Art From My Heart

Tonight, as I was browsing through my flickr collection of the same name, I recalled many fond memories of the wonderful mixed media artist friends I've made over the years through collaborations of all shapes and sizes. We met through flickr, our blogs, Ebay ATC groups, Yahoo groups, NINGs from 6 years ago, challenges, swaps, skinny books, art-e-zine and SO MUCH MORE. So.... here is a random selection of a few of my older art pieces that were part of all that "coming together!" 

I am happy to say, many of us still keep in touch!

Thank you for inspiring me, dear friends! (Art is from June 2007-Nov 2009.)

Layers and Detail

best friends forever ATC a photo by cookievf on Flickr.

I came across the following description while glancing through some of my older pics on Flickr. Clearly, I document process & technique for sharing and for the fun i get out of looking back at something I created a few years ago.

"Truthfully, you don't realize how much work goes into these tiny treasures until you list ALL OF THE STEPS it took to create it!

13 Steps:
- patterned paper background,
- 2-3 colors distress ink
- taped to pre-printed "BACK" (name/date/email)
- stamped flower using clear ink,
- heat-embossed with copper - embossing powder,
- glued number transparency to background.
- matted printed photo onto torn vintage book page,
- distressed with ink
- cut square of blue mesh
- "popped" to card with foam tape.
- glued cardboard number
- edged with black sharpie
- glued purple microbeads to flower center

best friends forever ATC - created 0309"

flickr picnik fan

"BEFORE" Dull, washed out and somewhat flat. Doesn't showcase the rich colors and natural beauty of a favorite beach scene in Ocean City, NJ. Frankly, I liked it until I saw it tweaked on flickr today!

"AFTER" bright, contrast adjusted, sharpened, color punched up slightly to show pink hotel. Better, overall and WAY faster for my simple purposes than to launch and dig into PSE!

A few more examples of what keeps me up at night!


My father, age 16

My mother, circa 1960's

be inspired

be inspired! Originally uploaded by cookievf

Have you noticed?

There is such an amazing array of talent on flickr.com! Please take a moment, click on the uploaded "photo mosaic" I've created to

• view all of the stunning details in a larger format
• find 18 individual links to learn more about some of these amazing artists!!

I promise you'll be inspired to
make something beautiful today.

1. Conscious Freedom, 2. Willkommen Oktober, 3. sparse. one, 4. Angel Of Grief, 5. White Building, 6. Stacking rings, 7. Untitled, 8. Glass and green, 9. monday worries, 10. Shortbread with Pistachio, 11. Bench Monday - Hibernate, 12. ..., 13.WINTER BOKEH 1, 14. White Ceramic Star Decorations, 15. antique chandelier, 16. ashberry, 17. Kitchen moment, 18. Where Angels Nest

Notice: Although FLICKR is a photo-sharing website, please realize it is by no means my intention to offend anyone. Please leave a COMMENT on FLICKR if you would like me to remove your picture and I will not hesitate to do so!