Day 213: First Aid Kit Day

     Today's project was made from stuff found in a first aid kit.  I used a piece of scrap mat board and made this collage for you.  The different kinds of tape make for some interesting textures.  I have no idea what their specific purposes are, but they make some fun textures.  You better hope I don't have to give you first aid!  (Kidding kidding...)

LOVE SOMEBODY!  Just wanted to give a little shoutout to all the nurses, EMTs, and all the people have to do all that icky stuff.  God bless you!

Day 212: Fish Day

     212 days and I'm still going!  I still can't believe it's been this long.  This time last year I was planning this project and here I am over 200 days in.  Today, I've gone back to the book.  I've strayed quite a bit from it lately.  Anyway, today's project is meant to be inspired by fish.  These are my kissing/ gold fish and they will soon be added to my ATC collection.  

LOVE SOMEBODY!  First of all, don't litter especially in the water! 

Day 211: Another Day at the Faire

     It was another long, but fun day at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire.  There's was lots more to do and see, but afterwards I was still able to find time to do my project.  This apple was given to me as we were packing up to go home and I made it into a temporary piece of artwork and then a snack before hitting the road.  Hopefully, soon I'll have some of the other photos and you can check them out on my website or my Facebook page.

Day 210: Medieval Faire Found Objects

     As the photographer for a group of reenactors, I spent pretty much the whole day at a medieval faire today.  It was fun and there was lots to do and see not to mention all the pictures I took (and will have to edit.)  Nothing, as in projects, really jumped out at me so it was closing time and I'm scrambling to find something to do.  I ended up with some extra and broken pieces of jewelry and props while using grass to make the other letters on top of a box I use to store my "modern" equipment.

Day 209: Rorschach Test

     This is kinda sorta what I was trying to get at yesterday.  It still didn't go exactly as planned this time around either, but it had a nice texture even after I tweaked it a little bit.  

Day 208: Keeping Busy

     Some interesting things can happen in your art when you're not even trying.  I don't know how interesting this ATC is, but I wasn't even trying.  I was trying to return to following the prompts in the Scalin book, but I started coloring to keep my hands busy and this happened.  I tried to make something else, but I ended up liking this better.  My box of artist trading cards is almost full and I hope to find good homes for all of them, but we'll see.

Day 207: Paper as Fabric Day

     Hi there!  Welcome to Day 207!  Yep, still going.  So the book suggests today to use paper like fabric.  You know... sewing, weaving, and so on?  Yeah, not so much.  The needle wouldn't go through two sheets of card stock.  At least it wouldn't without me having to mangle it.  Therefore, after making up this little collage, I used pens to make stitch-like marks myself.  I might have gotten a little carried away, but that's okay with me.

Day 206: At Night

     I know.  It's pretty simple today.  Actually, the book says to make something inspired by what you see after the sun goes down.  This also reminds me of a postcard I saw a long time ago about what a certain place looks like at night and it was just a black postcard.  I thought it was funny...

Day 205: Reverse Drawing

     Today's project was just a simple exercise in texture.  I just took a watercolor paper A.T.C. and went over it with pencil before erasing and reinforcing some of the shapes.  

Day 204: For Aurora

     Of course you know what's happened in Colorado.  Anyone who's had the tv on for five seconds knows.  There just aren't words for tragedies like this and tragedies like this are exactly the kind of things that have inspired this project.  Maybe it's just me, but being so cruel to other people just seems like too much work.  If we would all just take two seconds and be courteous, then one good thing leads to another good thing and more people are happy.  I don't know.   All I know is this a time for prayer and a time to put our faith in the God who has the answers to the questions we're all asking right now.  God bless.

Day 203: Hemp Scrap Art

     I hope everyone is having a good weekend.  It's been nice to catch up on somethings and to sleep in after lots of early mornings.  One of the things I've been neglecting is my Etsy shop.  If you've never checked out my shop at ravenmaid.etsy.com (shameless plug alert,) I mostly sell these Irish claddagh tie-on bracelets made with these little metal claddagh pieces and a hemp band I tie myself.  Anyway, I made a couple while watching a movie this evening and decided to do something with the scrap pieces.  

