WhatDoYouMeanByArt

This blog will be no more...

2011-11-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

Much as I have tried to keep separate blogs for separate interests, I've decided that I can't do it any more.

Considering that my last posting in here was back in late September, it seems a wise decision to make.

I started WhatDoYouMeanByArt as a way to take part in online challenges, keeping my art work separate from my regular blog. I was convinced by others better versed in blogging that that was how it was done.

With a few years of blogging under my own belt, it recently hit me smack in the head....I am not a split personality. I'm a sum of the things that I do, that I enjoy, and that I love. Art being one of those things.

Why should I separate art from my every day blogging life when it's a part of my every day 'real' life? Imo, I shouldn't. I know other artists who have come to the same conclusion. We are a sum of our parts. We are who we are because of them, not in spite of them.

That being said, WhatDoYouMeanByArt will no longer be an active blog. I no longer take part in the challenges (most of them are defunct now anyway), and am too busy with my art work, Etsy shop, life.

WhatDoYouMeanByArt will remain my Etsy shop name, but this blog, once merged with Noteworthy Musings, will be deleted from blogdom forever.

Thank you to those who have followed me here. I've appreciated your support, and your comments. I hope that you'll wander by Noteworthy Musings to say hello. Once I get everything settled in, I hope to continue offering Friday Freebies, and to share some of my newest art work with everyone.

Happy blogging!

Friday Freebie - Rustic Background

2011-09-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

Use this image as an overlay for photographs, or in your art work.

Friday Freebie

2011-08-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

My art blog has been suffering at the hands of neglect. I haven't been involved in any online art challenges, and I misplaced (ie lost) my glasses, so doing any close up work hasn't been an option. Cheaters simply don't work well enough. So, I haven't been working on any art work to speak of anyway. *sigh*

I continue to post Friday Freebies in the hopes that others will benefit and find something useful for their own art work. I hope that today's frame will be useful to someone. Enjoy. :-)

There are no identifying marks on this photograph, except for a faint oval stamping on the back, which I can only partially make out. It reads 'Swanlund Studio', and beneath that Eur, which I'm guessing to be Eureka (CA).

The young woman is slightly out of focus (what we artistically call 'soft focus' these days lol), but it's still a nice vintage shot.

And here is the frame, photograph removed, for your own purposes. Images are 300dpi.

Friday Freebie - The Men

2011-07-22T21:56:00.000-07:00

Love this picture.

The back;

Friday Freebie - Little Boy

2011-06-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

This is a picture postcard of a little boy, unknown origins. Look at those leather boots!

I intentionally left this photo 'as is', showing its age. It can be cleaned up and tweaked in Photoshop if desired. Enjoy.

Friday Freebie - Young Couple

2011-06-03T18:16:00.000-07:00

On the back, written in pencil (and pretty illegibly) is a name, possibly H. E. Ridenour, Griffithonville, MA - No. 14. Since there is no Griffithonville, I'm assuming that the city is actually Griffithville. The only part of the name that I can truly make out is the H. E., and the first part of the last name, which is Rid...From there, pretty much anything is possible. lol

Friday Freebie - Kodachrome Slide

2011-05-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

Freebie - Photo Overlay

2011-05-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

MMT - Easter

2011-04-14T23:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday Postcard Art - Mothers

2011-04-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

My postcard is on the personal side this week. My mother died when I was fifteen, so she's been missing from my life for a very long time now. Of the few photos that I have of her as a young woman this is one of my favorites. I have no idea where it was taken, or where she was headed, but I've always thought she looked extremely happy. I miss you very much mom.

See other work at SPA.

Friday Freebie - Wood Texture

2011-04-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

Make a Moo - Vintage Text

2011-03-31T20:30:00.000-07:00

I used two types of vintage text here, the paper at the top from an old ledger, and the bird, which is made out of text from an old book.

View other participants or play along yourself at MMT.

Friday Freebie - Vintage Airmail

2011-03-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

Friday Freebie - Tile Photo Overlay

2011-03-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

Every Inchie Monday - Dance

2011-03-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

Though I enjoy designing inchies, this is my first time participating at this challenge site.

The theme is dance, which is right up my alley. :-) I've had this image of Fred Astaire in my stash forever. The original intention - an inchie with his face and torso, but then it snowballed and turned into a four part piece.

See other participants at Every Inchie Monday.

Make a Moo - Robots and Rocket Ships

2011-03-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

I had too much fun!

See participants of this weeks challenge at MMT.

Sunday Postcard Art - Double Take

2011-03-01T17:58:00.000-08:00

My 'take' on the theme. Remember the Double Mint Twins? This was fun to put together!

