Paper Doll

Illustration Friday - Play

2006-08-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

An old ATC I made last year for ARTitude Zine.

Illustration Friday - Opposites

2006-07-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

This is one of my early ATC's (made back in early 2005), was made for ACEO's opposites theme week.

gentleman (ATC) - Available

2006-06-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

gentleman (ATC) - Available
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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Posting this a bit late, made using last week's Try it Tuesday's technique (easy transparency alternative).

This ATC is available for trade.

Ideal Queen

2006-05-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Ideal Queen
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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"She was the world's ideal of a Queen".

Original collage bookmark (2x6) available for trade. Background is torn pages from a vintage book (circa late 1800s), text is also from the same book.

*Color is also a litle off, her faces looks a little green but it really isn't. The actual piece is also just a bit lighter.*

No Hero (ATC)

2006-05-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

No Hero (ATC)
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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#4 of 4 ATCs made for the AAO Mad Hatter Swap. I used a real vintage photo (not a copy) for this piece, which is something I rarely do. Lyrics by Damien Rice

My new scanner is terrible, so I had to photograph this batch of ATCs...the colors aren't quite right and some of the ink smeared when I sealed 2 of the cards, but you get the idea.

Lover Man (ATC)

2006-05-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

Lover Man (ATC)
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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#3 of 4 ATCs made for the AAO Mad Hatter Swap. Inspired by Billie Holiday's "Lover Man"

when you're near (ATC)

2006-05-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

when you're near (ATC)
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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#2 of 4 ATCs made for the AAO Mad Hatter Swap. I went out of my box with this batch of cards by using colors that I don't normally use (brighter colors). Lyrics by NIN

Bad Girl (ATC)

2006-05-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Bad Girl (ATC)
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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#1 of 4 ATCs made for the AAO Mad Hatter Swap. I used a real vintage bingo card for the background.

Illustration Friday - Spotted

2006-04-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

The Lonely Queen
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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A new version of an old atc.

Queens

2006-03-22T21:07:00.000-08:00

Queens
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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The 1st of 8 4x4s I am making for an upcoming show. If I can help it, I won't end up using this piece because the sealer turned the BW image blue.

Quote by Louisa May Alcott

Beautiful Loser

2006-03-21T16:28:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Loser (ATC)
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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An ATC with borrowed lyrics from Moodswing Whiskey (a song by Jeff Buckley).

*This ATC is available for swapping*

King Poe ATC

2006-02-25T12:55:00.000-08:00

King Poe ATC
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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Another ATC featuring the great Edgar Allan Poe.

Goddess ATC

2006-02-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

Goddess ATC
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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Another ATC on a vintage Bingo card. I'm not quite sure what to do with this one yet.

A Man's Character ATC

2006-02-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

A Man's Character ATC
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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#4 of 4 ATCs I made for a fave colors swap (black & brown).

Flower Girl ATC

2006-02-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

Flower Girl ATC
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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#2 of 4 ATCs I made for a fave colors swap (black & brown).

Bingo Man ATC

2006-02-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

Bingo Man ATC
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

CLICK PICTURE for LARGER VIEW.

#3 of 4 ATCs I made for a fave colors swap (black & brown).

Edgar Allan Poe ATC

2006-02-21T13:06:00.000-08:00

Edgar Allan Poe ATC
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

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#1 of 4 ATCs I made for a fave colors swap (mine are black & brown).

Illustration Friday (Song)

2006-02-20T22:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a 5x5 piece that I made earlier this year. It was inspired by a Nina Simone song (Twelfth of Never), so I incorporated some of those lyrics into the piece.

Hold me close

FOR SALE IN MY EBAY STORE: http://tinyurl.com/q4fg3

Begin it now

2006-02-15T17:43:00.000-08:00

I made this piece last year for the very first issue of The ZNE Zine. The original is now for sale in my ebay store: http://tinyurl.com/ada2s

Check out www.zneart.com if you'd like to buy a ZNE Zine!

