It's crazy days...

...in the Dinn Duo household, and I'm right up there with them.  With near-completed signatures all over two of my three tables,

a table filled with signatures in the making, 

and a fallen-down stack of mini books, it's my usual chaos.

Add to that there's half of the Dinn Duo (aka John) working on a table, creating boxes for the museum.

While it may appear that nothing ever gets done here, that's definitely not the case...

These three books have been completed...well, except for the one on the left which needs some enhancements on the cover before I video a look-through.  😊  Well, so maybe things never do get done - that would make me a typical artist, wouldn't it?  

Hope your week has been filled with all sorts of projects and even some completed ones!  Do catch me up on what your week has been like in the comments below... 

Studio eye candy...

...abounds, so even when I'm tight for play time in the studio, I can always find colour and pattern that gives me joy.

Alcohol ink-painted wallpaper

Signature in process

Tag background

Background for journal page

Painting in progress - textured edge

Dried leaf mandala from my stash

Another background for a journal page

Fun foam stamp being created for a YouTube tutorial

 I've often been accused of channeling a bumblebee, because  I get up close and personal with my photos.  What do you find in your studio when you cast your eyes around?  Are you a big picture type, or a close-up fanatic?

It's raining outside...

...so I've been playing inside for the last day or so.

I've finished a painting that's been in progress for quite some time,

'A New World'   8 x 10" mixed media on cradled wood panel © Win Dinn

 a bottle that's taken much longer than it might have had not a show intervened,

'Deep Sea Catch''   12" x 2.5" altered bottle © Win Dinn

 and a miniature treasure chest, just perfect for a small child.

'Tiny Treasures' 2.5" x 3" x 2" mixed media chest  © Win Dinn

Of course, there are a number of other items in the works, and not all necessarily fun.  I've been washing bottle caps, and I can tell you that it's not something I'd like to do for a living!

I've started another folded book, this one eventually to be titled 'Any Place'.  Can you guess what damaged paperback it's created from?

With another signature in process, you can tell that I've got my colour scheme firmly entrenched, yes?

I hope you're having as much fun as possible creating in your space.

Another signature...

was finished this month, and it's a rare departure from my usual colourful work, given that it's completely done in black and white.

The Creative Life is an ongoing class for 2015, meeting monthly at Creative Fix.  Not only is it a fabulous gift shop, they have a great range of classes for adults and children (I'm perhaps a bit biased since I teach there often!).

This is the third signature from the twelve we are expected to complete (you can see the other two here and here), and I'm having a blast with the whole thing.

It's fun to incorporate collage,

textured papers,

photos,

stamps from Art Foamies

buttons,

wallpaper,

stencils

and ephemera (see the false eyelash?.)

I've been using up many of my favourite paper stashes (thanks for the Japanese newspaper Kendra!),

and still couldn't get enough of the wonderful contrast.

I think the photo here at the finish of this signature says it all - the photographer is obviously taking a shot at the con, who wonders how he got here, of all places.

Since our demo last night was on Posca pens, I'm sure they'll come into play in the next signature.  (I may have purchased one or two, but don't tell John!)

What are you up to in your creative life?  Please comment, and include your link(s) so we can see your story.

Another signature...

...is completed (well, we all know one could keep adding don't we?), this time in shades of rich fall colour.

I was amused to find a story of a wood sprite emerging.  Where did she come from?

The signature is filled with secret pockets for extra photos, tags, and ephemera.

Dried ferns and vegetation abound.

The Gelli prints used throughout are rich with colour and texture that complement the greenery

and I've used John's marvellous photos from a stash he gifted me with some time ago.

There are feathers everywhere (mostly culled by animal-health-technologists-in-training - thank you Rochelle!)

that add to the visual of a wood sprite's habitat.  Whatever this sprite's intent, I'm glad she popped in for a visit!

Here's a thought...

...what if it's a requirement to have a touch of insanity in order to be a mixed media artist?  

I've spent quite some time this morning using a paint brush and silver alcohol ink to cover photo corners to use in my latest signature.

I've made notes to myself about the next step on a group of panels,

I've smeared goop all over a signature-in-process for an art journal.

I've glared at a work-in-process that refuses to gel.

I've added a layer or two to another WIP.

I've put a backing on a black and silver piece that was started on a CD.

And I've fallen in love all over again with carrot tops.

If that doesn't qualify me for insanity, I'm not sure what would.  What's in your creative area today? Are you in the club?