Exceptional Artists Choose Themes That Truly Showcase Their Unbelievable Talent!

This week, folks were invited to choose one of the 53 themes we have worked on and create a new piece. Perhaps it was a theme that they loved but just didn't have time to create for when the theme was revealed. Whatever the reasons that kept them away, they came back to create and their creations highlight the truly professional, inspiring, and captivating qualities within their work. These artists captured beauty that will make you cheer and long to create something right now.

Please join me on a tour of these fabulous works and leave a little love for these terrific artists!


Maureen, a talented artist, created this beautiful piece for the theme, "Poetic Seas".

"For our Choice week, I chose Poetic Seas--at least, I THINK that was one of our prompts!! A full week keeps me from scanning the list of topics . . anyhoo, in the e-class I'm taking from Co-Teachers Natasha and Amanda, I have been introduced to Doodling, and am just loving it . . .so with my juicy markers, and later, a little colored pencil, I just let myself doodle what a sunny day at my beloved ocean feels like. And yes, those are cardinals winging through my ocean sky, and I KNOW cardinals aren't seabirds . . but they were my mom's favorite, and I've been thinking of her a lot (she passed on 30 years ago) and anyhoo, I have my very own "artistic license" that says I can stick cardinals over the ocean if I want to!!""

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/

Kelsey, creator of Caffeinated Frenzy, created this gorgeous scarf made out of recycled silk and beads for the theme, "The Music Within."

"This scarf (currently a work in progress) is based off of my old music teacher, she's not always one for glitz and glam, but her personality looks just like this!" said Kelsey.

http://www.caffeinatedfrenzy.com/














Jodi, creator of Jodi Horgan - Beaded Art to Wear, created this stellar piece for the theme, "Those Tropical Colors Just Made Me...".

"When you announced this theme I just happened to be in the tropics (Cayman Islands to be exact). I was full of ideas based on what I saw during our trip," said Jodi. "Turquoise is one of my favorite colors to work with and it reminds me of the color of the ocean in the Caymans. I've been incorporating silk soutache trim into a lot of my work lately. This theme gave me the perfect opportunity to use this beautiful cabochon from Lisa Peter's Art (LisaPetersArt.etsy.com) and combine it with turquoise soutache and beads."

http://www.jodihorgan.etsy.com/














Althea, creator of Salvaged Expression, created this phenomenal piece for the Hawaiian theme.

"For my readers choice project I chose the Hawiian theme," said Althea. "The sun has finally started to shine out here in a summer like fashion and I couldn't resist taking a little trip back to the islands with this pendant!"

http://salvagedexpression.etsy.com/














Bird, creator of CrowTarotTours, created this stunning piece for the theme "Flowers for a Friend", as it is a gift for someone.

"Speaking of gifts, I want to say how much I appreciate all the wonderful comments folk have left about my last few entries," said Bird. "What a wonderful treat to come to today! I only had a few moments to look, but the work you've all been doing is just amazing. Another reason now to look forward to our launch - so that I can come back & dive more deeply into these wondrous works. :-)"

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














Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this magnificent untitled mixed media in progress for the theme, "Explosive Celebration".

"I chose Explosive Celebration for this week's expression, since that's how I feel!" said Amanda. "My life is growing and changing in ways I never expected. Even though there are moments of pain and struggle, the celebration is definitely winning out!"

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

Natasha, creator of Doodlestar, created this piece for the theme, "Vibrant Chaotic Rainbow."

I feel as though colors and celebration are exploding within and all around me. This theme captured that feeling so I created a little ring to celebrate the moments of chaotic, blissful beauty.

http://doodlestar.etsy.com/





Are you inspired to create even more now??? Well so am I! In fact, there was such a response to this theme from folks who participated and those that wanted to that I'm doing it again. Yup...rewind! Let's do it again one more time.....

The next theme is "Participant's Choice The Sequel". If you have loved a theme and want to create now you can play with it!! PLAY!!

Imagine Friends...

Do you prefer having a group of friends or one, true blue friend?

Theme 53: Participant's Choice

PARTICIPANT'S CHOICE

There have been a total of 53 themes since this blog started. Please feel free to review all of them and then choose one that you would like to create something for. Please note the themes are listed on the sidebar on the right side of this blog.