SPA is here.

Sunday Postcard Art - Faces

2011-02-19T23:08:00.000-08:00

See other work at SPA.

Make a Moo or Two - School Days

2011-02-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

Remember your school days? This moo was made using bits and pieces of paper, and a photograph from my own collection.

See other participants, or take part yourself, by visiting MMT.

TMTA - Treble Clef

2011-02-14T12:22:00.000-08:00

Long time no play with ATC's for me. This one was fun and right up my alley.

This piece uses sheet music, vellum, clip art from my stash, and a little hand drawing and lettering (clef and verbiage).

See other participants of this weeks challenge at TMTA.

Sunday Postcard Art - Hearts

2011-02-12T23:22:00.000-08:00

A very appropriate theme with Valentine's Day coming up! I had a lot of fun with this piece. All handmade, except for a little digital colorization on the girl before printing out and adding to my card.

See other heart postcards at SPA. Have a great week!

Friday Freebie - Photo Overlay

2011-02-11T18:06:00.000-08:00

Use this overlaid onto photos for a neat aged effect.

Sunday Postcard Art - Steampunk Inspired

2011-02-05T19:20:00.000-08:00

Still learning, but am loving playing around with the Steampunk theme. This week I made two digital pieces. The girl is from my own vintage photograph collection, the gears my own scan, and most of the other pieces are from Graphics Fairy.

See other participants at SPA.

Friday Freebie - Matchbook Art

2011-02-04T14:57:00.000-08:00

This vintage cover brings back memories of when it was common place for stores/restaurants to put a lot of their advertising power into the lowly matchbook. Some of the books (like this one) have wonderful art work that gives us a little glimpse into that period of time.

This matchbook cover is from Connie's Chic Creations. I'm guessing it to be from the 1930s or 40s.

MMT - Isn't it Romantic....

2011-02-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

I had so many ideas for the theme of romance, but these are the two I decided on.

Visit MMT to see other fun art work.

Sunday Postcard Art - Home Sweet Home

2011-01-29T19:54:00.000-08:00

This weeks theme is the ever popular Home Sweet Home.

To see other participants visit SPA.

Friday Freebie - Photo Frame

2011-01-28T16:10:00.000-08:00

Sunday Postcard Art - Pens and Pencils

2011-01-22T22:42:00.000-08:00

Primitive pencil scrawl by me.

See other participants at SPA!

Make a Moo or Two - Are we there yet?

2011-01-20T20:36:00.000-08:00

Chances are we’ve all asked that question at some point during our childhood. We've also probably dealt with someone else asking the question of us.

This week the MMT challenge is about travel. Btw, are we there yet???

My first moo is put together using random images and words. The second is a bit more personal, incorporating a photograph of some of my aunts and uncles.

Visit MMT if you'd like to play along!

TMTA - Sheet Music

2011-01-17T15:26:00.000-08:00

See other works at TMTA.

Friday Freebie - Pretty Girls

2011-01-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

Make a Moo or Two - Silhouette

2011-01-09T20:48:00.000-08:00

I've taken over hosting the Make a Moo Challenge. I hope you'll all come on over and take part!

This week the theme/prompt is silhouette. I had a lot of fun with these. The first one uses one of my own photographs, plus a bird rubber stamp. The second, just scrap paper and a bird silhouette.

See other participants at MMT.

Friday Freebie - Sailor

2011-01-07T16:44:00.000-08:00

4x4 Friday - Winter Solstice

2010-12-21T20:18:00.000-08:00

My piece was made using one of my own photographs.

See other 4x4's at 4x4 Friday.

Sunday Postcard Art - Santa

2010-12-19T10:17:00.000-08:00

HoHoHo!!

See other examples of Santa art here.

Inchy by Inch - Blue

2010-12-17T21:04:00.000-08:00

An appropriate prompt for the last inchie challenge.

Yep, you read that right. The last one.

Though I haven't always been consistent in my participation, I will miss this challenge. All of the challenges I really like seem to be closing up shop.

Ah well. Life goes on.

Here is my blue inchie. I took a little bit of liberty going 'outside' the inchie box with the crown. I hope you like it.

See other participants of this weeks challenge here.

Inchy by Inch - Cold

2010-12-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

I had fun with these. Some stamping, some colored pencil work, some acrylic paint. Thanks for looking!

See other players here.

Friday Freebie - Christmas Couple

2010-12-10T20:59:00.000-08:00

I love this picture, I think in part because it reminds me of a photograph I have of my mother holding her own dog in exactly the same way.

Notice all the tinsel on that tree?

