My Postcards On Their Way

This January through the challenge I met some wonderful artists and work. On Shiela's blog, I learned about a postcard swap run by Kat Sloma and got hooked on the idea. Ok, my daughter works for a professional printer and decided to get an estimate.  I knew I would need to print more than just the 5 needed for the swap but wasn't quite ready to print 100. So I decided to print them myself at a photo printer and paste the backs with card stock.

Postcards Ready to Go

First printing didn't come out so well because of the different proportions here. I thought they could print my 11 x 15 cm files on the 13 x 18 cm size and I would trim them to size.  Didn't quite work out that way and they printed up to large without margins... Rechecked my files to see that they were indeed 11 x 15 and they were.  Back to another printer and the same thing happened, saw on the monitor without printing. They suggested that I try to paste my file on the larger file in photoshop.  In the end used the "canvas size" option to get the results.  Had them trimmed at the printers and was ready to make the backings since I couldn't order stick on backs and no printer prints both sides like my first estimate.  Looked over the tutorial and found the best way for me was 3 strips of double sided tape and UHU stick. Pasted on one edge and trimmed the other 3 sides. My daughter didn't like the backs because they were hand made.

Well, maybe next year I will print professionally... What will I do with 100 postcards?  The price was good about 40 cents a card. Any suggestions!!!!

Rock Face Abstract

I am missing the dynamics of the January 30 x 30. Not jut the painting but also all the work in the background. Photography and post editing, posting the blog and linking up. Anyone else feeling this vacuum?

This has been on the burner for quite awhile, mainly for 2 reasons. The first Heleni thought that it worked in its current stage, and two I was busy with the January 30 x 30 challenge to really tackle it. I felt it was just the beginning and needed more definition.

I finally decided to use a dry media on this work. Oil pastels with medium and without in order to retain the free and spontaneous feel but with not too much overwork. I was pleased with the result and Heleni was as well!

Second Stage

Thinned oils  and Oil Pastel

on gessoed cardboard

35 x 35 Cm

Stage I

Thinned oils on gessoed cardboard

35 x 35 Cm

Thirty in Thirty Day Collage and Closing Thoughts

So why should you join this challenge? The challenge is not about finishing 30 gallery quality "perfect" paintings. It's about getting in to the studio to try new things. It's about painting more often. It's about having fun and developing new habits! This challenge has changed the lives of many artists and I hope you you will experience the same! It's important to remember you are not doing this challenge alone. Leslie Seata

This is the quote on the home page for Thirty in Thirty challenge. This is the 6th time that I have done the challenge. I painted more, tried new things, made better habits. Some came out better than others but on the whole, I am quite pleased with the results. Worked on small format, 6 x 8 ".  Did some work on cutouts from previous collages that when I cut up to size saw that they would make good starts. On these I used crayons.The rest, canvas on cardboard, worked with oils wet on wet with brush and palette knife.

Photovisi collage

Last but not least is the wonderful chance to see some great artwork and meet new artists. I want to thank all those that visited my pages and the wonderful encouraging comments.