Friday, December 30, 2016

A look back at 2016 art


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

January

In January, I was honored by the wonderful artists at Try it on Tuesday when this entry was one of the top five for the fortnight.  It was a chosen win, not a random win, which meant so much to me.

February

This second Thursday tutorial was not only well received, 

but used by at least two of my blog viewers.

March

In March, I was the guest designer for Try It on Tuesday, or TioT.  The theme was Inspired by Nature, and it was right up my alley.


April


I posted this on my bEARTHday, which lands on Earth Day each year.  And each year in April, I recycle at least one thing each day from April 1 through April 22.  On this day, I recycled an old spoon, a covered plastic egg, and some leftover string and fibers from my March bird's nest.  The moss was the only part of the assemblage that hadn't been either recycled or repurposed.

May


For the 7th WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday, I shared the first package I mailed in a swap I hosted.  WOYWWendy is photo bombing the picture, but I know most people come to see the rocking horse of the week.

June

During the entire months of June and July, I created an index card a day or ICAD.  Because my boys won't let me photograph them, I found these images in a magazine and used them along with some of my hand painted paper I cut into hearts.  I called this one "Brothers at Heart."

July

I had company over the July 4 holiday (Independence Day in the U.S.)  I decorated my porch accordingly.

August

In late July and early August, I took a forced blog break when my internet and telephone, both controlled by AT&T were out for days on end.  The technicians tried everything, and one finally found the problem and got me back online.  To make up for the fact I was gone so long, I created an entry in my Coll-AH-ge Two altered book that satisfied three challenges: Art Journal Journey, Moo-Mania and More, and Try it on Tuesday.  I called it Summertime in the Garden.

September

For September, Bleubeard and I were honored to be the guest hosts at Art Journal Journey, where I created a post every day, trying new techniques, stamping, sewing, and various other things.  I was thrilled to be chosen, so tried to put my best foot forward.  Bleubeard slept through most of it!

October

I created very little art in October, instead focusing on Autumn and Art, the Zoo, a craft show, and Smithsonian Day at World Treasures.  One of the pages I did manage to create was this one for Art Journal Journey I called A Foodie's Autumn Delight.  The magazine image, the focal point, was so old and battered, I wasn't sure I could even use it.  But the image was just too perfect not to.

November

As I have for the past several years, I once again participated in Art Every Day Month or AEDM.  These were my contributions for the month of November.

December

One of the few gifts I created that I was pleased enough to send was this small quiltlet.  It went to my friend Valerie, who has not only received it, but shared where she hung it.

I guess it was the right choice for December, because it won one of the coveted Spotlight spots at Try it on Tuesday.

I hope you have enjoyed this look back on 2016.  I hope to do better this coming year, 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.

20 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

You made some terrific art this year. Your little quiltlet smiles at me from the wall every time I have my breakfast. Thanks for being a good friend this year. Have a great day, Hugs, Valerie

chrissie said...

What a wonderful idea to choose somethings from the past year to show to us and all of them are terrific.

Great that you join in at TIOT and the team chose you as one of our Spotlights of the year.

Hope 2017 will be great for you Elizabeth

Love Chrissie xx

Helen said...

Happy New Year to you Elizabeth.

Pen Sunshinepen said...

Wonderful look back Elizabeth hope Bluebeard was sitting with you while you were making these lovely entries

Happy New Year which is in a couple of days. Were does the time go.

Crafty hugs x

CJ Kennedy said...

Enjoyed your retrospect and the thought process of creating art. That part really fascinates me. Really loved the recycle idea with the spoon. I will have to keep my eye out or see what I have hanging about. Had to laugh when you said your kitties don't like you to photograph them. Ink wasn't always good about having his photo taken either.

Meggymay said...

It has been a wonderful post to browse through, to see these inspirational pieces once again.
I am so pleased our Blog paths crossed, as calling in to see you and of course Bleubeard and Squiggles , is a real pleasure. Your posts are always good to read and you share so much with us all, Thank you.
Happy New Year wishes, I hope that 2017 will be a good one for you.
Yvonne xx

Caterina Giglio said...

Happy New Year dearest E! Isn't it wonderful to look back and see what we have accomplished, just amazing and that spoon and egg, just wonderful.. wishing you and the kitties a beautiful and healthy new year.. x

Rike said...

It feels good to look back on our works and enjoy our creativity, it gives us the impulse to start new arts in the new year!
I wish you a Happy New Year 2017!
Rike xx

Krisha said...

Great post E! I love looking back too, I just haven't had the time...yet, maybe latter this morning I can get something posted.
Happy New Year to you and the "boys"

froebelsternchen said...

I love to see this fantastic review Elizabeth! You did a lot of wonderful art !
You are always a great inspiration!
Thank you for sharing it with us and thanks a lot for all your wonderful support to the challenges as well AND for hosting TSFT and Second on the2nd!

oxo Susi

~*~Patty S said...

You are such a prolific artist AND blogger E!
I don't know how you do it...being able to select one thing from each month amazes me anew.
Thank you for sharing and making the mixed media community a friendly and interesting place to be.
Happy Healthy New Year ... let's hope it's a good one.
oxo

Jeanie said...

Impressive, Elizabeth. As one who used your sharpie tutorial, thank you again!

And that spoon you did for April? It may be my all time favorite!

Here's to a beautiful and creative new year!

My name is Erika. said...

I love seeing all your beautiful pieces again. You are good at picking just one a month- I stink (to be nice to myself) at doing that! Its great to see all the pieces again. And I meant to say congrast on being picked over at TIOT. I saw you listed there. That qulitlet is beautiful also! And I say also because of the one you sent me. :) Happy New Year! Hugs-Erika

Rita said...

My yea was so unproductive creatively. Was fun to see all the various things you made. May this be an inspiring year ahead. Happy 2017! :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Elizabeth! You know how I love to see your yearly round up! This really has been a year of delights! Your AJJ month was brilliant and it was good to see your TIOT win and appearance in our yearly spotlight! The trips out with you have been great as have th glimpses of your home and garden! A wonderful year! Hugs, Chrisx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Elizabeth! You know how I love to see your yearly round up! This really has been a year of delights! Your AJJ month was brilliant and it was good to see your TIOT win and appearance in our yearly spotlight! The trips out with you have been great as have th glimpses of your home and garden! A wonderful year! Hugs, Chrisx

Halle said...

Wonderful look back at the year. I did something similar but just pulled a collage together of some highlights for the year.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful views from throughout the year. Love that collage of the month. xox

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

Hummmm....are you an Aries????

Gibby Frogett said...

What a fabulous way to end the year Elizabeth - it was a joy
to see some of your favourite and wonderful pieces from 2016.
A lovely post to read - thank you.
Gill x