Printmaking

This semester I am learning the art of printmaking, I thought I would share some of the designs that I have made.

 The first print is made by an etching technique into a type of plastic, then ran through the press onto the paper, which has been treated with water, then the print is left to dry.
The second print is two toned, using blue and red. It was made by a relief technique into a type of stamp pad.

the actual picture is 4x6 black and white. Original design by Andrea Pace sold for 20$

The actual picture is 3x5. Original design by Andrea Pace sold for 15$

Amazing Grace

When I look at my artwork I see God's direct hand in my life.

People often ask me, (like once a week) what I plan on doing with my degree when I graduate. I do have 2 years left to decide this but at the same time, I should have some what of a plan right? Well I'm going to be really honest here, I don't have a plan. I am getting my degree in Art. I don't really know what I want to do after that. I do know, however, that this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now. I know without a doubt that this is where I am suppose to be. I know that this is the major that I should have and I know that soon enough I'll know what to do with my art degree.

I know that I am suppose to do art for the rest of my life. Every time I look at something that I have created I am overwhelmed with a feeling of satisfaction. A feeling that I just know that this is it. To help you understand how I feel:
               Imagine this, you are given one million dollars. You can do whatever you want to with this money. So you decide that you are finally going to buy that thing you have always wanted. You feel so right about it because you can finally complete the dream of doing or owning that one thing. You get this feeling of just happiness, and life feels complete.
That is how I feel after I finish every piece of art work. God has given me this amazing talent. Sometimes when I look at a painting or something that I did I'm amazed because I think oh wow that started blank and here it is this awesome piece of art.When people say to me "oh wow, great job." or "you are so talented." Yes, I say thank you, but then I quietly thank God. Sometimes I even tell whoever just complimented me that none of this would ever be possible without God's amazing grace and power.

My life has been incredibly blessed, and God continues to bless my life everyday. Even though I may not know what my future holds, I have faith that God knows and has a plan that is better than anything I could have ever hoped. I know this because so far I could have never imagined some of the amazing things that have happened in my life.

"God will lead you" Isaiah 58:11

 If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I an artist, will answer you:
          I am here to live out loud.

Why do I Paint?

Over the past couple of years I have been asked over and over Why do you do art? What made you start creating things? That my friends is a wonderful question. The answer is actually quite simple.

I do art because it is a piece of my soul. Every painting is an expression of my heart and of my soul. Over the past year my art has become very personal. It has become the only way that I can truly express how I feel. Happiness, Sadness and pure joy for me can only be shown through art. My skills have improved dramatically as I work my way to an art degree. I can only begin to express the appreciation that I have for my wonderful art professors.

I do art because I love it. People tell me "Oh you are so talented" or "You have a gift." Which not to sound big headed I agree with them. But I don't do art because I was gifted with an ability. I do art because it I love it, I enjoy it. Even if I was terrible and I had no artistic ability whatsoever or I suddenly lost my vision I know that I would still do art. I know that I would still lay awake at night waiting for inspiration to hit me. I know that I would still have what I call artistic visions, I know that color would still speak to me. I know that no matter what I will always have a desire to do art.

I paint because nothing makes me happier. I paint because it's my heart on a canvas. I draw because my hands were designed to create great things. I design because inspiration runs through my veins.

I am an artist.

Bark of Color

This weekend was the peak of the changing of the leaves. Looking up at the trees you could see beautiful color. Reds, yellows, oranges, and greens all blend together in perfect harmony.

Lately all I can think about is lying on the ground in the forest, looking up and seeing the sun glow through the leaves. Letting all of the color just pour into my soul. If you haven't ever just looked up and admired the beautiful trees you need to take 10 seconds to let the color run over your face.

When I saw this tree I thought it was pretty. The rough bark, and the multiple colors that show through the browns. Sometimes I get so caught up in what the leaves look like that I forget what holds them up in the air. The trunk of the tree is the most important part. It may be rough, and some may say it's ugly, but without it there would be no beauty. So in it's own way it is beautiful.

Without the rough tree trunk there would not be any colorful leaves to pour over my face. It's beautiful.

Wide Open

As I was sitting in class today my professor said something that just inspired me. We were discussing life and he was talking about taking life as it comes rather than stressing about everything. "Be Wide Open." This was the phrase that just hit me. To wake up everyday and except everything that comes. To be wide open to the things God has planned for you. To be wide open to the possibilities, opportunities and experiences that every day brings. Taking life in stride, to remember that the more open you are, the more you will enjoy life. Let people into your life, have intimate relationships with people and Be wide open.

I chose this picture to represent this phrase because if you look hard enough you will see that this log has a hole through it. The log, normally a solid mass of wood is wide open, taking in animals, snow and leaves.

Be Wide Open. Let Inspiration take you. Take Life in Stride.

Today is the Day!

Today, I begin the journey into a new painting. The inspiration came quickly, and I have been dying to paint all summer, and today is the day I will start.

If anyone is interested in buying any art work of mine posted on the blog, please let me know!

Overwhelming Inspiration

Sometimes as an artist you just have this need inside of you to draw, paint or whatever. That your artistic ability is just spilling over. Your mind is overwhelmed and the only way to fix it is to draw. Lately this has been happening to me alot. I wake up with drawings in my mind, and when that happens the picture never goes away. Sometimes I don't even know what the picture means until I draw it.

I had forgotten a sketch book and all I had was the book that I was reading. So I grabbed a pen and let my mind do the rest. This is what happened. At first it was a squiggly circle and then it became a tree. I didn't have a plan. I just let the inspiration and thoughts fill the page.

Sometimes when I get in periods like this when I have pictures in my mind going all the time of good ideas, I just get headaches. I can't stop seeing it. My mind is full of color and thoughts and inspiration and without anywhere to put it my mind overloads. Because I can't forget a picture until I draw it.