Friday Art Smorgasbord - A Journey

Greetings!  This week I took a virtual journey which took me artistically around the world.  No, my projects are not monumental, but believe they are meaningful.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
I am in charge of the Gifted and Talented program at a local elementary school.  Therefore, it is very appropriate that the first stop in my virtual journey be the school office.  I thought of this when Mike Baker, my blog manager at Monday Artday, challenged us members to use the office as our theme.  The majority of the secretaries I've worked with during the past 20+ years love children, but there have been a couple that my students were afraid of.  However, I have to say I've loved them all!

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
The second virtual stop in my journey was at Mustang Island, Texas.  Carolyn Saxby, my artists' tag team head at Tag Tuesday, challenged us to use a "Sea Bird" theme.  I began by doing a pen and ink sketch of a great blue heron scene for the Twenty Minute Challenge.  I took the picture when I was walking alone on the beach during a break at a Christian art retreat.  You can only see the heron's silhouette, but I love the way he is looking into the horizon.  I had intended to scan the sketch and use it in the tag.  However, I had 2 prints of the 4x6 inch photograph, so I opted to use one of them for the tag itself.  You can read more about the process at the Tag Tuesday, as well as take a look at my talented colleagues' work.  I am also submitting this postcard size tag to Three Muses - Alone and Sunday Postcard Art - Happy.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
My third stop was in my studio.  I shot this photograph for What's on your Worddesk Wednesday - #163, where Julia Dunnit has been showing us vignettes in her studio.  I decided to follow suit, so here is a shot of a vignette behind my drafting table where I keep some of my stuff for tags, ATC's, greeting cards, and postcards.  I love to use vintage or artsy looking containers to store my stuff, because they help create a warm and inspiring environment.  I am currently working on getting everything labeled.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
The fourth stop in my virtual journey was Eurasia.  My initial inspiration came from Jennifer McLean who challenged her readers to use "pears" in their art work for Artists' Play Room #18.  I couldn't find pears at the grocery store, so I researched pears on the web.  I found out that pears appear in several Eurasian myths, so I chose 3 of them to write and illustrate my World Pear Myths book in a bag.  In the bag that I designed there is a handmade paper pear shape tag on which I painted a partridge using acrylic paints; an ATC collage of a "poire" made with my hand painted papers, which was inspired by the French artist, Henri Matisse; a tri-fold ATC featuring a stamped image of a pear and an origami pear tree flower that I designed; and a miniature origami book decorated with scraps of paper and featuring a summary of the myths.  The summary in the book, which is based primarily on Fruits Fable and Folklore, reads as follows:
Pears can be traced to Europe and Asia as one of the oldest cultivated fruits.  Therefore, it is the subject of fascinating myths.  Perdix, Lord of the Pears and a genius engineer, is tossed into the sea.  Athena carries him into heaven in the form of a partridge.  This myth served as the basis for the English Christmas Carol, where the pear symbolizes the cross and the partridge, Christ.  In China, the pear tree is a symbol of immortality, because of the tree's longevity.  Because of this tree's trait and the tree's fruitfulness, in Europe it is a symbol of strength in a marriage and the couples proliferation.  Enjoy!
I am also submitting this project to the following challenges:
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
My last stop brought me back to my studio.  Bella Cirovic, at the 52 Photo Project, challenged her readers to post photographs in Gallery 13 that represent "Growth."  I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do, until I read Karen Letchworth's blog post at Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #37, which features the hymn verse by Civilla Martin, "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."  (See Luke 12:6-7 & Matthew 10:29-31)  This inspired me to take a picture of a shelf in my library.  The books, pen, paintbrush, and tablets represent my growth as an artist, teacher and writer.  The Bible, which is prominently displayed, represents God's Word helping me grow as a man, husband, father, teacher, and artist.  By the way, I used a Carolina Wren, because I didn't have a Sparrow to use as a prop - LOL!

I hope you enjoyed my virtual journey around the world.  I want take this opportunity to thank you for your motivating comments in my last post.  You are cordially invited to leave comments again, as well as join my list of followers.  Next week, on July 26th, I will be celebrating the 1st year anniversary of A. L. Romero Art and Design blog, so please be sure to come back.  Blessings!

