Art Challenge

Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”
Edward de Bono



"Elephante" Artwork by Amy Maisel Clay/Tin/Acrylics

A few months ago my Art doll group had a challenge to decorate a tin....Well, I stretched my imagination a bit farther than usual to come up with this "Elephante". I love the vintage circus feel she has. I made all four legs and head out of Oven-Bake Sculpey and then painted them with acrylics. I connected the components with glue and screwed them into the tin. I love challenges like this because it makes you try different things!

Driftwood

Driftwood
Broken by a storm, freed from my roots
I flow toward destiny where
new adventures await,
anxiously.

No longer a bystander of a rivers journey
but baptized by nature’s resilience
as I float, glide and fly,
joyfully.

My journey has shaped me uniquely
chiseled by jagged rock to beauty
whitened by the sun,
brilliantly.

Life no longer passes me by as I travel
napping in shadowed pools
dancing with the spray,
gratefully.

Where will my adventure’s end?
Does it really matter as
long as I’m still here,
naturally.
Author unknown



"Driftwood Dolls" artwork by Amy Maisel Driftwood, Mixed Media

I love collecting driftwood pieces and making things out of them, especially art dolls. I came up with this idea after collecting some on vacation to Colorado. My husband is a fly-fisherman and that definitely gives me the opportunity to wander and collect treasures along the banks of lakes, streams and rivers. I grew up on the Mississippi in Wisconsin and I have always collected treasures from the banks. It probably makes sense, I love all things weathered, worn, and natural.

Mixed Media Stitch

"Sewing mends the soul"
Author Unknown


"Vacation Purse" artwork by Amy Maisel Mixed Media Stitch/Embroidery

A few years ago I discovered embroidery and mixed media stitch. We took a vacation to a Dude Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. I wanted to take a simple art project that was small and would travel easily. I bought a needlepoint hoop, bag of embroidery thread, needles and needlepoint fabric. I loosly sketched a design on the fabric and just randomly started sewing. It was really relaxing to just sit sewing while looking at the Mountains, Stream and Horses. My end product after this vacation ended up becoming a little purse. After that I try and create some type of Momento from all my vacations.

Below are three pieces that I created recently for the Cloth Paper Scissors Artisan 2011 Search.

http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/media/g/artisanstitch/default.aspx

Well, I wasn't chosen in the top 5, but I love my pieces anyway. There were over 1200 entries and so many talented artist submissions. So, I don't feel bad, it pushed me to make these and I LOVE them!!!


"Delicate Elephant" artwork by Amy Maisel Mixed Media Stitch


"Mermaid Afternoon" artwork by Amy Maisel Mixed Media Stitch


"Flight in a Garden Delight" artwork by Amy Maisel Mixed Media Stitch

HOME

“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”
anonymous



"HOMES" Arwork by Amy Maisel Mixed Media

I have lived in many homes in my life (over 20). Lots of moving and relocating has not been easy, but it also has not been a negative. I think living in different places has been an incredible adventure and has given me many amazing experiences. I have lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Washington and now Arizona. I have always lived in or near all the big cities too, (Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle and Phoenix)! I feel those experiences have made me the artist I am today and I believe I have also become a successful homemaker/interior decorator. Not to mention a pretty good organizer. However, with all that said.......I still dream of having my forever home in my forever town that I can grow old with my husband and kids. I think that is why I create all these different homes. It shows me where I have been and where I am going....I guess!!!!

Trash to Treasure

“You can’t depend on your eyes if your imagination is out of
focus". Mark Twain


"Curbside Find"......Refinished by Amy Maisel.....Acrylics&Love




"$7.00 @ Goodwill"....Refinished by Amy Maisel....Acrylics&Love

I love refinishing old pieces and bringing them to life again! These two pieces were outdated and sad looking before and now, I love them. My daughter needed a side table and extra storage. She has a cute little kitty necklace that we got the idea from. I made a bunch of paper templates and made different animals. I kept it simple with a black and white theme...with a little color. She loves it and it goes with her room and personality perfectly!!! The trunk was in a pile of trash on our street for our monthly curbside trash day! I snatched it up and added many layers of creme and gold paint. I finished it off with some copper glaze to give the metal details a new look.

Creativity

The world is but a canvas to the imagination.
Henry David Thoreau


"Rainbow Dolls"........Amy Maisel........mixed media art dolls

I have been making Art Dolls since I was young and I am always making them with different mediums. These dolls are made with scrap wood, decorative paper and wall paper, wire, beads and buttons. I illustrated the faces with gouache watercolor and then photocopied them onto fabric copy paper, cut them out and applied them. I have them hanging up in my studio, along with a lot of my other work.

NEW BEGINNINGS

"One step must start each journey."
Author Unknown


"two frogs"..AMY MAISEL....gouache watercolor


I am starting this new blog as a celebration of one of many "NEW BEGINNINGS" I will have in my life. My other blog seemed to be a blog that very few people new about (due to my own insecurities of sharing and also due to not putting myself out there)! I am starting over so to speak and want to share this with many. I make happy art, I make art to show the sweet side of life. I love bright, vibrant colors and I love using as many mediums as I can. Everyday is a new beginning for me with art.....I never have a plan, I just let the source decide! (And in "SOURCE"....I mean "THE ONE WHO MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE....whoever, whatever or however that is)!