My December ATC’s are finished and in the mail. With the busy holiday season there were many moments of concern as to whether they would be finished in time. They were…just barely.
They are very…blue. Blue seems to be popping up a lot in my work these days. Not sure why?
I have to admit I had a bit of a hard time departing with my mountain scene. I am thinking hoping if I did it once, I can do it again.
My approach with these cards was to paint a 9 1/2″ by 11 1/2 piece of paper in all shades of blue combined with different marks and textures. I then cut out a small frame 3 1/2″ by 5 1/2 ‘ (ATC size) and used it as a view finder to pick out smaller sections that intrigued me within the larger piece of paper.
ATC size view finder
Paper for February ATC’s….can you guess the theme? I feel like I am back in grade school making Valentines for all of my favorite friends.
I am really enjoying this process. I picked it up from Nathalie Kalbach’s Creative Jumpstart. A month-long program (free!) showcasing different artists all giving their advice on how to jump-start your creativity. A little video each day with tidbits of information and advice on how they kickstart their creativity…such a nice way to start the morning. Will miss it in February. If you are interested I bet you can still sign up….
Dina Wakely taught us about creative calisthenics – painting, making marks,no rhyme, no reason, no care of the outcome – freestyling art.
It works! It always boils down to just starting.
Before I paint now, I mix a few colors I would not normally use, grab a piece of watercolor paper and go for it. I have ended up with some really beautiful pages all ready now for ATC’s , a little art journaling or possibly some mixed media for another painting.
Have a great week!
spaark.wordpress.com 
I love the cards you featured! All so very beautiful. The ones for February are going to be lovely. Thank you for sharing these handy tips! And I now know what ATC’s are. 🙂
Have a wonderful week!
WOW this is so lovely! I just followed you! I have a passion for art and photography and artistic photography so you are kind of an inspiration here for me! Anyone with an artiistic blog is 🙂 keep inspiring!
I like your technique of using the view finder! Nice!
Those blues rock! You have inspired me! I have a colorful paper I made that didn’t turn out to be what I thought it would so I think I will search for smaller parts in it for a postcard swap I have coming up! Thanks for the spark!!!!
Great stuff Julie! The Creative Jumpstart sounds pretty cool…
I love your ATC’s & really love the messy, textured look of the pinks. Great work!
i always have a nice visit on your blog. 🙂
happy CED! xox
What a cool way to make these, Julie! I love them, especially the ones with pinks…! Beautiful.
Jill
I’m really loven all of those Blues :0) Great plan for doing the art cards too.
They’re all fabulous Julie, I also love your mountain scene, I can understand wanting to keep it! I also love the beautiful valentines day, love, inspired cards, gorgeous work from a lovely lady! xxx
PS. Been meaning to write to you, just flat out, and busy with my boys and juggling time to devote to art, but you’re on my mind x
Awesome idea, Julie. And the results are beautiful.
That choir is singing again Julie (ha!). I’m certainly going to give these a try! Fabulously fabulous!!
I love your comments…they make me happy:)
I like to make a large sheet and use a view finder too. It’s such fun to see it in a new way. It’s certainly time I start thinking about February.
I am partial to the Pinks!!! Luv them!!!
Fabulous work! I love the blue ATCs Just become a new follower
Yay!! always love a new follower! Will pop by your blog tomorrow.