An Artful Life

Living an artful life is something I've enjoyed ever since I can remember.  My love for art was nurtured by my parents who exposed me to museums, various types of fine art classes, art materials and books throughout my upbringing.  Therefore, I've enjoyed sharing my artful life with family, friends, and now through the joys of blogging.


The first piece I'm sharing today is a birthday card I made for my oldest daughter.  I was inspired by the paper bag fold tutorial by my friend Karen Letchworth, but added my own twists.  First of all, I folded the bottom portion of the Kraft paper bag only 3/4 up, cut 2 cardstock panels, glued them in place, and sewed the sides to form the 2 pockets.  I decorated the front panel with a gold foil doily, various flowers, various beads, hand cut banners, calligraphy, a birthday sticker, stamp pad distressing, liquid pearls, and a ribbon, as well as a heart and crown cut with Tim Holtz dies.  As a way for my family to write personal notes, I made 3 round tabbed cards to insert in the front pocket by using punches, stamps and a mini stapler.  I also included some chocolates in the back pocket.  Of course, I had to coordinate the presents' wrapping by using Kraft paper, lavender ribbons, and other girly accents (See top right section of the photographic montage).  I am submitting this piece to Simon Says Stamp and Show - Kraft Challenge, Blog dos Desafios #17 - Banners, and Manon Visser's Paper Saturdays.


I shared this second piece with my Design Team comrades at Tag Tuesday - Letter X.  My inspiration came from "Chi," the Greek name for the letter "X" and the initial used for the name of Christ, whom they call Xpiotós.  You may recall that last week I used the Tim Holtz cabinet dies and the stripes embossing folder to make the scrap plastic frame for my Letter W Tag.  Being a thrifty and environmentally conscious artist, I layed the inner cut over a hand painted church bulletin to make this week's tag foundation.  I like the church stained glass window effect it gave the tag.  I drew, watercolored, and fuzzy cut the small figure of Christ.   I attached Him along with a small label and three Martha Stewart star gems to the tag.  As a finishing touch, I tied some ribbons and rickrack as toppers.  I am also submitting this piece to Sarah Evan's Inspire SuccessCrazy Amigo Challenge: Men's Card, Diana Evan's 10 Minute Warm Up, and Marcia Beckett's Artist's In Blogland.


The next piece I'm sharing with you today, is an art journal drawing inspired by the actress, humanitarian and queen of style, Audrey Hepburn.  Although it's OK, it does not resemble Audrey Hepburn and I had a series of frustrating moments when working on it.  I started with a quick pencil sketch which truly resembled her.  However, I used a set of .05 to .5 Copic inking pens to complete the drawing.  Although I like the way they work, the line work was extremely fine for the look I wanted to achieve.  Therefore, I decided to use a Pentel color brush to go over the lines.  Well, the ink lines started bleeding and ruined the artwork on the page behind.  I did some corrections to my drawing, but the resemblance was lost.  (I still don't know what to do to fix the artwork on the page behind.)  Anyway, I am submitting this piece to Inspiration Avenue - Audrey Hepburn, Jennifer McLean's Artist's Playroom #62 - What Makes You Angry, and Julia Dunnit's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #211.


The icon done in pastels of Father Abraham, who is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims, is a piece I'm submitting to Seth Apter's Buried Treasure.  Father Abraham's story is truly remarkable, because it perfectly illustrates the importance of faith in God's Word and of God's grace on humanity's sinful nature.  The posts where I featured him didn't get much visibility because I didn't have many followers at the time and was not linking to very many blogs either.  I only had around half a dozen comments about him over a series of 3 postings about him.  LOL!  I posted this photograph of the finished piece in my post regarding my reflections on November 13, 2011, but you can see a photograph of its conception in the October 10, 2011 post and a photograph of its showing in my November 27, 2011 post.  I am also submitting this piece to Word Art Wednesday #85 and Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday Week 15-Year 3.




The 3 photographs above are of other various ways in which I create an artful life for myself.  The mushrooms came up in my backyard after a rainy day.  In order to enhance their beauty, I edited the photograph on Pixelmator by sharpening the image, adding a vintage filter, saturating the warm colors, and blurring the edges.  The dinner plate is of a simple dinner of quesadillas, guacachile, and fresh nopalitos salad that I made for my family.  I think color and presentation make dinners much more appetizing.  Last, but not least, I have a photographic montage of a center piece I did for the Father's Day luncheon at my church.  I took cuts from flowering bushes and arranged them in an aluminum pail.  Then, I incorporated them into a cascade of tablecloths, burlap, a rabbit skin, antlers, mason jars, tea lights, and a ram skull.  (The Sunday School's dove was a serendipity touch - LOL!)  Not only did it look manly and artsy, but it reminded me of the atonement altars mentioned in the Bible.  I am submitting the photograph of the mushrooms to Take a Word Challenge - Botanical, Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #43, and Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #47; the photograph of the dinner plate to 52 Photos Project: Gallery 9 {Chopped}Jen Price's In the Studio, and Ramona's Inspire Me Monday - Week 77; and the photographic montage of the luncheon to The Order of the Opus Gluei: Challenge #159 Give Me Wings.

