Going Out on a Limb

Posted on January 18, 2012 by admin

Today I had to share a Mixed Media piece I created titled “Out on a Limb.” I am definitely at a point in my life where I can relate to this piece and it’s title. I am feeling like I did as a child, when I would climb up a tree and crawl out on one of its branches. I’ve gone out to the point where I am now taking a risk. The limb could break and I would fall.

I look down and am greeted by a familiar face. Words of encouragement are sent my way and suddenly the branch feels stronger. Or is it that I feel lighter because my spirits have been lifted! It doesn’t matter because either way, I am able to look ahead and take one step forward. Inevitably, insecurities set in and I look down in hopes of seeing that face again. Instead, I am greeted by a helping hand who holds the branch for me as I take another step.

Although still insecure about the risks I am taking as an artist, I am able to keep moving towards my dreams thanks to family and friends. I am amazed by all the ways my family blesses me and how they and people like my friend Patty will volunteer their precious time to help me. Thanks to all you “familiar faces,” “words of encouragement,” and “helping hands.”

Without these people, I would be paralyzed by fear. Instead, I am out far enough to see how far I have climbed. As far as risks go, what is the worst that could happen? I might fall…..hurt myself a little…..have to start over again? Ironically, either way I am on the ground. I guess I would much rather fall to the ground knowing I tried than stand there wondering how far I could have gone IF I had tried.

I hope the same is true for you. I think Henry David Thoreau said it best, “Go confidently in the directions of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.”

Wishing your dreams come true,

Tatiana

 

Posted in Inspiration, Mixed Media, Symbolism, Thoughts | 2 Comments

“Dream” Mixed Media pendant

Posted on January 15, 2012 by admin

Today I wanted to share this pendant to remind myself and anyone reading this to dream. All to often we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to dream.

Since I spend most of my days with my head in the clouds, I created this “Dream” pendant as a bit of a self portrait. Unfortunately lately I’ve been so focused on what needs to get done for my upcoming show, I haven’t given myself the chance to breathe, let alone dream.

So for those of you wanting to dream, remember, it is a state of mind. Your brain needs to be able to release itself from the realities of every day life. In order for this to happen you need to give yourself some time to relax. Try to clear your mind and allow yourself to drift off…..there you go…it’s off to dreamland we go!

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Follow Your Heart Pendant

Posted on January 12, 2012 by admin

Last night my sister reminded me that it has been a long time since I’ve shared any of my jewelry creations. Towards the end of last year I went through a bit of a metal phase, during which the pendant pictured above came into being. I just love the feel and look of metal and couldn’t get enough of it. I find that if I repeatedly choose to work with a certain material, it’s usually because I feel a certain connection to it. With metal, it was the fact that I could beat it over and over with a hammer and it just hardened. It didn’t break or fall apart, instead it became harder and stronger.

So, believe it or not, if you keep your heart open, you can learn life lessons from anything…yes, even a piece of metal! When you feel like you’ve been repeatedly beat by people, circumstances or life in general, don’t let yourself fall apart. Instead, learn from it and allow it to mold you into a stronger individual.

Wishing you smiles and sunshine,

Tatiana

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Follow the Leader

Posted on January 10, 2012 by admin

Yesterday was my youngest sons first day of school. It was such a special day! He spent the entire previous day talking about going to school. Almost every time he mentioned school, he made sure to let me know how big he was. This made me giggle the next day, as he followed behind his older brother, who made him look so little. Big brother led the way until they reached the school doors, at which point little brother opened his own door. From there on my youngest child led the way as I directed his path. When we reached his classroom he confidently opened the door, walked right in and dove into playing with his peers.

Today as I was working on my portfolio, I stumbled upon some of my first artistic creations. They made me smile and remember how I felt when creativity first began to flow through me. As I was thinking about all this I received a reply to a tweet I had made earlier to Claudine Hellmuth,  http://www.collageartist.com Claudine just so happens to be one of my favorite artists and the one who inspired my very first piece of art work, pictured above! I smiled again and realized how my sons first day of school was a metaphor for what will soon be my first CHA Designer Showcase.

Much like my son followed his older brother, I too have followed the creative lead of fellow artists and designers. They have opened many wonderful doorways and inspired me to try out different artistic paths. At some point I opened a door which led me to make my own path. I think come January 30th I am going to confidently walk through the Anaheim Convention Center doors and dive right into playing with my CHA Designer Showcase peers.

