Make It Artsy - The No See-Ums Get You Every Time!!!!

I still can't believe it but I filmed two segments for Make It Artsy. I did it!!!! For those who do not know it's an arts and crafts show hosted by Julie Fei Fan Balzer of Balzer Designs which appears on TV with your local PBS channel, online MakeItArtsy.com , and YouTube.  You can also find them on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

As soon as I received the email I had to read it twice. I first thought they had wrong person but my name was right there. I was excited, shocked and petrified. I've never even taught a class before so how could I even do something on TV?  Something inside me said YES go for it and I did.

Doing things out of your comfort is a scary thing for everyone. It's the no see-ums that are scary. All my thoughts running rampant in my head wondering what was going to happen really screwed me for sure.

This is what the studio looks like. All those cameras, lights and no see-ums was a little overwhelming.  After I filmed my first segment I realized that my no see-ums in my head were pretty much nonexistent.  Everyone in the studio was so friendly and welcoming. Julie...she's so good. When I couldn't come up with a word she was right there continuing the conversation so it made it easier for me to keep going without looking like an idiot. LOL 

 

 

The best part were these wonderful artists. They are so down to earth, friendly, so nice and really helped me to stay as calm as I could be.  They have appeared in the show before so it was nice to hear their feedback and tips.

 

Seth Apter

 

 

 

Cat Kerr and Joe Rotella   (I close my eyes when I'm nervous. I need to practice!!!)

 

 

I was so nervous I hardly took any pictures. Thank you to Seth for taking this one which was my first segment I filmed. Yes, my eyes are closed. They are probably closed in all the pictures.

 

 



My second segment went so much better. I was more relaxed and having a little more fun. I'm not sure I want to see myself . I will keep you posted on the date it will air.

Overall it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and it was a great experience. All those thoughts in my head never came to be. I'm hoping the next situation outside my comfort zone I'll think about this day and realize those no see-ums just don't exist.

Have you done something outside your comfort zone? Inquiring minds want to know!

Thank you for stopping by! I truly appreciate it.

 

How I use My Mother's Painting for My Art

My mother was an artist, my parents died in 2004, and she loved nature especially birds. She worked near a river and during lunch she would take pictures of birds to use in her art or just sit and sketch. During one art show someone tripped and knocked off a couple of her paintings. It was raining that day so they were water damaged. One painting was a swan family. She waited patiently every day at lunch to take pictures to create the painting. Since she couldn't sell it because of the damage, she gave it to me (being reframed now).

I love the painting and I've taken pictures of the parts of the painting to use in my art. I've created many pieces that I love and can't give away.

This is another piece of art that I created with her swans a few months ago. It was created on two round wood ornaments. I have decided how I'm going to display them.  I'm thinking of using wire to keep the two pieces together and then display them in a shadow box that I can hang on the wall.

 

I used many die cut pieces and rub-ons. I also used TCW stencils (no surprise there). I used TCW737 Love Sonnet and TCW785 Ornate Borders.  The swans were printed on Matte Photo Paper.  There are actually 5 or 6 baby swans (cygnets). She called this painting The Ugly Duckling. All the cygnets were white except for one which was brown and gray.

 

I couldn't decide whether I wanted to have a daytime or nighttime sky or clouds or sun so I put it all on this piece.  This piece made me realize how much I love collage.  

 

 

 

As soon as I get it back from being re-framed I'll add a picture to this post. My photograph is only part of it so you can't see the whole thing.

 

The pieces I create with her art is like having her right with me. She's my biggest fan next to my daughter. Growing up with my parents reading fairy tales to us this one became very special when she named it The Ugly Duckling. That story is one of my favorites.

 

Have you used something special from your loved ones to create a piece of art?

Inquiring minds would like to know!

 

Thank so much for stopping by!