JoAnnA's Art Journal

Fiber ART

I am in love with this little dress.  The fiber and lace is just so delicate.  I had so much fun embellishing it.  Listed in my Etsy Shop.

 

I love the little antique booty filled with little flowers that I made with beautiful antique lace.  Something about delicate fine fabrics and lace really tickle me pink.

Here are some small fiber collages I also created, also in my Etsy Shop.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Thank you everyone for the happy anniversary wishes.  Ron and I had a nice quiet day together.

For Sickness and Health - Richer or Poorer - 19 YEARS!

Today, Ron and I celebrate nineteen years of marriage.  I made these funky rag dolls representing "us". 

Ron has gone through two brain surgeries this year - total of FOUR now since we have been married.  Three years ago this month I had my mastectomy for Breast Cancer and then that following February, started chemo.

WE ARE SURVIVORS!!!  With all the trials Ron and I have had to endure - still in them - we have survived our marriage too!

Believing that our faith and love for God keeps us going.  Through knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and having a personal relationship in Jesus, we have been able to constantly forgive each other and grow deeper in love.  When those times come where we want to give up, it is our convictions that prevent that from happening.   Plus, we have "history" together now. 

Happy 19th Anniversary to US!!

I love you Ron - forever! 

I'm Turning Red!

Yes, I'm thinking Christmas.  It is next month already!  Though these creations are not "Christmas Themed", they still have the flavor.  Offered in my Etsy Shop. 

Much is on my heart right now.  Think I'll post in the Pierotti Homestead Blog.

The Summer Breeze Collection

As winter is approaching, I'm still lingering with a summer mindset. I am creating a new line of bottles (for wholesale and retail) - my first - The SUMMER BREEZE Collection. 

Listed in my Etsy Shop.

 

Ocean Air

 

AT THE BEACH

 
 quotes

 
As those long cold winter nights are soon to be here, let these bottles remind you that summer will be faithful to return. 

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Creativity takes courage - Altered Book

quote by Henri Matisse.  I love altered books and it has been awhile since I've created one.  I have used layers and layers of fibers, fabric and lace.  To me, it is scrapping with fabric - in my tattered edge style.  Filled with my favorite famous Artist Quotes - Matisse - Shaw - Picasso - O'Keeffe - Rodin

MORE PICTURES IN MY ETSY SHOP 

so much more to this book.  The computer never does it justise, but those who know my work, I do believe, can picture it just as it is. 

 
 

 

Marketing Mindset - special offer for MY BLOG READERS

As this year is coming quickly to a close,  and life is sort of settling down, I have some new goals for the new year, 2010.  I am a full-time working artist and not starving yet...THANKING GOD!  I have had wholesale inquiries over the years, but have found contentment just selling on Etsy as my muse leads.  But now I NEED to get really serious at what I do.  Well, a miracle has happened....

KC Willis- a brilliant artist and practical business woman is now offering an online seminar for us working mixed media artists!!!  She is an answer to my prayers and I hope yours too!!!

 KC is offering this amazing opportunity through on-going videos and/or, personal phone consultations.  KC is really easy to talk to (warm and nice) and offers all she has.  She is a very generous and giving soul, my kind of people.

Join now and get ready for the NEW YEAR!!!  What a gift you can give yourself and your family.  Or maybe as Christmas approaches, and folk ask you what you want - instead of MORE STUFF - ask for this workshop seminar.  It would be a gift that will pay you rather than hide in some draw, if ya know what I mean...smiles.  It is an INVESTMENT!!!  KC's price is really inexpensive, considering what others charge - or having to pay travel expenses to attend something like this in person.

Special Offer Just for MY Blog Readers

With a PAID membership to KC Willis' Marketing Mindset - you will get A ONE HOUR FREE CONSULTATION with KC.  A personal one-on-one phone meeting with KC is the perfect place to get specific, personal advise. 

OFFER GOOD THROUGH Saturday, NOVEMBER 7TH, 2009. (you don't have to make your call to KC before this date)  Make sure to read KC's front page that I've linked to - LOTS OF INFORMATION there.

Dear Fairy, The green,

Before my dad passed away, he gave to me and my siblings, his treasures - letters and cards we made for him as  kids.  I recently came across this letter that I wrote to the tooth fairy.  It just cracks me up.  I was trying not to be greedy, but then thought, what the heck.  Ten dollars was a lot of money back then, and I'm sure she never left me that much.  I created the piece below the letter inspired by my letter.  Listed in my Etsy Shop.

click to enlarge

 

A little note:  my birth name was Joanne, but thirty years ago it was changed to JoAnnA :)

 

Ms. Minuet (in my Etsy Shop)

She really is so sweet

  
  
 
 

Fairy Art Dolls Dressed in a bit of RED Velvet

More Fairies from the Land of Mirth!

"Mirthful"

Isn't she fun!!  I just love her.  She is from the first batch, but decided to give her re-make.  I love how she turned out.  I plan to do more like her.

