Art Smorgasbord - Short

It's been extremely busy for me lately.  However, I continue to feel blessed by my family and friends for their love and support.  Praise the Lord!  In addition, I also feel blessed for the little time I've spent in my studio.  Therefore, my posting this week is short and sweet.


I designed the card above for Bog dos Desafios #16, where I was asked to be one of their "Guest Designers."  It features parchment craft, an ancient art form that is believed to have developed in Spain and brought to America by the Church of Spain during the Spanish conquest.  However, I used some modern techniques which made it much easier to make.  I began by using a Tim Holtz Regal embossing folder with a diffuser to create a border on a sheet of vellum.  Then, I used a Fiskars Parchamoré template to incorporate the outline of my rose.  I like this system because it allows for some originality, depending on the designs you draw and the colors you use in the various fields.  I used Scotch vellum tape to strategically tack down my finished piece to the card base and taped two strips of ribbon along the left border to secure it.  Next, I made a frilly bow using a Mini-Bowdabra system and glued it over the ribbon strips.  I used a Tim Holtz mini ticket die, a blue stamp pad, and a calligraphy marker to create the tag.  I am also submitting this card to Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Anything GoesWord Art Wednesday: Challenge #82Manon's Paper Saturdays, and Inspire Me Monday - Week 74.


I did the art journal page above over a week ago, but I hadn't posted it.  Before I went into the education field, I was in the advertising field and worked for a small chain of department stores.  One of my favorite tasks were the fashion illustrations that I sometimes had to do for newspaper ads.  Although this is a simple pen and ink line drawing, the dress is much more glamorous than the ones I illustrated for the stores' ads.  LOL!  This original design was inspired by the fashion designs of the 1950's.  For some additional visual interest, I assembled a simple collage using two Tim Holtz salvage stickers and a K&Company die cut.  I also added the date using a K&Company Smash sticky note that had some scissors printed on it.  I am submitting this page to Collage Obsession - Open ChallengeJulia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #208Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #40Paint Party Friday: Week 12, Year 3Diana's 10-Minute Warm UpAlexandra's Sunday Sketches, and Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #44.

© Arnoldo L. Romero
Last, but not least, I have a photograph I took at Texas A&M about six weeks ago during a parent meeting I attended at the Architectural department.  That is where my oldest daughter is currently working on her degree.  This modern architectural detail is found on the ceiling of a crossway in the main entrance of Langford building.  I just loved the waves that were formed by the molded wood lattice like design, and the way the ceiling light rays came through.  I took the photograph using my iPhone 4s, and then adjusted the color to Black and white.  I also added a blurred edge using iPhoto, which has sort of become my trademark.  LOL!  I am submitting this photograph to Bella's 52 Photos Project: Gallery 6 {Uncommon Shapes}.

Hope you enjoyed my short post.  I want to thank everyone for the kind words and prayers they left on my post last week.  My daughter's bronchitis is under control, and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel in all other issues.  I also thoroughly appreciate the motivating comments about my work.  Blessings!

Comments

Valerie-Jael said…
Love the embossed vellum and that sparkly Eiffel Tower! Sorry you have so little time just now, I do enjoy being a pensioner and able to create all day long! Valerie
Anonymous said…
What a perfect capture for the 52 photos project! I just adore the card...so you!
Giggles said…
The card is gorgeous and your vintage style page is beautiful too!! Very nice work...hopefully time will free up for more creativity soon!!

