deanie houghtaling | Sheila's Corner Studio

Kat Sloma’s Liberate Your Art Swap is humming along. I have a new batch to share with you. This is a great year! Seems like most of the swappers printed extras, and there is a whole lotta’ sharing going on.

This gorgeous card started as a thank you gift for the artist’s sister. Such a wonderful idea, don’t you think? It came to me from Terry Owenby in Portland OR. A wonderful collage, that includes vintage postcards, and worn book binding.

Recycle, reuse, and re-JOY.

This batch includes three more “extra” swaps and two “official” swap postcards. The photo of the chain is from Mary Greliner in Missouri. She says she loved the chain, and I do too! All that rusty ruggedness.

The Sculpture “Struggle” is from Mark Wilson. Unfortunately the bar code made his address unreadable. I am really hoping Mark will see this and get in touch. I would love to see more of your work Mark!

Batch #2 LYA

The remaining cards are all “extra’s”. That fabulous Dahlia is from Deanie Houghtaling in Phoenix AZ. The card says that the photo was taken in the Jardin Des Plantes in Paris France. How Cool is that! Deanie is a traveler and it is so wonderful that she shares her travels with all the LYA’s. Take a look at this from last year.

The Dream catcher is from Janice Darby in a far-away place called Santa Maria California. Howdy neighbor! This piece is part collage, and there is so much wonderful detail! “Catch” is a theme Janice has visited before. Check out Janice’s card from the 2014 LYA swap. I think this is the third year I have swapped with Deanie and Janice.

Juana Almaguer is an awesome artist working in Langley Washington. Take a look at her blog. Juana mailed her card in a handmade, scented envelope. She used sheet music and washi tape. She painted a bright beautiful bird on it too! Her photo is super cute. An awesome shot of a squirrel stealing a snack. So fun. I thought Juana and I had swapped before, I couldn’t find the post so I am going to have to keep looking.

Having so much fun with swap! My thanks to each artist for sharing their work with me!

Paris Perfume Shop. Deanie Houghtaling

The official swap ended about a week ago. I lucked out, and agreed to many extra swaps. My treasure-trove is doubling by the day.

This postcard took me back to Hans Christian Andersen, the movie with Danny Kaye. I know there was scene where ballet slippers were hanging and he was singing. I remember the movie was magical the first time I saw it. This card reminded me. Ballerinas just seem full of magic too, don’t they?

Deanie’s postcard is an over sized image. I really like how the size accentuates the fact that this is a work of art. Taken in the Marais district of Paris. Deanie wrote that she saw these from the street, and she just had to wander in. Wander in Paris… sounds dreamy doesn’t it?

“To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage” ~ Georgia O’Keeffe.

Deanie included this quote on the back of her card. Lovely acknowledgement from my (Deanie’s too!) favorite artist. You can see more of Deanie’s wonderful photos on her Facebook page and on her blog, Wild Sands Photography. Thanks again Deanie, for sharing your view of the world with me. Just a bit of Paris, and a little glimpse of heaven.

Watercolor, 4 x 5. 2014 S.M.D.

Here is a small study I am working on. I need to go back and rework the feet. They look a bit stick figure to me. I am really happy with how the branch came out. I worked wet on wet to vary the tones.

I have done less painting, and more digital design the past few weeks. I have several in varying stages. I will be able to share them with you soon.

Don’t forget, to peek at the lunar eclipse tonight!