"adventure girl"

It has been awhile since I painted doll faces in my signature style.  These two sold immediately upon listing in my Etsy Shop.  I have two more to list today - hopefully capturing them on the camera a little better today.  That is the hardest part.  They always look a thousand times better in person.

It feels good to be creating some new little creatures once again.  I missed making dolls.   

A Wild Meeting!

This really is a wild story.  Today I took Ron to San Francisco to Mt. Zion (the other hospital with UCSF) for a procedure today.  While he was upstairs I  went downstairs to the gift shop.  I first was pleasantly surprised to see Kelly Rae Robert's art hanging on the wall (see in the background of picture above).  So cool to see her work in the hospital.  I must add, the canvas prints are really nice and high quality, but low prices.  Super cool.

Okay, so from there I go to the back room where they have all this wonderful cancer stuff (hats, clothes, mastectomy bras, etc.).  I love that department.  So I got talking with some ladies sharing a little about my cancer journey and how  I have two friends with breast cancer.  One lady responded, "well, they are lucky to have you".  I said, "well, I don't really know them in person because they are my blog friends".  Sooooooooooo - then this darling gal looks at me and says "are you Joanna?".  "Yes, I am" (smiling).  She introduces herself as Sharlee.  She has been following my blog for some time and is a fellow artist.  How wild is that!!!!  She said she always knew she would run into me one day. 

Meeting Sharlee really made my day.  A little embarrassed that I looked my worse (hardly any makeup on) etc. etc.  She looked beautiful!  Her husband was having treatments there at Mt. Zion. 

I am still smiling.  So nice to have met you Sharlee and I know we will keep in touch!!! You were a gift from heaven today. 

23 Wishes - Fairy ART Doll

Now offered in my Etsy Shop  More to come!

From the Land of Mirth! Fairy Art Dolls

 

Mirthful Fairies

definition:  amusing, blithe, blithesome, carefree, cheerful, cheery, convivial, enjoyable, entertaining, festive, frolicsome, fun-loving, funny, gay, glad, gleeful, happy, jocund, jolly, joyful, joyous, larking, lighthearted, lively, perky, playful, sunny, vivacious 

I REFUSE TO GROW UP!

 

I had such fun today creating these dolls.  I woke up today and was in the doll mode.  Haven't been there for awhile.  As long as my muse is active, I'm happy.  I wish I could keep so many of these creations, but it is my full time working job.  Some (on the outside) might look at it as a hobby, and not take me serious, but I would rather be doing this than doing anything else.  So there :)

 

  

Bendable Fiber Art

I'm always trying to figure out ways to do things with stuff on hand.  While creating some pieces that were wide, I had to figure out a way to stiffen them up for hanging.  I love that Ron built our home because I have salvaged so many things that I always think I'll use one day.  Well, he had this wire stuff so I inserted into these pieces, and I was so pleased how it turned out.  I have so many ideas now, and also for my workshop project when I teach next year at Art Is YOU. 

Offered in My Etsy Shop

 

  What is cool about these, is that you can either make them flat on the wall or pull out the sides to give it a 3D look.  They also sit up by themselves, so you could mount them on a shelf.   Here is a photo of this piece mounted on my ladder.

 

I have some other plans and am always excited when I come up with something new and fresh.  Keeps my artistic blood flowing!

Here is a wall hanging I also did, offered in Etsy.  I love the colors of this one too.

INNOCENT

Happy Weekend!!!!!

Breast Cancer - Another Artist In The Battle

 
"FLY FREE"

Created by Laurie Griffin.  This being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Laurie created this beautiful Bra ART in memory of her friend, who battle this horrible disease.

Recently, Kat, from Altered Kat who I met years ago in the original ZNE Ebay group, contacted me to tell me she was currently battling a very aggressive Breast Cancer.  I am glad she is now sharing her journey on her blog.  I know how much it helped me to do that and receive the encouragement from all of you.  So if you get a minute, please go to Kat's blog and leave her a message.  It really does help a lot to know others are praying and rooting you on.  Chemo is so hard to go through.  Plus she is a mother of two younger children, which I'm sure makes it so much harder.

Kat is such a fun gal, always there for others and loves to laugh.  I would love to put something together for her, so if you have an idea, please let me know.  Receiving bits of art during chemo for me, was like the sun coming out on a rainy day.  

Kat, you are in my thoughts and prayers daily!  You are strong and you will conquer this invasive monster!!!  Love to you!

More Sea Shell Art Bottles

Offered in my Etsy Shop

Sea Shells By The Sea Shore - Art Bottles

I picked up these shells from a local having a yard sale not to long ago.  I had fun playing with them today, assembling them on some vintage bottles with solder.  Listed in my Etsy Shop.

  I also offer a bottle soldering online workshop.  There is a live link on the top of my site if you are interested.  I have seen some amazing creations come out of this class by those who have taken it.  I solder chunky style.  People like it because you don't have to get the solder so perfect.  It's all about layering it and then aging it to give a really cool old world feel.  Would love to see you there!