Posts tagged ‘aceo’
I had been dying to paint all week. I started a writing class and it inspired me. I began a great big painting but realized I had purchased naughty bad cheapo paper and would have to throw it out. I started several smaller ones and I’m fairly certain this is the only one that will survive my over-excited need to over-paint the paper.
The other day I woke up feeling like I was on death’s door. Every part of my body ached, especially my eyelids. I wanted to sleep. I went into the spare bedroom in my house and buried myself in a fuzzy blanket. I cut myself off from the world and rested.
I wouldn’t say I woke up fresh as a daisy (I was disgusting) but there is definitely something to be said for the “get some rest” prescription people so often hand out.
This little painting is titled Francine, because although I was initially cartoonizing myself, in the end I think this girl looks like one of my first dolls I had as a kid who I treated like hell. She was used and abused, soft to begin with and softened by my early childhood games.
Although my sudden illness took me by surprise it is not especially odd that I would get sick with my tendency to over-work. My grandfather, who is very ill at this time, once cautioned me about burning the candle at both ends.
Unfortunately many of us feel that it is necessary to work as hard as possible, and the results can be mixed. Living takes its toll.
Sunset; digital collage sheet by Lauren Alexander on Etsy
You know who you are. You walk into a garage sale and see a chair with three legs and shredded upholstery and think, “SCORE, I can’t believe they are selling this future shabby chic vintage ottoman!”
Foxy; digital collage sheet by Lauren Alexander
Yes you, who saves your wrapping paper, toilet rolls, and/or pine cones. Or maybe you just stroll through Pinterest marking amazing projects you never thought of because you don’t re-envision everything you see as a handy new paper towel holder. But someone does….
Today is your day! You are a visionary, and I applaud your talent.
You may or may not know it but over a period of about 5 years I made hundreds of small trading card sized paintings. Each of those paintings were sold, some were made into prints, and some just evaporated. Most of them were pretty cool though and I think they deserve a second life…
I will get to the point. All of my “old” small paintings are being re-born as a supply for your never-ending creative drive. I am making digital collage sheets for yo
ur downloading pleasure. There is no limit to the possibilities of what you can do with them, but then I don’t have to tell you that.
Right now I have 6 different collage sheets of my small original paintings. Each sheet has different designs from the other. So it’s best to collect all of them. Better get craftin’!
In my basement among piles of junk are surprising treasures. I found a small book of poetry published in 1939. It immediately grabbed me because I didn’t recognize it and when I looked inside I noticed the inscription was to Mabel and Elton (my husband’s grandparents) from the author herself. Then I realized the book was published in McPherson, KS which is the home town of my husband’s father’s family. and not known for it’s publishing companies.
I brought the book upstairs and read a few pages. I liked it, but was curious about who this author was and why/how she got a book of poetry published in rural Kansas in 1939.
Then my daughter picked it up and read it in the living room while I worked. Later, at the dinner table I mentioned to my husband that I found the book in the basement and asked if he knew anything about the author. No luck there.
My daughter lit up with excitement about the book and promptly brought it to the table. We ended up reading the poems, laughing and smiling, and ooohing and ah-ing about the sometimes funny and sometimes heart-breaking words in the book all the way through dessert.
It was one of the neatest things we’ve ever done at the dinner table.
This little book is special. I’m dying to know who Rayra Richardson Rush was. I contacted my father in law and his best guess is that she was the wife of a rich oil man his father worked for.
Still, this woman is a hero to me in a way. She self-published her work (and it’s not bad – not bad at all) and it was hid away in storage for 70 years until I un-earthed it by chance. Wouldn’t she love to know her words have brought someone joy this many years later? If someone is still hanging on to my artwork in 70 years I’ll be smilin’ from beyond…
After that dinner I went back to my work table to finish some paintings that had been sitting on my desk as unfinished drawings for days. One of those was of a young lady standing still in the rain, looking down, sort of somber-like. I don’t think I wanted to finish it because I was pretty sure I had painted that sort of thing many times. I needed to change something about that sad same girl.
Weather Related – ACEO original painting by Lauren Alexander on Etsy
I erased her and re-drew her with a completely different pose and a smirky grin. She became someone who was not getting poured on from above but ready to catch the heavy falling rain.
Why not, right?
I thought I’d t post one of my newer paintings, not yet listed in my shop. Since I slowed things down in the business of art selling (not art making) I have enjoyed a little more freedom to experiment. Experimenting brings its share of failures and believe me my trash can has seen a lot more artworks than usual. This one was sure to kick the bucket but as I went on I became attached to it and now I like it too much to toss.
In the spirit of experimentation I got a wild hair to create some cookies with the fresh basil growing in my window. I have never tried making shortbread before so this was the perfect time to go wild; no preconceptions, no let-downs. Shortbread is terribly easy: butter, flour, sugar (I used this recipe). Add some fresh basil and lemon and ta-da…delicious cookies that have a healthy quality what with the earthy grassy tinge and all. Never mind the butter. Don’t think about the butter….
munch munch munch….. Happy experimenting 
A few weeks ago I opened up my new store to sell the things that I enjoy making the most; original watercolor paintings. This weekend I’m having a Grand Opening Sale and would like to offer you some great deals on small but hugely cool paintings:
Hi again!
It’s me, Lauren. Sorry I’ve been a little blogless lately. I’ve just been painting my little heart out and you know, working a full time job and trying to be a good parent. Other than that…I’ve been watching a whole lot of Mary Tyler Moore on dvd. I know, it’s a little random.
But it’s hilarious and beautiful and inspiring also, Mary Tyler Moore that is. She’s got spunk you know. (Go ahead….say you hate spunk!)
Well, I hope you’re doing okay. Thanks for reading and let me know which of those paintings you like the most up there. I’ve been going in all different directions and love to hear your feedback.
Till next time
Lauren
These are my latest little paintings added to my ACEO collection over at my Etsy shop. I really hope to use my time off over Thanksgiving Break to paint some more. This snail’s pace of work painting is really getting old. Time to crack the whip!
I don’t know if it is the end of the school year beginning of the summer transition that has me feeling a step away from mental breakdown or I simply drink too much coffee in the morning. Either way, I find myself in serious need of some painting time this Saturday morning. When things get a little wonky you gotta straighten out somehow and painting is a great way for me to do it. These very little paintings are perfect for a morning meltdown aversion. Now if you’ll excuse me I am going to make more coffee…
Here’s this week’s batch of new and colorful ACEO paintings. What is an ACEO? In short, it is an artist trading card that is for sale (not trade). Still confused? Read more here.
So, trading card sized art…why so small, Lauren?Because it’s easy, folks. Seriously. Thanks to friend, musician, and artist Kristie Stremel for my new tag line: You get it small or not at all.
It’s true – you either get it or you don’t. I make small art. It feels good to me and that’s what I do. There are a lot of benefits to small art; takes up little space, is very affordable, has the unique quality of drawing the viewer in for a close look, is extremely portable, gift-able, store-able, and most of all it is just plain cool. Small is cool – think cupcakes….mini golf….compact cars – all extremely cool, right? See, so are my small original watercolor paintings. Go see what’s in stock right now and ready for you to own here. Now, if owning an original is not really something you feel is necessary I have over a hundred small prints to choose from too.
