Another batch of Swaps!

Of course the theme for the last two months has been Valentine's day.
As much as I used to love V-day, this year I felt extremely overwhelmed by the outrageous amount of pink that had covered the world like a tidal wave.
Once I got started on the pink - heart trail, there was no stopping! Here is a little taste of the pink-ness!





I tried my hand at drawing a character for the first time. The theme was Alice from Alice in Wonderland.




Swan theme



I actually added an ACEO to the shop of this painting.

Swap Swap Swappy Swap Swap

I don't have the patience lately to work on larger projects and as a result I have been diving head first in swaps for ATCs and supplies.

Here is a little peak at some recent work!

I tried my hand at Inchies



Incheies a 1x1inch little pieces of art. These are red themed. To be honest they are way too small for me to work on.


Peacock themed ATC collage



Blue Themed ATCs





Red Themed ATCs

Anything but...

Studying...
I should have tests more often because while "studying" I manage to get a lot of different things done

Frame the print my Dad purchased a few months ago...



Update the Shop! with new "Fresh" earrings to replace the ones that sold last week. They are not identical to the original and I had to make a fresh "Fresh" pair ;)




And also get this beautiful Sea glass pendent ready to list



See very productive, just not doing what I should be doing...

Update

Really if you would like a quick and up to date account on what I am up to visit my little Twitter page ;)

I have been incredibly busy with everything else including dreaming of working on art work but actually creating.
I recently managed to get out the ink and turn out a new Lino and woodblock print



"Dreaming in Green"

Now I have a big Case exam on May 14th, and instead of studying I have been sitting around and simply shooting myself in the foot, since this is a career defining exam.
Good job me, now I wish I can find some motivation & concentration.
I hope to get out of work by 4pm tomorrow, and spend 2 hours studying at a coffee shop prior to picking up my Little Brother for our weekly 2 hour activity. I think I forgot to mention, that I am volunteering as a Big Sister & it has been challenging.

PRINTSY Interview

PRINTSY interview
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Hey there,

Check out my printsy.blogspot.com/ interview.
I think it turned out pretty awesome!

On a personal note I am battling a monster of a cold that does not want to go away. It has been over a week and I still feel really crappy
So yey for Printsy interview :(
and boo to the cold :(

Happy New Year!!!

Winter tree banner
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I hope 2009 brings everyone a lot of smiles and good times!

I am glad that 2008 is over and a new year filled with hope is here!
My resolution this year is to wake up every morning with a smile on my face. Just a happy outlook to face the world ;)

I am starting it right with a new banner in my little shop, check out my awesome new photoshop skills. I know to most of you this is nothing, but I am learning!


I am also having a sale to make room for my new ideas for 2009. Buy 2 items get 1 FREE!!! Until Jan 15th 2009
Free Item must of equal or lesser value. Purchase all 3 items and wait for an updated PayPal invoice upon purchase.
Excludes Custom Items.

The moment was calm, but you knew it won't last

"The moment was calm, but you knew it won't last"
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

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Sometimes life throws you a punch and instead of just taking it, you punch back hard and it spins you out of control.
This is what lies behind this photo.

I learned how to add textures and layers in Photoshop today. I am really proud of myself. ;) Now I am looking into photography lessons, since it has been a dream of mine to use photography as another layer in how I express myself.
What do you think, for a first try...15min exercise? For texture credits please see my flickr.

400 Hearts and hello

400 hearts!
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

yey a little celebration!
Now I want 500 by the end of the year, and to reach 200 sales in my shop!
I can do it!, I know I can....

Where have I been, well I don't even know....
Working,studying, taking little trips..... New York, Montreal, Ottawa (check out my flickr for photos) and oh yah meeting new people and trying to learn about dating....

My mission is to be back on track here, since I really want to be able to call myself a full time artist not an artist by night.

Self Image Sketch 3 - "Forget I ever was"

Self Image 3 - forget I ever was
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Life is a little different around here, and hence my absence. I know you are there and checking on this blog and patiently waiting for me to update.
Life has settled for me and finally I am back on track. Actually doing really well on my own and managing to find happiness in the little things around me. Like my sweet Tiger and the freedom that I have living on my own. To be honest embracing the single life leaves me very busy and in demand by my wonderful friends who don’t leave me a second of boredom.

This weekend I started catching up on art and finding the energy and time to create. The fruit of my hard work this weekend is this new sketch that is also a new print in the Shop!.

A little extra time...

Pocket Mirrors...
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I managed to finish the studying I planned for today early and this is what I did.
These are my cute little pocket mirrors all dressed up in their own packages ready to come with me to a craft sale!

They are not in the Shop! , but if you really want one let me know ;)

ok I am to Paul's parents for real dinner

where does time go....

Just For You - Moleskine Journal
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

it passes too fast to realize....
I spent the day in a classroom and will be back again tomorrow. This is all in prep for my 'life' changing test in June.
To be honest I am not sure I want to be a CMA anymore, but I have a lot invested in it already, both in money and time...
I will continue to push forward. My reward will be my first vacation to see my family in July. I can't wait!

I finally finished this little Moleskine journal featuring my print " Just for you", it has been in the works for months, half done just waiting for me to put it together.
"Just for you" Journal

Birthday Sale!