TMTA - White (Bianco/Blanco/Shiro/Weib)

2010-11-29T13:57:00.000-08:00

I had fun with this. I based the ATC on an old journal page I made years ago. Finally, a use for all of those scraps of paper!

See other participants of TMTA here.

Think Monday Think ATC - Candlelight

2010-11-27T22:11:00.000-08:00

I'm way late for this, but that's okay. It was a great theme and I decided to do it anyway.

Lots of fun to do, with paper, acrylic paint, ink, glitter and glue.

Visit TMTA to see other participants.

Sunday Postcard Art - Wish List

2010-11-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

See other postcards at SPA.

Sunday Postcard Art - Remberance

2010-11-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

This is a digital piece I put together out of bits and pieces. In honor and remembrance to all who served.

See other works at SPA.

Friday Freebie - Texture

2010-11-12T14:05:00.000-08:00

Use as a background, or as a photo overlay/texture.

Freebie - Air Mail Envelope

2010-11-07T11:14:00.000-08:00

4x4 Friday - Day of the Dead

2010-10-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Every challenge blog seems to be doing this theme. I'm completely late for this challenge as it changed over last Friday, but I'm posting my piece anyway.

Visit 4x4 Friday to view other work and other challenges.

Sunday Postcard Art - Day of the Dead

2010-10-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

This weeks challenge is in honor of the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead.

I had fun with this, though it was a challenge. The background paper was hand designed by me, but scanned and tweaked for color in PS. The other elements were found online. The flower border was used in it's original form. The skeleton was black and white so I colored all of the elements myself. The eye and hat flowers were added to give an authentic look to the piece.

See other participants at SPA.

Inchy by Inch - Home is Where the Heart Is

2010-10-28T14:46:00.001-07:00

Think Monday Think ATC - Spooky

2010-10-24T21:49:00.000-07:00

I couldn't stop at one with this prompt. I had fun with these and could have made even more!

Both ATC's are hand made using acrylic paint, chalk ink, bleach, stamps, and hand drawn elements. The skeleton is stamped with bleach, the spider web hand drawn.

See other great spooky ATC's here.

Sunday Postcard Art - Witches

2010-10-23T23:07:00.000-07:00

A fun theme to play with. A nice change from all the 'evil' prompts.

This piece incorporates a photograph from my own ever growing collection.

See other participants at SPA here.

Friday Freebie - 1923 Touring Car and Gang

2010-10-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

Inchy by Inch - Future

2010-10-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

What does the future hold? Ask the Magic 8 Ball to find out!

This is a two-sided inchie.

See other participants in the inchie challenge here.

4x4 Friday - Skully

2010-10-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

I just found 4x4 Friday again. It's been a long time. This prompt was fun to do! I used various collage elements to complete this piece.

I've got so many Halloween papers, it's nice to be able to use them!

See other works at 4x4 Friday.

Think Monday Think ATC - Dragon/Kite

2010-10-18T00:51:00.000-07:00

I made an ATC featuring your basic childhood kite, though visit any beach and you're bound to see plenty of adults flying kites as well.

Inchy by Inch - The Past

2010-10-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

I made two inchies this week. The first is using an old photograph from my collection.

The second inchie uses an old family photograph with my aunt Josephine, uncle Ted, and Aunt Lee (Elizabeth). A small portion of my father's very large Italian family.

View other inchies here.

Friday Freebie - Dictionary Cover

2010-10-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

This is the cover of a little pocket dictionary dated 1898. The cover is leather, and in excellent condition considering how well used the book obviously was.

How different times are now with our access to 'online' dictionaries. In times past people carried little books like this to have knowledge at their finger tips.

Small World of Inchies/Twinchies - Funny Halloween

2010-10-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

It was nice to have a fun Halloween theme for a change! I went a bit overboard and made four twinchies. All handmade (no digital).

Play along, and see other inches/twinchies at TMTA.

Sunday Postcard Art - Evil Clowns

2010-10-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

Evil Clowns really aren't my cup of tea. Actually, clowns in general aren't my cup of tea. I don't like clowns. At all. Period.

That said, here's my postcard for this week. Please don't make me do this again. lol

My piece is made up of a photo that I took yesterday (of a happy looking pumpkin faced clown with colorful suit), and an evil clown head that I found online.

See other evil clowns at SPA.

TMTA - Thanksgiving

2010-10-03T21:42:00.000-07:00

A couple of months out before we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the US, but still a nice theme, as we should be thankful every day.

See other Thanksgiving themed ATC's at TMTA.

