Read, Explore, Create!: January 2013

Art Smorgasbord - My Three Wishes

Greetings! Can you believe January 2013 is almost over? Although I have been extremely busy and experienced some negative situations during the month, I feel my three wishes for the year are being fulfilled with God's help.

St. Michael
2x3 Feet Acrylic - Text Added Digitally on Photograph
© Arnoldo L. Romero
Word Art Wednesday: Challenge #65 - Anything Goes
Illustration Friday - Wings
Paint Party Friday Week 47 Year 2

To Rozlyn on Her 15th Birthday
4.25x5.5 inches - Origami, Beading, Hand Lettering & More
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes
Order of the Opus Gluei #149 Glitz, Glamour, Bring on the Bling!
What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 191
The Play Date Cafe #167 - Fuschia, Sprout & Canary

Quiet Moments
6x4 Inch Postcard - Red & Black Micron Pens
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Artist's Playroom #42 - Mail Art
Sunday Postcard Art - Smell the Coffee
Simon Says Stamp and Show: Seeing Stars
Three Muses: Stripes
Crazy Amigo - Red, Black & White

First, that I am able to share my love of God, nature, and writing through my artwork with family and friends throughout the world.

A Timeless Ride
Digitally Aged Photograph
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
52 Photos Project: Gallery 41 {My Wish}
Orange You Glad It's Friday #24
Mandarin Orange Monday #28

Secondly, that I am able to continue to provide my daughters with timeless values such as integrity, kindness, wisdom, strength, and courage, through our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer.

Anel's Favorite Things
Trincies in a Tag Book - Micron, Markers, & Prismacolor Pencils
© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Tag Tuesday - Alphabet Letter D
Artists in Blogland
Sunday Sketches

Thirdly, that I am able to continue to grow as a scholar, so that I may in turn be a better teacher.

God willing, my wishes will continue to come true.

In closing, I want to thank everyone that left a comment on my post last week regarding Lisa's and my wedding anniversary. It was truly heartwarming and we felt VERY blessed. Vaya con Dios - Go with God!

Art Smorgasbord - To My Love

Greetings! I had a truly blessed weekend, since my wife Lisa and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. Therefore, I am dedicating this post to her.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Word Art Wednesday #64 - Anything Goes
Take a Word - Wrinkles (From Smiling)
What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #190

After some secretive planning on my part, this is what Lisa woke up to on our anniversary. My initial inspirational piece for the color scheme was an amber depression glass decanter that I found a couple of weeks ago, which I used for the flower bouquet. As to the card, it was inspired by Romans 15:5,6, "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Although we've literally been through good and bad times, as well as sickness and health, we've loved and honored each other with the help of God. Therefore, I felt this verse was a perfect blessing for us to continue in our lives' journey.

Since Lisa and I thoroughly enjoy going out on dates, we took advantage of this special occasion. As it is written in Proverbs 5:18, "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth." Therefore, we had a lovely time conversing and sharing a bottle of wine at our favorite little place in town.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Artist's Play Room #41 - Colorful
Inspiration Avenue Challenge: ACEO
Simon Says Stamp and Show: What Are You Known For?
Simon Says Stamp and Show: Let's Get Paper Piecing
Artists in Blogland

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013
Tag Tuesday {Alphabet - Letter C}
Crazy Amigo Challenge: Trinchie
Paint Party Friday Week #46 Year 2

After the marvelous weekend, I was inspired to create the 3 pieces above. "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband," Proverbs 12:4, and that is what my wife Lisa is to me. Her love and support continuously inspire me to grow as a husband, father, and professional. She has also provided a loving environment for our daughters, whom couldn't have a better role model. As an artist, she is also my Muse. Thank you, Lord!

I apologize if I have bored you with my writing in this post. However, I hope you've at least enjoyed my artistic escapades. Godspeed!

Art Smorgasbord - The Third Midweek

Greetings! I can't believe it's the third midweek of 2013, which means we're half way into January. It's been a marvelous year thus far, thank you Lord, with exciting projects happening in my studio, but time is sure is going fast.