Comments

Patrice said…
I love your little heron, Arnoldo...I hope you'll link up at 52 Card Pickup again this week!

http://www.oldbackporch.com/2012/07/52-card-pickup-week-29.html
bellefrogworks said…
I love that you shared your journey with us - I love the school secretary!
Lisabella Russo said…
Great school secretary and I love that heron image. Your pears are intriguing as well!
cheiron said…
Fabulous photos and projects. I love the beach tag and all the great details and those wire bins you have in your studio are fantastic! Thank you for playing along with Dawny’s sketch challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog!
Jennifer McLean said…
Another pear overachiever here! I especially love your pear tag for your mini book. They're all wonderful, thanks for playing!
Best,
Jenn
Tiffany said…
I love your work! Plus, everything is so creatively presented. (I totally get it about the secretaries. LOL)
Tracey FK said…
I have started to look forward to the Friday Smorgasbord and the glimpse into your creative week... such a treat to see the wide variety of work you create...xx
Lynn Cohen said…
What important work you do...my daughter was in that program as a kid! And my mother taught them as well. (gifted kids)

I like the scarey secretary! I ran out of the room when I saw her.
Love her 50's glasses.

Lots of fun art here today, thanks for sharing it all.
Gloria j Zucaro said…
You are so amazing. All you accomplish and your wonderful artwork. I enjoyed hearing about each project and looking at each of your photographs. Your photos of your different studio spaces are so interesting. I think your drawings are really wonderful and your collage, in books, journals, postcards, tags...wow!
Alice said…
beautiful work - all your pieces!
VonnyK said…
YOur smorgasbord is fabulous, so many place and so much work accomplished. I don't know how you find the time to create so much. Love your pear tag.
Von
gurka_krolowa said…
Arnoldo thank you for your Tag to our tag-journal challenge on Craft Artwork :) It's wonderful to see your work there :) Hahaha I had some worries about you and your participation in the second topic of tag-journal challenge but you showed me that I shouldn't because there is no limit for creativity :)
indybev said…
Wonderful heron sketch, Arnoldo, and the tag is beautiful as well. Thank you for joining us at Three Muses. We hope to see you again.

Re link, type as follows:
HERE
TwinkleToes2day said…
What an amazing lot of artistry, so much talent and great tales with them all. All beautiful :0)
Kaylene said…
Love your work. Cheers
Karin said…
everything looks great! have a nice weekend!
Nice to see this virtual tour. :) Great sketches Arnoldo!
Leovi said…
Deliciosas composiciones, muy poéticas. Saludos.
Candy C said…
Arnoldo...you are such a talent! I love your creative thought process and I loved this post. Your blue heron and landscape tag and sketch are so lovely. I also laughed at your secretary sketch and the sentiment under it. It was so funny and so true! I envy anyone who can sketch like you can! That is a talent. Your pears piece is also very good and very creative. And...your growth picture...love it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your work with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy
BJ said…
Great artsy containers. BJ#79
Terrie said…
You've certainly been prolific this week! Everything is so beautiful - how DO you find the time? Your pears tags are just great and I like your 'around the world' theme - what a fun idea!
Anna-Karin said…
Wow, look at all these wonderful projects! Love the heron and the pears, and everything else. Such fun ideas. Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!
Such fabulous work!! Love your sketch of the amazing heron photo!! Thanks for your always kind words on my scrapbook pages!! Congratulations on celebrating 1 year of blogging here!! ~ Blessings, Tracey

