Self Portrait Tuesday

I don't really smile much.

Hi, my name is Valerie and I'm a fake smiler!

Self Portrait Tuesday

I'm emotional. I feel.

Illustration Friday

This week's theme is FREE.

I made an Art Squared piece illustrating this theme.

He who is brave is free


I am starting to incorporate my own handwriting into some of my pieces, hence the sorta ugliness to this piece. I was going for a raw look. I hate my handwriting and it took me awhile to get the courage to actually write on this piece, but I finally did. Who really cares if I have ugly handwriting? What's ugly to me may be beautiful to someone else. I'm trying to stop being so critical of myself and just embrace ME.

You can read more about this piece or purchase it at the link below.
http://tinyurl.com/9zlrq

The Stanley Cup

Attendance for our local ECHL team has been low this season, so I guess having the cup at the game last night was an attempt to draw a larger crowd. It didn't work, but at least I got to see the Stanley Cup up close and personal (I was like 18 inches from it)!!! Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera with me so I didn't get pix, but I'll always have the memory.

And...I'd also like to note that it was a really GREAT game! We won 2-1 vs. the Augusta Lynx. Augusta's only goal was scored with 3:05 left in the game. It was a power play goal and a truly beautiful shot. It was really worth the goal to see such a great shot. Augusta pulled their goalie at the end of the game, in hopes of scoring another goal but they were DENIED!!! Wonderful game!! Maybe I'll go again Wednesday night...

Illustration Friday (Strength - Part 2)

I just bought some strong guy vintage images and strength is the Illustration Friday theme this week, so I couldn't stop at just 1 piece. I'm not totally happy with how this turned out, but it was my 1st time working with a slide mailer.

To purchase, click on the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/dkafv

Be Strong (inside)




Strength does not come from physical capacity.
It comes from an indomitable will.
~ Gandhi

Self Portrait Tuesday

I'm a reader.

I love to get lost in a good book.

The more that you read,
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you'll go.

- Dr. Seuss

Illustration Friday (Strength)

"Strength without Insolence"



He possessed beauty without vanity,
strength without insolence,
courage without ferocity,
and all the virtues of man without his vices.

- Lord Byron

To purchase this piece, click here...

http://tinyurl.com/7luyu

Illustration Friday

This my 1st week participating in Illustration Friday; the theme is Night. I made a 4x4 piece called "Be free". "Be Free" was inspired by some lyrics from a Jeff Buckley tune (Nightmares by the Sea). After many scans, I gave up on trying to get the colors in the photo right. ~Currently for sale in my ebay store~

waiting for paint to dry

I wanted to go to bed early tonight cuz I can't sleep in today, but it's after 4 AM and I'm still awake. Good news is...I'm almost done with my 1st Illustration Friday piece!

I haven't posted in a few days cuz I don't have much to say. I lead such a dull life. I guess I need to make new friends since I rarely see mine. Only problem with that is...I'm not exactly a social butterfly. Actually, I'm quite the opposite. I'm a hermit who only comes out of her shell to go to the gym. Sad, huh?

So, I'm gonna try to come out of my shell more. If I make it back home today early enough, I may go catch a hockey game by myself. We have lost most of our games this season, but I love the sport so I wanna go if I can. Plus they have those BIG yummy pretzels at the game!!

Okay, I think my paint is dry now on my I.F. piece, so I need to finish it. Hopefully, after it is all done and posted, I can get some much needed sleep.

Self Portrait Tuesday

Well, it's actually Wednesday now but I took the picture on Tuesday. This is my 1st time doing this self-portrait thing. I love taking pictures, but I hate having my picture taken. So, thats why I decided to do this. Lately, I've been trying to do things that I normally wouldn't do. Of course I took loads of pictures and still didn't have any that I liked, but I made myself find one to post. So, here it is...

I have a floor!

I spent most of my day cleaning my room and organizing my art area. It's terrible, but...this is the 1st time I've had my room this clean since I've lived here. I haven't quite lived here 3 months yet, but it's still pretty bad that I waited this long to REALLY clean my room. Anyway, I feel like a weight has been lifted now. My art space is the most organized I've had it in forever and I can see the top of my desk! I thought cleaning my art area would inspire me to create new things but now that it's so clean...I don't wanna dirty it!

Here with me

My 1st Art Squared piece
(currently for sale in my ebay store)

ZNE Theme Week

Here is my ZNE Theme Week entry (an ACEO). Our theme for November is Fall Colors. You can find this piece in my ebay store.

Dare to Begin

B&W Swap Cards

Here are 4 ATCs that I made for a Black & White themed swap...

Quiet (I actually still have this one cuz I just couldn't give it away)


Shack Up


Only You


Be Domestic

My 1st Post!

I thought I'd start a blog cuz everyone else has one, so why shouldn't I?! It's almost 2006, so I figure it is time to jump on the bandwagon. You see...I've never had any kind of journal (online or real) to keep my thoughts in, so I thought a blog might be good for my soul. I'm a very introverted person, so this is a HUGE thing for me. I should probably have started out with a real journal, but I'd much rather type than write. Just trying to take baby steps out of my comfort circle...