Saturday, December 30, 2017

A look back at 2017 art


As I do every year, I look back on what I believe to be the best art I created during the current year.

January
Before the dreaded ice storm we had, there were a few warm days.  I dyed this fabric (torn from an old bed sheet) in black bean dye.  I was extremely pleased with the results I achieved.

February
Even though it was very cold during the entire month of February, I took time to dye more bed sheets, this time using turmeric.  Again, I was simply thrilled with the outcome, including the spool of thread you see on the desk in the background.

March
For the first time in months, I was able to create a mosaic of pages I created for Art Journal Journey throughout the month of March.

April
I'm sure many of you know I recycle, reuse, repurpose during the first 22 days of April leading up to what I call bEARTHday.  Yes, I was born on EARTH Day.

On bEARTHday, I attended a science and Earth Day march.
Some of my favorite signs and the people who allowed me to photograph them.

May
May was a sad month, and I accomplished very little art.  Some of you may remember I had a dear friend die of breast cancer who had three children she left in my care until her sister could arrive from California.  This was about all I could muster during this sad time.  It was a piece I created for Art Journal Journey.

June
For June, I couldn't decide if I liked this tag, created for Tag Tuesday and Try it on Tuesday better, or

all the ICADs I created during the month.

July
For July, I was the host of Art Journal Journey, where my theme was Summertime Love.

Here are all the journal pages I created over the course of hosting Art Journal Journey in July.

August
I didn't fare well in August.  I think I was emotionally drained after making all that art in June and July.

September
Possibly my favorite piece this month, it was created for Art Journal Journey.

October
Hands down, this is my favorite piece I created in October.   It was created for Tag Tuesday, Try it on Tuesday, and Moo-Mania & More.

November
As I do every November, I played every day at Art Every Day Month or AEDM.

December

This was my favorite entry for December.  Not because it was so special, but because I failed to tell people it was cut from a page in the winter Anthropologie magazine!  Some of the comments were amazing and humorous.

I hope you have enjoyed this look back on 2017.  I hope to do even better this coming year, helping Susi at Art Journal Journey, and creating more art to share on my blog, including mixed media, sewing, gardening, and photography.  As always, I am extremely grateful for your continued support and greatly appreciate your visits.  They (and YOU) are what keep me going and making art, even when there are days I simply don't feel like it.

Thank you once again dear friends, followers, and readers.  I appreciate you all!

14 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

You achieved a lot this past year, and I am sure you will go on to do more good things in 2018. Have a happy year, stay healthy and have fun. Hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

I love your wonderful review Elizabeth!
Despite the bad memories of the loss of your girl-friend in May - the page was amazing to come to terms with this stroke of fate for her family.
And I had a smile on my face now about the last month's page - I really feel stupid for thinking it was your soap-bars packed and layed down on a page-lol!
Just gorgeous artwork from a whole year - you never cease to inspire and amaze us!
Thank you specially for inspiring me on a daily base with your art, techniques and humour.
Thank you for being a fabulous blog(ger)girl-friend!
All the best for you and the boys for 2018!
Susi

Lotte Kristensen said...

What a creative year you've had - it's been amazing to see the width and breadth of your talent, and your thoughtfulness, and your photos, which always make me feel like I've been on a trip somewhere;D Wishing you all the best for the new year, may your creative juices continue flowing and I look forward to seeing what you come up with! Best wishes from Scotland from Charlotte and Pandora the cat, who twitches a whisker to Bleubeard x

Meggymay said...

A fabulous look through some of your posts Elizabeth. So much inspiration and ideas you share with us all, it is a joy to visit here with you.
I think the soap bars page had many of us thinking they were packages, just shows how real it all appeared to us as we read the post.
I wish you a Happy New Year and send by best wishes that 2018 will be a good one for you.
Yvonne xx

CJ Kennedy said...

Fabulous look back. You created so much wonderful art. Since it is 10 degrees out this morning (a warm up from 4 earlier) and snow on the way. Your turmeric dye looks so sunny and warm. So my favorite pick from today. Happy Creating in 2018

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

What a wonderful look back, Elizabeth. It was certainly a year of ups and downs for you. I too lost a dear friend mid-year, so I guess I can say mine was similar. You created some fabulous art anyway. I remember many of these but missed some. I have to go find the December one. You've made me curious ;-)

Hugs,
Eileen

kathyinozarks said...

I enjoyed your post-you accomplished allot!! I am impressed with your dye results especially-after washing and time how did the colors hold up?

Marfi-topia said...

you are a machine! wow! did you get a lot of beautiful artwork made this year!
I love how you create, even when it's difficult to do so.
You are very inspiring Elizabeth.
Thank you for making the world brighter.
Happy New Year to you!
Hugs :X

My name is Erika. said...

It's so fascinating to see your favorites. And I love looking at these again.You had a very productive year and you certainly made some nice art! :) I love seeing all the different types of projects you made. And yes, you did leave a comment but we zipped out this morning to and went to visit my mom. It's tough because she has a set lunch at her assisted living so we have to either leave early or wait until later in the day. So, I didn't get onto the computer until now-this evening. I see Corrine scooped me but that's ok, she wrote a post that really caught the spirit of the day. Have a fabulous New Year's Elizabeth.Can't wait to see your art for 2018. hugs-Erika

Birgit said...

Wow!!! Look at all the beautiful creations you did. I love it and it is inspiring because I sucked this year. I plan to take a page from you and be creative. Happy New Year

Jeanie said...

Once again I bow down to you in awe for not only your productivity (worth a VERY deep bow in itself) but for the diversity and quality of art you have shared. I've learned from your tutorials and delighted in all things new. (And yes, I adored that Anthropologie post, too!).

Sending glorious wishes for an equally creative year, new museums to discover and share with us and loads of fun! I'm so very glad you are one of my blog pals -- I enjoy every visit!

Divers and Sundry said...

I'm enjoying the blog posts I'm seeing of people looking back over the art they've created during this year. It can be difficult sometimes, I know, to look back when parts of the year have brought such tragedy. I hope the coming year brings you nothing but joy and many opportunities for sharing your varied and beautiful art with us.

pearshapedcrafting said...

For some reason I thought I had pressed publish yesterday but as I decided to take a better look today I find that my comment hasn't appeared! What I said was something like - what a talented artist you are! Your attention to detail such as embellishments and stitching always add so much extra to your art! I also admire the way you stick to your tasks, the run up to (B)Earth day, AED month and your hosting at AJJ especially! It was lovely to see your year of art! Hugs,Chrisxxx

johanna said...

a highly impressive post - your mosaics Show this was a year of great productivity! and once again you reminded me i should get started dyeing with turmeric and black beans! the results are super!
thanks for always being such an Inspiration and a reliable Hostess of T/day. and give the Boys a new year´s cuddle - i hope they were not too frightened by the fireworks.
xox, johanna