Hugs Giggles
manomij said…
I love this and the history that goes with it! Thank you for sharing!
Happy Paper Saturdays!
Manon
Mary C. Nasser said…
Lovely card and journal page!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
Jez said…
Yes, Arnoldo, I did enjoy your post, and all the pictures. I particularly liked the drawing of the 1950s dress, just like the ones I remember from then but never had the occasion to need one! Hope all is well with your daughter now.
robin. said…
what a GREAT uncommon shape photo!!!
Melanie said…
Youre hand made card is very pretty and the journal page is lovely. You can draw beautyful ladys. Hope you will have a nice weekend.
Liefs, Melanie
Unknown said…
oh I love everything in your post especially that lady with the dress!!! wow!!! so happy you shared your link!!!!
Your card and art are just wonderful, as always. I SO enjoy your work and am always very blessed to see it and to have you share with us in our challenges. Thanks also for your kind, thoughtful comments on my blog. You are a blessing and encouragement to me.
Have a blessed week,
Karen
Word Art Wednesday
Netty said…
Thank you for sharing the photograph, illustration and beautiful parchment craft, which is something I always adore looking at.Happy PPF, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/
PiaRom said…
Love your journalpage with the glamorous girl in paris :) nicebackground ♥ Conny
http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de
Winnie said…
Great pieces! Your card is so pretty and I enjoyed earning about that technique! I think your sketches are so wonderful. I am glad to hear your daughter is feeling better top!
Linda Kunsman said…
Arnoldo your blue card is breathtaking!!! Fashion designer too huh? Love your page with that beautiful gown and sparkly Eiffel Tower!
Leovi said…
Me gusta el misterio y la luz que desprende esta composición en B&N!
Unknown said…
Arnoldo,
The card is magnificent, so delicate and fragile looking. The photo shot is superb and your sketch is wonderful.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful artwork with us during the beginning of June.
Abundant Blessings,
Carole Robb Bisson
Word Art Wednesday
Paula (PEP) said…
I'm glad you are glimpsing light.........& that your duaghter is improved. Your parchment work is lovely & original with your ribbons & the way you created the whole design.
Your second piece is my favourite - she looks super with your addition of the elements symbolising Paris - isn't the power of association wonderful for my brain automatically thought Parisian Fashion & Haute Couture.
Hope you continue to move towards that daylight.....
Paula (PEP)
Ida said…
You are quite talented. Beautiful cards (the first one is so delicate and pretty). Loved the Fashion drawing too and your photo is so interesting. Thanks for stopping by my blog(s).
Adri Munhoz said…
Arnoldo, wonderful job! Love it! Thanks for sharing it at Blog dos Desafios. Blessings
VonnyK said…
Your card is gorgeous and I love your French inspired journal page.
Love your post as always.
Von
Joy Murray said…
Well, I suppose it was short for you, but it seems like you got a lot of great work done. I love all the pieces. The fashion illustration/journal page is very nice -- it's got a nice glamorous vintage feel to it. Love the photograph of modern architecture -- you have a great eye!
Gemiel said…
What a beautiful card!! The embossed vellum is simply stunning. I just love the sketch!! A dress fit for a fashionista. It made me think of my mom and some of the old photos of her that I've been scrapbooking lately. Women were so glamorous back then. Glad to hear that your daughter is better and things are looking up. Blessings!!
Dawny P said…
This is lovely :) I really like the design and colours you used. Thank you for joining us over at the Simon Says Stamp challenge. Hugs, Dawny x
Unknown said…
Love the history that goes with the card...Happy Paper Saturday. :)
maria said…
All are beautiful Arnoldo. Glad to hear her bronchitis is under control. I pray that she recovers fast.

Barb Cady said…
Lovely post Arnoldo! I used to do parchment craft but it took so long, but what a clever idea for such a pretty card. I. Especially like the photograph of the ceiling, very interesting. I'm glad your daughter is recovering, I wish for you all a wonderful June to recuperate, best wishes, barb .
Anne Manda said…
Beautiful card and love the journal page, gorgeous!
Anonymous said…
Such good news about your daughter....bronchitis takes forever to get rid of, so that she is better is such a blessing. Your card is gorgeous and your illustration sublime...love that photograph, great architectural detail and you captured it beautifully. Be well. Happy PPF
Maria Medeiros said…
Arnoldo wonderful work! Really beautiful card! Lovely sketch! So elegant! I love the photo! Love the pattern and really like that its black and wight. Lovely and have a great week!!
Deepa Gopal said…
It's nice to see that even with so little time you managed to put up a good post. Loved your card and the effect on it. Loved your journal page as well and your lady outline looks wow! The wavy ceiling is great too :)
HPPF!
Debbie said…
Your card is beautiful and the lady you drew is really great! The photo is so interesting especially the way you edited it. Good job. I'm so glad your daughter is doing better! Thank God. Smiles
Ginny said…
All of your work is beautiful and so different. Thank you for sharing so much of the process that you use when you create.
Joni Nickrent said…
Beautiful card and journal page Awesome work. Happy SS
Lynn Cohen said…
That ceiling photo really got a Wow knock the breath out response from me this morning!!! WOW!!!

Pretty card. You have been creatively busy per usual. Nice to see it all.
EarlK said…
Wonderful art journal page. The design shows the flavor of Paris. Well done.


Earl
Loving your cards and the meaning behind them. Always blessed when I visit your "home" here. :)
Michellem said…
LOVE that art journal page - gorgeous silhouette!
Love the sketch...so beautiful is she! The card is so elegant as well!
Create With Joy said…
Thank you for sharing your talents with us at Inspire Me Monday. I love seeing your beautiful artwork!

Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com
lissa said…
that card looks wonderful. thanks for your visit.

have a great day.
Esme said…
I really like your art journal-I enjoy anything with a Parisian theme-and that dress is great.
Tracey FK said…
Glad things are more under control... and that photo is stunning... I would have spent all my time staring at that roof and wouldn't have taken in a minute of the meeting ... sorry I am so late for Sunday Sketches and PPF this week... have no clue where the time has gone...xx
lorik said…
Glad your daughter is better - and what an elegant drawing you have for us this week. I like the placement against the eiffel tower too. Thank you again for being part of Mandarin Orange Monday:)