http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/
Anonymous said…
great journey -
Anonymous said…
What an incredible journey you took us on! Thank you!!!
Yvonne said…
Fabulous works of art, Arnoldo!
Lou Anne Hazel said…
You've presented a lovely variety of images about pears. I think the tag with the partridge is my favorite. I found your research very interesting as well.
Winnie said…
Arnoldo, you always make me smile when I visit. My 2 sisters and 1 brother are all elementary teachers. One of their rules is "be nice to the secretary in the office as they have the power to make your life easier or harder. Just like in my law office! I love your tag with the heron. I got to see one once and was amazed at it size and beauty. Your studio is amazing. I like that by seeing glimpses of it, I can see how you work and your what is important to you. I will be back for your 1 year blogging anniversary! How exciting!
Neesie said…
There's always so much to see visiting your smorgasbord Arnoldo...I know I'm always in for a treat when I stop by. ;D
I have no idea how you get the time.
The heron is fantastic and I love the pears. Brilliant work as usual.
Have a fantastic weekend ~ enjoy
Neesie (APR#17)
SandeeNC said…
Lots and lots of great syuff on your blog, no wonder you were late posting, you had a lot to post!! I abslutely loved the heron tag! great picture too! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :) #50
Serena Lewis said…
WOW, Arnoldo, this post is jam-packed full of creative, arty goodness!! LOVE your secretary and heron sketches! Great job on the pears too. You have certainly been busy!

Have a lovely weekend,
Serena :)
Natasha said…
As soon as I saw your school secretary sketch I remembered the worst school secretary I have ever encountered. I suspect as an adult I would experience her quite differently. Love your smorgasbord post, so much to feast my eyes on and get inspired by! :)
I came late to the table to see the pears, and got caught up in all the wonderful art you made this week. What a great batch of eye candy, including all those pears: tags, a book, ATCs, etc.
Marlena M. said…
I loved the journey today! Your secretary is wonderful~there are a few that scared me over the years! ;) Thank you for sharing your inspirational photo at Word Art Wednesday!
Suzanne C said…
What a lovely journey you have taken us on. The projects are wonderful. The blue heron is lovely. The collection of pears delicious! Glad you joined us at Simon Says Stamp and Show.
Your art is always super cool, and I'm always so blessed to have you share your work with us in the challenges at Word Art Wednesday. Hope your summer is going great. Thanks for joining us this week, Arnoldo, and BE BLESSED!
Karen L
Word Art Wednesday
...a super
posting Arnoldo...the jar of yummy buttons displayed in your craft room vignette are gorgeous, pears is a difficult one & not often used in crafting from what I've seen in my short time, your display of books is impressive I loVe the simplistic crucifix on your Bible but for me the image of the Blue Heron is breath taking and is an awesome focal on the Tag...it has been a joyous stroll through this post this evening...Mel :)
I'd like to say thank you for your kind words on my blog, it's always nice to know people admire what you think is nice too :)
Karen Smithey said…
What a wonderful world tour! Thanks for sharing...
Shoshi said…
Love your eclectic art style!

Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. I'm just beginning with the Dylusions inks and can see that they have great potential. I think I'm in love!

Shoshi
Ha! The office secretary is FABULOUS! I had fun on this virtual tour - thanks! I'm awfully late for WOYWW, but very glad I made it here!

Cheers,
Susan #126
Leovi said…
Wonderful compositions. Delicious designs and colors. I really love your creativity.
Ginny Maxam said…
Your Blog was a treat to vist, visually and Spiritually! Thank you for the beautiful tribute to the WORD! After all is said and done in this life, it is only the word and the accomplishments it works in our lives that will stand!
~Ginny
minnemie said…
I love your smorgasbord of pears!
Denise Mulligan said…
So much fun and beautiful art here. A lot to see. I love the secretary one, so funny!
Also your studio desk is awesome, where did you get those fantastic metal baskets?
Create With Joy said…
Hi Arnaldo,

I wanted to personally welcome you to Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy - I'm delighted you found us, and look forward to getting to know you and seeing some of your awesome art and designs at our weekly creative party!

Have a fabulous week and always,

Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com
Nordljus said…
What a wonderful job you did with the pears! I didn't know there were so many myths about pears! Once I had a bad cold when I was in China, and a friend brought me pears and said that cold water and pears is what you need to cure the cold. The pears also looked very different to the ones I knew. They were nice though. Also love your drawings, especially the first one. She has so much character!
kristin maynes said…
What a fun post! Love the items on your work desk. I'm so nosy, I love seeing workplaces of others. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Borqna said…
Happy 1st anniversary of your blog! Wish you still enjoy us with your projects. Let your fans to grow more and more. I hope soon to see your digital/ ETSY / store!
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Congratulations on this post - the school secretary is just one!
I admire your talent. I do not comment often - to not think you that I overdo a good word ..