Maybe one day, I too will be able to say “I’m big!”

 

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Reflecting Part 2

Posted on January 7, 2012 by admin

by Tatiana

It is truly amazing how God works in my life! I am not one to be easily stressed or overwhelmed, but I found myself to be both yesterday. I was really down on myself about how unprepared I feel for this Designer Showcase I am going to be in and confused by all the questions its reality has posed on me as an artist.

I went on Facebook in hopes that it would distract my mind and my anxious heart. Instead it had the opposite affect. I had 2 notifications pending, one, from a fellow artist I run into at artistic gatherings and the other, from my former painting teacher. The artist, had posted a link to my Crafty Cutie fan page and wrote “a friends page …..someone who i randomly see around the town where i live who always makes me smile..hard working mom and brilliant creator.” My former teacher had responded to a comment I had made on her page with “Oh Tatiana, you felt me thinking about you………life’s struggles and creative juices drew me toward you yesterday. I thought about your precious little gems, inspiring images, and delightful creations…..I smiled. I’d love to catch up with you sometime soon, hope you are well.”

Wow! Talk about clarity! My attempt at distraction had actually given me focus and answers to the questions I posed in my previous blog post. The first two, “who am I?” and “what do I do?” were made obvious to me thanks to the people mentioned above. They were then affirmed by a dear friend who wrote “well, I know one of your purposes is to inspire others…me.” in response to my blog post. The answer to my third question, “why do I do it (create art)?” came to me after I got off the phone with my mom today.

So, here it is! I am someone who brings joy, encouragement and inspiration to others through my creations. And, the reason I create is driven by the hope that I will make a positive impact in someones life. Even if my artwork helped just one person get through a difficult moment, I will have succeeded in bringing my mothers prayer for her unborn child to life. Her prayer was that I would leave this world a better place than when I came into it.

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Reflecting

Posted on January 6, 2012 by admin

In one of my previous blog posts http://blog.craftycutie.com/inspiration/im-back/ I mentioned how privilege usually comes with responsibility. Well, I find myself facing the reality of this today actually. My hope is that blogging about it will help me sort some things out.

I have the honor and privilege of being in the Designer Showcase at the CHA Conference and Trade Show. When I applied to be in the Showcase I had complete confidence that I was a good enough designer and artist to take part. What I didn’t realize is that is only a small fraction of what you need to make it as a designer in the craft and hobby industry.

As a designer you have to really promote yourself and your work. You should have displays and postcards that represent you and what you do. Which poses questions like “who am I?,” “what do I do?” and “why do I do it?” Sounds ridiculous I know, but it’s so much more complex than it sounds. Or maybe I am the complicated one? Either way I find myself in a very difficult transition. I have to take my focus off of creating art and onto why I create it and what it has to offer others.

Usually when life presents me with a challenge, I work through it by creating a piece of artwork. Unfortunately, I have promised myself not to create anything new unless it is related to the show. Since my usual option was not available, I decided to try something new. I went through all my artwork and designs and picked the piece that best represented me and what my work stands for. The piece is titled “Hope.”

To be continued…..

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Sky’s the limit

Posted on January 3, 2012 by admin

Happy new year to all! Sky’s the limit is my motto for this year. I feel as though all too often people, including myself, set goals based on what seems logical. No one wants to disappoint themselves or others. The fear of failure keeps us from going for anything that seems to be beyond our reach. This mentality limits what we are actually capable of accomplishing, to the confines of what our doubtful minds are telling us.

This year make the sky your limit as well. Reach beyond what you think is possible. You never know, instead of disappointment, may come surprise!

Wishing you the greatest year ever,

Tatiana

Artwork Pictured above was created on a 12″ x 12″ canvas. Materials used include paint, sand, bird cut outs, Jenni Bowlin Plain Chipboard Elements: Banner, letter stamps and Ranger Black Archival Ink.

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Anything is possible!

Posted on December 29, 2011 by admin

It is kind of funny how random my inspiration can be. Today I did my weekly Spinning class, which is an indoor cycling program, and left bursting with inspiration. This class  always seems to motivate me to push myself beyond what I think I am capable of. I love how during the workout I am constantly reminded to breathe and yet at the same time it can leave me breathless. Once class is over, I walk out the door feeling alive and ready to take on whatever that day is going to throw my way.