Sunday Postcard Art - Dark Marie

2010-10-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

I had no idea what this weeks prompt meant when I first read it, but took a stab at the fact (no pun intended) that it might be Marie Antoinette taking a walk on the dark side. I was right.

Marie Antoinette is not my thing at all, so this was indeed a challenge.

This piece started with an actual painting of Marie herself. I added in various elements, including my own drawing. The original painting features a bust where Poe is in my version. I thought that Poe would be the perfect accompaniment to her darkly decorated room.

See other versions of Marie's dark side at SPA.

Sunday Postcard Art - Autumn

2010-09-26T18:08:00.000-07:00

My piece uses a silhouette, stamping, and drawing.

See other autumn posts at SPA.

Friday Freebie - Pen and Ink Page

2010-09-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

I found this book today for $2. I loved the cover and the inside artwork, so I bought it. The book is dated 1905.

Inchy by Inch - Wave

2010-09-21T17:05:00.000-07:00

My first thought was of ocean waves, so I made an inchie using a photograph that I took of the Oregon Coast years ago.

Then I thought of flags. What 'waves' better than a flag? This inchie was a great way to use up some of those scraps of paper that I accumulate. lol

TMTA - Autumn

2010-09-20T22:01:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make a couple of ATC's this week, but time constraints didn't allow.

For this card I used a page from a Victor Record Catalog, chalk inks, walnut ink, and ephemera.

See other autumn ATC's at TMTA.

Sunday Postcard Art - Pin-Up Girls

2010-09-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

I had it in my head that the prompt was simply Pin-Up Girls (missed the 1950s part). My girl is the original pin-up girl - Betty Grable, most popular during WWII.

I hope it can still count!

This is a digital piece using various elements blended together.

For those who don't know...

Betty Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973) was an American actress, dancer and singer. Her iconic bathing suit photo made her the number-one pin-up girl of the WW II era. It was later included in the LIFE magazine project "100 Photos that Changed the World".

Grable was particularly noted for having the most beautiful legs in Hollywood, and studio publicity widely dispersed photos featuring them. Hosiery specialists of the era often noted the ideal proportions of her legs. Grable's legs were famously insured by her studio for $1,000,000 with Lloyds of London.

See other pin-up girls at SPA!

TMTA - Bingo

2010-09-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

Always a fun theme!

See other Bingo cards at TMTA.

Inchy by Inch - Touch

2010-09-09T00:41:00.000-07:00

Visit InchybyInch to see more tiny works of art.

TMTA - Famous People

2010-09-06T00:37:00.000-07:00

Various elements were used to bring this piece together.

See other work at TMTA.

Sunday Postcard Art - Fruit

2010-09-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

A challenge I had to really think about. Hubby suggested the orange peel smile for the boy. It was something that he remembered doing as a kid.

See other fruity works at SPA.

TMTA - Top Hat

2010-08-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

The only obvious person for a theme on 'Top Hat' for me...Fred Astaire!

And sadly, because I obviously have no shame....

See other works at TMTA.

Sunday Postcard Art - On the Dark Side

2010-08-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

I made two cards for this week. Both are handmade (actual paper, glue, and scissors) using various elements.

I'm one of those people who really dislikes clowns, but when hubby suggested a creepy clown for this weeks prompt, I thought, why not face my own dislike. lol

So this one is for the not-so-squeamish....

This one for the squeamish.....lol

Friday Freebie - Sunkist

2010-08-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

I love this ad. It's from a 1912 women's magazine (click to enlarge).

Think Monday Think ATC - Anatomy

2010-08-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

A digital piece using The Vitruvian Man (a drawing created by Leonardo da Vinci) and a lung x-ray (both altered in PS), along with a few other elements. I added a fig leaf for humor.

See other works at TMTA.

Sunday Postcard Art - Odd Bods

2010-08-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

See other odd bods at SPA.

TMTA - Script

2010-08-16T12:17:00.000-07:00

The prompt for this week is script.

I used photographs and papers from my own collection to make this piece. The envelope is addressed to Miss Emma Pinkerton, and contains a letter from Richard Halliburton (American traveler, adventurer, and author of the 1920s and 30s).

See other ATCs here.

Small World of Inchies/Twinchies - Ladies

2010-08-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

This week I made digital twinchies. The photographs are from my own collection. I had fun (and put in quite a bit of time) designing and pulling these together.

These ladies from the 1950s have been plopped down in Seaside Oregon...A vacation with just the girls! I love how stylish the second woman looks.

These young women from a more distant time took a trip to France.

Thanks for looking!