Day 202: Stick People!

         It's a T.G.I.F. kind of day.  I wouldn't be surprised if I drove at least 1000 miles this week so it was nice to finally relax a bit.  I put my feet up and started flipping through a book of drawing exercises and decided the one about stick people would be fun.  Of course, I had to fit it to my theme...

Day 201: Making Marks

     Today's project was inspired by something I saw in an art journaling book.  It was about drawing and just making marks for the pleasure of it which sounded pretty good after a pretty busy day.  I'm also working  on trying to incorporate more layering into my work so there's a little of that in there, too.  My ATC collection is starting to grow and hopefully soon I'll be able to have enough to fill a basket or something so I can spread the love at my next show.

Day 200: Kitty Crunchies!

      Welcome to Day 200!  I was hunting around for some inspiration and hoping for something interesting to do for the 200th day... I didn't find it, but I did walk by the cat's table and decided to do something that would not only be functional, but tasty, too.  However, as you can see, Rory was not impressed. Thanks for checking in today!

Day 199: File Under L

     I hope everyone had a good day and is finding some way to stay cool.  Today's project was inspired by my box of files and important papers.  Enjoy.

Day 198: Charcoal

    The Mystery Box said to use charcoal today so I got out a set of charcoal pencils and went to work without any particular plan.  Somehow, it took on a bit of a cubist feel, but it works, I suppose.

Day 197: Lol

    Anytime I need a laugh, I just wonder over to icanhascheezeburger.com and look at the cat pictures.  Today for my project, I made one myself using an old picture of my cat, Rory.  I hope this makes you smile, too.

Day 196: Big Daddy Weave Concert

      I just got back from The Unnamed Music Festival which is a Christian music festival currently being held in my hometown on the very football field I once marched around on in high school.  It was a great show and I couldn't wait to get home to show you today's project.  I just wrote the words on the back of a model release with a dry erase marker and Mike Weaver, the lead singer of the popular band Big Daddy Weave, was kind enough to let me take his picture holding it.  How cool is that?  He even signed the paper afterwards!  Yes, he's not only a great singer, but one of those guys who has time for fans afterwards.  People would come up to him backstage and he would take the time to pray with them, sign autographs, and just chat.  Thanks for helping me with my project today, Mike, and thanks for everyone who has supported my project so far this year!

Day 195: Bleeding

     I began this project with no particular goal.  Sometimes you just have to put pen to paper, or in this case marker, and begin.  At least in real life, it started to have this tie-dye sort of feel, but it's an interesting effect nonetheless.

Day 194: Phil's Painting

    After missing it for about three weeks in a row, today I was determined to make it to Artiegras a weekly artist bazaar about an hour and a half drive south of where I live.  Though a bit hot, it was nice to be around some fellow artists and have people to talk shop with.  There are many jewelry people there, but there are also some painters, too, like my friend Phil here.
     As long as I've been attending this event, he's had a painting he works on every week and for the last couple years, they've been collaborative.  Anyone who wants to can contribute a little something.  He started this one since I've been there last where the canvas has been divided up into squares and triangles.  Today, my project was my contribution.  You can see it above and also a bit more of the surrounding sections.   The picture to the left shows some Lube patrons taking their turn.

LOVE SOMEBODY!  Please support your local starving artists and crafters!  Consider buying handmade!

Day 193: One Day at El Toro Loco

     I made today's project whilst having "linner" at a new Mexican restaurant in the city.  I started doodling on a napkin while waiting for my meal and my next shift.  This is the only photo I was able to take before the battery in my point-and-shoot died.  It's not all that complicated, but I kind of like the randomness of it (and the excuse to eat out!)