Today I realized that this class has taught me some lessons that apply not only to exercise but life in general. First of all, I have learned how resistance, while it can be physical is mainly a state of mind. When you feel it coming on you have two choices, allow it to push you back OR embrace it and push forward against it. I hate to be cliche, okay I actually love to be cliche, but all to often “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It is important to notice the verbiage of this line. It doesn’t say the weak get going, it says the tough do. So imagine how hard it is for little weaklings like myself to keep going when I feel resistance. Life is hard and it’s resistance inevitable. We need to constantly remind ourselves that we are stronger than we know and push forward. The second thing I learned, is the harder I push, the further I go and the faster I get there.

So as the sentiment on the card above states, “Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it!” Dream big, believe in yourself and if you push hard enough, even when resistance comes your way, you WILL achieve your goals.

A thank you to Hero Arts for creating the beautiful stamps I used to create the card featured at the beginning of this post. Without their imagery it would not have been as easy for me to turn my artistic vision into reality. As soon as I wrote this post I thought of the Hero Arts “Bicycle” stamp, then came up with the rest of the design in which I also used one their “Three Girls” stamp and “Vertical Clouds” stamp. http://www.heroarts.com

Wishing you smiles and sunshine,

Tatiana

Posted in Inspiration | 4 Comments

Makeover Monday-Repurposed book

Posted on December 26, 2011 by admin

I love books! I don’t necessarily love the things associated with books such as reading or studying, I just love the books themselves. I am usually attracted to old discarded books and their unique character. The look and feel of a nicely worn cover is the best, it gives me a sense of wonder and discovery as to what it contains. Once the book is open I am instantly drawn to the form of letters and the words they create. I also have a great appreciation for the content these words make up. Words have the ability and power to bring forth knowledge, encouragement, entertainment, inspiration and offer an escape from reality, and/or a key to unlocking our imaginations. I guess the first three words of this post “I love books” pretty much sums it up.

When I found out what happens to some books when they are donated to be recycled my love of books become somewhat of a rescue mission. If a book is deemed unsuitable for sale, many book recyclers remove the back spine along with the front and back hard covers and discard them into the landfill. The inside of the book is then destroyed and sent to a mill for re-pulping. Being compelled by this knowledge, I began to visit my local recycling center and salvaging some of these undesirables. I now use a lot of these discarded books in my artwork. The artwork featured at the top of this post is an example of what you can do with a salvaged book of your own.

Hope this gives you the inspiration to go out and save some books life, lol!  But be careful, you might become a bibliophile A.K.A someone who loves books!

Sending you creative love,

Tatiana

Step 1:  Fold page down from top to center of book.

Step 2:  Fold same page up from bottom to center of book.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 on every page of book. And then decorate inside of front and back cover with scrapbook paper and cut out words of course.  Yes, it is that easy!

Posted in DIY, Inspiration, Makeover Monday, Mixed Media, Thoughts | 1 Comment

Makeover Monday-Repurposed blocks

Posted on December 19, 2011 by admin

“Need Direction?”  by Tatiana

The inspiration for today’s project came from some letter blocks my kids had in their closet.  Since these poor little letters were being neglected by their owners, I decide to play with them myself.  Here is how this piece came into being.

1.  I found a canvas with a not so attractive print on it at the Salvation Army.

2.  Covered the printed image with white Gesso and let it dry overnight.

3.  Painted over the Gesso with a gold paint and brushed the edges with a maroon paint.

4.  Painted a heart with red paint and drew all the veins in with red Puffy Paint.

5.  Drew wings onto a piece of white cardstock and glued them next to the heart.

6.  Attached scrapbook stickers of arrows around the heart.

7.  Glued typewriter key images to circular wooden pieces.

8.  Used E-6000 glue to attach wooden pieces and the letter blocks to canvas.

9.  Covered entire piece with FolkArt’s Gloss Varnish.

Hope the simplicity of this project inspires you to create a little something of your own!

Wishing you smiles and sunshine,

Tatiana

 

Posted in DIY, Free Tutorials, Inspiration, Makeover Monday, Mixed Media | 1 Comment