The Tropics as Seen Through the Eyes of Talented, Creative Artists

What I enjoyed about this theme was the unique road each artist traveled down while creating their pieces. Some drew from memory, others from wonderings but all found an idea that spoke to them and then brought it to life. I'm so moved by the vision each artist shared here; each inspired me to think about the tropics, color and the creation of art in a new way. Thank you to each person for this amazing gift.

Now, please join me on a tour of the tropics.......




Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this mixed media artwork (tissue paper, acrylics, gloss gel, watercolor, oil pastel)titled, "Wild Flower."

"My husband and I went on a soul-stirring trip to Mexico with his parents in 2007. One of my absolute favorite parts was the lush, wild growth everywhere--including pink and green flowers so perfect and colorful they just had to be fake (nope). This week, I remembered those flowers and thought about how you and I are just like them--brilliant, blooming, and full of life."

http://persistentgreen.blogspot.com/
http://persistentgreen.etsy.com/

Maureen, a talented artist, created this striking piece.

"AnnieMae often likes to fly through a tropical forest, tucked deep and safe within the wings of her favorite ginormous butterfly . . . look close, up by the eyes . . I think those luscious lashes are AnnieMae's," said Maureen.

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/














Althea, creator of Salvaged Expression, created this gorgeous piece.

"Thanks to some coral that Bird so generously provided I bring you "Back to the Sea". I put glitter on the coral to give it a wet frothy look and then added the large turquoise wire," said Althea. "I'm really happy with this piece if not the photos in the near dark of a western Pennsylvania February!"

http://salvagedexpression.etsy.com/













Felicia Kramer, creator of Another Bright Idea, created these sensational pieces titled, “Pretty in paradise” and “Lazy lizard”.

"I’m not sure what led me to tropical critters for this theme, except that I was thinking about how different tropical islands are from everywhere else," said Felicia. "Even their birds, animals, insects and vegetation are unique to them, and certainly nothing like that is ever found in my backyard! Right now in my backyard there’s nothing but a lot of snow!"

www.etsy.com/shop/anotherbrightidea
http://www.feliciakramer.blogspot.com/













Teri, creator of Giraffelabel, created this phenomenal ROSE shoulder bag.

"I've been wanting to try working with this type of waterproof fabric for a long time, so this theme and my visions of going to the beach gave me the freedom to do it," said Teri. "The outer fabric is heavyweight cotton and the lining is waterproof. Perfect for the summertime!"

http://www.giraffelabel.etsy.com/














Kris, creator of Lisianblue, created this fantastic piece.

"Pink and green is one of my favorite color combinations, and I knew just what I wanted to work on," said Kris. "Meet "Flower", she isn't for sale, she's for my granddaughter. Needs a little touch up and eyes finished still. Working out a Yoda bunny for my grandson!"

shop: http://lisianblue.artfire.com/

















Trina, creator of Woven Chains Jewelry, created this fabulous piece.

"These are really tough colors for me, and this week has just been one of those strange weeks," said Trina. "In fact, there is only one earring here because I ran out of rings halfway through the second! I guess you'll have to imagine that I lost the other one somewhere in the Tropical Paradise!!! I sure hope all of you had a better week than I did, and I'm making sure that next week will be a great one for me."

http://wovenchains.etsy.com/












Natasha, creator of DoodleStar, created these two pieces.

When I started out, I thought my focus would be more tropical but what soon became apparent was my need to play with the colors. The Princess piece was created for my little one who wanted my character to do something "Princess-y". The second is another version of poem I created for my husband. I dedicate this one to him as well.

Should the princess be a card, print, journal, all three? The poem - the cover of a journal? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for taking a look :)

http://www.doodlestar.etsy.com





Here are the words in "Believe In..."
Believe In…

The world that lies hidden upon the petals of a flower,
That the princess will always be saved from the locked tower.
That each soul that leaves this Earth makes the night sky brighter;
We can make people feel more loved just by hugging a little tighter.
The magic you have within that makes you truly unique,
Gives life to the beauty in your thoughts and the truth you speak.
So believe in yourself and make your dreams come true,
Because this world needs to believe in the beauty that’s YOU.
© 2010 Natasha Reilly












Bird, creator of CrowTarotTours, created these beautiful pieces.

"Well, you fine TST folk have been saying you want to see my pics - this week your wish is granted! All of these piccys were taken by yours truly, and are hot off the digital presses, being taken on this very Wednesday," said Bird.

"And by the way, you will note in at least several of these pics, the complete replacement of pink by red. Well, red is just pink with no white in. At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it! :-D"

www.crowtarottours.com - In Progress
Talismans by CrowTarot - www.crowtarot.etsy.com
Twitter: @CrowTarotTours


"Tropics Meet Snow, Snow Meet Tropics" - Normally, you think of Umbrellas under sunny skies (at least the patio kind). It was a bit of a delightful disconnect to see these residents of the back deck in their winter gear, so I took the pic."




"Birds in a Row" - We had a flock of robins descend upon the skylight this afternoon, something that to our knowledge hasn't happened before in the time we've been here. It was so kyool. I took pictures. I also remembered days in Florida with the local robins getting absolutely punch-drunk on fermented berries. I bet these birds would have loved to have been there instead of on a snowy Michigan roof.




"Tropical Dreams" - Bailey, our Bassette (aka female Bassett Hound), dreaming of being in warmer climes where we could Go Take a Walk. Green pillows, red-brown dog, close enough. :-D




"Century in Sunglasses" - Looking out the side door earlier today, it seemed as if our car were wearing sunglasses. Another nice reminder of warmer, hazy, lazy, dayz. No red, pink, or green, but it makes me think of Florida, which makes me think of greenery everywhere, and pink flamingos, so it will have to do. :-D




"Angelic Bird" - The reality - trying to land on/sliding down a snowy glass skylight. The mystical - a bird in flight is an angel in wings & feathers.




"Bird Butt" - "I say THIS for your Winter!" -'nuff said, really. :-D




"Bird w/&w/o Poem" - After playing, drinking, and sliding down the skylight, the robins flew to various trees in front & back yards. These are compilations of a particularly nice one of those, set against visions from our snowy front yard.





After viewing this one-of-a-kind TST are you warmed up and ready to challenge yourself to create something new??

Well, the next theme is theme is.........."Orange Blossoms". In this theme we will use orange and a circular shape. The orange can be simply the color and then a circle used in some special way or it can be an orange button, bead, paint ball, fabric, sticker, or something else entirely. Let's create some delicious, original orange blossoms!