Self Portrait Tuesday (All of me - week 1)

2006-02-07T15:36:00.000-08:00

my toes
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

For Self Portrait Tuesday's February Challenge: All of me. This challenge is about "embracing your mistakes and loving the ugly bits."

I HATE my toes!! I own one pair of open-toed shoes but have never worn them. And even though I prefer to be bare foot, I wear socks always (even at home). Gotta hide my Fred Flintstone feet!

Moody Monday (Black & White)

2006-02-03T13:21:00.000-08:00

My first Moody Monday post. Moody Monday is a weekly photo challenge and this week's theme is black and white.

Sometimes when my son gets really upset and throws a tantrum...I deal with it by taking pictures of him. My reaction helps to lighten the mood and he usually cheers up pretty quick. Here he is in the middle of one of his latest fits...

Photo Friday (Vanity)

2006-02-01T02:17:00.000-08:00

My 1st ever Photo Friday post...this week's challenge is VANITY. This is a picture I took of myself reflected in a small mirror back in early December.

Embrace Your Uniqueness

2006-02-01T02:03:00.000-08:00

Here's something a little different for me...art with bright colors, sorta funky.

Embrace your Uniqueness – Original Mixed Media ACEO

Buy it here...http://tinyurl.com/7rvqx

Self Portrait Tuesday (Personal History - week 5)

2006-01-31T17:16:00.000-08:00

photobooth pix
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW.

I found these old photobooth pics of me and my cousin in my wallet, so I thought I'd use them for the last week of SPT's personal history challenge. I was 17 or 18 in these, so they had to be taken in late 1998 or 1999 at our local fair.

Illustration Friday (Glamour)

2006-01-30T20:33:00.000-08:00

I just had these magnets made. They are now for sale in my ebay store...

Buy yours here

Move - ACEO for sale

2006-01-26T14:32:00.000-08:00

An old, unsold ACEO from me that I have relisted in auction on ebay…

http://tinyurl.com/99t84

CafePress!

2006-01-24T21:28:00.000-08:00

I recently opened up a CafePress store, so I thought I'd post a link here. I only have a basic store right now, which means that I can only have 1 of each item in my inventory. Right now, I have 11 things listed that feature my artwork and photography. There are postcards, magnets, journals, tote bags, coasters, decorative tiles, stickers, throw pillows, and greeting cards. Prices range from $3.49 to $19.99 and CafePress is offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50 right now.

Click the link below to visit my CafePress store... http://www.cafepress.com/artforyourheart

Self Portrait Tuesday

2006-01-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

My Grandpa...William Dempsey

This is the last week of January's SPT Personal History challenge. Since I posted a picture of my Grandmother during this challenge, I thought I'd end this month with a photo of her husband. I believe this picture of my Grandfather was taken back in the 1940s, sometime during his teen years.

I remember not liking my Grandfather much when I was younger. He had no patience, he was very strict, and loud. Combine all that with his size and he was quite intimidating to a youngster. But now that I'm older, I see him as...generous, caring, and wise. I couldn't ask for a better Grandfather.

Self Portrait Tuesday

2006-01-10T21:47:00.000-08:00

Week 2 of January's Personal History Challenge.

I don't really have access to old family photos and what I do have is in storage, but I was able to find a few photos in my closet. I am using one of them for this week but for the last 2 weeks of the challenge, I will probably use more recent pictures (pictures of my little family). Anyway, I found this photo of my Grandmother (Mom's Mother) and I just had to share it. I don't know what year this was taken but I would guess that it was taken in the 50s.

A little background info...My parents divorced when I was really young, maybe 2 years old. They were just kids when they had me (18 & 19) and they only married because of the pregnancy. I lived with my Mom and went to visit my Dad on most Holidays and in Summer. Thing is...My Mother really wasn't equipped to be a Mother. She didn't have enough love or time to give to my sister and I, but she had plenty to give to the many men that came thru our lives. I didn't get what I needed from her, but that's where my Grandmother came in. I was very close to her and loved her like she was my Mother. She's the only one who I felt truely loved me when I was younger. She passed away the Summer that I moved to my Dad's, I was 13. I don't think of her much anymore, which is really sad considering she was such a big part of my life as a kid. Even now, over a decade after her death...I still feel that she is/was the only person that has ever really loved me, unconditionally.