I hope you enjoyed this week's tour of my artful life.  I want to thank all my followers, as well as all of you who left comments regarding my post last week.  Blessings!

Comments

Melanie said…
Love the art work you have made. And the diner was looking good to.
Liefs, Melanie
Arnoldo: Your art is ALWAYS a blessing to me. I LOVE your paper bag pocket. VERY pretty and the best thing about tutorials is that you can take the basic idea and make it uniquely your own. Absolutely wonderful job! Hope you're having a blessed week, and please join us if you're able.
Karen
Word Art Wednesday
Lunch Lady Jan said…
I really love icons...the painting is so beautiful. And yours continues in that tradition. Maybe you could try one in oil paint next!
Hugs, LLJ 43 xx
Julia Dunnit said…
You do indeed lead an artful life and I ALWAYS enjoy the tour!
Annie Claxton said…
Hi there, it was really interesting to learn a bit more about you - I love your artwork, especially the Father Abraham icon. Annie C #113
TwinkleToes2day said…
What a fabulous lot of wonderful art Arnoldo. It is always a pleasure to pop by and enjoy a feast of your own wonderful style :0)
Paper rainbow said…
Beautiful card for your daughter.
Faye said…
Wonderful post, Arnoldo. I especially like the icon in pastels of Abraham. The colors are beautiful and bright. I also like the tags. Audrey still resembles Audrey. I knew who it was. Very good work.
Leovi said…
Que ricas... me encantan las setas!
Meghana Hassan said…
Absolutely stunning art.. Me too am crafty person, more of miniature doll stuffs....
April said…
What a variety of good things this week. The portrait of Abraham caught my eye. It reminds me of one of the gothic artists I studied in Humanities in school. I wish I could remember which one - I really like it. And dinner looks fabulous. Now I'm hungry. :-) As always I've enjoyed your artful life.
April #143
Unknown said…
oh how beautiful is your art!!! wonderful work and love your photos!!!!
Solange Barreto said…
Olá Romero.
Lindo projeto. Sua filha deve ter ficado muito feliz.
Obrigada por participar do blog dos desafios.
Gostei muito dos outros projetos também. Amo pintura. Minha mãe pinta oléo sobre tela e porcelana.
Adoro conviver com arte.
Fique com Deus.
HeARTworks said…
Oh my gosh, I LOOOOVE quesadillas! And it is lunchtime here! Anyway I also love your Jesus tag- the colors, the "stained glass" background- perfect! You are really an artistic person- I would have loved a bigger picture of the centerpiece. You're doing great! have a great weekend! It is my husband's birthday and I am going to attempt making paella for the first time! Patsy from
HeARTworks
Ayala Art said…
Oh that is terrible that the page behind got ruined! :o( I am always afraid of that, so I use gesso or a coat of matte medium before I even do pencil on a page anymore!
No idea how to fix the ruined page, except maybe if you scanned it already, print it and collage it on top? Or maybe depending on what it is.... repaint?
Good luck anyway, and thanks for sharing all the res of images!
Chat Noir said…
Great things to absorb from your week...much to think about here. The dove in the photograph for Fathers Day reminds me of one I use at Christmas - its simple lines convey so much. Thank you for joining us at Opus Gluei and varying our collection of artistry.
VonnyK said…
I love all of your artwork, as always and that card is stunning. Love how you co-ordinated with the wrapping on the present.
Have fun.
Von #27 & PPF
sharon said…
The standout this week for me is the Abraham icon, it is wonderful. Blessings.
Giggles said…
You are truly blessed living such an artful life while honoring your god and your passion at the same time! Kudos to you!! Lovely work my friend!

