Friday Art Smorgasbord - Magical Moments

Greetings!  Although this was a short week due to Labor Day, it was very hectic due to evening meetings and various other commitments.  The few times I was able to spend in my studio were truly magical, hence the title of this post.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

My first piece is a tag I illustrated for Tag Tuesday - Circus, but was also inspired by the Artist Playroom #25 - Favorite Color and Crazy Amigo Challenge - Baby Card in Pink.  The circus is definitely a magical place with it's multiple colors, as well as the amazing performers and animal acts.  For this tag, I decided to illustrate my original character, Anel, in the debut of her animal circus act.  I love bright colors, but often use black as an accent color.  However, little Anel loves all shades of pink, especially magenta.  LOL!  You may read about the process of making the tag by clicking on the Tag Tuesday link, as well as peruse my talented artist team colleagues' work.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

Another magical moment this week was when I worked on my tag inspired by the techniques of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012 - September.  I like Steampunk art, but hadn't truly explored it until this week.  I created the background as per Tim's instructions.  Next, I glued a bride's print from the Dover Publications' Steampunk Sourcebook to a piece of vintage style add.  I distressed the edges and glued it to the tag.  Then, I added a strip of Tim Holtz newsprint tissue tape along the upper portion of the tag.  I also stapled a strip of Tim Holtz film strip along the right edge of the tag with a Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher.  The first embellishment I added was a rusty gear I found at a thrift store, on which I glued a brass crown.  Next, I painted a Tim Holtz grungeboard key using the same technique he used on a typewriter in his design, and glued it under the gear.  I felt the Song of Solomon 1:15, "How beautiful you are, my darling," was the perfect sentiment for this tag.  Therefore, I wrote it on a scrap of kraft card and stapled it to the tag.  As a finishing touch, I used a jump ring to add a Tim Holtz type charm, an old metal heart, and some vintage pearls I wired.  I tied them with a gray ribbon to the top, along with a small ball chain.  I am also submitting this tag to Simon Says Stamp and Show - Words, Collage Obsession - Gray, Inspiration Avenue - Wheels, and Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #44.  I'm also dedicating this tag to my lovely wife Lisa, hence the "L."

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

My third magical moment actually happened during my family's trip last Summer to the Big Bend region, here in Texas.  When we went horseback riding, we approached a corral where there was a mare with her filly.  The filly immediately came to us and peered through the gate for us to pet her.  My girls and I were thrilled, and of course I shot several photographs.  I relived the moment by using one of the photographs to do a watercolor sketch for my Twenty Minute Challenge post.  After the allotted time, I added the Smash date washi tape.  I also used a Spankpublishing sticky note to write the verse from Proverbs 21:31, "the horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord."  I am also submitting this to Word Art Wednesday and Paint Party Friday Week 26 Year 2.

© Arnoldo L. Romero

Another magical moment in my family's life was when my oldest daughter was accepted into Texas A&M University about a year and a half ago.  We were so proud of her, especially her maternal grandfather who graduated from A&M when it only had a male military track.  I shot this photograph of the main entrance to the administrative building when I was there last month.  It's the same building where I shot the columns in my August 25th, 2012 post.  I cropped it to emphasize the height, but I was not able to enhance the shadows on the right side of the door to my liking.  Ugh!  I am submitting this shot to the 52 Photo Project Gallery 20 {Doorways} and to the Three Muses - School Days.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

Last, but not least, I am submitting a photograph I shot of a vignette on one of my Studio bookshelves to What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #170.  I love the look of vintage items because they can magically transport me in spirit to another time and place.  I try to imagine who used them, where they lived, what kind of lives they lead, etcetera.  Vintage items truly create an inspirational environment for me to work on my art work.  Except for the brass spit cup, cigars, A&M mints, and the hand painted egg, I collected the flask and smoking collectibles at thrift shops and antique shows through out Texas.  By the way, I don't smoke, just like junking.  LOL!

I hope you enjoyed my magical moments Friday Art Smorgasbord, as much as I did putting it together.  Thank you for all your thoughtful and motivating comments last week, as well as for following my blog.  Blessings!