Phenomenal Artists Create Brilliant New Works Grounded in Beauty

This week, I had the pleasure of watching brilliant new works of art pour into the Thursday Sweet Treat in response to the theme created by the talented Salvaged Expression. Thank you Salavaged, for inspiring each of these artists to create amazing, professional pieces of art. I am truly in awe of the enormous variety here. As I look at each piece, I find myself marveling at the creativity involved in creation. I love the fact that each one excites me to look at the world with new eyes.

Salvaged, I'd like you to know three things. The first is that I loved this theme and was shocked when it caused me to create a deeply moving piece. That piece is far from finished. It needs more love and nurturing so I will be sharing it in the Mini-monthly but I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me to create from the center of my heart. The second thing to know is that some folks wrote because they were unable to finish or they simply didn't like what they tried - however they did try so a big applause for them - and all of them are excited to see what will be unveiled today. Finally, I'd like to thank you for inspiring us all.

Now, I proudly present Bones of the Earth ....or your rocks....

Salvaged Expression - creator of this week's theme - created these two magnifient pieces titled, "I'm Lichen It..." and "I love Geology."

"I was actually surprised that I managed to inspire myself," said Salvaged Expression. "Where I was a kid there were motes of rocks around a lot of the buildings as fire protection and I first got into geology just picking through those stones finding the most interesting ones. So when I found myself picking through the drainage feature out in the courtyard here I felt a bit like I'd come full circle. Of course then it started to rain and I found the best colors and patterns. I had to stop myself at 2 because otherwise I would have made about 20 of these! The first one is called "I'm Lichen It..." because I couldnt' resist calling it that! It's fairly simple because I thought the real beauty of this stone was the gorgeous way the lichen was growing on it. The second is just called. "I love Geology." I haven't really done much wire wrapping before so this week really opened up a whole new craft for me that I'm planning on experimenting with for some time."

http://salvagedexpression.etsy.com/

I love Geology

I'm Lichen It...

Lorrie Veasey, creator of Our Name is Mud, created this awesome frame.

"It is an earthenware frame with attachments. Glazed in oxides and stains," said Lorrie. "Just for Iris O'Connor's pleasure, I added a picture American Wrestler Duane "The Rock" Johnson. I was torn between that and Sylvester Stallone."

http://www.ournameismud.com/

http://www.ournameisblog.blogspot.com/

Kelly, creator of kpdesigns07, created this stunning 8x10 Original Painting titled, "Pebbles".

"When I first looked at the challenge I immediately thought about this rocky beach we came across when visiting Colonia de Sacramento in Uruguay last year," said Kelly. "We came across it only because we didn't have a map and figured most of the roads would lead to the downtown area. Well, the road we were on lead to a rocky beach and an old fortifying wall. Fortunately the we were able make our way down the rocky beach and around the wall into the town. This painting is a representation of the beach, that day, and the trip with family."

http://kpdesigns07.etsy.com/
kpdesigns07.1000markets.com

Tiffany, creator of Love, Peace and Dye, created this unforgettable "Love your Mother Earth Recycled Skirt." http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21860741

"This fully recycled and there by sustainable piece of conscious clothing emboddies one of the most amazing rocks - the earth!" said Tiffany. "Without her we could not exist and we need to love and respect her. You are my rock, earth, and I will cherish you."

http://lovepeaceanddye.etsy.com/

Kim Smith, creator of Kimm Smith, created this amazing piece.

When Kim submitted this piece it did not yet have a name...any suggestions for her?

http://kimmsmith.etsy.com/

Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes, creator of mkc photography, created this fantastic piece titled, "Bones of the Sea."

"This fossilized rock from the sea captured my eye this week...it's been sitting on my shelves for years, and the theme this week challenged me to see it in a new way," said Michelle.

http://www.mkcphotography.com/
http://www.mkcphotography.etsy.com/
www.mkcphotographybymichelleciarlo-hayes.blogspot.com/

Felicia Kramer, creator of Another Bright Idea, created two stellar pieces titled, "Rock-paper-twigs 1" and "Rock-paper-twigs 2."

"My studio AND my basement storage are full of branches, rocks, dried flowers, sea shells, pressed flowers and leaves, you name it …. I’m always picking up nature’s bounty and bringing it home because “I’m going to do something with it some day.” Here’s some of those bits and pieces along with bits and pieces of my handmade paper and other trinkets," said Felicia.

http://anotherbrightidea.etsy.com/

Janie, creator of Lifeartdesigns, created this exquisite piece.

"I went with both titles of this weeks theme," said Janie. "I mixed the clay I used to signify a stone or granite appearance and made the pendant to go with the bones part of the theme. It is a two sided pendant with fish bones on one side and a fish fossil imprint on the other side. There is a slight texture on the side of the pendant. I made that by impressing my wedding band into the clay before it was cured...because my husband is my rock. The pendant bail and box handle are made from 19 gauge annealed steel wire that I wrapped into coils. This was fun and something different from my usual clay work, which I am very happy about. Thanks Natasha and Salvaged!"

http://lifeartdesigns.etsy.com/

Cindy, creator of Cidtalk, created this beautiful, moving piece.

