#header-inner { margin: auto; text-align: center; }

Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Elephant in the Room


Last weekend Mr. Alberta cleaned out our basement which was full the furniture and boxes we moved from Mississippi last year when we sold his family's home. Now, Mr. Al is a liberal from waaaaay back, and many of the boxes were full of old newspapers and Time magazines hoarded from the Watergate era of the 1970's. Buried deep in one of the boxes, however, was Mr. Al's favorite childhood book called Cars, Trucks, and Trains. Knowing my penchant for old picture books, Mr. Al generously shared his treasure with me, asking only that I not cut the book up. So, I promised him that I would photocopy the pictures that I want to use, and that's where the wonderfully graphic speedometer image in this collage came from. The challenge this week This Thursday was to 'Raid My Stash," a challenge that I really enjoyed because, boy, do I EVER have a stash! I've been saving this lovely turbaned lady and penguin for just the right project, and the elephant is at least three months old.

For quite some time, Ava has encouraged me to try to show some of my work in a local coffee shop, and I've been working on a few pieces for that. Here's the first thing I finished; it's 12 X 12 mixed media collage on canvas. I just used my standard materials: acrylic,watercolor, gel pens, and highlighters. Please give me any suggestions that you think would help. I've never tried to show my work before, and I'm pretty nervous about putting myself out there!

8 comments:

Femmy said...

fantastic colourful card!!!

Liz said...

Wow this is brilliant! Just been looking at your other posts - fantastic - I really love your style :D

Liz x

Staci Danford said...

I love, love your stuff so much. I visit your site daily for my "little dose of HAPPY".. Not even sure how I originally found your blog but am overjoyed that I did. Traveling from one site to another has been more fun than anything I've done in a long time. I am a blogging baby but WOOW what amazing wonderful fun.. You are so unbeliebable talented. You most surely should show your work. Even my mother- who is not an ounce creative or colorful (bless her heart) has secret fun looking at your site. I always say she's the last JUNE CLEVER cooking in pearls. haha Thanks again for Joy, and inspiration. Keep on creating.
Staci

PS. Your profile story about you and your sister is precious, darling.. Made me cry.

nancy said...

Mucho Coo-ell, as usu-ell!
Nancy

Giggles said...

You have an amazing style Alberta....and a cool name too!! I digress...get yourself out there girl!!! Your art is fantastic, vibrant, smart and real eye candy!! I love seeing pieces like yours in a coffee shop....it excites me....fires me up and inspires me!! The worst thing that can happen is they say no....the answer is always "no" if you don't ask... but what if.....?.....what if they say YES!!! Glory to you and a huge affirmation....keep knocking on doors....I am sincere.... I love your art!!

Hugs Sherrie

*jean* said...

If you can do it here, you can do it there....

rock on, girlfriend, what have you got to lose???

your work is fun and whimsical and guaranteed to make people smile and look again....

jean

Kris Dickinson said...

I love your wonderful and totally unique art! What an amazing blog!

Barbara Hagerty said...

This is fabulous, Alberta! And if you don't put your work "out there", then the world will suffer for the lack of it! You are brilliant, funny, funky, colorful, beautiful....and whatever else you chose to be at the time you're making art! Thanks for playing along with This Thursday! What a great piece...and a great speedometer, too!