It's important to note that this differs slightly from the Mini-Monthly in that your submission cannot be something that you already started. You may have seen a theme and thought of an idea but not started the work on it. Your submission needs to be something you will begin working on now. All themes are up for grabs so dive in and if you find something in the archives that you are passionate about - go for it!



Important Guidelines


The work submitted must be something you have created and/or worked on between the time the theme was revealed and the Thursday unveiling. Please submit your response to Natasha@creativenachos.com no later than end of day Wednesday, April 21st if you would like it to be posted on Thursday, April 22nd. OR send me a link to your response to include in the comments section of the post.




With your response please include:

1. Your name - either first name, shop name or both.

2. The name of your piece (if you choose to give it one)

3. Something you'd like to share (process of creation, idea behind piece) if you'd like to share anything. Please limit this to 2-3 sentences

4. The shop and/or blog links you'd like to include

5. Two photos of your piece or of each of the pieces (3x5 or 4x6 and 72dpi or a max of 96dpi - if you need any help with that please don't worry I'd be happy to help!)


Most importantly, dive in to something you truly wanted to create!

Amazing Artists Create New Works That Will Make You Want to Dance Around in Celebration of Life

ANNOUNCEMENTS: I'm so sorry I haven't been around. I've been swamped with a new class but I will be around more starting next week. Thank you as always for sticking with me!!

This week, music moved these incredibly talented, amazing, professional artists to create works that will make you want to dance around. The colors, the movement within the pieces and the styles are something to celebrate.


Please boogie through these amazing works with me...


Jodi, creator of Jodi Horgan - Beaded Art to Wear, created these gorgeous Silk Soutache Trim Earrings.

www.jodihorgan.etsy.com

Maureen, a talented artist, created this stellar work.

"This week, I thought about how music makes me feel . . . how it stirs the very middle of me and spirals out . . the color choice surprised me. Not what I intended, but it is what my hands chose, for this 9x9 watercolor with wax resist," said Maureen.

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com
















Amanda,creator of Persistent Green, created this phenomenal Untitled mixed media piece.

"My favorite part of attending a concert is feeling the vibration in my feet and through my body, like a second heartbeat," said Amanda. "Music has really shaped my creative life and been a constant companion and comfort. My piece today reflects how my favorite music makes me feel--vibrant, alive, and ready to dance!"

http://PersistentGreen.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PersistentGreen













Natasha, creator of DoodleStar, created this art journal page.

I thought - music - and this was born :)

http://doodlestar.etsy.com




Are you inspired to let your hands move across pages and create works after viewing this week's entries??

Well, then jump into the next theme which is "Participant's Choice". I will be updating the list on the right sidebar of this blog to include all the themes to present but if you have loved any theme and wanted to create now you can play with it!!

Sensational Artists Create the Most Magnificent Carnival

This week, these talented, professional, imaginative, sensational artists made me want to go to a carnival or turn everything in my life into a carnival of light, color and celebration. This feast for the eyes celebrates the playful side of ourselves, the side that embraces those around us saying, "Let's have fun. Let's enjoy life."

Please join me on a wonderful carnvial ride!


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

"I call it fairground night," said Althea. "On one hand it's a shout out to all those who prefer to ride the big rides at night and look at all the colorful lights as they streak past. On the other hand it's a big excuse to use as much colored glitter as possible in one project. Potato - Potato."

http://Salvagedexpression.etsy.com

Maureen, a talented artist, created this stunning piece.

"Here's my best effort at fireworks, with my watercolors, wax resist, and blowing through a straw . . somehow the sparkle of fireworks is something I associate with carnivals .. but this didn't come out too sparkly. It's the best I could do on 1 1/2hours of sleep!" said Maureen.

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com
















Iris, creator of Iris O'Connor, created these sensational pieces.

"When someone says Carnival to me the first thing I think of is colour," said Iris. "Needless to say I took a photo when I passed those...whatchamightcallthem?....round things with awful sweet stuff inside.
They look good though :D...

and the rabbit shot was just pure luck, which goes to show you never know who you might bump into in 'the Carnival of life'".

Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/irisoconnor

blog:
http://www.irisoconnor.blogspot.com/

my flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/irisdesign/














Amanda, created this magnificent Untitled mixed media, watercolor and oil pastel.

"The idea of carnival, to me, evokes bright and flashy color and bold lines," said Amanda. "I've been very busy with preparation for the e-course I'm teaching with Natasha (we start next week! See more info in the TST sidebar or at my blog), so it was a joy to spend time just playing with color today. Now I need some cotton candy and funnel cake!"

http://PersistentGreen.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/persistentgreen






Do you feel like celebrating all that's within you? Then join in on the fun.

The next theme is.........."The Music Within". Celebrate music!

A Delay

Helloooo all you fabulous TST-ers! Due to an unavoidable event the TST will be delayed one day and will return on Friday, April 9th. I'm very sorry for any inconvenience! See you all then :)

Friendship, Flowers and Exceptional Art Blossom in the Hands of These Talented Artists

ANNOUNCEMENT: There is a fabulous, new blog that was launched by an incredibly talented writer that you have to check out. Hiccups in Time...is a blog that will change your perspective about life. It will make you think. It will warm your heart. It will make you get up and leap for joy. Please drop by, become a follower and leave a little love for this writer who is bound to be a hit in blogland!


As the flowers and trees begin to come back to life and we venture outside to play with friends who, like some of us, have been hibernating this winter, we celebrate the magic and color that each bring to our lives. The amazing artists whose works are represented here created pieces that will make you want to pick up the phone and call that friend you just love hanging out with. You might even want to ask them to meet so you can pick some flowers!

Enjoy the joy that blossoms within while you stroll through this friend and flower garden :)


Maureen, a talented artist, created this lovely piece.

"This 9x9 bouquet of flowers "for a friend" ended up being given to me!!--I needed a boost last night, and painting to our prompt was perfect," said Maureen. "I'm experimenting with outlining lately, and I thought I was using a permanent black marker . . but I like the bleeds that surprised me when watercolor met washable marker."

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/

Felicia Kramer, creator of Another Bright Idea, created this gorgeous piece titled, “A single rose”.

"Not much to say about this one except that I LOVELOVELOVE my roses and I LOVELOVELOVE my friends and I can’t wait for my roses to bloom!" said Felicia.

www.etsy.com/shop/anotherbrightidea

http://www.feliciakramer.blogspot.com/












Iris, creator of Iris O'Connor, created these stunning pieces.

"I don't have a garden where I live but I'm lucky enough to look after the house of a really nice couple when they are away and they have a garden which is just beginning to burst into colour," said Iris. "So, I threw myself down on the grass last Saturday and took a few photos. Sometimes you have to get down and dirty to get a different perspective ;)Hope you like them:D"

Blog:
http://www.irisoconnor.blogspot.com/

Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/irisoconnor
















Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this magnificent Untitled mixed media in progress.

"I'm still working on this one, but had a blast in the short amount of time I was able to spend on it," said Amanda. "Wild color and flowers--right up my alley! By the way, there are seats left in Natasha's and my e-course, so be sure to check it out if you're interested in finding your inner WILD child and letting her play (see my blog or the TST sidebar)!"

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















Natasha, creator of DoodleStar, created this piece.

This art journal page was inspired by a talented artist/writer, Janet Davies after reading her piece about a fascinating bird's nest and my daughter who wakes and says hello to the birds in a nest outside our window every morning. Thank you for being an inspiration in my life. Friendship, flowering trees, and lots of love :)

http://doodlestar.etsy.com/

The words on the piece read:

"It's a new day. Let's makeup a song, come on..."

"Do these feathers make me look fat?"

"The leaves are STILL laughing at something the wind said...wish they'd share the joke."

"Oh doesn't that sun feel good? Let's go to the park for a nice meal!"

"Did you bring home another business card? What are we going to DO with all these cards? They're not menus you know! We can't order out."

"Hey, is out crap really full of good luck?"


Do you feel the creativity, the ideas, the excitement to create blossoming within you?

Well, the next theme is.........."Carnival of Life". Celebrate the movement, music, color, and magic of a carnival!