Hi there,
I am turning 24 on the 24th thus I am having a 24% off Sale to celebrate all week until the big day.
You can find art, notecards, jewelry, lip balm and more in my shop!


The Shop!
sale excludes custom items**

Pocket Mirror Sale!

Hi Everyone,
I am having a great sale in My Shop!
My original art mirrors are all on Sale

Self ImageBeach Sunset
Flower

ATCs,art and life

My wishlist theme ATCs - All traded
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I have to say that I am a little lost as to which day of the week it is. Got to love vacation, even if it speeds awa too fast.

As I said before I am working on a few swaps over at www.swap-bot.com and here is the first one.
5 ATCs for 5 different themes.
At the Beach - I cheated by using my old artwork but I really wanted to use this image
Oriental - I layered red and flowery paper and drew in ink the bamboo.
Butterflies - a little ink illustration
Something Colorful - block print, that looks horible when scanned but really cool in person - yellow, orange and red
Dragonflies - a little cut paper illustration, I am really like working with cut paper, this one is my favorite.

I would have not created these if it was not for the swap and am glad that it makes me create more.

I have been feeling really blue for the last little bit and decided to go tanning yesterday. I have to say that it does help I never believed people when they say it makes them happy, but it really does work. I only went for 4 minutes but hey.

"Behind the Mask" new print

"Behind the mask"
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I am very excited that I managed to get out the ink and print a few new pieces.
I am discovering that I don't have enough colours and really need to do some online shopping for supplies. The art stores around me don't think that block printing is popular.

I also cut paper today to get it ready for printing. This is the least liked activity for me, I measure once and cut 5 times. ;(
There are a few 8x10inch pieces now and I can't wait to print a few big pieces.

Fab Collab Greeting Card Sets

Fab Collab Holiday Set
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Awesome card sets can be found in my Shop!!!
I have 3 new collab packs, featuring the works of 2 other
EtsyGreetings Street Team members!
For example this awesome Holiday Card Set

Also A thank you Set
and
A Love Set

I have stocked up my shop with more of the usual Favorites since I sold out a bit earlier!
Happy Shopping Everyone!

Algonquin

"Algonquin" block WIP
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I was bad this week and instead of studying I worked on art.
I sketched this block and just had to start carving it. It is larger than 8x10 inches and so far I have done some partial prints that you can see here
"Patience"
"Changes"

The inspiration behind is my trip to Algonquin at the end of August. Beautiful trees.
Last weekend I did buy some new papers that I have to cut up and play with. The hardest part of printmaking for me is cutting the paper. I am not a straight even lines kind of kid and I manage to get all kinds of funky pieces. But it has to be done.
This weekend the plan is to actually sleep and study and work on more art. I really would love to have a few 'portfolio' pieces both prints and paintings. I have to start contacting galleries. I really really have to.

"Fly with Me"

"Fly with me"
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Revisiting an old piece. I originally finished this piece in 2005 but recently re- touched it to make it more reflective of my current work.
As one of my first mixed media pieces I wanted to keep it just for me but now I am sharing it. It can be found in my Etsy shop!
.

This weekend was very busy for me. On Friday I went out "Swing Dancing" and had a very shady adventure with Amy. Yesterday, my friend Ashley and I went to Ikea and to a really good restaurant called The Spaghetti factory downtown Toronto. I was a bit upset when instead of packing my leftovers they threw them out ;( but life goes on. Ash and I managed to get a bit of beer in use and put together my new storage unit. Our adventures were till 3:30am . I am bit sleepy
Today I cleaned more of the mess in my apartment and figured out funky ways to hide the boxes from my parents' house. I am really glad I have a creative way of looking at things and managed to hide boxes all over the place.
Now I am off to dinner at Paul's parents' house. hehehee dinner with the 'in- laws' while he is in Europe.

wow what a week, what a weekend...

Happy Holidays Cards
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Finally a moment to sit and take a deep breath.
All week I studied for my first test in the Accelerated CMA program. It was horrible to study for an exam when you are a week behind in your lectures.
On top of this my parents' left for Europe for good and I didn't have a chance to say goodbye. In true fashion they had left too much for the last minute and were in a frenzy. The good news they managed to get there safe and even have my doggie with them. No problems at all.
We also have a new addition to the family. My parents' cat is now my kitty. Sleeping ever so cutely on my bed ;)
Today I drove Paul to the airport, as he is leaving for Europe for 3 weeks. He comes back Nov 11, and I leave for my 5 days in Florida on the 10th. This means I won't see him until November 14th.
I think that everyone leaving has not hit me yet and soon there will be a crash. Stay tuned. yakes.

I plan to spend the week working on new artwork. Actually I want to work on the portfolio not the shop. I also have to figure out where to put all the stuff that moved here from my parents' house. And really clean the apartment since Mr long hair kitty has already covered the carpet in hair.

Finally, I managed to design these lovely new Holiday cardsShop! . A wonderful Holiday set to sent out to the loved ones in your world.
Happy week everyone.

a little bit of eBay

I finally got around cleaning up and printing my second piece in the Self Image Series.
Currently on eBay



Self Image 2 print

Thank you for the visit ;)