesday Challenge #45, A Rural Journal: Your Sunday Best #35, and Take a Word Challenge - Hearts and Flowers.

Some extraordinarily fruitful moments came about as my students completed their Zentangle hand designs. I work with students in first through fifth grade, through a gifted and talented pull-out program. This is one of the projects they worked on in their spare time, and they truly loved it. I am submitting this to What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday 171 and Order of the Opus Gluei Challenge 139 - See You in September. By the way, I won top 4 at Crazy Amigo Challenge - Catwalk Back to School for planning this project. Thank you, Audrey!

Last, but not least, I am excited about an opportunity for fruitfulness. My blogging friend Jennifer McLean, whose a contributing editor at FEATURING magazine, emailed me about the upcoming release of Issue 2 - Issue 1 is still available. FEATURING is a quarterly publication that provides a stage for art journaling, mixed media, and other kinds of artists. The articles include interviews, poetry, glimpses of studios, and more. Featuring magazine is also doing a thirty inchies giveaway that closes September 21 - details here. In addition, there are opportunities to submit your work for publication. Cool!

As you can see, this was truly a fruitful week for me. My blogging friend Anina Papirčkalnica even nominated me to receive the Child's Shoe - Blog Award. Thank you, Anina. I also want to thank all my readers for their encouraging comments last week, as well as everyone that is following my blog. May your week be filled with the fruit of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)