The first project I want to present to you is a tag I designed inspired by the techniques of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 - January. I got a Sizzix Big Shot and a few dies and embossing folders for Christmas, so this was the perfect opportunity to use them. Although I used Tim's Damask embossing folder, I followed Tim's background instructions. Next, I cut a grungeboard dress form using Tim's die, and created a steampunk "lacy" corset illusion using the foil tape sheet technique he featured last September. I drew some lines on it with a micron pen to give it some dimension. Then, I used vintage prints, an old gear, an old watch face, a hand lettered kraft label, Tim's Film Strip Ribbon, Tim's washi tape, Tim's mini- stapler, and one of Tim's memo pins to finish decorating my tag. As a finishing touch, I stamped some ribbon as per his instructions, but used a different stamp. I am also submitting this piece to Crazy Amigo Challenge - Embossing Folders, Simon Says Stamp and Show: Lace Love, Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Use Washi Tape, and What's On Your Worddesk Wednesday #189.

The next two digital collages I designed using Pixelmator, and feature photographs I took during the last 6 months. The first photograph I took during my visit to the Big Bend National Park. I did a little editing to enhance the mood, and then used several layers to create the "Alpha and Omega" monogram and insert the scripture. I designed this piece for Word Art Wednesday: Challenge #63 - Anything Goes, where I'm blessed to be this month's guest designer. You can get a free digi copy of the scripture there, which reminds me of His nurturing nature during times of trouble. I took the second photograph the day after Christmas in Tyler, Texas, where my father-in-law lives. It had snowed the day before, so the forest areas around his home were covered in a sheet of white. The scripture I used reminds me that God's blessings are for all of us, both the good and the evil. Therefore, I should thrive to love everyone equally just like He does, even though it's not always easy. I am also submitting these photographs to 52 Photos Project: Gallery 39 {Wide Open Spaces}, Artist's Play Room #40 - Weather, Mandarin Orange Monday #26, and Orange You Glad It's Friday #22.

The art journal page above is a study of Saint Micah, who prophesied that the King of Israel would be born in Bethlehem, 700 years before Jesus was born. I did this drawing for my post at the Twenty Minute Challenge blog. (I thoroughly enjoy writing icons, so eventually I'll use this as a basis to do one of Micah.) I began with a quick pencil outline, and then proceeded to do the detailing using a micron pen. I barely had time to finish the drawing in the allotted time, so I had to do all the lettering afterwards. I love this quote from Micah 6:8, although I sometimes struggle with leading a humble life. I am often influenced by the Capitalist system and the consumerist society in which I live. May God have mercy on me. I am submitting this piece to Three Muses - Quote and Journal Page, Art Journal Journey - Crowns, Paint Party Friday, and Artists in Blogland.

Last, but not least, I illustrated the second page of my book titled, Anel's Favorite Things, as part of my Tag Tuesday Alphabet series. You may have seen the first page in last week's post. I began by doing a pencil drawing, and then inking it with a micron pen. Next, I used Prismacolor pencils and some Marvy markers to illustrate the drawing. I matted my drawing on some striped print cardstock and mounted it on a tag base. I used a Martha Stewart stamp for the letter "B," and then hand lettered the rest of the text. I am using a book ring to bind my pages. Anel and I are having a great time illustrating the book and hopefully get it published some day. LOL! I am also submitting this page to the Order of the Opus Gluei: Challenge #148 Pink Colour, and Sunday Sketches.

This brings me to the end of this weeks post. May the Lord quench our spirit's thirst, help us love our neighbors, and keep us humble. Have a wonderful week!

Art Smorgasbord: Little of This and That

Greetings! Today's post is truly an Art Smorgasbord, because it's a little of this and that. However, it is light - LOL!

First of all, I have a Black & White photograph that represents where I am right now. Although not perfect, I feel I am a solid Christian, husband, father, artist and educator, just like the tree. I also try to keep a heart that is inviting to others, just like the bench. The sidewalk represents the clean path I thrive to keep in life, which can lead to a bright future. The pennies in the Sepia photograph represent my wishes for the future of continued love, joy, peace, health, and financial security. I am submitting these photographs to 52 Photos Project: Gallery 38 {Right Now}, Orange You Glad It's Friday, Mandarin Orange Monday 24, and Three Muses: Something Sepia.

The pen and ink sketch in my art journal is the one I posted a couple of days ago on The Twenty Minute Challenge. I titled it "A Little Heritage." It is a preliminary quick study for a pastel that I am planning, which is based on a photograph of a friend's daughter. Hopefully, I'll be able to work on it soon. I am submitting it to Paint Party Friday: Week 43, Year 2, Sunday Sketches, and Illustration Friday - Edge.