Sunday Postcard Art - Mushrooms

2010-08-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

The mushroom queen reins over the forest....(click to enlarge). With a simple wave of her hand the flutterby's extend their wings and fly towards the heavens...

See other wonderful postcards at SPA!

Sunday Postcard Art - Houses

2010-08-08T02:00:00.000-07:00

I made two this week, and I got tired of messing with my scanner so I took photographs (click to enlarge). Photos still don't really do them justice. They are much brighter and crisper in person.

The background paper of my own design. All the tiny details are hand done, right down to the windows and framing. Yes, I'm nuts. lol

Friday Freebie - Sisters

2010-08-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

Sisters? Friends? Cousins? No names or identification on this photograph at all, but I like it.

Sunday Postcard Art - Patchwork

2010-07-31T22:20:00.000-07:00

This postcard is a little of both this week, hand made and digital.

The background is made using various papers (in reds/pink), digitally altered in PS, with a digital overlay of a hummingbird.

See other patchwork postcards this week at SPA.

Friday Freebie - Pretty Girl

2010-07-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

This photo was found in a junk shop for $1. It had obviously once been part of a scrapbook, based on the snipped corners, and the glue and black paper evident on back. There are no markings, and no name (unless it resides hidden underneath the remains of the scrapbook page).

Check out that coat and those button shoes!

I'm still trying to figure out what it is she's holding.

Sunday Postcard Art - Owls

2010-07-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

When I saw the prompt for this week I thought, this will be a breeze. It wasn't.

This is what I finally came up with. Since I haven't been in the crafting mood lately it was a real struggle. lol

I used bits and pieces of paper, acrylic paints, inks, and various rubber stamps (the owl is from Hampton Arts).

See other works of art at SPA.

Thanks for looking and have a great week!

Friday Freebie - Young Soldier

2010-07-23T23:02:00.000-07:00

Sunday Postcard Art - Magic

2010-07-18T00:53:00.000-07:00

How many of you remember the Magic 8 ball?

See other magical cards at SPA!

Friday Freebie - Rosenthal Bros. & Co.

2010-07-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

Small World of Inchies/Twinchies - Fishy

2010-07-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

Mine are twinchies this week.

See other "fishy" works of art at SWIT.

Sunday Postcard Art - Babies

2010-07-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

This postcard was made using a baby photo from my vintage photo collection, a couple of stamps, and lots and lots of paper scraps! The text along the edge says "it's all about me".

See other postcards at SPA.

Friday Freebie - Principessina

2010-07-02T21:45:00.000-07:00

Friday Freebie - Fahionable Hats 1902

2010-06-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I picked up some fashion pages for next to nothing. This one comes from the Butterick publication The Delineator, which was published between 1873-1937.

Small World of Inchies/Twinchies - Steampunk

2010-06-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

I haven't played at this challenge for a very long time, but the steampunk theme caught my attention. I made a twinchie for this weeks challenge.

See other steampunk work at SWIT.

Sunday Postcard Art - Roses

2010-06-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

I've grown a bit tired of doing digital work, so this week I got my hands into paper, paint, and glue again.

See other roses at SPA.

Friday Freebie - Norm

2010-06-11T12:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday Postcard Art - No Business Like Show Business

2010-05-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

A really fun theme this week at SPA!

Of course I hadn't come up with anything until this morning, then I woke up with one of those 'that's it'!! moments. lol The idea wasn't so much a challenge, but executing it certainly was.

Narrowing down which stars to use was a hard choice in itself, but then my idea of gradient color was tough! I had help from hubby on this one. A real challenge to put together with the tools we have, but I'm very happy with the result.

Freebie - Floral Header

2010-05-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

The size of this header is 669 x 325 pixels.

Think Monday Think ATC - Fish

2010-05-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

I had something else in mind entirely, but sometimes our work takes another direction.

See other ATC's at TMTA.

Freebie - Lorena

2010-05-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

SPA - Umbrella

2010-05-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

This is the Morton Salt Girl of 1957, manipulated with a found background, brushes, and other elements in PS. I think she looks like a little Debbie Reynolds. lol

TMTA - Green

2010-05-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

Kermit the Frog is the first thing that came to mind...

See other works of green at TMTA.

Sunday Postcard Art - Sewing

2010-05-01T23:27:00.000-07:00

A tribute to the sewing circles of yesteryear....

See other postcards at SPA.

Felted Angels

2010-04-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

I just had to share these pictures of the felted angels my SIL Deb made. Aren't they fantastic?

So beautiful and so delicate. I keep telling her she needs to make these to sell!

Sunday Postcard Art - Oriental

2010-04-25T00:43:00.000-07:00

See other postcards at SPA.