Day 192: Family Crest Day

     Today I went by the book and the book says it's Family Crest Day.  I had a good time earlier using different family crest generators online, but it's not the same as doing it yourself I think.  I also had a bit of a crash course in the elements and symbolism involved in this sort of thing.  I used a green in the field because it's supposed to represent loyalty in love.  The cross is obviously a Christian reference and the bird is meant to symbolize strength and protection.  Some of these sites also offer a collection of various authentic family crests.  It's interesting to find the ones for your family and see what they represent.  On one, I even found some information on the history of the different sides of my family.  If you get the chance, check out some sites and you might find some fascinating tid bits on your personal history.

Day 191: Sugar Day

     Today is Sugar Day and why use regular old white sugar when you can use the colored candy kind and feel like a little kid again?  By the time you read this, I'll be bouncing off the walls!

Day 190: Dry Erase Marker

     Hello, all.  I have a confession to make.  Yesterday was not actually Newspaper Day.  Newspaper Day was supposed to be today which would have fit nicely with our group's theme of comics.  Whoops.  I guess I got them mixed up.
     In other news, today I finished a fifteen week 5K training program except for the actual race part.  I kept the schedule taped to a dry erase board and celebrated by taking it down and doing this little doodle in its place.  Thanks for checking in today!

Day 189: Newspaper Day

     Today's mission is to make something with newspaper.  The books says to make the biggest thing you can, but it also gives readers the freedom to tweak the prompts a bit and I decided to go small.  I started with clipping headlines from the papers in the recycle bin.  It's all to easy to find articles and headlines about the various ways people are mistreating each other locally and around the world.  I read some of these things and can't help but think, why can't we all just get along?  Anyway, this piece utilizes a piece of scrap mat board and the aforementioned headlines combined with white acrylic and black stamping ink.  The ink blends pretty well where the paint is and makes a nice texture.  

Day 188: Not Looking

    Today, as I was searching for inspiration, I came upon a lesson on blind contour.  Just about anyone who's ever taken an art class has done a blind contour drawing.  It's basically drawing without looking at the paper.  After I tried it out once, I decided it wasn't a terrible idea and did it again on a bristol board ATC.  Then, I went over it again while looking to make it darker and clearer.  You know me, it's hard to see black outlines and resist the urge to color so I added a bit of blue.

Day 187: Paper Bag Day

     Today is Paper Bag Day in the 365 book.  One of the things we do around here is use paper bags as recycling bins.  That's right, a recycling bin made out of recyclable material!  I drew my version of a recycling symbol on this one in pencil and marker.  With some more time and supplies, you could make an even prettier looking one.  Imagine a receptacle you'll not only will want to use, but is also a piece of art you could keep in your house.  Art everywhere and earth friendly!

Day 186: Happy Fourth of July!

     Happy Fourth of July, everyone!  Happy Independence Day to all my American friends out there.  This is my patriotic project.  I already did a fireworks project so that was out.  Today, I was going for a simple political sign type project.  One of several to come, perhaps.  I have an idea to do the real deal closer to the election, but for now, I hope you all had a fun holiday or a good Wednesday wherever you are.  If you're reading this and a member of our armed forces, thank you and happy fourth.

Day 185: Yellow Day

     In the book, today is Yellow Day.  This is my attempt to use the different shades of yellow in a graphics program I have.  It's not that great.  I didn't do a real good job at preparing today, but tomorrow is a national holiday and I just happen to be off so hopefully the project will be good.  

Day 184: Graphite Pencil

     Today was a Mystery Box kind of day.  The slip said graphite pencil.  I'm not sure what book that's from, but I used it as an opportunity to loosen up a little.  

Day 183: Stars for Genevive

     Not only is it Inspired by a Friend's Blog Day, it's also Halfway Day.  Can you believe it?  2012 is halfway done already.  It doesn't feel like we're that far along at all.  Hopefully, I can keep this up and finish the rest of the year strong.  Thanks to everyone who reads this blog and supports this project.   

     Today, we're inspired by Genevive who's doing a star-themed project.  (Happy Canada Day, Genevive, by the way.)  From reading her blog, I see that she's quite the Ultimate Frisbee enthusiast.  I stopped a few stores hoping to find a frisbee I could decorate for her, but couldn't find a plain decoratable one or even very many frisbees at all.  I ended up trying to make my own constellation-inspired project.