The tag above is the first of a series that I resolved to work on for my posts on Tag Tuesday - Alphabet. As a parent, artist and educator, I love children's books and have written and illustrated a couple of them - non have been published yet. I wrote the text for a new ABC book based on ©Anel, an original character of mine, which I'll be illustrating during the next 25 weeks. I plan to do the illustrations using a black micron pen, Prismacolor pencils, and markers. I am also submitting this to Artist's Play Room #39 - Resolutions and to Crazy Amigo Challenge: Pink and Blue.

Last, but not least, I worked on another page in my art journal for Word Art Wednesday: Challenge #62 Hearts, where I am the January guest designer. It is a kind of rebus that wraps around the page and is based on Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." I did my own lettering, but you can find a free digi with the scripture on the WAW post. Since I feel that as a man I should use my artistic gifts to glorify His name, I am also submitting this page to Take A Word Challenge - Art (and what it means to you) and Collage Obsession: Man.

I hope you enjoyed today's post of this and that, which I am submitting in closing to What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday #188. I hope its lightness kept you from getting indigestion - LOL! Thank you for your heartfelt comments on last week's post and have a blessed week.

Art Smorgasbord - Put On The New Self

Happy 2013! It's a new year, so it's the perfect opportunity to reflect on Paul's letter to Colossians 3 and "Put On The New Self." Therefore, in this post I will "seek the things that are above, where Christ is, at the right hand of God… not on things that are on earth."

Over at Artists in Blogland: Fall Fearless and Fly Challenge #7, Joanne Sharpe challenged us to reflect in our art journals on the perfection/imperfection of what our lives turned out to be. As a human, my life has not been perfect, and probably never will be. However, I can thrive to follow Paul's advice and "put to death" what is earthly in me. How can I do this? According to Paul, I need to put on a compassionate heart, be kind, humble, meek, patient, bear with others, and be forgiving. However, above all, I need to "put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." I composed my art journal entry based on the latter quote. I started by writing the key words with a gel pen and layering watercolor washes using a paint scraper. When it was dry, I collaged some scraps of Oriental script and highlighted different areas with a water soluble pencil. Next, I lettered the text with a micron pen, and added some markings on the corners. The rebus heart was done with water soluble pencils too. As a finishing touch, I added a K&Company Smash tab and a faux stamp. I am also submitting this page to Paint Party Friday: Week 42 Year 2 and What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #187.

In the same spirit of renewal, I designed the two pieces above. The first piece, which I titled "2013 Renewal," is in my post for Tag Tuesday - New Year. You can read all about it there, as well as how I tried a new technique I learned from a Martha Stewart glittering kit. I am submitting the tag to Simon Says Stamp Challenge: New Something and to the Crazy Amigo Challenge - Happy New Year. I designed the invitation for Word Art Wednesday Challenge #61 - Trust, where I'm the guest designer for the month of January. (Thank you, Karen!) I used a Tim Holtz card base and attached a faux postcard, as well as a postage stamp to it. I hand lettered a portion of Psalm 118:8 on the postcard with a calligraphy marker - you can download a similar digi of the scripture for free on the WAW blog. I hand colored the digi36801 Crosses Border by Eureka, who is one of our 3 sponsors this week at WAW, with colored pencils and markers. I glued the border to my card, and enhanced the central cross with Glossy Accents. As a finishing touch, I tied a strip of ribbon along the bottom portion. I am also submitting the invitation to Simon Says Stamp and Show: Totally Mad (No Rules) Tea Party and the Order of the Opus Gluei: Challenge #47 - Free For All.

Last, but not least, I want to renew my vow to my Lord with the two pieces above. The first one is a pen and ink drawing I did back in the year 2000, for my brother, who has it prominently displayed in his living room. I titled it "El Calvario" or "The Calvary." I gave it to him as a reminder that Jesus was the atonement for our sins. Therefore, Resurrection Sunday, or Easter, is one of the most important celebrations in the Christian calendar in my mind. I am submitting this piece to the Artist's Play Room #38 - Celebrate. The photograph, which I took last week during a walk with my daughters, is a reminder to me of the importance of leading my daughters in the way of the Lord. Although I will perish or "fade away" someday, I want to make sure they are saved. I am submitting this photograph to 52 Photos Project: Gallery 37 {Softly Fade Away}.

In closing, I want to wish you all love, joy, peace, health, and a financial stability during 2013. May we all put on a "New Self." Godspeed!