Hugs Giggles
Paula (PEP) said…
It's hard to know where to start with today's post - just a delightful savouring of so much creativity. My husband, Richard, tends to be the recipient of colourful dinners as a result of my catering background so I really appreciated your dinner plate arrangement, not to mention the Father's Day table centre - terrific biblical imagery in that one. Belated birthday greetings for your daughter - love the kraft & lilac colours & your wrapping is just gorgeous.
My favourite has to be the little "X" tag - love the way you used the Church Bulletin as part of the construction plus the way your ribbon tails echo Christ's upraised arms. A real beauty that - plus with my husband's passion for Ancient Greek it just 'speaks' to me. R still recovering from knee surgery so I'm on woodland & garden maintenance duties.
Paula (PEP)
Jen Price said…
I agree. A colorful dinner plate is always so much more appetizing!
Breesmimi said…
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a kind comment earlier. You are so very talented and gifted. I especially loved your X painting of Jesus. HPPF! and Blessings on your week!
Theresa Plas said…
an artist, a gardener AND a chef...it doesn't get much better than that! Happy PPF!
krcmasterpiece said…
Love all your pieces. Your talent is multi-fasited-(not sure how to spell fantastic!!)
Ivy said…
Beautiful post! I especially adore your icon, so much expression and feeling in this one. HPPF!
Candy C said…
Arnoldo...once again, inspiring art. :) Your birthday card for your daughter is so lovely...something I am sure she will treasure. How many DADS do you know that give their daughter birthday cards. Usually it is the Mom who buys the cards. How special it is to have a Dad who actually MAKES a card. :) Your "X" tag is gorgeous, too. And your Father Abraham piece is stunning. Finally, your art journal entry is also lovely. I admire your sketching. I'm going to start trying to do more art journaling in my "down time". You are inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing your art with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy
Carolyn Dube said…
You have created such an artful place!
Mary C. Nasser said…
Another wonderfully prolific and artful week for you!!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
Valerie-Jael said…
Looks like you had a creative week, with lots of beautiful work to show for it. My fave is Father Abraham! Valerie
Jenni C's said…
i love the intensity of Abraham, your week truly looks as if you created with love and joy!
Linda Kunsman said…
beautiful card for the kraft challenge. Love your tag(thanks for the great information:). Lovely sketch-I too love Audrey for her films, but mostly for her humanitarianism too. Your icon is stunning Arnoldo! But now I must go...I'm hungry now :):)
PaintingWrite said…
You are always so creative - I agree that the stained glass window effect over the church bulletin is perfect - I love how that tag turned out and your card to your daughter is beautiful - what a wonderful thing for her to cherish. That dinner looks delicious and healthy too!
Anne Manda said…
So much goodness and creativity in your week! Love your birthday card and present to your daughter, so sweet and pretty! The icon is truly beautiful, too! Dinner looks delicious! :)
Ida said…
Very enjoyable post. You are quite talented in many ways. I like your artful life very much. M
GlorV1 said…
Your daughter will love the card, I'm sure. What a wonderful things to do. All your pieces are very creative. Looks like you are indeed enjoying your summer. The food looks delish.:)
Christina said…
Wow! You are prolific! What beautiful and detail-rich art you made this week; I very much enjoyed reading your post.
Patrice said…
Happy belated Father's Day, Arnoldo - love that icon! I hope you'll link up at 52 Card Pickup this week!

http://www.oldbackporch.com/2013/06/52-card-pickup-225.html
I love the way you started your post...so wonderful! Art means so much to so many of us out here in blogland and you hit on that so well.
Love your daughter's card, and the way you used kraft as your base, and how it's a pocket for goodies! So cool! The elements and decor on it are wonderful and perfect for daddy's princess!
Beautiful artwork throughout, and I was bummed about your Audrey piece too, and the bleeding...trial and error is sometimes no fun at all.
Thank you for krafting with us this week here at Simon Says Stamp & Show!
Tracey FK said…
Visiting and watching all of the ways that you challenge and express your self is always inspiring... from food, to photos, to your paper work you live a truly creative life...xx
bellefrogworks said…
Arnoldo - your daughter will cherish that card. To have a dad that spends time like that - it just shows the great love you have for her. As always all your art (and you do so many different things) feeds my soul - as your dinner picture makes me hungry. Blessings -
Deepa Gopal said…
Love the many variations and variety in your art...They are so beautiful! To be brought up in art loving family always helps to do and grow better... I am trying the same in my daughter who enjoys art as I do.

Donno why I haven't 'follow'ed you yet! Off to join you...
Deepa
http://deepazworld.blogspot.in/
maria said…
I've always loved your work Arnoldo. That card is sweet and I'm sure your daughter will cherish it. The shrooms are looking cute and the food made me hungry. I want some quesadillas now! :)

Have a great weekend!
Birgitta said…
Wonderful artwork! So creative!
MaiThreeBoyz said…
The card for your daughter is very beautiful. I'm sure your daughter would love that.
beautiful artwork :) I love Abraham especially. You are such a creative soul
Love the card you made, talk about a keeper. Beautiful art and a productive week I'd say :-)
wow... so many creative things going on with you!! that is awesome! i love the centerpiece you made for the father's day luncheon. such a wonderful added touch to the event! happy to see you link up with 'in the studio'! :)
Love your inspirations! It's always a joy to see what you are working on. My parents also took me to art museums and shared art books, so I thought that was very sweet! And thank you for your kind words on my work as well.
Sarah Leonard said…
Wow what a packed post! So much goodness. The gift tag is just too pretty to end to someone surely!

