I'm an artist. What does that mean? Well, anything, really. I love to create. Paintings, plaster, leather, metal, fabric... You name it, I've probably tried it. If I haven't, I most likely will want to at some point. I love learning and experimenting with different mediums and techniques. When I get bored with one, I move on to another. Yet, eventually, I'll return to a previous technique, or material to start all over again.

Of course, this means I have a studio full of crafty supplies. Which in turn means I have too much supplies and too little space. It's hard to toss out even the tiniest of scraps. Hey, it happens with crafty, artsy people. I suppose you could call us hoarders, but at least we find a use for everything. Eventually.

Don't laugh, or scoff. It's true. I swear!

With some left over scraps, I made this:

Genuine Leather Handmade Purse

 I made my sister one first for her birthday. She loved it. So did family, friends, and her co-workers. The orders started coming in. It's large enough for a small wallet, keys, and a good sized cell phone (my Galaxy S4 fits well in it with ample space).

Nice, huh?

Okay. So, I mentioned I use even the tiniest scrap. Here's what I came up with for small leather pieces.

Genuine Leather and Hematite Earrings

Genuine Leather and Glass Bead Earrings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genuine Leather and Natural Shell earrings

The possibilities are endless! Good thing I don't seem to have an end to left over scraps. Well, it's sort of good. These things didn't put a dent into my crowded craft room. *sigh* But, I sure had fun creating them.

Like the earrings? They're for sale at my Etsy Shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/trgatesart
Or, click on the photos and they should lead you directly to the sales page. 

You can look for purse listings to show up soon too. Along with other crafty things.  

- Trace

Fine Art Prints

© 2012 Tracey R Gates

In an artist group that I'm part of I recently asked about printers. Specifically, home printers that can handle heavier paper than photo, such as inkjet canvas, or fine art paper. My reason for this is that I'd like to have more control over prints of my artwork. To make sure that the colors in the print matches to the colors in my original artwork before selling to a client. Not only that, but sometimes I put my art on fabric and add it to some of my sewing designs, but the printer I have now tends to jam.

Before I knew it, my original post turned into a long discussion from fellow artists about whether, or not it is cost worthy to do the printing yourself, or to have someone else do it for you. Not exactly what I was asking. I seem to run into this more than not when I think I have a simple question. So, I'm still on the hunt for the perfect professional printer that will do what I want without breaking the bank.

In the meantime, I've set up some of my art for prints through professional printers. (Thank you, Abril Andrade Griffith).  You'll find art prints, acrylic prints, framed and canvas prints of some of my artwork and nature photos at Tracey R Gates Fine Art  ( http://tracey-r-gates.artistwebsites.com/). Including the bird bath photo above.

Dragon and Chickadee

© 2012 Tracey R Gates

I just finished this fantasy art drawing of a dragon and chickadee. Still haven't thought of a name yet. This is one of a set of drawing/paintings I'm working on. So, look for the painted version to show up sometime soon.

Those who know me, know that I love chickadees. The ones that come to our backyard are just as friendly as they are curious. I couldn't imagine anyone harming the little beauties. Not even a dragon!

Drawing was done with woodless graphite on acid-free recycled sketch paper (with more detail than shows up on the computer).

-Trace

Magical Moonlight

One of the programs I use for my digital art is Corel Painter. This past December I decided it was time to upgrade from version X to 12. Ok, not so much as decided as had to since my Painter X was destroyed in a flood. I chose the right time since the program was on deep sale.

I can say that so far I'm definitely not disappointed in version 12. 

That's not to say that Painter X was bad. Just look at this painting I created on it in 2008.

Magical Moonlight, © 2008 Tracey R Gates

It was my first attempt at making a digital painting and still one of my favorites. While I've been spending a good deal of time playing with my new granddaughter, I plan to get back to drawing and painting this year.

For Christmas 2011, my wonderful husband bought me a Wacom Intuos4 medium tablet. The drawing space is larger than the one I had on my Intuos3. I also like the texture of the drawing area. It feels more paper like rather than the extremely smooth surface of the Intuos3. Although, I will admit that the nibs seems to disappear a lot faster than those for version 3.

The combination Wacom tablet and Painter program really helps me create digital art as I would with traditional acrylic, brush and airbrush on canvas. There are settings for acrylic, oil, pen, pencil, marker, etc.. The program is set up so that each medium behaves just as it would traditionally. The tablet is set up so that it really does feel like I'm holding the brushes, pens, or other artistic tools. 

I still paint traditionally, but this is great for those times when I don't want to drag out all the supplies and easel. Especially since my craft room looks a bit like a tornado went through at the moment, but, hey, it's getting back to normal. 

Prints of "Magical Moonlight" are available at my artist page through Tracey R Gates artwork at Artist Rising, or at my online shop at PixieLed Originals.

Sharing with a Friend

Sharing with a Friend
©  2009 Tracey R Gates

After a hiatus that ended up being much longer than expected, I'm returning to my love of creating art. So, look for more artsy blogs to continue.

I've also decided to enter my art in a few contests. One of which is being hosted by Thalo Magazine  through Facebook. Winner gets their art on the cover of their magazine, $250 cash and $250 in artist supplies.

The entering period is over. Now we're onto the second phase: Public voting. Third phase will be voted on by a panel of judges.

I've entered the painting at the top of this post, entitled, "Sharing with a Friend". It's of a fairy sitting on a mushroom and sharing a sunflower seed with a curious black capped chickadee.
To vote for it go to http://apps.facebook.com/promotionshq/contests/180443/voteable_entries/41269713 . You can vote once daily until January 31, 2012.

Thank you to all who vote. And don't forget to check out Thalo Magazine for artist tips, articles, and job listings.