Starving Artist Forum

Ok, it's minitature! ACEO sized painting with metallic green, glitter and some free style inking.

I was inspired by crisp and tart green apples, peridot gems and curling ivy...

without further ado:

What made me even attempt this tiny painting? My online group, ACEO Online Magazine. We had a monthly challenge for March of "Green". I think I nailed it! LOL Now for the voting!!

Wish me luck!

A fellow group member of mine, Joann Wheeler, has converted her Etsy shop to benefit a very noble cause...The Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Martin's Home in Catonsville, MD.

The Little Sisters have been caring for the needy elderly of Baltimore without interruption since 1869. That’s a long time! Today they face an unprecedented challenge because the 40 year old building is in need of major renovations in order to comply with Life Safety Code standards and meet the needs and desires of tomorrow’s seniors.

In order to help the sisters reach their budget, Joann is donating part of her sales toward the mission. Shop her special Etsy store, Artful Purpose and be a part of the solution!

Free Shipping on all Unframed ACEO's .
25% of all sales go to Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Martin's Home, Catonsville, MD

100% of any sales of Religious paintings/prints go to the Little Sisters.

My facebook fan page is growing in fan base so I am celebrating by giving away my newest Art Card!! I will be creating another Valentine ACEO similar to the ones earlier created and if my fan base reaches over 200 I will choose a random fan to win the very first print!!

Currently listed on eBay, I have 4 of my Twilight Art Cards. I'm currently working on adding a fifth brand new sketch card.

You can click here http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=twilight+ACEO+Belle to choose your favorite and start a bidding war!

Meet "Bella Swan", my latest ACEO card inspired by the Twilight movie. She's looking over her shoulder at Edward while at school maybe wondering how she ever caught his eye, what to do about being in love with a vampire, or how to survive that.

My portrait of Bella as portrayed by Kristen Stewart is done with pencils on a miniature scale of 2.5 by 3.5 inches. Prints will be made available for purchase or win one on Listia for a short time.

One of my favorite movies, The Crow, has inspired me to paint this profile of Brandon Lee in miniature. It was a painstaking process to try it so small, but it wouldn't be fun if it were easy!

I used a textured black paper for the base and I love the way it added to the depth. There is so much energy in that stare, and it is the absence of color that brings it out.

Artists always play with techniques and colors, and going back to the most basic of black on white is always a favorite of mine. This was a challenge in that it was reversed. The white on black is simple and stunning and perhaps a new favorite of mine.

This original painting is posted for sale on eBay now, you can snatch it up now by clicking HERE, and you can buy the crow ACEO card to compliment it in my Etsy Store.

I recently received a message through facebook from a friend offering a friendly challenge to get us both painting again. I would have never thought to do the same in reverse, but was so glad to have been challenged!

We decided on a Spring theme and are going for an ACEO or 4X6 size work of art that we can sell or auction off. It has to be water color and in that theme. We are both choosing from another friend's photos coincidentally and I cannot wait to see what she chooses!!

Just getting that email has started my creative processes again, and I am looking forward to plunging into watercolors again.

We may fail miserably, but as long as you try there is no true looser. So get out of your comfort zones. Challenge friends and neighbors to art offs and see what fun you can stir up. You might just help a stay at home Mom out of a rut or push a teacher toward new ground.

You never know how much you affect others until you try.

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Valentine's Day! My take on the holiday with ferrets went over very well. It just goes to show you that the more unique your hobby or favorites, the more priceless they become. So don't feel like you're all alone out there, there are just enough people in the world to make your favorites valuable to others as well.

They say you should plan to be negative in a business for the first year or so. What? How do people start at all if you are going to be upside down for that long?

I guess it's not so much different than buying a new car. As soon as you get your business off the ground, you already have more in it than it is worth. The biggest difference is that a business can grow and earn value.

I am doing everything possible to keep my costs down, so I will gain profit. Otherwise, I won't be able to support my art or hobby. As of now, I have a dotcom site, and business cards ordered. I have several different ACEO cards for sale in three different places, and I am only out $90.

Not too shabby! I think I have the nack for this frugal business start plan!