During the winter months I always explore new art ideas as I snuggle into hibernation mode. This year I continued working on digital art, but with a twist. These sets of images can be printed as greet cards or as wall art. All are fun, colorful and many feature the off-center style of humor that I adore. I still have many ideas for this series, they’ll be added to the website page as they are produced! These are the first two topics I tackled…Caffeinated Thoughts & (since Valentine’s was approaching at the time) Love & Laughter.
You can see the entire collection on my website. I’m having so much fun with these…both in the design aspect and in finding the sayings to go with each image! Future topics I’m planning on are “Unicorns Goals” and “That’s What I Thought!” but I’m always open to suggestions too! Drop me an email if inspiration hits. 😉
As I was setting up my new site and selecting images to include (which I am still slowly adding!) I realized how long it had been since I’d created any art using digital tools. Shortly after my son showed me his sweet new tablet with pen and I was drooling. Fast forward a month or two and I’ve jumped in with both feet, purchasing a new tablet to replace the almost nine year old one…along with one of the fancy pens. Of course an art app and some downloads to beef it up came along in the process! I’ve been creating off & on for probably a month now and really enjoying being able to be creative while I’m in the house, not just while I’m in the studio. I’ve created several landscape style pieces, lots of abstract art in different shapes and sizes and even some faces, which I’ve affectionately been referring to as my “Hippee Chicks” as they all have a very Boho vibe. I’m adding a few samples below, which one(s) are your favorites?
A very early landscape piece, currently untitled
“Full Moon Rising” digital landscape
early abstract work, currently untitled
“Playful Thoughts” abstract digital painting
“Hippee Chick” #1, Digital Portrait
Many of the newer pieces have been added to my print store online and can be ordered as photo prints, fine art prints, metal prints, canvas prints, prints on wood or acrylic prints. I am more than a bit haphazard about posting here on the blog but I do send out weekly newsletters to keep my art-loving friends in the loop about upcoming events, special offers and new creative pursuits. While you are visiting my site would you take a moment to join my newsletter list ( there’s a link at the bottom of every page)? I’d appreciate it!
I hope you have been able to spend time creatively too! I’d love to hear about what you like to create – it’s inspiring! Thanks for reading…I’ll pop back on when I can. Love & blessings….
In case you wondered why the blogging ceased for a while I’ve spent several weeks setting up a super cool new website. I know, what’s so cool about a website, right? Well this one has some awesome features…like wall previews for my art that allow you to visualize the art in sample rooms. You can select the room type and even choose your wall paint color to get a better feel for how large a given piece is and how it will look on the wall. If you viewing the site on your cell phone you can even “project” my artwork onto your own walls to find the perfect spot to hang your purchase. Super fun! Probably the biggest change is that you can now purchase prints of my artwork, in addition to the originals.
So…that’s my news! I hope to finish fine tuning the site and get back to CREATING – soon! Here’s a link so you can check it out for yourself: Lynne Medsker Art & Photography, LLC
I’d love to hear what you think! Thanks for your time,
Lynne
P.S. Click on the banner at the top of the website and you can signup to win a free 18×36″ print of this newly created art, “Eye on the Prize” – Good Luck!
In a recent email I was sharing my thoughts on how this year has gone from my standpoint as an artist and decided it also might make a good blog post. I want to preface my thoughts by saying that I am blessed! I am healthy, my family is healthy, we are not in a food or financial crisis and realize that this pandemic has had devastating consequences for many families and countries. My situation is probably one of the easiest to be in – just stay home and keep to myself! But I know even those of us that are only required to do that, it has been a major shift in our daily life.
When it finally happened – the last of all the events on my schedule was cancelled and all the galleries were closed I felt more than a little lost. First, to be completely honest, I mourned a bit. An empty calendar looming is hard to reconcile at first. I was heading into what had appeared to be a great year – I had big art events scheduled, new and old, had joined a new gallery, with a paid residency to look forward to and within a couple of weeks it had all disappeared and was replaced by a heavy layer of fear hanging in the air. I didn’t know what to do, so I shut down and did absolutely nothing! After a week or so of sitting on the couch wallowing in a bit of self pity, I finally returned to the studio and began completing the work in progress that was for upcoming shows. It seemed like a waste of time, there was no reason to push myself to complete the art now. It was slow going, with low enthusiasm but, looking back, I’m glad I continued. Eventually there will be shows again and I’ll be ready! After that I took care of some “business” things that I don’t always enjoy but had plenty of time to get off of my to-do list. Redesigned business cards, overhaul the website, cancel upcoming classes, post on my blog, re-write my artist statement and updating my resume were among the mundane chores that I finished.