My Grandmother...Mary

ACEO for sale on Ebay

2006-01-05T14:01:00.000-08:00

Quiet ACEO now for sale on ebay with a 99 cent starting bid…

click on link below to bid...

http://tinyurl.com/bsqw2

My Resolutions

2006-01-03T22:40:00.000-08:00

I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions because I'm doing something different this year. Back in November, I made a list of 24 things that I wanted to accomplish by my 25th Birthday. So, I didn't see the need for 2006 Resolutions.

Here are some things I'd like to accomplish by August:

Complete an altered book.
Make a pie from scratch.
Teach my son how to tie his shoes.
Play 3 songs on the piano.
Read 4 classics.
Watch 5 "classic" movies.
Wear a size 6 jean.
Learn the art of Origami.

I think all of these are reachable by August. I'm done setting unattainable goals for myself. I'm really looking forward to accomplishing all of my goals this year.

Self Portrait Tuesday

2006-01-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

It's January, time for a new SPT challenge...Personal History.

"Explore the cross over between self portraiture and family photography. This challenge can be as simple as revisiting old family snap shots - to tell a story."

Here's my family snapshot, it's one of me and my son. I only have a handful of pictures of us together because I'd much rather be behind the camera than in front of it. So, I thought I'd take a few photos of us together this week and here is one of em...

Self Portrait Tuesday

2005-12-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

SPT - Dec. wk 4
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER IMAGE.

I won't have time today to take a new self portrait for the last week of SPT's December Challenge, so I'm using a photo I took last week. A reflection of me in my bathroom faucet.

Happy Birthday!

2005-12-23T19:22:00.000-08:00

BIRTHDAY CARD
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

This is a Birthday card I made for the ZNE Greeting Card Challenge (it tied for 3rd place). The base is an original traditional collage, but I added the text in photoshop. Reprints of ZNE Greeting Cards will be sold in The ZNE Store on ebay.

Stars in her eyes

2005-12-23T19:18:00.000-08:00

stars in her eyes
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

A 4x4 piece I did for a chunky book. I donated the original to the ZNE Store on ebay (it will be listed soon).

Self Portrait Tuesday

2005-12-20T21:59:00.000-08:00

Reflective Surfaces - Week 3

I've been in the kitchen a lot lately because I've had to really cook most of my meals now that I'm on Atkin's again. On the low-cal diet, I had mostly slimfast shakes and microwaveable meals... so I would be in and out of my kitchen. Anyhow, this framed vintage poster hangs in my kitchen so I chose to use it as my reflective surface this week.

PS...I had suuny side up eggs and bacon for dinner tonight. It was the 1st time I've attempted to cook sunny side up eggs and I actually got it right the first time!!! It's a BIG deal to me because I'm not a good cook (but I am an excellent microwaver AND a great boiler of pasta and such).

Illustration Friday (Imagine)

2005-12-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

imagine IF
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE.

This week's IF theme is "imagine". December has been a hectic month for me, so I haven't been making any new art. This piece is an old one, it's an original mixed media art card and it was sold earlier this year.

Atkin's

2005-12-15T21:55:00.000-08:00

I wanna lose a few more pounds before New Year's Eve, so I started Atkins again today. My 1st day back on the Atkin's bandwagon was okay. I'm going from a low-cal diet to a low-carb diet, so it is difficult but hopefully it'll be worth it. It is just a bit nauseating to be eating these fattening foods that you are encouraged to eat for the induction phase. And for me, I always have zero energy during the 1st few days of induction, so that's a bummer too. When on Atkin's, I take the recommended multi-vitamin and 3 EFA pills a day, but my vitamin doesn't help with energy. The EFA pills (combo of flax, fish, & borage oils) do make my skin nice though...which is a bonus that I wasn't expecting.

