This Cat Really Gets Around!

Fellow artist and friend, Sandra Caldwell, wrote a wonderful article titled The Big & Little of ATC ACEO Cards, which is featured in the June - July 2008 issue of the Prim Sisters Gazette. Sandra provides her readers with some of the history behind ACEOs and ATCs, and she packs the article with lots of interesting information about this wonderful art form.

Sandra kindly references the article I wrote for the winter issue of ACEO Magazine, and she features my Halloween ACEO for her article. This cat really gets around these days! Love that grin.

Please visit http://www.primsisterstalkradio.com/ to read the latest issue of the Prim Sisters Gazette, or simply click on the title of this post.

Getting Ready For My Halloween Exhibit

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been working on for my Halloween art exhibit in October. This friendly owl is titled Vintage Retro Owl 108 .

The art exhibit will be held during Wilkes-Barre's Third Friday art walk on October 17, 2008, in the Stegmaier Mansion (also known as Arts YOUniverse). Fellow Halloween artist and friend, Christine Altmann, will also be exhibiting with me. We're looking forward to a wonderful night.

If you're wondering...yes, the mansion is haunted. I can tell you all about it, but we'll leave that for another time. Rest assured, they're friendly ghosts.

Visit www.ArtsYOUniverse.com to learn more about the Stegmaier Mansion, or click on the title of this post. Also, visit Christine Altman's Etsy store at http://stipplyirresistible.etsy.com to see some unique Halloween artwork.

My Watercolor Palette

I've recently been asked how I set up my watercolor palette. The majority of my paints are Grumbacher's Academy brand watercolors. I've been using this paint for years, and I've always been happy with the results. Recently, one of my students introduced me to the American Journey brand watercolors available at www.CheapJoes.com. The quality of this brand is superb, and the colors are beautiful. I'm also impressed by the price and size of the paint tubes. I haven't had the paint tubes for long, but I understand this brand does not dry out in the tubes over time. I also use a few of the Sennelier brand watercolors. They're also quality paints.

If you click on the photo, you'll see a detailed version of my palette. Shannon, I hope this answers your questions. Happy painting!

Palm Tree Ladies - Prints Now Available on Etsy

This lovely lady has decided to stop by my Etsy shop. Feel free to pay her a visit by clicking on the title of this post.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Here's to the best mom ever! Happy Mother's Day!

Clockface Earrings

Several people asked about these earrings since I started wearing them again. I fabricated these earrings in 1990 using sterling silver, etched sheet metal from David H. Fell. Although I've done my own etching before, I found this company's etched metal wonderful to work with.

Using a jeweler's saw, I simply cut two squares from the sheet metal. Then I soldered the clockface components on each piece of sheet metal. I used round wire and hammered it flat to create each number. To create the silver dots, I used my acetylene torch to "ball up" some old scrap metal. I love how old scrap metal forms into a ball when you hold a torch over it. Then I used a little bit of Black Max from Rio Grande to give the earrings an antique finish.

Click on the title of this post to learn more about David H. Fell.