Artwork for upcoming/cancelled shows: Coneflower, Heart, Batik Flower #5, Dandelions (sold) and Batik Flower
Throughout this time Spring was finally beginning to show its face, hiding here and there among the dead winter leaves and bare trees. I walk daily, often multiple time, outdoors in the woods and around the fields – observing the changes, taking photographs and just absorbing the peaceful calm of nature. It’s probably been the most grounding experience during all of this. Although I am one to enjoy the coming of spring and signs of new life (I admit I am a wildflower geek!) this year it seemed to hold an even greater promise. When I was feeling that I was just trapped in time there was evidence that life would go on, and actively looking for it was both a good distraction and a great joy.
After a few weeks I returned to the empty calendar and looked at it again, with fresh eyes. It didn’t seem as empty now, it was full of possibilities. All those “one of these days” things we all talk about? Well, now was the time. I sorted through half-finished projects and completed or discarded them so they no longer took up space in my studio or my mind. I cleaned and organized the studio (not that you could tell it now!). I carved many new stamps and used them on scrap papers, then painted more scrap papers with vibrant colors – all added to my stash of papers I can choose from when I decide to collage next. When all else fails, on particularly rough days, I continue to do small slices of creative work in my art journals. I began an online class that I had purchased last year and, most likely, wouldn’t have ever slowed down long enough to sit and learn. That led to inspiration of more new creativity. and I just signed up for another class!
The days have begun to finally flow in a slow, comfortable rhythm that includes outdoor time, reading, learning, working in the studio and “daily life” activities. I am also taking better care of myself – exercise, full nights of sleep, cooking delicious meals, soaking in the tub and just being more aware of what my body wants and needs. In the meantime the calendar will begin to fill. A few events have set re-scheduled dates. I’ve discovered some virtual opportunities to participate in. I’ve been blessed with grants from the Indiana Arts Council and a couple of small commissioned projects so I can pay the bills and keep myself supplied in paints and materials. For now, I’m going to take advantage of this slow time.
How have you dealt with the last few months? Are you feeling confident of the future or cautious? I think I waiver between the two, especially if I am exposed to the media for any length of time! Then I need to retreat – into a book, into the studio, into some music or into the woods. I hope you have found your retreats and are able to use them when needed – love & blessing to you!
I’ve been uploading a new (free!) downloadable coloring page to my website each month this year, feel free to go snag one, two or all of them if you’re interested. This tree image is the most recent.
I’ve been working on two large pieces of art featuring butterflies. Today as I was waiting for some of the layers to dry on those two pieces I took time to create three smaller butterfly pieces. Using the batik style I’ve been fond of lately I started by drawing them with a Sharpie on some hand made paper.
After the outlines were down I added color with my Pitt pens that are full of india ink. Love me some Pitt pens!!
The next couple of steps involve wax being applied on the surface to make a resist when I spray liquid watercolor onto the paper. The first layer of wax just covers the part of the the drawings I don’t want to blend with the background color. After that has been sprayed on and dried I cover the entire piece with wax. Then comes the part that continues to make me nervous – wadding up the paper into a tight little ball to crack the wax in a random kind of way. Then (gently) unfolding it and spraying the piece again, this time with a contrast color to make random lines throughout the piece. I used black watercolor on these pieces but have some white ink on order than I’m anxious to try for a different result.
The final step is to place the waxy art between sheets of newspaper and iron it with a hot iron, which pulls the wax out of the art and leaves it on the newspaper. Sometimes this takes a few ironings before it’s totally wax free. Ta-da! Art! Well, okay, I did go back in with some gel pens and add a few details. Then the ta-da happened. 🙂
Rather amusing is that these quick little pieces are more exciting to me than the larger ones are right now! Go figure. I’ve added these three to the “Giftables” page on my website so go pick out your favorite and give it a home!
I thought I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind my readers that I have gift-priced artwork available for the holidays! To help you locate & purchase those items I’ve added a storefront to my website. All items are under $100, most under $50 and quite a few are available in the $20 range. Specifically created, smaller pieces that I’ve decided to call “Giftables”. You can view/shop right HERE. I thought I’d share a few images of items that are available too, just to tempt you a bit!
Sculpted Wire Tree Ornaments, various embellishments
As an added temptation I’m sharing a coupon code with you that is valid through 12/10/14: ONLINE10 will get you a 10% discount on your order. Hopefully you also receive my newsletter, there will be another (even larger!) discount available in the edition that scheduled to be published in the next day or two. Click here to sign up!I’ll be adding too and changing the store inventory as items are sold so be sure to visit often!
Well, it’s finally arrived. Day one of the BIG Moving Sale! You can visit THIS PAGE on my website for all the details and deals.There are items as low as $15 and discounts as high as 70%!! It is a first come, first served type of sale so be sure to do your shopping early and get that order emailed quickly! ! I’m excited to see what people select and also have a little happy/sad mixture of emotions about my art leaving home. But I’d much rather have it out in the world being enjoyed that stuck in a storage unit for an undetermined amount of time! Thanks in advance for giving my creations a new home, I really appreciate it!