I never thought I'd try Atkin's because I'm really not a big meat eater and I LOVE CARBS!!! I tried it for the 1st time this Summer and had good results, but I eventually hit a plateau so I went back to counting cals (another thing I said I'd never do). I'm definitely not someone who could stay on Atkin's forever because it it just too restrictive for me, but I will be staying on it until I hit a plateau or reach my weight loss goal (whichever comes first).

Self Portrait Tuesday

2005-12-13T21:56:00.000-08:00

Week 2 of December's Reflective Surfaces Challenge. This isn't the most flattering photo, but I love the look of it. Candlelight was my main lightsource, which meant that I had to stay really still for the picture to be in focus. As you can tell...that wasn't easy for me to do while holding a CD in my hand, but I actually like the way it turned out (even though it is a bit blurry). I made no adjustments to the photo, it is shown as shot.

The Look of Love

2005-12-11T21:55:00.000-08:00

orangutan3
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

Another shot of Mommy & baby. I just love the look on her face in this picture. She was very attentive to her baby. Such a good Mother!

orangutan

2005-12-11T21:51:00.000-08:00

orangutan
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

Another photo from my trip to the Zoo. I watched this Mother orangutan go fetch a blanket, return to her post, and wrap up herself and her youngster. Very sweet! I wasn't able to get a picture of the baby but I did get a glimpse of it. She kept it covered up most of the time because it was cold out.

giraffe

2005-12-11T21:42:00.000-08:00

giraffe
Originally uploaded by track_abandoned.

I went to the Zoo today for the 3rd time in my life. They had 2 giraffes there and the smaller giraffe kept sticking out it's tongue. It was gross and funny at the same time, so I had to take a picture. Is this normal giraffe behavior??

Illustration Friday (Blue)

2005-12-08T02:43:00.000-08:00

This week's IF theme is blue. I thought I'd try something a little different this week. Rather than doing a traditional mixed media piece, I chose to create a piece of digital art. And since I've been blue myself lately, I wanted to put myself into the piece (literally). I used a self portrait that I altered in photo shop and then I added some fitting lyrics from a Jeff Buckley song (opened once). I'm not 100 percent happy with how this turned out but I am as happy as I can be with it right now. If I end up making more changes to it, I'll post a new pic.

Self Portrait Tuesday

2005-12-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

December's challenge is to take pictures of yourself in reflective surfaces. This week I chose to use a small makeup mirror as my reflective surface.

Illustration Friday

2005-12-01T00:49:00.000-08:00

This week's IF theme is small. I know it's weird that I used a big man in my small piece, but I am loving my vintage big guys so I had to use one of em. FYI...The brown paint in the background is a bit lighter than the picture shows. Two things you can't tell from the picture...the black border is painted masking tape AND the heart isn't painted onto the picture (it was glued on).

small IS THE NUMBER

Small is the number of them

that see with their own eyes

and feel with their own hearts.

~ Albert Einstein

Click below to purchase this piece

http://tinyurl.com/brfxx

Self Portrait Tuesday

2005-11-29T21:57:00.000-08:00

I don't really smile much.

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

Self Portrait Tuesday

2005-11-22T23:58:00.000-08:00

I'm emotional. I feel.

Illustration Friday

2005-11-21T21:12:00.000-08:00

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

2005-11-21T18:52:00.000-08:00

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)

2005-11-16T23:48:00.000-08:00

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

2005-11-15T21:36:00.000-08:00

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)

2005-11-15T03:16:00.000-08:00

"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

2005-11-11T03:48:00.000-08:00

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

2005-11-11T02:21:00.000-08:00

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

2005-11-09T01:05:00.000-08:00

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!

2005-11-07T22:37:00.000-08:00

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

2005-11-07T01:43:00.000-08:00

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

ZNE Theme Week

2005-11-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

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

2005-11-05T18:06:00.000-08:00

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!

2005-11-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

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...