Saturday, 7 September 2013

Challenges

Hi everybody!
Today I have a few things to share. The first is a piece I made for the SOARTFUL challenge, where my blog buddy Sheila has joined the DT and chosen the theme, 'A single flower with a minimalist design'. Now, this is not my thing, I seem to prefer maxi design and embellies, but as Sheila's a lovely lady, I gave it a try, and was able to use stuff that was already on my table waiting to be used. I picked and painted a pile of corrugated cardboard recently, good to do while watching TV, keeps your fingers busy, and is cheaper than crisps or peanuts. The flower is one of a batch of leaves and flowers I made last week, using magazine pages painted with leftovers from all the colours that pass through my fingers. I cut the flower with TH's tattered florals, and layered it together. A piece of knotted green ribbon became the stem, and I took some off-cuts from a printed canvas for the text. Then I declared it finished and minimalist, at least for me!




At AJJ the challenge is once again to do something 'Less is more'- Grrrrr!
And Conny at Mix it Monthly wants to see  feathers, Leonardo, pink, grey and mint green. The colours are not quite right either, but I have to paint with what I have, and at the moment there's not too much choice. So I tried to combine all of this to make a journal page, at least a page that will go into my journal when I make a new one. I used the feathers stencil from CWS, my Leda stamp from Lost Coast designs, some scraps of ancient handwriting, and a quote from Leonardo. I copied his signature, too. I am also linking to Colour this quote over at Artists in Blogland, where the quote is ' There are no shortcuts to any place worth going'. I was reading how long Leonardo studied and tried till he got things as he wanted them to be, and this is a small tribute to a wonderful artist, scientist, and man of great vision.





Have a great day you all, take care, and thanks for coming by.

29 comments:

  1. Well, if ever I want a piece of minimalist art made again, I'll come to you, I really like this, it's very original, imaginatively made, intriguingly attractive and with an amusing description - the last rose of summer. Thanks, Valerie!
    I do like your Leonardo tribute, the colours look fine on my screen and you've made such an interesting design.

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  2. I love your solitary flower, and the journal page is wonderful, great work again! Hugs, Sarah

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  3. Beautiful last rose of summer, exquisitely done! The journal page is beautiful, I love the quote, I love Leonardo too, what an interesting and talented individual he was! ~Diane

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  4. wunderbare ArtJournal Seite und ein tolles Einzelblümchen Valerie!

    schönen Sonntag Dir!

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  5. Loving your single flower, I know how you feel wanting to add more.
    Beautiful page as well.
    Yvonne

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  6. The thing is you are good at 'less is more', love these pieces!

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  7. The single flower piece is beautiful and a great idea to paint a few things ready to use--clever you!

    I just love the feathers page it all looks so natural and as though it flowed along without you having to think about it too much. Real artistry :).

    Have a great day Valerie

    Love Chrissie x

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  8. Valerie, I love your journal page, it's so fresh - you do minimal very well you know! :) and your last rose of summer is lovely. Know what you mean about keeping your fingers busy to stop eating - with me it's maltesers and chocolate buttons! Xx

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    1. Try ripping paper! Although if I had a supply of maltesers every evening I would grow very weak!

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  9. That single flower look beautiful. Well done my friend...

    Hugs~

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  10. You always spoil us with jam packed posts and this again does not disappointed.
    Beautiful use of corrugated cardboard and yet I also love the use of that feather stencil.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  11. Both pieces you created are super...
    the last rose of summer speaks to me as our days grow shorter and nights are cooler ...
    corrugated cardboard is a great ingredient!
    You did a great job combining Conny's challenge with the AJJ Less is More challenge = beautiful work!
    I enjoyed reading your post too...
    oxo

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  12. I adore your flower card beautiful texture and your flower is wonderful.

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  13. Hi Valerie, great makes - and not only is the cardboard cheaper than crisps, it also has a lot less calories!
    Avril xx

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  14. I always love art on corrugated cardboard! Something about it that I really like but rarely do.
    Your feathers and Leonardo art is lovely too. I think adding his signature makes it extra special!

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  15. Both pieces are great, hard to pick a fave - lovely work as always! Hugs, Barb

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  16. Both are fabulous Valerie, but I love your Leonardo piece. Less is more isn't my thing either, slap it on is much better :-) xx

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  17. Wonderful last rose of summer!! The second artwork is great too! I like both!!

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  18. Beautiful work Valerie. I love the colours on the petals of your flower. x

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  19. Oh Valerie, Du hast den Kern so getroffen...Ich bin ganz begeistert, von Deiner Kreation! Einmalig, wie die Federn dem Ganzen so eine Leichtigkeit geben...ich liebe es auch ganz besonders, dass ganz viel Weiss geblieben ist! Grossartig und vielen Dank für Mitmachen bei Mix It Monthly ♥♥♥ Ich liebe Dein Blümchen auch so sehr, weil es so besonders wirkt auf der hellen Wellpappe!! Liebe Grüsse von Conny

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  20. I simply love your writing, dear Valerie! (Or should I address to you in German?) I certainly admire your art, no doubt! But it is the mixture of both, which makes me smile and impressed at the same time! Well done!
    Greets, Manu

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  21. I love that dark flowers against the white corrugate. Beautiful!

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  22. Both are very nice! Like the use of cardboard!

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  23. The minimalist piece is so well done. I know it's not your fav. thing to do - however you are so good at it! In the last rose of summer, I like the fact you used frayed material - adds nice texture and a different touch. hugs, Donna

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  24. Valerie I really do like your flower on your first make and then I fell head over heels in love with your journal page. It has a nostalgic feel - bits and pieces from the past and your forged signature? Wonderful!!
    sandy

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  25. Wow,ich bin ganz begeistert von deiner creation valerie,die federn machen das ganze so luftig leicht schwebend,richtig klasse.
    das blümchen auf der hellen wellpappe ist auch grossartig,ich liebe die texturen und farben.

    GLG Jeannette

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  26. Beautiful page, love the feathers!
    xx Monique

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