This class is to introduce and encourage artists to use the available social media and online outlets to present and promote their work. It will be broken into two sessions, the first session covers basic information on presenting your work online, including:
Basic information all artists need to promote their work: Resume, artist statement, bio
Photographing/Adjusting/Resizing your images for the web
Watermarking & copyright for your images
What information to include with your images
Being consistent in your efforts
Connecting with other artists, art lovers and potential clients
After an afternoon break we will spend time talking about specific sites and ways to promote your art, some topics covered will be:
Facebook Pages
Pinterest
Twitter
LinkedIN, Branched Out, Google+, etc.
Etsy & eBay
Blogs and blogs vs. websites
Image hosting sites
Online resources
You will receive multiple handouts as well as access to links & information via the internet after the class. I will be available after the session to answer any specific questions that you may have about your art, Facebook Page, blog, etc. and to schedule one-on-one tutoring sessions for those who are interested in further assistance. If you have a laptop please bring it with you!
I was sure you’d want to know that I have the website current and refreshed. New images posted and links to new work on the front page, there’s even an entirely new page added…just waiting for you to come visit. Why should you? Well, I’m going to assume if you read this blog you like my art so over 40 new images is one reason!
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
I’ve also got an offer for you! It’s a way to show my thanks to those of you who support me as well as expand my fan base a bit. Win/Win!
I really do appreciate you supporting my art in so many different ways. Visiting galleries & shows, reading the blog, visiting the website, words of encouragement, collecting my art, liking my Facebook Page, signing up for my newsletter, taking a class and recommending me to friends. Wow, you guys are busy (and amazing), thank you!
So on to the fun stuff – I will be giving away one 8 x 10″ (or 8 x 8″ if the image is square) print of my digital and/or photo art each day from now through Thanksgiving. Are you as excited about that as I am? I’m pretty sure I heard voices in cyberspace asking, “How will it work, Lynne? Please tell us!” Well, since you asked…
Each day you can enter by doing one (or more) of these things: *Sign up/follow this blog via email – Look in right column at the top of this page, click on “Sign Me Up” and every time I write a new blog post it will arrive in your inbox so you’ll never miss a thing! Already subscribed? What about my other blog? It’s full of digital art (like the kind you could win)? Same instructions, just do it at Digital+Art+Daily instead. Or do both and you’ve gotten your first two entries submitted already!
*Visit the website (www.lynnemedsker.com) and pick out an image that you’d like to win. Left click on it, then hit “Copy Shortcut” (for Windows) or ” Copy Image Address” (for Mac). Then post that image on your Facebook profile and put @Lynne Medsker Art & Photography in the description so I will see it on my page too. (Yes, I just gave you permission to copy my work…this time! Otherwise I prefer you ask first.)
*Do the same selection as listed above but post the link to the image to your Twitter account, being sure to add @lynnemedskerart in your post so I see it!
*Speaking of which, you can also enter by following me on Twitter! I’m not an avid tweeter but I do enjoy sharing interesting info and fun stuff on there when I get a chance.
*Another option is to select your favorite image(s) to add to one of your Pinterest boards. Be sure to put a mention to me in the description/comments @Lynne Medsker. Of course you’re welcome to follow my boards there too if any of them interest you. 🙂
*You can also sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter when you visit the website, there is a link to sign up at the bottom of each page.
*The last (and my personal favorite) way to enter is to (please!) tell your friends about my art and ask them to do any (or all) of the items listed above. When they do they’ll gain an entry and you will too! (Ask them to mention your name so you’ll get credit.) As an artist it can be difficult to “advertise” yourself so I am really relying on you – my family, friends, fans and fellow artists – to help me with some word-of-mouth promoting.
So that’s it! You can do any of the above items as often as you like each day (although if you are sharing my art I’d prefer you’d use a different image each time/day, please). I’ll cut off entry at midnight (Eastern time) each evening and announce the winner the following day at noon, here on my blog, as well as my Facebook page and Twitter. (Disclaimer: I will do my best to make sure I get each entry via these different sites but can’t be responsible for missed entries, be sure to mention/tag/link me.)
I’m excited to see which of you will be winners and also which art you’ll choose! The prints will be processed and mailed the week after Thanksgiving. Thanks so much for participating and GOOD LUCK! Lynne
P.S. Those steps above in BOLD? They are great for helping any person or business that you enjoy and support. Just to recap them:
Sign-up/Follow their blogs
“Like” their pages on Facebook
Share their information/images/posts on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media sites
Sign-up for their newsletters (then forward them to your friends!)
Tell your friends! If you’ve found something you enjoy there’s a good chance your friends will too!
A Randomly Creative Blog 