"The first thing that came to my mind when I read the theme “You Are My Rock” was a young girl worn out by something in life and her cat giving her a moment of comfort," said Cindy. "I don’t have a pet. I’m not an “animal person”. My husband, however had a cat in England who he decided to leave behind because he felt it was cruel to make Leo go through the quarantine. A few years later we got a call from his friend who let us know Leo had passed away. I don’t get the connection to an animal, but I can see it and I think there’s something enchanted about it."

http://cidtalk.etsy.com/

Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this phenomenal WildCover collaged journal titled, "Exposed".

"This week's theme struck a particular chord with me, as I'm dealing with family issues.," said Amanda. "I let this journal's stark, vulnerable images speak for themselves. In quiet honesty and humility, possibilities emerge. Sometimes in our lowest moments--when the heart is laid bare--unexpected growth can come."

http://persistentgreen.etsy.com/

Giraffelabel created this fabulous piece titled, " “a women’s work…”

"Whenever I hear “bones” I immediately think of this fabric. I have a ton of it…it is one of my favorites! When I first came across it, I thought it was just pretty. Then I noticed the skulls and I loved it even more! So, that is the literal part of this," said Giraffelabel. "Next, I love aprons, and I love the idea of using a man’s tie on an apron...like wearing a tie to work. This tie happens to be a vintage one that I found in my father's closet. And, lastly, at the end of the day, aren’t the women of the world the frame that gives the home strength, the foundation of families…the bones of the earth?!"

http://giraffelabel.etsy.com/

Theresa, creator of WoodNGoods, created this striking"Gothic Tale".

"Gothic Tale was designed by Chrestensen Burghout Designs. Cut, shaped, sanded, and completed by me - Theresa Ekdom," said Theresa.

http://woodngoods.etsy.com/

Maureen. a talented artist, used acrylics and watercolor inks to decorate a 32lb. rock. 16w x 11h x 4d. http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/

"Sometimes backstories aren't so important. Sometimes they are. I need to tell this one," begins Maureen. "In 1991 my husband's dad died. He was the only father I remember loving. In 1993, my husband, myself, and our three children moved near his mother, into a house she bought. She was also "my" mother, since mine died long long ago. My children all matured here, left home, found mates. My mother-in-law later gave us our house as our inheritance. Then my husband left me, giving me the house as part of the settlement. I live here alone now, struggling to grow joy. The rock is from a creek bed my husband's brother fashioned, then later dismantled. The paints were my father-in-law's. My mother-in-law died a couple weeks ago and her memorial is this coming Sunday. I'm not sure how I'll get through the memorial, among many family members I'm no longer connected to. But I know that early Sunday morning, as near to dawn as I can manage, I will place this Rainbow Rock in my front yard, as my personal remembrance of my "other mother," proclaiming my home's welcome to the world."

Iris, created of Iris Design, created this stunning piece.

"This weeks challenge had me running down to the seafront where I used to collect pebbles for my'Pebblework'.

Example:http://www.flickr.com/photos/irisdesign/2760453772/in/photostream/ And I haven't done anything with that gorgeous material for a long long time so I was quite happy to say the least...And I am happiest when it's cold and raining and I am crouching on the beach looking for the perfectly sized pebble," said Iris.

http://irisdesign.etsy.com/

Bird, creator of Kitty Hawke, created eight, incredible works.

"Bones both literal & figurative are in this week's pieces," said Bird. "I used a lot of fossils - fossil-fossils and fossilized bone. Hol(e)y stones decorated a couple of pieces, from the bones of Mother Earth. Bovine bone and ceramic 'bone' comprised two different pieces. Stainless steel, representing the iron that is so prevalent in this planet's structure make up the web of "Dia de los Muertos". So, different degrees of boney literalness for different applications."

http://www.kittyhawke.etsy.com/

Year of the Ox: acrylic yarn, bovine bone, honey quartz, copper.

Pirates of the Carribean Seas: acrylic yarn, soapstone carving, bovine bone, brass, lava, hol(e)y stone

Dia de los Muertos: found ceramic mask, stainless steel, acrylic yarn

Holy Stone, Earthmamma! : hol(e)y stone, brass

Of Shark & Sea: fossilized bone, brass

Pear of the Sea: fossilized bone, copper

If Sharks Could Fly: fossilized bone, brass

The Black & the Gold: fossilized bone, brass

Steph, creator of A Paper Buffet, created this gorgeous card.

"I really loved this week's theme! said Steph. "The theme "You're my Rock" immediately made me think of friendship and the friends I have made throughout my life. The truest friends are with you in times of happiness and in times of sadness, and that is what inspired this card. I found a quote sticker and immediately this card came into mind. The quote reads "We have been friends together in sunshine and in shade"- Caroline Sheridan Norton. I wanted to capture the brightness of the sun and the darkness of the shade, so I used patterened paper which came in yellow and grey/black. I think the contrast suits the quote, but keeps uniformity as it's the same pattern. This is the second card in my Friendship series that will be added to my Etsy store over the next few weeks."

http://www.apaperbuffet.etsy.com/

Tell me, did you enjoy all of this beauty?

Please share your thoughts, ask the artists questions, leave a comment and some love here. Then, go visit these artists at their shops and blogs, share some more and tell a friend!

Thanks so much for visiting!!