I like your Audrey pic too. I think the mystery girl revealed in your work has a lot of style!

Thanks for linking up!

Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity
Lynn Cohen said…
Beautiful art, that card rocks! Love Abraham, am sure my grand father was named after him. HPPF !
minnemie said…
Awwww, I bet your daughter simply LOVED and thoroughly enjoyed the card and presentation of the gift as much as the content! What fun to have a creative dad!!
Joy Murray said…
all your work and writing is so wonderful, but I'm especially drawn to the icon of Father Abraham. How amazing that it's done in pastel I'm only just now learning to use pastel and I love the vibrant color you've achieved and the detail in his expression. Thanks for creating such wonderful work.
Jez said…
Your daughter must have been so happy with your lovely pocket card. And as always, every piece you show has interest and beauty, and reflects your personality so well. Always a pleasure to read.
as always is your art a blessing to me! FANTASTIC!
Meihsia Liu said…
Wow... love all the artworks you've created here. They are just fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing. :)
Anna-Karin said…
The card to your daughter is gorgeous! Love all the layers, the design and details. Another beautiful post! Thank you so much for sharing your krafty ideas with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!
manomij said…
I really enjoyed reading your post and your daughter is a very lucky girl. I hope it was a big back pocket on that card...more space for chocies!
Happy Paper Saturdays :)
Manonx
Annemor said…
Always a delight to see what you have done. The Father's Day caught my eye.
Have a nice evening.
Mormor

http://www.starbear.no/mormor/2013/06/23/mandarin-orange-monday/
Anonymous said…
Oh my...that makes me so hungry! Wonderful "chopped" image!
Ficou lindo o seu projeto!
Obrigada pela sua participação no Blog dos Desafios.
beijos
lorik said…
An interesting post - the food sounds and looks fantastic! And imagine having mushrooms popping up in your yard - edible ones to. Great mushroom pic! Thank you, as always, for your contribution to Mandarin Orange Monday:)
Winnie said…
You give me a feast for the eyes each week. What I love is that you share so much of ourself and the various aspects of yourself. Your Tag using the church bulletin is genius! I was not a follower when you shared your Father Abraham pieces. Your depiction of him is wonderful! I love how you take photos of wild mushrooms and they are so artful. I have them and never thought to take a photo! Enjoy the week!
Liz said…
Very creative! Have a fabulous week!

Liz (mlc)
Liz (yacb)
maria f. said…
So much wonderful art to enjoy here!
Regina said…
Arnold!! Your work is always amazing. I love your paper bag pocket and it´s great to see your own "signature" on this project. You are so talented and an inspiration to all of us. Thanks for joining us at Blog dos Desafios. Have a great week!
Barb Cady said…
Another fabulous post from you dear friend. I love the icon, it is beautiful. All of this post is wonderful, you ate thriving on your holiday I think! X
Rosemary said…
Sigh, you are incredibly talented and God has blessed you with great riches - which I know is no surprise to YOU! You are so grateful and write the best posts.

I was just showing off your work to my husband who is working right next to me on work projects and he too was impressed by the breadth of variety you have and the professionalism of each piece. I love the Audrey piece, even if it is not a photographic duplicate - and I like it because it captures her smile and her eyes which radiated so much joy and peace, both in her film roles and her later life with the UN via UNICEF. Your Father's Day sounds like it was perfect and I love that you made a photo collage and used WINGS in it. As always, the Poobahs of Opus Gluei love seeing Arnoldo's name and projects pop up! Thank you for sharing with us!
Jo Ann said…
Very fancy projects here. It's full of life and colors. Thanks for blessing us with your artwork at Word Art Wednesday this week. Hope you'll join us again. Big hugs, always!

JO ANN
http://jatterburycreations.blogspot.com
Hi Arnoldo, Although I have visited your blog before, today I am visiting you as part of Seth’s Buried Treasure project. Thank you for sharing your wonderful treasures. I love the uniqueness of your style and the diversity of your art but most of all, it is the passion that defines all your work I find most appealing. I don’t know how I missed doing so before but I have now become a follower of your blog through both Google and Bloglovin’ and I look forward to seeing more of your pieces in the future.
:) Chris / CS Designs